I Like You, Let's Get Married!

Chapter 12

They came home from the amusement park as night drew near. His three friends went home together, while he accepted Ennard's offer to take him home (although Michael himself had refused, but Ennard persisted). Now the two of them were standing side by side in the train, jostling with everyone else.

"That was fun," Michael said happily to Ennard, who nodded in agreement. Michael looked at the red-haired man with a big smile, then said. "Thanks for inviting me, Enn."

Secretly Ennard tried not to be nervous about Michael's words, also trying to hide the blush on his cheeks that was slowly rising. "You're welcome," he replied quietly.

"Though that haunted house was too scary."

"People say it's not that scary."

"They are not human."

"Maybe," Ennard responded to Michael's words with an amused chuckle, Michael only grumbled. Shortly after, Ennard's attention was drawn to the atmosphere outside the moving train, and because they were standing in front of the train door, he could clearly see the water dripping from the sky descending. "Rain," he mumbled.

Ennard's muttering could be heard by Michael, who finally joined in looking out the train window. "Ah, you're right," Michael mused with raised eyebrows. "It's raining."

Ennard turned to the eldest Afton. "Did you bring an umbrella?"

"No." Michael shook his head.

"Your house is still far from the station we are going to. Would you like to get off at the next stop and stay at my apartment for a while until the rain stops?"

Ennard's question made Michael blink in surprise, Ennard offered to stay at his place for a while until the rain stopped. Michael didn't want to miss the opportunity, but he didn't want to make Ennard feel forced either. Michael was silent for a moment to think about what option he should make, while the sound of wailing rain outside sounded like time was chasing him.

"You're okay with that, aren't you?" Michael asked Ennard somewhat dubiously, making Ennard frowned.

"Of course," Ennard replied. "And look, the rain is getting heavier. You'd better stay in my flat for a while, it's better than you come home soaking wet. Maybe we'll get a little wet, you can run can't you?" Ennard asked again, his voice uncertain.

Michael puffed out his cheeks, he felt offended. "Of course I can run!"

Hearing Michael's answer, Ennard smiled faintly. "Good."

-EC-

William looked out the open front door of the house with concern. It was dark outside and it was raining heavily, but his eldest son had not yet come home. William let out a small breath and took a sip of his coffee, he had been waiting in the living room since half an hour ago, expecting Michael to come home soon.

"Mikey isn't home yet?"

The brown-haired man turned to his youngest son who came to him while hugging an old teddy bear. "Not yet," he answered slowly and shook his head.

Chris pursed his lips, frowning deeply. The youngest Afton also looked outside anxiously. "Maybe Mikey got caught in the rain," Chris said. "Then he took shelter somewhere until the rain stopped."

"Maybe," William responded, Chris' words at least calming him down a bit now.

"I hope he's okay." Chris hugged his teddy bear tighter.

William's blue eyes darted toward the arrival of a blonde-haired woman from inside the house, following the steps of Roselle, who then closed the door and locked it twice. Chris raised his eyebrows up and William immediately stood up while speaking.