Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2005 20:00:52 +1100
From: Daniel M <brisboi82@hotmail.com>
Subject: College - Bruised Love 02

DISCLAIMER:

If you are under the legal age of 18 (or 21, depending on local law) please
discontinue reading. If you are offended by homosexual content and themes,
please do not read further. I accept no responsibilities if the written text
offends as you are reading it of free choice. This work remains solely my
property and may not be reproduced without prior request.

This is purely fictional work, any similarities between characters and
events and any real situation are purely coincidental, unless otherwise
noted.

FEEDBACK:

brisboi82@hotmail.com

The Story:

Bruised Love 02
By
Daniel M


After a quiet care ride home, the trio walked back into the apartment, Mitch
set his bag down at the entrance and looked at Cameron and Andrew.

   "I'm still not sure why you are doing this for me, but I want to thank
you so much." He said to them. Andrew smiled back.

   "We did it because you're a good guy. Despite what Jay has said, I think
you're ok as you are." Mitch got a doubtful look across his face.

   "How can you say that? There's so many things wrong with me. I'm not
perfect. Even Cameron said that I'm broken when you were arguing with Jay."
Mitch said sadly. Cameron looked at Andrew in horror at the impact of his
words on Mitch. Andrew decided to step in.

   "Mitch, Cameron never said that to hurt you. He was angry with Jay for
what Jay has done to you. He's hurt you badly, even you have to admit that.
Cameron was just saying that it's left you broken hearted and a little
scared. Cameron would never mean to hurt you ever." Andrew smoothed over.
Mitch looked unsure at Cameron and Andrew followed his gaze. Cameron was
standing there, looking miserable with tears in his eyes. Mitch looked
surprised.

   "I'm so sorry that I hurt you Mitch. I was so angry with Jay for all the
horrors he's put you through under the guise of love and helping you. What
he did to you was so cruel. I'm not as strong as you Mitch. I would've
broken a long time ago if I were in your shoes." Cameron said. Mitch's eyes
began to cloud up.

   "I'm sure you could've. I'm not that special, and I'm not that strong."
Mitch moved into Cameron's arms and hugged him tight. Mitch buried his face
into Cameron's chest as Cameron leant down to whisper in his ear.

   "Well I think you're really bloody strong and I think you have something
very special inside. You have this light that shines when nothing else will
glow and it shows from your eyes. You have some inner strength tucked away
in there and you don't even realize it's there."

After that Cameron let his arms slip from around Mitch to his sides. Mitch
did the same and then looked at Andrew who was leafing through the mail then
stepped up and cuddled him from behind. Andrew lifted his hand to rest on
Mitch's arms which wrapped around his chest. Mitch leant into Andrew's ear
and spoke softly.

   "Thank you too. If it hadn't been for you, I would have been so bored
that night, and it's good to have someone as a friend who has a good heart.
It means a lot to me." Andrew leant back to speak to Mitch.

   "You're welcome. Thank you for your company." Mitch smiled and then let
go of Andrew.

   "Now we've had the touchy feely moment, let's watch a movie or
something." Cameron said dryly. Andrew glanced at Mitch.

   "As you can see, Cameron here is going for a job at hallmark." Cameron
poked his tongue at Andrew who considered grabbing it and tying it to a
passing truck and sending him halfway across the state. Mitch said something
that snapped Andrew out of his trance.

   "Sorry, what did you say? I missed it." Andrew asked. Cameron snorted
back a laugh and Mitch raised a curious eyebrow.

   "I asked what movie you wanted to watch? We're going to the local video
store and hiring something."

   "Anything but romance and action." Andrew shrugged.

   "Aww, not in a soppy movie mood tonight?" Jeered Cameron.

   "No, it just doesn't take my interest tonight. I don't want to watch two
people fall 'madly in love' on the television thank you." Andrew said.

   "Aaw, the puritan you locked away wants out again." Cameron pushed.

   "Tell me, did you cry when the house landed on your sister in Oz?"
Sneered Andrew at Cameron as he pictured the ceiling about Cameron falling
in and flattening him.

   "Only as much as you did when you sacrificed that small child to your
pagan gods the other day." Cameron threw back.

   "I so did not. I keep telling you my powers can only be used for good."
Andrew retorted.

   "Does Elvis still live in your world?" Cameron asked sarcasticaly.

   "Any similarities between your reality and mine are purely
conincidental." Andrew argued.

   "And you're just jealous the voices only talk to me."

