Run to You

14

I'm so worried about Mitch. Ever since I found him by the door this morning, he's been acting... off. I never should've let him go out to the bar. I sigh, sipping my hot chocolate while I wait for Mitch to get out of the shower.

It doesn't take him long. Soon, the water is shut off and he's coming back out clad in large hoodie with sleeves that hang well past his fingertips and some sweatpants. Without a word, he sits down next to me and presses himself against my body, clinging to me as if his life depended on it. Sobs shake his tiny body, and I gently put my arms around him, squeezing my eyes shut to try to stop myself from crying too.

"It's gonna be okay," I whisper, to both him and myself. "We're gonna be okay. I'll take care of you, Sweetheart. I love you so much." After a while, his breathing slows, and I realize he's asleep. I sigh in relief. He's probably exhausted. I don't know how early he woke up last night, but by the time I realized he was gone, his side of the bed was already cold. Carefully so as to not wake him, I lift him off the couch and carry him to our room, gently setting him down in the bed.

"Scott," he murmurs. I look at him. His eyes are still closed, and his face is relaxed. He's sleep talking. I smile softly and lean down to give him a chaste kiss on the cheek.

"I'm here, Angel."

---

"Scotty?" I blink my eyes open, squinting against the morning light shining in through the window. Mitch is pressed against me, and I can't help but hold him a little tighter.

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry I ruined your night." What?

"Baby, no," I protest. "You didn't ruin anything. None of what happened was your fault. Whoever hurt you is the only person who can be blamed." With one arm still holding his slim form, I reach one hand up to run it through his soft hair. "They never should've touched you. And honestly, I wasn't having that much fun anyways. I was looking for an excuse to leave." He sighs.

"I'm such a buzzkill."

"No you aren't," I say firmly. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I just wish you were happy," I add quietly. I scoot a little so that I can get a good look at the bruises on his neck, since I didn't get to see them last night. They're bad. Large purple blotches encircle almost his entire neck. "Who hurt you, Mitchy?" He shakes his head.

"It doesn't matter." I frown.

"Of course it ma-" There's a knock at the front door, and I jump to my feet. "I'll be back." I walk to the door and open it. "Oh, hey Alex. What are you doing here?" Alex gives a smile, his brown eyes warm.

"Well, I just noticed that you and Mitch left early last night, and I wanted to come check in on you guys. Can I come in?" I nod, stepping to the side and walking to the couch with him.

"Yeah, we just got tired," I lie, not sure whether Mitch would be okay with me saying anything about what really happened. Alex narrows his eyes disbelievingly, but he doesn't say anything else.

"So you're both okay?"

"Why wouldn't we be?" Alex shrugs

"It's just that I know Mitch is really sensitive. I thought something might've happened." I shake my head. "Good. Where is he now?"

"In bed."

"Oh. Well, I was wondering if you wanted to go get coffee with me. We haven't been hanging out much lately." I consider his offer for a moment, but then shake my head.

"Sorry. I was planning on spending today with Mitch." Alex gives an overly bright smile.

"Well that's fine. Maybe some other time. Bye." I hear footsteps behind me and turn to see Mitch coming into the room. When he sees me and Alex, he freezes.

"I'll... I'll just um... go back to bed. Didn't mean to interrupt," he says, never taking his eyes off Alex.

"No, it's fine. Alex was just about to leave." I give Alex a brief hug before going over to Mitch and giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Bye, Allie." As he leaves, I think I see his gaze darken, but I can't be sure. Mitch is trembling beside me. I guess his anxiety is getting worse. Just seeing one of our old friends freak him out. "It's okay, Sweetheart. Now we can spend the entire day together."