Run to You

10

As Mitch's breathing steadies, I let my mind wander. Why did he think I was Travis? I spoke so gently to him, and I never hurt him. Maybe it's just something that happens when he has panic attacks now. I sigh. Mitch has always had anxiety, and has been known to have panic attacks in the past, but this one just seemed so much worse. He was a mess. I press a gentle kiss to his temple, and look down. He's asleep, his eyes closed and his breathing slow.

I shift slightly to get a little more comfortable, and Mitch lets out a little whimper in his sleep, cuddling closer to me. My heart melts a little, and don't ever want to stop holding him. It makes me feel like I can protect him from anything. I close my eyes, trying to fall asleep. After a few seconds, my phone buzzes, and although I'm tempted to ignore it, I decide I should at least see who it's from. It's from Alex.

Alex: I'm rly sorry about what I said earlier. I was just worried you were gonna get hurt again.

Alex: After what happened last time I'm just a little overprotective.

Me: I know. But I think it would be best if Mitch and I stayed away from you guys for a little bit longer. He got so stressed he had a panic attack and locked himself in my bathroom for an hour.

Alex: Oh damn. I hope he's ok

Me: He's sleeping now. I should go. You're distracting me from my Mitchy cuddles. Ttyl

I put my phone on silent and set it on the mattress a few feet away from us. I don't want to be distracted again.

---

After a couple hours, Mitch blinks his eyes open.

"What time is it?" I check my phone screen.

"3:22. How are you feeling?" Mitch sighs, stretching. Then he sits up.

"I'm fine." He walks out of the room. "I'll be right back, Scotty," he calls as I start to get up to follow him. I stop, staying on the bed. I should stop babying him, but it's hard when he seems so fragile. I feel like anything could break him.

After a few minutes, he returns, falling into my lap.

"Hey," he mumbles against my skin as I wrap my arms around him.

"Hey," I whisper back.

"I'm so sorry. I overreacted to what Alex said and freaked out. I should've just-" I kiss the top of his head.

"No, sweetie. You didn't overreact at all. They shouldn't have piled so many questions on you without giving you a chance to explain anything. And Alex definitely shouldn't have yelled at you." I kiss his nose. "You were just scared. I should've stopped Alex from being so harsh." My voice trembles. It's my fault Mitch had a panic attack. It's my fault he got so upset. "It's my fault," I breathe.

"No, baby." Mitch looks up at me, gently stroking my cheek. "None of this was your fault. All you did was invite them over like I asked, and comfort me when it went bad."

"Exactly," I say bitterly. "That's all I did. I should've defended you. I should've-"

"No. Stop blaming yourself. You were just doing what I asked. Nothing less. In fact, you did more. You held me when I was upset, and you had them leave when I was having a panic attack. You were there when I needed you, and that's all that matters." He kisses me, and I find myself relaxing as his lips move against mine. "You're perfect," he mumbles. I sigh contentedly, still holding him in my lap.

After a few seconds, his phone goes off. He huffs, leaning away from me and accepting the call, not bothering to check the caller ID.

"Hello?" I hear a faint voice from the other end of the phone, but I can't tell what it's saying. It can't be good, though. Mitch's face is growing paler by the second. "No," he whispers under his breath. I get up, frowning.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" Mitch is frozen, a look of terror on his face. "Mitch, who is it? Is it Travis? I swear to God, if that son of a bitch said something to you, I'll beat his ass." Mitch says nothing. I take the phone. "Who is this?"

"Ah, Scott," says a familiar voice. I clench my fists. I was right. It was Travis. "I should've known you would be there."

"What the fuck did you say to him?" There's nothing on the other end of the line. My blood boils. "Tell me what you said to him, asshole." The only thing that answers me is the dial tone. The son of a bitch hung up on me. I put the phone down and wrap my arms around Mitch. "Oh, baby. It's alright. You're fine. I won't let him hurt you. What did he say?" Instead of answering, Mitch just shakes his head. "Wow, you've had one hell of a day," I murmur softly, stroking his hair.

"I-I-" Mitch tries to say something, but he cuts himself off with a sob.

"Shh... shh... it's okay, angel. You're so beautiful and perfect. Don't let him get to you." He sniffles, looking up at me with glistening brown eyes.

"Thank you," he chokes out.

"I'm just telling the truth, sweetheart. I-" I'm interrupted by a loud knock at the door.