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Standard disclaimer� no profit, no permission, and no harm intended!

It�s slash (oh, come on, Caz wrote it!) as usual� so if that�s not your thang, then don�t read.

Simple? It is until somebody doesn�t notice.

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����������� The only time I�m safe is when I�m trapped within your arms.

��������������� Corny as it sounds.

��������������� But I find proof of that assumption even now, as dawn is just beginning to creep through the sky, devouring the inky black and pinpricked starlight like a ravenous shark. I rest my head against your shoulder, breathing in that unique aroma that can only be described as �you�, listening to the soft inhale and exhale of your breathing, whispered murmurs drifting past your lips.

��������������� There are a few clouds in the sky� barely visible from my position, laid in paradigm and bronzed like fallen pharaohs with the sun�s glow� I nestle in that much closer to you, resting my lips against your neck as you smile.

��������������� Oh, Daniel� I know it�s clich� but why can�t things always be like this?

��������������� Why can�t every moment of every day be filled with the confidence and felicity radiated by a breaking sunrise?

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��������������� Why can�t our lives be like the dawn? Why can�t we spend each hour lain beneath the sky, affirming our affections with sweet kisses and hushed murmurs of �I love you�? Why can�t my arms always be around you?

��������������� I don�t know why� maybe I�ve just been focusing too long on the trial to endure to the end? Perhaps I�ve just been paying more heed to things, which upset and discomfort than to moments like these. You yawn and turn in, towards me, nuzzling into my neck, and all thought is forgotten in an instant.

��������������� For a fleeting moment, I wonder if you truly realize how wonderful you are.

��������������� Do you?

��������������� Sometimes I�ll see you, in the mornings, staring into your reflection as though it�s a scorpion poised to strike, and I wonder what you�re thinking. The look in your eyes is masked� but it seems to say, �Regret�. Are you worried for us? For yourself?

��������������� Why are there so many questions?

��������������� Daniel� I love you so much� do you even know? You know that I care about you more than words can come to mind� but do you know just how deeply this affection goes?

��������������� You�re contradiction incarnate. When I�m near you, I could die happily, or live forever. You lift me up and crash me down, all in the same, beautiful instance. You�re a breath of fresh air� and yet I�m drowning in you.

��������������� It�s almost enough to make me wish that morning would never come. I know that once it does, you�ll be torn from my arms until the next night and I�ll be forced to pretend that I don�t depend on you. It�s truly a bittersweet affection. You�re the sunlight that warms my skin and the moon that pulls my tides. My universe. Mere words and actions can�t describe it� they cannot describe how utterly perfect you are.

��������������� Probably because you don�t know it. I wish more than anything in this world that I could make you realize your true potential. You�re the most amazing person that I�ve ever been blessed to meet or will be blessed to meet. In my eyes, you can do no wrong.

��������������� Maybe that�s why it injures me to hear you say you aren�t.

��������������� You are, Daniel. You are, you are, you are. You�re so much like an angel, it�s almost frightening. And maybe another reason it hurts me so is because I think that if you�re unhappy with your life or with yourself, then I�ve failed you. I need to know that I make you as happy as you make me, or else I worry. I need to know that you don�t consider me a burden or an unnecessary addition to you.

��������������� I know you love me, I know you care� but I wish more than anything that for once, I could be the one to save your life. You�ve succored me countless times. Whenever I feel like there�s no reason to continue, you remind me that everything truly is alright if I just open my eyes to the fact. You can turn my moods around better than I can. Just knowing you�re in the same building as me� your smile lights like a beacon to me. And when I know that smile is hollow, when I can see you crumbling with no help in sight� it feels like poison to my heart.

��������������� To throw another clich�, I�m not happy if you aren�t. Sometimes at night I can hear you crying. Your (beautiful) eyes are tired and dull the next day, and it makes me ache inside. I wish I could be your angel. Your salvation. I can�t stand it if you�re falling. Let me catch you?

��������������� Please?

��������������� I suppose I shouldn�t be focusing on this� I should concentrate on the present. The feel of your skin against my smile, the way the sun�s playing over us as the dreaded morning progresses. I should� and I almost can; but I can still feel that sinking feeling that you won�t let me for some reason or another, be there when the end is near.

��������������� As if that time has already come, I instinctively tighten my grip around your shoulders, pulling you close.

You smile, although remain sleeping.

And I realize that I don�t need your permission. I�m suddenly happy. Just here� with you. Hanging by a moment.

One day, the sun won�t rise and the sky will fall down around us. The stars will collide and the heavens will explode� but I won�t let you lose yourself.

I�ll hold the stars up myself if I have to, but everything will be okay.

I know it.