I think I get too wordy, oops. My apologies.

Mitch looks across the console of the small rental car at the boy sitting next to him in the driver's seat. Scott.

They've been in New York for just over an hour now, and Scott's been driving around, looking at anything and everything in awe. Every now and then his arm will fly across the space between them to smack Mitch in the shoulder as Scott points out something to him. But Mitch, though he should be just as excited as the blonde because hello they're in New York City, isn't paying attention to his surroundings at all. He's too busy staring at Scott.

Scott, who hasn't stopped grinning since they got on the plane back in Texas. Scott, who's all perfect white teeth and naturally blonde hair and giggles. Scott, who's still in complete and utter awe of the fact that they actually did it. "We did it, Mitch. We're in New York!"

And yeah, New york is great and it's on his bucket list, the list Scott made him make when they were 17 of places he's like to visit, but the truth is, Mitch isn't here for New York. He isn't here for any other place in America they plan on crossing off their bucket list. He isn't even here for the adventure or the memories.

The truth is, Mitch is only here for Scott. And he'd be just as happy being with Scott if they were back home in Texas.

-------

Mitch is 9 years old when he meets Scott, the boy who moved in across the street from him the first week of summer vacation.

The boy is bright and bubbly, with eyes the color of the ocean and a crooked, but adorable smile. He's totally southern with his southern accent and southern charm. He's loud and he laughs a lot and kind of turns Mitch's whole summer upside down what with being mischievous and energetic and getting Mitch into trouble all the time.

The boy is actually kind of a menace and if Mitch didn't sort of adore him so much, he might actually kind of hate him.

The thing is, Scott comes into Mitch's life like a tornado, picking everything up, spinning it all around, and letting it fall somewhere it doesn't belong. He kind of shatters Mitch's very perfect, very quiet, very shy world with his bright colors and his smile and laughter. And Mitch is kind of okay with that because sure, Scott makes him do crazy things sometimes, but Scott also makes him laugh and makes him smile and makes him happy.

By the end of the summer, Mitch can no longer picture his life without Scott.

-------

Scott finds them some kind of little bed and breakfast just outside of the city. It's reasonably priced, for the night, but Mitch isn't sure how long Scott plans to stay here. In fact, he's not really sure what the plan is at all, or whether Scott even has a plan. All Scott said two weeks ago when he brought it up was that he wanted to travel across America and all Mitch said was okay. He always says okay.

It's only their first night and Mitch can't sleep, unlike Scott who's completely out cold in the bed beside him, because he's already wondering what the hell he was thinking, coming across the states with a boy who didn't even have a plan or a route. Realistically, Mitch knows he wasn't thinking at all, which is nothing out of the ordinary really, not when it comes to Scott.

The only thing that brings him a sense of comfort, besides the blonde sleeping next to him, is that fact that with his and Scott's savings combined, plus the money their parents had given them as a gift, plus trust fund money he took out at 18, they'll have enough to last them 5 or 6 months, given they don't go crazy with it.

Mitch is tired though, and he has a bit of jet lag and all he really wants to do is sleep, because Scott will no doubt wake up at the crack of dawn to go exploring. He settles himself under the covers and turns on his side to face Scott's back. And then he curls himself into Scott and molds against Scott's body, and suddenly Mitch isn't so scared anymore.

-------

They're 15 when Scott asks Mitch if he's ever thought about going somewhere.

"Where?" Mitch asks.

"Anywhere you wanna go."

Mitch's honest answer is no, because he's always been quite happy where he is.

"I have," Scott confesses then. "Sometimes I want to just throw a pin at a map and go where ever it lands."

Mitch doesn't know what to say so he just stares at Scott in silence.

"I mean, I'd take you with me, of course." Scott says.

And Mitch lets out a breath he didn't even know he was holding.

-------

They're in Washington D.C. now, because Scott is obsessed with the capital and wants to see the white house 'in person, Mitch." And Mitch laughs at how excited and giddy Scott is as they stand in line for a tour of the most famous house in the U.S.

After the tour they find a little diner and have dinner and Scott, like he's always managed to do, makes friends with a couple of guys in the next booth over while Mitch disappears to the bathroom. When he comes back, Scott's telling them all about how he's been dreaming about going on a road trip for almost his whole life and how he'd roped his best friend into coming with him, so now they're blowing money like it's their jobs and they're having a great time. Mitch smiles because, hey, Scott's happy which makes him happy. One of the guys in the other booth invites them to a hockey game because they have two extra tickets, and Scott, who is up for anything new, turns to Mitch, who can hardly kick a ball in the right direction, all wide eyed and hopeful and pleading. How can Mitch say no?

So they find themselves in a cold arena, where there are hundreds of people and tons of food and spirit. One of the guys, Jackson, drags them into the gift shop to buy a couple jerseys. Mitch has to bite his tongue when Scott is all enthusiastic about it. He doesn't think they should be spending that kind of money on jerseys they'll never wear again, but Scott thinks they should. And so they do. It keeps them warm during the game too, so Mitch isn't all that bitter about it in the end.

He doesn't really understand hockey. There's too many rules and too many penalties and he just doesn't get  it. But Scott is really into the game, shouting and cheering and enjoying a couple beers with the other guys, so Mitch does too.

They all go out for drinks at a bar nearby after the game and despite feeling tired and cranky, Mitch agrees to go. He loosens up a bit once he's had a bit of alcohol in him and he's actually starting to enjoy himself, all these guys flirting with him and hanging all over him and he forgets Scott for a minute. The then Scott's grabbing him by the shoulder and whispering in his ear about stepping out for a bit and Mitch follows the blond with his gaze as Scott heads out the back door with a dark haired girl on his arm.

Mitch doesn't feel much like partying after that, so he waits for Scott to come back and when he comes stumbling back into the bar with his hair all messed up and his lips all swollen and his clothes all rustled, Mitch grabs him and drags him back to their motel. If it were under different circumstances, like if Mitch had been the reason for Scott's fucked-out look, then he'd be incredibly turned on. But all he wants to do now is throw up.

Scott tells him the next morning that the girl's name was Hannah and that he'd just really really needed to get laid.

-------

They don't mean to, but they end up in Nashville, and they're both okay with it because it's all about music and they love music of all kinds.

They find themselves a motel and spend most of the first day walking about like the tourists they are. While having dinner at a local, family owned diner, they're told by their waitress that there's some music festival happening this week that starts tomorrow and that they should check it out. For once, Scott isn't the only one excited because Mitch can't wait.

