A/N: Didn't notice this was a long ass chapter till I saw the word count. Thank you for reading!

🏈 Forth

Waking up to someone warm holding me with the sound of the soft rhythm of breathing is such a weird but extremely good feeling. It felt so peaceful.

But then for a second it hit me. Beam. Beam was holding me right now, and we are sleeping in my bed. Slowly and reluctantly, I opened my eyes and blinked. Making sure I am not dreaming. A smile crept unto my lips. I don't remember everything, I can only recall feeling really sick and asking him to stay and then, here I am, waking up in his arms.

I hold my breath as I tilt my head to look at the angel sleeping in front of me. I can't contain my awe as I stare at his sleeping form. I smile wider as I remember my dream. In it, Beam was holding me like this as he tells me he loves me. I look at his slightly open lips and my heart thumps wildly. How I wish those lips would say those words to me for real.

Both of my arms are still tucked in his chest and I can feel the steady beating of his heart. Gathering my bravery, I stretched upwards so were now face to face. I rub his nose with mine and I felt him stir. I closed my eyes and pretended to be sleeping still.

"A few more minutes, Yo," he groggily murmured as he tightens his arms around me. I pressed my faced on his neck. And I felt him bury his face in my hair.

I hear him gasp and lay still. Then he starts to wiggle his body. Disentangling our limbs. And I pouted inwardly. Don't let me go Shorty, please.

Then I suddenly feel his warm hands touch my face.

"Oh my God, this is real," he whispered. What does he mean? Of course it's real.

I felt him get up and sit down on the bed. Though my eyes are closed, I can feel him looking at me. Then he lifts the comforter to uncover us and I can feel his gaze all over me and I felt very self conscious. I thank God I don't have morning wood, because I do have morning wood most of the time. Suddenly, the back of his hand landed on my forehead.

"Fever's gone," he exhaled softly. But his hand never left my forehead. And surprisingly his other hand cupped my cheek brushing his thumb slowly. Then they moved on to my chin right below my busted lip. After a while, he decided to lie down again, but this time he lays his head on my chest.

Is this really happening? Can he hear my heart doing double beats per minute? I guess he did because after a while he got up and tried to wake me up.

"Forth," he tapped my cheek lightly.

"Forth, wake up."

I made the fakest sleepy groan ever, then slowly and dramatically squint as I opened my eyes

"Hey," he was looking at me worriedly. "How are you feeling?"

I feel great, to be honest. Last night I felt terrible, and I was delirious and very feverish. But it was gone now. I feel good but a little sore, and the wound in my arm only stings a bit. All I know is that I felt better because Beam took care of me, and held me all night long. If I knew it would be like this then I would volunteer to get sick all the time.

Suddenly, I just had a brilliant idea.

I winced as I tried to lift my arm, and he was immediately all over me.

"Does it still hurt? It's about time we change the bandage anyway," then he ran to the bathroom to get the first-aid kit and immediately went to work. Carefully dressing the wound and then wrapping it with fresh bandage. He looks so cute concentrating on what he is doing. He'd make a really good doctor in the future, or a nurse, my personal nurse. Heh, the thought made me grin.

He looked up at me and I immediately faked a cough, and sneezed for extra effect.

"Oh no, do you have a cold?" he asked and placed his palms on my forehead again.

"Well, you're not hot anymore, but you should change your shirt, you were sweating a bit last night,"

"Okay," I croaked, and I tried to get up, very slow.

"No, I'll get it," he stood and went to my closet, and then came back with a shirt in hand.

"Is this okay?" he showed me a shirt and I nodded.

I looked at him and I just realized he is still wearing my clothes, including boxers. I felt a blush creep up my ears. Not to mention he looked so fucking cute in them. I just want to grab him, then squish him and cuddle with him forever.

He gave me the shirt, and I awkwardly tried to take off the one I'm wearing. But having able to move only one arm proved it difficult. And he noticed it.

He cleared his throat, "Let me help."

And I couldn't be happier. He gingerly lifts the shirt revealing my stomach, then my chest.

