A week after the breakup Sam realized he forgot some things in his haze. He tried calling Peter, but his calls went straight to voicemail. It wasn't surprising, but he hoped Peter had cooled down enough to talk to him.

He tried to rope Luke into helping, but was turned away. Luke had looked him in the eye and growled, "You made the mess. Let the poor man be, just cut your loss and buy replacement stuff."

If it was just 'stuff' Sam would have taken the advice. He would have stayed in his cheap hotel room and continued looking for a cheap flat. He would have left Peter alone, kept out of his life like he asked. Sam didn't trust himself to not try to hold Peter to him if he saw him. He didn't trust himself to not break down and beg.

If it was just 'stuff' he would not have been staring at the apartment door trying to work up the courage to knock. He only needed one thing. The rest Peter could throw out...or burn if he wanted. With a swallow he brought his fist up and lightly tapped on the door.

When the door opened he couldn't bring himself to look Peter in the eyes. "Go away."

Sam put his foot out to catch to door before Peter could close it. "I will. I left something here, I just need to get it then I'll leave."

Peter snorted and opened the door again. He motioned for Sam to come in and he took a hesitant step into the apartment. He could feel Peter's eyes on him. Sam knew he looked like shit.; he hadn't shaved in days, he knew his eyes had dark circles under them, and his clothes were slightly wrinkled.

He got the courage to look at Peter and saw he was in a similar state. Bile threatened to rise up. He did this, he should be the one to suffer, not Peter. A quick glance around their apartment reviled Peter hadn't cleaned in a while. No, it wasn't their apartment, it was just Peter's. A voice in the back of his mind whispered: 'The bookshelf seems empty'.

"Well?" Peter's voice was strained.

Sam shuffled his feet, he couldn't retrieve it. It wasn't his apartment, he couldn't just waltz around. He took a shaky breath and willed himself not to cry. "It's….in the safe." He couldn't mean Peter's eyes as he said it.

Peter gasp with realization and disappeared into their -his- bedroom.

Sam stood awkwardly while he waited for Peter. The breakup had happened so fast, he was still coming to terms with it. Inside his head, a battle waged. Should he try to talk to Peter? Or stay out of his life and never risk hurting him again?

He felt, more than heard, Peter return to the room. Sam looked up from his feet to see the watch box being held in his face.

Sam met Peter's eyes, silently beseeching him. He could not help thinking that taking the watch would make their breakup permanent. It had symbolized their future, a promise of more.

Silent tears started falling down Peter's cheeks. "Take it. Go."

Sam felt his own tears begin to escape. "Peter. I love you." He closed his eyes and took a steadying breath. "I think I always will."

"Sam."

"Look me in the eyes and tell me you don't love me too."

Peter inhaled and shook his head. "I can't."

He allowed hope to bloom inside him. "Then-"

"No!"

Sam took an uneasy step towards Peter. "I know you're still mad. I don't expect you to forgive me right away. But," he gently wiped the tears from Peters face, "Can we talk? Work through this?" Sam let his hand fall to his side. "I know, I know I messed up, but I wanna fix it. I love you."

He held his breath as he waited for Peter to respond.

Peter took a deep breath. "I can't." He forced the watch box into Sam's hand and retreated into the bedroom.

Sam turned to let himself out. Before he closed the door he walked back in and crossed the room until he was standing in front of the bedroom door. He knocked lightly.

There was a muffled, "Go away!"

"I am. I -I just wanted to let you know I'll -I'll stay away. You don't have to worry about me showing up again. I love you, and I'll always welcome you if you- but I won't- you don't have to worry about seeing me unannounced again. I love you, Peter." He let his head rest against the door for a moment before leaving the apartment for the last time.