chronometer

reattract

A/N: i'm back a little early with my longest chapter yet, surprise!
ps comments are REALLY appreciated this chapter i worked myself to the bone to make it good :')
warning: mature; look unless you enjoy being embarrassed, don't read this in public
just don't
that is all

song(s): see through - pentatonix & what is love - us the duo

The shuffling in the bed wakes me early in the morning a week later. I flick my eyes to the clock on the wall, and it reads barely past five in the morning. The sun has yet to trickle over the horizon, still cherishing its stroll over the eastern hemisphere. The moon's begun its descent, preparing to trade off with the sun and-- oh. Mitch is awake, perched on the other side of the bed. He's ethereal in the light of the moon, milky skin glowing under its illumination. My heart pulls at the sight; his knees are pulled to his chest and his chin is resting on top of them, a blanket sloppily thrown over his shoulders. His hair is slightly messy from the shower before bed just hours ago. I enjoy my view for a few moments, watching the boy train his gaze on the night sky.

"Mitchy?" I whisper, sleep drunk, and his body jolts just slightly before his head is turning to face me. "What has you awake so early?" I watch him find the red numbers on the clock across the room as well, and shortly after his eyes are on me again. I don't get my answer right away, the poor boy insists on apologizing first.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" He asks, searching through my groggy face. His shoulders slump a little and he seems embarrassed. "I've been up for a few hours, can't sleep. Worried about Michael." Now that I've taken a better look at him, his facial features give away his exhaustion. I wonder briefly what woke him up in the first place, hoping it wasn't a nightmare that swept away his peaceful sleep.

"No, you're fine," I say, sitting up and kissing his temple, "I just don't want you to be tired. What's on your mind about Michael? Let's talk and keep your thoughts at bay."

His lips purse, weighing the options. He's not quite sure what to say, I can tell, struggling to put thought into words. His forehead creases right at the center where his eyebrows are pushed together, trouble written over his expression. "To be perfectly honest, I'm just nervous I suppose. I don't want anything to go wrong. I don't want to get hurt, and I certainly don't want you to get hurt." A long sigh escapes his lips and I lose his gaze to the moon. "I don't know what to expect now that I've been gone. He may be capable of things he wasn't before. It's chilling to just think about it."

Fair point. I brush my knuckles across his cheek and he absent-mindedly leans into the touch, letting go of a small puff of breath and closing his eyes. "Remember when I said that I wanted to be sure we were ready? That's why. If we go in with a clear head and smart actions, what he's capable of now will mean nothing to us in terms of preparation. We'll be ready. I've got you."

He plays with a piece of brunette hair, and the unsureness is nothing he can hide. He's listened to my words but he still has yet to absorb them. Believe them. "I hope so."

"Don't worry, Mitch. Nothing is going to happen to me," I pause, stretching my arm casually, "and I certainly don't take well to letting things happen to people I love." Without little thought I look away again to check the clock as if much time has passed.

When I look back Mitch is sitting straight up, staring at me with wide eyes almost large enough to challenge the moon itself. His jaw is dropped open just slightly and I raise my eyebrow questioningly. What could have possibly startled him so-- oh. Oh.

"Mitch, I--"

"You love me?"

Shit. Shit. Panic flares in my chest and I don't know what the bigger mistaker was, messing up hard enough to get Mitch kidnapped or accidentally letting the actual extent of my feelings slam down on the table at full force. My face heats up in embarrassment and I have no idea how to cover this up. What if he's mad? What if I've just made the worst mistake possible?