"What about that guy?" Sam enquires, pointing unashamedly across the street as we make our way to our potential new home. I pull his arm down swiftly, laughing under my breath.

"Sam, stop!" I insist, Sam's face falling into a mock pout, his energetic gait giving away his real mood.

"Why? You've not thought that the past five guys I've pointed out are cute. Ooh! What about him?" He asks quickly, another guy catching his eye and I roll my eyes.

"I wish you were still lost in fucking Narnia." I mutter darkly and Sam glares at me.

"No, you don't. You love knowing everything about me." He points out and I reluctantly agree internally.

"Besides, I'm straight as a fucking circle and so as my best friend, you're obligated to talk about cute guys with me." He says matter-of-factly and I scoff.

"Circles are made up of an infinite number of straight lines." I state and Sam's face falls as he gazes at me disappointedly.

"Why are you like this? Who hurt you?" He demands and I laugh.

"Sorry, I'm sorry but it's the truth." I admit and Sam just waves me off dismissively.

I lose myself in my thoughts, my feet unconsciously guiding us on the route to the new apartment. The guys that Sam points out aren't bad, I'm happy to hear about this new aspect of his life and the guys all look perfectly normal. But that's it, just normal. Just ok. I can't help but feel protective, and I can't help but feel like he deserves better than all of these 'normal' guys.

I glance up and note that we've arrived. I slow my pace and Sam follows suit, looking up at the building in awe, glancing to me for confirmation. I nod, smiling at his glowing appearance.

I wait for Sam to fish out the key and he steps forward hesitantly, holding it out for me to take. I take hold of it and unlock the door, holding it open for him. He walks in slowly, smiling gratefully and I expect him to go ahead without me but instead he waits. I shut the door and guide him through into the living room.

Sam's face is a picture, his mouth agape and eyes awestruck. He wanders around appreciatively, no doubt noticing and remembering all the aspects he loves. I don't particularly mind, I've already noted all the negative aspects in my mind, so I let him bathe in his positivity.

I lean against the sofa, thankful that the flat is partially furnished already and watch as Sam grins manically, running past me and up the small flight of stairs towards the bedrooms.

I wait for a moment, laughing to myself as his squeals reach my ears.

"Oh, my GOD! ELIAS! Have you seen these rooms?" His voice echoes and I smile widely. His footsteps clatter back down the hall, moving into the kitchen, hesitating for a moment before crashing around the corner and clunking into me. His arms wrap around me like vines, encasing me in the classic warmth associated with a 'Sam' hug.

He pulls away quickly, smiling so hugely I think his face might crumble from the sheer force of it.

"It's so perfect, Elias. I can't believe you did this." He states, his eyes sparkling.

"It's no problem, I'm glad you like it." I say genuinely, glancing over at the beautiful bay windows which enclose the living room in a soft glow of natural light. I don't want to sound conceited, but I have great taste.

"Did you see the little window ledge in the second bedroom? It's so perfect for you, I can practically see you sitting there already, reading and listening to sad music and shit." He rambles and I laugh, feeling touched that he's thinking of my comfort as well as his own.

"So, you like it then?" I ask and Sam whips around to face me, his face morphing into an incredulous expression.

"Do I like it? I freaking love it, Eli, you idiot!" He announces and I smile, nodding to myself. We can just about afford it with both of our accommodation loans pooled together.

"Good, you ready to go or...?" I trail off, not wanting to rush him. He nods vigorously, taking in the flat one last time before following me to the door. I open it and close it after him, locking it securely.

Sam appears to be in a dream-state, eerily quiet on the way home and I bask in the silence. It isn't often that I am able to render Sam speechless. Unfortunately the silence never lasts for long.

"When did you say we can move in?" He utters and I frown.

"Whenever we like I suppose, as long as we've told the landlord."

"So...we could move in tomorrow?" He says.

"Well, in theory yeah, but it'll probably take about a week to pack everything up and..."

"A week! I'll be ready to move out tomorrow, a week seems like forever." He confirms and I nod, a little surprised.

"Okay, I'll email the landlord tonight." I murmur as Sam shakes his head.

"No, no too long. Email him now." He demands and I laugh.

