||Twenty-nine||

The night before we left was chillier than the previous nights.

Ian and I sat huddled under our blankets by the fire, occasionally stretching our hands towards the flames for warmth.

We moved closer to each other unintentionally, feeling the need for even more warmth.

We'd already had our dinner, and roasted marshmallows as a sort of desert. We had nothing else to do but stare at the blazing fire and try not to crawl back into the tent.

It was a beautiful night if you could get past the cold. The wind was a perfect breeze, not too strong and not too limp. It breezed by the fire occasionally, causing the flames to flicker and produce bright sparks that wavered in the air, almost looking like tinier versions of fireflies.

I was about to point out how beautiful the stars looked, when I spotted Jesse and Tom walking towards us, and tried with much reluctance to move away from Ian a few inches.

Jesse had his guitar case with him in one hand, the other hand clasped around Tom's. My eyes landed on their intertwined fingers and I forced my gaze away down a bit, glancing at Ian by the corner of my eye.

"It's cold," Tom shivered as he took a seat across from me. "How was your day?"

"I dragged Nate into the lake," Ian said.

I shivered at the memory, and not only because it was cold.

Tom's eyes widened. "It must have been freezing!"

"It was," I deadpanned.

Jesse chuckled, retrieving the guitar from its case before fiddling with the strings. "Ian, you've heard Nate sing, right?"

Ian nodded. "Yup, karaoke night."

I groaned. "Please don't."

"Oh, c'mon!" Tom argued. "You're the only one of us, aside from Jesse, who can sing."

"So let him sing."

"No, we want to change things up. Maybe you can sing together?"

It was late and I was tired, so I just nodded my head. "Fine, but you start."

Jesse agreed and began strumming the guitar strings, producing a familiar tune. I cleared my throat and swallowed, trying to calm my breath and not freak out.

I was nervous, and instantly regretted agreeing to this.

Jesse started singing and I felt even worse. His voice was clear, and smooth as he hit all the right notes and still managed to keep playing the guitar.

Jesse's eyes flickered to me before the part where I was supposed to jump in. I sucked in one last breath before giving up on my fight, singing along with Jesse, my voice hidden beneath his.

I occasionally glanced at Ian when I sang, but he all he did was stare back at me. I didn't know if it was because I was bad at singing, but I didn't care because I was slowly starting to have fun. Eventually Tom began singing along, and so did Ian, which definitely made things easier.

No one said anything when the song ended. Jesse played another one, and another.

I grew tired, my throat throbbing faintly. Without even knowing it, I had inched my body closer to Ian so that I was almost leaning against him.

Tom and Jesse got up and left at some point, yet it felt like nothing had happened. I could still hear the music, still feel the way it had calmed me.

Ian pulled me in for a kiss and whispered something in my ear. I couldn't catch what he said, but I could hear its sincerity and nothing else really mattered to me.

--

It rained on the next day.

As soon as I woke up, I could hear the splattering sound of raindrops on the roof of our tent.

I rolled myself over to the side to face Ian.

"Morning." Ian smiled.

Of course he was already awake.

I smiled back. "It's raining."

"Yup."

"Should we stay inside here and wait?"

"Do you want to?"

I shivered and unintentionally moved closer to Ian. "Mmhm."

His smile grew wider as he drew me closer. "Will you stay at my apartment?"

I didn't know what to say. "Tonight?"

"Yeah. If we don't make any stops and get there by then."

"I don't have any more extra clothes."

"I can lend you mine."

I thought about it. "Okay."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I want to."

He kissed me and I melted. Again.

"We should check up on Jesse and Tom."

I groaned. "Do we have to? Why can't we stay here?"

Ian leaned in and brushed his lips gently over mine. Feeling a bit daring, I pressed my lips against his just as he was about to pull back.

Ian chuckled. "You're lazy."

"I have the right to be. I bet it's not even nine in the morning."

He glanced at me curiously. "When was the last time you used your phone?"

"Why?"

He shrugged.

Detangling myself from his hold, I scourged around the tent, trying to find my phone amongst our belongings.

"Found it," I announced, holding the device in my hand.

I unlocked my phone, checking my notifications and saw only one text from Devin, a call from my mother, and a couple from Rob.

"I'll call them back later," I said.

"Are you sure?"

I nodded. "Besides, I doubt I'd get a good signal here."

I moved back to where Ian laid on the mattresses and reclined beside him, staring at the tent's ceiling.

"Wouldn't it be nice if we stayed here longer?"

