Emerson slowly woke up to the feeling of fingers running through his hair. The memories of last night rushed to the forefront of his mind. He presumed Cameron was running his hands through his hair. The smell of coconut and sweet florals filled his senses as he stayed still, enjoying the soft feeling of his hair being parted and the soft pressure against his head. The repetition of the soothing feeling was almost enough to bring Emerson back into the lull of sleep, but a loud noise jolted Emerson up, alert and awake.

The loud noise was from Kit, who had entered the room from, possibly the kitchen, as he yelled, “FOOD!”

Cameron immediately sat up, his arms wrapping around Emerson’s shivering body. “Shh, it’s okay. It’s just Kit. He gets excited for Seb’s mom’s breakfast. She makes chocolate chip pancakes when we all sleep over.”

Emerson’s eyes relaxed, almost glossing over as he leaned into the warm embrace, listening to the soothing deep voice and focusing on the soft breath that kissed his ear and neck. His stomach growled softly at the thought of food and maybe a cup of sweet black coffee.

While trying to calm Emmy, Cameron shot a glare of pure anger at Kit who immediately had guilt eating up his excitement. Kit came to the couch where the two sat.

“Hey, Emmy, I am sorry. I…” Kit’s voice was soft, thick with sadness as he stared at the floor. “I kind of forgot you were with us. The thought of delicious gooey chocolate chip pancakes became all I knew. I am so sorry. I won’t ever, ever yell again like that. Not with you in our group now.” He looked up now, voice confident and eyes determined as he met the relaxed gaze of Emerson.

Emerson was still leaning close into Cameron, his heart felt full which was uncomfortable to the boy who couldn’t remember the last time it felt like that. Emerson’s face slowly softened before his cheeks stretched his lips into a soft smile. “It’s okay. Maybe in time I’ll be okay with it.”

Kit returned the smile with an adorable box shaped smile, his eyes turning into crescents before he nodded once and quickly rushed after Ash, who had slipped out of the room to get first dibs at the fresh pancakes.

As the two left, leaving the door open, Emerson could now smell the sweet scent of melting chocolate. He couldn’t remember the last time he had chocolate. Cameron slowly loosened his hold around the smaller male. This caused Emerson’s body to twitch before he turned around, looking up at the older male with his face scrunched in confusion.

Cameron chuckled softly before speaking in a warm tone, “I have to let you go so we can go downstairs to eat, Emmy. Unless you want me to carry you?”

Emerson immediately wanted to nod in agreement as he didn’t want to be apart from the warmth that Cameron gave him, however his brain quickly told him that it would be weird and the others would begin to think of him as strange. Then they would slowly leave him and he would be very far from the warmth they had already given. The love that he felt when he was around them. He didn’t want that. He wanted to be around them, even if he barely knew them, he knew he needed them. He needed them.

“Emmy? Emmy, hey, look at me. Focus on me okay?” Cameron’s hurried voice interrupted the spiral of thoughts inside Emerson’s mind. Emerson blinked a few times as he slowly focused on Cameron’s worried gaze.

“Hey,” Cameron’s voice softened and a small smile eased Emerson’s tormented emotions. Cameron relaxed as he saw Emerson’s gaze focused on him.

“If you want me to carry you, I will. I meant it as a light hearted joke, but honestly I don’t mind. It’s okay. No one’s going to care. Hell, sometimes Sebastian has to give Felix piggy back rides because he is always half asleep in the morning. I promise you, completely, no one will mind if I carry you to the kitchen table.”

At the mention of the elder male, Emerson’s gaze moved towards Felix who was walking slowly out the room. He was mumbling sleepily as he exited the room, eyes barely open.

“I can walk.” Emerson’s gaze met Cameron’s as he spoke softly. “But… could I hold your hand?” His gaze downcasted as he stared at his own, slightly shaking, pale hands. He loved how Cameron’s hands seemed to swallow his own, hugging them in warmth.

Cameron smiled softly, trying to hide his sadness for the damaged boy in front of him who looked prepared to be hit for asking such a simple question. Cameron would never hurt Emmy, he would protect him with everything he could.

“Of course, Emmy, I would love to hold your hand.” Cameron’s smile brightened as Emerson’s head snapped up, eyes dark with shock. The older male stood up and held his out for Emmy’s lithe pale fingers to encase his own thick tan fingers.

Emerson couldn’t help the small smile lift his lips upward as he wrapped his hand around Cameron’s. The older male started to lead Emerson out the room. Frankie slowly sat up, the last one to wake up in the pile of blankets.

