we're all surrounded.

Matty wished he could send his mother a picture of himself in his bright new room, but she wouldn't see it. She was in a coma. A part of him still wanted to be with her, but he was exhausted and felt it wouldn't do much good. After all, he didn't know that person who overdosed.

He felt in limbo. His appetite was gone and he thought he might freak when he saw the big kid who already lived there.

He really hated getting along with others. He'd seen too many bullies, over the years. Just once, he needed his space.

But the high school boy hardly spoke to him. Just a slight wave, and silence.

He wasn't up for questions. Instead, he wanted to hide under the covers, but Xander brought him milk and cookies.

"I don't do this, all the time," Xander promised with a smile, but he'd noticed Matty didn't eat much.

Matty took the chocolate chip cookie and bit into it. He told him he liked chocolate chip cookies.

"You need to tell me what you like to eat," Xander said.

"Um, pizza, fast food." He shrugged. Not once, did he remember anyone asking him that question? Not even his mom.

Xander told him he didn't buy fast food.

Matty yawned, but ate the cookie and drank the milk.

"I hope you won't be afraid here," Xander told him his husband was a doctor and he was taking nursing classes. "You, haven't said anything about Ducky and me."

"Oh." Matty nodded. Men who were married. It didn't really bother him. Actually, he hadn't even thought about it.

"If, if you need to talk about anything, don't hesitate," Xander told him more about Sunny. "He's pretty quiet, but he is a good listener."

Matty nodded. He was a good listener, too.