I'm vaguely aware of a hand running through my hair and I lean into the touch naturally, sighing as I revel in the feeling. My mind slowly registers more and more until I feel capable of coherent thought, at which point I decide it's a good idea to see who the hand in my hair belongs to.

I wrench my eyes open slowly, looking up slightly as my blurred vision focuses. Sam is sat beside me, my head actually balanced in his lap and I wonder how he managed to wiggle his way into this position without waking me.

His eyes are tired, shadowed with the physical proof of a bad night's sleep and his hair sticks up in odd directions. His chest is bare but he is sporting a pair of my jogging bottoms. His stare is straight ahead, his expression far away and weary but he looks content, his hand never ceasing its relaxing ministrations.

I decide to embrace it for a little bit longer, not used to such open affection from Sam. In general, I'm not keen on physical interaction, so he's usually very careful with me, careful not to push me too far; physically or emotionally.

It's my own fault, I know that but I've never been a very openly affectionate person. Blame my father. I only wish that Sam knew how much I enjoy the closeness.

I sigh heavily and Sam's hand pauses for a moment, his breathing stilling for a moment before he continues.

"I've been awake for the past twenty minutes, Sam." I mumble, almost incomprehensibly as his leg muffles my voice. His hand stills again and I grumble in disapproval. Sam laughs shakily and resumes playing with my hair. I sigh in contentment.

"Why didn't you say anything?" He asks.

"You woulda stopped." I mutter and Sam huffs but doesn't argue, we both know I'm right.

"Did you sleep well?" He asks and I shake my head, nestling further into his lap.

"Not long enough." I complain and Sam tuts.

"When did you get to sleep?"

"Four." I grumble hatefully and Sam inhales sharply.

"Eli! What the hell, were you cleaning up?" He asks and I nod.

"You're ridiculous." He states incredulously and I don't bother to argue. He doesn't speak again, his fingers resuming their journey through my hair. My mind drifts between consciousness and unconsciousness, faintly recognising voices but my fatigue wins out in the end.

When I wake up again, my mind automatically tunes in to Sam's voice, which is currently speaking softly.

"He's been doing a lot for me lately, let him rest." He insists, his hand gently grazing over my shoulder and down my back, resting there and providing me with a strange sense of comfort.

"When did he get to bed?" Robin asks faintly.

"He said four am." Sam responds and Ash laughs deeply.

"He sent us up at three, told us he wouldn't be long." He admits and Sam sighs heavily.

"This boy." He mutters, although his voice is warm; not at all irritated.

"Everyone can see how much you care, Sam. Why not just tell him?" Robin asks and he shifts slightly beneath my head, careful not to disturb me.

"I already know." I grumble under my breath and Sam bursts into laughter.

I crack an eye open and find Robin looking sheepish.

"You already know?" Ash asks, an eyebrow raised and I glare at him.

"Course I do, he's my person." I mumble and Sam smiles above me.

"Your person?" Robin asks, glancing at Ash quizzically. He looks just as confused and they both look to Sam, wondering if he knows what I'm talking about.

"He's my person." Sam confirms, glancing down at me with a look in his eye that tells me he knows exactly what I'm talking about.

_

When I eventually find the energy to shower and put on clothing, we all decide that lunch is desperately needed. Ash, Robin and Sam are all suffering from varying degrees of hangovers, whilst I am battling my fatigue. All in all, we look like the cast from Shaun of the dead.

I suggest Sam's favourite hangover café for lunch and he agrees merrily, sending me a secret smile of thanks. Whilst Sam and I are studying an hour away from home, Ash and Robin had decided to go to a uni closer to home, so they weren't entirely sure of the town.

We sit down at a little table, our facial expressions all matching and our clothes all slightly creased. Ash makes fun of my glasses, as per usual whilst Robin merely smirks, telling him that she finds glasses sexy. He shuts up quickly after that and I can't help but laugh.

We order and chat aimlessly, as old friends and I'm delighted that the ease of our reunion has continued this morning.

"So, that girl Alice is...a character." Robin states carefully and I roll my eyes.

"She's bat shit crazy." I correct and Sam doesn't disagree.

"She a friend of yours?" Ash asks and I shake my head, inclining my head to Sam.

"She's in my Spanish class, half of them have an unnatural obsession with Elias." He admits as Ash snorts.

"Why?" He asks incredulously and I glance up, raising my palm to my chest in mock insult at his tone. He rolls his eyes and nudges me with his shoulder.

"I haven't the faintest idea." Sam says, although his tone is off. His eyes search mine, but lose their intensity as my smile fades.

"Food! Yes!" Robin cries, almost fainting at the sight and I laugh. She digs in without another word, whilst Ash converses with Sam about our ice hockey team. I could join in, but I don't care nearly as much as Sam does so I decide not to waste my breath.

I pick at my pasta, nudging it closer to Sam so that he can pick and choose. He loves variety and more often than not I end up ordering something he wants, purely because he can't choose. I'm not particularly hungry anyway, so I don't mind.

Robin watches the exchange carefully, but Ash is used to it. Sam's been like this ever since I met him.

"Are you full, Eli?" She asks quietly as Ash requests the bill and I nod. We all chip in and remain at the table for a while longer. We're all avoiding the subject of their leaving, but it's inevitable now.

I tug Robin in for a hug and she squishes into my neck cosily.

"Be honest with him Eli, always. Okay?" She whispers and I frown.

"What do you mean?" I ask quietly and she sighs.

"You're the honest one, the blunt one, he relies on you for it. Be brave. Nothing will ever happen if you're not." She murmurs and I find that I'm still not entirely sure what she's talking about. My confusion is obvious on my face and she laughs, tugging me in for another hug.

"You'll figure it out eventually." She assures and I nod.

I hug Ash next, glad that he doesn't have any riddles to whisper in my ear and I pull away smiling.

"Thank you so much for coming, it was so great to see you two." I admit and Ash grins.

"Thanks for having us mate, see you soon okay?" He asks and I nod.

We walk home silently after waving them off, and I don't question Sam's uncharacteristic silence. I yawn loudly, covering my mouth as my legs drag me in the direction of home. In all honesty, I cannot wait to collapse on my bed.

"What did Robin say to you?" Sam asks, interrupting the silence and I glance over.

"She told me to be honest with you." I admit and Sam looks up in urgency.

"Aren't you always?" Sam asks and I hesitate for a moment before nodding.

"I haven't got any reason to lie to you, but I haven't always told you everything about me." I clarify and Sam exhales heavily.

"I know, it's okay to have personal things you don't want to share." He states and I nod, although I still feel guilty. I decide there and then that one day, I will come clean to Sam. I'll tell him about the pain, but only when it's right.

"When we get home, we're taking a nap right?" Sam asks, interrupting my thoughts and I laugh.

"Fuck yeah." I breathe, glad to be on the same page once more.