The following day is spent at this festival where most, if not all, of the town is gathered in the heart of it. There's all sorts of things going on besides different bands playing, like face painting, look alike contests and apple bobbing. Things start to slow down around dinner time, but pick back up around 9 because that's when the beer/bar tent opens up, and Scott drags Mitch there like a moth to a light.

The whole festival shuts down around midnight, but Scott thinks the night is still young and insists that the two of them find some kind of bar to have a few more drinks at. Mitch at this point is already drunk and happily agrees to go. The bar they wind up in is sort of empty so they manage to sit at the bar and Scott begs Mitch to do some shots with him. So of course they order three of them in a row and down them instantly.

-------

Mitch isn't exactly sure how it happens. One minutes the bartender is telling them it's last call and Scott orders two more shots for the road before pulling him by the hand out into the street, and it's like the next minute that Scott is pressing him against the door of their motel room, his mouth hot and moist against Mitch's. And then they're stumbling through the doorway and Mitch's kicking the door closed with his foot and Scott is pushing him back against it, reaching behind the boy to lock the door.

Scott's hands are everywhere, in Mitch's hair, up Mitch's shirt, cupping Mitch through his jeans, and Mitch just moans as they both stumble over the shoes and the carpet to get to the bed. Scott pushes him onto it and Mitch grabs onto him at the last minute, like he's afraid to let too much space come between them, then pulls Scott with him. Scott lands on top of him with a muffled 'oomph' and then a giggle against Mitch's lips.

And then all of the sudden they're shedding clothes and Mitch is stroking Scott up and down and Scott's moaning and sucking at Mitch's lips, his jaw, and his collarbones. All Mitch can think about is Scott and how long he's wanted this and how many times he's dreamed of this.

Scott is all around him... above him, over him, inside him. Sure, Mitch is drunk off all the alcohol he had to drink that night, but more importantly, he's drunk off of Scott. He's drunk on Scott's moans and groans, the way he swears when he thrusts particularly deep, and the way he throws his head back when Mitch sucks at his skin. He's drunk on the lusty shade of blue in Scott's eyes, the redness that's all over Scott's pale face, the messiness of Scott's hair from running his hands through it, the sweat that's sticking Scott's fringe to his forehead and sliding down his back, and the swollen pinkness of Scott's lips.

Mitch is just lost in Scott and he thinks, vaguely, just before he comes apart and brings Scott with him, that sex has never felt this damn good.

-------

They don't talk about it the next day. In fact, Scott's gone when Mitch wakes up and he's just about to panic when a freshly showered and fully clothed blonde boy walks through the front door with a paper bag in his hands.

"Morning sleepy head," Scott greets him, grinning as he places the bag on the bedside table next to him. "I was starving so I went out to get breakfast. That's all yours since I already ate mine in the car on the way back."

Mitch eats his breakfast in silence, torn between wanting to confront Scott about the night before or pretending he doesn't even remember. He also slightly feels like he's going to throw up and it's not because of the alcohol. Scott isn't showing any hints of wanting to talk about it, so Mitch ignores the fact that his chest hurts and pretends like it never happened.

In fact, he's so good at pretending, days later, that it's almost as if he had made the whole thing up. Almost.

-------

Scott kisses him when they're 13 years old.

It's the summer before they're set to start high school, and Mitch is terrified. He isn't exactly sure why he's scared, he just is, despite Scott telling him that everything would be fine. Scott assures him that his sister said that high school isn't as intimidating as it sounds, and says that Lindsay has one more year left, so even if they do come into any trouble, that Lindsay will have their backs. This seems to calm Mitch down for a little while.

But then Scott comes over a couple days before the first day of school because Mitch called him in a bit of a panic. Admittedly, the second Scott walks through his bedroom door, he apologizes for making him come over so quickly after dinner and says it's really not that big of a deal.

Except Scott insists that Mitch tell him, so he does. "It's just... I've never been kissed before."

Scott shrugs. "Neither have I. It's not a big deal."

"But Scott, this is high school. We can't go into high school having never been kissed."

"Why not?"

Mitch pauses and thinks about it for a second and realizes that Scott may have a point. Why can't they? All Mitch had thought about when it crossed his mind earlier was that he can't start school again without having been properly kissed, but he never thought about why.

"Mitch, I think you're over reacting," Scott says. "Besides, who's even going to know? Unless you have a girlfriend, who's even going to know that you've been kissed?"

He decides that Scott has another point. It's not like he'll have to wear some kind of sign that says he hasn't been kissed on the first day of school. "Yeah," he sighs, "I guess you're right."

"What if I kissed you? Would that make you feel better?"

Mitch blinks, taken aback. "What?"

"I mean, it's just a kiss, right? And this way you won't have to go to school having never been kissed. Maybe it'll take the weirdness out of your next first kiss becauses you'll have already done it. Same goes for me. So it's like killing two birds with one stone."

Mitch isn't sure what to think or say. Scott's just basically asked to kiss him, and yeah, Mitch has thought about kissing Scott before, wondered what the blonde boy's lips would feel like, what they would taste like, but he figured it would never actually happen. Scott's his best friend and best friends don't get to kiss best friends... do they? Except here's Scott, wondering if they should just kiss each other and get it over with. Mitch wants to say yes, but can't bring himself to actually get the word out.

And then Scott is coming towards him and Mitch's breath catches in his throat and his gaze falls to Scott's pink lips and it's all he can do not to leap across the little space between them and press his lips to Scott's. Mitch feels like he might just pass out instead.

That's when Scott does it, presses his lips firmly and confidently against Mitch's. He's kind of stunned at first, despite having known that it was coming, because he wasn't really expecting this. It's cliche, he thinks, but his knees buckle slightly and his heart races in his chest and fireworks explode behind his eyes and Scott's fingers ignite hot, tiny fires on the back of his neck. Scott's lips are soft and smooth. They're perfect and Mitch kind of loves them.

It doesn't last long before Scott's pulling away, clearing his throat as he pushes a hand through his blonde hair. Mitch barely has a moment to think before Scott mutters something about having to get home and do his chores. It isn't until Mitch is lying in his bed that he remembers that it's Thursday and Scott doesn't have to do his chores until Sunday.

-------

Things begin to change when they get to L.A. and Mitch likes to think that it doesn't have anything to do with what happened in Nashville, but he has a feeling that it has everything to do with Nashville.

They spend the first couple of days in an ocean view motel before Scott sees a flier for a two bedroom, ocean side condo in a little cafe during breakfast. It's one of those places you can rent for summer vacations and trips. Scot insists that they check it out. "No offense, but I'd really like to have my own bed for a while, ya know?"

