Mitch was rushing around Scott's house cleaning up as much as he could.
Scott was finishing up lunch, though Mitch learned that he cooked in total silence whereas Mitch had been listening to music.
When Mitch was picking up a few water bottles from Scott's room, he heard Scott shout once, and he froze because he truly wasn't sure if he'd heard what he thought he heard.
Scott shouted again though. "Fuck."
Mitch then hurried into the kitchen, setting the plastic bottles on the counter. "Scott, what--?"
Scott was holding his finger close to his chest. "Nothing, I'm sorry."
Mitch frowned at him, walking over calmly and pulling on Scott's wrist to look at his finger. "Oh, honey..."
Scott tried to take his hand back. "It's not a big deal. Go back to my room, or whatever."
"It's okay. Are your band-aids still above the sink in your bathroom?"
"I can get it."
"No, I'm getting it."
"No. You're not." Mitch grabbed a paper towel and handed it over. "Hold this against it, and I'll be right back."
Scott took the towel, but walked past Mitch. "I said I'll get it."
"Just sit down or something."
Scott flipped around. "Mitchell, I said--!" He stopped quickly, when Mitch flinched at his tone. Scott exhaled loudly, looking down at the ground. "Honey... I'm sorry..."
Mitch's eyes were wide but he took a step forward and placed his hand on Scott's chest. "Don't yell at me, please. You're hurt, just... Sit on the counter, and I'll be right back."
Scott obeyed him without a word, feeling terrible for having raised his voice.
Mitch came back a minute later, to see Scott slouching in his seat. "Don't be like that, Scott. It's okay, babe."
"It's not. I shouldn't have yelled. I.. I was hurting, and frustrated, but you didn't deserve that."
Mitch began working on his finger, first cleaning out the small scrape as he stood between Scott's knees. "You don't have to explain yourself to me. I forgive you."
Scott pouted and looked down at his hand as it was being worked on.
"I see you pouting up there. Stop it." Mitch said softly, now bandaging it up.
Scott only hummed.
Mitch finished working on his finger, before leaning down to kiss the bandage. "Feel better, babe?"
"Mhmm... Sorry."
Mitch grabbed Scott's uninjured hand to hold. "Stop apologizing. It's fine. What even happened?"
"I was literally almost done; Just cutting your sandwich. And I cut my finger on accident."
"Oh, I'm sorry. You're okay now, though? What do you say we go out for dinner?"
Scott glanced up at him with puppy dog eyes. "Can we get Chinese food?"
"Absolutely. But for now, I wanna eat your super delicious sandwiches."
"I'm not really hungry."
Mitch squeezed his hands. "Stop doing that. I'm not upset with you, babe. You got mad, and you yelled. So what?"
"You didn't deserve to be yelled at. I know better than that; I'm not my father, and I'm not your father... And I'm sorry."
Mitch finally sighed in defeat. "I forgive you, sweetie. I do. It's totally okay."
Mitch grinned for a second at Scott's stomach, finding it genuinely cute how his shirt was a little bumpy where he was slouched. He ran his finger over his lower belly.
Scott watched him. "What are you doing?"
"I just... Think you're cute."
"I think you're cute too."
Mitch shuffled forward a little to hug him, Scott kissing the top of his head as he hugged back. "Thank you for letting me stay over. I've had such a good weekend, and it's still not even over."
Scott grinned then, feeling less guilty. "You're welcome, Cutie. I'd have you over every weekend if I could. Hell, I could get us a house. So you could never leave me."
"That would be so nice... I promise I'll tell my parents who you actually are at some point. You're too wonderful of a person to keep hidden... My mom loves you at least."
"Because she thinks I'm Kirk's brother."
"So? You can still be a good person."
"No but... Whatever. Nevermind. Let's get some food in your belly, okay?"
Mitch nodded and turned. "Which is mine?"
"The one that's wrapped in lettuce, babe."
Mitch smirked and walked toward it. "I'm allowed to have gluten, y'know."
"Yeah but you're not supposed to."
"So?"
"So I'll give you gluten free."
"You're not my mother, Scott Hoying."
"Thank God for that. Can't do half the things I want to if you're my son. Unless that's a kink you're looking to explore?"
"Hell no." Mitch turned to look at him. "What is wrong with you?"
"Nothing. I'm not into it either, but I didn't want to be mean to you if you thought it was hot."
Mitch giggled, and then turned around to hand Scott's sandwich to him. "Here."
"Thanks." Scott stayed on the counter, leaving his knees apart in case Mitch wanted to come back.
