I'm the Secret You'll Swear to Keep

/Fifteen/

When Joe died, Andy collapsed into himself. He refused to eat or train. He never left his room. He cried constantly. Everyone tried to help, some believing it was simply the mourning process.

It was Pete who realized Andy was deeply struggling. During a raid, Andy sat outside his door unarmed. He hoped someone would just kill him. Pete found him, dragged him inside, and locked them inside Andy's room.

He saved Andy. He helped Andy get back on his feet.

Now it's time to repay the favor.

"Time to get up." Andy barges into the room.

Pete's sleep deprived, it's clear to see. Patrick's tucked safely under his arm, still unconscious. He's stayed up all night to protect him.

"I can't leave him." Pete mumbles slowly, the gum in his mouth nearly falling out. He's been chewing it to curb the hunger in his stomach.

"You can, and you will. You need to eat. You need to train and get your mind off of this."

"No."

"It wasn't a question. You're coming."

"He needs me."

"He's unconscious."

"What if he wakes up scared and alone? I need to be here."

"You can't lose yourself, Pete."

"I can't lose him." Pete's eyes flicker to Patrick.

"Guess what? I couldn't lose Joe and guess what? I did! I almost lost myself too, Pete. You're the only reason why I'm alive today. You told me that Joe would beat me to a pulp if he could. I'm sure Patrick would do the same."

Pete cracks a small smile. It's barely there, but it's clear Andy's made some progress.

"Come on, at least get some breakfast with me. Training is still pending, okay?"

Pete bites his lip, eyes finding Patrick. Pete's fingers gently run through the soft hair before leaning close to Patrick's ear.

"I'll be right back, okay?" He whispers. "If you wake up, just ask for me and I'll come right away."

"Stop talking and come eat." Andy frowns. "And no more guns."

Pete reluctantly slides from the bed, watching Patrick as he walks out. He shoves his gun back into the holster on his hip.

"Look," Andy nods to the guards outside Patrick's door. "They're keeping him safe."

Pete nods slowly. He wants to run back to Patrick. His bones want to run Patrick to Patrick. His muscles want to run back to Patrick. His lungs, his heart, his brain, want to run back to Patrick. His cells want to run back to Patrick.

"Snap out of it, Pete." Andy frowns.

"What?"

Andy sighs, scratching his beard. "I said that we should invite Brendon and Ryan."

"We don't need a fucking invitation." Brendon says as he walks to the duo. Ryan's a few steps behind, fidgeting with his watch.

"How are you, Pete?" Brendon asks, not waiting for a response before he throws his arms around the older.

"I'm okay."

"He's sleep-deprived." Andy corrects. "And hungry, and thirty, and paranoid."

"It'll be okay, Pete." Ryan smiles, giving him a quick side hug.

"Thanks guys." Pete looks over his shoulder and back at the bed.

"Stop! Just calm down, trust the guards, and come eat." Andy grabs Pete's wrists tugging him away.