||Twenty-eight||

"I think we picked the wrong season for a camping trip," Jesse commented when we finally arrived at the camping site.

Tom waved him off. "We'll be fine. I got those heater thingies for our tents."

"I don't think that'll be enough."

"Well, we have each other," Tom suggested, his cheeks pinking.

Jesse smiled and swooped down to give him a quick peck on the lips. "You're right."

"Come on," Ian said to me.

"Hmm?" I asked, distracted by the couple's exchange.

"I said let's go. We should set up our tent before night fall."

I nodded, following Ian back to the car where we carried our things and found a good spot to set up our tent.

It was too cold.

There was lake somewhere near where we made camp, but it was too cold to take a dip in and therefore we had nothing much to do.

I stared at the trees around us, admiring the way almost every one of them seemed to be of the same hight. I admired the way the sky looked so clear. The way the air smelt so much fresher than the air back in the city.

I loved how almost everything seemed out in the open, as if nature was aware of its secretes and wasn't afraid to show them to the world. Yet there were times when my eyes fell against the endless rows of trees and wondered if there was anything hidden, something not meant for my eyes to see.

I took a deep breath and sighed, sitting on a log by the fire I just helped build up with Ian.

We were originally going to stay near Jesse and Tom, but after we saw the way they clung to each other, we decided otherwise and had our tent somewhere farther away.

We could still see them, but only if we tried really hard and tilted heads at a certain angle.

"Are you cold?" Ian asked, sitting beside me.

I shook my head. "It's not too bad."

He nodded. "At least it isn't raining."

"Yeah."

"Would you like to have some of the s'mores now?"

"Sure. We've got nothing better to do."

He agreed, and got up to fetch the bag of food we had bought earlier.

I instantly felt deprived of his warmth, and hated myself for noticing that.

"Here," Ian said when he came back.

He kept a safe distance away from me, yet I still inched my way closer to him.

The fire isn't enough, I managed to convince myself.

I took the bag of marshmallows from his outstretched hand and tugged it open.

We roasted our marshmallows in silence and I huddle in the blanket I got from my pack. Ian was silent as well, but I had a feeling that he had a million thoughts running around in his head. Just like I did.

"I wish we had hot chocolate," he said.

"We don't?"

He frowned thoughtfully. "I don't remember buying any."

"I'll go check," I said, moving to stand, but Ian swiftly beat me to it.

"Stay," he said, "I'll go look for it now."

"Okay."

Ian got up once again and came back with a pack of hot chocolate, two mugs, a milk carton, and a pan.

"How could you have missed that?" I asked jokingly.

Ian gave me a small smile. "I was distracted."

I snorted. "By what?"

"You."

My heart leaped.

This is wrong. This is very, very wrong.

"Ian," I said, not capable of saying any more.

"Nate."

He moved closer to me and began preparing the hot chocolate. He did everything. From heating up the milk to dropping a few marshmallows in the mugs as a final touch.

"Thank you," I said, taking the warm mug from his hands.

He smiled.

I took a sip, feeling the warm goodness travel down my throat to the rest of my body while spreading warmth in its wake.

"Don't you feel guilty?" I asked suddenly.

Ian shrugged, and I felt a twinge of happiness that he knew exactly what I wad talking about without me having to explain.

It disappeared quickly enough.

"How?" I asked.

"He doesn't love me."

I cringed. "You don't know that..."

"I do. And so do you. And everyone else with eyes. It was bound to fail the moment it started. It just happened to occur to me when you came along."

"How can you say that? You two are perfect for each other!"

"Are we?" He chuckled.

I looked down at my hands. "Please, Ian."

"I don't understand it either."

"Then stop doing it."

"Why? I like it, and so do you."

"I never said that!"

"You don't have to say it for me to know."

I took a sip of my drink but it wasn't warm enough to make me feel a little less cold anymore.

"I don't like it," I said stubbornly.

"Then why did you kiss me back, hmm?"

His voice. When he hummed, it sounded deeper and so sexually appealing. I felt my heart skip a beat.

I didn't have an answer for his question, of course.

He leaned closer to me, and my eyes shot in Tom and Jesse's direction but they were no where in sight.

With his thumb, Ian turned my head towards him, his eyes falling on my lips.

