BEFORE AN: Have at it guys! This the longest and the last chapter! Please enjoy and leave comments! I adore reading them!

~Alyss

Little by little, a good phrase to use, especially with relationships, friendships, hardships, recoveries, knowledge, and so much more. Little by little can be used in nearly every context, as long as one remembers that if you take something slowly, you'll eventually get to the final product. If one rushes or attempts to pressure the final product, it may come out as sloppy or incomplete. Yes it gets done faster, but not as efficiently. For an example. If you are creating a large mural painting. You want it to look the absolute best. So you take your time on it so the final outcome is much better than it would be if you were to rush the mural to clean up some time. Spend a lot of time and yes, it may grow boring, but it will also become worthwhile. If you rushed a painting, it wouldn't look the best it could be as opposed to taking your time.

Leo yawned and rubbed his eyes, he had been awake for several hours and thought that he should start on the work he had been missing for nearly five weeks. Thankfully enough, he no longer needed the mask on his face, as his lung was in much better shape than before. Reassuring for sure. It was roughly midnight, Elliot had left not too long ago back to their dorm so he could sleep. Leo took the opportunity to get some work done, he needed to do it after all.

"At least I know this stuff… Just missing some assignments and-"he yawned again. "A few worksheets…" He mumbled sleepily.

"Get some sleep if you keep yawning like that." Miranda said, crossing her arms and spinning on her chair slowly.
"Your yawning is either going to put me to sleep or it'll be so annoying you'll awake the dead's slumber."

"Shut." Leo simply said, rubbing the sleepiness from his eyes again.
"Missing nearly a month of school isn't exactly optimal… In fact it's a complete nuisance." He grumbled as he continued to write the assignment he was currently working on.

"God kiddo. I can wake you up tomorrow so you can work. Don't overwork yourself already." She rolled her eyes at Leo who was slowly nodding off as he was working. She frowned and got up, slapping the book shut and startling Leo back to reality somewhat.
"Get some shut-eye. I'll wake you up tomorrow around ten so you can do more of this…"

Leo was already nodding off again, hugging the blanket over his shoulders, still wearing the sweater that Elliot had given him a while ago. He shrugged sleepily and curled up, falling asleep quickly.

Dreams are a reflection of what is both in our minds and in our hearts. What we see in dreams can either be a wish for reality, or a begging plea that it never happens. Not a single being can completely control what they are dreaming. Some constantly are plagued with what they wish never become a reality for fear of themselves or those they love and care about. While others have the strong desire for what they wish to become not just a figment of their imaginations. Dreams are very complex mazes of the heart and mind, attempting to lead us to conclusions or to trick themselves into believing false realities. Not all dreams have a happily ever after though. Who knows if the dreamer will even remember the horrid tragedies that occur? Or the fantasies they desire? No one can say for sure.

"Sorry Leo…"

Leo's eyes snapped open, with fresh tears streaming down his cheeks. What had he dreamt about? He couldn't remember…. All he could remember was Elliot's voice saying 'sorry' to him.

"What the…. Hell…?" He shuddered and sat up. It was three in the morning. Whatever it was, it woke him up. He sighed and stretched his arms up, in the back of his mind he felt too scared to go back to sleep. What for? He wondered, he hadn't stood up in a while. Now would be a good time for that… My legs are super sore. He sighed and slowly moved himself to the edge of the bed and stood up. As unbalanced as he was currently, he could still stand properly. He leaned against the wall and stretched completely, feeling some cracks in his body. God when was the last time I stretched? Feels like forever…

He turned to look at the clock again to make sure that the time he seen was correct; it was. He pulled a blanket off the bed and slowly walked, being careful of his balance. He walked over to the window and opened the curtain slightly. Score! This window has a window seat! He smiled and hopped up on the window seat, pulling the blanket over his shoulders as he looked out at the bright moon illuminating the clear sky beautifully. Now if I could draw, I'd love to draw this. He chuckled quietly, bringing his knees to his chest and hugging his legs.

