the book of fluff (that usually isn't)

one more night

It had been a year since Mitch died.

You would've thought that his husband would've gotten over him, but no. He still cried himself to sleep every night, wrapped up in Mitch's old sweaters with his face buried in Mitch's pillow. He'd barely been eating, he hardly got any sleep, kept awake by the memory of Mitch's final moments replaying over and over in his head. He hated the driver that had killed him, he hated the doctors that couldn't save him. He hated himself.

Sometimes he thought he could still feel his presence. Mitch's voice whispered to him in the dark, telling him everything would be okay. He wished more than anything that Mitch would return to him. Only then would everything be okay.

It broke Mitch's heart to see his baby like this. He did his best to make sure Scott knew he was there, laying down behind him whenever he was sobbing and draping his arm over his waist.

Mitch was a ghost. It wasn't as nice as people thought it was — he couldn't walk through walls, or feel Scott's skin against his, but he could feel pain. He could feel a knife-like pain in his chest every time Scott broke down in tears.

He followed Scott around everywhere. He hoped Scott knew he was watching over him.

Currently, Scott was at work. His eyes were red and puffy from crying, like they usually were, and he kept his gaze down as he cleaned the tables at the restaurant he worked at. Mitch was at his side, his hand on the small of Scott's back in a fruitless attempt to comfort him.

"Scott? Can I talk to you?" Scott's boss, a woman named Kirstie, spoke, peeking her head out of her office. Scott sighed shakily and nodded, leaving his rag on the table as he went to see what she wanted. Mitch, of course, drifted after him, managing to slip inside just before Kirstin closed the door.

"Scott, I know what happened to your husband, but it's been over a year. A few months I understand, but a year? Scott, you've barely gotten any sleep, and it's affecting your performance. I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to find another job."

Scott sniffled and rubbed his eyes, already feeling the tears coming on. "Okay," he whispered barely audibly. Kirstin sighed and offered him a sad smile. "Go home, Scott. Get some sleep." Scott wordlessly turned and left, silent tears beginning to flow down his cheeks. Mitch frowned and glanced back at Kirstie, but followed after him and slipped his hand into Scott's. "Baby, don't cry," he murmured, but of course, Scott couldn't hear him.

Mitch sighed and moved closer to Scott, quietly following him into his house when they arrived. He wished more than anything to have just one more night with his angel, a chance to tell him how much he loved him. Just one more night was all he asked, nothing more.

"M-Mitchy?" Scott's voice was soft and shaky with disbelief.

Mitch quickly looked up, his eyes widening. "S-Scott? You can s-see me?"

Scott's breathing hitched and he nodded, shaking hands reaching out to him. "I-... Is this real? Am I d-dreaming?"

Mitch took a step closer. "You can see me..." Scott cupped Mitch's cheek, his tears falling faster as he felt Mitch's warm skin underneath his fingertips. Mitch melted at his touch and quickly pulled Scott into his arms, hugging him tightly. "Oh my God..." he whispered barely audibly, wanting nothing more than to stay with him forever. Scott sobbed into Mitch's hair, clutching onto him tightly. "M-Mitchy..."

"Yes, baby. It's me. I've been here this whole time, watching over you. I'm so, so sorry I had to go."

"P-Please don't leave me again."

"Baby, I'm sorry. I only have one more night with you. I'm sorry."

"No!" Scott sobbed, almost breaking down. "No, you c-can't leave me. N-Not again."

"I'm sorry. I'm still dead," Mitch whispered, tears forming in his own eyes. Scott sobbed louder, falling to his knees. Mitch sat down with him, holding the boy to his chest. "Scott, I want you to know that I love you more than anything on this earth. You were my first and only love, and I'm so, so sorry I had to leave you so soon. Please, forget about me. Find someone else, baby. It breaks my heart to see you like this," Mitch murmured, brushing away his tears. Scott sobbed and shook his head, leaning heavily against Mitch. "I don't want anyone else. I want y-you." Mitch sighed and blinked away his own tears. "I'm sorry, princess." Scott completely broke down at the name, pressing himself completely against Mitch so the smaller boy would lay down right there on the floor. He tried to savor the feeling of Mitch's arms around him one last time.

Mitch sniffled and wiped at his eyes, pulling Scott completely on top of him and gently tucking his face in his neck. He rocked them gently, pressing a kiss to Scott's temple. "Shh. It's okay. You're alright. I'm here, sweetheart. Mitchy's here, Mitchy's got you. I love you more than words can describe, baby girl. Please, please don't cry over me. Find someone else."

"I w-want you..."

"I know, baby girl. I'm sorry."

"Wh-Why'd you have to g-go?"

"Believe me, sweetheart, I tried to hold on, but I couldn't. I'm sorry I left you."

"Please stay. I can't live without you, Mitchy."

"Darling, you did it for a year. I'm sure you can move on."

"I barely made it the year! I will n-never get over y-you..."

Mitch sniffled again and stood, pulling Scott with him. "I'm sorry, love, but I'm dead forever. We have one more night together, let's make it last." He led Scott upstairs to their old bedroom, helping his boy change into his pajamas and crawling in bed with him. He immediately pulled Scott into his arms, pressing a kiss to his hair. "M-Mitchy?"

"Yes, angel?"

"W-Will you sing to me?"

Mitch smiled and began to sing a soft lullaby, trailing his fingers through Scott's hair.

"Come over the hills, my bonny Irish lass.
Come over the hills to your darling.
You choose the rose, love, and I'll make the vow,
And I'll be your true love forever.

"Red is the rose that in your garden grows,
And fair is the lily of the valley.
Clear is the water that flows from the Boyne,
And my love is fairer than any."

By the time Mitch finished, Scott was almost asleep, but he roused himself to kiss Mitch on the lips. Mitch melted against him and kissed back, cupping his cheeks to wipe away his tears. They both savored the kiss for as long as they possibly could, knowing it would be a long time before they could join lips again.

When they finally broke apart, Scott pressed himself closer to Mitch, crawling on top of him. Mitch wrapped his arms tightly around him and pulled the covers over them. "Sleep."

"But you'll be gone..."

"I know." Tears were in Mitch's voice. "I love you. Never forget that."

Scott shuffled, tears forming in his own eyes. "I love you too, Mitchy. I- I'll miss you."

"I'll always love you, Scotty," Mitch whispered, kissing his hair. "I'll miss you too."

With that, Scott closed his eyes and fell asleep in Mitch's arms for the last time.