I woke up to the sound of the forest and the sound of Ellis' soft snores. The renders in my eyes left me visonless for a few moments before gazing at the darkness of the room, some light coming from the corners of the blind.

I pulled Ellis over and his head was in the crook of my neck and his warmth made me feel like I was beside a fire.

The day before had been a day that I never wanted to forget. It was so enjoyable and not once did I think about the shit I was going through. Not once. Fortunately, I was proud of that. The shit that went on was enough to throw me off the rails so many times.

I would envy people who had lives like no other. Perfect family and perfect husbands and wives. Perfect home and properly functioning.

I never had that when I was younger, just a dysfunctional family that never cared for me so I left as soon as I could. It wasn't exactly safe either. Although again I found my way around, I got money, food, places to stay and cars. I had it all figured out, easy and simple. I'd get girls, go to their apartment and leave in the morning.

I felt remorse for it to be honest.

It was wrong and stupid but in the end look where it left me. With Ellis.

Ellis soon woke up and turned to face me, a smile on his face and his dimples showing.

"Good morning." I smiked and he smiled back.

"Morning. What's on the agenda today?"

"Nothing much. We are going home tonight unfortunately."

"Can't we just stay overnight? Again? Please." Ellis asked.

I wasn't completely sure about it as I had things to do but I agreed. I'd booked it for an extra night just in case but now we needed to figure something out for the day.

There was a small town miles from here and I'd visited it a few times. Population of ten thousand and a beach along with many market shops and street foods. It was beautiful really, weirdly known as the 'mini Rome.'

"Sure. I'll call up the person and tell them I need the extra night. Also, there is a small town miles out from here and I'd love for you to see it. Go and get dressed. There is a pair of swimming trunks too."

Ellis nodded excitedly and got dressed while I slipped on some clothes and went out for a smoke.

"Hello, yes I'd need that other night."

"No bother," the man said at the other end of the phone line. "Is he alright?"

"I don't want him hurt," I replied to my friend. "I'm terrified, Bill."

"Keep him in good arms, okay? It'll be fine son, worry about these things when you have too."

"Thanks, see you soon." I hung up the phone and kept flicking the ash away. The cigarette was leaving a bitter taste in my mouth and it turned me for this time of morning.

Ellis walked out and hugged me from behind, leaving trails of kisses on my neck. "Can we go soon?" He asked.

"Yes, I just need to pack a bag for the beach."

"Already done that, he smiled with the bag in his hand and the keys in the other.

"Okay, then lets go." The door to the cabin was locked and we headed to the truck, deciding between us to stop and get breakfast somewhere.

The drive was seemingly long and in the distance a stop came up. A diner with loads of cars outside. Lucky. We were both starving.

"Finally, a place to eat!"

--

We had gotten food and never been more happier. Ellis got some eggs and bacon while I got pancakes and maple syrup along with a few strips of bacon. Two cups of coffee sat steaming and the only noise was the people around us. I yawned and Ellis laughed.

"You're adorable."

"Ellis."

His leg was inbetween mine because the seats were so close in our booth. I gave him the side eye but he only smiled in victory.

"Well, Nick."

"You're lucky that there are people here. Because if no one was here, you'd be on the table."

His face immediately turned red and his leg returned to the floor.

A fun day had been planned and even though I was tempted to go sleep with Ellis, we hit the road and went to the small town. It was beautiful and full of peaceful people.

"I take it you've been here before."

"Most of the time. I love it." I smirked at Ellis who was sterring the wheel. Maybe I could tease him.

I rested my hand on his lap and drew circles, his face lighting up and turning to look at me. "Stop." Ellis groaned as I drew closer.

"Hm." I groaned.

"Seriously, Nick!" He groaned again and I noticed something I hadn't noticed before hand.

--

We started to enter the small town and many people were already waving at us and greeting us through the turned down windows.

"I have someone to meet here so you can do whatever you want and I'll meet you here in an hour or so."

Ellis shrugged, "Sure." He quickly ran over and hugged me, laying a soft kiss on my neck before walking away.

I didn't want to leave him alone but we had many hours to do things and I was only taking an hour out of it.

I saw the man with white hair and beard, closely trimmed and slim figure. Green army suit on and some combat boots.

"Nick." He waved over and I ran towards him.

"Bill. It's been a while," I said to the veteran. "I need help."

"I'm sure to help you out on that son."

--