The Good Timeline

Vulnerability

Henry woke up first, feeling the warmth of a body next to him. It took him a little while to wake up, but soon looked up at William. He was peacefully sleeping, with one arm around Henry's chest. Henry was about to drift off back to sleep, but then pushed away from William when he had woken more.
William was jolted awake by Henry's sudden absence. He blinked and rubbed his eyes, yawning. "...Oh, you're awake! Good morning!"
Henry stared at him. Maybe he just... didn't notice?
"...Morning, William. Sorry I just.. slept on your couch." He crossed his arms, almost hugging his own body as he felt the warmth from William fade away. It felt empty. William stretched, getting up off the couch.
"I said before it was fine, I can make some food too! I'm sure the kids are hungry too."
Henry nodded. "If you insist... I can go get the kids." Henry parted from William, walking up the stairs to Elizabeth's room. After waking up the kids, he started to smell breakfast. Bacon and eggs. The three children ran downstairs, exited to play in the living room while waiting for breakfast. Henry walked in after them, but went to the kitchen while they played. He was met by William cooking, looking more happy than Henry's ever seen him before. He was beaming ear to ear, watching the bacon sizzle on the pan. Henry smiled without thinking when he saw William, quickly realizing and stopping himself before William turned around.
"Hey Henry! How many pieces of bacon do you want?" Henry blinked, processing something he shouldn't have had to. He eventually spoke. "Just maybe.. three. Thats enough."
William smiled at him, turning back around. Henry watched him for awhile, just standing there and slightly zoning out while listening to the bacon sizzle and the smelling the seasonings William put on the eggs while they cooked.
After about 30 minutes, William was finished cooking and set up the kids at the table to eat. He then made two plates for him and Henry.
"Hey, Henry, wanna eat outside? It's a nice morning."
Henry took his plate, nodding and smiling up at William. "Okay. That sounds nice."

They both walked out to the porch, sitting down on the chairs outside. They sat in silence for a short while, eating and watching the grass and trees move in the wind. William eventually spoke up, turning to Henry.
"Did you sleep well?"
The question caught Henry off guard, and he almost choked on the piece of egg he had been chewing on. His face turned a soft red, poking at the food on his plate with the fork. "..Yeah. Yeah, I slept fine. Thanks for letting me sleep here."
William pat his shoulder, nearly knocking the plate out of Henry's hand. "Great! I hope I was a good pillow!"
Henry's face immediately turned a bright red shade. "William, I actually didn't mean- I just fell asleep, It wasn't on purpose, I swear-"
William put his finger on Henry's lips, shushing him. "It wasn't an issue! It actually kind of reminded me of when Eleanor would sit on the couch with me. I think it was nice to have company again."
Henry pulled his hat down to slightly obscure himself, rubbing his face. Eleanor? What did he mean by that. Eleanor was his wife, why would he be comparing her company to Henry's, was this just teasing, like he always did at work?
Henry gave his plate to William, standing up from his seat. "I think I should go, Charlie and Sammy have school soon."
William stared at him, his smile fading for a moment.
"...Right... you're right! I'll see you at work tomorrow!"
Henry left without a word to William, helping the twins pack their things. William watched them go with a slight frown on his face.

Henry got home after dropping off Sammy and Charlie, slamming the font door. His mind raced with thoughts, not being able to even focus on one. He sat down on his couch, taking off his hat to run his hand through his hair, looking over at the empty spot next to him. He managed to hold onto one of his thoughts. He didn't want to move away from William that morning. He only felt like he had to.
His face felt hot again thinking about William, thinking about laying on his chest like that again, realizing how cold it felt without him there. This wasn't normal. What he was feeling isn't normal. He had the thought to visit the confession booth in the church the next day, maybe get help in these wrong thoughts and not have to worry about William anymore, to just be able to think about him without feeling pain in his chest. Maybe it was guilt. Guilt for just leaving so suddenly, for seeing Williams disappointed face and not even saying goodbye to him.
Henry laid down. curling up against a pillow next to him. He felt like a lonely kid again, just like he was in elementary school before William came along. The day they met was a day Henry never forgot, even so many years later. They had both signed on for the robotics club, being the only two people showing up sooner or later. They grew attached to each other. All they had was one another for so long, and Henry couldn't imagine being without his best friend. They needed each other. He needed William.
Henry got choked up, sniffling softly as he hugged the pillow. He shouldn't have been crying, he was a grown man. But he couldn't help it, and this was the only chance he had to. He didn't even have an idea to why he was crying, maybe he just didn't want to be alone. But he couldn't call William again, not after leaving like that. He'd see him all work. He could apologize then.
Henry buried his face into the pillow. He'd never felt so vulnerable.