Jared waved goodbye to Steven. His shift was ending. He'd been working there for a couple days now.

"Oh, don't forget! Rynn is stopping by tomorrow and Christa is sick so Chris' not coming along."
Steven called out to Jared. Jared chuckled and waved goodbye.

"Okay good to know. Bye! Pet Burnt Marshmallow for me!"
Jared called as he ran out and started walking home.

Home.

That has a nice ring to it. Truth be told, Jared hadn't felt at home since his parents died. His uncle was never home, and when he was, he just watched the TV.

With the Samuels and Charles, he truly felt at home. He could trust them and they loved as if he was their own son and Sammy like a brother. They were his family now. His home.

"I'm baaaaaaaaack~!"
Jared called out into the house.

Sam came out and shushed Jared.
"Lil Sam is sleeping. Keep it down ya stampede"

Yep. Like a mom.

Jared laughed a bit and spoke,
"Where's d- Charles?"

Sam didn't notice his little slip and answered,
"He's at the store getting eggs. We're out and we figured we'd make breakfast for you two boys."

He ruffled the teen's hair. They laughed and Jared walked to his room.
"I'm going to get ready for bed, night"

Samuel smiled a motherly smile.
"Goodnight Jared."

~~~~~~~~~

Evan could tell he looked like mess. He knew how terrible he must've looked, but if there was a chance that Jared could bad in trouble, he would do anything to help him. He had been in New York for two days. His aunt knew why he really came because he told her. He hadn't slept at all since he arrived in New York. All he'd find was look for Jared.

He decided to go to his aunt's house. He walked in and realized that it was three am. He plopped down on the mattress his Aunt lied down for him and immediately fell asleep.

Evan woke up and immediately walked to the shower. He took a quick shower, washing his hair, and brushed his teeth. He packed a small bag and left the small house. He decided that he needed new shoes, for his current pair were old and worn out.

He continued walking down the street until he saw the sign he was looking for. It read 'Mangovski's Clothing and More'. He walked, hearing a little ring from a bell above the door.

Evan yawned and walked to the shoe section. He looked at the sneakers and decided on a navy bye and white pair. He took the box up to the register and looked at the employee who was working the register. He gasped when he saw the worker.

"Steven?"
He sounded slightly doubtful.

"Whoa, Evan? Is that really you? Wow, you've grown so much! I haven't seen you since you were this tall."
He remarked, placing his hand near his chest to indicate Evan's former height.

Evan laughed at his mom's cousin's son. Steven used to come to every family occasion until he moved to New York. Once he moved, he cut pretty much all ties with his family. To Evan, it was nice to see a familiar face in the busy sea of strangers.

The two exchanged a few words before Evan finished purchasing his item and left the store. While they were talking, they arranged a time to meet up at a deli to just talk and chill.

~~~~~~~~

Jared woke up with a smile. It was a real smile. Not a smirk, nor was it a cover up. Not at all, in fact, he was content and happy. He realized that he regretted nothing. He didn't regret running away. He didn't regret escaping the hospital. He didn't regret staying with Sam. He didn't regret anything at all.

He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. His eyes shot open as the smell of French toast filled his nose. The sweet scent of syrup lured him to the kitchen like a zombie.

He saw Samuel making French toast and lil Sam excitedly kicking his feet while waiting for food at the table. Charles had his arms wrapped around Samuel's waist and his head was rested on Samuel's shoulder.

"Good morning Jare,"
Samuel greeted with a warm smile.

This all felt so... so right.
Things were meant to be this way. Jared wiped the joyous tears that were forming in the corners of his eyes away. He hadn't had anything like this since his parents died.

"Good morning mom, do you need any help?"
Jared didn't even notice his slip up.

Samuel's face lit up and he answered his question,
"Yes! Please pour some milk for Charlie and me, orange juice for Sam and whatever for yourself."
His kind voice was laced with joy.

Jared nodded, smiling and poured two glasses of milk and two glasses of orang juice. He brought them to the table and placed them at the correct spots. 

They were done with breakfast and he now had to go to work.

When he got there, he was surprised to see the store completely empty, but not locked up. He saw a note on the counter.

