Clearing the family room took up a lot of time and energy that morning. Milan was lucky Owen could handle the heavy lifting all by himself. Even if Milan had strength in those thin arms, he would rather watch Owen potentially rip his sleeves. Moreover, the sight of having that sweaty white shirt cling to Owen’s body was worth the bouts of uselessness within Milan.
Soon enough, they worked on clearing the kitchen. They placed the unnecessary things inside and outside the kitchen before getting the big things to stay in the shed. However, Milan found himself staring at the doorway of the kitchen that led to the main door of the house.
“What’s wrong? Did you find something?” Owen asked as he noticed how Milan just stood there with his cleaning materials.
“…there’s blood on the door frame.” Milan stared at the door frame. He figured this door was open when his mother died, but why did the blood reach the top hinge?
“I remember Uncle saying that blood splattered all over this place when Roma Sheppard died.” Owen joined Milan in staring at the doorway before walking to the edge of the carpet that only rolled a meter past the door. He reached out and ripped the carpet from the floor. It even left a dark-red residue. “Blood even dried here and glued the carpet to the…”
Thud. Owen heard a loud and dull sound come from behind him. He turned to find Milan fallen to the floor on his butt, the man shaking uncontrollably. Owen then went closer to hold his shoulders. “Milan?”
Milan dropped the spray and rag in his hands before grabbing his own hair. He curled down and grasped for breath. When his eyes closed, he started crying, but the darkness within failed to show. What he saw instead was the cream walls and mahogany flooring. In front of him was a slipper of an adult man.
Another piece dropped, and the shaking Milan couldn’t help but look up to find the hanging feet of his father. It was the same moment that it dawned upon him. His father grew so insane that deprivation led to a sickness that could only be self-medicated by death.
“Milan? Milan?”
Milan was seeing a rather different scene than the one he should have. He couldn’t see Owen in front of him. He only saw his father glaring down at him from the ceiling, his neck broken and mouth foaming.
Maybe… maybe if Mauve didn’t confess to her crime to the teen Milan, he wouldn’t understand what truly happened to his father. However, even if he knew what murder looked like, he would still freeze and fret at the sight of someone’s crime scene.
He could look at the corpses, but he could never see the places where they died without going into some episode of sudden hysteria.
“Milan…”
The faint voice of a man whispered in Milan’s ears. It was the same voice that called out to him that night at the bridge. Milan woke up with a start, only to find himself in Owen’s embrace. His arms were trapped between them, and his face was against Owen’s shoulder. He couldn’t see anything unless he looked up, but he felt drowned by the scent of Owen’s body.
He then closed his eyes and calmed down his breathing. This was why he didn’t want to witness anyone dying. He cared too little about their bodies, but he couldn’t control his reaction the moment he saw where they died. It was a strange thing, but Milan could never ask for therapy. After all, they would find out how his beloved stepmother killed his father without any evidence pointing to her.
“Sorry, that must be scary.” Milan chuckled as he fell into the tight embrace. “You can release me now. I’m doing better now.”
“Nightmares are something I cannot cure…” Owen whispered, “…but I can freeze time. Would you rather stay in a false paradise or live a life of tragedy?”
Milan didn’t know what those words meant, but he didn’t brush off the man who kept on squeezing him to make him feel safe and secure. “Life of tragedy, Owen. That sounds stupid, but frozen time will get boring, and it won’t get any better. More memories, more glimpses of happiness…”
A smile then curled the other man’s lips. “I see.”
Owen pulled back and used a hand to gently make Milan look at him. Milan only responded with a curious gaze. He would ask Owen why he said those things, but the other just sealed their lips together.
Unlike what Milan thought would happen, the earlier repulsion didn’t come. He even moved his head to return the kiss deeper. It wasn’t the place and time to make out, but they both fell into a spell no one knew who cast. They just felt like drowning in the pool of mistaken passion and devotion.
Milan began moaning, and Owen only held onto him tighter. Even if Milan began to get suffocated by the kiss, he only continued to offer himself. His hands moved down to feel those firm muscles on Owen’s chest and the pounding of his heart. If he could feel more of Owen…
“Milan?” Corey’s voice came from the main door, and she knocked on the panel.
Owen was the first to pull away, but he did so slowly as if savoring every split second. He then turned to the door and found a shadow of a woman standing in front of it. A corner of his lips rose. “Did you promise them you’d be home for lunch at least?”
Even if the kiss was over, Milan was still feeling hot. He only leaned his forehead at the man still holding onto him. Milan then laughed. “Dammit, I did. Should we lock up for now and head to their house? I still need someone to help me clean this place. I don’t know if I won’t freeze again later.”
“I’ll be more careful next time.” Owen placed another kiss on Milan’s head before he got to his feet, pulling Milan up along with it. He then combed the other’s hair to clear Milan’s beautiful face from his stray fringe. “Head to the other door.”
“I owe you a lot.” Milan didn’t open his eyes, but he turned around and headed to the other door. After three blind steps, he realized he might run into things. He then opened his eyes and took the path through the family room.
As for Owen, he only watched Milan until he vanished from the door. He then looked at the bloody carpet and used a foot to undo the fold he created. His foot then pressed on the carpet, a dark red liquid seeping from the fabric as if it was actually wet instead.
He then smiled coldly.