4 Leaf Clover - ᴹˣᴹˣᴹˣᴹ

10.

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Clover had woke up in his spare room isolated. There was no indication that Elio had been in the exact room reading him to sleep, but there was a tiny folded-up post-it note. Clover reached over for it and unfolded it, on the inside, a faint black pen had scribbled a few words.

'Good morning! I left for work at 8 am so if you wake up after that time, feel free to make yourself some cereal.

See you at 4 pm'

Clover smiled at the reminder that Elio left - he got up, and changed into some of the old clothes gifted to him. It was a simple pair of pants, elegant and black and surprisingly the ideal proportions. On his top half, he put on a grey shirt which appeared a little oversized on him, but it wasn't surprising with the weight he's presumably lost. Clover found it challenging to tell whether his body had changed, he could only assume by his clothes.

After dressing, Clover wandered around the house looking for a clock. He located one at the stairway and it read 9:13 am. He was expected at work at 10 so he quickly dashed down the stairs and located his shoes. He put them on and looked for the coat he took off after an uncomfortable tea yesterday. He found it and slipped it on - then Clover paused.

If he left the house now, would they let him back in? If Clover left for work, would they welcome him back? Would Elio fight with his partners again?

"Where are you going?" A voice asked and Clover turned to a sleepy Finley.

Clover took a few steps towards the door, "To work,"

"You work?" Finley asked, turning his back to Clover to make some cereal.

Clover was starving but he knew he could endure till tea time, when Elio was back home and creating a plate full of food which he couldn't decline. Although Elio had told him to make cereal, he remembered the threatening words Yuki had sprouted at tea yesterday about remaining away from the fridge and the food.

"Just at a small shop," Clover replied and Finley nodded before eating a spoon full of cereal.

"Give me 5 minutes," Finley said after swallowing, "I'll drop you off,"

Clover was stunned at his suggestion. He took a second to consider it but he remembered the drive to the city took 40 minutes so if he attempted to walk it at this time, he may as well call in sick to avoid neglecting his shift entirely. A car ride would get him there in the nick of time, plus he really needed the cash.

"Thank you," Clover said, cautiously sitting on the stool, waiting for Finley to get ready.

Clover found himself sitting in one of three cars in the driveway after waiting 10 minutes. Clover had never been into cars but he understood the car was posh considering the interior was made of polished timber and the wheel was a cream leather which corresponded well with the seats. Finley was in an identical uniform Elio wore and Clover remembered that all of the men were a part of the law.

"So, what's your shop called?" Finley asked, pulling up the GPS on the car's screen.

Clover provided the name of the shop quietly and he observed Finley type it in - he was surprised to discover that Finley was alright with him being in his car, enough to offer him a ride. He found it even more startling to find the car ride was acceptable and he didn't feel uneasy or uncomfortable next to the man. Clover spent his time looking out the window and checking the time a few times throughout the ride.

There was tranquil music playing, it was classical, the style of music Clover's parents enjoyed listening to. He listened to it quietly and enjoyed the scenery whizzing past on the subdued suburb roads. The roads started getting busier closer to the city but Finley was a competent driver to know shortcuts he could handle in a vehicle.

"So, how long have you been homeless?" Finley asked as they were stuck in some traffic.

"Oh," Clover thought about it for a second, "Nearly 3 months?"

Finley nodded, trying to make conversation, "Did Elio stay with you last night?"

Clover felt his face become flushed with humiliation, he felt it was difficult to admit that Elio had spent the night in his room. Either it expressed it was suggesting something abnormal or he would be admitting to someone else's boyfriend staying there regardless. Clover didn't want them to clash or quarrel just because Elio had recommended he stay for a few days, and he certainly didn't want to make it seem like he was pushing to make Elio take his side. Clover knew he was the intruder, the odd one out and he refused to be in the middle.

"I was trying to find him last night, but he wasn't in his room," Finley added on.

Clover felt he was being trapped but he replied nonetheless, "Yes, he was in my room,"

Finley nodded quietly, his fingers caressing his chin roughly. Clover swallowed, the atmosphere feeling smothering in the tiny area of the car. He looked at the traffic, seeing it start to move gradually. He desired it to move quicker, so he could go to work and evade the mean eyes of Finley.

"He must like you a lot," Finley muttered and Clover looked over at him.

"What do you mean?" Clover asked.

Finley shrugged, "I doubt it's anything of importance,"

In a few straightforward words, Clover felt like he had been punctured. It felt almost ridiculous to desire a friendship with Elio even when he had been homeless, but now it felt heart-breaking. He had dwelled in his house, been read to by him, got to know him a little bit and the feelings of reassurance had been closed down by Finley. Clover wouldn't have cared if Finley was a random companion of Elio's but he wasn't. As Elio's partner, surely his input is bound to harbour weight.

Clover thought about Elio's feelings - they most likely weren't of significance, they were just Elio being generous as an officer. Offering him support because he had none but none of that meant that Elio cared for Clover in any way. Not in the way Clover desired. In a few days, Elio would free himself of Clover and call it a day whilst Clover would dream of that friendship.

The thought daunted Clover and the actualisation of the bond between himself and Elio turned his blood cold. He wasn't ready to step away from this friendship, but he would have to force himself to. He understood it at the end of the day. Yet, his eyes watered and his lip trembled in the stillness of the car.

"By the way, are those my old clothes?" Finley asked and Clover shrugged because he was afraid his voice would quiver.

They travelled the last 10 minutes in silence, the radio shut off and the windows up. Once Finley parked outside the shop, Clover wasted no time in rushing inside and away from the harrowing reality of his circumstances. He didn't thank the older man for the passage and he didn't glance back despite feeling remorseful.

Finley, too, felt regretful. He wasn't one to be mean, in fact, it was his compassion that had brought the throuple together. There had been an instance where the throuple had attempted to add another individual, as all three of them had grown to treasure another but in time that person became undependable and exploited them. They had to lament together and push through together. Yet, Elio's sudden interest in the young man working in the store had surprised Finley a lot.

He wasn't certain how to regulate the situation, not the attraction to him but the sudden man in his residence. He could tell the kid was in peril, hence why he was reluctant and mean. Yet, Elio had taken such a liking to him that he had disputed and compelled his opinion forward. It had taken Finley by shock because Elio was usually so laid-back and kind, he had never yelled at them so persistently. Moreover, Finley had been used to sneaking into the bed of his infuriated lovers after quarrelling and Elio never objected. Yet, last night he wasn't even in his room.

Finley had seen the two of them - he just wanted to see how Clover would respond. He was pleasantly surprised when Clover didn't lie about it or didn't attempt to make a justification. It felt natural, both of their feelings for the other, rather quickly created or not, it felt genuine. Finley could never fault the feelings of his lovers, so he would attempt to get to know the kid.