"Lift your good arm," he said, so I did. The shirt was off on my arm and then he carefully moved it through my injured arm.

Suddenly, I became very self conscious, which is very unusual for me. I am half naked in front of the person I like. I know I don't look bad. But does he like it? Are my muscles enough? Should I flex? I don't have chest hair. What if he's into chest hair? I have a bit of a happy trail though. I know I'm thinking too much and he's already seen me last night. But I was out of it, I felt very sick last night to think properly.

"Hey, are you okay, Forth?" Beam asked.

"Y-yeah," I said.

"Are you sure? You look a little red,"

I just smiled at him and tried to hide my embarrassment. And as if on cue, my stomach grumbled loudly.

"Sorry," I said.

"Oh, can I use your kitchen? I can cook something for breakfast. It will make you feel better. And I'm kinda hungry too. We didn't have dinner last night,"

I nodded and smiled. "There's nothing much in there though."

I don't cook and I was always out so there's no point in stocking the fridge.

"I'll do what I can," he says and leaves the room.

I sigh and smile. My morning couldn't get any better. But then I looked around my messy room. I quickly got out of bed and picked up all the stuff lying around, especially my dirty football uniforms. I don't want to leave the impression that I'm a filthy jock. I arranged the stuff on my shelves and pulled out the Playboy magazines I used to ogle at back when I thought I was straight, and shoved them under my bed. Then I noticed my messy study table. The notes. Did he look at them last night? I don't think he did since he was pretty occupied with me. I quickly hid everything and shoved them in my bag. And just prayed he didn't touch any of my stuff last night.

Then I went to arrange the bean bags near the tv and my games when Beam entered with a tray in hand.

"What are you doing?"

"Uhm.. arranging?" I said.

"Just get back to bed. You're still sick," he said a little bit sternly.

Oh, riiight. I am still sick. So I fake limped my way to the bed.

He sat beside me and placed the tray in his lap. Then he starts feeding me with the most delicious soup in the world. Damn, he can really cook.

"What is this?" I asked curiously.

"Chicken noodle soup. Was it bad? Those were the only ingredients I could find,"

"It's very good Shorty. It's very delicious." I said and smiled widely.

"Thanks," he looked at the soup and I think he was blushing.

"You have to finish this bowl so you'll get better," he said as he scoops a spoonful, then blew on it before putting it in my mouth. I can feed myself actually, but I'm not complaining. I want Beam to take care of me forever.

"You should also eat," I told him.

"After you're done," he smiled.

After feeding me, he starts eating. We fell into comfortable conversation and talked about what happened yesterday. It was after all, an unforgettable experience.

He was done eating after a couple of minutes. He went down to the kitchen again to wash the dishes. After a while, he went back to the bedroom.

"So," he said but his head was looking down.

"I got to go. Uhm, thanks for letting me stay the night," then he went to gather his things.

No, don't go!

"Beam,"

"There's leftover soup in the kitchen, just reheat it if you get hungry," he continued.

"Uhm, c-can you…" I stammered. Just say it, Forth.

"I'll return your clothes on Monday," he was now standing beside my door, ready to leave.

Come on Forth, think fast.

Moaning loudly, I gripped my leg. "Ah! Owww…"

His eyes immediately widened. He dropped his bag and ran to me. "What wrong? Does your leg hurt?"

"Leg cramps, oh shit," I grimaced in 'pain'.

He climbs unto the bed and pulls my leg straight. He massages my calf and turns my foot gently, then he stretches my toes. All this while having a worried look. While I am discreetly grinning, trying to fight a huge smile from breaking.

"How does it feel?" He asks why while massaging my calf.

It felt so good that I want to sigh loudly and close my eyes.

"My body feels so sore. It could be because I got hit a lot," I lied.

"I'm really sorry," he said with his head down. He pulled my other leg and started to massage it as well.

"Then stay!" I might have said it a little enthusiastically.

"Please…" I begged. "I, I think I might need your help, uhm… I'm still kinda feeling sick and I'm kinda alone right now."