   "Yeh, I want the same mental disease you have so that I have voices in my
head talking to me." Andrew retorted.

   "I thought you did or did you finally get that medication?"

   "Oh look, men in white jackets for you."

   "And you are both batman and can fly. Can we get on with this?" Mitch
interjected. Both of the other two stopped and looked at Mitch in amazment.
Mitch got a startled look on his face and started to back away.

   "I'm sorry, I said the wrong thing didn't I? I'll leave now, I'm sorry to
bother you." Mitch said reaching for his bag. Andrew bounced forwards and
put his hand out, causing Mitch to cower. Andrew kicked himself quietly for
his actions, realizing that of course it would have such an effect on Mitch.

   "Mitch wait, stop. No, you never did anything wrong. I'm sorry, you'd
just been quiet, we didn't expect you to come in with a comment. I'm sorry,
no you said nothing wrong. Don't ever think that. We don't want you to leave
either." Mitch looked at Andrew unsure. Andrew leant over and wrapped his
arms around Mitch. Mitch relaxed instantly Cameron noticed and wondered if
Mitch was already warming closer to Andrew.

   "Go throw your stuff in my room and we'll work out what we're going to do
with it tomorrow." Mitch smiled and lifted his bag and carried it to
Andrew's room.

As soon as he was walking down the hall Cameron turned to Andrew

   "He's warming to you already. See I was right." Cameron grinned
trimuphantly.

   "It's called Nightingale Syndrome. Which means they develop lust like or
even love like emotions for someone who they perceive to be a saviour."
Andrew countered.

   "This isn't a text book 'they' Andrew. This is a guy who you know. It's
someone who you feel for."

   "How do you know I feel for him?" Andrew asked.

   "How long have I known you. I saw the same look when you started seeing
Troy." Cameron said.

   "And look how that ended." Andrew replied. Cameron shook his head.

   "Who said it's all going to go like that? You never know, this one could
be different."

   "What could be different?" Asked Mitch

   "Nothing important." Andrew said quickly.

   "Ok, I know that's crap. I'm trying to be good here, but please don't
crap to me." Mitch said and cringed.

   "Don't cringe because you spoke your mind, you're safe here and you're
not going to be hit." Andrew said.

   "Alright, you want to know what's going on. You know how Vanessa had
cupid in her eyes when she introduced us? Well Cameron here has the same
thoughts." Andrew explained.

   "I'm sorry Andrew, but I can't. I don't even know if Jay and I are over."

   "Yes, you are." Cameron said forcefully. Mitch stepped back daunted.
Andrew stepped in front of Mitch and glared at Cameron.

   "Don't you dare raise your voice at him." Andrew's voice was low and
dangerous. Cameron's eyes blinked open in surprise. Mitch put his hand on
Andrew's shoulder.

   "It's ok, he's only looking out for me. I think." Mitch said softly.

   "I agree with his sentiments, but he could have said it a lot nicer. I
don't believe you should go back to him. That's only what I believe. It is
up to you. Just think about it before you call him or go back to him,
please." Andew said. Mitch nodded. Cameron shook his head and stalked out of
the room. Andrew just sighed and Mitch looked down.

   "I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you two argue." He said mournfully.

   "It's ok, like I said yesterday, we have these fights, but we apologise
and it's all good again. I meant what I said to both of you. Please, for me,
think about things before calling him or going back to him." Mitch nodded in
agreeance and smiled at Mitch then pulled him into a hug.

   "Now, what movie did you want?" Andrew asked smiling softly.


The credits of the final movie of the night slid across the screen as
Cameron stood up to hit the power button on the dvd player. He looked over
at Andrew who was sitting in the recliner staring into space a contemplative
look crossing his face. Following Andrew's gaze he saw a photo of Andrew and
Troy which was partially covered. Sighing to himself he glanced at Mitch
who'd dozed off on the couch. It brought a look of relief across Cameron's
face to Mitch appearing peaceful as he lay there. Cameron padded over gently
and touched Andrew on the shoulder. Andrew looked up and smiled at his long
time friend.

   "Enjoy the movie?" Asked Cameron with a grin.

   "Yeah it was great. The whole I didn't really see any part was
fantastic." Andrew grinned back. Cameron squatted down on his haunches in
front of Andrew.

   "You need to let Troy go, because you've got a guy here who's asleep on
the couch who needs you to be strong and have it all together." Andrew
glared at his friend and contemplated lifting his foot sharply and
destroying something that Cameron held precious.

