Chapter Five- Sweet Aromas

Will's PoV

I blink my eyes open, eyelids sticking together slightly- heavy with sleep.

It's dark outside, a gentle breeze drifting though my partially open window. My curtains sway silently, rippling quietly in the wind.

I snuggle back into the toasty warmth of my blankets, a gorgeous aroma of sweet oranges and mint surrounding me. My mouth waters slightly, my nose desperately inhaling the intoxicating smell.

I turn around in a confused haze, unsure of where the scent could be coming from, and bump into a breathing wall.

Freddie.

Staring in admiration at the peaceful look on his face, I begin to notice the solid grip he has on my waist. A gentle hand clutches my hip, soothing breaths brushing against my neck.

A heated blush rushes up my cheeks, my legs squirming slightly at the tingling sensation.

Freddie begins to stir, his head nuzzling into my messy hair; his damp lips brushing against my forehead.

I turn an even darker shade of red, reluctantly wiggling out of his warm grip.

"Will?" I hear him call quietly, his voice full of fatigue.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm down, before replying.

"Yeah?" My voice cracks, my body riddled with nerves and confusing feelings.

"What time is it?"

I glance towards the clock, my eyes squinting slightly to make out the white numbers.

[5:25am]

I repeat this to Freddie, a shy expression coving my burning face.

He looks at me for a second, a curious look on his face, his chocolate brown eyes softening. I cough slightly, the blush rising to the tips of my ears.

He startles- as if remembering something- before asking, with an apprehensive gleam in his eyes,

"W-What happened yesterday? I mean you just completely fainted and I just thought-I dunno- so I tried to wake you up and you didn't- you were still breathing but twitching a little bit and..." he pauses, catching his breath, "I fell asleep too, after a bit- sorry about that."

He scratches the back of his head, anxiously awaiting an answer; so I tell him.

I tell him about how I started to get more tired- for days on end-  and collapsed from exhaustion. I tell him how scared I was when I found out, how I pushed away all my friends and family. I tell him about the structured timetable that I had built over the past few months; how I wasn't getting any better. I tell him about my illness, about all my worries and bad dreams- as well as the good ones. I pour my soul out onto a plate, tears building in my tired eyes.

And he listens.

He holds me close to him, a soothing hand stroking up and down my back- his unrestrained warmth seeping into my skin.

Once I'm done, no words are exchanged- just a gentle hum escaping his lips and the steady rocking of our bodies.

I want to kiss him.

Oh god how I want to kiss him. To feel those lips upon mine- in a sweet, intoxicating dance.

But I don't.

I just stay in his arms, scared to break the sacred peace that he emits.

[...]

We fall asleep in that position, Freddie's hands cradling my head against his chest.

When I wake up, I need the toilet; trying not to disturb him, I pull away.

I climb out of the bed, a painful battle of aching limbs and resisting muscles. Soft whimpers escape from my lips, tears building up from the intense effort.

I walk slowly, towards the partially open door- releasing a gasp of pain as I nearly fall to the ground.

I feel a pair of arms wrap around my waist, the comforting smell of minty oranges invading my nostrils once again. Freddie gently guides me towards the bathroom, supporting most of my weight with little effort.

He waits outside whilst I go, helping me wash my hands, and then leads me back towards the bedroom. Allowing me to change my pajamas- his back turned away to give me privacy.

I crawl back onto the cosy bed; we bury ourselves underneath the covers.

And we fall asleep once again, only rising to eat our breakfast- brought in by my very startled mum (who obviously had not realised that Freddie had slept over).

We eat, laughing at trivial jokes and stories- drinking the orange juice; munching on toast.

And for the first time in weeks, my face aches from beaming- instead of crying.

[___]

Hey! Long time no see! (Like one week lol).

This chapter was packed with looads of fluff and cuddles and- I wish that Will would have just kissed Freddie! *sighs*

Maybe next chapter?

I dunno. He seems pretty apprehensive about risking it?

I'm going on a massive road trip tomorrow so *fingers crossed* I'll be able to write a few more chapters?

Sorry about the wait; I have exams and I'm sad :(

Hugs and cuddles,

El x