Darkness

House

Shortly after Thanksgiving Scott and Avi finally decided to buy the house they have been looking at for weeks. Scott had taken his boyfriend down to South LA a few times before they had purchased the property and the real estate agent, knowing that Scott was ready to spend a good chunk of money on this particular home, had given them enough time for Avi to get a detailed house tour and the opportunity to walk around on his own.

Even though Scott was a big fan of open and wide spaces he understood that they weren't the easiest to handle for Avi who, especially in unfamiliar environments, relied on walls to navigate himself from one point to another. After they had spent almost a week in Texas it was time to move in and while Esther and Kevin helped Avi, Mitch and Kirstie took care of Scott's things together with him.

Once their things were packed a moving company picked them up and brought them to the new house, while Scott was taking Avi and the others out for lunch to make sure everyone was well fed. Since they had started going to therapy, by themselves and together, their relationship had bloomed even more than before.

Avriel was slowly working through his trauma he had experienced in Big Bear. He still took his antidepressants and anxiety medication and it still fucked with his appetite and personality, but her new that Scott didn't mind and having to force himself to eat was a small price to pay for the peace the meds brought to his mind and relationship. Avi slept better, which meant that Scott was able to sleep through the night without being kicked or hit or woken up in a different way, usually with a crying Avi, and they appreciated a way more structured day that helped Avi get through the day.

While the others ordered Scott stood on the side and read the card for his boyfriend, explained the dishes and helped him pick something to eat. He ordered, then paid for everyone and together they walked to one of the bigger tables in the small cafe to sit down. The man unwrapped Avi's sandwich before he handed it to him, showed him where his small bowl of soup was and placed the blueberry muffin right next to the spoon. "You good?"

Avi nodded and took a small bite. He wasn't hungry but he didn't want to argue with Scott again and focused on chewing. The outside of the toasted panini was crispy and Avi enjoyed the sounds it made while he chewed, before the texture of the shredded chicken and melted cheese followed. As he focused on the different sensations, including the feeling of the almost smooth outside of the bread, he made it through almost the whole sandwich and put it down before he started eating the chicken noodle soup that came with his meal.

"Do you want me to finish your sandwich? Are you done?" Scott asked and touched the side of Avi's arm. He knew that his boyfriend was full but he was proud of him for trying to eat the soup as well.

Avi nodded. "Yeah...it's a big sandwich.." he mumbled and chewed the noodles. "Soup's good. Don't we have to head to the house?"

"No, in a bit. There's enough time for you to finish your meal in peace." He reached over and took the panini. "You did good with your lunch, Avi. I'm proud of you."

"Thank you...it's good." He heard Scott take a bite of the panini and smiled. "We're sleeping at home today, right?"

"Do you want to?"

"Yes please. Just...the last night there. I want to say goodbye to my place."

"Okay, that's fine. Today is just moving all the stuff to the new house, and we'll get the new furniture. Tomorrow is assembly, but I'm sure we can keep your old mattress there for another night."

Avi hummed in agreement and finished his soup. "Can you put my muffin in a paper bag? I want to take it with me, I'm so full" Avi mumbled after a few minutes of listening to the conversation his sister and Kevin had. He was tired and in need of a nap even though he hadn't done much, which was another side effect of the medication he was on. The bass leaned his head on Scott's shoulder and closed his eyes. "Tired."

Scott couldn't help but smile and wrapped his arm around his midsection while Esther reached for the muffin and one of the to go bags they had requested. "Do you want to lay down? Rest a little? I don't mind.

"Where though?"

"Well, either at your apartment or at Esther's?" Scott offered, but Kirstie looked up already.

"You can come home with me, Avi. I want to take a break too and I think Olaf would be happy to see you again" she offered. "Esther wanted to help with the closet and your things."

Avi just nodded and couldn't hold back a yawn. A break sounded good, and he missed Olaf a lot. "Yes please. If that's okay, Scott?"

"Hey, sure! Your decision, Love. I'm okay as long as I know that you're good."

Kirstie guided Avi inside and up to the guest bedroom where he slipped out of his shoes and patted his way to the bed while the woman let Olaf in.

"So, how's the Braille going?" She asked and opened the window. "Scott told me that you're getting pretty good at it?"

Avi hummed and closed his eyes. He got comfortable behind Olaf and spooned him before he pulled the blanket up to his shoulder. "Getting better.." the man managed the mumble before he couldn't help but drift off and fall asleep with his nose buried in the white fur again.