HAPPY (early because why not?) BIRTHDAY TO hxley_ann !!!

I hope you have an amazing day today, love! You deserve it!

And because your special day...

This is going to be a happy chapter!

Wait...

Maddie...

Happy chapter?

Is that even possible?!

Anyway...

Comment...

Cry...

Wish Haley an early happy birthdate...

On with the story!

"Alex? I need to talk to you."

Alex looked up from his laptop, nodding slowly. His father sighed, sitting down on the couch across from him before speaking.

"Your behavior towards Mitch last week was unacceptable. I expect better from you."

"Well, sorry for not liking my boyfriend's bully," Alex scoffed, shaking his in disgust. "You wouldn't like someone if they hurt Mom! Why can't I do the same?!"

Alex felt quite...off when he said that. Those feelings of self-doubt and questioning came back, making him wonder...

Why do I feel like he's lying?! Am I a bad boyfriend for thinking so?!

"I'll be angry if someone hurt my wife but punching a mentally ill person? That's disgusting, Alexander. You disappointed me."

I always do.

"Well, what do you want me to do? Punch myself in the face a thousand times? Will that make you better? Or about if I make Mr. Fake some cookies with artificial vanilla?"

"No, but that is something that does involve him," James spoke, clearing his throat before answering. "Mitch's father Avriel was told of the incident after it happened and he was angry but more concerned about his son being hurt. After talking for a while, we both agreed on something that you are not allowed to miss."

Alex raised an eyebrow, trying to figure out what his father meant. He took a few seconds to figure out what his father meant and when he did, he widened his eyes and shook his head.

"No, Dad!"

"It's the only way you will be punished without having your art stuff taken away. Consider this as a warning, Alexander."

"That's not fair!"

"Well, it wasn't for you to punch Mitchell in the face," James yelled, his face red and voice raising in anger. Alex crossed his arms, breathing heavily in hopes of no getting into a rage. "You are to hang out with him all day tomorrow, understood?!"

Alex's jaw dropped, shaking his head. He's supposed to hang out with Scott, Kirstie, and Jeremy! It's Friday!

"But it's Friday tomorrow! I had plans!"

"Well, now you have new ones," James scolded, shaking his head as he glared at his son. "Maybe it's time for you to break up with Scott. He isn't all sunshine and rainbows, Alex. He's hiding something from you and I know you dislike honest people."

Alex wanted to argue, but he knew his father was telling the truth. Alex despised dishonest people. So maybe...

Just maybe...

It's time to break up with Scott.

If he's lying.

Why do this feelings of doubt come up whenever Alex is questioning Scott's honesty? He would never question that about Scott...

Right?

He was so confused about this whole thing. He just wants the truth!

"Mitch is going to be here in an hour. I expect excellent behavior from you."

"I'm twenty, not five."

"Well, you're sure acting like you're five," James grumbled, gathering some stuff together. Alex huffed, typing on his laptop to ignore his father. "I'll be back around four. Don't do anything stupid."

Alex rolled his eyes, his father walking off without another word. He wanted to say it didn't bother him about James' could goodbyes since it has been like since he was younger, but it really did.

