Chapter 69

When Scott got up that morning, Mitch followed him around the room for a little while. Scott neared the bathroom and then stopped, turning around. "Maybe you should wait here." "Why? Are you going to shower?" "Yeah." "Then I'm not waiting." Scott blinked at him a few times, and then turned to walk into the bathroom. Mitch turned on the water, while Scott grabbed two towels and set them on the counter. Mitch took his boxers off and smiled at Scott who was just standing there watching him. Mitch walked over to Scott and started to pull his underwear off as well. Scott grabbed his wrists at first, but when he figured it out, he allowed Mitch to do it. Mitch set them beside his own, and then stood up straighter to hug Scott's body. Scott didn't hug back though. He opened the door to the shower and ushered Mitch inside, following him closely. Scott started washing his own hair, and when he turned to rinse it, he saw Mitch just staring at him. "What's up?" Mitch shook his head, eyeing Scott up and down. "Just looking." Scott turned sideways when he felt too exposed. "Stop that. Turn around." Mitch hesitantly obeyed, and when he turned Scott began to wash his hair for him. Mitch hummed quietly when Scott started massaging the shampoo into his hair. Scott was glad to keep him distracted, especially if it meant getting him to stop staring like that. When he rinsed Mitch's hair, he was sure to set a hand on Mitch's forehead, preventing water from running into his eyes. Mitch turned around again and grabbed body wash, which made Scott nervous. Mitch put some on his hands, and then smiled before running his hands all over Scott's torso. Scott's breathing quickened out of fear, but Mitch just smiled and continued what he was doing. Mitch put a little on Scott's arms, and then started to kneel down to do Scott's legs. Scott grabbed him though, keeping him upright. "No. I.. I can do that part." "Don't be silly. I got it." "No, Mitch. I mean... I'm commanding you not to do it. Okay?" He spoke gently, although his words suggest otherwise. Mitch nodded slowly, trying to understand. Scott quickly repeated exactly what Mitch did, but to Mitch's body this time. Mitch stared at him the entire time, trying to figure out why Scott freaked out. When Scott was done with Mitch's legs, he stood up straight and held Mitch's shoulders to move him under the stream of water. Scott gave him a minute, and then turned off the shower. He turned to walk out, but Mitch grabbed his forearm all of a sudden. "You can't possibly... I mean.. You know you're beautiful. Don't you?" Scott just stared at him. "I.. Well, yeah. Of course." Mitch squinted at him. "Say it, then. Say you're beautiful." "You're beautiful." "You know what I meant." Scott sighed and shook his head, looking down at himself. "I can't." "Aw, Scottie. What happened? What has the world done to you?" Mitch spoke just above a whisper. Scott shook his head, eyes on the floor, and Mitch put his hand under Scott's chin, lifting it just enough so that he could meet Mitch's eyes. "Talk to me... Was it Jamie? Was it whatever he did to you?" Scott thought about that for a second, and then nodded a few times. Mitch frowned. "You can't believe anything he says. He's good at destroying people. He did it to Alex, and he did it to me. Don't you remember? Don't you remember having to pick up all the pieces of the sad excuse for a human being that I used to be? Don't you remember having to tell me that I was beautiful for-almost-ever? Please don't let this happen to you too. You don't deserve to feel that way." "You didn't either." "But.. You're gorgeous. Anyone that sees you knows it. And I--" "Mitchie... I'm cold." Scott was basically protecting Mitch from any cold air, because as it came through the door it just settled on his back. Mitch frowned, but nodded, following him outside the shower and grabbing their towels. Scott wrapped it around his waist and then looked at Mitch, who was staring at him with sad eyes. Scott hugged him, relishing in the warmth that Mitch's skin held. Mitch rubbed his back while he held on. "God... You're so muscular. And so, so beautiful. Stunning, even. I can't believe I let Jamie get through to you." "It's not your fault. I'm just gullible I guess." Scott mumbled. Mitch pulled away and let his eyes wander down Scott's chest. Scott quickly crossed his arms over himself though. Mitch shook his head, meeting his eyes again. "Don't be like-- Oh." Scott stared at him, confused. "That's why you're trying to be more healthy... Only drinking water. Not eating snacks. Only meals, and barely that." Scott blushed a little and looked down. "Yeah. So?" "So you don't have to starve yourself to--" "I'm not. I'm just making different choices, that's all." "But, Alpha... You're eating less than me. And you have two feet more of a person to feed. And you exercise more so you should be eating more anyway. What are you doing to yourself?" Scott shrugged a little, but luckily Avi walked into the room to save him. Avi opened the door to the bathroom. "Oh, there you are. Kevin's nurse said he's good to leave. She called." Scott nodded and moved away from Mitch, squeezing past Avi to walk out of the bathroom. Mitch pouted at Avi. "I need to talk to you." "Then talk. I'm listening." Mitch shook his head, gesturing in the direction Scott just left in. "Not until he goes." Avi squinted at him. "What are you hiding?" Mitch just shook his head, walking past him. Scott had already gotten dressed, but Mitch could tell that he was avoiding looking in the large mirror that sat in their room. Scott walked out of the room and Mitch followed him. When Scott grabbed the car keys, Mitch walked in front of him and slipped his hand under Scott's shirt before leaning up to kiss him. Scott let him do it, and put his hand on Mitch's back when he sunk back down to stand on flat feet. Mitch smiled at him. "You look amazing today, Alpha." Scott blushed a little, and he turned to walk out the door. "I love you, Mitchie." "I love you too." When the door shut, Avi was waiting for Mitch's explanation. "Okay. He's gone." Mitch, still in his towel, nodded and walked down the hall. Avi followed him into his room, and turned away when Mitch started to get dressed. Mitch tapped his shoulder when he was done, and sat on the bed. Avi stood in front of him. "Well?" "He doesn't like himself. Like.. When I didn't like myself, I had someone like him to keep me healthy. He made me eat even though I didn't want to. He forced me to look myself in the mirror even when I thought it would make me cry. He doesn't get that. I'm not strong enough to do it." Avi tilted his head a little. "What do you mean? He listens to you more than anyone." "But... I let it get past me. He noticed when I tried to skip a meal. The instant I tried to do anything... But he's been skipping meals, denying himself any sugar at all. And I fell for it when he told me he was trying to be more healthy." Avi sat down next to him. "What are you talking about? Maybe he's just dieting." "It's not a diet. You're letting it get past you too." "No I am not. I'm just saying you shouldn't assume things like that if you're not absolutely certain." Mitch pouted at him. "But what if I am? What if I'm right and we just ignore it? He could be hurting himself. Can't you just...Watch him? Make sure he eats? Compliment him all the time?"