Dreams are… Weird… It's like we dream up false realities and worlds… He looked down out the window, observing the trees and grass slowly rustle with the wind. Some what their dreams to be real…. He hugged his knees and bit his lip slightly. I hope mine never become a reality… No. They better not become a reality… He stopped when he realized he had tears running down his cheeks. What has been with me lately? He rubbed his eyes. It's impossible for dreams to become a reality… They're just our imaginations running wild from being suppressed… Mine needs to stop running so hectically…

He opened the window ever so slightly to feel the air outside he smiled and hugged Elliot's sweater and the blanket. His dark eyes slowly scanning the outside. I really want to go for a walk… It looks like a fantastic night… It isn't too cold either… Know what? I will… I need a walk, I haven't done much walking for a month… He closed the window and slid off the window seat. He threw the blanket back on the bed and did up Elliot's sweater. He brushed some hair away from his face. No one was out at this time, so he didn't have to worry about anyone seeing his eyes. He slowly approached the door leading out to the halls of the school and opened it.

Fifteen minutes to a half an hour is all I need… Then I'll come back… He smiled softly and walked quietly throughout the hallway towards the outside doors for the courtyard. He glanced around, as if seeing if someone was around. No one's around, Leo. It's three in the damn morning. He scolded himself quickly and opened the door. He smiled brightly when he felt the night air and wind brush against him. He walked around, feeling the grass against his bare feet. Socks might've been a good idea. The grass is kind of cold… He mumbled to himself. It was cold enough to see his breath, but nowhere near an unbearable cold. He walked to a bench and sat down, lying on his back and looking up at the very clear stars in the sky.

"Such a clear and beautiful night…" Leo smiled. "October isn't normally this nice…" He commented to no one other than himself. He hadn't kept track of the days, he just knew it was October. He smiled and enjoyed looking at the stars for quite some time before he caught himself slowly dozing off. I should probably go back now. Sleeping out here would do me no good at all… He stood up and shivered. It got colder I think… Or maybe it's just me… He shrugged and walked back towards the doors, opening it and stepping back into the silent hallways. As he trudged back, he looked at the walls for a clock to tell him how long he was outside for. Four-fifty in the morning. Shit! I actually dozed off out there… I said half hour at most and I was almost out there for an hour… Good job, Leo. He scolded himself quietly and returned to where he had been the past month, the damned Infirmary. He slowly opened the door, by the time he got back, it was five in the morning. He shrugged and sat back on the bed he had been sleeping on.

"At least I got a nice walk in…" He stretched his arms, heaving his shoulders crack.

"I really needed that… That was good… Some nice fresh air instead of being cooped up in here…" He yawned, being out in the nice night air actually made him drowsy enough to fall back asleep.

He awoke once more, but not from a nightmare, but to the light shining through the window, from the curtains he never closed. He rolled over and yawned, rubbing his eyes. He checked for the clock, it read eight-thirty seven in the morning. He didn't hear chatter and shuffling in the hallways, it must've been the weekend. He yawned again and sat up, grabbing a book from the small stack he had beside the bed and began to read. Being that it was (most likely) a weekend day, Miranda would show up around noon. He had time to read in peace before that woman barged in bombarding the silence with nonsense.

He got so immersed in his reading that the next time he looked up, it was nearly two in the afternoon. Wow. I didn't even realize it was that late… Leo commented to himself before he noticed another thing. Miranda hadn't shown up, at all. Neither had Elliot. He pouted slightly and got up, walking over to the window seat and sitting up there. Looking at all the autumn colours and the leaves on the ground shining bright and colourful.

I'm not bothered by it, it's just for how Elliot's been recently… I'm surprised he hasn't shown up. Or maybe he wore himself out and is still sleeping. Leo snickered to himself and went back to reading, the blanket over his legs and his book resting on it. I know I tend to go 'out of this world' when I read… But I do notice people around me. So that can't be it. Neither of them have shown… Good! I can read in silence! He smiled softly and went back to reading the book he was already nearly done.

He sighed and closed the book, looking to the clock. Four in the afternoon. Okay I wasn't bothered before, but I am now. As much as I enjoy reading in peace and quiet. I'm damn lonely right now. I've literally read all these books at least three times now. He pouted slightly, looking at the stack of books that he had indeed read through three times over. He looked back out and seen some leaves raked in piles and some students outside, chatting and such. Wait a damn second… I should be so used to being by myself… I did it for most of my life… Argh! He scowled and swung his legs around and stood up.