   "I've let go of Troy. I just refuse to get in that position again. I
can't give Mitch any quick fixes. This is all stuff that he has to deal with
on his own." Andrew said calmly.

   "Don't get grumpy with me." Cameron said calmly. Andrew hung his head.

   "I just don't know that I'm really right to be helping him. I don't want
to end up making him more hurt nor confused than he already is." Offered
Andrew. Cameron shrugged.

   "I don't think he can be more messed up than he is now. Now wake him and
take him to bed. You both need sleep." Cameron stood and patted Andrew on
the shoulder before turning towards his room. Andrew sat for a moment
thinking quietly before standing and moving to wake Mitch. Shaking Mitch's
shoulder slightly Andrew called his name gently. Mitch awoke with a start
and try to scratch himself away from Andrew's hand. Andrew leant back on his
haunches so Mitch could see it was him. Mitch quietened after a moment and
burst into tears.

   "I'm sorry, I thought you were..." Mitch didn't finish. His voiced
dropped away and his eyes lowered to the ground. Mitch felt his heart break
for the damaged soul that lay on the couch shivering before him. Andrew
reached out tentatively for Mitch's hand. Mitch gingerly took it as Andrew
laid his other hand on Mitch's knee.

   "I was just going to say that I'm going to bed." Mitch nodded his head
and swung his legs off the side of the couch. He looked back at Andrew then
leant over and kissed Andrew's forehead.

   "Thanks for taking this slowly with me. I guess I'm a little fucked up."
Mitch said with sadness echoing in his eyes. Andrew shook his head and
pulled Mitch to him for a gentle hug.

   "It's all good my friend. Now let's go get some sleep." Andrew said and
stood up. Mitch nodded and followed behind.



Andrew heard the shrill call of Mitch's cell phone as he lay in a half-awake
daze the following morning. He felt Mitch move off the bed and walk out the
door to speak on the phone. Lying there, he tried to wait for Mitch to come
back, but the desire to sleep overwhelmed him and he dropped back off.


A few hours later he awoke again to a gentle knock on the bedroom door and
Cameron calling out to him softly. Andrew groaned into his pillow, then
rolled over and grunted for Cameron to come in. Cameron cautiously opened
the door and looked at Andrew.

   "You're still dressed in bed. No Mitch either. Guess you didn't get laid
last night." Cursing softly Andrew struggled to sit up.

   "What makes you think I'm going to fuck Mitch?" Andrew asked groggily. He
could feel himself reaching for the bedside lamp and in his mind saw it
sailing through the air, collecting the straight boy and landing in
fragments on the floor.

   "I don't think you'll fuck Mitch." Cameron said. Andrew breathed a sigh
of relief.

   "You'll make love to him." Cameron finished, grinning. Andrew
contemplated getting out of bed and kicking Cameron so hard in the ass that
his head would appear through the floor of the people in the unit above
them. Instead, Andrew shot him a look that would cause the most hardy of
flowers to wither in fear.

   "Where is Mitch anyways?" Asked Cameron.

   "No idea. His phone rang earlier and I didn't hear him come back to bed."
Andrew told him. The pair looked at each other in horror of who could have
been on the other end of the phone.

   "He wouldn't have gone to see Jay? Surely not." Cameron said mortified.

   "There's a reason why people are called creatures of habbit.
Unfortunately, that is also true of Jay. For all I know, Jay's promised to
change and Mitch's believed him." Andrew sprang from bed and grabbed at his
cell and hit dial on Mitch's number. After a few rings Andrew heard someone
pick up the phone.

   "I think you need to bring Mitch's stuff back to his dorm. He's home
there again. He doesn't need you." Came Jay's voice over the ear piece.

   "Put Mitch on." Andrew seethed.

   "He's busy. Look bring it by, just leave it at the door, we're busy at
the moment." With that Jay terminated the call.

   "Fucking god dammit."  Andrew yelled as he hurled the helpless phone
against the wall. Cameron was at Andrew's side in a moment.

   "He's with Jay." Sobbed Andrew into Cameron's chest.

   "Get dressed." Cameron said. His voice was low and had an edge that
scared Andrew. Andrew looked at Cameron and saw an unbridled hate and anger
in his eyes that scared even him.  Pulling some clothes on Andrew met
Cameron in the kitchen then they both headed out the door.


Arriving at Mitch's dorms, Andrew bashed on the supervisor's door. A
mid-twenties looking guy came to thye door.

    "What the fuck do you want?" He half growled at them.

    "We need you to let us into room 316." Andrew said ignoring the
contempt.

