It's shameless, really, when Seto wakes up the next morning buried in Brice's chest on an uncomfortable leather couch, unable to get up because the sling of his arms have him trapped. He sees the ticking clock from across the room and it only reads 10, so it's not like he's losing any time. He huddles closer, trying to get back to sleep while basking in the warmth that belonged to the other.

It takes a couple more minutes, give or take, before Brice inevitably wakes up as well. Seto can sense his eyes locked onto him, about to say something but can't. He's a bit startled when he hears the blond laugh.

"You dye your hair," he states, finding it hysterical.

"Shut up and go back to sleep," Seto mutters, eyelids fluttering shut.

"You know," Brice began, "I really could wake up to this every morning."

"What?" Seto replies with such innocence that it pulls the strings of Brice's heart.

"I mean-never mind." Seto knew exactly what he meant. He's just too tired to say anything back.

His eyes flutter shut once more and eventually, he goes to sleep. Brice is left alone, technically speaking, watching the brunet doze off. Not that he really cared, he likes being around him. Plus, it gives him a good excuse just to be staring at him. He's so drawn in that he doesn't notice the T.V. that's practically blaring some game show.

He notices the little things, like how Seto's black roots are exposed at the top of his head, and how his fringe sweeps over his eyelids, unkempt and messy. He hears the soft snore that escapes his pale lips, slow and steady. God, he loves every moment of this and doesn't want it to end. He wishes he could wake up like this every morning in such bliss.

They stay like that on the couch, only shifting when uncomfortable, until the clock strikes 11 and Seto's alarm goes off. Brice himself was dozing off as well, but when an alarm is blaring on the coffee table next to him, he can't help but wake up. It's astonishing the brunet's still asleep, so he reaches over and turns off the alarm. He checks Seto's home screen, which looked to be in a different language, and saw multiple text messages from what he assumed to be Isaac. I guess that's their queue to wake up.

"Hey," Brice whispers, poking Seto's cheek. "Wake up."

He doesn't even stir. He finds it astonishing that he's this tired and he doesn't want him to go home. Yet, he had to. Brice didn't want him to get into more trouble just because of him, so he speaks louder, to which Seto finally opens his eyes. He's alert now, somehow turning in the constriction of Brice's arms to reach over to his phone. It's 11:09 now.

"We should get going, yeah?" Brice tries to make it sound more like a statement, because it's blatantly obvious that yes, they should be going because it takes over fifteen minutes to walk across town to Seto's house.

"Okay," it sounds more like a whine. Brice manages to wiggle off the couch, and soon enough Seto's standing up as well. The two stretch, giggling quietly amongst themselves, and begin to get ready. They both haven't changed from the clothes they were wearing yesterday, since they lost track of time, so all they needed to do was head out the door and start walking. Seto packs up his stuff in his backpack and hands it over to Brice, then proceeds to grab his cello that has been sitting in the corner of the room. He lugs it on his back.

"You never got to play for me," Brice frowns.

"I want you to be surprised for the winter concert," Seto smiles, immediately wiping away Brice's negative hue. The two head out the door and take the elevator downstairs.

They're walking in silence now as they exit the apartment building and head down the sidewalk. Seto's a bit nervous, he hasn't his adoptive parents in weeks and he greets them with sneaking out of the house. Not like they're home all the time, anyway, so he could practically get away with anything. At this point, it's more of Isaac watching out for him, like he always does.

Brice notices the unnoticeable to Seto; his hand is shaking. He grasps it, squeezing it lightly and sends a smile his way. Seto laughs, shaking his head as the two hasten their pace across the road. Just a couple more blocks away.

Seto sees his house in the distance, a car parked in the driveway that he recognizes as his adoptive parents', and immediately frowns. He lets go of Brice's hand and turns towards him. They're at his neighborhood, standing at the curve of the sidewalk.

"Will you text me later?" Brice asks, more of plead at this point. He's a bit worried for Seto's safety; he doesn't want him to face the wrath of his adoptive parents.

"Of course," Seto nods in reply. He does the unexpected and kisses Brice's cheek while saying a quiet "thank you." He doesn't have time to react, for as Seto's grabbing his backpack that's clutched in the blond's hands and rushes off towards his house.

He stands there, dazed, then smiling like a teenage girl on her first date.