I turned to Ian, sensing a sad tone in his voice. "Is everything okay?"

Still not meeting my gaze, Ian shrugged his shoulder again.

I sighed. "Tell me what's bothering you."

"There's nothing bothering me."

I glanced at him, feeling a pang in my chest.

Then I sat up and climbed over his body so that both of my legs straddled him.

I looked down at his surprised expression and crashed my lips against his. I felt his back arch as a moan escaped his lips, sending a wave of pleasure down my spine.

I pulled back to stare down at him.

"What?" he asked, his voice sounding huskier than usual.

I smiled, using my finger to twist a strand hair near his ear before I toyed with his piercing.

"Do you like it?" he asked me.

"It's okay."

He chuckled and grabbed onto my hand before pulling me forcefully so that I fell against his chest. Using that to his advantage, Ian rolled us over so that he was on top.

I huffed, and when he leaned down to kiss me, I turned my head to the right.

"Nate," he whispered in my ear.

I shivered. "Did it stop raining?"

"Mm?" I felt the vibration against my skin as he kissed his way down to my belly button before he blew a raspberry.

I squirmed away. "Ian!"

He laughed, his eyes sparkling in the dim light. "Don't get mad."

I sighed. "I'm not mad."

He wrapped his arms around me and held me so close, I could barely breath. "Promise?"

"Promise."

I managed to wiggle one hand out of his grasp and used it to cup the side of his face, my thumb drawing circles against his stubbled jaw.

His lopsided grin melted away as he regarded me with a serious expression that looked odd on his features. "Want to nap a little?"

I frowned. "Not really. Shouldn't we be making breakfast?"

"I don't want to leave," he confessed.

"Ian..."

He withdrew, pushing himself off of me completely. "You're right. The others are probably awake by now."

Sighing, I sat up and gathered my things before heading out of the tent.

"Wait," Ian said. "I'll come with."

We walked back to the lake, the leaves on the trees we passed were heavy from the recent rain, and a drop of water would occasionally fall on parts of my body.

I was finished with my business faster than Ian, and so I found a tree bark and leaned against it as I waited.

I watched as he bent down and scooped a handful of water from the lake before splashing it on his face.

He turned around and I didn't bother hiding the fact that I was staring.

The corners of his mouth tilted upwards as he walked towards me and pulled me up by the hand, using more force than needed so that I landed closer to him that I intended.

He looked down at my face and pecked my lips gently. "Let's get breakfast."

My stomach tingled, and I slowly nodded in response, letting him take me by the hand as we walked back to camp.

I tugged my hand away as soon as we got to the tent, feeling Ian's curious eyes on me but I decided to ignore them as I pulled out the necessary food for a good breakfast.

Ian took the food from my hand, meeting my gaze as he did so, yet he didn't say anything and just turned back to the fire he'd already started.

I rubbed my hands together and watched as Ian prepared our food.

"Thank you," I said when he gave me a plate stacked high with pancakes.

His eyes met mine and he gave me a tiny smile.

I was suddenly overcome by this need to kiss him. Over and over again, just to feel his lips against mine.

Ian turned around before I could do anything, and I quickly looked away, staring down at my food before slowly taking a few bites.

"It's going to be a long car ride," he said, and I turned to him with confusion.

He moved closer to me, his hand landing on top of mine as he leaned in until his lips were practically touching my ear. "I won't be able to touch you."

I shivered, feeling his warm breath fan against my skin. I wanted to say something but I didn't know what to say so I turned back to my food silently and tried to hide the pink in my cheeks.

"What's the first thing you want to do when we get back?" he asked.

"Take a warm shower."

He laughed. "I have a bathtub. Maybe we can share."

My heart beat vigorously against my chest as my face grew warm.

"I was only half joking," he said.

"Half?" I spluttered.

He laughed again. "I like seeing you like this."

"Like what?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. You're more free out here, I guess."

I looked up at his face, wanting to remember it like this. The way stubble dotted his jaw, his eyes looking greener than ever, his dark hair a mess because I wouldn't let him have it any other way. The way his cheeks flushed against the cold, yet still looked so good in contrast with his pale skin.With the sun in the background, the trees on all sides of him, and the smell of the rain still lingering in the background along with the sound of chirping birds and crackling fire.

I took a deep breath, not realizing how much faster my heart was beating when I had stared at him.

"You too," I managed to choke out.

Ian's eyes held my gaze, like he just knew I was staring at him mere seconds ago. His eyes held a glint I was familiar with, the same one he got every time he was about to touch me or kiss me.

