It's really hot when Hardison does exciting things with me like jumping on a train, running on a train, and well most of all blowing up a train that I just kind of – as always – blurt out what I'm thinking, that I was in the mood for "Pretzels". It was true but not normally the kind of thing I would announce. Luckily we were still in the middle of a con and I didn't have to deal with it right then.

When we finish with the San Lorenzo job, Nate orders all of us to take 2 weeks off. Which seems ridiculous to me, 2 weeks is hardly no time at all. I don't really know what that is supposed to accomplish, but I do know that even though Hardison will probably look for me, there is no way that he could find me in that amount of time. He couldn't even find me in 6 months and I know that he looked for me that entire time. I decide I won't make him look for me this time. Otherwise, how will I ever get pretzels?

I show up at Hardison's apartment window and instead of letting myself in, I do the polite thing and tap on the window. Hardison doesn't startle as he has gotten used to my showing up here at random times. Instead, he walks over and opens the window for me.

"Parker, what are you doing here? We're supposed to be taking a break for like 9 more days" Hardison says.

"That's just silly. Plus, I never got my pretzels" I announce. "I just thought we have some free time without everyone else around, maybe we could…" I stop talking. It's too much openness for me. I just stand that hoping Hardison knows what I mean like he usually does.

"Yeah, it might be a good time to figure some things out" Hardison says grabbing my hand.

I start to pull away my hand away, but stop when I realize that he's just tugging me further into the apartment. He points me towards the couch, "Pick out the movie while I get us some popcorn and soda?" I head to couch somewhat confused. We've watched a million movies together here. I'm not sure how this is going to get us anywhere, but I trust Hardison to know what to do.

I'm sitting on what I think of as my side of the couch, having selected a movie when Hardison comes in and sits on the opposite side, but instead of putting the popcorn between us like normal he puts it in his lap. The movie starts and I feel him tap my shoulder, his arm across the back of the couch. "Why don't you come over here where you can reach the popcorn?" Hardison asks.

I slide across the couch to sit closer to him and grab a little popcorn. Then I feel his arm across my shoulders and his hand curling around my shoulder. I tense up for a second and then force myself to relax reminding myself that I wanted this, to be closer to him. Before the movie is half over, I find myself curled into Alec, my head on his shoulder and an arm across his stomach after he moved the popcorn. Eventually, I fall asleep. I've never, at least not as long as I can remember, fallen asleep on someone else.

I feel myself being gently shaken awake and jump away, not sure what was happening immediately. Hardison grabs me by the shoulders, "Parker, it's just me. You're safe here."

I sit still and look at Hardison, not pulling way, "I don't sleep…"
"Parker, it's fine, you don't have to explain." Hardison lets go of me and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

I remember why I came in the first place and grin at Hardison who returns my smile. I lean in and kiss him. Lightly at first and then more intimately, my arms sliding around his neck. I feel his arms go around my waist pulling me closer. He tastes of soda, popcorn, gummy frogs and…home, I think. After a second because I'm just not ready for anything more yet, I pull away ending up by the window, but instead of jumping out like normal I look back at him smiling. "Goodnight Alec, thanks for the pretzels" I say jumping out the window.