You tiptoed toward him and peered down. It was only four in the morning and Zelo was curled on the couch, sleeping. Although it must be uncomfortable, he had a slight smile on his face. You resisted the urge to squeeze his cheeks and settled for watching him instead.

            It had been a long day for him. He spent the entire day accompanying you through your tasks and you decided you were going to award him. But now, looking at how soundly asleep he was, you couldn’t bear to wake him up.

            You shifted on the floor and he opened his eyes. Zelo sat up and smiled. “Hey, creeper,” his voice was scratchy from sleep.

            “Hey yourself. I came downstairs to offer an early dawn adventure but you looked like you were having a journey through dreamland instead. Go back to sleep. Your break ends tomorrow and you have to leave me anyway.”

            He dropped his legs to the floor and sat next to you. “Hey I came all this way to see you, not sleep away the time we have. What do you have planned?”

            You blushed deeply. Sometimes Zelo knew just the right things to say. “I was thinking maybe we can go on an early food run and then go sit by the edge of campus and overlook the rising sun.”

            “Romantic,” he commented, and smiled at you. “Let’s go.”

            You hovered by the doorway as he brushed his teeth. When he was done, the two of you headed out the door. You left a note for your roommate in case she woke up. Zelo took your hand in his and you led him down the sidewalk to a coffee shop downtown.                 

            “What are we getting for food?”

            “Well they have all sorts of pastries and if you like, sandwiches too.”

            He nodded and shook your entwined hands. “Do you ever go here with other guys?” You looked at him in surprise. He was grinning and you bumped his leg with your hip. “Don’t be dumb. Where would I even meet other guys?”

            He shrugged and you pushed open the door of the tiny shop. “I don’t know. You’re here all year for school and I’m several miles away. Maybe you should transfer to be with me.”

            The thought made you a little sad because you knew that major interest-wise, his school didn’t offer the art program you so wanted. He seemed to sense this and smiled again. “I’m kidding. As long as you don’t find another guy better than me, I don’t care.”

            “You’re the perfect one for me, Zelo.” The waitress behind the counter was smiling from hearing your exchange. When you looked at her, she bowed in blessing.

            “How may I help you two on this early morning day?”

            You looked at the menu and turned to him. “What do you want?”

            “Anything. You choose the drinks, I’ll choose the pastries.”

            She took out another menu and suggested the espresso love shots. “Start with these and then mellow down with lattes or frappes? It’s good for the morning and paired with a croissant and a cake, breakfast is complete.”

            Zelo grinned. “Love shot?”

            The lady winked. “You can always twine your arms together and drink. It’s strong and should symbolize your love for one another.”

            You cringed at the cheesiness but Zelo was into it. He nodded enthusiastically and ordered it. “Let’s go for exactly what you suggested.”

            After the food was done preparing, the two of you left to go to the end of campus. There was a special place that had a great view of the mountain range. He took off his sweater so you could sit on it and insisted that you did. “Lean into me to warm me up,” he said.

            He took out the food and set it up artfully in front of the two of you. You leaned into me and he placed an arm around you. The timing was perfect. The sunlight was already beginning to curve around the edges of the sharp mountain range. He held out your espresso shot and you took it from him.

            “Love shot!” You were slightly embarrassed as the two of you curled your arms around one another’s and drank. Zelo didn’t break eye contact as he finished it all in one gulp. “Beautiful.”

            He handed you a croissant and you took a bite. “Good?”

            You nodded and picked up one to feed him in turn. He playfully bit at your fingers and you laughed. “If you’re going to do this, you’ll have to feed yourself.”

            Zelo wrinkled his nose in obvious distaste. He obediently finished the pastry and hugged you when a breeze drifted by. You settled in his arms and sighed in content. Just being with him was enough to make the start of your day perfect.

this is for BlueBoiceGirl

the picture you sent me is no longer up so ;;