“Hey,” he mumbled sleepily, causing Cameron and Emerson to stop and look at him. Frankie pouted, his bottom lip thick and his eyes half opened whether from sleep or due to his pouting face. “I wanna hold Emmy’s hand, too.”

Emerson felt heat warm his cheeks, causing a soft pink to soft. His mind was in a whirlpool of warmth, new feelings, and comfort. His soft voice sounded light and airy to his own ears. “I have a free hand.” He held out his other hand, subconsciously tightening his grip around Cameron’s hand, probably asking for reassurance that he was doing something good. Cameron’s thumb slowly rubbed soft circles on the back of Emmy’s hand, offering the reassurance he needed.

Frankie’s eyes turned into beautiful crescents as his lips spread into an adorable smile as his cheeks became soft and chubby. It was adorable in Emerson’s eyes, though he didn’t know he would find someone’s smile adorable. The cotton candy haired boy jumped up and grabbed Emmy’s outstretched hand.

Emerson immediately noticed how different Frankie’s hands were. His hand was soft, slight squishy, pudgy maybe. Emerson didn’t know the correct word for the soft comfort the younger male’s hand gave him. He held Frankie’s hand in his own, tightly just like he was with Cameron. Frankie gave him comfort and warmth like Cameron, but Emerson couldn’t tell if it was the exact same or different. He was too confused by the new feelings of comfort, warmth, love, family, and friends to focus on the specifics. This caused his head to hurt as he was so used to knowing everything, seeing everything and understanding everything. But this, this alluded him and confused his mind into a puddle of new emotions.

When Emerson focused on the present, he noticed they had walked down the stairs and entered the open kitchen. Emerson’s immediate focus was on the sweet scent of melting chocolate, the slight bitter smell of fresh brewed coffee, the sickly sweet smell of maple syrup, and the sizzling noises of fresh bacon frying in a pan.

Then he noticed the gorgeous white cabinets, the marbled grey granite countertops, the silver cabinet handles. A Long Island counter sits in the middle of the space. An electric stove top, a black french door fridge that was fitted perfectly into its own nook flesh against the wall. A pale blue coffee maker that stood out against the neutral colored kitchen. Then there was the row of small green plants in the large windowsill. Below the windowsill sat a dark wood shelf that held multiple mugs of all kinds of colours, some with quotes and some with drawings of animals.

The dining room was open with the kitchen. The four other guys were seated around a gorgeous stained oak table big enough to fit twelve people. The chairs matched the table and had soft plush cushions that were slightly lighter than the color of the table. There were plates of chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, sausage patties, homemade biscuits, and a small bowl of scrambled eggs. There were a couple bottles of syrup, jars of jelly and jam preserves, a small dish with soft butter in it.

The four guys were seated around one end of the table, leaving the actual end chair free, possibly for Sebastian’s mother. Kit and Ash were seated next to each other, inhaling food inhumanly fast. Emerson worried if they were even chewing before swallowing. Sebastian and Felix sat across them. Sebastian was enjoying his pancakes while Felix sipped a mug of warm coffee, trying to wake up before he eats any food.

“Let’s go sit down.” Cameron smiled down Emerson who was shorter than himself and Frankie, which he found adorable in a way. Cameron led the two younger males to the table, only to realise there was an issue.

Emerson’s hand tightened around the two hands he held. He didn’t want to let go, but he felt like one of them would sit across meaning he would have to be away from one of them. He couldn’t choose and he felt his chest tightening as his mind kept trying to figure out what to do, how to comprehend the current situation.

“Emmy? Hey, Emmy, listen to my voice and come back to me, yeah?” Cameron’s low voice was comforting. It was almost enough to focus Emerson’s gaze back at him, however it didn’t seem quiet enough.

Cameron was confused as normally he would be able to get Emmy’s gaze to focus on him on the first try. He thought for a moment before looking at Frankie’s concerned eyes. An idea appeared in his head.

“Emmy? Come back to me and Frankie, yeah? He is right here.” Cameron’s low voice began to calm the mental storm in Emerson’s mind. Cameron motioned for Frankie to talk, say anything.

Luckily, Frankie got the message very quickly. “Emmy, I am right here. Let’s sit down together and eat. Come back to us.”

Emerson’s mental storm ceased immediately at Frankie’s solution of sitting together. They could just sit beside each other like they do at lunch. Why did this idea eluded the multiple solutions Emerson tried to come up with.

As his annoyance at his mental torment, Emerson’s eyebrows pulled inward, causing wrinkles to form on his forehead. His nose tightened around his inner cheeks, creating small wrinkles. And his lips scrunched together in a small pout.

