dearly beloved | scömìche

13; first mornings

Mitch wasn't released from the hospital for three days, because apparently he had fractured two of his ribs and a mild concussion. Plus, the doctors said his reproductive system narrowly avoided damage, so he and Scott were "lucky". Mitch confessed to Scott that he hadn't really felt the pain that supposedly flared up whenever he took a deep breath, but he just assumed the constant headache was a side effect of living with Alphas that yelled at him constantly.

When Scott finally got to take Mitch home, armed with pain and nausea medications, he refused to let the Omega do anything. Mitch hated being so useless, but Scott insisted that he stay in bed and rest all day with an ice pack on his chest. This resulted in lots of cuddles, so Mitch didn't completely hate it.

However, he also had a hard time falling asleep, and the times that he managed to drift off were usually littered with nightmares. Scott lost sleep as well because he couldn't stand his angel suffering so much. They were told that Mitch's ribs would heal in a matter of months, but the concussion would heal much faster. Apparently, it lasted longer in elderly people, but Mitch was only eighteen, despite the fact that all of the suffering he'd experienced made him seem older.

Near the end of January, Mitch and Scott were cuddled up together in bed, a cartoon on the TV. Mitch wasn't really paying attention, even though this cartoon was his favorite. His head rested on Scott's chest so he could listen to his heartbeat, and his eyes drooped closed, exhaustion in his limbs. Scott's arms were around Mitch, and his fingers were gently threading through Mitch's hair. Because he too was tired, his eyes were glossed over and he was fighting sleep, not wanting to leave Mitch alone.

When Scott felt Mitch fall asleep, a soft sigh left his lips and he forced his limbs to work again, taking the remote and turning the TV off. Slowly, carefully, he maneuvered himself so he was laying down and held his boy close, finally allowing his eyes to shut.

It was the first full night's sleep he'd gotten in three days. Mitch was so exhausted he didn't have a nightmare, so the next time they woke up, sunlight was filtering in through the window and their bedroom seemed to glow. Mitch was the first to open his eyes, but he soon closed them again and shifted his body to be closer to Scott, pulling the Alpha's arms tighter around his body. It didn't get that cold in Texas, but it was still winter, and Mitch enjoyed the warmth of Scott's body.

Mitch didn't want to wake Scott up, so he almost fell asleep again waiting for him to open his eyes. A soft groan left Scott's lips when he woke up, and his arm lifted from around Mitch's shoulders to rub his eyes. Mitch sleepily forced his own eyes open again and peered up at Scott, waiting patiently for him to wake himself up fully. Scott let out a yawn and looked down at Mitch, a small smile forming on his lips when he saw that he was awake. "Morning," he murmured hoarsely, and Mitch shivered at how gruff and manly his voice sounded. 

"Good morning, sir," he whispered back, leaning up to kiss his cheek. "Can we do stuff today, please? I don't like sitting around all day. The cuddles are nice, but I feel useless."

"You aren't useless, sweetheart." Scott carefully set Mitch to the side before he sat up and stretched, his mouth opening in another yawn. "But sure. Maybe we can get you some new clothes so you don't have to wear mine all the time." He stood and helped Mitch out of bed, guiding him to the bathroom. 

Mitch giggled quietly and shook his head. "I'm fine, sir. I can walk," he protested quietly, but Scott stubbornly shook his head and only let go when the bathroom counter was in front of him, ready to grasp if he fell. 

"My Omega shouldn't have to do anything," he told him, pressing a kiss to his hair as he got Mitch's toothbrush ready. 

Confusion flickered across Mitch's face and he met Scott's eyes through the mirror. "Sir, that's what Omegas are for. We go to Omega school to learn how to be good Omegas for our future Alphas. Daddy told me that Omegas only exist for Alphas' pleasure."

"That's not true, darling. Omegas are people too. And please don't call him Daddy anymore..."

"Yes, sir. I'm sorry."

"No, no, don't apologize. It's okay. I just don't want you to think that he has control over you. You don't belong to him anymore."

"I know, sir. I guess I'm just used to it."

"I understand." Scott bent to kiss Mitch's head and gave him his toothbrush. "Brush your teeth, angel." Mitch obediently took the toothbrush and started brushing his teeth, and Scott did the same, his free arm wrapped loosely around Mitch's waist.

When they finished brushing their teeth, Scott helped Mitch out to their bedroom, opening the closet door. "What would you like to wear, Mitchy?" 

Mitch scanned Scott's clothes for a moment before he pointed to one of Scott's large t-shirts and a pair of leggings. "Those, please, sir." Scott nodded and gave them to him, politely averting his eyes as he changed out of the t-shirt he wore to sleep. "Sir? Why do you do that?" Mitch asked curiously when he noticed, and Scott hesitantly glanced up at him. 

"Do what?"

"That, sir. Whenever I change you look down. Do you not want to see my body, sir?"

"No, no, of course I do. I just don't want to make you uncomfortable."

"Why would it make me uncomfortable?"

"Well, because you might not want me to see your body yet."

"You have seen my body before, sir."

"I know, and it's beautiful, but I haven't seen all of it yet and I want you to be ready when I do. Remember, everything is consensual."

"Yes, sir," Mitch said quietly, nodding slightly. "May I have a sweatshirt too, sir?"

"Of course." Scott retrieved one of his sweatshirts and helped Mitch pull it over his head, and Mitch giggled softly when the sweatshirt almost went down to his knees. Scott smiled at the sound and gave Mitch's lips a peck, then gingerly took his wrist and rolled his sleeves back so he could take his hand. "How about we go on a breakfast date?" he asked, and Mitch nodded with an eager smile on his lips. 

"Yes, please!" 

Scott laughed and led him downstairs, grabbing his keys and his phone and heading out the door.

Mitch skipped along beside his Alpha as they walked, and Scott watched him with a fond smile. "What breakfast foods do you like?"

"I don't know, sir. My Alphas didn't let me eat much. One time, though, D— I- I mean, Alpha Bryce took me to breakfast at IHOP because they almost killed me and needed to replenish my blood and I liked my food there."

Scott felt burning anger course through his veins, but he managed to hide it, though he subconsciously tightened his grip on Mitch's hand. "IHOP it is, then." Mitch giggled and leaned into his side, bringing Scott's arm around his waist without letting go of his hand.

IHOP was bustling, and Mitch's smile faded as soon as they stepped inside. He pressed himself closer to Scott and tightened his grip on his hand, not liking the way the people walked by too close or how the only thing he could hear was the babble of voices and conversations and the clink of silverware. His breathing sped up and he hid behind Scott again, trying to reassure himself that his Alpha wouldn't let anything happen to him.

"Hello, sir. How many?" the hostess asked, smiling up at them. Mitch peeked out at her, and he recognized her as the same hostess from when Bryce took him. 

"Two, please," Scott answered, smiling politely back. 

The hostess nodded and grabbed two menus, but as soon as she saw Mitch, her smile faded. "I remember you. You looked like you were about to pass out. Are you okay? Do I need to call the police?"

"No, ma'am," Mitch whispered shyly. "My old Alphas abused me, but my Alpha saved me."

The hostess relaxed and smiled. "I'm glad you're safe and with an Alpha that will love you properly." Mitch blushed and glanced up at Scott, and the Alpha smiled lovingly at Mitch. They followed the hostess to the table, and Mitch reluctantly let go of Scott's hand so they could sit down. The hostess gave them their menus and offered them one more smile. "Enjoy."