Mitch knows, but it doesn't mean he isn't slightly offended. They've been sharing a bed since the day they landed in New York, both because it's cheaper than any room with two beds and because they're used to sleeping in the same bed from their years of having sleepovers. Quite frankly, Mitch isn't all that thrilled about sleeping alone from now on, but he doesn't fight Scott on it.

The first night in the condo, which they've rented out for three weeks, is practically torture. Mitch can't sleep for shit, because despite the incredibly warm weather and comfy blankets, he's freezing. The room is too quiet and the bed is too empty and Scott is too far away.

It's 2 o'clock in the  morning and Mitch is still staring at the ceiling when he hears the bedroom door open. He snaps his eyes shut, pretending to be asleep, as Scott closes the door behind him and tip toes across the hardwood floor to the bed.

"Mitch?"

"Hm?" Mitch murmurs tiredly, and this time he doesn't have to pretend because he really is tired. He opens his eyes to see Scott standing on 'his' side of the bed. Scott, with sleepy eyes and bed hair, wearing only a pair of pajama pants.

"I can't sleep."

"I thought you wanted your own bed," Mitch teases, rolling onto his side to face Scott properly.

"I did...I do...I just...Can I just-" he cuts himself off as Mitch pulls the covers back for Scott to climb under them. Mitch watches as Scott makes himself comfortable, pulling the blankets all the way up to his neck. "Thanks Mitchy."

"Of course," Mitch whispers.

The last thing Mitch hears before he finds sleep is Scott's soft, barely there snores.

-------

They've always been each other's rock, each other's lifeline. They've always just been there for one another, no questions asked.

That's why when they're 14 and Mitch's parents sit him and his sister down at the dinner table to tell them they're getting a divorce, the only person Mitch wasn't to see is Scott. He doesn't want to see his mother crying because even though "it's for the best,' she's still sad. He doesn't want to see his father try to come up with promises they all know he'll never be able to keep and he doesn't want to see his sister being hysterical. He just wants Scott.

So he pushes himself up to his feet, the chair scraping the floor loudly, and takes off for the front door. He doesn't even think to grab his shoes or a jacket, he just keeps running. Running across his and Scott's lawn to Scott's front door. He knocks frantically until the door swings open and Scott's mom is standing in front of him. He hears his own mom calling out to him, coming towards the house with a pair of shoes and his  jacket, but he ignores her and begs for Scott instead.

And then Scott is there, looking worried and confused and the blonde boy gently pushes his mom to the side so he can get to his best friend. Mitch throws himself into Scott's arms, burying his face into the crook of his neck and grasping desperately at the fabric of his shirt. He gasps, choking on sobs and Scott shushes him softly. He's vaguely aware of his mom and Scott's mom talking about him, but he doesn't care because Scott's hugging him and pulling him into the house at the same time.

They go upstairs and Scott's family gives them privacy. Mitch curls himself all around Scott and cries uncontrollably into his chest while Scott whispers calming words into his ear. Scott may not remember what it was like to go through a divorce because he was only five when his own parents did it, but he knows what it's like to live with his parents being divorced and so he promises Mitch that everything will be okay eventually, that things will get better. Mitch believes him because it's Scott.

It takes a couple hours for Mitch to stop crying and calm down before they venture down stairs to the kitchen to get some snacks. Mitch is quiet and feeling embarrassed when Connie walks in behind them, but she gives him the kind of hug only a mother could and tells him that he can stay as long as he'd like, that his mom brought over a change of clothes and pajamas.

They build a crappy blanket fort when they get back to Scott's bedroom and watch even crappier movies.

"You know," Scott starts when the credits of the last movie begin to roll, "I know this is probably a bad time, and I know how hard it's going to be for you but...on the bright side, if there is one, you'll kind of get two of everything now. Two birthdays, two christmases...my dad isn't very good at the whole birthday/christmas thing, but he always remembers to send cards with money instead so it's fine...but for you, it just means you'll get to do everything twice."

Mitch nods, because Scott's right. "I just...I just wish it didn't have to be like that." Mitch whispers. "I'm perfectly happy with just having one of everything."

Scott sighs, "I know, Mitchy."

-------

Scott begins to really like L.A.. He likes the beaches, the sand, and the water. He likes the weather and the fact that people walk around in their bathing suits. He likes the people too, mostly friendly. He's good at making friends with just about anyone anyways.

It's their fifth morning there when Mitch wakes up alone again. He searches for Scott in the house and has sort of a mini heart attack when he can't find the blonde anywhere. He goes to grab his phone and just when he's about to press the call button, he catches a glimpse of the bright hair against the blue water and he realizes, with relief, that it's Scott sitting on the beach.

Mitch trudges through the sand, which is warm and feels kind of nice between his toes, and when he gets to where Scott is, he drops down onto the sand and bends his legs to rest his elbows on his knees. "Hey," he murmurs, squinting at the glare of the bright sun beating down on them.

"Hey."

"What are you doing?"

"I woke up early and couldn't go back to sleep, so I went for a run." Scott shrugs.

"Have you had anything to eat?"

"Not yet, no." And then, as if on cue, Scott's stomach growls which sends both of them into a small fit of giggles.

"Come on," Mitch says, pushing himself to his feet and then holding his hand out for Scott to grab. "I'll make us something to eat."

Scott grins and takes Mitch's hand, helping the smaller boy pull him up.

Mitch notices then, as he's face to face with Scott now, that Scott's nose is a bit red. "We need to get you some sunscreen. The sun here isn't good for your ghostly white skin."

"But that's why the sun is good!" Scott insists. "I never tan, so this is good."

Mitch shakes his head because yeah, Scott would look really good with a tan.

-------

Scott kind of makes it a habit now, sitting on the beach in the mornings, while Mitch finds himself waking up alone every morning for the following four days after.

The blonde has a fascination with the ocean, Mitch comes to realize quite quickly, which is funny because his eyes look like the ocean and Mitch is obsessed with Scott's eyes. He doesn't tell him that of course, not in the way Scott gushes about the ocean.

On the ninth morning, Mitch goes out to the beach to get Scott for breakfast, which has come to be their routine now, except Scott isn't there. Mitch looks up and down the beach and there's no sign of the blonde. He goes back to the house to get his phone to text Scott. Maybe he's being paranoid by being so worried about him all the time, but this is Scott and they're in a strange place and Scott can be a bit naive. So, really, he has every right to be a little bit worried. Immediately after he sends a text message to Scott, wondering where the hell he is, a ding sounds from across the bedroom and when Mitch looks up, he sees Scott's phone on the bedside table.

