Alex had thanked Avi's mom about fifteen times after dinner, though Avi kept his mouth shut about it.
They'd watched a movie together, Alex occasionally scratching at his upper thighs.
Avi had hardly noticed it, but once he had, it was hard not to notice each and every time. "Alex..?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Was really nice of you guys to invite me over and--"
"No, no I mean like... Are you in pain or something? Why do you keep scratching?"
"Oh sorry..." Alex clasped his hands in front of himself. "Scars get itchy when they heal..."
"Oh, I getcha. Why, uh..." Avi glanced over at him. "Why are there scars on your legs..?"
"Can we not talk about it..?" Alex asked softly.
Avi nodded slowly. "Right... Okay."
"Um... Avi? I've had a really long day. Is it okay if, um.."
"Oh, of course. Yeah, yeah of course. Been a crazy day." Avi stood from the couch.
Alex stood to follow him, but gestured to the couch for a moment. "Should I just...?"
"Don't think that's a good idea. Bed would be better for your injuries. I'll stay out here."
"I don't wanna kick you out of your own bed."
"Tough."
Alex had started to follow him toward his room, deciding not to speak.
Avi turned the light on, and then gestured toward the bed. "Sorry about the mess."
Alex walked in, and nodded once. He'd expected the clothes on the ground. Just seemed like Avi's personality. But he didn't expect the bare walls, with almost no sense of Avi on them. "Not a problem."
Avi nodded once. "If you need anything, you know where I am."
Alex stood silent for a second, but then turned. "Av--"
"If you're about to thank me again--"
"No, no. It's just... I don't wanna sleep alone..."
*
Mitch woke up the next morning laying on top of Scott, but he immediately had to push himself off because his ribs were hurting.
However they'd fallen asleep on the couch, so Mitch's attempt to get off of him resulted in him sitting on the ground, one hand holding his ribs as tightly as he could.
Scott turned over to look at him, tiredly forcing his eyes open. "Baby..?"
"Please get my pills. Please... God, it hurts so bad..." Mitch whined, eyes squeezed shut.
Scott rushed to get up, frowning at Mitch's naked body, before draping the blanket they were using over Mitch's shoulders. "Okay, you're okay. Give me one second."
He hurried into the kitchen, grabbing a glass to fill halfway with water, and then grabbing the pill bottle to dump a single pill into his hand.
Scott knelt beside Mitch, using his thumb to pull Mitch's chin down so he'd open his mouth, before placing the pill on his tongue. "Open up, babe." And then he gently poured some water down his throat to wash it down. "Good?"
Mitch nodded as Scott pulled the glass away and set it on the table.
Mitch's eyes were full of tears, as he leaned into Scott's body. "Sorry for waking you..."
"It's okay, baby... Are you okay? I'm so sorry you're hurting."
"I was fine, but I think the pill like just wore off. Shouldn't be laying on hard surfaces anyway, such as your deliciously muscular stomach." Mitch winked at him, before putting his hand back on his ribs and cringing a little at the pain.
Scott chuckled a little. "I'm flattered, Cutie." He stood up a little, and grabbed Mitch's upper arm. "You should lay down, babe. Let me help you."
Mitch allowed himself to be pulled off the ground, and then Scott helped him lay down on the couch. Scott bent down to kiss his forehead. "Wanna go to my room and lay on my bed, or just stay here? Bed might be more comfortable."
"I'll be fine when the pill kicks in. Shouldn't be long now."
*
Avi woke up, immediately feeling Alex's bare chest under his fingertips. He opened his eyes, seeing Alex's eyes still closed, as his chest rise and fell peacefully.
It was odd; The contrast between how peaceful he was, and the chaos of purple and blue marks littered across his skin.
Avi looked down at his own hand just to be sure he wasn't touching any of the bruises.
Avi exhaled softly, trying not to move at all so Alex wouldn't wake up. Avi then reached down a little to grab the blanket, pulling it up a little higher on Alex's torso.
Avi turned a little to grab his phone off of the bedside table, but he saw Alex's phone light up as he did so, and he couldn't help but grab it too before he laid back down carefully.
