01/23/2013

Mitch and Scott pulled up to a cute little house on Playmore Dr. Mitch's father stood at the front door with Scott's sitting in a wheelchair. Scott opens Mitch's door, holding his hand out so he could take it. They walk hand in hand.

"Mitch and Scott! Hey sons! Come in, come in."

Mike pushes Rick into the house as the boys follow. Mitch's eyes widen at how cute this house is on the inside.

"Dad? What is this?"

"Mitchy, when you two starting dating, we all knew you two would be together for a very long time. Rick and I decided then, that if you lasted longer than high school, we'd buy you two a house. Here it is."

The brunette's mouth flies open. A house? He and Scott living together? He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Scott, sensing Mitch's shock, pulls him to the side.

"What?"

"Don't get too excited. Remember your dad is the same man who met me outside of junior prom with a shot gun because Kevin's mom told him about the party. He threatened me to shoot me in front of our friends if I 'stick my dick anywhere it didn't belong.'"

"He was joking and you did."

"Doesn't matter. He's craz-"

"Scott, we can hear you."

Scott's eyes almost pops out of his head. He turns to face their fathers as Mitch giggles.

"Yeah son, you're not exactly whispering."

"I'm gonna ignore the second thing my son said. I am not really proud of the way I acted then. Mitchy is my baby. I wanted to protect him. But that's besides the point, welcome home you two."

Mike throws a set of keys at Scott. He catches them and hands them to his boyfriend.

"Now go! Explore! But wait until I get Rick out of here before you two decide to make love on every surface."

"Dad!"

Mike and Rick hug their sons and leave. Mitch and Scott separate and walk around. The master bedroom is huge, it has its own bathroom, and a walk in closet. The kitchen is big too. It has a nice sized back yard. Mitch finds Scott standing in the living room.

"Baby?"

"Yeah."

"Something wrong?"

"This is amazing. I feel like this beginning of our lives."

"Yeah it is. They did a good fucking job."

"Mitch."

"Yeah?"

"I love you baby."

Scott grabs Mitch by his hand and drags him over. He cups his face, rubbing his thumbs across Mitch's lips. Mitch slightly nods his head. Scott leans in, softly kissing Mitch. Their lips moving as one, fitting together like puzzle pieces. They smile into the next kiss.

"I love you too."

___________

321 Playmore Drive was Mitch's sanctuary. He loved that place. It was the one place he felt he could be his self. The memories brought a smile to his face. Avi and Kirstie were married here. All 6 of them spent 3 Thanksgivings and 3 Christmases here. This house was really the corner stone all of their adult lives.

"Mitch....the house is beautiful."

"I would say thank you but it's not mine anymore."

Mitch, Candice, Nicole, and Todrick got out of the car. Mitch hesitates before walking up the drive way. The "Our Home" welcome mat Kirstie bought them as a house warming present still sits at the front door. Laughter can be heard on the inside as he knocks on the door.

Kirstie opens the door and welcomes them. He's struck by the fact that nothing has changed. Everything is still the same. The couch, love seat, and tables he bought.

"Mitch?"

"Hm?"

"Aren't you gonna introduce us?"

"Oh! Everyone, this is Nikki and her boyfriend Todrick. Nikki, Todrick, this is Kirstie, Avi, Kevin, Esther, and Scott."

Nicole's eyes widen as Scott shakes her hand.

"Mitch! Your description did not do him justice. My, you're unbelievably hot."

"Nikki!"

Todrick shakes his hand as Scott glances at Mitch. Mitch blushing and turning his head.

"Thank you? I guess."

"Way to go baby! Thanks for making this more awkward. Scott, I'm sorry man. She.... sometimes she speaks before she thinks."

"Toddy, don't make excuses for me. He's hot so I'm going to tell him how hot he is."

Per usual, Nicole and Todrick start arguing. Mitch takes this time to go through the rest of the house. The pictures on the wall have been replace. What was once a wall filled with pictures of them together and their families, now house pictures of his niece and nephews. Pictures of their friends. Only one of originals stands. Them from Lauren's wedding day. They decided to match because "that's what cute couples do."

What was once Scott and Mitch's workout room was an office. The hallway bathroom still has the bath mats his mother bought them.

"I decided not to really change anything. I didn't want you to be upset with me when you came back."

Scott followed him upstairs. He was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't hear him walking behind him. When I came back? Mitch thought.

"What do you mean 'when you came back'?"

"You know, when you decided to love me again."

"Scott."

Mitch turned around with tears in his eyes. Scott's breathe hitched. He didn't expect that type of reaction. He honestly thought Mitch would tell him he was being stupid or ignore his comment altogether.

"I....I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all the pain and....and anger....and grief I caused you. I'm so sorry. I know you can never forgive me. I'm not asking for forgiveness. I'm as-"

"Mitch, I forgave you the moment I saw your picture that day. Yes I was angry as hell but none of that mattered at that moment. It was like once I realized you were ok. Once I saw that you made it. I knew. I just can't seem to move on."

"Our love was something different. Something no one has ever experienced. What we had was special. I can't believe I thought you would just get over it....get over me. Hell, I did a good job of suppressing it but the second I got here.... it all came flooding back."

Scott moved closer to him and scooped him into a hug. Mitch wrapped his arms around Scott's neck and cried on his shoulder. Scott rocked back and front.

"Shh....Mitchy. It's okay."

"Hey guys, dinner is re-"

Kirstie walked in, seeing them hug and Mitch crying. It stopped her in her tracks.

"Um..guys?"

"Yeah?"

"Um Avi said dinner is ready."

"Okay."

They let go and Scott started to walk away. He stopped at the door and turned to Mitch. Mitch quickly wiped his face.

"You coming?"

"Yeah, give me a minute. I messed my makeup up. Nikki will fuck me up for it."

Scott and Kirstie glanced at each other.

"You go. I'll stay up here with him."

"Okay."

As Scott walked out, Kirstie goes and grabbed Mitch's hand. They sat on the floor.

"What's wrong, Mitchy?"

"Kirst, why did I leave? I loved him. He loved me."

"Mitch, we asked ourselves the same thing. I think ultimately only you have the answer."

He left to follow his dreams. He knows that. They know that. But being back in Arlington....being in that house....seeing him again....that was his dream too. Scott was the love of his life. Here he is, 3 days in, questioning his whole existence. Modeling was what he wanted....right?