the book of fluff (that usually isn't)

license to kill

i don't know what this is

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"I have a job for you."

Mitch slowly looked up from his Starbucks, an eyebrow raised. "Who are you?" he asked, suspicion lacing his voice. Scott let out a shaky breath, but slid into the booth across from him. "You're Mitch Grassi? The- The assassin?" He lowered his voice as he said the last thing, glancing around nervously. Mitch hesitated, but nodded. "Yeah..." Scott smiled weakly with relief and stood up again. "Please, walk with me."

They left the coffee shop and began walking together. Scott was a lot taller than Mitch, but he seemed to shrink into himself, wrapping his arms around his own torso. "I have a job for you," he repeated softly. "Really? Who do you want me to kill?" Mitch asked curiously, immediately looking around as though to spot the victim. "Me." The assassin immediately looked over at Scott in surprise. "You want me to kill you? Why?"

"I don't want to be alive anymore." Scott's voice was weak and he stared determinedly at the floor.

"Why not?"

"My... My family hates me. My f-friends hate me. Everyone hates me. I can't do this anymore."

Mitch opened his mouth to say something, closed it again, then finally spoke. "Why don't you just kill yourself?"

"My boyfriend said it wouldn't work and he'd catch me and he'd punish me and I don't want a punishment..." Scott trailed off, shuddering almost violently. "B-But if someone else kills me, especially you, then it's guaranteed I'll die and I won't have to live with him anymore."

Mitch hesitated, glancing up at Scott. "Is taking your life really necessary?"

"Yes. I lost my will to live a long time ago."

Mitch let out a shaky breath and shook his head. "I won't. I kill bad people. You're not a bad person."

Scott made a small noise and looked up at him, his blue eyes pleading. "Please. T-Take me away from h-... him..." He shuddered again, glancing around fearfully. "And- And do it quickly, too. I'm not supposed to be out right now. I-If he sees me I'll be punished." Mitch frowned slightly and slowly reached out to set his hand on Scott's arm. "Why can't you break up with him?" he asked softly, but Scott immediately shook his head. "I belong to him. Please, just do it." Mitch held his ground, shaking his head stubbornly. "No. I'm not going to kill you. But I will take you back to my house so you don't have to go back to your 'boyfriend'," he muttered, grabbing Scott's hand and starting on his way. However, Scott panicked and pulled himself free. "Wh-What if he sees?"

"I'm a trained assassin. I think I can take your boyfriend."

Scott chewed his lip nervously, but still followed Mitch. He really didn't want to be punished.

They walked in silence. Scott was glancing around fearfully while Mitch calmly walked to his home, their fingers intertwined. When they finally arrived, Mitch opened the door and led Scott inside. Scott didn't know what he was supposed to do, so he just wrapped his arms around himself and waited for instructions, keeping his gaze on the floor. "Are you hungry?" Mitch asked Scott, going into the kitchen. Scott followed after him, not wanting to be alone, but shook his head. "No, sir," he said softly without looking up. "Please don't call me that," Mitch said, tiredly glancing back at him. "My name is Mitch." Scott immediately dropped down to his knees at Mitch's feet, his eyes squeezed shut. "I apologize, Mitch. I—"

"Whoa, whoa, what are you doing? Please get up. I'm not like your boyfriend." Scott wordlessly obeyed, his head bowed. "Come on. Do you want to watch a movie or something?" Mitch asked, taking Scott's hand again and leading him out to his living room. Scott followed without a word. Mitch gently pushed Scott down on the couch and put a movie in, then sat down next to him to watch it. Scott curled up and tucked himself under Mitch's arm, and Mitch glanced down at him in surprise. But Scott just leaned against him and closed his eyes, feeling himself already start to fall asleep again — he was exhausted from countless sleepless nights when his wounds hurt too badly to sleep. However, he soon decided he wasn't close enough and crawled into Mitch's lap, curling up against his chest and setting his head in his neck. Mitch hesitantly wrapped his arms around him, and finally Scott was content. He fell asleep quickly in Mitch's arms.

Mitch tried to finish watching the movie, but he was distracted by Scott's warm breath on his neck and his soft hands pressed against his chest. His heart was racing more than he'd like to admit.

Eventually, Mitch just gave up and turned it off. He looked down at Scott and couldn't bring himself to wake the boy, so he just carefully picked him up and carried him to his own bedroom, gently placing him down on the bed. As soon as Scott was situated, he turned to go, but a soft voice stopped him. "Stay." Mitch turned back around to see Scott reaching weakly for him. "Please." Mitch softened and crawled back in bed beside him, not bothering to change. Scott immediately snuggled up to his side and set his head on his chest, sighing softly as he almost instantly fell back asleep. Mitch, however, stayed awake for a few moments after, staring down at the boy curled on top of him with a hesitant smile. He absentmindedly ran his fingers through Scott's hair, his heart fluttering as the blond purred and nuzzled against his hand. When Mitch finally closed his eyes, it didn't take long for him to slip into oblivion.