Patrick sat, staring at the wall. '1.....2.....3....' He counted. He decided in that moment he'd count the seconds Pete was gone in his new lecture. He came to like him and him being away so long made him feel lonely for once.

Pete had a girlfriend, and Patrick didn't like her. Mostly because Patrick knew his sexuality, but Patrick also knew there 'love' wouldn't last. But Pete hasn't broken it to her yet.

Patrick sighed, losing track between 14 or 53. He knew he counted more but he was thinking when he was doing it so he forgot, like when you read a book and you think about other things then you forget what you read so you have to start over.

'Read ' another word Patrick enjoyed, because it could either be 'Reed' or 'red' but in this case it's 'Reed', he became frustrated with himself for getting getting distracted. Patrick looked out the window, 'snow ' He raced to see a low sheet of snow covering the ground.

He groaned, he hated the cold. He was always freezing in the cold, "Hey trickster!" Pete said. Patrick jumped in surprise, turning when hearing his voice. He counted backwards '53....52....51....50' "Hello Peter, tell me how your studies went."

He said, he remembered saying something like that to his dorm mate and it made him wince. "Well..we talked about artists and their art, we didn't exactly paint any pretty pictures but it was fine." Patrick nodded.

"Well, how about yourself, how was your studies?" He cleared his throat. "I didn't attend today, I...don't like snow." Pete nodded. "Yeah, I don't like it either I think-" Patrick interrupted him. "Peter, when will you tell the young lady your sexuality?" Pete cleared his throat, the bold question made him bite his chapped bottomed lip.

"I don't think my relationship is any of your business Patrick." Patrick blushed, he never blushed, not since his room mate. "Apologies...I understand, I best head to my bed and rest." Pete felt guilty for making Patrick upset but he didn't stop him. He was gonna eat his Mexican take out alone.

▪

In the morning, Patrick woke with a pinch in his skull, an affect after what happened. He slammed his hand to his head and it was gone, he walked to the kitchen where Pete was shirtless; making

Eggs.

Coffee.

Pancakes.

Patrick hadn't had a child's meal like that in a long time. Maybe Pete would make him some if he wasn't still upset.

"Morning cutie" Pete said placing two little pancakes, and scrambled eggs on a plate. 'Cutie? ' "M-morning" Patrick said sheepishly as he poor himself a cup of coffee. "Would you like some?" Pete asked, Patrick nodded. "Th-thank you." Pete nodded, "No problem dear." Patrick bit his lip as he he began, the same time as Pete.

Patrick saying "Pete are you-" and Pete saying "Patrick don't worry about-" They blushed awkwardly as they sat in silence for a few seconds, Pete being the one to break first. "You go first." He said, Patrick shook his head. "N-no Peter, you go" He cleared his throat, "If you insist, I was gonna say that you don't have to worry about me and Ashylee, I broke up with her last night and she took it really well."

"Oh.." Patrick said, "You have anyone on your list to experience your gay life with?" Pete shot him a surprised look but Patrick didn't noticed since he was stirring his coffee. "N-no, I haven't been looking." Pete said. "Oh, well..." Patrick blushed. "I was gonna ask if you were still upset with me for being to blunt last night." Pete shook his head, "no, I see that you being blunt is part of your personality, I can't be mad at you for that."

Patrick nodded, "Hey trickster?" Patrick looked up at him. "Yes Peter?" "I was wondering, have you always been this way?" Patrick swallowed his coffee slowly, as if he took any longer he wouldn't have to answer, but that wasn't the case at all.

"See Peter, I was once a happy-go-lucky fellow such as yourself. Not strange, not blunt, even might say quite original and fun. But-" a flashback played in his mind that made his skull pinch again. "ACK!" Pete jumped in surprise as Patrick smacked his head. "Forget I said anything." Patrick said placing his coffee down and heading to the bathroom, "I must get ready for work." Pete nodded. "Maybe we can share breakfast another time..." Patrick finished.

▪

After Patrick had finished work and classes he headed to his dorm, where,

Raven hair.

Hazel eyes.

Brunette hair.

Light brown eyes.

Sat on his couch. The man had an unusually tall forehead, making Patrick question what secrets it held, "Afternoon." Patrick called out, both boys raised there dark brown bottles with beer labels on them. Patrick didn't enjoy the taste of alcohol on his tongue anymore. It was nothing but bitter and sour, like sour milk.

"Hey 'Trick, come join us, we're watching the game." But Patrick shook his head. "No thank you Peter, I don't drink, I'm going to shower, study, and head to bed." Pete pouted at the boy but Patrick didn't see, the alcohol made Patrick wince thinking of that night.

"Goodnight Peter" Patrick called. "Night angel" Pete replied causing Patrick to blush.

▪

Patrick didn't sleep a wink that night, in fear he'd see that night in his head. Every time he blinked, he could see him.

Dark brown hair.

Cold black eyes.

Tall.

Pale.

Colorless.

Heartless.

Patrick felt his heart race faster and faster has the image intensified. His breathing became harder and louder, his palms, his while body in a cold sweat.

Pete came to his side quickly, "Hey, hey, hey, breathe. It's okay." He held the smaller man in his arms tightly.

Warm.

Soft.

Comfort.

Patrick began to count backwards '100....99....98.....97...' his breathing steadied has he held on to Peter's skin. Rubbing the permanent ink softly. Nothing soothed his heart more then feeling Pete's warm body pressed against his chest. "Thank you Peter." Pete rubbed his back in comforting circles. "Don't thank me, I haven't done anything..."

Patrick burried his face in the crook of Pete's neck, taking in his sent. "C'mon, we can eat and talk." But Patrick didn't budge, "What's wrong?" Pete asked. "I-I don't like alcohol Peter...and your friend...he's still here." Pete smiled. "Nah, Brendon went home and hour ago I think. And I'll brush my teeth and throw away the bottles for you."

Patrick smiled as he grabbed his blanket and walked with him to the small living space. He sat on the couch and turned on the television to M*A*S*H. He didn't watch television but Pete always had it on when they conversated. Pete ordered a large pepperoni pizza and a pasta bowl along with large bottle of diet Root Beer. Patrick had to remind him that he didn't like alcohol causing Pete to laugh. "No it's just soda." He insisted.

And when the food arrived they sat and talked. "You can tell me if it's too much but, why don't you talk about your old roommate, you had to have known the guy a little..." Patrick winced and this time Pete caught wind of it. "You okay?" Patrick nodded. "Y-yes Peter...I'm okay, I don't talk about them because I don't like to think of the pain." Patrick began to scratch his 'unclean ' skin. "Sorry for asking..."