Glory Be

Chapter Thirty-Five

A warm light began to fill the room. The sun rays hit Isaiah's eyelids and his eyelashes fluttered open. He was instantly aware of how warm and comfortable he was. He blinked tiredly and began to put together exactly where he was. His eyes scanned the walls which were covered by bookshelves. There was a subtle hint of ink and oils. Then the soft beat of a heart entered his left ear.

This was... Sydney's room.

Isaiah shot up from Sydney's chest, only realizing how intertwined they had been when Sydney immediately woke up with the commotion.

"Woah- uh," Sydney gasped, "What's going on?"

His breathing was light and quick. Clearly, he had spooked him out of a deep sleep. Isaiah pressed a hand to his chest, feeling his own heartbeat violently. Sydney's hair hung down over his face. He was just a blond dash in the dim light.

"Sorry," Isaiah whispered, gulping down the surprise.

Sydney flipped up his hair over his head. His blue eyes met Isaiah's and Isaiah tried his best not to blush. Sydney held an expression of exhaustion but looked sympathetic. Their legs were still over and under each other's, giving warmth still.

"Are you okay? Did you have a nightmare?" He asked with worry.

"No, I'm alright," Isaiah pressed a hand to his face, "I just... Forgot where I was."

"Oh," Sydney answered softly, "Did you... Um... Sleep alright?"

Sydney adjusted his legs out of the awkward position. Isaiah followed suit and nodded to the question.

"Yeah... I don't even remember falling asleep," His eyes found their way to the window. The roof of the stables came into sight. He recalled the impossible events of the previous night. What had he gotten himself into, "Thanks for letting me stay." He said, turning back to Sydney.

Sydney sat in a crisscross on his bed. A cute, awkward smile was on his face. With his messy hair framing this expression, it completed the picture.

"Anytime," Sydney answered with speed.

"Anytime?" Isaiah's chest rose.

"If you want," Sydney followed up in an instance.

"I want... Yeah," Isaiah mumbled with embarrassment, "I just don't know when..."

"That's okay," Sydney replied, "We'll figure it out."

Isaiah gave a shy smile. His eyes glanced out at the dim light that was beginning to cover the street. He still had time to head back home. Soon his brother would wake to ring the bells in the tower.

"Do you need to get going?" Sydney asked, he had leaned forward to look out the window.

"Yeah," Isaiah frowned. He reached a hand up to his hair and began to feel his curls, "Do I look alright?" He asked with caution.

Sydney looked at him with wide eyes.

"Yeah," Sydney said, his lips parted, "You look more than alright, you're handsome," He held a hand up to Isaiah's curls, "But the way some of your curls are angled right now, that's cute."

"Syd," Isaiah giggled, his face turning progressively red, "Stop that."

"I can't," Sydney said.

"I might die if you don't," Isaiah said.

"You may die?" Sydney laughed and followed Isaiah's movements. He was trying to escape without really escaping. A smile was glued onto his face. If Sydney saw his expression the world might cave in on itself.