I'M. FREAKING. BORED! He groaned and flopped on the bed. Why doesn't Miranda keep a calendar in here? I don't even know what freaking day it is… I know its fall. I now it's October. I can venture to guess it's either Saturday or Sunday. But the number? No damn clue. Sheeeeeeeeeeeeesh! He sighed and rolled onto his stomach. Picking up one of the textbooks. Might as well do some more work, so I have it done… He sighed and started on what he had been dozing off to the previous night.

He shut the textbook, finishing all that Elliot brought him as work. He glanced at the clock. Five thirty. He groaned and dropped his head into the pillow. God, I don't think I've ever been this freaking bored!
Leo sat up and looked around. He was still the only person in the room. He groaned and pushed the books off of the bed and laid on his back. After fifteen minutes of staring at the ceiling he sat up and crossed his arms. Going back to the window seat.

"I'm booooooooooooooooooored!" He whined to no one, just to exhale some boredom. He heard the doorknob click and he perked up slightly. Elliot appeared in the doorway, holding a few bags in one arm.

"I was bored you loser, what took you so long?" Leo pouted and mumbled to Elliot. He gave Leo a look of 'shut up before I make you' and walked over.

"I got you two new pairs of glasses." Elliot said, sitting a small wrapped up package on the bed.

"What are you doing anyways?" He asked, Leo sighed and slumped on the small window seat.

"I've been bored out of my skull. I've finished all the work. I've read all those books three times over that I think I could quote half of them. And I've wandered around this room aimlessly like a lost child because I am that bored." Leo huffed and crossed his arms with a pout. Elliot chuckled.

"The hell is so funny, blondie?" Leo scowled, he was truly bored, and Elliot just showed up at six. He wasn't in a bad mood, he was just bored.

"One, shut up shorty. Two, I've been out getting stuff, that's why I haven't shown up until now. Besides, when I stopped by at eight, you were fast asleep." Elliot retorted to Leo.

He actually sounds like himself and he's acting like himself…

Leo responded to Elliot with another pout. Elliot chuckled at that and reached into a bag he had been holding.

"I also got us a chess board. Maybe the Librarian will get off our backs now." Elliot smiled a bit. Setting it down on the bed as well.

"I forgot it was from the Library…" Leo commented.

"Yeah, she's been on my ass about how I haven't brought it back. I can give it back now." He sighed, sitting down on the end of the bed.

"Also, nice way to say hello." Elliot said sarcastically. Leo chuckled and rolled his eyes.

"Hell you missed my insults. Don't try to lie." Leo snickered, brushing some hair away from his face. As much as Elliot didn't want to admit it. He did. He missed hearing Leo make such snappy comments that made him want to punch the shorter teen for it. He did miss it.

"Oh. Here." Elliot said, tossing a box at Leo, he fumbled and caught it. An Eclair? Really Elliot…?

Leo raised an eyebrow at Elliot.

"Aaaaaand this is for?" Leo asked sceptically.

"Howes said you should be good, so this is a 'Congratulations on finally leaving the Infirmary' or something." Elliot shrugged.

"I thought you'd like one. It should still be fresh, I mean I got it on the way back. If you don't want it, I'll eat it." He added with a sigh.

Leo had already bitten into it and had eaten half.

"Hell no. I'm damn hungry, 'sides. It's a pastry. Why would I even consider turning it down?" Leo mumbled between the Éclair and his breathing. Elliot chuckled with a nod. Leo held the pastry in his mouth and opened the window, letting the fresh air waft into the room.

"Man it seems nice out." Leo commented on the pleasant breeze that came into the room. He had devoured the pastry like a piece of candy.

"It is. Want to go for a walk?" Elliot offered. Leo blinked and shifted the book off his lap.

"Maybe in a bit… I want to at least finally go back to our dorm. I've been in here so long I think I've forgotten what a comfy bed feels like." Leo sighed and tilted his head back a bit.

"The beds here are suuuuuuuper uncomfortable… And I was on one of them for a freaking month…" He added in an annoyed tone and stood from the window seat. He went over to the bed and grabbed the books beside it.

"Well, if I'm good to go, then let's go. I'm sick of this room." Leo said, holding the books and the small, wrapped up glasses.