His eyes shot back up to mine and I couldn't stop myself from staring directly at him.

"Still don't want me?" he whispered.

He was so close. I could barely keep my feelings at bay.

I nodded.

"Can I change you mind?"

I shook my head.

"Are you sure?"

His lips were by my ear, moving against my earlobe.

My eyes fell shut.

His teeth caught my earlobe gently, tugging playfully.

"You're killing me."

I swallowed, slowly turning my head so that he let go of my ear and we were face to face.

My eyes fell to his pink lips, nails digging into my palms. "This is wrong."

"Doesn't feel like it."

He was also staring at my lips.

"This isn't fair," I mumbled, only half aware of what I was saying.

"When is it ever fair?"

He leaned closer.

This time his eyes were on mine.

"Let me kiss you," he said.

I nodded, letting go of everything I had taught myself to believe.

Slowly, he leaned forward and our lips touched.

My heart started to beat faster and I could no longer control my breathing.

His mouth was warm.

Warmer than the flames of fire dancing right beside us.

His hand found its way to my cheek, and held me in my place as he kissed me harder.

Then he pulled away. "Tent."

I nodded and in a dream like daze, I let Ian take my hand and lead me towards the tent.

He had already set up the heater, and we had arranged our beddings earlier. Yet when we bent through, Ian pushed our mattresses together and fell against it.

I somehow managed to do the same, and ended up underneath him.

With his hands on either side of my head, Ian bent down and took my lower lip between his teeth and tugged.

I arched my back, surprised by my reaction.

Ian let go of my lip and smirked before swooping down once again, only to take my lips in his, capturing me in another breath stealing kiss.

I met his kisses with just as much force, fighting to be in control no matter how stupid the idea seemed to be.

Ian smiled against my lips, trailing his kisses across my jawline, to take hold of my earlobe once again.

Not that I was getting tried of that anytime soon.

"Should I stop?" he asked.

"Don't," I said, then gave a little gasp as his hand found the edge of my pants and he tugged hard.

"Is this okay?"

I nodded, my fingers burying themselves in his hair as I pulled him closer to me. My lips felt numb, but I kept going, letting him pull my pants off and my shirt no longer than a few seconds after.

He pulled back and took a second to scan me from my chest down to my toes.

His fingers found my sides, and he trailed them against my skin, which made me shiver as if we were still outside.

"You look..." He let his sentence hover in the air, incomplete.

I flushed at the look of lust in his eyes, and tried my best to not shy away.

"Do you think we should stop?" I asked.

Our eyes locked. "Do you want to?"

I shrugged. "I sleep like this anyway."

"Good," he said with a smirk.

Then he took off his clothes and all I could do was stare and try no to let my jaw hit the ground.

Holy crap.

"I sleep like this too."

I almost groaned. How could I possibly survive the night knowing that all he is wearing is his boxers?

Tight, black boxer briefs.

When we finally managed to cease our kissing, Ian and I ducked under the sheets. I laid down on my back, staring at the roof of the tent and wondering how I ever got there.

"What'll happen tomorrow?" Ian asked.

"I don't know," I answered truthfully.

"Don't push me away."

His voice was soft and soothing, of course I agreed.

"I won't."

Ian smiled contently and leaned in to peck me on the lips.

Then I turned to face the other side, Ian slung an arm over my waist, and just like the previous night, I fell asleep in his arms.

--

I groaned as I felt someone shake me awake.

My eyes opened and I saw Ian's face smiling down at me.

"Get up," he said, "I don't think Tom would be too pleased if he saw us like this."

I looked around and blushed as I noticed the way we were both half naked and sleeping way too close to one other.

"Right," I managed to say.

"Stay here, I'll go wash up first, okay?"

I nodded.

He pulled me close to him and smiled before kissing me gently on the lips.

I watched him disappear out of the tent and I sighed to myself.

What am I doing?

Flashes of previous night replayed in my head, and I winced with regret. How was it that just a fee months ago, I was head over heals for someone else and now I was making out with his boyfriend? It did not sound right.

Yet as I remembered the way Ian touched me, and the way soft lips pressed against my skin, I couldn't help but yearn for more of that affection.

I didn't have to wait long before Ian came back, looking just as good as he always did.

