Only about ten minutes had passed and Aaron was already freaking the fuck out. He had gone to all the places they had visited and was unable to find them. He couldn't even call Simon cause he left his cellphone in the car.

It was beginning to get pretty dark and the zoo was announcing to close at seven. He was honestly getting pretty scared, and asking people for help was a no, no, seeing how much his anxiety rose by just looking at them.

He went back to the bunny exhibit, hoping they'd come look for him there. He sat down and leaned his body against the fence.

After what seemed like forever, he felt like crying. This wasn't like him at all. He was usually able to handle situations like these pretty well. After he met Simon, he began depending on the man a little too much. He couldn't stand being so distant from him, he had become a really important part of his life and the thought of losing him really made his throat clench.

He hugged his feet close to his chest, he didn't know what to do. What if they never found him? What if he had to go back to his messed up past again? He didn't want that! He liked being with Simon, he felt safe and secured, he didn't have to worry about a lot of things anymore. He always had food, a comfy bed to sleep in, a roof over his head and most importantly, someone's hands to run into when he was feeling down.

Those are things he struggled to get and now that he had them, he didn't want to let them go just like this. "Please come back." He whispered to himself, feeling his tears begin to role down his cheeks.

The place was getting empty by the second and he could see some lights start to shut off. The darker it got, the more afraid he became, making him cry even more, although it wasn't audible, if you got close enough, you'd hear him sniffling and hiccuping every now and then.

[The Zoo will be closing in five minutes! I repeat The Zoo will be closing in five minutes!] he heard a women's voice through the speakers.

It was probably too late. They must've left already...

He wiped a bit of his tears and stood up from the floor.

"Aaron!"

His eyes dilated. There's was no way! He turned back and his heart beat increased. Simon and Alan were walking towards him from the aquarium section.

He didn't think twice before running to them and jumping into Simon's arms. He wrapped his hands around him tightly and began crying again. "W-where did you g-go?" He sniffled out. "Ari look everywhere a-and Sy not there a-and then got scared a-and..." He paused, holding him even tighter if it was possible. "Please don't leave Ari alone ever again!" He ululated.

Simon felt is heart sink at the sight before him. He slowly ran his hand up and down Aaron's back into hopes of calming him down. He felt terrible seeing the boy cry like that. "I'm sorry, Kiddo, I promise I won't leave you again, okay? It's all over now, hm?" He whispered softly.

"I thought you said he didn't have a headspa-" Alan started but was stopped when Simon side eyed him a deadly glare that immediately shut him up.

They drove home soon after, Alan on the wheel with Simon in the back seat while holding onto Aaron. His crying had stopped but occasional hiccuping were still noticeable. He had his arms locked around Simon and his head resting on his chest with Simons fingers playing with his hair.

When they reached the house, he refused to let go of Simons hand, not that the older minded, and wouldn't let him leave his side for even a second.

"Are you sleeping over?" Simon asked Alan who was lounging on the sofa while scrolling through Netflix.

"You expect me to go home at this late hour?" He said, looking over at the kitchen.

Simon had been making hot coco for Aaron, although it was a bit difficult with one of his hands currently preoccupied as well. "Did you call Nate?"

Alan nodded. "Yup. I'm all clear."

"Is it done yet?" Aaron pulled on Simons shirt.

"Just give me a sec, k?" The older smiled down at him.

"Okie!" He beamed a smile.

After the hot coco, they ordered Chinese food for dinner, although Aaron didn't look to happy with it. "What's wrong? Not hungry?" Simon asked worriedly.

"Ari want Sy food. Sy food taste much more better." He pouted, stabbing the orange chicken and Chow-mein on his plate.

Simon smiled. "How about this, if you finish your food, I'll make you whatever breakfast you want tomorrow morning?"

Aaron's eyes grew big. "Even...marshmallow with ice cream and peanut butter oh! And Nutella and cheesecake with French fries and and...donut cake?" He gave Simon a bright eye smile.

"That sounds like a recipe for diebitihes." Alan said, his eye twitching from just thinking about it.

"I-if that's what you want...then okay..." Simon hesitantly replied.

"Yay!" Aaron exclaimed, picking up his fork and stabbing it into the orange chicken.

Bath time was the hardest part of that day. Aaron had to shower but still wouldn't let go of Simons hand. He was much too afraid that the moment he released the man, he'd disappear again and Aaron would be left all alone.

That's why Simon was sitting on the doorway of the bathroom while singing children songs so loudly so that Aaron could hear him. After all that, the struggle for bedtime also came about and with no hesitation, Simon decided Aaron would just sleep in his bed for the night.

Simon's bedroom was surprisingly smaller than most rooms in the house. It was very casual and had nothing but a bed, a nightstand and a closet along with a bathroom.

The colours in the room were also different, instead of the normal blue and white, it was various shades of grey, black and white. He had a few picture frames of himself and a few other people that Aaron couldn't recognise.

They slipped into bed and Aaron immediately cuddled into Simon's chest, wrapping his arms and legs around him like a baby koala.

Simon slowly played with his hair until he eventually fell asleep.

He woke up the next morning and found himself in unfamiliar place. Actually, after a few glances he seemed to recognise his surroundings.

The dirty old shrivelled couch, the stench that smelled like a dead body, the blasted wind coming at him from every direction.

That's when he knew he was home...

He looked around, confused, how did he get back to this place?

"You little shit! Get your ass up here this fucking instant!"

"G-grandma?" He questioned. He quickly stood up from the couch and walked out of the basement. He made his way to what he remembered to be the kitchen and found her standing there completely furious with a spoon in her hands.

"Didn't I tell you wash the dishes last night?!" She barked. "What? Do you think you're all that now? Do you think it's now okay to just sleep in my house without working for it?!" She yelled, her hands on her hips and body tilted frontward.

He didn't understand why she was looking down at him, he was a bit taller than she was. He turned his head slightly and glanced over at the fridge. His eyes widened. He was a kid again.

He was alarmed when his grandmothers hand landed on his cheeks, he winced and looked back. "What do you think you're looking at?! Listen to me when I'm speaking!" She yelled. "As punishment, you'll be sleeping in the dog house outside you hear me?!" Aaron nodded.

She was about to walk away but the doorbell rang. She went over to the door and a man who looked very familiar to Aaron walked in. "It can't be." He said to himself doubtfully.

"Wow, Simon, to what do I owe this visit." His grandmother said to the man and let him in.

"No way." He grew a smile on his face. He ran to him. "Sy! You came! I can't believe you're actually here!" He exclaimed, jumping up and down with excitement.

He reached out to hold his hand but it was swatted away immediately.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Simon shouted. He looked up at Aaron's grandmother. "I can't believe you still watch over this thing. It's none of your responsibility, just get rid of it already." He said with a grimaced expression.

Aaron's heart shattered into pieces. He froze, staring at nothingness and feeling nothingness. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, it had to be a dream!

At that moment, tears starting trailing down, he was still just standing there and as much as he wanted to scream, nothing came out.

He fell to his knees, pulling at his hair in hopes of ending this petrifying world. Simon would never treat him like that! He just wouldn't!

At least he hoped so...