4 Leaf Clover - ᴹˣᴹˣᴹˣᴹ

17.

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Elio was exhilarated to get home - after being requested to stay behind for 2 extra hours, he finally finished at 7 pm. He had accomplished so much work, that his fingers were painful and hard to bend. When he got into his car, he was excited to cook some Italian food for Clover to test. He had made some of his favourite meals growing up for the boy, and Clover's opinion on the food he never tried before had become his afternoon pleasure.

Elio wasn't pleased with Yuki at the moment, the impulsive argument yesterday had spiralled so poorly. It was a shock to Elio, the whole thing, hearing Clover express being gay was 'inappropriate' but Elio understood it was just the way Clover had grown up and the warped sentiments of his family. He was learning, maturing and discovering his own way and Elio couldn't criticise him. He understood how it felt to witness people who resorted to the old ways.

Elio was more surprised at how furious Yuki had become at the comment. He thought that Yuki would be the one to comprehend Clover's statement, the most. He had been through a lot, but Elio had seen at the beginning of their relationship that Yuki was the one struggling to come to terms with the individual he was. Yuki had some unconcluded arguments with his parents growing up and eventually he stopped talking to them. Elio and Finley don't even know the extent of his trauma.

After the 40-minute drive back, he spotted both cars belonging to his lovers in the driveway. He felt some nerves in his body, Elio wondered if Clover had returned after finishing early and went to his room without any disturbance from Yuki. After the altercation and Clover had rushed to his room, Elio didn't have the stamina to holler at Yuki and left himself. Eventually, before it was time to sleep, Finley climbed into Elio's bed.

For the past several nights, even when the three of them were getting along, Yuki had been sleeping independently. Finley had been going between bedrooms to rest with Elio and then Yuki. Yet, last night, Finley had slept beside Elio and they conversed before falling asleep.

"Are you angry at Clover too?" Elio asked.

"No," Finley admitted, "I think, it was a shock,"

"He admitted he was gay," Elio whispered, "I was kind of proud of him,"

"Before his other comment?"

"Yes, but I don't fault him for thinking it's a little wrong,"

"Because of his family?"

"Yes," Elio whispered, "I want to help him,"

Elio strode into the house, locking the door behind him. He sauntered into the living room, surprised to discover Finley with his head in his hands on the sofa. He frowned at the sight, he knew work was tiring but at least Finley's station wasn't requesting him for extra hours. Finley glanced up at him and stood up quickly.

"Elio..."

"What's wrong with you?" Elio questioned his lover, running his hands down Finley's arms.

"Look Elio..." Finley tried again, only for Elio's attention to go to Yuki.

Yuki was reading a book - he was sitting with his Japanese Yukata on, the sunlight from their windows shining up the book in his hands. Elio scowled at his lack of kindness, he didn't glance up from his book, didn't greet him and he wondered why he was being difficult towards him. Elio understood Yuki didn't like Clover but the both of them never did anything to warrant his silence. Elio chose to ignore him back and pretend like he wasn't home, he could be just as uncompromising.

"Where's Clover?" Elio asked, "He said he finished early today,"

Finley let out a sigh as Elio departed the sitting room and wandered up the stairs, he was eager to tell Clover about the food he was going to assemble for them tonight. When he compelled open the bedroom door, he was stunned to find it devoid and sitting in stillness. Elio couldn't quite put his finger on it, but the hairs on his arms stood up in eeriness. He glimpsed at the room, the curtains seemed to be still, the bookshelf seemed permanently unused and the bed was too uncluttered for someone who had been sleeping in there for the past week.