"I love you." Howard mumbles it into Cedric's shirt so that Cedric probably won't hear it right, and if asked, Howard can deny it. Clearly, this is how communication ought to be done.

He knows that nightmares lie on the other side of sleep, but he also knows that staying awake much longer isn't better. Before trying to get to sleep he holds on just a few more moments to the sound of Cedric breathing and the feel of Cedric's warm hands.