Then, as if on cue, Mitch hears the front door open and he whirls around so quickly his head spins a bit before he's marching down the hall. Scott's...and someone else's... laughter fills the house and Mitch's stomach kind of drops at the sound of it. Who's Scott with?

The answer comes in the form of a good looking boy with brown hair, brown eyes, and lightly sun tanned skin standing next to Scott in the front hall. The boy is rather beautiful and kind of has a nice smile, but Mitch doesn't care about that boy because he's mad at the other boy he does care about.

Scott seems to pick up on it the second their gazes meet from across the room because he shifts uncomfortably and rubs the back of his neck. "Uh, Hey Mitch."

"Where the hell have you been?" Mitch snaps, forgetting about the other boy for just a moment. "And why the hell did you leave your phone here? I wake up and I make breakfast and you're nowhere to be found and you didn't even think to bring your phone with you."

"I...Mitch I left a note," Scott tells him. "I left it on the fridge."

Mitch scoffs and disappears into the kitchen and sure enough, there's a note in Scott's chicken scratch hand writing on the fridge. He sighs and rips it off, crumpling it in his hand before tossing it next to the two plates of french toast and fresh fruit.

"This is why I stuck it to the fridge, I didn't want you to go through all this trouble of cooking." Scott says, walking in behind him.

"And this is why you don't just take off without telling me." Mitch snaps, realizing he's over reacting a little. He whirls around to face Scott and the brown haired boy is there too. "Where the hell did you even go? Who's he?"

"Mitch, this is Carson. Carson, this is Mitch."

Mitch hates the way Scott looks at Carson just then.

"Are you guys like, brothers or something?" Carson asks.

Mitch wants to scream, because brothers? He wants to scream and yell and tell Carson that, no, they aren't brothers and yes, they've fucked each other-

"Nope, we're just friends," Scott replies.

Mitch blinks, taken aback. Just friends? Just friends. Never mind the fact that they've been best friends for 14 years, have been sharing a bed the last five months and have crossed the friendship line at least once.

"Look, Mitch, I ran into Carson on the beach...like, literally ran into him. And then I felt bad so I told him I'd buy him breakfast," Scott says. "Plus he wanted to know what I was doing here, so I told him about the roadtrip. He said he's always wanted to know what the inside of this place looked like so-"

"So you just brought him back here." Mitch finishes for him.

"I...yeah. Yeah I did. Mitch, what's your problem? I'm sorry I didn't tell you that I left but it's not my fault you didn't see the note," Scott argues. "You have a habit of not seeing things that are right in front of you and that's not my problem."

Mitch glares at Scott and then at the boy, Carson, standing behind him and then shakes his head. "I'm not the one who doesn't see what's right in front of him, Scott." He mutters. And then he's pushing past the boys. Scott's calling after him, telling him he should eat something and Mitch's calling back that he's not hungry. Then the front door slams behind him and Mitch climbs into the rental car. He doesn't know where he's going, but he doesn't care either.

-------

Avi notices three months after they meet him.

They're at a bar just a few blocks from their campus and Mitch is well into his second drink, while Scott is well into his fifth. Mitch is sitting at the table they'd chosen earlier in the night, watching Scott act like a goofball with some other guys at the pool table. Scott's laugh resounds in the bar and it makes Mitch smile to himself.

Avi slides in the booth next to him, nursing a beer in his hands. "You're in love with him, aren't you?"

Mitch blinks, tearing his gaze away from Scott to eye the man sitting next to him. "Uh, what?"

Avi looks him straight in the eye. "Scott. You're in love with him."

Mitch opens his mouth to deny it, but no sound comes out.

"Relax, I won't say anything to him," Avi says, elbowing him gently. "Unless you want me to-"

"No!" Mitch shouts loudly. And then he's blushing and sinking back into the booth like he's trying to disappear.

"How long have you been in love with him?"

Mitch shrugs, shift uncomfortably in his spot because he's never told anyone this and nobody has ever noticed before. "I guess... for as long as I've known him."

"Haven't you been friends for ten years or something crazy like that?"

"Eleven," Mitch corrects.

Avi gapes at him. "You've been in love with him for 11 years and you've never told him?"

"He's never noticed and we've been best friends for 11 years."

"Why haven't you said anything?"

Mitch scoffs. "What am I supposed to do? Hey Scott, I know you're straight and everything, but I'm kind of madly in love with you. Oh, and remember that time you kissed me? Yeah that's when I knew for sure-"

"He kissed you?!" Avi hisses. Mitch lurches forward to clamp his hand over his mouth. Avi groans, fighting to peel Mitch's hand away. "Sorry, I'm sorry. But...what the hell?"

"We were 13, It didn't matter."

"Obviously it did!"

Mitch sighs, "Look, it's fine. Okay? I'm used to it, It's fine."

"You're not though, Mitch. I see the way you look at him sometimes and it's like your heart is literally breaking."

Mitch shrugs, glancing across the bar towards Scott, who's singing along to the song that's being played. "How do you know? How did you find out? How can you know after only knowing me for a few months but Scott doesn't have a clue?"

Avi takes a sip of his beer. "I think... I just think Scott really is that naive about it. Plus, I think it's easier for an outsider to see it because, I mean-" he cuts himself off, rolling his eyes at himself as he leans closer to Mitch. "What I'm trying to say is that I've seen the way you look at him because I've watched you two together, as creepy as that sounds, and I've seen the way you look at him when he isn't looking. The thing is, Mitch, is that he isn't looking and that's why he doesn't know. Because he's just never seen the way you look at him."

Mitch nods because, yeah, Avi has a point.

"Hey, love birds!" Scott shouts, throwing himself into the booth across from them.

"I... we're not-" Mitch stutters.

Scott laughs. "I'm kidding Mitchy." He orders another round for the boys while Mitch laughs back at him.

-------

Carson's a nice guy, it's just that Mitch still doesn't like him. More specifically, he doesn't like how much Scott talks about him. 'Carson's gonna teach me how to surf, isn't that cool?' 'Carson said there's a really good restaurant a few blocks away that we should all go to.' Or how much time Scott's starting to spend with him. Every day it's either Carson coming over or Scott going out with Carson and yeah, maybe Scott invites him to tag along, but he has a feeling he'll just be a third wheel to their little dates.

Mitch had met Kyle the day Scott brought Carson home. He'd been sitting inside one of the many Starbucks and Kyle had asked him if the seat on the couch next to him was taken, as it was the only seat open, and of course he'd said no. And then Kyle started to talk to him about his accent and where he was from, what he was doing here in L.A. They talked for a few hours, which is a lot longer than he's talked to anyone he's just met before, and it just felt so easy and free. So when Kyle offers him his number, he takes it.

