Black And White

Forty Eight

Mitch walked out of the bathroom sniffling a little, going straight to the kitchen to avoid everyone else.

Scott stood to follow, but Avi held out a hand. "Are you sure?"

"I have to make sure he's okay. If... If he's not comfortable with me being here I can just go home. He should stay and have fun."

"You can't go home."

Scott stood up with confidence. "I just have to check."

Avi let him go, seeing Alex's worried expression as Scott entered the kitchen.

Mitch turned to face him, having just gotten himself some water. "Oh... Hey."

"Baby, are you okay?"

"Yeah... I'm sorry for totally blowing up on you. I just... Hate that you're so passive about it. You mean a lot to me and I hate to see you acting like you don't matter."

"I'm sorry you feel that way, babe..."

"And I'm sorry if this all seems mean, I just know that communication is important in a relationship and.. I want you to know how I feel."

"No, I understand. I'm really sorry, Mitch." Scott was trying to keep his distance, but couldn't help himself but to walk over and hug him.

Mitch set his water down on the counter before hugging back, marveling the feeling of Scott's back underneath his fingertips. "It's okay."

Scott hugged him a little tighter, before moving back only just enough for his hands to hold Mitch's hips instead, now looking into Mitch's eyes. "I love you, babe. Thanks for... Being so caring."

Mitch jumped when Scott's phone started ringing, Scott leaving a hand on Mitch's hip when he answered with the other. "Hey."

Mitch watched him, letting his hands slide down Scott's abdomen a few times.

"Yeah I'm at Avi's. And Mitch and Alex are here too."

Kirstie was on the other end, Mitch soon realized.

"I'm sure if you wanted to, I could ask Avi. I can come pick you up if you want."

Mitch slipped his hands underneath Scott's shirt, but then let them rest there so he wouldn't seem needy of attention.

"Okay, yeah. I'll bring Mitch with me."

Mitch looked up at him.

Scott briefly pulled the phone from his ear. "Could you go ask Avi if Kirstie can stay over too, please?"

Mitch scurried off immediately.

Scott then put the phone back to his ear. "I'm sure he won't mind. But Mitch is gonna ask anyway." He glanced back, and then lowered his voice. "Hey.. Kit?"

She immediately heard the change in his voice. "Yeah, what's wrong?"

"You know that... My dad's kinda nuts, right?"

"If by nuts you mean treats you like shit and occasionally hurts people, yes. I do."

"Do you think, um... It'd be better if I let Mitch out of all the drama..?"

"What..? How would you do that?"

"Like... Would it be better for us to break up so he doesn't have to deal with all my bullshit?"

"You want to break up with him?"

"No of course I don't. But... I don't think it's fair for him to be dragged into it..."

"I don't think he feels that way... You should take some time and think about that, Scott. He'd be heartbroken if you did that to him."

"I just wanna look out for him, I don't mean to be--" He stopped when he heard Mitch come in the kitchen, Mitch giving him a thumbs up in reference to Kirstie. "Um. We'll be by to get you in a few."

Mitch smiled a little. "So I'm coming with you..?"

"If you want to. I just... Figured you'd know where her house is."

Mitch nodded a few times. "Sure, sure."

*

The car ride was quiet for about ten minutes, until Mitch cleared his throat and gestured to the radio. "May I..?"

"Can it wait one second? I.. I wanna talk to you about something."

"Yeah, of course." Mitch turned a little to face Scott, who had one hand on the wheel and the other nervously fidgeting in his lap.

Scott couldn't even glance over at him, not for a moment. He was too afraid. "I've, um... I've been thinking... And... I just want to make sure you want to be a part of my life, now that you've seen how shitty it can be. Because I totally understand if you want out..."

Mitch couldn't speak at first, too shocked by the amount of pain in his words.

Scott glanced down at his lap. "It, uh... Wouldn't be the first time someone wanted out."

Mitch finally reached over to grab Scott's free hand. "Scott Richard Hoying... Don't be ridiculous. I love you way too much to let you get away from me, let alone walk away from you."

"But.. I understand that it's too much, and I'm a nightmare, and you deserve so much--"

"Don't even. Do not, even go there." Mitch shook his head slowly. "You... Tirelessly protect me from the people at our school, you always take me on dates, you... You're the best boyfriend I've ever had."

"But.. Mitch, you're so wonderful and such a sweetheart, and... You deserve a boyfriend that you can bring home to your parents."

Mitch felt like his heart was in his throat, and also felt mildly like he was about to throw up. "Scottie, please... Tell me you're not breaking up with me right now."

"I'm not! I promise I'm not, baby. I love you so much... But I... I want you to know that I won't be offended if you want to leave, and move on to better things."

"Better--? Scott, there is no one better. You've always always been there for me; buying me coffee to cheer me up or letting me stay the night or giving me hugs and love and everything I could ever ask for; Even that one time you bought me clothes at the store."

"Mitchie--"

"You have always been there for me. Always. And I know your childhood isn't great, and you've never had someone to be there for you like you've been for me, and... I know you and Avi are close, and he's done so much for you, but now I'm here, Scottie. I'm here to help you, and love you like you deserve to be loved."

Scott let out some kind of sad noise, and suddenly pulled the car over, putting it in park before running both of his hands over his face. "Fuck, Mitch, you can't just--"

Mitch rushed to throw himself over the console to hug him. "Don't you scare me like that ever again, Mr. Hoying, do you hear me? God, I was about to throw up."

Scott hugged him tightly, though it was awkward because of their positions. "I'm sorry. I won't, I promise."

Mitch squeezed him once, and then moved to sit back in his seat. "I love you too fucking much for you to do stuff like that to me."

"I'm sorry, Mitchie... I love you too."

Mitch wiped at his eyes. "Can we go get ice cream?"

"Of-fucking-course we can. Call Kirstie and ask if she wants anything."

"Okay but I'm pay--"

"I'm paying, Mitchell."

Mitch rolled his eyes. "Fuck me. I'll call her."

"Well if you close your eyes and wish real hard--"

"Wow." Mitch interrupted as he grabbed his phone.

Scott shook his head slowly, pausing for a moment. "I can't believe how in love I am with you."

*