He and Elliot walked back up to their dorm. Leo immediately went over and flopped on his be.

"This is like heaven! So much better than the beds in the Infirmary…" Leo smiled happily and laid there for a bit.

"Well it's good to have you back in here you idiot." Elliot said, sitting on his bed.

"Well it's good to be back here you idiot." Leo retorted, sticking his tongue out at Elliot.

"Is that… Have you seriously not taken off my sweater since I gave it to you?" Elliot asked, raising an eyebrow at his sweater on Leo.

"It kept me warm. The blankets did a crap job at that…" Leo said simply, changing into something that wasn't his pyjamas. Just some casual clothes.

"I seemed to sleep better with it anyways…" Leo said before freezing, realizing he said that out loud.

"Keep it then." Elliot said simply with a smile, still sitting on his bed.

"Huh? It's yours though." Leo responded, blinking in slight confusion. Why did Elliot want him to keep it?

"If one of my sweaters actually kept you sleeping through the whole night. Keep it. Sleeping through the night needs to become a habit of yours." Elliot said once again with a smile. Leo blinked again before smiling at Elliot.

"If you say it's okay. Then I will keep it." He responded to him with a bright smile.

"Now! I want to go for a walk before it gets colder out." He added and propped a pair of the new glasses on his face. I missed wearing these…

Elliot stood and walked to the door, Leo following behind him. Still wearing Elliot's sweater. They walked down the hallways, few students wandering the halls.

Elliot opened the door for the front of the school as he walked outside. Before his attention went to Leo when he heard him chuckle.

"What is it?" He asked. Leo smiled and walked up beside him.

"I wasn't worried, so you shouldn't have been~" He smiled up at Elliot, keeping up with his walking pace.

"What?" He questioned.

"I got better little by little, there was really no need to worry… I wasn't worrying for myself." He smiled in response, stretching his arms over his head with a deep breath.

"What are you trying to say? That I was stupid to worry about my friend?" Elliot scowled at Leo, he laughed and shook his head.

"No, not at all! I was just saying that you shouldn't have been worrying as much as you were!" Leo grinned and walked a bit ahead of him, spinning around to face Elliot.

"But… Thank you Elliot. Thank you for caring enough about me to worry about me. It really makes me feel like I matter to someone… So…" Leo smiled and looked up to Elliot with a large grin, propping his glasses on his forehead.

"Thank you! Thank you so much." He smiled happily at Elliot.

"Are you trying to be sarcastic?" Elliot questioned. Leo laughed and shook his head.

"Nah, if I was I'd be doing a much better job! I really am thankful… For you worrying about me… For caring about me… And all in all, for just wanting to have me around. I really and truly am thankful for you." Leo smiled at him, Elliot felt a small blush creep up on his cheeks. Leo chuckled and walked up to him, flicking his nose with a smile.

"You're my best friend. And I'm glad to be with you."

"Don't go all sappy like that! It's gross!" Elliot blushed and looked away from Leo, who was laughing.

"Awww come on Elliot! You need a little sap in your life! Might as well be from me!" Leo said with smile and a chuckle, moving his glasses back onto his face.

"What's that? Is that a blush I see? Did I appeal to the sensitive side of the Elliot Nightray?" Leo teased, grinning at him and poking his cheek.

"Damn it you! Stop that!" Elliot huffed, shoving his shoulder a bit.

"That's so cute! I did appeal to that side! How nice!" Leo laughed, not caring about the shove he got from Elliot.

This is much better… I'm glad Leo is back to normal. I'm glad he's better, but shorty you better shut up with your remarks or I will fight you…

Little by little, it's a wonderful phrase to use. Especially when it revolves around those who need it.

Word Count: 3469

FINAL AUTHORS NOTE: That was the last Chapter of Little By Little (Yes! I finally came up with a title.)

I want to say that 90% of the time of writing these chapters; I was listening to Afterlife by Avenge Sevenfold. Which somewhat hurt my soul... Oops, I forgot. I sold that years ago.

So anyways, I hope you enjoyed Little By Little, I truly enjoyed writing it for sure~!

I always love reading what people think of what I do. (Though it's been for art and acting before now.)

~Constructive criticism is always welcome~

I bid you all adieu until my next fanfiction!

~Alyss