The next few weeks pass smoothly, incredibly smoothly. Sam insists that he's taking a break from dating, hockey practice has gone back to being once a week, lectures are easy and the bitter winter months are melting into spring.

However, every time Sam receives a paper cut, or stubs his toe against the wall, I feel it. There's nothing new about feeling his pain, but every pain I am feeling seems to be amplified. Knocking into a table now feels like a stamp to my shin, a paper cut feels like a slice to my palm, and it's starting to worry me.

Sam is no clumsier than usual, which makes me think that it's something wrong with me, which is why I booked a doctor's appointment.

I didn't want Sam to worry, so I left early for my appointment which is scheduled at 8am. The reception calls my name and I make my way down the corridor and into the third door on the left.

"Hello, Eli! How are you today?" My doctor, Dr Allan asks and I smile.

"I'm fine, how're you?" I reply politely and he hums happily.

"I've been great, thank you. So, what can we do for you today?" He asks as I fiddle with my hands.

"Well, I just wanted a general check-up really. I've noticed that whenever I knock into something, it's hurting quite a bit more than it should." I say vaguely, making him frown. It's not strictly true, my own pain is just the same, it's Sam's pains which are amplified.

"Hm, well there could be a number of different explanations for that, are there any other symptoms?" He asks and I hesitate.

"Sometimes, it sounds a bit weird, but I feel other people's pain? Well, just one person's actually." I mumble and Dr Allan nods in comprehension.

"It's not as weird as you might think. Sometimes our minds can empathise with pain that we see, convincing our bodies that we feel it too." He explains and I sigh, knowing that he's not fully understood.

"Right, I just wanted to make sure I'm healthy and all. It can be a bit disconcerting." I admit and he nods, chuckling slightly.

"Of course, I'll take a blood sample, if you want and we can give you a full check-up?" He suggests and I nod.

"Yes, please." I verbalise as Dr Allan prepares a needle.

"Alright, you'll feel a slight pinch." He assures and I look away, not necessarily fearing it but not enjoying the sight either. I exhale heavily when I feel the needle removed, pressing down on the cotton wool that Dr Allan provided.

"Alright, we'll send you the results and I want you to come back if the pain gets any worse, okay?" He asks and I nod in response.

"Have a good day." I mumble, shutting the door behind me.

I walk back to our flat glumly. I'd been hoping for something more definitive, even though I know that what I suffer from shouldn't be real. I rip off the tape holding the cotton wool to my arm, not needing Sam to see the evidence of my appointment. I throw it in the bin and jog up the stairs to our flat, opening the door to be greeted with the sounds of, what I assume to be Grey's Anatomy.

I poke my head into the living room to find Sam curled into a ball, encased in blankets and blowing his nose.

"Dear lord, you're a mess." I state, glancing at the TV.

"He's gone!" He cries and I take the time to register what episode he's watching. Oh, ok, his reaction is tame compared to how I reacted.

I sympathise completely and sit beside him, pulling him into a hug.

"It's ok, I kicked a hole in my wall when I watched this episode." I explain and Sam laughs, sniffling slightly.

"Is that how it happened? Your dad was so pissed at you." He laughs, shaking his head at me.

"Yeah, the wall is still kind of lumpy." I note and Sam sighs, leaning against my shoulder.

"I can't believe they did that." He says hollowly and I shrug.

"You shouldn't watch any more of this show if you can't handle major character death, believe me." I say sourly, still not on good terms with the writers of this show.

"I think you're right, but it's just so good." He whines, looking up at me sadly and I have a sudden idea.

"I have a different show you can get hooked on?" I suggest but he looks dubious.

"Come on, just watch the first episode and see how you feel." I cajole and he finally gives in. I grin demonically, at last having found the opportunity to introduce this show to someone new. I slot the DVD in and press play, settling into the sofa eagerly.

"I'm not entirely sure I'm going to like this." Sam says, warning me and I shake my head with a knowing smile.

"Trust me, you will."

_

"Oh. My. Lord in heaven, I LOVE this show!" Sam announces, dancing around as he moves onto the second season.

"Woah, shouldn't we take a break, you know, a season a week maybe?" I suggest as Sam's eyes bulge out of his head.

"No! No, we can't stop now! I need to know what happens! Are they going to get together? Because wow I can feel the sexual tension from here." He babbles as I roll my eyes.

"Sure, you can feel their sexual tension just fine." I grumble under my breath as Sam clatters around with the DVD cases.

"Huh?"

"Nothing, put on the next episode." I insist quickly. Sam cooperates happily, seemingly disinterested with everything that doesn't involve the next episode of his new favourite TV drama.

"How long have you known about this and not involved me?" He demands, slumping down onto the sofa next to me. I shrug, watching him uneasily out of the corner of my eye.

"A few years." I mumble as Sam recoils dramatically, a hand over his chest.

"A few years?!" He asks and I turn to face him, my face apologetic.

"I didn't think you'd like it, you've seen how gory it can be!" I reason, holding a hand out towards the screen. Sam huffs and crosses his arms.

"I thought we shared everything with each other." He says indignantly, not looking me in the eye. I would be laughing right now if it weren't for the fact that I know he's deadly serious.

"I do share everything with you!" I argue as Sam rolls his eyes.

"Okay, when were you going to share that you've been watching anime without me?" I ask steely, watching as Sam's eyes widen considerably. His head whips around to face me, his face falling in shock.

"How did you find out?!" He cries and my mouth drops in betrayal.

"Wait, I was joking. You've been watching anime without me?!" I ask, shuffling away from him as Sam reaches out for me.

"It's not like it sounds." He pleads as I scoff, shaking my head.

"I can't believe you. You said you hated it, you complain every time I want to watch it with you." I mutter, more to myself than anything.

"That's because it steals all of your attention!" Sam whines suddenly and I smirk to myself in response. I look over at Sam who looks very bashful all of a sudden.

"Are you jealous of animated TV shows?" I ask incredulously. Sam rolls his eyes, attempting to flee the living room. I catch his arm and pull him back down, his torso leaning against mine as I wrap my arm around his waist. He protests but I laugh it off, smiling to myself as Sam gives in and shuffles around comfortably.

"You have no need to be jealous." I assure but Sam huffs.

"Seriously! Your mere presence in the room demands everyone's attention." I grumble.

Sam leans against me fully now, smiling to himself as I absently run my hand through his hair. His own attention has been utterly diverted which is ultimately unsurprising, as Sam is, on occasion, the biggest hypocrite on Earth but he means well.

I don't mind in the slightest, spending time with Sam, even if it's in total silence, is enough for me.

"Hey, where were you this morning?" Sam asks, his eyes still on the TV screen but his head inclined in my direction.

"Uh, just in town." I respond vaguely but Sam doesn't relent.

"What were you doing?" He asks, looking at me this time and I know I can't bring myself to evade his curiosity. I just don't want him to worry.

"I had a doctor's appointment." I shrug, watching the TV intently but, of course, Sam can't take this news lightly.

"Why? Why didn't you tell me? Is there something wrong?" He quizzes, sitting up and staring at me intently.

"It was a routine check-up, see, this is why I didn't tell you." I mutter, laughing to myself as he fusses over me like a concerned mother.

"Oh, well you still should have told me. I'll only worry more if you don't." He threatens lightly and I laugh. God forbid that ever happens, he worries far too much about inconsequential nonsense as it is.

"I'll tell you next time." I vow, crossing my fingers over my chest haphazardly and Sam nods sternly. A worrisome little concern pops into my mind and I idly wonder if 'next time' might not be quite so easy to explain.

"Good."