The Storm Comes Before The Rainbow

•17•

"Are you sure you guys are okay going alone?" Joe frowns.

"Yes." Pete smiles.

He's got both of the notes in his hoodie pocket. Patrick has both of his hands deep into his hoodie pocket. He's anxious, hoping the police can solve this nightmare and they can go back to their normal lives.

"Call us if you need anything...please..." Andy begs, walking out with the couple.

"We will." Patrick smiles.

The four walk out to their cars. Patrick's smile fades slightly when he gets into the car.

"I just want this whole nightmare to be over with." Patrick groans, putting his head in his hands.

"Me too." Pete rubs his eyes with the heel of his hands.

"I don't know what's going to happen..." Patrick grabs Pete's hand. Patrick's are cold. "...but no matter what, we're in this together. We're going to stay together until we figure this shit out."

Pete nods. "I won't leave your side."

"I won't leave yours."

Pete leans forward and kisses Patrick's lips. "Are you ready to go?"

Patrick nods, adjusting his fedora. "Let's go."

~~~

"What do these notes threaten?"

"Injury and death." Pete swallows hard.

The officer raises an eyebrow. "I'll be sending you to one of our higher ranked officers."

Patrick nods. "Wonderful, Thank you." Patrick's squeezing Pete's hand intensely hard.

"Calm down." Pete shakes their arms slightly.

"Follow me." The pot-bellied Officer leads them into an office.

The office is pretty neat and organized. There's only a few books and papers scattered around. There's 2 leather covered chairs sitting across from a larger one.

"Have a seat, Officer Palmer will be in shortly." The man leaves.

Patrick's breath hitches. "Pa-Palmer?" Patrick turns to Pete slowly.

"That-It...it's not him. It couldn't be."

"I haven't heard that name since-"

"Hello! I'm Officer Palmer!" A cheery voice breaks through.

Patrick wants to puke.

Pete wants to scream.

Officer Palmer walks around, he has a file in his hand and he doesn't even look to the couple as he shoves it in a drawer. "But you can call me Luke." He finishes and looks up.

The smile drops from his face. His green eyes flip and they're full of sadness. His pale cheeks go pink. The formerly shaggy hair is cut short on the sides, leaving the top longer. His cheeks have crazy definition and he's just as tall as Patrick remembers.

"P-Patrick? Patrick Stump?" Lukes eyes water. "Oh my god." He puts his face in his hands.

"Y-You work-"

"I...Your face has haunted me all these years." Luke shakes his head. "I could never erase what I did to you and it only made my guilt grow by the day." Luke walks around the desk. "Im so glad you're here...I can finally say this..." Luke shakes his head.

"Say what?" Pete spits, sounding angrier than he should.

Luke's eyes flicker to Pete. "That I'm so sorry. I know my apologies don't undo what I've done. I was a teen, I wanted to Jason's friend...I wanted a friend." Luke shakes his head. "I can't erase the scars I've caused you emotionally, I can't erase the verbal abuse, and the physical abuse too. I wish I could because I would." The green eyes flicker back to Pete. "To both of you."