Cameron couldn’t help the small smile and chuckle leaving his open lips as he took in Emmy’s pouting and annoyed face. Emerson heard this and immediately relaxed, his mouth opening slightly in shock and confusion as he stared at Cameron.

“Sorry, you just looked so adorable. I couldn’t help it.” Cameron’s cheeks dusted pink as he smiled. Though the smile was soft and his eyes were warm, there was a slight cautiousness swimming below his warmth.

Emerson’s cheeks heated as bright red spread across his pale cheeks. “Oh.” His voice was soft.

“Let’s eat?” Frankie offered, hoping to break Emerson from the awkwardness that was forming.

Emerson nodded quickly and sat down in a seat away from Ash. Frankie sat beside him and next to Ash and Cameron sat on the other side of Emerson. Frankie placed a couple fresh chocolate pancakes on the plate in front of Emerson, as well as a few pieces of bacon at Emerson’s gesture. As Emerson poured probably too much syrup over his pancakes, Cameron and Frankie began putting their own amount of food on their plate. Cameron quickly stopped Emerson from continuing to pour more syrup when he saw the pool of syrup around the swimming pancakes. Emerson smiled sheepishly, realising he had spaced out while focusing on the smooth flow of the syrup. He quickly began to eat, trying to ignore the sickly sweet taste of the syrup soaked chocolate chip pancakes.After a few bites, his stomach rolled in nausea. He was not used to such sweetness so early in the morning. He tried to ignore his rolling stomach as he ate one more soaked pancake piece.

During this time, the group was chatting about going downtown to shop, play at the arcades, visit a dog or cat cafe, and other activities. However, Emerson was too focused on the sick feeling growing in his stomach. He didn’t know where the bathroom was and he was scared if he opened his mouth, he would projectile vomit. He turned to look at Cameron, who glanced at him. Cameron immediately saw the paler than normal skin and sweat glistening across Emmy’s forehead.

“Bathroom?” Cameron asked, figuring that maybe Emerson needed that more than anything.

At Emerson's quick nodding, Cameron quickly latched onto Emerson’s hand and led him down a hallway. Cameron tried to ignore the clammy hand that seemed to produce sweat insanely fast as he opened the bathroom door.

Emerson let go of the older male’s hand, pushing past him before falling onto the floor just in time for him to vomit into the toilet.

Cameron immediately felt terrible. He knew he shouldn’t have let Emmy eat those pancakes that seemed to be more syrup than pancake. As Emerson emptied his stomach, Cameron sat beside him on the floor, rubbing his back softly. He hoped he would be able to calm the younger male.

It was only a few moments before Emerson stopped heaving and only seemed to sob silently.

“Oh, Emmy, it’s okay. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let you eat those pancakes like that. I am so sorry.” Cameron spoke softly as he leaned the younger male back. He grabbed a few pieces of toilet paper and wiped Emerson’s lips, chin and cheeks, wiping away Emmy’s tears and saliva.

Emerson hiccuped and inhaled sharply every few seconds as he stared at Cameron’s worried and concerned gaze. Despite his gaze, Cameron’s touches were comforting and gentle. “Why… Why are you s-sorry?”

Cameron placed the toilet paper into the toilet before flushing the contents of Emerson’s stomach. He slowly helped Emmy up to his feet. Due to Emmy’s shaking body, Cameron maintained a tight enough grip around his waist.

“I am sorry because I knew I should’ve gotten you new pancakes and poured the syrup for you. Frankie or I should’ve stopped you sooner or gotten you a new plate of food. Now, I am going to pick you up and put you on the counter so you can brush your teeth. Okay?”

Emerson nodded and held onto Cameron’s biceps as the older male lifted him onto the counter. Emerson watched as Cameron searched a drawer before pulling out a fresh new toothbrush in the packaging and a tube of toothpaste. He quickly opened the package and rinsed the toothbrush under water before placing a decent amount of paste on the bristles.

“Alright,” Cameron spoke as he handed the toothbrush to Emmy. “I am going to leave, just to tell the guys you are okay. They are probably worried about you. Brush your teeth while I am gone. I’ll have Frankie come get you while I get a coffee and heat up a biscuit with some butter for you.

Emerson nodded, still brushing his teeth, focused more on Cameron.

“Now I am going to leave, but Frankie will be here in a moment, okay?” Cameron’s voice was calm and reassuring, but Emerson couldn’t help the loneliness that crept into his mind. Despite that, he nodded, trusting the older male more than he probably should after knowing him for such a little amount of time.