Apocalypse [Pentatonix AU | Kavi / Scomiche]

Chapter 39 - Recovery

Travis is dead.

Mitch repeated this phrase endlessly, over and over, as he laid sleeplessly in his tent. After the group had given their individual sentiments they had dispersed, with Kevin taking first watch, Kirstie and Avi heading into their tent, and Mitch and Scott each sleeping alone.

Travis is dead.

He'd accepted it, he knew he'd accepted it, but if he truly had accepted it why the hell couldn't he move on? He was in love with Scott Hoying, that was beyond any doubt. But any time Scott showed affection, acted romantically in any way, he felt himself rejecting it, attempting to create distance. It was unintentional, and therefore irrational even to Mitch himself.

It just felt strange to be with someone other than Travis. For as long as Mitch could remember, Travis had been the one to stroke his cheek. To hold his hand. To kiss his lips.

Travis is dead.

Unable to withstand the internal battle any longer, Mitch stood from his mattress and stepped into the crisp night air in order to distract himself. Kevin turned as he emerged from his tent.

"Everything okay?" he whispered loudly enough for Mitch to hear.

"I'm just going to take a walk. I'll stay close."

"Alright, be safe. Yell if you get into trouble."

Mitch nodded before turning and walking into the densely wooded forest. The trees were restless against the strong wind, which sent shivers down Mitch's spine. It was still technically winter, yet they were lucky enough to be in a region where the temperature never dipped below forty degrees. Still, the eeriness of the forest made Mitch cold despite the warm temperature.

Mitch made his way into a clearing, staring upward into the ridiculously gorgeous night sky. Trillions of stars peered down at him, their light only partially illuminating the surrounding area.

Suddenly Mitch's breathing grew shallow as he felt a massive weight press down against his chest. Memories flooded his head, memories of his past life, of people he'd loved and lost, of everything and everyone he knew he would never see again.

And then suddenly, unexpectedly, Mitch broke down. He'd cried before, silently let tears fall from his eyes, but he'd never allowed himself to completely shatter. But now it had all become just too much. Uncontrollable tears streamed from his eyes as he wailed into the silence.

"Are you insane?" The voice caused Mitch to jump, his heart skipping a beat. Quickly he turned and saw Scott standing at the other end of the clearing, too far to notice his tears. "It's past midnight Mitch, what are you doing walking around alone in the middle of the-" as Scott approached him he finally noticed Mitch was shaking. He froze, his concerned anger morphing into concerned confusion. "Are you okay?"

Mitch nodded once, but couldn't compose himself. He broke down again, running his fingers through his hair and turning away from Scott. His entire small frame was shaken by the tears that were nearly suffocating him. Scott was frozen in shock behind him.

"I haven't cried yet," Mitch finally sputtered between sobs, turning back toward the man who was standing helplessly behind him. His voice was weak. "When we left our apartment during the first wave, I thought it wouldn't be for long, so I never cried over that. My parents, they lived in Texas. I never found out what happened to them, so I never cried over them. When I shot down my whole fucking group, I was so completely shocked by myself and what I was capable of, I never cried over that either. And now Travis," Mitch broke again, his chest heaving.

This time Scott rushed over to him, wrapping his strong arms around him and pulling him against his chest. Silently he ran his fingers through Mitch's hair comfortingly, rocking him gently and allowing him to continue to sob.

"Remember how I told you I used to have vivid nightmares?" Mitch whispered after he'd regained enough composure to speak.

"Of course."

"I don't have them anymore." Mitch pulled away slightly, staring into Scott's trusting blue eyes. "Because now the nightmares are my reality."

Scott sighed, putting both hands on Mitch's cheeks. "You're so beautiful, Mitch. I wish I could give you a world that's as beautiful as you are."

"You deserve that too, Scott."

Carefully Scott began to lean forward, gauging Mitch's reaction. As an involuntary response Mitch had pulled away slightly, turning his cheek.

"Please," Scott whispered. "Let me love you."

And this time Mitch finally allowed Scott to lay his lips gently against his. Immediately all of his heartache and grief evaporated, and suddenly all that mattered was this moment. This kiss, and what Mitch knew this kiss meant, was the only thing that held any significance in his world anymore.

It was no longer an apocalypse. It was heaven.