Of Beauty & Beast (Scomiche)

8. Visitors

Early morning shadows moved across the room as Mitch threw his legs from under the blankets and over the side of the bed, rubbing the sleep out his eyes. It didn't matter that Scott's bedside clock blinked 5:00am in the dark room, this was the most well-rested he'd felt in a long time and he just couldn't sleep any longer.

Mitch rolled his neck to rid it of kinks and pushed back the hairs that escaped his braid. He loved his hair but all the maintenance occasionally annoyed him. With a sigh he began to slide from the bed, but before he could he felt a gentle tug. He could feel Scott's gaze settle on him then without having to turn around. Regardless, he glanced over his shoulder and met barely open eyes, then he peeked down and saw the end of his braid held loosely in his love's fist.

Mitch cracked a smile; Scott always did love his hair.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," he just barely whispered, knowing he'd still easily be heard.

Scott gave a lazy smirk, blinking in long intervals in an attempt to remain awake. "Felt you. Where ya off to?"

"Shower. I can't sleep any longer."

"But it's still dark out," Scott whined playfully in reply, giving a faux pout.

Mitch rolled his eyes. "I did not say you had to get up, as well, did I?"

Scott grinned sleepily and tightened his grip on the teen's strands. Mitch looked down at him curiously—from his mischievous expression to his large hand and back. Scott slowly wound his hair around his fist, softly pulling the boy down to the bed again. Mitch sighed but went willingly once he realized he wasn't being let out of this room for more minutes to come.

Scott unwound his hand from the entanglement right before Mitch's head hit the pillow and rolled on top of him. Mitch spread his legs instinctively to accommodate his firm body, draping his arms around Scott's shoulders, and the older man happily got comfortable. They could only lay like this for a short while before he became too heavy but for now, they were both content. Mitch had missed being with him like this.

"Are you going back to sleep, Beasty?"

"Maybe. What are today's plans?"

"I was going to spend time in the greenhouse until the sun was high and then... Um..."

"Hm?"

"Go into town," Mitch murmured. He felt Scott's disapproval before it was even voiced. "I know you don't want me to leave and that you do not trust me as you once did. I see it behind your eyes and I feel your hesitance. I understand."

Scott wanted to interrupt and say different, but he knew there was no use in lying. Not to Mitch. So he let him continue.

"But I need to let people know I am okay and I don't know their numbers. The town did a lot for me when.... I didn't handle it well, as you know, and I don't want them thinking I have done harm to myself. Plus, we need groceries and I need clothes. Yours aren't exactly my size or my style, Beasty."

"No, they're not. Desperately lacking something dark and green, huh?" Scott whispered, glad for the slightest ounce of humor. "Beauty, I'm so sorry about what you went through. Can you hold off for just a little longer? I can get us food and clothes, and you have a few birdies willing to deliver a letter if you want to send one. Just please don't say where you are staying."

Mitch bristled, a frown pinching his brows together. "I wouldn't. I was foolish to have once told people that I played in the forest, I won't give anyone an actual reason to enter and try to find me here. I swear it. If you want me to wait, I will. I would like to call our Alphas, though. I have some groveling to do."