Triphilia - together forever | one-shots

Diagnosed |2|

After calling his mother, Avi prepared a quick breakfast and went outside to Mitch. Shelley had advised him to at least try and talk to him once.

"Good morning, Mitch" the bearded man said softly when he neared his husband.

Mitch looked at him momentarily. "Hi" he simply said.

"How are you, Love?" Avi asked carefully, sitting down beside his husband.

Mitch shrugged his shoulders. "Dunno."

"I prepared breakfast, if you want to come inside?" Avi tried again.

"Coffee would be nice" Mitch said.

"Sure." Avi stood up and held out his hand for Mitch to take.

But Mitch got up without his help and walked back to the house without saying a word.

In the kitchen he poured two cups of coffee and handed one over to Avi.

"Thanks" Avi said, hoping this would be a good sign.

"Of course. Thank you for breakfast." Mitch sat down at the table and waited for Avi to do the same before he took a slice of bread.

"You're welcome" Avi replied. "It's the least I can do."

No answer.

"What are you doing today?" Avi asked once he had finished his first sandwich.

Mitch shrugged his shoulders. "I kinda feel like decluttering my closet. Why are you asking? Do we have plans?"

"No... not until Monday" Avi said.

"Yeah... so I have two days to go through my stuff, even better. It's been a while and I think I have so much stuff that I don't like anymore" Mitch said.

"That's... a good idea, Mitchy. Do you want my help? Want to model for me and I'll help you decide?" Avi asked, feigning enthusiasm. If Mitch wanted to do this, he would support him. 

"I'd rather be alone!"

These words hit Avi like a bucket of cold water. "Oh" he said, trying to catch himself as quickly as possible. "Of course. I'll be there if you need anything, though." 

"Yeah, thank you" Mitch said. "What are you up to?" 

"Oh well..." Avi said. "Not much. But... and I am sorry that it's so spontaneous, Mama is coming over in the late afternoon. She might stay a while. She wants to support us, now that... I'm sorry, I had to talk to someone." 

"Oh..." Mitch said. He sighed softly. 

Avi smiled sadly. "I know that you're not ready to talk, Mitch. And I respect that. But you know me, I just need someone. And Mama offered to come over..." 

Mitch shrugged his shoulders. "If it helps you?" 

"It does, Mitchy" Avi said. 'Not as much as talking to you would help me' he added in his thoughts. 

"Good. I'll set up the guest room while I'm upstairs" Mitch said and emptied his coffee. "Anything else we need to take care of for Mama Kaplan?" 

"No. I'll take care of dinner" Avi said. "Any wishes?"

"Not really. I usually like everything you do, so..." Mitch got up and started to clear the table. 

Avi got up and helped him. 

"Well..." Mitch said once they were finished. "If you don't need me anymore, I'll be upstairs."

"Okay... if you need me for anything, I'll be right here" Avi said softly.