"You're up," he said.

I nodded and stood up, pulling my clothes on and trying to ignore the way Ian's gaze seemed to burn holes through me.

I found the lake I'd spotted the day before, the water still looking cold.

Either way, I still managed to freshen up and when I finally found my way back to camp, Ian was already stirring up some breakfast.

I wrapped my jacket around my body tightly and joined Ian by the small fire.

He had a pan in his hand and was trying to crack and egg on top of it.

"Here," I said, taking the egg from his hand and cracking it against the edge of the pan.

Ian looked up at me and smiled. "Thanks."

The eggs started frying as Ian placed the pan over the fire, careful not to bring his hand too close to the flames.

"You know we could have peanut butter sandwiches and that would be just as satisfying," I pointed out.

"It's not as fun as this," Ian said.

I shrugged. "I guess."

Ian placed the eggs on a plate after he was done frying them, surprising me as he handed me the plate.

"Oh, I thought this was yours," I said.

"I'm cooking for the both of us."

I nodded and took the plate from his hand.

"There's bread in that bag over there. And a pack of sausages if you'd like."

I nodded and took a slice of toast from the bag before digging into my meal.

Ian finished cooking his meal just as I shoved the last piece of bread in my mouth.

He smiled at me. "Hungry?"

I smile sheepishly.

"Would you like more?" he asked.

I shook my head. "No, thanks. I'm full."

"Okay," he said.

"About last night...," I began.

"You said you wouldn't push me away."

My breath hitched. "I won't."

"The what is it?"

"I-"

"Hey, guys!"

I turned around and saw Tom heading towards me with a grin on his face.

"Did you guys sleep well?"

"Yeah, it was warmer than I expected," said Ian.

My face grew hot.

"Jesse and I are going to take a walk around the forrest, wanna come with?"

"You guys go ahead, we'll follow you later," Ian said.

I glanced at him and he shot me a quick smirk which had me squirming.

"Alright, we'll see you then," Tom said, and wandered back to where he came from.

I turned to Ian as soon Tom disappeared behind the trees.

"Why'd you do that?"

"I don't like third wheeling."

I eyed him suspiciously. "What now?"

"Let's take a dip in the lake," he suggested.

"Are you high?" I asked with all seriousness.

Ian chuckled. "It's not that bad."

He stood up and grabbed his towel and a pair of underwear. "Come on, it'll be fun."

"What if I say no?"

"I'll find a way to convince you," he said.

I licked my lips. "How?"

He stepped closer to me and placed his finger under my chin before tilting my head up. He leaned down and placed a kiss on my lips that left them tingling.

"I can warm you up," he whispered near my ear, rubbing his hand down my arm.

"Deal."

I grabbed my towel and a pair of boxers, just as Ian had done a few seconds ago.

Ian grinned and grabbed my hand, pulling me closer to him before we walked through the trees and over some rocks until we got to the lake.

I set my things on a giant rock nearby and carefully peeled my clothes off. I instantly felt the cold nip at my skin, but if I figured it could be a lot worse.

Ian stood beside me in his underwear, and since the sun was up this time, I could see his body lot clearer than I had in the tent.

But I didn't want to look at him. It would only make things worse.

Therefore, on the tips of my toes, I walked over to the lake and dipped my toe in the shallow end.

"How cold is it?" Ian asked.

"It's freezing."

He walked over to me, and I turned my head to look at him.

He grinned. "Let's get in."

"You know we could get pneumonia or something," I said.

"Cold water doesn't cause pneumonia," he replied, "some people say it's even better to swim in cold water during winter time than other times of the year."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. Don't come crying when your balls turn blue."

He laughed. "Fine."

He took a few steps forward until the water touched the his ankles. "It's not bad."

I stood where I was and crossed my arms as I tried no to shiver when he splashed me with a bit of water.

He was finally knee deep, and I noticed goosebumps form on his skin.

"How is it now?" I asked, teasingly .

"Why don't you come in and see for yourself?"

"I don't think so," I said, slowly retreating.

"Come in or I'll get you," he said, before dunking his entire body in the water.

I winced, imagining the cold he must have felt.

He finally resurfaced, inhaling louder than usual.

"Told you so," I said.

