***COMPLETED*** Around the World and Back [A Patty Walters Story]

Chapter 1: "I won't let anything happen to you."

"There she is!" I heard the all-too-familiar voice yell across the airport as he came closer to me.

His hair was almost platinum blonde when I last saw him in person. It's black now, and he wears makeup when he performs on stage, but he's still the most beautiful man I've ever laid eyes on.

"Patty!" I yelled with a smile on my face as I ran towards him, jumping into his arms. "I missed you so much!"

He spun us around, laughing as he set me down, rubbing my back as he hugged me tightly to his body.

"I missed you, too, Avery," he smiled down at me. "I'm so glad you're doing merch for us on Warped. We'll get to hang out, it'll be just like old times."

A few years ago, Patty moved to the U.K., where he formed AS IT IS with Ben, Alistair, Foley, and now their newest member, Ronnie. We kept in touch through FaceTime, Instagram and text messaging, but this is the first time I've seen him since he moved.

"I know!" I grinned. "I can't wait to annoy you with my presence," I laughed. "Where are the others? I can't wait to meet Ronnie!"

He laughed, pinching my cheek.

"You're one of the few people that don't annoy me, you silly goose," he smirked. "I can't wait for you to meet him, either. They'll all be here tomorrow. I flew in early so we could have a day to catch up."

"Oh, cool," I smiled as I threw his duffle bag over my shoulder while he wheeled his suitcase behind him. "I booked the hotel room. We can chill there or go to eat somewhere. I googled some vegan places around here, just for you," I laughed.

I'm not vegan, but Patty is, and every time we go somewhere to eat, I always try to make sure the places have vegan options.

"Nah, we can eat at the hotel. I'll get a cheese pizza," he laughed as we walked out of the airport. "I'm dying to hear about what's been up with you since I've moved. How are you and your boyfriend?"

I bit down on my lip as I pointed the way to the rental car, trying to think of a response. Josh and I started out like any other couple, but as time went on, things took a turn. He started asking where I was all the time, accusing me of cheating, telling me who I could and couldn't talk to, going through my phone, and it's even gotten violent a few times.

"Uh," I said with a nervous laugh. "That's...quite a story for you to hear when he get back to the hotel. If you think you really want to hear it, of course."

"Of course I want to, Avery, I care about you," he said as we arrived at the car. "I wanna know what's been up. I feel so out of the loop."

Xoxox

We were back at the hotel room and laying on the bed after eating our pizzas. Patty was laying next to me, twirling a piece of my hair between his fingers as we talked.

"So what's up with Josh?" He asked, looking down at me. "You can tell me, you know."

I sighed, exhaling a deep breath as I started to think of where to begin.

"Well," I started. "It started out fine, all lovey-dovey and all that stuff. Then a few months in, he started wanting to know where I was all the time, accused me of cheating, telling me who I could and couldn't talk to, going through my phone," I bit down on my lip as I watched his expression change. "And he's uh...hit me a few times."

"Avery," Patty said softly as he let my hair fall from his fingers. "He hits you? And you're still with him?"

I bit down on my lip again. Oh boy.

"That's the thing," I choked, causing him to immediately wrap his arms around me. "We live together. And we just renewed our lease again. So I'm kinda stuck until next year," I said as I started to cry. "He's always told me to stop talking to you, and we just got in a big fight about me going on Warped because he won't be able to watch me."

Patty rubbed my back again and let me cry into his shoulder.

"I'll make sure you're safe, Avery," he whispered in my ear. "I won't let anything happen to you."

"This isn't for you to worry about, Patty," I said as I looked up at him, wiping my eyes as I pressed a kiss to his chin softly. "I'll be okay."

He reached down and grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers.

"As your best friend, I'd go to the ends of this Earth to protect you," he said as he smiled down at me, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. "I love you."

"And I love you," I said, smiling when he did. "Your smile is still as handsome as ever."

He blushed, poking my cheek with a laugh.

"Stop that," he said as he stuck his tongue out. "You're gonna be seeing it a lot now."

"Man, I'm in for such a good summer," I grinned, watching him blush again. "Avery and Patty take Warped 2k18."