The sun rays pour into the window as the birds sing and air flows. The light breeze brushes against Kiel’s face causing him to stir awake. He sits up and yawns before gently stretching his arms out, and waits.

Around the time the sun rose, was when Archer would walk in. Sometimes he would bring food, books, and and even activities that Kiel could do in the morning. This time around, he walked in with a tray of food and a stack of books stationed next to it. Archer sets down the tray on the bed side table and sits on the edge of the bed.

“Good morning,” Archer states. “You awake?”

He pokes at Kiel’s side, making him squirm and kick.

“Yes, now quit it,” Kiel tries to push Archer away but his laughter goes against his words. He attempts to kick Archer and manages to hit him in the chest. The impact causes Archer to fall back with an “Omf.” He falls back on the bed next to Kiel and they both let out faint chuckles.

Their laughter dies down and Archer lets out a tired sigh. He stares up at the ceiling, the smile from before still etched on his face. Archer looks over at the bedside table that contained the tray of food and books, and speaks up.

“Hey,” He states.

“You should probably eat, the food is getting cold.”

Kiel perks up at the mention of food and smiles. “What do I get to eat today,” He says softly, with anticipation and excitement. Breakfast was one of his favorite times where he could enjoy the warm or even cold tasting food.

“Well there are pancakes and, I think eggs,” Archer shrugs.

Archer honestly did not know, since he normally grabs Kiel’s food from the kitchen, already pre-made and brings it to his room. Kiel attempts for the tray but the purse of his lips tell Archer he is silently asking for help. Archer chuckles and and grabs the tray before placing it on Kiel’s lap and handing him a fork. Kiel instantly stabs around for one of the pancakes and shoves it into his mouth.

“mhn…It’s good,” Kiel smiles wide at the sweet taste of the soft pancake. He chews for a few seconds, savoring the flavor before gulping the pancake mush down. Kiel takes a few more big bites and manages to scarf down the whole plate of food. A soft satisfied smile remains on his face, as he leans back with a sigh.

Archer observes silently, taking in the sight of wide eyes and smiling Kiel. This reminded him of the dream he had the night before. But it scared him, would Kiel vanish just like he did in the dream or was this one real.

Archer reached out and gently tapped Kiel’s shoulder, to pull himself back to reality. Kiel flinches and looks up puzzled.

“What’s wrong,” Kiel says softly.

“Nothing… j-just spacing out, that’s all,” Archer stutters.

“I’m just a bit tired. I didn’t get much sleep last night,” He tries to hide the fear in a calm steady tone.

Archer removes his hand and sits quietly once more waiting for Kiel to finish eating. Hints of fatigue and fear was still left on his face as he continued to wait and wait.

The sun is full and the new day has set. Kiel had finished eating and was now quietly listening to Archer read. The fatigue and fear he had felt earlier had vanished. The tension was gone and replaced with tranquility. Archer read with calm fluent words, his voice adapting to each individual character and event.

The book was about a young man on a journey to find his lost sister who vanished on her own journey. Kiel listened, and paid attention to each word and event. In the end, the young boy managed to find his sister and they started their own journey together. Kiel had always liked this book and when it was done, he smiled and let out a content sigh. Archer closed the book, and leaned back waiting for one of them to speak up.

“So, today agenda. What are we doing?” Archer asks. Kiel faces him and ponders.

“Well mother and father are out for work, so can we go for a walk and then have lunch together?”

He says that the first part sad and lonely but the last a bit more cheerful. Mr. and Mrs. Winters were always gone and it really affected Kiel ever since he was little. He knew there was nothing to do so all he did was hope. But nothing ever went his way. Though he always enjoyed spending time with Archer even if he really was just a caretaker and being paid to watch him.

“Of course we can,” Archer tries to cheer him up after noticing the sadness in his eyes.

Kiel perks up and smiles.

“Really, come on lets get ready. Oh we can have a picnic in the garden, eat berries, and even read that book again,” Kiel is overjoyed and rambles, making sure he is ready and suitable for the occasion even if they aren’t leaving the residence.