    "Why? Neither of you live in there." The young guy asked.

    "Because you either open it or I kick it in." Cameron said with venom
dripping from his voice, pooling at his feet eatting it's way through the
floor. The young guy opened his eyes properly and took a step back.

    "Why the fuck would you want to do that?"

    "Because if we don't the cops will and we're prayin that it ain't to
find a dead body." Andrew said. This grabbed the young guys attention.

    "Room 316, that's Mitch and Charlie's room. Let me guess, Mitch and Jay
are back together." The young guy's words stuneed Andrew and Cameron.

    "Say all you want to Mitch. We've been trying for ages to get him away
from Jay but he always goes back. I'm David by the way." The other two
nodded dumbly. He stood back and waved them in.

    "Wait in here while I get dressed and I'll go up with you." Andrew and
Cameron looked at each other and shrugged. Walking into the room they waited
for David to get ready.


After David had gotten ready, the three headed up to Mitch's room. Opening
the door, David stepped aside and let the other two enter. Andrew walked in
first and saw Mitch sprawled, naked, save for a sheet covering his groin.
Andrew started to run to Mitch's side when he felt something blunt and heavy
connect with the back of his head with a loud cracking sound. As he sank to
the ground, he saw Mitch sit up in shock and start screaming. He tried to
blink but blackness was closing in to closely. He though he heard something
hit the floor but he wasn't sure.


Andrew opened his eyes carefully and looked around.  All he could see was
white. At first he saw so much white he assumed this was the pearly gates.
Then he heard Cameron's voice and cursed silently. He must've been in a
hospital, because there was no way his friend would make it within a hundred
yards of the light. Unless of course, it was a bug zapper. Andrew grinned to
himself with the thoughts that ran freely through his mind. Cameron's face
appeared infront of his eyes.

   "God the angels are ugly here in heaven." Moaned Andrew. Cameron grinned
and threw a glance over his shoulder.

   "He'll live, he's being bitchy." Cameron giggled. Andrew slowly turned
his head to the side to see who Cameron had spoken to. There stood Mitch
with a contrite look on his face. Andrew closed his eyes and rolled his head
back so he was looking up. He reached out and tried to pull himself into a
sitting position. When he was finally sitting he looked at Mitch, who looked
back at him, timid and scared. His normal look of a deer in headlights
chisled into his features.


   "Why?" Was all Andrew asked

   "He said he would change for me. Said that he loved me." Mitch said
starting to sob.

   "Do you understand now he won't? Do you understand he's willing to hurt
more people other than you?" Asked Andrew sharply which earnt his a
reproving look from Cameron. Andrew dug his heels in.

   "Either of you two louts want to tell me how long I've been in here?"

   "Two days." Mitch said quietly.

   "And he is yet to leave your side. He's argued with the nurses and
doctors. He's slept and showered here. I don't think he's eaten." Cameron
said quietly in Andrew's ear. Andrew turned and looked at Mitch then waved
him over. Mitch stood and walked over cautiously as though afraid of
punishment. Andrew rolled his head back and sighed causing Mitch to start to
back up. Looking at Mitch, Andrew shook his head.

   "Come here, I'm not going to hurt you." Mitch ambled slowly over to
Andrew, who reached out and pulled him into a hug. Mitch stiffened for a
moment then relaxed into the hug.

   "Just promise me you will always take either Cameron or I with you if you
go near Jay." Andrew said. Mitch just nodded, his tears running over his
cheeks onto Andrew's shoulder. Andrew turned his head and kissed him
lightly.

   "Now stop crying and find me a doctor so I can get out of this place." He
grumbled.



Walking into the apartment, Mitch was overeager to help and please Andrew.
Eventually Andrew grabbed Mitch and dragged him down onto the couch.

   "Mitch, I got a bump on the head, I'm not an invalid. You don't have
anything to make up to me, or prove to me. I already think of you as a close
friend so you have nothing to prove or make better. Just be you. That's the
guy I like ok." Mitch nodded slowly. Andrew lifted his arm and Mitch
snuggled in against his chest and rested there while Cameron slipped a movie
into the dvd player. The three sat there, content within the safety of the
walls.

---
Ok, thanks for all the feedback guys. If I didn't get back to you, I am so
very sorry. I've been inundated with feedback and I just haven't been able
to keep up. Well there's the second part. Shorter than the first I know.
It's a very tiring subject to write on. I hope you like it as much as the
first.

Feeback: brisboi82@hotmail.com

Cheers and thanks, Daniel.