It's exactly 2:36 am when I am awoken by a strange inkling that I'm not alone. I pry my eyes open, glancing up sleepily at the shadowy form standing across from me. The only thought that pops into my head is that a hellish demon has finally come to collect me, and I'm far too tired to go anywhere. He'll have to come back in the morning or drag me to hell himself.

Reality kicks in after a moment and I realise that it's far more likely to be my flat mate than a demon. Although the possibility is still plausible.

"Sam?" I ask, although my voice sounds foreign to me.

"I can't sleep." He responds, his tone tired and sad; almost that of a child and I take pity on him. I flip the edge of my covers back and he shuffles forwards quickly, sliding in next to me. He's brought his own blanket, which is curled around him like a cocoon, but he snuggles into my covers anyway.

I rest my head against the pillow, hoping to return to sleep once more but Sam seems to have other ideas.

"Elias?" He whispers and I groan in response.

"I'm sorry." He mumbles, his face only inches from mine and I open my eyes again, confused as to why he's apologising.

"For what?" I wonder, my mind leaping to the worst possibilities. Perhaps he accidentally threw out my new favourite shirt, he's been jealous of it since I got it.

"For arguing with you, for avoiding you and cancelling our plans, for being a bad friend." He lists. I sigh, looking down at the pillow which is softly lit by the moonlight peeking through my blinds.

"It's okay, I understand." I say but Sam doesn't seem convinced.

"I really do like being the only one to call you Elias." He blurts, his eyes watching my face.

"I know." I say simply and he nods.

"How do I make the space go away?" He asks and I frown, my brain not comprehending him at this hour.

"What?" I ask eventually, needing clarification.

"The space between us, it's like an awkward rift that I made and I don't know how to make it go away." He says softly, gesturing to the space between us and I smile, almost laughing at how adorable he is.

"Easy." I mumble, snaking my hand forwards and tugging him toward me. He shifts, curling up slightly against my side as I tuck the blanket around him, holding him closer. I shouldn't be doing this to myself, it's cruel to the both of us but right now it feels right and after the week that we've had, I feel as though I need the closeness.

He sighs and tucks his head under my chin, resting against my chest. I don't mind, closing my eyes again as I revel in the feeling of him being in my arms. It's exceptionally nice and I find myself wishing that I could fall asleep like this every night. Perhaps one day.

"I can hear your heartbeat." Sam mutters, interrupting my little moment.

"It's fast." He adds smugly and I hum.

"Probably because I have a cute guy in my bed." I mumble, laughing under my breath as Sam smacks my arm playfully. He wriggles around for a minute, finding a comfy position before settling into it.

"You were right, it was easy." He says softly and I agree; the tension between us gone and resolved at last.

"I'm always right." I argue as Sam scoffs.

"No, you're not-..." He begins but I hush him, bringing my finger against his lips.

"Sleep time." I declare and I'm surprised when Sam doesn't argue. I pat his head, gently coaxing my fingers through his hair in an attempt to lull him into sleep. His breathing evens out after ten minutes or so, but I continue my ministrations until my eyes are too hard to keep open, slipping into sleep easily.

_

When I wake, the gentle morning sunlight is illuminating my room, indicating that it's still fairly early. Sam is still snuggled against my side, although his arms and legs have flailed in the night, now tangled with my own limbs. I remove myself, carefully tucking the covers back around him.

He shuffles and I hesitate, the urge to show my growing affection for him strong in my mind. I decide to take a risk, ducking my head quickly and pressing the gentlest kiss against his cheek. I retract just as quickly, smiling to myself and plonk myself down at my desk.

He looks remarkably pretty in the soft glow of sunshine, his hair falling into his eyes and his features perfectly still and soft.

I grab the moleskin notebook and my pen, glancing towards Sam every now and then. I had said that I would write whatever came to mind, and the only thoughts lingering in my mind are scary ones but ones that I cannot ignore.

"What are you doing?" Sam's voice interrupts after a while and I glance up quickly, surprised that he's awake so early. I close the book gently, nudging it back as I shrug.

"Just finishing up some notes." I insist, which is not strictly a lie, they're just personal notes. He yawns, seemingly not interested and I slowly slot the notebook back into my shelf.

"Why are we in your room?" He asks vaguely, stretching his arms in front of him.

"You couldn't sleep." I answer, spinning around to face him.

"Oh yeah, you called me cute." He recalls as I roll my eyes. Typical of him to remember only that part of the conversation.

"How astute of you. You want to go get breakfast?" I ask dryly, but Sam sighs, flopping back into my bed and I already know his answer.

"Do you want me to go and get you breakfast?" I amend. He looks over, smiling softly but shakes his head.

"I know that you do." I remind.

"Yeah, but I don't want you to go either." He mumbles, frowning as he burrows back into my covers. I lean back, an easy solution popping into my head.

"I'll make breakfast then." I resolve, standing up and shrugging on an oversized t-shirt. Sam watches me carefully, his frown a little softer but still present. I go over to him and nudge my arms beneath his knees and under his back, lifting him up; blankets and all.

He yelps, grabbing onto my arm and I laugh, moving towards the stairs.

"Don't you dare drop me, Elias Grey, or I will never forgive you." He glowers, his fingers wound tightly around my neck.

"And risk denting that pretty face of yours? I would never." I say happily, hitching him further into my grasp and meandering down the stairs carefully.

"You're far more trusting of me when I do this when you're drunk." I note whilst Sam merely scowls, his grip loosening slightly.

I carefully place Sam onto the sofa and stroll towards the kitchen. Our kitchen and dining room is directly connected to the lounge, so that Sam can easily watch and holler whenever he pleases.

I decide upon pancakes as they're easy and the recipe is permanently ingrained into my mind. Sam would demand them every weekend throughout high school and college; I was helpless to refuse. The mixture prepared, I pour in the first one and get busy washing and cutting fruit. I flip it and continue my job, putting the warm pancakes in the oven as I make more and placing the fruit into a bowl. I get out maple syrup and cutlery in the vain hope that Sam won't create a pancake funnel and drink the syrup again.

I can hear a shuffling behind me as I flip the last pancake. Sam leans against my back tiredly, no doubt watching over my shoulder and waiting as patiently as he can.

"This is the last one, the rest are in the oven." I murmur but surprisingly he doesn't move, content to stay leant against my back. I exhale lightly, flipping the pancake again before deciding that it's done.

I turn my head, noting that Sam is staring into space; a small smile on his face and a blanket draped around him. I turn off the stove and turn around but Sam is still leant against me. I huff and guide him towards the table, sitting him down before retrieving the rest of breakfast.

I set Sam's plate down in front of him, but he doesn't move his gaze away from me. He looks very calm and thoughtful, as if he's having a sudden, worldly realisation. I decide to leave him be for the moment, keeping a watchful eye on him.

"Thanks, Elias." He says quietly, glancing down and I smile.

"No problem." I chirp back and I mean it.

The moment seems very serene in my mind, the sunlight bouncing off the walls in just the right way, the soft peals of music emanating from the kitchen radio encasing the air around us. Everything is calm and I can't help but wonder why I think that? Perhaps it's merely because Sam and I are back to our usual selves, or perhaps it's the rose-tinted glasses that love is so well known for providing.

I decide that I like it either way.