Kiel gets ready by putting a pair of light overalls on and an over-sized blue hoodie. He buckles the strap to the overalls and smiles.

“Can we go now!… Can we!” He jumps up and down a bit, shaking with excitement.

Archer sighs with a nod. “Let me at least get lunch packed and dressed,” He groans, and Kiel reluctantly waits.

“Fine.”

Even though it only takes Archer about 30 minutes to get stuff ready, Kiel feels like it takes hours. He sits on the bed impatient. But perks up when Archer calls him.

“Kiel, are you ready?” He shouts.

“Yeah, coming,” Kiel bolts down the stairs and to the entrance and stands by Archer, emitting lots of emitting.

Archer had a small bag, containing some sandwiches, berries, and a variety of chips. There were also some books some of which were new and one that they had read the morning of. He swung the bag over his shoulder and unlocked the door.

“Well, are you ready?” He asks motioning to the open door. Kiel nods and trots out with Archer, into the open yard. They follow a sidewalk, leading to a small garden full of many colors. There were variety’s of blues, pinks, orange, and hues of white. They were arranged, in color and plant type order.

Archer opens the gate, opening the way for Kiel and follows behind him. Both sit down in the middle of the garden, at a small table that was used for tea time, with Mrs. Winters and her friends.

Archer pulls out the containing food in the bag, arranging it on the table, along with a few books. Kiel waits patiently for a signal or sound to eat.

“Here,” Archer places a sandwich in the palm of Kiel’s hand.

“What kind is it?” Kiel asks sniffing the bread and taking a small bite out of the corner.

“Should be turkey and cheese,” Archer replies taking a bite himself.

They both eat quietly, enjoying the sandwiches in peace. After eating, they engage in a light conversation.

“So, your parents told me they have a business meeting in another country next week,” Archer tries to lay the topic down gently but knows it will break Kiel’s heart.

“Oh, when will they be back?"

“Around next month, they are going to Europe. So it’s just gonna be us for the time being,” He says softly.

Kiel nods trying to hide his sadness.He knows there is no point in being sad, it happens all the time, but he just can’t help feeling broke every time it happens.

“Hey, I know it’s never easy when they leave but I’m here. We are going to be okay.”

“I know I know, but I just wish they’d tell me, or stay home more,” Kiel replies to Archer sad.

Archer pats Kiel’s shoulder and draws his attention to something else.

“Hey if you are done eating why don’t we walk around, clear our minds a little. Yeah?”

Kiel nods lightly and stands up. “…Okay.”

They walk though the garden in silence, with Archer taking slow steps to match with Kiel’s. As they walk Kiel keeps quiet, sad about his parents leaving. Archer noticed this but also kept quiet.

Their walk comes to an end, when they reach back to the garden. Archer packs up the remaining food and books, and leads Kiel into the house. He could tell that Kiel needed space so he let him do his own thing while he sat down.

The afternoon sky came fast, Kiel was still in his room and Archer was working on a few things in the family room when the phone rang. Archer picked up the phone curious but also worried.

“Hello? This is the Winters residence.”

“Archer, is that you?” Archer groaned at the person on the other end, it was Mrs. Winters. She was the last person he wanted to talk to right, since he was the main reason Kiel was upset right now.

“Heeey Mrs. Winters,” Archer hides his annoyance.

“I want you to make sure the house is cleaned when we get home and then, remind Kiel about our leave for the country next week,” She replies snotty.

“Yes, I already told him.”

A few moments of silence pass, and Mrs. Winters snotty tone fills the speaker of the phone again.

“Alright then, make sure everything is clean and we will see you after work”

Archer puts the phone down after the beeps, and groans loudly, before slumping back on the couch. He takes a glance over the stairs and sees Kiel walking down them.

“Hey, it was just your mom, no need to worry,” Archer says softly and pats the cushion next to him on the couch.

“Oh Ok.”

Kiel looked dazed and sleepy, seemed to be taking a nap before hand.

“Did you sleep well?” Archer asked and is replied back with a nod.

“Good.”

Kiel takes a seat next to Archer and rests his head on his shoulder.