4 months later....

"In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially hein-"

When Mitch moved to Austin, the only two people he knew was Nick and Kirstin. They were good company. They would have wine nights, Nick would cook, Kirstin and Mitch on the piano playing songs they grew up with. He met Dougie during one of these dinners. Douglas Jones was a beautiful man with a crown of curly black hair. His wide smile matched his overtly friendly disposition. He had a interesting laugh. It took 2 and half hours before Mitch realized Dougie was hitting on him. A hour later, he was bent over the banister of the steps in the basement being viciously driven into the cinder blocks. What an awfully pleasant and satisfying welcome to Violet Crown City.

"In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies-"

It was through Dougie that he met Alyx and Iris. Before he realized that no matter how beautiful he is, he'd always be full of shit, they dated for awhile. Dougie invited Mitch to a company Christmas party a month into their relationship.

Mitch knew he'd given the relationship too much thought when Dougie introduced him as "my friend Mitch." Alyx was his boss back when they both worked for Boho Art Studio. Iris was his incredibly gorgeous girlfriend. It was clear there was this weird tether that passionately connected them. She was unusually beautiful. Tall, thin, strong jaw line, thick full lips. Alyx was stylish though a bit frumpy. The three of them hit it off immediately.

"-members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories. DUN DUN!"

At the time he met Leo, they were in this sort of rebranding cycle. Leo was short for Leonard. Leonard was originally from London and moved to Austin to stretch their artistic muscles. Leo found their family at Boho. Alyx and Iris accepted them. Mitch looked up to them. They were beyond proud of who they were. Ezra was a clothing designer. He would design Iris' Ball costumes. He could also sing you under the table. He and Mitch would riff off of each other, much to their friends' distain.

Mel was Ezra's actress friend. At the time they met, Mel was dating his sister. She was a struggling actress who caught her big break after playing Peggy/Maria Reynolds in the Laurens Tour of Hamilton. Alyx had this idea, after he bought a 5 bedroom house in south Austin, that they all move in together.

He flipped through channels while stuffing his mouth full of popcorn. This was how he spent his days since the massive Douglas "break up". After that night at Ambrosia, Dougie took Mitch down to Marshall Lake. They sat under the stars, passed a joint to each other and talked about life. Later, that talk was used against him. His thoughts on marriage, kids, his job, his future were thrown back at him in a self deprecating speech from Dougie. He said it made him realize he was holding him back. Said he couldn't live with himself if he knew he kept Mitch from obtaining his dreams. Kirstin later told him Nick had actually mentioned that Dougie had a girlfriend. Some girl he met in Houston. So it's fuck Douglas until he could get over it. He didn't know why he was hurt, it certainly wasn't like they were serious. Did he loved Dougie? Sure. But he'd never tell him that.

His door stood open because really, who had enough energy to stand up and close it? He looked up to see Ezra peeking around the corner. "What?"

"Is this what you've done all day?" He looked around his room. His bed was a mess, there was cups and bottles stacked up on his dresser, and a ever growing pile of dirty clothes sat in the middle of his floor.

"Yes." That and actively ignored Kirstie, Nick, Matt, and Anika's phone calls. He didn't quit the band but he couldn't stomach stepping foot in Ambrosia.

"You stink."

"Fuck you."

"Get up hoe, we're going out. Sylvester's!" He was shaking his head before Ezra's thought was over. "No, I'm good. There's a Criminal Minds marathon on and I just found it. I'm going to watch a few episodes and go to sleep."

"Girl, Hotch will not keep you company. You haven't left this room in 4 months! You're going, Iris said you don't have a choice."

"She doesn't-"

"I don't what?" Iris stepped in his room in a blue number he could tell was a Ezra Woods special. Blue fabric was draped over her wide shoulders and stopped just under her perky breasts with skin colored mesh connecting the top to the skin tight blue glittery bell bottoms. Her hair was pinned up in this cascade of black curls. He closed his mouth and began paying more attention to the popcorn kernels that littered his bed.

"Exactly, get up and take a shower. We leave in 2 hours." She said while floating down the hall.

"That's not enough time!" He shot back walking passed Ezra's amused face.

"Make it enough, bitch!" He turned and watched Ezra place a dress bag on his bed. "You're lucky I remember your measurements. Don't pout, baby. We're only doing this for your own good." Ezra kissed him on his cheek and shut the door.

Well if he wasn't ready to face the world, he better get ready.