We fell into a comfortable rhythm. Arlo would drive me around town to appointments, and then we'd grab food after. He'd always find new places for us to try out. Even vegetarian places. We started working out too. We wanted to be better to our bodies. We had someone to be better for too. Arlo didn't really need the workout, but I sure as hell did. I was what the doctors called "skinny fat." Apparently, I was a fat skinny person. And that was super unhealthy.

So, times were changing, and we were getting healthier. And I got to see Arlo lift weights as if they were pillows. Got to see him get all sweaty, veins popping out of his arms. And a bunch of people were watching him too, so when he finished with the weights, putting the bar back on the holder, I jumped down from the cross trainer and slung my arms around his neck, bringing him down to me and placed a kiss on his mouth. Just so no one would get any ideas.

"I'm disgusting," he panted and smiled.

"Nah, you're really hot. I do so enjoy watching you lift heavy stuff."

"Yeah?" He laughed and put his hand on my lower back, pulling me closer. "Well, I'll keep doing it then. For you, of course."

"All for me," I chuckled and pulled back. "Do you think I should start lifting weights?"

"It depends on what kind of body you want, really. Bulking up is beneficiary for me, since I'm a guard and all. Gotta look intimidating and be strong. And I could help you, if you want?"

I looked at my arms, compared to Arlo. Mine were spaghetti. His were actual tree trunks. Maybe I could do with getting just a tad bigger. I was just really lanky. I wanted a healthier body.

"We'll do a combination of cardio and weights. Start you off slowly so you don't hurt yourself." Arlo's cute face lit up and he looked so excited.

I'd indulge on this for him. All for him.

Arlo smiled at me as he told me about a store, he'd like to visit. He was going to buy new shoes. Arlo got excited over the smallest things. And shoes were one of those things. His excitement was infectious and before we had even left the apartment, I was excited too.

"Dion?" Someone said from behind us, stopping me dead in my tracks on the middle of the sidewalk.

It was as if ice was dumped down my back. I clenched Arlo's hand in mine as I turned around, facing him.

"Cal," I murmured.

"Good to see you, man." He smiled, showing off his stained teeth.

He looked horrific. Dirty. His hair was thin and so was he.

"You too," I whispered.

"It's been a while. How have you been?"

I nodded a bit. "I've been good. And you?"

"Yeah, yeah. You know me. Still hustling and stuff." He glanced up at Arlo and brushed off his hand on his dirty trousers. "Hi, I'm Cal. I'm Dion's old friend."

"Hey, I'm Arlo. Dion's boyfriend." Arlo shook his hand with no hesitation, smiling at him as if he didn't look like someone the streets had eaten up and shat out again.

He was like me. Half a faun. But one of his horns were now missing.

"What have you been up to? You look really good."

"I've... Been working. At Euphoria. It's really good. They're all so nice." I tried so hard to fight my voice. To stop it from shivering.

"Oh," Cal said and ran his hand through his hair. "Cool. As long as you get off the streets, right? It's not too bad here though. It's alright. Lots of charities are giving out food now. Loads more than when you lived here."

I nodded again and let go of Arlo's hand. I circled my arms around Cal and hugged him close.

"I'm sorry, I just left," I said with a voice I couldn't recognise.

"Nah, man. Don't be. Get the fuck out, right? That's what it's about." He pulled back and smiled again.

"Here, hold up." I dug out my wallet and handed him some bills. "Get some food. And a toothbrush."

He laughed out loud and pocketed the bills. "Thanks, man. Take care." He offered Arlo a nod and then he crossed the busy street.

Arlo's fingers slipped in between mine and he squeezed my hand.

"We... We worked in teams, he and I," I said before I could stop myself. "We looked out for each other. Made sure we made it out of those cars or alleys alive."

"He seemed nice."

"He is. He was my best friend on the streets."

"Maybe we could help him out?"

"He doesn't want to leave the streets. He's a free spirit, you know? He'd be miserable in an apartment or house. With a job. He wants to do as he pleases." I smiled a little up at Arlo. "I could never do that. I couldn't go back."

"And you don't have to," he said so softly and kissed the top of my head. Right at the stem of my horn. I inhaled sharply and latched on to his jacket.

When we had bought the shoes, we went to a café to get coffee. We sat by the window, looking out at the people walking by.

"How old were you when you moved to the streets?" Arlo asked. "You don't have to answer that." His cheeks darkened a little and he looked down at his coffee.

"It's okay. You're allowed to ask me anything, Arlo." I smiled and put my hand on top of his. "I was ten. I lived in a home before that, but they don't take care of older kids. So we were supposed to be moved to another home but... There was no room. Usually they'd give the few spots to the girls. It's harder being a girl on the streets, you know?"

He nodded a little.

"So, yeah. I lived on the streets from when I was ten."

"When did you start working?"

"I was older. Way older than some of my friends. They started when they were thirteen. I didn't want to do it, but eventually I grew hungry. And my friends kept telling me I'd get a lot more money than I'd ever get from begging. So, I did it one night. Just walked down the street and a car stopped. A man asked how much I charged, and I just said a random number. It was so easy too. It didn't take him long and then he paid me. And he was nice." I shrugged a shoulder and looked down at my coffee. The foamed milk was slowly disintegrating into the dark liquid.

"I did it until I turned twenty. I was getting popular, you know? Johns would stop to ask for me. And it made some of the others angry. So one night they jumped me after I had just gotten paid. They held on to my horns while they kicked me. They broke a few of my ribs. My collarbone was poking out of my skin." My fingers went to the scar on my collarbone, and I sighed deeply. "When I got out of the hospital I applied for a job at Euphoria. I didn't want to live on the streets anymore."

Arlo turned his hand, his palm against mine and his thumb running over my finger.

"I'm glad you applied for the job at Euphoria. For selfish reasons."

How did this guy always know how to cheer me up? He could turn the whole discussion so easily into something pleasant. Arlo was just a big softie and I loved that about him. He didn't look soft, but he was the embodiment of "don't judge a book by its cover." There was not one hard thing about him.