A month quickly turned into two, two turned into four..

Mitch decided it was time to bring ‘it’ up.

Scott practically lived with him, he was at his loft EVERY day, but he still kept all of his stuff at he and Zac’s apartment, which, to Mitch, seemed ridiculous. He mine as well just move in with him. It was a big step in theory, but Mitch was sure he was ready for it. It was practically a reality anyway.

He and Scott were that type of couple he used to get so annoyed with. They rarely spent time apart and if they did it was usually because Mitch was out of town doing some sort of appearance or something and even then they skyped and called each other more than was probably healthy. They were still learning each other’s quirks, but when things were good they were SOOO good.  He still sometimes caught himself just staring at Scott, still so incredibly attracted to him. He couldn’t believe he had gotten so lucky to find someone who was so much his opposite and yet his perfect compliment.  

It was time. The step wouldn't be a huge one, but it would be definite progress.

Sure it would take a lot of sacrifice.  He’d have to condense his closet and his dressers, and he’d have to make room for Scott’s stuff, but really other than that nothing would change, except for the money Scott put out for gas.

It would be perfect.  

Me and Scott - our place, our bed. Our stuff.

He just hoped Scott would see it that way.

~

Scott grinned as he saw Mitch outside the studio waiting for him.

Mitch whistled at him as he pushed off of the brick wall.

Scott rolled his eyes, but smiled as he caught up to his boyfriend. “You are cheesy.”

“And you are too gorgeous for your own good. You’re a danger to yourself and also my sanity.”  

Scott laughed and shook his head. “Oh yeah, the gross and sweaty look is really a turn on."

“You guys were gonna leave without me again weren’t you!!!” Kirstie came hurrying out of the building and over to them.

“Relax KT, we weren’t going to leave you.” Mitch gave her a look.

“Oh, please! You two barely even know I’m alive anymore” she pouted, but wasn’t really angry. They still spent time with her when they weren’t busy playing tonsil hockey.

“Awww, c'mon Kit you know that isn’t true!” Scott put an arm around the petite woman’s shoulders and pulled her against his side as they walked.

She grinned and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“Jealous?” She winked at Mitch who rolled his eyes with a smile.

“So, Vivienne, I was thinking….” Mitch figured he should probably do this when they were alone, but he just couldn’t seem to wait anymore.  

“Uh oh, when Mitch thinks it doesn’t lead to good things. You should probably be afraid.” Kirstie looked up at Scott.

“Hush, you.” He grinned down at her then looked over at Mitch. “Continue…”

“Well, I was thinking that since, you know you practically live with me anyways,  why don’t you just….I don’t know…move in?”

Scott stopped and both he and Kirstie were looking at Mitch with surprised faces. 

“What? I mean its only logical! He’s spending more money on gas than rent.”

Kirstie was just all around surprised.  He had been with Kyle for over a year and he never even toyed with the idea of asking Kyle to move in. He barely even invited Kyle to HIS place. Scott really was an entirely different ballgame for him.

“Are you sure? I mean, I think it’s a great idea, but I know how much clothing you own and I’m not sure I can live out of a suitcase.” Scott smiled a bit amused, but also half serious.

“I know, I know. I’ll just get rid of some of it. I don’t wear most of it anyways. Also we can go through and throw away some of those ugly shirt things you own.”

“Hey!” Scott couldn’t help but laugh.

“So, what do you think?”

Scott thought about it for a second and started walking again, somehow still holding onto Kirstie through the entire exchange. “I mean if you’re sure then I don’t see why not…”

Mitch smiled brightly at him. He hadn’t expected Scott to be so open to it so quickly. Sometimes Scott had to be persuaded to do things. Not that he minded the whole “persuading” process, but still…

“Really?”

Scott nodded. “yeah…”

“Now you’ll really forget all about me.” Kirstie pouted as she lay her head on Scott as they approached their building.

“But you won’t forget about us. Scott was extra vocal last night…” Mitch smirked.

Scott’s face dropped into surprise, his eyes widening in disbelief.

“My mama would not be so happy if she knew the language little Scooter here subjected me to at night.”

“There ain’t nothing little about him.”

Kirstie's eyes & grin widened.

Scott was mortified and covered his face with his hands. “I swear, I don’t even know why I’m friends with you two.”

Once they had made their way into the main foyer of their building, Kirstie decided to do her best impression of Scott from the previous night.

Mitch was holding his stomach, it ached from laughing so hard.

Scott’s face was on fire.

“Oh, you are so gonna get it!”

Kirstie burst out laughing and dodged Scott’s arm that was trying to grab her. Scott took off after her.

Suddenly - 

“Mitchell GRASSI”

His eyes widened and he spun around.

“Mom!” He took off running to the woman standing in the doorway of the building.

Scott and Kirstie stopped horsing around immediately.

