Elio took to researching while Peter wasn't around, he knew it wasn't the smartest idea; especially since he couldn't trust online sources to diagnose his friend reliably, but he wanted some sense of what he was dealing with. From what he could deduce, it seemed that Peter was paranoid and delusional, but beyond that Elio didn't know. Twice he had called his father and hung up, sensing that Peter might never speak to him if he went through with going behind his back.

There was one more night of lucidity before the end; which was the memory Elio choose to return to whenever he thought of Peter. He was already in bed, playing a game on his phone when his roommate came in.

'I didn't wake you did I?' he asked.

'No, not asleep yet,' Elio replied, putting his phone away and sitting up. 'You ok?' he asked, feeling the need to say this whenever he saw Peter now.

'Yeah, just tired,' he replied. Peter got changed into his pyjamas, he dispensed with getting ready in the bathroom these days as they'd all ready seen all of each other.

'They never shut up about those fucking exams do they?'

Elio smiled. 'Nope.'

'You gonna go back to Italy for the summer?'

'Yeah. Think I need a break from the city.'

'Right? Wish I had a villa by the river.'

'You should come sometime, my parents would love to have you.'

'Would I get to meet the famous Mafalda?'

'Of course,' Elio laughed. 'You can try all her best meals.'

Peter smiled, pulling his night shirt on, he stood for a moment, not getting into bed straight away.

'Sorry about the other day by the way. Didn't mean to freak you out.'

'It's ok.'

'Dad got a hold of me, we talked through everything.'

Elio nodded. 'I'm glad,' he said, then pulled his bedcovers back. 'You wanna get in here?'

Peter jumped in, crushing Elio then tickling him and smothering him with kisses. Elio laughed, so relieved that Peter appeared more stable than he'd been in some time. He scooted over to the corner of the single bed to make room, Peter lay down next to him; pecking his lips the way Elio had done for the very first time, some months ago now. He rested his head on the pillow then, and Elio turned to face him, looking into his eyes, admiring him.

'I didn't think I could ever like a guy like this,' Peter said quietly.

'Well I'm glad you changed your mind,' he replied, making him smile.

'I hope my Mom's ok,' Peter thought aloud, suprising him.

'She will be, you will be too.'

'I hope so.'

Elio smiled, leaning closer and silencing his doubts with a kiss.