I tried my best to look weak and lonely.

He gives me a glance before looking down, twisting his fingers together. After a few seconds, he looked up and smiled.

"Okay, it's Saturday anyway, I guess I could hang out for a bit," he said.

Yes! In my mind I was fistbumping and high fiving myself.

He called his mom again and told me she was ecstatic since it's very rare for Beam to hangout with friends. I also talked to mom for a bit and she told me to get better soon.

“So, what do you wanna do?” I said excitedly.

He shrugged.

“Wanna play video games?” I asked.

“I don’t know how,” he looked at me shyly.

“Come on. I’ll teach you,” I dragged the bean bags in front of my console.

“But you’re still sick, maybe you should rest,” he said worriedly.

Oh, I forgot about that. “Well, we only need fingers to play.”

He pursed his lips and seems to think. “Okay.”

I tried to suppress my grin, but my stupid mouth can’t control itself.

He helped me sit on one of bean bags, and he sat on the other one.

“You’re too far, come here,” I said and dragged him to sit beside me on my bean bag, I know this soft furniture was supposed to be for one person only. But he doesn’t have to know that. I semi lifted him to move him closer that he was almost sitting on my lap. Well, I’d like him to sit on my lap but I don’t wanna scare him.

I gave him one of the controllers and draped my arm around him. A little more closer and it would be like I was hugging him from behind. Then I shamelessly and purposely placed my hand above his while I teach him the buttons. This is the closest I can get to holding hands with Shorty, so I seized every opportunity. And boy, I felt giddy and I can’t stop smiling. Good thing he was focused on learning how to play that he didn’t notice I have already perched my chin on his shoulder as I tell him what to do. His rosy cheek was so near I am very tempted to steal a peck. I am so loving this moment. How I wish I can keep this cutie in my house, forever, and smother him with hugs and kisses.

I dragged our tutorial session as long as I can, until we decided to actually play an actual game. As expected, he was a very fast learner, and we had so much fun playing. And they say time flies when you’re having fun. Well, it took us hours, until we realize it was way past lunch time. Both our stomachs were begging for food so we decided to stop.

He offered to cook lunch but I don’t wanna let him go through the hassle, so we ordered pizza instead.

“My arms hurt,” I told him after we finished eating.

He checked on my wound and then changed the dressing and bandage.

“Well, because we were playing too much,” he said.

“Let’s just watch a movie,” I suggested.

“Sure,”

I let him choose, and he asked me to select between Interstellar, Gravity, or The Martian. I choose Interstellar since I haven’t seen it.

“Let’s sit on the floor, it’s more comfortable,” I said and dragged the bean bags away.

We both sat on the carpeted floor and leaned our backs on the bed as we watched the movie. It was really good.

Half an hour into the movie, I turned to look at Beam, and cautiously leaned my head on his shoulder.

“Sorry, I feel a bit dizzy,” I bit my tongue as I lied.

“It’s okay,” he said softly.

I stay like that for a while, until he cleared his throat.

“Uhm… you can lay on my lap if it makes you more comfortable," he said.

I don't want to seem too eager but within a second, my head was situated comfortably on his lap.

We went back to the movie, and from time to time when I get confused, Shorty would explain things. Sometimes, his hand would land on my shoulders. There were times when he would unconsciously run his finger on my hair as he concentrates on the movie.

It felt so comfortable that I was starting to get drowsy. So I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.

***

I opened my eyes and saw the end credits rolling. I missed half of the movie. Looking up, I saw Beam is sleeping too. He was softly breathing, the steady rise and fall of his chest was an indication.

“Beam,” he was still fast asleep. It looked like he was tired. Of course he is, he was taking care of me the whole time.

Getting up, I waved my hand in front of him. Nothing.

“Shorty,” I whispered in his ear and he didn’t even move an inch.

I removed his glasses and moved his hair away from his eyes. I bit my lip as I admire his sleeping face.

I know I’m probably going to jail after this…

...because I stole another kiss.

***

Forth is just… (~￣▽￣)~