Run to You

18

I'm starting to doze off on the couch when I hear a loud pounding at the door. I jump, scrambling to my feet. It's probably Travis. He must've forgotten his keys and locked himself out. Nobody else ever comes here. Cautiously, I make my way to the door, unlocking it and letting it swing open. When I see who's standing there, I nearly cry.

"Mitch," Scott exclaims, leaping toward me and wrapping his arms around me. I wince as the action jostles my bruised torso, but I don't care. I'm being held by Scott. "Oh my God, Mitch, I missed you. I thought Travis was going to answer the door, and I was about to beat his ass, but then I saw it was you. I'm so glad I get to see you again." He pulls away, letting his eyes travel over my body. Anger darkens his gaze.

"Scott, it's not as bad as it looks," I say weakly.

"I'm gonna kill that bastard. But first, I gotta get you out of here. That's more important." Before I can respond, my feet are being lifted off the ground, and I'm being carried to Scott's car. I smile, letting my head rest against his chest.

---

When we get to his bathroom, Scott lets out a shaky breath, running a hand through his hair.

"Fuck, Mitch. I thought I was gonna lose you." I look down, trying to blink away the tears that are forming in my eyes. "But I found you. We're gonna be okay now. It's just... why did you leave?"

"I was so scared," I whisper. "I thought you were gonna get tired of me." He frowns.

"Never. I will never get tired of you. I love you too much. God, I can't fucking believe I let you get hurt so much." He grabs a washcloth, running water over it before gently starting to wash away the blood on my face.

"How did you find me?" His gaze stays fixed on the wound on the side of my head, his brow furrowed with concentration as he cleans the area around it.

"You must've used snapchat at some point when you were in the area, and you had your settings allowing your friends to see your location. So then I went to that area and asked a neighbor which house was Travis's, since I had a feeling he was who you were with." I smile softly, ignoring the twinge of pain as the action pulls at my damaged lip.

"I'm glad you came," I say quietly.

"Me too." He takes a deep breath. "I talked to Alex. I figured out he was the one who hurt you." I look down. "I should've been more careful, Mitch. I am so sorry for letting that happen. He's out of my life now, I promise. Out of both of our lives."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before," I murmur.

"I understand. You thought he would hurt you if you did. But please never keep something like that from me again. I want to be able to do everything in my power to protect you from people like him. If anyone ever threatens you again, tell me."

"I will, Scotty. I Promise." He's quiet for a moment, still cleaning me up. I find myself studying his face. I've missed it ever since the moment I went back to Travis. So much that I can't help what I do next.

Without much thought, I lean forward to kiss him, gently so I won't hurt my lip. He instantly reaches up to gently hold my face, kissing me more deeply, but still making sure to keep it soft.

"Mitch," he says, our lips only inches away from each other. "If I lose you again, it'll kill me. Never do that to me, okay? I can't handle it. I love you too fucking much." I shake my head.

"I won't." I start to tear up. "I won't," I repeat, my voice trembling. "I love you. God, I'm sorry, Scott. I'm so fucking sorry." He shakes his head.

"You're back now. That's what matters now." He wraps his arms around me and picks me up, and I automatically wrap my legs around his waist as he carries me to bed, where he lays down with me still on his chest. "I'm never gonna let you go," he says, kissing the top of my head.