I'm the Secret You'll Swear to Keep

/Sixteen/

 Laura quietly eats her salad alone, reviewing the situation. She hasn't gone back in there since earlier, and she doesn't plan on it. Brendon and Ryan did just before dinnertime, and reported that Pete hadn't gone to training nor has he left Patrick's room. 

She's would yell at him for it, but she can't exactly blame him. And what Patrick said was right too. He had a right to know whether he'd freak or not. Has everyone gone soft for the strawberry blonde?

"So I heard everything that happened." 

Laura looks up, and her eyes meet with Coach Will. He's got a steak with a side of carrots. He cuts into the steak, looking up at her every so often.

"I'm sure it's everywhere by now."

Will shakes his head. "I think you're right."

"You'd be the only one."

"Patrick freaked every time we'd say anything to him. He was figure it out one way or another anyways." He pops a piece of steak into his mouth. "It wasn't the best way to learn, but now he knows the truth."

"He hates it."

"Didn't we all? We all felt like our fates were decided for us."

She nods. "Exactly."

"But we all warmed up. Remember Brendon? Oh my god that kid used every excuse in the goddamn book to get out of training."

"And now he's one of our best." Laura smirks.

"Exactly. It'll take some time but Patrick will learn to love it. Especially with Pete there."

"I hope so." She takes a sip of water and shakes her head. "Or else we're in for a bumpy ride."

~~~

"Did you train today?" Patrick asks lightly. It's one of the rare moments he isn't sleeping, and Pete takes full advantage.

"I didn't leave your side." Pete whispers.

"You need to train."

"It's too late, sweetheart."

"Tomorrow," Patrick mumbles, eyes drooping. The meds make him sleepy.

"I'm not leaving you."

"You have to."

"Last time I did, you ended up like this," Pete's fingertips run down Patrick's arm. "I'm not leaving you."

"Please."

"Go to sleep, baby," Pete caresses Patrick's cheek. "I'll be here when you wake up."

"No," Patrick fights his exhaustion. "You gotta train."

Pete's drags a finger down over Patrick's chapped lips, shushing him. "You need to sleep. 'Trick."

"But--"

Pete gently connects their lips, silencing the younger. When he pulls away, Patrick's eyes are finally closed. He watches Patrick for a moment, surveying the pale face.

There's bruises. Small cuts where dried blood was. Dark circles under angel eyes.

Pete's finger runs down Patrick's cheeks, where tears once were. His boyfriend was hurt. Was in pain. Was scared. Was smacked upside the head with the painful truth. Pete runs his fingers through the strawberry hair in hopes to calm the smaller's worried brain.

Pete won't let anyone touch Patrick. Their hands would be chopped off before they could stain his skin. No one would take him for their own use. He needs a better hiding spot. He needs a safer place to be when Pete isn't with him.