They have coffee four more times in the next few days and on the 15th day in L.A., Mitch and Kyle decide to upgrade coffee to dinner. It also turns out to be the day Scott suggests renting the condo for a couple  more weeks and, surprising even himself, Mitch agrees.

Mitch is getting himself a snack when Scott and Carson walk in the back door from the beach wearing swim shorts and dripping water all over the floor. Mitch has to ignore the fluttering of his heart and the tightness in his jeans at the way the trunks hang low on Scott's hips.

"Seriously Mitch, you need to get out in the water," Scott tells him, running a hand through his wet hair.

"I've been in the water." Mitch points out.

"I mean to surf, Mitchy. You should learn how to surf. It's amazing."

"I can hardly run in a straight line for more than a couple feet on solid ground. What makes you think I would be able to surf with all those waves?"

Scott smirks. "You're right. You'd probably drown."

"Probably," Mitch laughs.

Mitch's phone buzzes on the counter and Scott grabs it. They have this little game where if the other's phone is unattended and they get to it first, they're allowed to answer and say whatever they want. Scott ends up with the phone and he's laughing and smile as he walks away to answer it. Just as he's about the read the received message out loud, his smile turns to a frown and his brows furrow in confusion. "Who's Kyle?"

Mitch shrugs, leaning against the counter. "Just a guy I met the other day."

"Who is he though?"

"I don't know. He's just fun and down to earth. He's been showing me around L.A. a bit."

Scott nods, walking back towards Mitch before putting the phone back on the counter. "He wants to know what time you're picking him up for dinner and if he should dress casual or sexy. With a winky face," he mutters. "Have fun."

Mitch watches as Scott storms out of the room and down the hall to 'his' room in confusion. What the hell was that about? He looks at Carson who just shrugs his shoulders. He thinks about going to confront Scott, but decides against it because he hasn't even done anything wrong.

-------

They're both 14 years old when they have their first, real fight. Scott's just joined the football team at school and all his free time is spent either practicing, playing, or hanging out with the guys on the team and since Mitch doesn't have a single athletic bone in his body, he feels left out.

Mitch has quite a few friends too, but none quite as close or as good as Scott and he misses him. He hasn't gotten to see Scott outside of school in weeks and he just misses having him around. Scott misses him too, or so he says, and so they make plans to spend the whole weekend together.

Scott's supposed to meet him outside near the school sign and they're going to walk home together, order some pizza, watch movies, and save their homework till the very last minute on Sunday. But Scott doesn't show and Mitch waits for 45 minutes before his stomach begins to growl so he decides to go home.

Friday comes and goes and then Saturday Scott texts him, asking him if he wants to go to the movies with him and the guys from the team, but Mitch doesn't respond. Then Sunday rolls around and Scott texts him again, asking him if he wants to do their homework together, and Mitch doesn't respond, again.

He doesn't see Scott until Monday morning at the bus stop, and by the look on Scott's face, the boy is angry and confused.

"Why are you avoiding me?" Scott blurts out.

"The fact that you have to ask me that just proves that I'm right."

"Right about what? What the hell is your problem, Mitch?"

Mitch turns around to glare at the blonde boy and realizes he's never been so incredibly angry with him before. "You stood me up."

Scott scoffs. "What are you even talking about? You're the one who's been avoiding me for no-" he cuts himself off then, and his eyes nearly pop out of his head as realization dawns on him. "Shit, Mitch. I...I completely forgot. I'm so sorry. It's just that the guys wanted to have practice and then we went out for dinner. I forgot we had plans so I just-"

"That's just it, Scott. Everything is all about the team and the guys and you never have time for anyone else anymore. Especially not me. You promised Scott. You promised me that we would spend the weekend together and then you just forgot."

"Well I'm sorry that I'm busy Mitch, but I can't exactly help that now can I?"

Mitch's gaze narrows at the blonde boy as he takes a step back. "Well then maybe you shouldn't make promises you can't keep."

"Fine." Scott snaps.

"Fine."

"You know, you're not my only friend, Mitch."

Mitch blinks like he's just been slapped in the face. He squares his shoulders and raises his chin. "And you're not my only friend." All of the sudden his feet are carrying him down the street and away from the bus stop. Scott calls after him, but Mitch ignores him because he's got something to prove.

They don't speak for the next four days and Mitch is beginning to think it's been the longest week of his life. During last period on Friday, however, Scott texts him.

'I told the boys I'd practice with them after school, but can we please talk after?'

Mitch doesn't answer him, but after the last bell's rang, once he's gone to his locker to get his things, he goes straight to the football field. He's walking towards the stands when Scott notices him and waves dramatically, and yeah, maybe Mitch laughs a little.

He sits on the bottom bench, his bookbag on the ground between his legs and he's so caught up in Scott, and the way his jersey fits his form perfectly and the way he makes running around with the ball so effortless, that he doesn't hear the 'heads up; coming from the field. The ball hits him in the side of the face and his vision goes all black for a minute as he falls off the bench and onto the ground.

"Mitch!"

When he opens his eyes again, Scott's face is the first thing he sees and his voice is the first thing he hears. He then sees other faces and hears other voices asking him is he's okay and apologizing. Scott starts helping him to his feet and then they're leaving together.

Mitch rubs at his head for what feels like the hundredth time as they walk slowly down the street and he looks sideways at Scott, who's watching him intently with a guilty kind of look in his eyes. "You didn't have to leave early, I could've stayed."

"It's not a big deal," Scott shrugs.

Silence falls between them again and then all of the sudden Scott stops walking and reaches out to grab Mitch's arm, forcing him to stop. "Okay, look. I'm sorry," Scott says, looking Mitch directly in the eye. "I hate that you're mad at me and I hate that we haven't been talking all week and I miss you, Mitch. I just... I just really want these guys to like me. They're all older than me and more experienced than me and I just... I know I haven't been making any time for you, but I will. I promise. You're my best friend, Mitchy, and you always will be, and that's a promise I know I can keep."

Mitch stares at him for a minute before throwing himself at the blonde and locking his arms around Scott's neck. He buries his face in Scott's neck and that's when Mitch knows they'll always be okay.

-------

They don't talk about Kyle and they don't talk about Carson. Scott pays rent for the next two weeks and Mitch has to try really, really hard not to worry about the money they're quickly running out of.

