As Harley stepped into the house, he smelled the rich aroma of tea wafting through the air. Allen must have been up for a while brewing the tea. Looks like he wasn't the only one who had trouble sleeping at night.

Though Harley could probably bet that they were both awake for completely different reasons.

"Make yourself at home," Allen said, gesturing to a cozy sitting area near the fireplace. "I was just about to get the fire going. Nights can get cold around here. I'm not used to it yet. I t was always warm and muggy down at The Ports."

Harley nodded his appreciation and took a seat on a plush chair. The flickering flames soon danced in the fireplace, casting a warm glow across the room. Allen joined him, placing a tray with a steaming teapot and two cups on the low table between them.

"Chamomile tea," Allen announced, pouring the fragrant liquid into the cups. "My own little remedy for late-night insomnia."

Harley accepted the cup gratefully, carefully sipping the hot liquid. He didn't want a repeat of what happened last week.

"So," Allen said once he was done pouring his own cup. "What has you walking around late at night?"

Harley hesitated. It wouldn't kill him to tell Allen the truth, or at least half of the truth. That Ella arrived late into town and he really didn't feel like being in the house with Liam and Ella after they'd been apart for so long.

So he did.

"Ella arrived late tonight," Harley began, choosing his words carefully. "I didn't want to intrude on her and Liam's reunion, you know? They haven't seen each other in a while, and I didn't want to be the third wheel."

Allen furrowed his brow. "Wouldn't they just be sleeping? It's so late."

Harley held back a scoff. "A young couple meeting for the first time in months and you think they're just going to sleep?"

Allen shrugged, his cheeks tinged slightly pink. "I guess I wouldn't know, I've never really been in a relationship.

Harley stared at the man in shock. He'd never been in a relationship? But how? He was so handsome. He was the picture-perfect definition of attractive, and Harley couldn't fathom how someone like Allen hadn't been in a relationship.

"Never been in a relationship?" Harley repeated, surprised.

Allen chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, it sounds a bit sad when you say it like that. But no, I've been traveling around with my sister practically my whole life."

"So your sister's never been in a relationship either?"

Allen raised an inquisitive brow. "Why? Are you interested?"

Harley paused at the sheer audacity of the question. No, he was not interested in Allen's sister. He was more interested in Allen than anything.

"No," Harley said shaking his head. "I'm not interested."

"Well, good," Allen said, taking another sip of his tea. "That would be bad for me."

Damn, Allen must be pretty protective of his sister.

"Sorry if I made it seem that way," Harley said, feeling a burn rise through his chest.

Allen smiled. "I just wanted to be sure, I'm not mad or anything." He shifted slightly, his knee brushing against Harley's. "What about you? Have you dated anyone?"

"Yeah," Harley said, fiddling with the cup in his hands. "I dated one of my childhood friends, Lisa. I'm not sure if you've met her, she's the bartender down at the saloon." Allen nodded, waiting for Harley to continue. "We dated when we were teenagers, but she broke up with me a couple of years ago."

"If you don't mind me asking, what happened?"

Harley closed his eyes. Lisa's familiar words rang through his head.

Do you see the way you look at Liam?

He sighed. "She said I didn't love her."

Allen's eyes softened. "Did you?"

"No," Harley said, keeping his eyes trained on his cup. "No, I didn't. Which is stupid. I should love her. She was an amazing girlfriend and she's an amazing person. Yet, I couldn't love her and I hate myself for it."

The brunette frowned. "Love can be complicated, Harley. Sometimes it's not about the other person; it's about finding what truly makes you happy."

What truly made him happy? It wasn't that simple. Being with Liam would make him happy, but seeing Ella by herself would not. Seeing Ella thrive in the North made him happy, but seeing Liam lose his mind over his girlfriend did not. Having Liam all to himself would make him happy, but losing Ella would not.

There was too much standing in the way of his happiness.

He groaned. All long and mournful, burrowing his head in free hand.

