A/n: Trigger warning at the end. Mentions cutting. Look for the *.

Also, FUTUREFRIENDS is out and it is perfection!

As Scott entered his cell, Kevin and Avi noticed a buoyancy to their cellmate.

"Someone's happy," Kev announced as Scott jumped onto his bunk.
"Got to see my Mitchie," Scott grinned widely, showing off his perfect teeth.
"That's great Scott!" Avi smiled across at Kevin.
"Yea, it was. I miss him so much."
"What's it like?" Avi questioned. Scott peaked over the side of his bunk, confused by the question.
"What is what like?"
"Love, love out there, where you don't have to worry about a guard peering over your shoulder or the heart-breaking irony that comes from knowing your time together is fleeting yet also knowing that his freedom await?"
"Avriel.." Kevin looked at the long haired boy.
"What Kevin?" The other boy asked harshly. "I want to know what it's going to be like when..." Avi cut himself off, remembering the blond who was now looking at him oddly. "You know what...just forget it..." he rolled over and faced the wall, leaving Kevin and Scott to stare at his back.
"Av..." Kevin started. "Look at me Av..." The other boy didn't make a move.

Kevin looked up at Scott nervously for a full minute before resigning himself to get up and cross the small cell to lay beside Avi, becoming the big spoon. Scott saw the way Kevin wrapped his arms protectively around Avi and how Avi, in turn, laced his fingers through Kevin's. As Scott rolled over, an attempt to give the others some privacy, he couldn't help but hear them. Avi's soft hiccuping cried and Kevin"a constant "sssshhh baby, it'll be okay."

Even through the sorrow he saw them experience, Scott couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. They got to hold each other, he and Mitch didn't. He rolled over as he began drifting out of consciousness.

Scott had never been one for having fanciful dreams, mostly the images that filled his mind were memories. Tonight was no different. Scott was younger, it was during the his first few months as Martin. He and Mitch were friends but not yet dating. He knew Mitch was getting bullied but he had yet to realize the full extent of the problem. He was dreaming of the day he first saw the scars.

*
As usual, he was at Mitch's after school. They were watching TV when Scott got bored. Even though he knew Mitch hated being tickled, he couldn't help himself as he attacked his best friend. Mitch burst into giggles and a string of "noooo...no...nooo..." Scott was relentless though, he kept tickling as Mitch tried to push him away. That's how Mitch's sleeve slipped. Scott had noticed Mitch always wore long sleeves but chalked it up to him being so tiny and cold all the time. Mitch tugged his sleeve down, praying Scott hadn't seen but it was too late.

"Mitch..." Scott choked out, looking on the verge of tears.
"It's nothing Scottie, just a couple of scratches." Mitch tried to keep the mood light, "let's watch Spongebob."
"No Mitch, what's going on?"
"I said it's nothing!"
"It's not nothing. Talk to me Mitchie."
"I don't want to talk."
"But Mitch..."
"No Scott! I said no. Maybe it's time for you to go."

Scott regretted leaving that day but what else could he do. He hated himself for leaving. When he got home he tried calling and texting Mitch but got no response. A few hours later, Scott was surprised to get a call from Mitch's mother asking if he was with her son. When Scott answered no Mrs. Grassi asked if he would mind checking on him. She had been trying to reach him and couldn't get an answer.

Scott broke out into a run trying to get to Mitch's house. He knew something was wrong but prayed the boy was just asleep or ignoring the world. He banged on the front door but got no answer. He found the spare key that was hidden in the planter and opened the door, yelling Mitch's name as he searched through the house. He finally found his best friend, crumpled and bleeding on the bathroom floor. He was unconscious but still breathing. Scott called 911 and sat holding Mitch, tears streaming down his face as he waited for paramedics to arrive.

*
It took Mitch nearly twenty four hours to wake up. Scott never left his side. He sat beside him, holding his hand, singing the same song softly.

"A long endless highway, you're silent beside me, drivin' a nightmare I can't escape from, helplessly praying, the light isn't fadin' hiding in the shock and the chill in my bones. They took you away on a table. I pace back and forth as you lay still. I pull you in to feel your heartbeat. Can you hear me screaming, "please don't leave me"? Hold on, I still want you. Come back, I still need you. Let me take your hand, I'll make it right. I swear to love you all my life. Hold on, I still need you."

The day after Mitch woke up Scott visited him in the hospital. He entered Mitch's room, a bouquet of pink and yellow roses in hand. Mitch looked at him with a blank expression. When he reached the bed, he laid the flowers in Mitch's lap and gently grabbed his bandaged hands.

"Mitchie... I"
"Scott, wait. I need to tell you something first. I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have exploded on you like that but you found out my secret. I'm so sorry! And I knew you were angry and I couldn't take that and I'm just... I'm sorry." Both boys were sobbing messes.
"Mitchie, I wasn't mad. I was worried and scared but not mad. I'm sorry for leaving, if I hadn't left you wouldn't be here right now."
"It's not your fault Scott."

Scott looked down at their hands and stared for a moment before continuing.

"Just so you know there's no obligation to say yes to what I'm about to ask you... but I thought I lost you Mitchie... and... and that, it made me realize I don't ever want to be without you because you're my best friend and I love you... I'm... I'm... I'm in love with you Mitch. And I want to ask you out, like a real date whenever you're better, no rush. I wanna be with you, officially."
"You want to be my...my... boyfriend?"
"Yes, if that's what you want..."

A smile spread across Mitch's face as he leaned forward to kiss Scott, their first kiss, shared in the sweetest moment in a hospital room.

"Of course I want that. I love you too you know. I just hope you know this means you're stuck with me."
Scott smiled, "I can deal with that."