Mitch saw this, and walked right back to eat his sandwich in front of Scott. "Thank you for making me this."
"Oh anytime. That's about as far as my cooking skills go."
"I'll teach you how to cook anytime you want."
"I don't want to learn. My finger hurts."
"My poor baby." Mitch mused, taking another bite of his sandwich. "I'll teach you, honey."
"Okay... Hey, Mitch?"
"Yeah, babe?" Mitch looked up from his sandwich, resting a hand on Scott's thigh.
"I'm really sorry about yelling at--"
Mitch rolled his eyes before the sentence was even done. "Oh shut up, you nut."
"But--"
"Don't. Let it go, Scott."
Scott smirked at him slowly. "The snow glows--"
"If you break into song right now I swear to God I'll break up with you."
"A kingdom of isolation, and it looks--"
Mitch put his sandwich down. "Okay, bye."
"The wind is howling like--"
Mitch tried to walk away, but Scott grabbed him with his legs, keeping him pressed to the counter.
"Couldn't keep it in, Heaven knows--"
"Scott let me go!"
"Let me go! Let me go! Can't--!"
"Those aren't the words, you doof!"
Scott finally broke, laughing and grabbing Mitch in a hug. "I love you, Mitch. Don't you try to walk out on me."
"Love is an open door." Mitch slowly smirked. "All my life has been a series of doors in my face."
"Oh Hell no. Stop."
"And then suddenly I bump into you."
Scott covered Mitch's mouth with his hand. "I'll gag you. I don't even care if you don't like it; Anything to get that song to stop."
Mitch shoved his hand off. "Try me."
*
Mitch had fallen asleep on Scott's shoulder when they were watching a movie, the sun having just set.
Scott kissed the top of his head, just as his phone started buzzing in his pocket.
He answered it, speaking softly to Avi trying not to wake Mitch up. "Oh hey... I'm sorry, Av... I'm taking Mitch out tonight."
Avi groaned. "God, don't you guys ever take a break? What were you gonna get?"
"Mitch wants Chinese food."
"Hang on."
Scott paused, looking down at Mitch to be sure he was still asleep.
"I was gonna go get some food with Alex, that's why I asked. But he said Chinese sounds good, so. Do you want us to just bring you guys some so you don't have to go out?"
"That'd be really nice of you... Honestly, Mitch is asleep on my arm right now and I'm kinda hungry..."
"Oh Hell yeah then we'll bring you some. Don't even worry. Alex knows what the little guy wants, but you want..? The same as always?"
"Yes please. Thank you. I'll pay you back when you get--"
"Oh stop. It's on me."
"But I have--"
"I know you have money. But I've got this one, no worries."
Scott glanced at Mitch again. "Thanks, Av. See you in a few."
After he hung up, Mitch's phone went off, and Scott panicked and searched for it hoping it wouldn't wake Mitch up.
He had to dig in the front pocket of Mitch's flannel to grab it, and he apologized aloud even though Mitch was asleep. "I'm sorry, baby. Don't be mad."
Scott saw Kirstie's name, and answered quickly. "Yeah? I mean hi, this is Scott."
Kirstie giggled. "Hi, Boyfriend. Where's your boyfriend?"
"Asleep next to me. Keep your voice down please."
"Oh sorry." She began to whisper. "I just wanted to tell Mitch that his mom called to make sure he was okay, and of course I told her he was. But I just wanted Mitch to know that she checked on him."
"I'll tell him. Does she expect him home at a certain time?"
"I think she said she was gonna make lunch or something? So just... Lunchtime."
"Okay. I can do that."
"Take it easy on him tonight, Hoying. Don't make his mom suspicious."
"I'll do my best."
Kirstie giggled a little. "Have fun. Use protection. Also I love that boy more than I love my freedom so if you hurt him--"
"I'd sooner die. Have a nice day."
Mitch sat up a little when Scott hung up. "Who was that?"
"No one. Sorry to wake you, babe."
"Are you holding my phone?"
"Yeah, sorry. Kirstie called you, but I didn't wanna wake you up."
Mitch groaned. "Scottie, would you pretty please get me something to drink?"
"Like what, babe? I have soda and that weird sparkling water you like."
"The water please."
"Got it." Scott stood from the couch to go get said water, leaving Mitch rubbing his eyes by himself.
He heard Scott come back, and turned. "Did you get the lime or--? Oh."
Scott's dad was standing in front of him, with his luggage in his hands. "I've met you before, haven't I?"
*