#kimseo

"Are you not cold?" Jake asks out loud, not particularly expecting a response, of course. The room is so chilly. Rain is pouring hard from the inside. A steady patter against the windows as they roll down the glass. The streets are empty with only street lights and neon signs a blur reflecting on the water puddles.

"You're been gone for days," Jake murmers to himself, crossing his arms and looking down at Samuel's sleeping figure. "What's going on with you?" He should be pissed, Samuel had a couple of duties to do, which he ended up taking for him, and he worried Jake by suddenly vanishing. That's why he's here now in his room. Although...he did get in a bit unethically. He'd rather meet him in another way, but he had no other choice

Jake was careful not to shift the mattress too much when he sat down next to him. Samuel looked worn out and very tired. Usually, he'd look extra pissed or energetic. The last thing he wanted to do right now was wake him up. Poor guy probably hasn't slept well in days. Seeing as he's been gone for nearly a whole week. Without thinking, he slowly reached his arm out and brushed a few stray strands of hair off Samuel's face. It was probably unwashed and greasy for a while now, but he didn't care. He wasn't here to judge him.

"At least you're still alive...not dead somewhere" Jake thought to himself. He's not sure why, but he thought of the worse scenarios that could happen to Samuel. Because of their lifestyle, he'd thought Samuel got jumped somewhere and attacked, left to die and rot on the streets. "Sleep well" He mutters and reaches for the blanket. He gently drags it up his body to not wake him up. Tucked him in a little at the sides. He hopes it does something to keep him warm.

He didn't have to stay, didn't even have to pay Samuel a visit. He owed him nothing yet he was here...if only for genuine concern. Quietly, he made his way across the room to grab a plastic bag that was on the counter on the kitchen area. He starts picking up whatever trash is on the floor, like those beer bottles. Didn't he tell Samuel to stop drinking so much? It isn't healthy for his liver. He moved to pick up empty chip bags, covenience store food, and cigarette packs that were left with only one or two left inside. He moved as slowly as he could, but even so, he still made some noise.

“Don’t mind me,” he whispered to himself. “Just picking up your mess. Like always.” His eyes flicker to look at Samuel to check if he stirred awake, and thank goodness he was still asleep. His chest rose and fell with each breath. He tied the bag and left it by the door before coming back to grab his clothes, shirts, pants, socks, every article of clothing he saw on the floor and threw it into the laundry basket. The room looked a bit better after cleaning around for a short while.

Jake made his way to the kitchen sink, the faucet squeaking slightly as he turned it on. Cold water gently ran over his skin. He hastily dries his hands off on his pants and then walks over back the edge of the bed. He sat down again, eyes wandered to Samuel’s still form still in the same position with the blanket just as he had pulled over him earlier.

"You're so stubborn. You're obviously hurting. A little help can't hurt." Jake shakes his head and sighs softly. “Especially from me. I’m not some stranger off the street. But you’d rather let yourself rot in here than ask me for anything even if your life depends on it." He continued and dropped his shoulders a bit and looked at the ceiling like it would have any answers. "I wonder what the hell goes on in your head sometimes.”

And like the entire time he was here, he did not expect an answer from Samuel, convinced he was deeply asleep. The rain continued tapping against the window in a constant rhythm.

Jake turned again and slowly leaned in, hovering over Samuel's face, looking at the soft parting of his lips. He didn’t notice the subtle tension in his jaw and the twitch in his fingers. The way he was trying not to make any facial expressions that gave away that he was awake. He'd been awake for a while now. He's not sure since when, but he heard Jake's soft murmers and him cleaning his place up for him. He felt everything. Felt Jake's presence hovering over him and the warmth of his breath mingling with his own. He was way too close to his face for his comfort.

“If only you knew…” Jake whispered to Samuel. “If only you knew how much I cared. How hard I try to be there for you.” He pulled back from him and stood up, dusting off his coat and fixing his shirt collar. “But I guess…” He sighed. A crack in his voice, just barely audible. “It’ll always be like this.”

His footsteps echoed across the room as he made his way to the door. The door opened with a soft creak and closed behind him with an even softer click.

Samuel’s heart was pounding now. His forehead was slick with sweat, fingers gripping tightly into the sheets beneath him. He finally opened his eyes when he heard him leave. How on Earth was he supposed to feel about this? This was the last thing he'd expect Jake to do out of nowhere. His words were too caring even if he chided him sometimes. He never asked for any of it, so why was Jake handing it out to him? He always told him to leave him alone.