Mitch and his mother hugged for a long time, having a quiet conversation between the two of them. Once she had finally released her son and given him a complete look over her eyes turned to Kirstie who grinned and went running into her open arms with a grin. “Mama Nell!!!”

Scott chewed on his lip, trying to forget about the uncomfortable feeling that had suddenly come over him. He wasn’t big on parents. That was probably due to the fact that he hadn’t had the best experiences with them, especially his own. Angel's parents weren't too bad. They were kind of hoity toity, so they weren't overly affectionate.  They had liked Scott and treated him well, he just never felt like he could really be himself around them. He hoped Mitch's mom didn't hate him. That would put a damper on things.

She and Kirstie chatted a bit, Mitch jumping into the conversation. 

Scott didn’t know what to do. He had no clue if she knew about him and Mitch. He didn’t know how she would react to him. He was about to shut down out of necessity so he didn’t panic. 

He swallowed hard as her eyes landed on him.

He held his breath a bit.

“And you must be Scott. I’ve heard so much about you” She grinned and walked over. Before he knew it she had him in her arms, enveloping him in a warm hug.

He tensed momentarily before he relaxed and hugged her back a bit.

She pulled away and held him at arms length.

“Now, let me get a good look at the man my son can’t seem to stop talking about.”

"Mooommmmm" Mitch whined like a 5 year old.

"I am not gonna lie just because you don't want him to know you're crazy about him and can’t seem to talk about anything else."

Mitch blushed and mumbled. "I think that ship has sailed."

She gave Scott a thorough once over before looking back over her shoulder at Mitch who was watching nervously.

Most of the guys he’d dated his mother hated. So far she’d only liked one…  Kyle. She had been devastated, disturbingly way more than he had, when the two had parted.

He didn’t know what he’d do if she didn’t like Scott. His mother's opinion meant everything to him.

“He’s much cuter than you said he was.”

Mitch's mouth dropped open. “I said-"

“Nope, he definitely is.” She turned back to Scott with a bright smile and a wink. “Very handsome, indeed. Nice and tall.”

Scott blushed.

She was 100 times nicer than his mom and had just shown him more affection than his mother ever had.

Mitch couldn’t have been more relieved and also pleased. She liked him. That was something in itself. He bounced on his toes a bit, he did that a lot when he was excited about something.

“Why don’t we all go upstairs and you all can change while I make us some dinner and we can talk some more.” Nell suggested.

Kirstie grinned. “Oooooh, you know when Mama Nell is cooking, I am in!”

“That sounds wonderful, Mrs. Grassi.” Scott smiled.

"Oh, honey call me Nell. Mrs. Grassi was my mother-in-law."

Scott laughed and she linked her arm in his and he accompanied her up to the loft.

Mitch was beaming.

Lets hope things stay positive  he thought as they all headed up the stairs together.

For once, things went just wonderfully.

Nell and Scott hit it off perfectly and Scott actually didn’t stay shy and quiet like he normally did around new people. He was sort of comfortable around her and loosened up a bit. It didn’t hurt that she was an amazing cook.

Kirstie bid farewell around 7:30 and Scott figured Mitch wanted some time alone with his mom, so he suggested that he should go get a heads up on packing.

Mitch didn’t want him to leave, but he did want him to start packing so he agreed.

Scott said goodbye to Nell and she pulled him in for another long hug and Scott headed out the door.

“Scott.”

He turned around to look at Mitch who looked a bit sad. He wondered what he could have possibly done wrong in 2 seconds.

“C'mere.” Mitch was pulling a watered down version of his pouty face.

Scott walked over to him.

“You forgot something.” Mitch said looking up at him.

Scott knew immediately what he was talking about. He always gave Mitch a kiss and told him he loved him before leaving to go anywhere. but his mom was here and he hadn’t really thought it appropriate.

“Um..”

“Don’t mind me, sweetheart, give him a kiss before he starts whining.” She smiled at Scott as if she could hear his thoughts...

He blushed but leaned over and gave Mitch a quick kiss. “I love you.”

Mitch smiled brightly, now satisfied. “I love you too!”

Scott laughed and this time actually made it out.

“Y’know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this much in love before.”

Mitch blushed. “I haven’t ever been this much in love before.  I really love him, mama.”

She nodded with a smile. “I know honey. I'm glad he makes you happy.”

He smiled and they talked while he helped her do the dishes.

~

Breaking it to Zac had been harder than he’d thought. The other man hadn't taken it well at all.

He had simply looked at Scott for a moment and then did something he’d never done before…He just turned around and went to his room and locked himself inside without a word.

He had thought Zac would be happy for him. It really upset him to no end. He pouted the entire time he was packing.

After about an hour he had tried four times to get Zac to come out of hiding. This would be the fifth.

“Zac? "

nothing...

"Please come out here and talk to me.”

He sighed as still no response came.

He heard a knock at the front door and sighed yet again.

Mitch seemed surprised to see the jaded expression on Scott’s face when he opened the door. He hadn’t seen it in so long.

