stuck (together)

part 19

Julian

Julian was starting to feel guilty asking for help, especially since the semester was coming to an end, and finals were next week. He recently stopped asking, he didn't even need help in the first place, he just liked having Ethan explain things to him.

He knew it wasn't fair, to take up time Ethan would probably rather spend on completing work.

That didn't stop him from doing all his work next to Ethan. Julian started going to Ethan's dorm, instead of his own, after school. He was getting closer to not just Ethan, but Oliver as well.

They would all work silently for hours, since there was an endless supply of assignments to complete.

The only breaks he saw Ethan take, were smoking breaks.

"Are you alright?" Julian asked, watching Ethan light the cigarette on his own.

He didn't say anything, he just shrugged.

"You're not sleeping enough," Julian said it like a statement, not a question that could be debated.

"How would you even know that?" Ethan grumbled with the cigarette in between his lips.

"You send me texts at four in the morning,  complaining about Oliver and how he keeps asking you to turn off the lights," Julian pointed out.

"Why don't you respond when you see them?"

"I do respond when I see them," Julian said staring at him as he inhaled.

"Then why are your messages three hours late?"

"Well, unfortunately, I'm not awake at four," Julian smiled at him, "And that's besides the point. Ethan, you need to sleep."

"Exams are coming up," Ethan explained.

"All the more reason to be getting rest,"

"I'll be fine," Ethan mumbled rolling his eyes. Julian knew the conversation was going nowhere, but he definitely was worried. He was living off of Energy drinks and cigarettes.

"I'm gonna go back in," Ethan said handing him the smoke.

"Alright, I'm staying out here for a bit longer."

Julian finished the cigarette in silence, once it was all used up he started walking back in.

It was a Thursday night, that's when Chris had custody over Oliver, so it wasn't surprising that no sound was coming from the room. What was surprising, was the sleeping Ethan, that Julian found when he entered the room. It didn't really seem like the boy planned on taking a nap, regardless that he was on the bed.

His text book was open in front of him, he had papers spread out, his pencil laid against his limp hand, and his head was against the headboard.

His chest was steadily raising and falling, Julian thought he looked so peaceful. His eyelashes were so long they brushed the top of his cheeks.

His neck was in an odd position, and Julian couldn't help but worry about him having a sore neck. The first thing Julian did was pick up the papers and book, and place the on the nightstand. He turned off the lamp closest to Ethan, and slowly moved him into a laying position, careful not to wake him up.

He would've left him at that, but he remembered all the time he had taken a nap without a blanket, and how cold it can get. So, he grabbed the folded knitted blanket, that was on the corner of all students bed— but he found Ethan's on top of his drawer— and laid it over top of the sleeping boy.

He continued working for an hour, before dinner was announced. He went down to the dinning hall, and brought two plates back up to the room. He put a napkin on Ethan's plate, and placed it in the microwave, for him to find when he woke up.
~ ~ ~

Julian was writing, when he heard Ethan shift in bed. He turned to see him sitting up and rubbing his face, "I don't remember falling asleep," Ethan's voice was thick with sleep, "I mean I do, but not really," He scratched his head as he spoke to Julian.

"Well, did you at least sleep well?" Julian asked turning his chair to face him.

"Yeah, it was really nice. I'm just a little upset that I actually fell asleep," He yawned turning on his light.

Julian had decided a long while ago, that Ethan looked the cutest after taking a nap. Staring at him now, just made him more confident in his decision, "Your dinner is in the microwave."

"Oh, thank you, that was really thoughtful,"  Ethan said standing up to get it. Julian noticed him skipping dinner for the last few days, he wondered when the last time he had a proper meal was.

Ethan took a seat on the ground to enjoy his food, Julian took a break from his work to join him. They didn't really speak, Julian sort of just watched him as he ate.

"Thank you," Ethan said.

"For?"

"Staying, you really didn't half to,"

"Yeah, but I don't mind at all, plus, imagine if you woke up to a dark, lonely room."

"You have a point," He yawned still drowsy from the nap.

"Why don't you go back to bed?" Julian offered.

Ethan shook his head, "I can't, I have to finish all my shit, and study for Monday," He frowned.

"Okay, I can stay with you, until you decide to sleep,"

"What about curfew?"

Julian let out a laugh, "When have you ever cared about curfew?"

"I dunno," He shrugged taking his last bite, "I'm gonna go back to work,"

"So will I."

A/N: OMG THANK YOU GUYS SM FOR 1k READS AHHH. like actually thank you so much. Also i know this chapter is technically one hour late but give me a a break please. lmaooo. also lmk if you guys would want a valentine day special!
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also i was like half asleep when i wrote this :|