Kyle brings them to a couple parties and Scott...along with Carson... manage to get him into the ocean and on a surfboard and Mitch has fun, despite the fact that he's pretty sure he's swallowed half the ocean already.

And things are good. Things are kind of great, even.

But then are aren't.

-------

It's a Thursday afternoon and Mitch brings Kyle over with the promise of his famous ice cream parfait, which isn't actually famous. He just says that because Scott loves them. They walk into the house and are welcomed to the sound of music blaring from Scott's room, because he can never listen to music at a normal level.

"He likes his music," Kyle comments, kicking off his shoes.

"That he does."

"Now, about that parfait you promised me."

Mitch grins. "I'm just gonna ask Scott if he wants one. He gets mad when I make them and I don't make him one."

Kyle nods and follows him down the hall.

Mitch smiles as he hears Beyonce playing on the other side of the door. He starts talking before his hand even touches the doorknob. "Hey Scott? Kyle and I are gonna make parfaits, do you wa-" he stops talking as the door opens and his steps falter in the doorway at the sight before him.

Because there's Scott, laying naked on the bed with a boxer clad Carson between his legs. Scott's cheeks are red and his hair's a mess as he scrambles to find his own boxers, cursing and accidentally shoving Carson onto the floor. Mitch feels like he's going to be sick, literally like he could throw up all over the floor. His vision is blurry and he feels dizzy.

"Mitch, listen, I can explain-"

"I have to go," Mitch whispers as he turns, tripping over his own two feet. He throws a hand out to brace himself against the wall and Kyle tries to reach out for him, but he shrugs him off because he needs to go. He needs to leave.

"Mitch, wait," Scott calls after him, following him down the hall while trying to put on a pair of sweatpants. He reaches for Mitch but he pulls his arm away violently.

"Don't touch me!" Mitch shouts before gasping for air, with his hand to his chest, because it feels like his lungs are collapsing. He can't breathe and unshed tears in his eyes are making it hard to see. It's like his heart is literally breaking in his chest. "Don't fucking touch me Scott."

Scott blinks, looking hurt. "M-Mitch-"

"I have to go," he says again and he looks behind Scott at Kyle, who nods and goes into the front hall to get his shoes.

"Mitchy, please," Scott begs.

Mitch stares at him for a minute and then the sound of footsteps from behind Scott forces his gaze upwards and he sees Carson standing in the hallway looking confused and disheveled. "I can't." He murmurs, shaking his head. He follows Kyle towards his car, struggling to hold everything in.

-------

Mitch hides himself away at Kyle's house for the next three days because he can't bring himself to see Scott. He ignores Scott's calls and texts because he can't bring himself to speak to him either.

Kyle asks him about it and he tells him everything because there's no point in lying about anything now considering he saw it all. But other than that, Mitch doesn't talk about it.

Until the fourth day, which is when Avi calls him. Actually, Avi calls him and leaves six voice messages demanding Mitch to 'pick up the phone before I fly to L.A. and do it for you.' Mitch picks up on the seventh time and Avi breathes a sigh of relief.

"About time Mitch, Jesus. Scott called me in a panic just now because he hasn't seen or heard from you in four days. Where the hell are you?"

"I'm at Kyle's."

"That's another thing. Who the hell is Kyle?"

Mitch sighs, "He's just a friend..."

Silence falls between them as Avi sighs into the receiver. "Scott told me what happened. I'm really sorry, Mitch."

Mitch doesn't say anything because he doesn't know what to say...thanks?

"He said you weren't supposed to see that."

"Yeah, well, I did. So..."

"Talk to me."

And then Mitch starts to cry again. He lets out a deep, shaky breath and sniffs back tears. Everytime he thinks about it all, all he sees in his head is Carson and Scott, Scott and Carson. "I just... It was so much easier to know that he didn't feel the same way because he was straight, or whatever, but he isn't. He's not very straight Avi. He just doesn't love me. That's it."

"He loves you, Mitch, just not in the way you want him to."

"It just hurts so much," Mitch breathes shakily. "That's why I haven't gone back yet. And with the way I reacted...he has to know now Avi."

"Mitch," Avi begins. "I can assure you that it doesn't matter to him."

"That makes me feel ten times better, thanks." Mitch says sarcastically.

"You know what I meant, Mitch. He's just worried about you."

"I don't... I don't know what to do." Mitch sighs.

"Just... Mitch you just need to out right tell him that you're in love with him and have been since you met him."

"I...I can't do that."

"Why not?"

"I just... I just can't, Avi. I can't stay there either. I just-"

"Then come home, Mitch. Just come home. You and I both know that the only reason you even went on this road trip in the first place was because of Scott, so just come home."

Mitch hesitates for a second. "But what about Scott?"

"Stop worrying about Scott, okay? Stop thinking about Scott and what he needs and what he wants and focus on what you need right now. You need to come home."

"I don't even have any money, Avi." Mitch says, shaking his head and running a hand through his hair. "I mean, I have a little bit, but not nearly enough for a plane ticket home. And what if Scott runs out of money and-"

"If Scott runs out of money we'll find a way to help. Look, I'll send you some money for a ticket and you can pay me back whenever. I don't care. Just...you can't keep doing this to yourself, Mitch. It isn't healthy."

Mitch pauses before his response comes in a shaky whisper, "Okay."

-------

Mitch is kind of massively afraid and nervous as he unlocks the front door to the condo. The car isn't in the driveway so he knows that Scott isn't there, but he's still scared.

The place is incredibly quiet and he has a bitter, fleeting thought that Scott is probably with Carson before he pushes the thought back and swallows around the lump in his throat as he goes straight to his room. Perhaps it's wrong to begin packing his things and hope he can leave again before Scott gets back from wherever he is, he'd write a note of course, but he can't help it. He's not sure he's ready to face Scott yet.

He manages to pack all of his clothes, including the ones he bought with Kyle a couple days ago because he really didn't want to have to come back for his clothes, into one duffle bag. Just as he's walking into the kitchen to put the keys to the house and car on the counter, the front door opens. His breath catches in his throat and his heartbeat speeds up in his chest as Scott walks into the kitchen. Mitch looks at Scott, whose head is down, and he loses the ability to think about anything other than the fact that he's fucking beautiful.

Scott notices Mitch at the last minute and his steps falter as he comes to a halt in the middle of the kitchen. Mitch can't do anything but stare at the blonde in front of him, watching emotion after emotion flickers across his face and then disappear before anger sets in and stays. Scott's closing the gap between them, raising his arms. Mitch thinks he might hug him so he takes an instinctive step back, but then Scott pushes him. Scott's taller and broader than he is and his shove didn't push him back too far, so he knows Scott didn't really put all of his power into it.

