Jack loved Crutchie in pajamas.

He was cute all the time, of course, but with rumpled hair, sleeves that were too long, and baggy plaid drawstring pants, Jack seriously doubted anything could compare.

"Crutch, what are you doing up?" He asked as his boyfriend walked into the kitchen.

"I'm not tired," Crutchie mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

Jack stifled a laugh. "Yes you are."

"No." His eyes were droopy, his legs were dragging even more than usual, and his hair was sticking up at odd angles.

"Crutchie," Jack chuckled. "Go back to bed. You stayed up so late last night."

Crutchie frowned. "I'm fine, Jack," he insisted, moving past him to the pantry. He grabbed the box of Cookie Crisp and Jack handed him a bowl from the top shelf. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Jack said. "Honey, are you sure you don't want to head back to sl-"

Crutchie turned on him with a completely unintimidating stare, and Jack once again tried to keep a straight face. Crutchie noticed, and raised his eyebrows as he poured his cereal. His eyes were still droopy, making his indignance even more adorable. "Don't you laugh at me," he said. "Not when I'm making an effort to spend time with you." His words were slurred, and if Jack hadn't known how late he'd been up working, he would've assumed he was drunk.

Jack took a drink of his orange juice. "Sorry. You just look so cute right now. Also, for someone who is completely awake, you just poured the most disgusting bowl of cereal ever."

Crutchie looked at him strangely, and then down at his bowl, which he had just poured orange juice into. Jack had left the carton out on the counter, and it had easily been mistaken for milk. Crutchie frowned, but then grinned, and finally laughed- a raspy, morning laugh that sent Jack's heart into a frenzy.

"Tired?" Jack asked again.

Crutchie nodded. "Yeah."

"Okay, come on." Jack put his hands on Crutchie's crutch, giving him time to stabilize himself on the counter, and then leaned it against the fridge, scooping Crutchie up in his arms in the very next motion.

Crutchie's head immediately fell against Jack's shoulder, and he breathed out a sigh of contentment as Jack carried him back to their room.

"Jack?" He mumbled, his eyes closed.

"Yeah?"

"Don't let me sleep too long, 'kay?"

"Why not?" Jack asked. "Katherine cancelled on lunch, so we don't have anything planned for today."

"I know," Crutchie replied. "Which is why..." he trailed off, yawned, and then continued, "which is why I want to be with you for as long as I can."

Jack rolled his eyes, mostly because he had no idea what else to do with the level of cute he was currently facing. "Okay," he agreed. "I won't let you sleep for too long. Just until I think you're good and rested."

"Promise?"

They were in the bedroom now, and Jack set Crutchie down on their bed gently. "Promise."

Crutchie sighed again as Jack pulled the blanket up around his shoulders. "Just a little bit," he said, peeking up at Jack through eyes that just wouldn't stay open. "Then come wake me up."

Jack chuckled. "Yes, okay, okay," he repeated. "Crutchie, will you get to sleep already?"

Crutchie closed his eyes, nuzzled his head down into the pillow, and let out a breath. "Okay."

Jack watched him for a minute- the steady, deep breaths that moved his shoulders, the smooth contentment on his face, the messy hair laying across the pillow- and smiled.

"Love ya, kid," he said, kissing him softly on the forehead before letting himself out.

If he'd looked back, he would've seen a slow smile spread across Crutchie's lips.