4 Leaf Clover - ᴹˣᴹˣᴹˣᴹ

22.

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Finley happily directed Clover out to the fenced-off garden out back - Finley had plans to plant both varieties of Bluebells straight into the ground, ready for the start of the summer season beginning soon. The frigid spring was concluding, and the winter was even further away. Those stern months on the streets were finally ending. A new chapter for Clover was beginning to take place and he felt a sense of calmness wash over him.

"This is the perfect time to plant these," Finley said, cutting the packets open to look inside, "They should grow and bloom at the end of summer,"

"Really?" Clover asked, "Then, I'll get to see them fully bloomed?"

Finley nodded with a smile, "Of course you will, you're not going anywhere are you?"

Clover shook his head fast, a smile blooming on his face. To Clover, the very reassurance he required from Finley felt like a warm cloak on his shoulders. He informed himself not to remain too comfortable, and to consistently pay them back by tidying up whilst he stayed, but finally, he could unwind and stop wondering about the following bridge he would have to sleep underneath. He was perfectly pleased with thinking about gardening.

Whilst Finley and Clover pondered over the seeds and which type of bluebells would grow better, Elio and Yuki walked into the gym room to converse. Elio's feelings were bursting at the seams, he desperately wanted to unleash the hindrance that had been placed on his heart the last couple of days. Yet, he discovered himself struggling for the right words to express to his lover as they faced one another.

He examined Yuki for the first time in several days - despite being bedbound by his impulsive depression, Elio felt satisfactorily this morning. Now that Clover was back, nothing could destroy the sunshine in his soul. Elio's temper had changed drastically and he felt he had to beg for forgiveness about the things he declared and the way he acted. Yet, the words halted as he truly looked at Yuki.

His hair was incredibly dishevelled from his deep few hours of sleep. One side of his face was still a little red from resting it on his arm, his eyes were overlaid with a thin sheen of redness. Elio could only begin to speculate the pressure he put Yuki through and all the time he spent looking for Clover. Elio's declaration of never seeing him again, leaving, made Yuki desperate and a deep set of guilt weighed itself in Elio's mind.

"First of all, I wanted to say I'm sorry," Elio began, "I...never should of said the things I did,"

Yuki began shaking his head, "Your reaction was justified, I started this whole mess,"

Elio nodded in understanding, between the three of them, Yuki was always the one to apologise sooner. It might come as a surprise to most, but as the most hot-headed one in the relationship, he wasn't frightened to proclaim how sorry he was and that he was mistaken. It was one of the many reasons the three of them had advanced beyond extensive issues in their relationship and it was admirable of Yuki. Elio didn't want him to take the blame, Yuki was wrong but he was selfish.

"I don't want you to be sorry Yuki," Elio explained, "I know what Clover said had triggered something, and what you went through with your parents is something that triggers you. You should never apologise for feeling the way you do, especially when someone has wronged you,"

"But it was wrong to blow up about what he said, he didn't mean it," Yuki sighed, "As you said, I should have understood him the most,"

"It doesn't matter," Elio said, placing his hands on Yuki's shoulders, "It doesn't because you felt the way you did and you fixed it, this is me trying to fix my mistake,"

Yuki went silent and glanced at Elio closely. He could see as he looked down at him, that Elio's eyes were filled with a remorse he couldn't force aside. The younger man was far too delicate to not apologise despite it making Yuki feel uncomfortable. So, he closed his mouth and let Elio express his apologies.

"What I said," Elio began slowly, "I'm sorry for calling you a piece of shit, in Italian."

Yuki let out a chortle and looked at Elio whose lips were turned up in a little smile, "That's okay,"

"I'm sorry for disregarding what happened to you when you were younger," Elio continued, "You don't speak much about it but I should've been more respectful and not brought it up to be mean to you,"

"It's okay,"

"And, you had every right to compare your situation to Clover's and be scared about it. I had no right to say you were just projecting like an asshole,"

Yuki nodded.

"Most importantly, I'm sorry for bringing up Callum," Elio sighed, "I know he was important to us all at one point but you truly liked him so I know I'm an asshole for bringing him into it,"

"That's okay, I shouldn't have compared Clover to that asshat,"

"Yes, let's never bring him up again," Elio agreed, "I just...I'm sorry for saying all of that horrible stuff but I was really angry,"

"I know,"

"I really like him Yuki," Elio said, desperation in his voice, "He is truly wonderful and one of my favourite times of day is showing him some new Italian food,"

Yuki smiled, and a wave of sadness washed over him. He felt at that very moment, he could cry. Not because Elio was revealing his sentiments for Clover, he wasn't particularly concerned about that. He was more so unhappy about the fact he had honestly fucked up. Despite attempting not to like Clover, or discouraging his lovers from appreciating him, he didn't recognise just how much Clover fit in with them. He didn't see how much the boy brought them together and that his lovers did regard him as their favourite part of their day.

A few years ago, the three of them were so close. They used to do everything together, Finley and Elio used to work in the same station. However, as they grew as people, they naturally developed their own safe spaces. They weren't as close as they used to be but they still adored each other and spent as much time together as feasibly possible. It was more challenging now but Yuki could see that Clover was almost like a glue for them. Yuki couldn't even begin to think how long it had been since Elio appreciated cooking everyone dinner, and when they all got muddy in Finley's garden together. Now, Clover had made them do that, in the short week and a bit he had been here.

Elio was right - his insecurities about bringing Callum into their relationship were inherently forcing his ideas of love askew, but also breaking away his precious bond with his two lovers. It was time to let go of him and relish his time with the people he loves. It was time to offer Clover a proper chance.

"Elio," Yuki sighed, "I think a lot of things need to change around here,"

"What do you mean?" Elio questioned, looking up at Yuki.

"I've been the selfish one," Yuki told him quietly, afraid to admit this one massive fault, "I messed up with Callum and now the guilt of what he did to us has been eating away at me,"

"You know we forgive you," Elio told him sternly.

"I know you do," Yuki answered, "Both you and Finley forgave me, but I didn't forgive myself and because of that, I've been horrible and telling the both of you how to live,"

"What are you saying?"

"From now on," Yuki said, finding the courage, "No more of this 'no one coming over', from now on, invite whoever the fuck you want around, and...I'm going to give Clover a chance too,"

Elio felt relief circulate through his bones at Yuki's acknowledgement. That one sentence was the only thing he had been waiting for - he was nearly excited for Yuki to truly discover what Clover was like. He embraced the taller man, he even started wondering how Yuki would get to know Clover. It wasn't like Yuki was much of a talker, or activity do-er. Yet, Elio could envision both Yuki and Clover connecting over books, TV Shows and whatever homebodies do.

Elio and Finley are extroverts, the type of extroverts that adore going outdoors, yet Yuki would preferably lounge all day than locate a waterfall to trek to. Elio wondered if the future he was considering would ever become genuine.

Would Finley and himself find their two lovers lounging on the couch after hiking to a waterfall?