"Not here," I mumbled.

"When we get back," he said.

"Okay."

The corners of his mouth turned upwards, and shakily, I returned his expression.

Tom and Jesse appeared a few minutes later, letting us know that they had packed and the car was ready.

Ian and I packed up our last minute things and carried them to the car, where Tom and Jesse were already seated inside.

"Are you guys sure you didn't forget anything?" Tom asked.

"Don't think so," Ian said.

Jesse chuckled. "That sounds very reassuring."

Ian shrugged in response, Jesse started the car and we began our ride back home.

I watched from the window as the trees zipped by and we left the woods behind with the lake and fresh air, to the polluted air and crowded streets.

Ian was seated beside me, and as I rested my head against the window, I felt his hand touch mine gently before his fingers intertwined with mine.

I glanced at him lazily. He was staring out the other window, but by the way his lips pulled up at the corners I figured he knew he'd gotten my attention.

Not that he'd ever lost it.

The thought scared me. It scared me that all my thoughts seemed to be directed at Ian and him only.

I turned my focus back to the window and stared until all I saw was the blurry image of what was outside.

We were still a long way from home, but I still felt a little bit better knowing we were getting closer.

--

Jesse dropped us off at Ian's apartment, yet neither him nor Tom questioned why I was staying with him for the night and I was grateful for that.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" Tom asked as I unfastened my seatbelt.

He wanted to talk about the camping trip. Something must have happened between him and Jesse and I was curious to say the least. "Definitely."

We said our goodbyes, and Ian and I hauled our things out of the van and dragged them up to the apartment.

It was late, nearing midnight, and the streets were surprisingly dark as we walked up the stairs towards the entrance.

The elevator ride up was silent, and it remained that way even as we stepped out and Ian unlocked the door to his apartment.

"You're tired," Ian stated.

I nodded. "I'm sorry."

He brushed me off. "It's okay, I get it. I can sleep on the couch."

I frowned. "What?"

"You can have my bed, I'll sleep here."

"No, I...I thought you wanted...," my cheeks flushed in the dark.

"You said you were tired."

"I am but I still want...this."

Ian stepped closer to me and placed a hand on my cheek. "I want you too."

I took his hand. "Then let's go."

"I want you to rest."

"I will. By your side."

I saw his Adam apple bob, felt the way his thumb traced the skin on my face.

"Okay," he whispered.

I lifted myself up on the tips of my toes and tilted my head ever so gently before Ian lowered his head and kissed me.

My fingers played with his hair as Ian dipped his tongue in my mouth and I never felt closer to him than I had in that moment.

His hands found the hem of my shirt and he tugged it off with a bit of help on my side.

"Bed," he said in between kisses.

I nodded, and Ian took my hand as we walked to his room.

He playfully pushed me towards the bed as soon as we stepped in, and I hoisted myself up on my elbows as he slowly slid out of his shirt and let his pants drop.

He grew closer until he was hovering over my body, his mouth working on the skin of my stomach before moving further down while I tried my best not to make any sound. His fingers undid the button on my jeans and he tugged the material down until it reached my ankles and he tossed them to the side.

He pulled himself up until his lips hovered over my mouth. Impatient, I tilted my head up so that our lips finally touched and I let myself fall against his sheets. His lips moved slowly, his fingers resting agaisnt my waist gently as I tried to get more from him. I needed more.

His lips left mine and he kissed along my neck, sucking at my skin gently, his tongue moving out to lick my skin. I bucked my hips at the feel of his wet tongue, and he froze as our lower halfs met harshly.

His eyes found mine and I swallowed hard as I felt him press against me.

"Ian..."

"Is it too soon?"

My heart rate picked up. "I think so."

"Should we sleep now?"

"I'm not tired anymore."

"Bull."

"I swear!"

He smiled and rolled off of me, pulling down the covers before sliding in. "Come on."

I sighed, frustrated in more than one way, before climbing under the cover along with him. He pulled me closer and smiled.

"Goodnight, Nate."

"Night."

His hand rested protectively over my hip as he pecked my lips one more time before his eyelids fell shut.

I watched as his chest moved up and down every time he took a breath, and with that I closed my eyes and fell asleep along with him.

Wazuuuup

Yeah, I just did that. I'm bringin' it back.

...

Not really.

Question: insert cool, creative question here. But seriously. Have you ever been camping? Cause I haven't and I feel like I'm missing out on a lot.

Thanks for reading :D