The light in the room was fading when Niko stirred awake. He blinked his eyes open and wondered why his back felt so warm. As his mind caught up with his eyes, he remembered his guest. He turned around onto his back and smiled up at Shel.

"How long was I asleep?" Niko asked.

"Shit," Shel jumped at the sound of his voice.

Niko sat up and laughed. "Sorry, I had a feeling that would scare you." He stretched his arm upward and behind his head.

Shel checked the time before closing his laptop. "You slept for about 3 hours."

"Sheesh, looks like I'm not falling asleep tonight," Niko remarked.

"I'm looking forward to a completely silent night for once," Shel sighed. "Maybe this burst pipe is a blessing."

"Are you hungry?" Niko felt his own stomach grumble. "You down for pizza?"

"I am, but only if you let me pay," Shel said while slipping his laptop back into the cardboard box.

Niko scrunched his nose. "Fine. Can I try to guess what kind of pizza you like?"

"You never will, but go for it," Shel agreed.

"Well, that reaction tells me your tastes are as weird as you are," Niko pondered. "How about pineapple, bacon, black olives, and onions?"

Shel winced. "Niko, that's disgusting."

"Which part?" He grinned widely.

"All of it, the whole combination," Shel stuck out his tongue. "I like extra mushrooms and chicken with a side of buffalo sauce."

"Okay, noted. Still weird," Niko pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number. "Hey, Pauly!" He rose from the bed and stepped into the kitchen to place the order.

Shel sat back down on the edge of the bed and watched Niko pace around the kitchen. The ripped tank top he wore exposed the entire side of his torso. He quickly averted his eyes when Niko hung up the phone.

"Thirty bucks," Niko announced as he walked back to the mattress.

"Okay," Shel pulled out cash from his wallet and handed it to Niko. "Are you on a first name basis with every service worker in New York?"

"Only the cool ones," Niko replied with a wink. "I'm gonna hop in the shower. I should be out before the pizza arrives. If I'm not, feel free to answer the door."

Shel shot him a double thumbs up and a cheesy smile.

"Also, get comfortable," Niko added before shutting the bathroom door.

Shel was startled by the request, but complied anyway. He nuzzled himself under the blanket by the wall. He pulled it up to his nose and inhaled. Unsurprisingly, it smelled like Niko, which sent a jolt through his heart.

Shel decided to update his friends on the situation. He messaged the group chat and got bombarded with replies almost instantly. They were understandably freaking out, Sierra especially. Time passed quickly as he giggled to himself while chatting with his friends. Suddenly, he heard the bathroom door open.

"Shel," Niko's voice called. "Don't freak out."

Shel looked up to see a soaking wet, naked Niko wearing only a towel wrapped around his lower half. He gripped the front with one hand. Shel's face flushed pink as he took in the lean curvature of Niko's muscles. His chest looked solid and inviting, decorated with a patch of wispy dark hair. His eyes trailed downward to Niko's abs and his black happy trail.

"I'm just gonna grab my clothes from the drawer," Niko couldn't help but smile at Shel's reaction.

He walked to the drawer at the end of the bed, dripping water with every step. As he crouched in front of it Shel noticed a small tattoo on his ribcage. He couldn't make out what it said, but decided to look away to avoid being caught staring.

Niko winked at Shel and hustled back into the bathroom to get changed. Shel breathed in deeply and tried to calm his excitement. He stood up and grabbed some paper towels from the kitchen to wipe water from the floor. Shel was impressed by how spotless the floor was already, there wasn't a sprinkling of sawdust despite the expectation that there would be.

Once again, Niko emerged from the bathroom, this time fully clothed.

"Aw, buddy," he saw Shel wiping the floor. "Thanks, you didn't have to do that."

"It's the least I could do, seriously." Shel tossed the paper towel in the garbage.

"Pizza nights aren't much with a movie. But, I don't own a television," Niko gestured around the room "Or anything, for that matter."

"We can watch something on my laptop," Shel offered. "Sierra lets me use her MuvieTube account."

Niko clapped his hands together as if to pray. "Sierra saves the night."

"It's what she does, my literal angel," Shel agreed.

"Why don't you pick out a movie and I'll grab us some more water bottles," Niko called as he walked into the kitchen.

