His dream house had big windows that let in lots of light. It had a wide sweeping porch , with a swinging bench where he could on sunny afternoon. It had a red door, with a brass door knocker. It had a place for all his books and space for him to write his music. He wanted a large garden, filled with bright beautiful flowers. But most of all he wanted his home to be filled with the laughter of children.

Arthur shook his head, and sprinkled more water on his fire-escape planter box. That dream house was nothing but that for right now, a dream. He and Alfred made nowhere near enough money to afford that kind of house. He was happy though, in their one bed room studio apparent, with windows that overlook the ally, and three flights of stairs they had to walk up. He was happy because he had his fire-escape garden, his six-string guitar, and someone who loved him just as much as he loved them.

Arthur emptied the last of the watering can over his tiny garden, and pulled away from the window seal. He walked into what was their kitchen/living room/office space, setting the watering can down on their coffee/dining table that also doubled as Alfred's work desk as he walked over to the sink. The sound of rushing water filled the tiny living space as Arthur washed his hands.

The apartment felt empty today, without Alfred's boyish enthusiasm to brighten their tiny living space. Arthur shut off the water and dried his hands; Alfred had gone to a job interview earlier that morning. Some posh private school was interested in hiring him to be the new physics teacher and Alfred was hopeful. The private school would pay more than the public school where he was currently employed, and at the very least they then could move into an apartment with a bit more space. Maybe something with an actual kitchen, not that he did much cooking mind.

He turned, leaning up against the cabinet as he looked out at their cluttered living space. They had a hand –me-down couch, a T.V which barely worked, and the folding screen that divided the rest of living space from the bedroom. His guitar and keyboard sat in a corner, music sheets covered in his sprawling handwriting.

Maybe I should get a real job… Arthur wondered, it hadn't been the first time he questioned the path he had chosen.

Being a freelance musician and lyricist was never a steady means of income in the first place, but lately he hadn't been able to catch a break. Lately he'd even stooped to taking on private lessons, and teaching a weekly guitar cores two nights a week at the local community center. But what else could he do? He wasn't trained to do anything else. There had almost been a time when he thought about teaching high school like Alfred, but he wasn't cut out for something like that. He didn't have Alfred's drive to enrich fertile minds. He may want to start a family one day. However, that do not mean he had the patience to put up with bratty teenagers all day. Besides, Alfred was more than just supported of Arthur and his choice of career, he made sure to encourage Arthur at every chance he got.

So what, they lived in cramped conditions, they were still young. It was just a matter of getting where they wanted to be. A matter of Arthur catching his big break and Alfred finding a place to teach where they didn't pay him pennies on the dollar. His dream house could wait till then.

A key in the lock caught his attention, followed by Alfred flinging the door open. His face was beaming and bright light in his blue eyes.

"Arthur!" He called louder than necessary, closing the door behind him.

Arthur tried to greet his longtime boyfriend (practical husband), but found his greeting cut off by Alfred. The man barreled across the room wrapping his arms around Arthur in a bone crushing hug, and then proceeded to pick Arthur up and spin them both around the kitchen.

Arthur squeaked rather indignantly, "Oi git, put me down!"

His pleas were meant by exuberant laughter, "Nope!"

"I take it you got the job then?" Arthur asked giving in, and wrapping his own arms around Alfred's neck.

Alfred stopped spinning, he looked up at Arthur and grinned, "Yep, but don't congratulate me yet I haven't gotten to the best part!"

Arthur raised an eyebrow, "Really, then what is the best part?"

"Not only are they paying me more, but the school's also going to give me a housing allowance!" Alfred's said with barely contained excitement.

Arthur blinked at his boyfriend, as the man's words also sunk in, "So wait that means−

"Uh-hu," Alfred nodded, "That means we can finally afford the down payment on the house we've always wanted and you can have that garden you've always wanted!"

The excitement Alfred was generating must have been contagious. For as soon as the word's had left the teacher's mouth, Arthur cupped his face and kissed him hard. Alfred hummed in delight and pressed back with equal fervor. When they parted Alfred set Arthur down, and kissed his forehead, "And you know what else this means?"

"No, what?"

"This means we can start that family too!"

Alfred beamed at him, and Arthur beamed back, their arms still around each other.

"Yes, yes it dose!"