Saw a relative earlier today and we went out to get a bite to eat. Be back at two or smth. Don't burn the place down or anything. See ya!
-Steven the fudgin gr8 dude

Jared chuckled slightly and went to work.

~~~~~~~

Steven and Evan were at a local deli and just talking, for they had already eaten their sandwiches.

"So why are you heere anyways?"
Steven asked Evan.

Evan sighed before answering,
"I'm looking for my friend who ran away. It's been almost a year and I really miss him. Besides, he's pretty much my only friend."

Steven hmmed and further interrogated,
"Why would you look in New York? Do you know if he's even in New York?"

"Well Aunt Lucy sent me a selfie of her in New York, and he was in the background, see?"
Evan said, showing him the picture he was sent.

Steven looked shocked for a second.
"Which one were you looking for?"

Evan pointed to Jared.

"I know him. His name's Jared."
Steven commented.

Evan gasped,
"You dO?!?!"
Evan looked extremely happy.

"Yea, I hired him a while back at the the place I work for. He's really cool. Did he really run away?"
Evan's excited attitude rubbed off on Steven as he spoke.

"Yes he did, but when are his shifts? I want to see him!"
Evan asked, his eyes sparkling.

"Actually, he should be working right now."
Steven checked his watch.
"Wanna go?"

Evan nodded and threw away his trash. The rushed out the door and walked to the clothing store and more.

Jared looked up and walked about to greet the costumer until he saw the two people standing in the doorway.

Evan looked shocked and his eyes glistened with tears. Jared jumped over the counter and tackled Evan.

The two teenagers were hugging on the ground, both crying.

"W-why'd you have t-to leave..."
Evan asked through his crying.

Jared just stuffed his face into the crook of Evan's neck and cried.

Steven stood off to the side, heart melting at the sight. He was still getting over the shock that Jared was a run away.

Eventually they recomposed themselves and sat up, looking into each other's eyes.

Jared sighed before explaining himself,
"When you and Connor got together, you started ignoring me. You acted like I didn't even exist. I felt like no one cared. My parents are dead and my uncle never cared. My only friend was ignoring me and forgetting me. It became just too much so I ran from it all. I lived off of very little food and I got jobs on the way. I lived like a zombie. I just did things. My mind was lost and it was barely living. After a while, I saw a swing set and swung, but my glasses fell off and I stepped on them, ruining them. I could barely see. All I had left was my phone, money, and my sanity. Well, until... I got r-raped. It was so terrible. I was so lost and I felt so disgusting. All I wanted was to take a shower and wash off everything from him, but I couldn't shower because I didn't have a shower. I lost my phone, my money, and my sanity to him. I was a goner until I met Sam. A little kid came up to me and we talked. He was so sweet. Every time I was about to despair, I thought of him and I felt better. Anyways, I was doing fairly well without my glasses until I fell in the street and got my leg run over. I escaped a hospital, stole some glasses, and went on a train to New York. While on that train, I met Sam again. He was going to New York to visit his uncles. I decided to go along with him. He wanted me to stay with him and his uncles and surprisingly, they agreed. I got a job here and I've been living with Sam's uncles, Samuel and Charles. If I'm being honest, I've never been this happy and content since my parent's deaths. They feel like a family to me."

Evan was surprised. He took it all in and carefully asked,
"Will you come back? I miss you so much. Your uncle is sorry and he regrets not giving you time. Please, I need you...Connor and I are done, he broke up with me since I went looking for you"
He placed his hands on Jared's shoulders.

Jared looked slightly pissed.
"Really? Why would I come back? I told you, I'm happy now! I've never felt this way. They love me like a son. They don't forget me. I still remember how long it took you to notice that I was gone. Three weeks, four days, and eleven hours."
Venom filled his tons as he spoke.

Evan just looked down, tears falling again.
"I'm so sorry... I really don't want to lose you. I just found you! I can't lose you again. PleaSE"
Evan sobbed.

Jared felt his heart ache for the boy he loved.
"I... as much as I'd love to come back with you, I can't leave my family. Trust me, I love you. I love you so much. That's why it hurt so badly, but I also love them so much and I can't leave them."

Jared leaned his head into Evan's chest and Evan embraced him.

A bell rang and Evan looked up to see three humans.

"Jared? Are you okay?"
A man asked.

"Stevie, why are you three crying?"
A little Sam asked.

"It's so sad! They both love each other, but Evan dated this guy and ignored Jared, which made him run away and eventually wound him up heere with you guys. Evan wants to take Jared back to New Jersey, but Jared doesn't want to leave you guys."
Steven cried.

Evan and Jared were blushing and looking up at all four people. Jared got up and held a hand out to Evan. He helped him up and introduced his family.

"Evan, this is Charles, Samuel, and lil Sam. They're my family now."
Jared said with fondness.

The two adults looked really happy at the word 'family'.
"Hi Evan, I'm Sam! You should marry my brother, I approve!"

Jared blushed and his eyes widened as he was dipped into a kiss. He kissed back, but was still very taken aback at the boy's boldness.

While they still didn't know what they were going to do about the whole situation, they were happy at this moment in time. Maybe, things would turn out okay in the end. Maybe...