When Cliff came back to reality, they were already in the neighborhood nearing his home. Oh how he missed the wide open streets, the side by side housing and the classic wooden fences that lined the entire neighborhood.

The houses were clean, all of which are about the same height with different roof shapes that help distinct each from the other. All the houses where lovely but Cliff’s had a distinct feature that made it stand out from the rest. A big oak tree with a tree house just behind the main white house.

Cliff looked back at Gowan and said “That’s my house over there! The one with the treehouse!” Gowan followed where Cliff was pointing and set sight on the tree. It was beautiful, even from a distance.

The two men continued walking until they finally reached the white colored home that lay in front of the treehouse. Cliff checked under one of the empty pots at the side of the door and took the key from under.

“Why can’t we just walk in?” Gowan asked

“Oh, I-it’s locked wait…”

“Oh...your doors don’t just open when you get close?”

“That’d be great but…”

Cliff unlocked the front door. “It seems like a waste of money just to spend a few more seconds trying to open the door. Come in, come in! Don’t forget to leave your shoes here.” He beckoned Gowan to step inside before placing his shoes beside the door.

The black haired male was confused on why Cliff was setting his shoes aside but he just shrugged and followed along. “Place your shoes here as well.” He said to the guards. Cliff looked at Gowan’s socks and giggled at the cute dinosaur socks the man was wearing.

“You really like dinosaurs don’t you?”

“Y-yes! I’ve always been intrigued by them ever since I was a child.”

Gowan smiled sheepishly trying to hide his embarrassment. “Oh no he’s going to say I am a fool or a weakling for wearing such silly socks!” Gowan thought. Cliff turned around and walked over to the living room and said “I think they’re pretty cute…make yourself at home!”.

Gowan’s chest was on fire. He was so scared that Cliff would make fun of him or his socks but he was absolutely fine with it. The house didn’t look fancy or high-tech. It felt like...home. 

He followed Cliff into his abode, keeping in mind the way the floor was slightly slippery from his socks and the warm lavender smell emanating from the candle Cliff lit. 

All the walls were a light brown, some of which have chipped paint. He noticed the picture frames on the wall showing images of a couple and two children with a dog. They looked like a happy family…

Gowan didn’t know whether to smile or

...frown.

Seeing the family and joy in these framed pictures made him realize just how much love and affection has been stripped away during his youth. He was never hugged, never had a dog, grades were the only things that mattered to his parents. He felt a hand on his chest and he looked over at Cliff who was standing directly in front of him holding a cup of water.

“ Here you go.”

“Thank you, Cliff..” Gowan said before gulping down the liquid.

“I’m sorry, I don’t have that much food or drinks, I haven’t been here in a while.”

As Gowan was about to sit down on the couch, Cliff grabbed his sleeve and said with a whimper “Let’s um...go to the treehouse! It’s more...relaxing there…” Cliff looked at the bodyguards and brought them together and whispered in their ears. 

“Pstt, can you guys stay here and guard the house and give me and Sir Westerly some sweet alone time?” All of them nodded and Iron said “Go get him, Sir Jenkins!” Cliff snickered and walked over to the sliding door that leads to the backyard. “Follow me, Gowan! You’re gonna love this! You should leave your socks...don’t want them to get dirty now.”

Gowan took off his socks and laughed “Haha...of course not.”. He followed him over to the backyard and took a step on the grass.

“W-wow” he shuddered. He took two steps and ruffled the grass below his feet. The strands of green grass tickled the soles of his feet and the dirt felt warm and dry. He looked up and saw Cliff staring at him with puppy eyes. 

When they locked eyes, Cliff swiftly turned away and walked closer to the ladder that leads up to the treehouse.

“have you ever climbed a ladder before?”

“I have not...this is...a first.”

“If you’re scared um...I can hold the ladder for you.”

“I-I think that would be most lovely.” Gowan said with a gulp.

He took his first step on the wooden ladder and let out a sigh. “Just don’t look down, Gowan, I’ll be here to catch you if you fall.” “Do not say that! I am not going to fall!” Gowan said while shaking on the ladder.

Cliff noticed this and placed his hands on the dark haired male’s hips. He realized what he had done and both of them turned red. “I-um...I’ve got you, don’t worry…”

Gowan let out a raspy sigh and closed his eyes. He took another step on the ladder.

And another.

And another.

Until eventually, he was inside the treehouse. The thing that first took his attention is the thin mattress and blanket on the floor that had dinosaur shaped pillows on them. The curves of the blanket makes it look untouched and extremely comfortable to lay in.

Cliff eventually made his way up into the treehouse and stood beside Gowan. “Welcome to my favorite place in the world! We have this super soft mattress that we can sit on, I also have a stack of old books at the corner here!”

“My apologies, Cliff, I am not a fan of reading…say…”

Gowan walked over on the mattress and sat on it. He grabbed a pastel purple pillow shaped like T-Rex and said with a big smile “You seem to like dinosaurs too, Cliff?”

Cliff giggled and sat beside him. “I didn’t wanna ruin the surprise hehe...I know how much you like them, Gowan.”

“What a wonderful surprise, indeed hahaha...”

A breeze blew inside from the open window beside the mattress, and the two men looked out the window. For a few moments, they both just sat there and watched the sun slowly set. Gowan whispered a “Thank you.” to Cliff. They locked eyes once again and Cliff asks

 “What for?” 

“I-I was...never accepted...the way I was before.”

“What do you mean?”

“My brothers and sisters, my parents. They never really loved me...or...I’ve never felt loved before.” Cliff was pushed back by his comment.

“ I love spending time with you, Cliff…” Gowan clutched his chest again. The throbbing pain and warmth in his chest has grown unbearable. “No…I-I can’t” He thought.

Cliff said “I like spending time with you too...even just staying near you, I feel comfortable already.” Gowan was surprised by what Cliff said because he never knew someone as loathsome and boring as him would ever be enjoyed by him. He never knew someone would have the capability to enjoy his existence.

Before he knew it, white streaks of tears dripped from his eyes. He touched his own tears and was confused. “Wh-why am I-...I-I’m not allowed to...cry...”

Cliff laid his hand on the side of the man’s face and gently wiped a tear away. “It’s okay to cry...I’m here…” Gowan was shaking and his tears started dripping on his navy suit. He placed his rough hand on Cliff’s soft gentle ones.

Even when his eyes are lined with tears, Gowan’s indigo blue eyes were still as lovely as ever. Without even thinking, he started to lean closer to Gowan.

Gowan could feel Cliff’s breath mixing in with his. Cliff was so close, Gowan could clearly see every freckle on Cliff’s soft face and skin.

They both closed their eyes.

As they were about to collide, Gowan heard the voice of his parents once more. It echoed in his mind like a droplet of water colliding with a pond and he pushed Cliff back.

 “I-I’m sorry...I can’t…” Gowen said with a stutter.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry, I-I wasn’t thinking and-”

Gowan cut off Cliff “Yes...yes...um…I need to check the house owners and see if they responded” “Alright…” is all Cliff could say.

Gowan started to step down the ladder when Cliff asked

 “Oh do you want me to hold the ladde-”

“No. I don’t need your help…”

 “I’m strong, I can...I can do this on my own.” Gowan said in a raised voice.

Cliff looked down at his lap in shame while Gowan walked back into the house.

He sat there for a bit wondering what he could’ve done wrong. “Did I do something wrong? I thought he liked me too? Now I hurt his feelings…” He saw the purple T-rex and embraced it firmly whilst bringing his legs up to his chest.

“I’m so dumb aughhhh”