Mitch stutters, "What-"

"You're an asshole, Mitch." Scott shouts and shoves him again. "You fucking asshole. What is wrong with you? How many times do I have to beg you to at least tell me where you are? I just spent the last four and a half fucking days worrying about you and looking for you and wondering if you were even still alive."

Mitch blinks and stares at Scott, because what the fuck?

"God, Mitch," Scott starts, pushing his hands through his hair as he turns and starts to shift around on his feet. "You don't just take off like that in a place like this, a place you don't even know."

Mitch continues to stare at Scott, both of them standing awkwardly and uncertainly across from one another, because he doesn't trust his voice or words.

"Avi told me you were with Kyle."

Mitch nods.

"Why couldn't you just tell me that?"

"I didn't want to talk."

"But you talked to Avi? You talked to Avi and not me."

Mitch shrugs.

Scott sighs, looking disappointed. "I thought... I thought we told each other everything-"

"Yeah well, so did I," Mitch snaps defensively.

Scott blinks, like he knows exactly what Mitch means, and then he shrinks back. "I didn't sleep with him..."

"It doesn't matter, Scott. You were going to. And you're not even-" Mitch stops, choking inwardly.

"Not what? Gay? Bi? I think we both know I'm not straight after what happened in Nashville-"

"Oh, so you do remember. You just chose to ignore it, just forget about it like one of your other one night stands."

"Of course I didn't forget about it."

"Could've fooled me." Mitch mutters.

"What was I supposed to do, Mitch?!" Scott shouts, pushing his hands through his hair again and tugging on the ends.

"I don't know Scott, maybe talk to me about it? I'm not just a one night stand, I'm your fucking best friend-"

"Exactly! You're my best friend and maybe I just didn't know what to say."

Mitch takes a deep breath as he places his hands on his hips and shifts uncomfortably on his feet. "Whatever, Scott. It's done and over-"

"Except it's not, Mitch. It's not over."

"Yeah, yeah it is. How many people have you slept with since Nashville, Scott? Hm?"

"Fuck you. I'm not the only one who's been with other people, Mitch!! You have too!" Scott yells, pointing an accusatory finger against Mitch's chest.

"Only because you've always been with other people! I didn't even... I wasn't even-"

Scott takes a step back, looking offended and hurt. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

Mitch sighs, running a hand down his face. He hadn't wanted to come here, to bring this up, but here it is. "You...you always find someone, Scott. You've always found someone else so I-"

"So you're blaming me? Is that what you're doing? You're saying the only reason you ever hooked up with someone was because I did it first? Is that...?"

"I-"

"Well you know what, Mitch? Maybe I've been a slut, but you..," Scott trails off, looking down at his feet as he swallows hard.

"But I what, Scott? Just say it."

"You're just as bad, if not worse. At least I didn't go around giving it out to people just because-"

"Because what? Because the boy I'm in love with is handing it out on a fucking silver platter?! How is that any worse than-"

"Because at least I sleep with people I want to sleep with, have a connection with. You'll just sleep with any-"

Mitch looks stunned, flinches as though Scott's just slapped him, only the words sting his heart more than any amount of physical pain. "Nice, Scott." He whispers.

"Wait, Mitch, no," Scott murmurs, jerking forward to reach out for him. The material of Mitch's shirt slips through his fingers as he turns away. "Please, Mitch. I didn't mean it like that-"

"I think you did. I have to go." Mitch states, grabbing his bag off the floor before walking past Scott to the front door.

Scott's eyes widen in utter shock and fear and it's like he's only just seen the bag that's been there this whole time. "No! Mitch, Mitch! Where are you going?"

"I'm going home, Scott," Mitch whispers, turning slightly towards Scott. "I can't do this anymore. I'm going home."

"But...but what about me? Mitch-"

"You'll figure it out, you always do. You don't need me for that."

And then Mitch is walking out the door, sniffling back tears, shaky hands reaching into his pocket to call Kyle. He's well aware that Scott's watching him walk away, and he has to force himself to not look back.

-------

It takes another four days for Mitch to actually get home because the minute he lands in Texas he drives up to his mom's house. He cries the second her arms wrap around him and cries the whole first day he's there. He's sad and heartbroken. He just left Scott in L.A. and what if Scott hates him even more now? What if Scott never talks to him again?  What if he's lost Scott for good?

He spends the whole second day watching movies on the couch with his sister and her kids and eating all his mom's home made cooking.

He spends most of the third day meeting up with old friends for coffee and lunch and dinner before spending his last night with his mom.

He leaves the next morning and spends a large amount of the day driving back to the apartment, dreading the moment he has to walk across the threshold and into the cold, empty space of his and Scott's place. Except, when he gets to the door, he can hear the sound of the T.V. playing from inside the apartment and in a moment of panic he searches for something to arm himself with. The only thing he has is his duffle bag, so he holds it up high as he turns the knob and pushes the door open. He's one and a half seconds away from screaming at whoever is inside, only to lose his voice the second he sees the blond haired, blue eyed boy sitting on the sofa in his pajamas.

"S-Scott?"

Scott raises his eyebrows as he reaches for the remote to turn off the T.V. "What are you gonna do, beat me to death with your duffle bag?"

Mitch blinks, and then remembers how he's holding the duffle bag and drops his arm back down to his side. "I...What are you doing here?"

"You look like you need coffee. I'll make you some coffee." Scott says, standing up and disappearing into the kitchen. "Do you want your usual plain shit? Or do you want honey in it-"

"Scott-"

"Also, I'm gonna start a load of laundry later, do you want me to throw your stuff in it too?"

"I washed it at my moms...but, Scott-"

"How is she? She okay?"

"Would you just stop!" Mitch yells suddenly, startling Scott into stopping everything. "Just...what are you doing here?" He asks again.

"I needed to come home."

"How long have you been back?"

Scott shrugs. "A couple of days..."

"I...why didn't you tell me? I would've-"

"I figured if you weren't here you were with your family anyway and I didn't want to...besides, it was gonna be a surprise, so...surprise!"

Mitch shakes his head, confused. "I don't understand, Scott. What happened to never leaving L.A.? You wanted to live there forever."

Scott licked his lips and shrugged again. "Didn't seem like such a good idea anymore after you...left."

"Scott-"

"Just...Mitch, just put your stuff away and I'll make you a coffee and then we can talk, okay?" Scott pleads.