“Hey.  Mom left and I just thought you could use a hand. I brought a couple of boxes.” he held them up.

“Well aren’t you just handy.” Scott tried to smile a bit, but it didn’t quite work.

“What’s wrong?” he asked as he followed Scott to his bedroom.

“Nothing. I just… Zac didn’t take it very well when I told him I was moving out.”

“Why not? I mean its not like he can’t afford to pay the rent. I don’t know why he even stays in this little place anyways. It makes no sense."

Scott sighed as he thought about it.

“He did it for me. I couldn’t afford to live on my own, but I was going crazy living with my parents. So… he offered to find a place with me.”

He felt bad. Zac had done a lot for him, SO much. Now he was just leaving without warning.  He hadn't exactly been a great friend lately either.

He had barely even spent more than a couple of days with Zac in the past four months. Zac had been going through some issues and he’d really tried to listen when he called, but something, AKA someone, always distracted him. Zac would just always know the moment he wasn't paying attention and would tell him it was ok, he would figure it out and the call would end. He hadn’t really thought twice about it until now.

Now he felt guilty. Zac had always been such a great friend. He had been there for him when he’d been so lost and broken.  Now he'd neglected him. Nice payback.

“Well, that was nice of him, but now he can get a place he really wants y’know?”

Scott nodded and put some stuff in a box. He didn’t have a ton of stuff. He wasn’t a pack rat by any means, and he didn’t usually buy useless things either…

The majority of his belongings were clothing, hats and shoes.

Somehow with the two suitcases Scott owned and the large boxes Mitch had brought along, they managed to get everything packed. His kitchen stuff and furniture could stay with Zac. He didn’t really need it.

“Don’t forget these!” Mitch stood in the hallway and motioned to the pictures of himself.

Scott laughed, remembering how much he had idolized Mitch for years.  “What do I need those for when I can look at the real thing any time I want.” He grinned and pulled Mitch against him, pressing his lips to his lover’s.

Mitch kissed him back, smiling against his lips.

Scott pulled back after a second and took each of them off of the wall and packed them carefully between his clothes.

“You are the easiest person to pack for I’ve ever seen. Ever.”

“Its because I don’t own a bunch of useless shit like you do.”

“Ok, attitude. I’m gonna go carry this stuff down to my car. I’ll be right back.”

Mitch gave him a quick kiss and carried one of the boxes out the door.

Scott quickly pulled his stuff from his nightstand and put it in his suitcase and zipped it up before heading into the living room again.

He took another look at Zac’s bedroom door.

He bit his lip, thinking for a moment, before going over and softly knocking again.

“I know I’ve been a really bad friend for the past few months, but I promise that’s gonna change. I’ll call you tomorrow, ok?” He stood there waiting, hoping Zac would answer or open the door or something… anything.

He felt even worse as he turned and headed for the door, suitcases in hand.

Zac opened the door slowly and looked at him. His eyes were red and a bit swollen.  He looked sadder than Scott had ever seen him.

“Zac” he put the suitcase down and walked over to him.

“I’m happy for you. I am. I know you’ll be fine.”

“You don’t look happy.”

“I am. I’m just gonna miss you.” He wasn’t looking at Scott at all, his eyes stayed locked on the floor.

Scott almost took Zac into his arms, wanting to take the pain away and he would have, but Mitch entered again and looked at him.

“I’ll call you.”

Zac only nodded and swallowed a little.

Scott felt like he should do something. He wanted to kiss Zac goodbye…something… anything…

It felt like a permanent goodbye for some reason. He didn't like it one bit. It felt heavy and ominous.

But, with one last look at his best friend, he grabbed the suitcases and walked out.

Mitch looked at the sad man standing in the doorframe.

“Take care of him, ok?”

Mitch almost felt the pain that resounded in his voice and then felt it stab at his heart as Zac's eyes met his.

“I will. I love him.”

Zac nodded and one tear slid down his cheek and Mitch almost cried himself.

“So do I.” he said quietly and disappeared into his room again.

It broke Mitch's heart.

He understood. He knew what it was like to fall for Scott. He knew what it was like to feel like he was just as much a part of him as his arms or his legs.

He of all people knew how important Scott could be. He could only imagine how Zac felt.

Scott appeared in the doorway again. “You ok?”

Mitch realized tears had formed in his eyes and quickly blinked them away.

“Yeah, I just… was staring at Zac for too long and forgot to blink” he forced a laugh and Scott shook his head and laughed a bit himself.

"He has that effect on people."

He grabbed the other box and Mitch grabbed his pillow. On the way out he spotted a picture of him and Zac on a shelf and he quickly grabbed it, glad he hadn’t forgotten it and with one last look around he left to go start his new life in his new place. 

To his and Mitch's loft…

THEIR place.

If nothing else made him smile, that thought did. He couldn’t wait.