Alex was still asleep by the time he'd settled, and Avi picked up Alex's phone to look at it. The first text on the screen was from a 'Coach David'.
Avi became angrier just looking at it. All he could see on the preview of the message was something about if Alex was busy later.
He regretted looking, honestly, because now he felt pissed off. So he set Alex's phone down and went to his own, responding to texts from both Scott and Kevin.
He also quickly shot a text to his mom to ask if she'd make breakfast for Alex, just as he slid one of his hands over Alex's stomach. Also making her aware that Scott and Mitch would be over in twenty minutes.
Alex stirred a little, and Avi froze. Alex glanced over at him, a small smile on his lips. "Hi."
"Morning, Alex. How are you?"
"Wait just one second." Alex muttered, climbing out of bed to grab something from his bag as he walked into the bathroom.
Avi couldn't help but see all of the bruises on his back, largest being the belt of them along his lower back.
As soon as Alex closed the bathroom door, Avi shook his head a little. "God, you poor thing..."
When Alex walked back out, Avi watched him toss his toothbrush back down into his bag.
Avi raised an eyebrow at him.
Alex blushed a little. "Kinda embarrassing... I'm like... Super self-conscious about morning breath. It's fine for anyone else but just... Not me."
Avi chuckled a little. "Look at you. Getting all quirky."
Alex chuckled a little, climbing back into the bed to assume his earlier position. "Is that my phone?"
Avi nodded, pushing it toward him. "Went off when I woke up. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't your parents."
"Oh, okay. Thank you." Alex looked at the screen, and then frowned a little.
"Alex... Why is he contacting you?"
"I don't know... He only had my number to tell me game times and practice schedules. And then I'd contact the rest of the team."
"So this is the first time he's asked to see you?"
"Yeah. Kinda weird... Probably wants to ask me about... That video."
"You're definitely not going to see him. You know that, right?"
Alex hesitated, which should've been the give away. But he nodded. "Yes, I know."
"Good." Avi watched him type something. "Hey, what are you doing? Don't respond to him."
"Why not? I was just telling him that I'm busy and--"
"You can't talk to him anymore. At all. Delete his number. Block him. I'm not kidding."
Alex nodded quickly, and Avi watched him delete the contact. "Okay, sorry."
Avi just nodded, leaning forward to slide his hand back over Alex's stomach. "Feeling okay? Anything hurting?"
Alex stared at his hand, and his breathing sped up a little. "Uh.. No. I'm okay."
"Good. Scott and Mitch are coming over by the way... For breakfast."
*
Scott pulled Mitch's chair out for him, helping him sit down, before leaning down to kiss the side of his head. "You alright, baby?"
Mitch nodded quickly, smiling up at him. "Mhmm. Thank you. And also thank you for these pants... Turns out they're super comfy."
"Oh, anytime. Whatever I can do to repay you for yesterday." He winked, and then pushed Mitch's seat in a little.
Mitch reached up to grab the front of Scott's shirt, pulling him back down. "You will not breathe a word of that to anyone."
Scott hummed. "Yes, Ma'am." He breathed into Mitch's ear.
Mitch turned to look at him. "I'm serious."
"Babe, why on earth would I ever share that glorious memory with anyone? That's for me only. Promise."
Alex walked out of the kitchen then, plates full of food balancing on his arms. Scott hurried over to him, taking two plates in an attempt to help.
Alex grinned. "Thank you. Wow, you look great for such a terribly early time in the day!"
"Thanks. Mitch did my hair before we came here, so."
"Not surprising."
Avi's mom heard Scott's voice, and she ran out to see him. After he'd set the plates down in front of Mitch and his own chair, he turned and she hugged him immediately.
Scott hugged back quickly, chuckling a little. "Nice to see you too, Mom."
She moved back a step to smile at him. "How you been? I heard about Mitch... And I'm so sorry for that. Glad to hear he's healing though; Avi tells me you've been helping as much as you can."
"Of course... He is my everything after all."
**