Mitch does as he's told and stays in his room a few extra minutes because his hands are shaking and the butterflies in his stomach are going crazy. When he walks back into the living room, Scott's sitting on the couch with two mugs in front of him on the coffee table. "Thanks," he murmurs, gesturing to the steaming mug Scott pushes across the table.

Scott motions for him to sit down, but Mitch shakes his head. He's too jittery and nervous to sit still like Scott. He looks down at him expectantly and Scott sighs. "I don't...I don't know how to do this..."

"Do what?" Mitch asks, his voice comes out no louder than a whisper.

"First I just... I need to know how long it's been."

"How long what's been?" Mitch asks, although he's pretty sure he knows what it means.

Scott pushes himself to his feet then, looking Mitch directly in the eye. "How long have you been in love with me?"

Mitch just stares at Scott, sort of in disbelief. He's always known that Scott didn't know, but now this is Scott proving it and it... it kind of hurts. "You've honestly never known?"

Scott shakes his head.

"How?" Mitch demands, and suddenly he feels defensive. "How could you not have known? I...it's always been you Scott. How could you have never seen that?"

"How could I have?!" Scott counters. "You... people fawned over you all the time, Mitch. And you were such a huge flirt and you loved it. How was I supposed to know?"

Mitch blinks and turns away. "Nevermind-"

"No, tell me," Scott says harshly, grabbing onto Mitch's sleeve to stop him. "Stop running away from me and just tell me. For once in your life just-"

"Why does it even matter Scott?!" Mitch shouts, whirling around to face him. Tears are swimming in his eyes and he can feel his cheeks burning up. "Why does it matter how long it's been? Why does it matter why you never noticed? Why does it matter that whenever I needed someone I always ran to you? Why does it matter that every time you were upset I let you cry on my shoulder and I held you until you fell asleep because I was afraid you'd fall apart? Why does it matter that you never saw me even though I was literally right in front of you the whole time?" He's looking at Scott and he's breathing hard and heavy. His heart is beating wildly in his chest and the butterflies in his stomach are making him feel sick.

Scott furrows his eyebrows, staring at Mitch thoughtfully. "I saw you, Mitch."

"Jesus Christ, Scott. I travelled all over the damn country just so I could be with you every day and-" Mitch stops himself, blinking furiously in confusion as Scott's words finally hit him. "What?"

"I saw you. I just...I just didn't know that's what it was at first, and then I did, but I ignored it."

"What?" Mitch repeats.

"I always chose you, Mitch. I don't know how many times they would tell me it was them or you, because they were jealous of you, and I always chose you. You were always the one I couldn't lose, Mitchy. That's...that's why I asked you to come with me. Out of everyone in my life, it was you I knew I wouldn't be able to say goodbye to."

Mitch looks confused and stunned. He feels sort like passing out so he grabs onto the half wall that separates the living room and the kitchen to hold himself up.

"And yeah, I suck," Scott continues, despite the fact that Mitch is no longer looking at him. "Because I was seeing all kinds of different people and ignoring my own feelings. I didn't even consider or see your feelings because while I was hooking up with someone, so were you and I just... I never thought about it until the other night."

"I suck because it took you leaving for me to figure out that it's always been you for me too."

Mitch takes a step back when Scott takes a step towards him, shaking his head. "You can't...you can't say things like that to me if you don't mean it, Scott. That's not fair."

"I mean it, Mitchy. I promise, I mean it. I was just...I was in denial," Scott admits softly. "And I've spent...I've spent everyday since we were 13, ever since I kissed you, running away from those feelings just like I ran from you that day. I was scared and I've spent so many years trying to force my feelings into other relationships. Some were genuine relationships with genuine feelings, but they were kind of misplaced, ya know? I was just so afraid of losing you because I didn't know you felt it too. You were my best friend, Mitch, and I couldn't ruin that. I had myself convinced for years that it's just the way things were with us being so close and-"

Mitch cuts him off because there's something he needs to know before this goes any further. "What happened in Nashville?"

"What?"

"What happened, Scott?" Mitch presses, searching Scott's eyes desperately for an answer. "Why-"

Scott shrugs, "I gave in."

"What happened the next morning?"

Scott pauses and reaches out to wipe a tear that Mitch didn't even know had fallen. "I wish I could tell you, I just... I was confused. You were the first guy I'd ever... and I didn't know what else to do."

"What about Carson?"

Scott looks down then, and his shoulders curl in on himself, making him look so much smaller to Mitch. He seemed so disappointed in himself. "He was fun, easy going, good sense of humor. He reminded me of you in the sense that it was so easy to be around him. He was a distraction. He was a great guy, but that's all he was... he was just a distraction from my feelings for you and thoughts of Nashville. And then it all just...happened. Nothing else happened after you left though, I promise. I made him leave after you did because I couldn't...I just couldn't...not after I saw the look on your face..."

Silence falls between them and this is when Mitch has to sit down because otherwise he's sure his legs will give out. He buries his face in his hands, lets out an impossibly shaky breath and tries to process everything that Scott just admitted to him. That Scott may have been in love with Mitch as long as Mitch has been in love with Scott. The only difference is that Mitch had known it all along, and Scott didn't

A million things are flying through Mitch's mind and a million feelings are grabbing at his heart. He doesn't know what to do with himself, it's so much all at once. He's overwhelmed and doesn't know if he should cry or laugh or run. His lifelong dream looks like it's coming true and he should be happy...he is happy, but he's also terrified.

"I've figured it out, Mitch," Scott says softly, and Mitch's gaze snaps up, landing on the blonde standing against the half wall where he was just standing. "I've figured it out and it's you. I don't want to run away anymore and I don't want to lose you-"

Somewhere between the moment where Scott started talking and the moment where he was forced to stop, Mitch had thrown himself to his feet and across the living room between them before swallowing Scott's words with his own mouth as he presses his lips firmly against Scott's. It's like he's 13 again, kissing the boy for the first time...despite having kissed him (and then some) many weeks ago. His heart is racing and his palms are sweating and Scott's lips are soft and perfect against his own. Scott lets out a whimper and Mitch deepens the kiss, slipping his arms around Scott's neck as he presses their bodies together. Scott's hands wrap around Mitch's tiny waist and he feels Mitch smile into the kiss, which causes him to smile as well.

And then they're both laughing, pulling away and panting, foreheads pressed together, arms wrapped securely around each other, bodies pressed flush together.

"I'm so fucking in love with you," Scott whispers, nose bumping Mitch's

Mitch has been waiting to hear those words for so long,that the only way he can seem to say them back is by kissing the blonde again and again, because now he can and now he will.