Charles always thought his dream to go to Canada and get married was nothing more than a silly little hope that was too far from his reach, but after everything—seeing the way that John built his little family and was able to get his happy ending—suddenly, it didn’t seem so silly.

He didn’t know how it had happened, but somehow he’d gotten his dream. It was nearly exactly how he pictured it, minus maybe the herd of bison grazing over the horizon and the kids at his feet. But he did have his cozy little cabin and a partner so perfect that he couldn’t at all picture anyone else in his mind anymore when he thought of his future, wanting to grow old with them here.

_

Carefully, Charles creeped out from the kitchen, nursing a coffee mug close to his chest while he gently opened the front door, revealing his partner, who was leaning comfortably over the railing.

He set down his mug on the table and came up behind them, draping his arms carefully around their waist and setting his head on their shoulder, closing his eyes and just breathing in deeply, not caring about the view of the sun rising when he could just hold his lover.