Please be close to me. Please.

~~~

An hour passed and Mitch was scared.

Avi was by him, holding the bag of nail polish for him. The older man looked so depressed, his green eyes a depressing grey color and his hair unkempt. It looked like he hasn't slept in days!

And Kevin still wasn't home.

"I'm sorry I'm making you do this, Mitchell," Avi spoke to his son, looking at the small boy next to him. Mitch nodded, shaking a bit. "It's only for a few hours. If you feel uncomfortable, get a hold of me. We'll do something fun."

Mitch smiled for the first time in a little while, bringing a tear to Avi's eye. He would do anything to make his pride and joy happy again. They finally made it to the porch, Avi knocking on the door lightly. Mitch took deep breaths, hoping that Alex won't hurt him again.

I don't want him to be like Scott. I don't want to be scared anymore.

The door finally opened and it took all of Avi's willpower to not punch Alex twice as hard as Alex did to Mitch. Alex sighed, trying his best not to be intimidated by the green eyed man in front of him.

Avi could be very frightening!

"Hey, Mitch," Alex spoke up in a bored tone, waving his hand lazily. Mitch waved back, his motions small. "You must be his father."

Alex offered his hand for a handshake, causing Mitch to flinch. Avi noticed this, glaring at the tall man in front of him even more. Alex put his hand away, opening the door to let Mitch in.

"Bye, Mitch. I'll see you in a few," Avi whispered to him as he handed Mitch the nail polish bag, letting him inside. Mitch was inside, but he could hear Avi threaten to Alex," If you hurt my son again, there will be hell to pay."

Mitch wished he could just go through a day were his dads don't get mad at anything that threatened him. He could do it on his own.

He's not a baby anymore!

He sat down on the couch, Alex grumbling to himself as he walked to the living room. Mitch timidly opened the bag of nail polish, Alex staring at him the whole time. Mitch looked up at him, blushing some more.

"Do you mind if I, um, paint my nails? I just need help with painting my left hand's nails. I'm left handed."

"Oh, really?" Alex asked, inching closer. Mitch, surprising himself, did not flinch when the older male sat down. "Yeah, I'll help you. I'll do both hands."

"Thank you. That sounds pleasant."

Alex nodded, feeling guilty for hurting the smaller boy.

And for the first time since he met Mitch, he never questioned how he felt about these emotions. It was...

Different.

A good different.

As Alex painted Mitch's nails a dark blue color, the older male couldn't help but notice how delicate yet large Mitch's hands are. They were quite smaller compared to Alex's though, but Alex didn't mind.

In fact, they felt more right in his hands than Scott's hand did.

"I'm sorry for hurting you. I didn't know what came over me."

"It's okay. I've been through worse."

Alex's heart broke as he finished Mitch's nails, getting the 'permanent stuff' from the bag when all the nail polishes fell out. Alex blushed as he went on the floor, Mitch following him. As they picked up the nail polishes (and brushed their hands a few times and said shy 'sorries', they just happened to look at each other.

And move closer, their lips meeting in the middle.

And it was honestly the best kiss they have ever had.

Scott who?

They separated, blushing deeply. Mitch stared at the boy in front of him, smiling his first real smile in a long time.

And it made Alex smile too.

"Ummm...," Mitch mumbled as he picked up a sparkly red nail polish. He shook it, smiling shyly at Alex. "Do you want me to paint your nails?"

Could I kiss you more?

"Sure."

And the two of them stayed silent, comfortable in each other's presence when Alex noticed something...

I have to break up with Scott.

But he didn't mind at all.

Besides...

He hates liars.

~~~

The next day, Mitch woke up to a nurse talking quietly to his dads. He was still in pain, wanting nothing more than to have some pain medication to ease the pain.

But he couldn't do that because it could make him relapse.

He had no one to blame but himself. He is the reason why he did drugs, but Scott and Kirstie.

Maybe this is his punishment for doing such a terrible thing to himself and others.

Avi looked over at him, tears in his eyes as a sad smile grew on his face. Mitch treks to smile, but all that came out was a grimace. Avi walked over as the nurse smiled, turning her attention to the injured teenager.

"Hey, Mitch," Avi murmured, hugging his son tightly. Kevin walked to the corner, unable to be around his husband without a fight commencing. "You slept for a long time. You look okay."

"I look ugly."

Avi sighed, shaking his head as he blocked Mitch's view from the mirror. Mitch made himself more comfortable, the stitches and long tubes in his tiny tummy hurting him. The nurse walked over, smiling lightly.

"Hi, Mitchell. I'm Nurse Haley. I am going to check on you everyday until next week, when you leave. If you need anything, feel free to call me. I'll be more than happy to help. I'll be back in a few. See ya!"

Haley waved goodbye, leaving the family by themselves. Kevin walked over, walking to the the other side of Mitch. Avi looked up at his husband, shaking his head before looking down at his son.

"You are my fighter, Mitch. I am so happy you're still alive. You are so strong. You are going to stay alive for a long time."

Kevin nodded and even though Mitch felt scared around his father, he couldn't help but feel comfort from his other father.

Maybe...he is meant to stay alive.

Even if Scott and Kirstie think differently.

"I'm happy I'm alive too."

A/N: Happy chapters are a rarity for me so it felt weird writing it.😂 Haley, I really hope you liked it! I wanted to make it happy for you! Anyways, I hope that you all enjoyed this chapter and remember that I love you all.:)

Happy birthday, Haley!!!:)

-Maddie🐶💕🎤