"I'll email him the minute we get home." I compromise and Sam nods contentedly.

"It won't be home for long." He points out and I smile.

No, I suppose it won't be. Soon it'll be our home.

_

On the way home, panic suddenly hits me when I realise that this is our first Christmas together. I mean, of course I already knew that this is our first Christmas together, but what is Christmas without Christmas dinner? Nothing.

I send Sam home, claiming that I need him to start packing his things if we ever intend on getting out of the dorms by tomorrow. To be honest, I just needed an excuse to get a few hours to myself, but he really does need all the time he can get to pack. Sam has a lot of crap.

I want to cook us the best kick-ass Christmas dinner ever, so I need food. And time, which I thankfully now have plenty of.

I find the closest open supermarket and grab potatoes, a box of easy to make stuffing, a range of vegetables, Yorkshire puddings, a small turkey and a microwavable Christmas pudding, because even if I hate it, I know that Sam has a soft spot for fruit puddings.

I thank the lord for supermarkets open 365 days a year and pay my total. The bags are heavy but I'm close to the dorms and as soon as I'm home, I get a move on with our make-shift feast.

I peel potatoes and carrots, cut and wash brussels sprouts and season the turkey, shoving it in the oven to cook. I hum gently under my breath, actually finding that I'm enjoying the entire process; the aromas of the meal reminding me of home, home before my mum died.

I finish up and start on clearing up the rickety table that came with my dorm. I lay out plates and cutlery and take a step back, admiring my work. My back is aching and I'm dying to sit down but it's definitely worth it.

I text Sam, telling him to come upstairs and meander back into the kitchen, hoping that he won't be too much longer. I hear a rap on the door about ten minutes later and grin to myself.

"It's open!" I yell, grinning to myself in anticipation. I can't wait to see Sam's face.

I hear footsteps echo through the hall and turn to the doorway, my smile immediately falling when I recognise the faces in the doorway. Miles and Alice.

Alice's intelligent eyes are scanning the room eagerly, her expression morphing into one of horror as she realises just how awkward this situation is. Miles on the other hand looks ecstatic and that in itself is enough for me to be sharing Alice's horror.

"We, uh, just wanted to pop round and wish you a happy Christmas." Alice murmurs awkwardly and I stare at her, dumbfounded.

"Thank you." I utter, unsure what to do now.

"Merry Christmas to you too." I state, although it sounds more like a question and I rub the back of my neck as my eyes flicker towards the door. I don't feel in the least bit sorry for ignoring Miles.

They move towards the door but are interrupted by Sam, who has the most unfortunate timing in the world.

"Oh! Alice and...Miles. Hi, what're you doing here?" He asks awkwardly and I wipe a hand down my face in misery.

"Just wishing Eli a Merry Christmas." She says slyly and Sam nods, his eyes falling on the feast I'd set up specially.

"Oh." He utters intelligently, meeting my eyes as I smile somewhat sheepishly.

Alice herds a reluctant Miles through the door and shuts it behind her, sending me a wink before she leaves. I frown, wondering what she's trying to convey.

Sam moves forwards, his hungry gaze scanning the table eagerly.

"Did you do all this?" He asks and I nod.

"Our first Christmas is not complete without the feast." I mumble, nodding to the table and shrugging. Sam looks at me curiously in that moment, an emotion flooding his face which I'm not familiar with.

"Everything looks perfect, Elias." He finally states, his tone soft and reassuring and I exhale sharply, unaware that I had even been holding my breath at all. I meet his gaze, which is deeply intense and sparkling and I find it difficult to breathe again.

The oven timer chimes through the silence and I draw the tiny turkey out of the oven, pleased with the way it looks. Sam's practically drooling and I place it on the table with a flourish.

"It was meant to be a proper surprise, no Alice and Miles." I mutter harshly and Sam laughs under his breath.

"It's ok, this is...amazing. Thank you so much, Eli." He states chirpily, reaching towards the food without any hesitation and I admire the trust he has in my limited cooking skill.

"No problem." I mumble.

We might not have a lot but we have each other and that for me, in this moment, is all I really need.

"To the best Christmas ever!" Sam declares, raising his glass towards me and I grin.

I simply nod, not having anything else to add and clink his glass with my own.