His hair laid flat on his head, a few strands plastered against his forehead before he pushed it back.

I licked my lips and swallowed.

"Maybe if you get in it'll be a lot warmer."

I rolled my eyes, but slowly started walking towards the edge.

The water hit my toes, my ankles, my knees, until I finally got to where Ian was standing.

He took a few steps back, and I followed.

He took a couple more steps backwards, until he was almost fully submerged when I realized what he was doing.

"I'm not going in all the way."

"That's what he said."

I sighed, then almost gasped when the icy water hit my stomach.

I shivered, and Ian slowly made his way toward me, stretching his arms out as if he was about to hug me.

"Please don't," I said hurriedly.

Ian, being his typical self, didn't listen and wrapped his arms around me.

I tried pulling back from the cold water on his skin but he only pulled me closer so that my entire body was wet except my head.

"I. Am. Going. To. Kill you."

Ian laughed and with his large arms, he pressed me tighter against him. "Feeling any warmer?"

"No."

"Not even...here?"

His hand had wandered down to my hip, where he tapped the edge of my boxers and my stomach tumbled.

I swallowed, shifting my legs around.

Ian smirked.

"I have a feeling if you were on the titanic with Rose instead of Jack then the both of you would have survived," I said.

He laughed, his arms shaking around me as I scowled.

"Too bad I wasn't," he said.

Relaxing despite the cold water and my shattering teeth, I carefully slung my arms over Ian's shoulders, pulling him closer to me.

"If I kiss you," he murmured, "would you feel better?"

"I don't know. You could test it out."

"Hmm," he hummed, staring at my lips.

I leaned forward and pressed my lips against his, feeling the wetness of his lips against mine as he moved them against me, and I felt a pool of warmth grow in the pit of my stomach.

He pulled back. "It worked for me. How about you?"

In reply, I pulled him back towards me.

He seemed taken aback, as he froze for a second before kissing me back, his hand finding my hips as he tugged my body against his.

"Still cold?" he asked.

"I'm freezing," I said, half serious.

"Let's get out of here," he said huskily.

I took a shaky breath. "Where?"

"Somewhere warm."

His fingers dug into my hips and he lowered himself so he was facing my chest.

"What are you doing?" I asked, frowning.

He looked up at me before placing wet kiss against my skin, scattering them across my chest as I threw my head back and clung to him tightly.

My heart started to beat faster as my legs grew weak and I depended on Ian's weight to keep from me from sinking lower.

"What if they notice us gone?" I asked as he continued to kiss my skin, up to my neck and my jaw line.

"They won't."

"How do you know?"

Ian's mouth was nearing my lips. "I just do."

Then he grabbed the back of my legs and lifted them up so that I could wrap them around his hips.

I felt my cheeks burn. "I can walk."

"I want to carry you."

"Why? I'm heavy."

"Because I like it."

My stomach flipped, and I tentatively met his lips with my own. "Is that what you used to tell Devin?"

"Are you jealous?"

Was I?

"No," I said.

He hummed. "I think you are."

"So what?"

He shrugged, walking us out of the water. "Nothing."

"What happens when he gets back?"

"I don't know. Do you care?"

I shook my head. "I'm tired of thinking."

He looked at me then, and I could almost swear it was like he could hear everything that was going on in my head. "Me too."

With that, he gently let go of my legs and I felt the ground beneath my feat. Hurriedly, we grabbed our towels and slipped out of our wet underwear before changing back to our clothes.

Ian's hair was wet, and I watched the way he repeatedly tried flattening it down.

"Leave it," I said as I moved closer to him, rubbing my hands up and down my arms. "It looks cute."

Ian relaxed, dropping his hand from his hair.

I stepped forward and ruffled his hair, earning a playful scowl. "You look less intimidating like this.'

"I intimidate you?" he asked.

"I think you used to."

"Now?"

I gave the question a thought before shrugging. "You don't."

"Good."

I stepped on the tip of my toes and lightly pressed my lips to his. "Let's build a fire."

"S'mores?"

"Hell yeah."

Hey hey hey!

Was that chapter too long?

Question (since we're kind of already on that topic): do you prefer reading short chapters or long? Not only in this story, but in general even?

Thank you for reading! :D