"Sorry," Allen said, placing his teacup on the table. "I didn't mean to ruin the mood."

"No," Harley sent him a wry smile. "You didn't. I've just got alot on my mind." He leaned backed against the couch, the cushions pillowing his frame. It was comfy. Nothing like the piece of trash furniture back at the Lawson household. "Let's talk about something else. Can you tell me a bit about living at The ports."

Allen's eyes brightened, and Harley was grateful that he chose a subject that wasn't sensitive. "Sure" the brunette agreed easily. "What do you want to know?"

He shrugged. He didn't know much about life outside The Badlands. "Anything, really. I've never been."

"Well, even though it's called the The Ports, not everyone lives on the well—ports." Harley raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A decent amount of people live more Inland toward The Cites. It's bit more rural out there. Kinda similar the the plains—oh you haven't been there either. Looks like I have a lot of explaining to do."

Harley nodded, signaling for Allen to continue. As he listened to Allen drone on about the different provinces he gulped down the rest of his tea, placing it down on the coffee table. He felt his eyes begin to droop slightly, the warmth of the fire making it harder for him to comprehend anything other than the tone of Allen's soothing voice.

"Harley," Allen said, placing a steady hand on his shoulder. "Are you tired?'

Harley gazed at Allen through lidded eyes. Harley gazed at Allen through lidded eyes. Allen was so handsome, it was unfair. He was kind and sweet and treated Harley with respect. The flickering firelight cast a gentle glow on Allen's features, accentuating the warmth in his hazel eyes.

"Yeah," Harley admitted, a soft, lazy smile playing on his lips. "I guess the night caught up with me."

Allen chuckled, his thumb gently caressing Harley's shoulder. "You're welcome to stay the night if you want. I have a spare room."

Stay the night? That would be nice. Harley really didn't want to walk all the way home in the chill. Didn't want to walk back in the Lawson residence where Liam and Ella would no doubt be snuggling together.

He nodded.

"Alright," Allen said, pressing a gentle hand to his back. "Let's get you to bed."

Harley's eyes widened. Did that mean the night was over. He didn't want that.

"Actually," Harley said, leaning in slightly, "there's something else I've been thinking about."

Allen's eyes widened slightly, a hint of curiosity mingled with anticipation. "Oh? What's on your mind?"

Harley took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. "This." And with that, he closed the gap between them, pressing his lips against Allen's in a gentle, lingering kiss.

Allen recoiled in surprise, but not enough the detach himself from Harley. After a second, he grappled for Harley's waist, resting a warm hand there. He used his other free hand to cup the back of Harley's
neck, pulling him closer.

Everything Allen did was gentle. He gently Maneuvered Harley closer to him, gently ran his hand up and down Harley's side, his fingers slipping under the fabric to grasp his bare waist. He gasped slightly and Allen swallowed the sound immediately.

The kiss tasted faintly of those sweet rock candies that were sold at the saloon and chamomile tea, and suddenly, he finds that it's his favorite flavor in the world, unable to stop himself from chasing eagerly after it.

At that, Allen pulled back with a soft laugh, but it's so unbearably fond that Harley can't find it within himself to feel embarrassed about it, only huffing impatiently at being forced to separate.

"Easy," Allen said, stroking his fingers along Harley's waist. "Let me put you to bed, you're clearly tired."

Harley frowned. He could tell that was Allen's nice way of saying 'you're not in your right mind' but harley was in his right mind. He wanted to kiss Allen.

In fact, he wanted to do it again.

Instead, he let himself be led to the spare bedroom Allen offered to him for the night and maneuvered and tucked in under the covers.

Allen stroked his hair softly, smiling down at Harley kindly. "Get some sleep, let me know if you need anything."

As Allen stepped away from the bed, Harley grabbed his sleeve. "Wait," Allen turned around curiously. "Do you like men?"

Allen chuckled before turning back toward the door. "It's a little late to be asking that."