When You Need Me | Scomiche

Chapter 24

     Scott emerged wearing sweatpants and Mitch couldn't wait to cuddle up in his man's arms. Kirst and Mitch had finished dinner and were sitting waiting for Scott to make himself a plate. Mitch's eyes followed Scott as he maneuvered around the kitchen, but looked at Kirstie when he heard her scoff. She leaned in close.

     "You have got it so bad!" She whispered, not too quietly, and Mitch swatted her away. He looked up at Scott who was looking back at them with a raised eyebrow. He smiled sweetly and bit his lip. Scott smiled and winked back at Mitch. Kirstie leaned in again. "Oh, my God. You both give me cavities." Another loud whisper and she leaned back when Scott pulled out his chair and sat.

     "You have been gossiping about me." Scott smiled at the two looking innocently back at him. He shook his head and took a bite of food. "What have you been saying?"

     "Sorry, Scotty. Girls can't spill their secrets." Mitch's batted his eyelashes and he rested his chin in the palm of his hand. They both looked over to Kirstie who was mumbling.

     "Jesus Christ they are gonna kill me." Scott blushed at her words and watched her down the rest of her wine in one gulp. Mitch chuckled. They chatted about their day for a while and when Scott finished his food, he pushed his plate away from him and his face turned serious. Mitch decided to bring up Connie again, hoping for some good news. He knew by the look on Scott's face though that there wouldn't be any.

     "How was the hospital today?" Scott sighed heavily and put his head down on the table on his arms. Mitch ran his hand through the short hair on the back of Scott's head.

     "The doctors said that if she doesn't wake up by Christmas that she will most likely never wake up." Scott lifted his head and stared at the empty plate in front of him.

     "Christmas is eleven days away." Kirstie frowned.

     "I'm so sorry baby." Mitch placed his hand on Scott's cheek and watched as he closed his eyes, defeated.

     "I just don't want her to suffer anymore. Cancer has taken more out of her than anything and I don't want her to be in pain." Scott opened his eyes and they filled with tears. Kirstie reached across the table to grab one of Scott's hands.

     "I know baby. You and your dad and your family will make the right decision when the time comes, okay? You don't have to think about that now." Scott nodded and he leaned over into Mitch, who pressed Scott's head into his chest and held him.

***

     Mitch wondered if Christmas was ever gonna be a happy holiday for Scott again. It was hard enough having a family member in the hospital on a regular day let alone one that was all about spirit and loved ones. The past ten days had gone by slow. They had fallen into a pattern and did the same thing every day. They would wake up, shower, eat, go to the hospital, Kirst would pick Mitch up in a rental car and they would leave a couple hours before Scott to go spend time with his parents, then she would drive to Scott's apartment and they would make dinner and watch TV until Scott came home. They would sit with him while he ate then they would all go to sleep. Kirstin in the guest room and Mitch right next to Scott.

     Scott was still distant from Mitch but not nearly as much as he was before. He often went to him for comfort when he needed it and Mitch loved the near constant stream of kisses to his cheeks, nose, forehead, neck, anywhere Scott could reach really. But he would always back off when things would start to get heavier. He would stop Mitch's hands from straying too far under clothes or would pull away from kisses when they got too desperate and Mitch tried really hard to respect the unspoken boundary.

     Mitch sat quietly in the hospital room. A month ago he wouldn't have imagined spending his Christmas Eve this way, but he was and so was Scott and their families. He looked around the room at the blank faces. No one really knew what to say and he was sure they all felt just as strange as he did. His eyes landed on the side of Scott's head and he wished things were different. Scott sat perfectly still, eyes focused on the tile under his feet, but mind a mile away. Mitch glanced over at the clock on the wall. He carefully placed his hand on Scott's shoulder.

     "Merry Christmas, Scott," he whispered. Scott blinked a couple times and turned his head to Mitch.

     "Merry Christmas, baby." His face turned to his mom and he leaned forward and covered her hand with his own. "Merry Christmas, Mom." A few sniffles filled the room.

***

     Scott's head rested on Mitch's chest and he closed his eyes when fingers raked through his hair. His thumb swiped back and forth over the ridges of Mitch's ribs and his head rolled so he could kiss the skin underneath it. He lifted his head up and looked down at Mitch. Mitch's eyes were closed and mouth parted slightly, almost like he was falling asleep, but his hands continued to rub along his scalp and neck. Scott pushed up to lay a soft kiss on the tip of Mitch's nose, but the man flinched, not expecting the touch. Mitch's eyes opened and he smiled lazily at Scott, puckering his lips to get a real kiss. Scott obliged and moved his mouth slightly to make the kiss deeper. Mitch was a little surprised, considering Scott usually pulls away when things get a little heavier, but he went with it, loving the way Scott's mouth moved against his own.

     Scott brought Mitch's bottom lip in between his teeth and bit down slightly, making Mitch shiver. His mouth trailed down and he nipped at the underside of Mitch's jaw and at his throat. Mitch pushed his head back into his pillow and his hands held Scott's head to his neck. Scott's tongue swirled in random spots before biting and sucking and he knew there were going to be plenty of marks on his skin leftover. 

     He tried to keep his mind in the present, focusing on whatever Scott needed and wanted, but the way Scott's tongue was dragging down his sternum was scrambling his brain. He felt Scott lift up and slip an arm underneath him. He was gently tugged further down on the bed and he opened his eyes when the weight left him and cool air touched his legs. Scott had pushed the sheets off the foot of the bed and was making his way back towards him. He watched as Scott leaned over him and placed a gentle hand on his thigh, his fingertips tickling the inside of it. His heart pounded.