Shel opened his laptop and logged into the account. He browsed the new releases section for something enticing. There was a loud knock at the door while Shel scrolled. Niko dashed over and answered it. He spoke familiarly and energetically with the delivery man. Niko walked towards the bed balancing the two large pizza boxes in one hand.

"Got a movie picked out?" he asked as he set down the boxes and lowered himself onto the mattress.

"Yep, it's called Slashed to Hell," Shel said while making grabby hands for his pizza.

"Sounds scary, can you handle that?" Niko teased.

Shel stuck out his tongue as Niko scooted up close to him and covered both of their legs with the blanket. Shel balanced his laptop on his legs and tilted it slightly so Niko could see. The movie began with a loud crash of strings and synths. The blood red text dripped onto the screen.

The boys watched the movie in silence while munching on their pizzas. Shel loved horror movies, but that didn't stop him from jumping at the scares or cringing at the gore. The protagonist on screen slipped and fell into the killer's underground lair. As she snuck around the tunnels, Shel knew there would be a jump scare. His heartbeat accelerated as the music crescendoed. He casually wrapped his fingers around Niko's exposed bicep in preparation for the climax.

The killer leapt from the shadows to startle the protagonist. Shel screamed almost as loud as she did. He tightened his grip on Niko's arm, who couldn't contain his laughter.

"Hush," Shel hissed, still invested in the story, and still holding Niko's bicep.

"Your fingers are really cold," Niko whispered.

"Your arm is warm," Shel whispered back.

The protagonist scrambled up the ladder and busted out of the underground chamber. She ran into the forest, presumably leaving the killer behind. The credits rolled to ominous music, prompting Shel to finally release his grip on Niko's arm.

"That was intense," Niko remarked. "Definitely not scary, though," he taunted.

"Please, I could hear your heart beating from here," Shel rolled his eyes.

Niko didn't reply, not willing to admit to Shel the real reason his heart was pounding. He thought it was obvious, but Shel could be air-headed, or maybe he was willfully ignorant.

Shel shut his laptop and yawned loudly.

"Wanna get to sleep?" Niko asked.

"Ugh," Shel blinked away his watery eyes. "I don't want to cut your night short, I doubt you're tired."

Niko stood up to put away the pizza boxes. "I can always sleep, it's like a super power."

"Fine," Shel relented. "But don't blame me if you're up all night tossing and turning."

Niko shook his head, amazed that Shel could be so oblivious to the words he spoke. They took turns brushing their teeth then reconvened at the bed. Shel stood next to Niko and stared at the bed, unsure how to proceed.

"Go on, get in," Niko encouraged Shel. "It's only a twin mattress so it'll be a tight fit."

Shel slipped under the blanket and scooted as far to the wall as he could. It felt cool against his skin. If he scooted any further, he would surely slip between the crack.

Niko climbed in behind Shel and turned onto his side to face him. He propped his head up on his hand.

"You don't have to be so far," Niko's voice was low. "I won't bite."

"Unless I want you to?" Shel spoke in a mocking tone.

"Get your mind out of the gutter," Niko sassed. "I'm trying to be a gentleman."

Shel rolled his eyes and inched closer to Niko; he turned his head slightly to meet his gaze.

"You have really pretty eyes," Niko murmured while brushing a strand of hair from Shel's forehead. "The green is almost like sea glass."

Niko searched his mind for a reason not to kiss Shel right now, but he couldn't find one. He caressed Shel's cheek and trailed his hand down to his chest. He let his hand linger there, counting the rapid heartbeats. Shel moved his own hand on top of Niko's and smiled faintly.

Niko shifted his weight and used his other hand to cup the back of Shel's head. He closed the gap between their faces, stopping centimeters from Shel's parted lips to give Shel a chance to stop him. Shel didn't take the chance, instead he intertwined his fingers in Niko's hair and pulled him forward into a kiss.

Their lips collided passionately and without hesitation from either side. The kiss only lasted a few seconds before Niko pulled away. A low groan escaped from Shel's throat as they separated.

"Easy, tiger," Niko breathed. "You have an early class tomorrow."

Shel had no words left inside him. He let Niko turn off the bedside lamp and kiss his forehead.

"Sleep, tight," Niko whispered.

Shel turned to face the wall and screamed internally. His heart was in his throat, threatening to leap out and collide with Niko's. Niko laid on his back and stared at the dark ceiling. He felt his own rapid heartbeat with his hand. Guess I'm not sleeping tonight, after all, he thought to himself.