Protective

Scott, Mitch, Avi, Kevin, Matt, and Kirstie were at the club. Matt and Avi were getting to know each other, Kevin was dancing in a corner with a girl, and Kirstie was socializing with the other partygoers. Scott and Mitch were together as usual drinking. Scott's  arm was wrapped protectively around Mitch's waist, laughing at something Mitch had said. Scott noticed his glass was empty and yelled "I'm going to go get refills, ok?" Into Mitch's ear. Mitch nodded and Scott left. No sooner than Scott had left a man came and placed his arm around Mitch's waist. "Hey there, pretty. You wanna dance?" The man asked, reeking of alcohol and cigarette smoke.

Mitch shook his head, "No, I'd like it if you left me alone please", but apparently the man couldn't understand basic English and placed his hand on Mitch's butt, which ok no. He tensed up and looked around to see where Scott was. He breathed a sigh of relief once he noticed that Scott was on his way back with what looked like club soda. Scott reached Mitch and noticed the uncomfortable  look on Mitch's face.

It was then that Scott noticed the man who was groping Mitch. "Hey, what do you think you're doing?" Scott asked, pushing the man away from Mitch. Mitch tuned out after that, trying to quell the panic he could feel rising in him. A hand on his back broke his panic and he flinched and turned only to see Scott with his hands raised. He'd seen the panic on Mitch's face and hovered his hand over Mitch's back, waiting for permission. When Mitch nodded, Scott placed his hand on Mitch's back and silently guided him out, knowing exactly what Mitch needed.

The fresh air helped Mitch calm down feeling as though it had been the first breath he had been able to take since the incident. The hand on his back tightened and he jumped, not realizing that they'd reached their car. Scott helped Mitch get in the car and buckled them up.  He got in the car, placed a warm, comforting hand on Mitch's knee and started driving home. The ride was silent until a lamppost revealed Scott's knuckles. Mitch gasped at the plethora of angry bruises that littered Scott's skin. Scott glanced over, concern written all over his face. "Are you ok Mitchy?"  "Scott, what happened?" He gasped, pointing at Scott's  knuckles.  Scott shrugged and explained, "He wouldn't let go of you, and when I shoved him away he hit me. SO I hit him back."

"You shouldn't have done that, Scotty. Why did you anyways?" He admonished Scott. Scott looked at him with a look of astonishment, fondness and pure love before replying with "You're my best friend. He wasn't making you feel safe, and was going to touch you again. I did it because you were uncomfortable and around an unsafe person." Mitch remained silent until they reached home. He got out of the car and tucked himself into Scott's side, a place where he always found safety and comfort. He stood on his toes and placed a sweet, gentle kiss on his chin. "Thank you for always looking out for me. I love you." He says, blushing lightly. Scott rests his chin on Mitch's head and tells him "I would be the worst best friend in the world if I didn't look out after you. You mean too much to me, and nothing will ever hurt you. Not on my watch."

Mitch opens his mouth to speak, but they're walking in their house before he has a chance. Scott turned to Mitch and gently spoke. "I know today was rough on you, so how about we change,cuddle and watch a movie?" Mitch asked "Can we change, cuddle and go to sleep? I just want to go to bed."  Scott nodded. "Whatever you want baby." Minutes later Mitch was snuggled in Scott's arm and was drifting off to sleep, knowing that as long as his best friend was there, he would always be protected.