waited a long time - a jake kiszka fic

four

      - "wait for me guys!"

you call out to the group, who slowed their pace to let you catch up. after the eventful morning with jake, your head was all over the place and you had completely forgotten that you had all planned to take a hike in the afternoon. you soon caught up, putting your arm around josh's back as he slung his arm over your shoulders.

"you okay?" he asked after the group walked ahead a little, eager to see the sights. you nodded quickly, swallowing your anxiety away.

"never better! especially now we're here." you try to give him a reassuring smile but you can tell he isn't convinced. he knows you far too well to believe your lies, but he drops the subject. you both speed up when you notice the rest of the group had turned a corner without you.

after almost an hour of walking, you all stopped for a break, ronnie handing out thoughtfully pre-packed snacks. you and sam were playing a game of uno perched on large rocks on the side of the path while the others ate their snacks and drank water. you were both laughing loudly as sam obliterated you, making you draw eight cards.

the game soon ended and you helped pack things away before standing up and feeling sam's arms snake around your shoulders. he rested his chin on the top of your head, and you patted his hands which dangled over your chest. he sometimes did that, and you supposed it was a way of him expressing affection more than anything flirtatious.

"sam, hurry up." jake demanded, sounding annoyed. you widened your eyes slightly. was he jealous? raising your eyebrows, you looked to the floor and brushed it off. he can get grouchy when he's hungry, and you don't think he touched his snack.

jake stomped off to the front of the group, walking faster than everyone else. you became distracted when ronnie asked if you were enjoying the walk so far.

when you returned to the cabin, jake was still in a stormy mood. everyone avoided him and talked amongst themselves for the rest of the walk, letting him be. you needed a smoke, so you picked up your pack and looked to jake, raising your eyebrows as an invitation to come with you. he sighed but followed you out to your bedroom deck.

stood again in silence, you kept looking over to his face furtively, trying to work out what was going on in his mind. his lips were pursed and his eyes stayed focused on the wood banister in front of him.

"are you okay, jake?" you ask gingerly.

it took him a long time to answer, taking a long drag before speaking.

"we should go on a walk together, just you and me." your eyebrows creased- this wasn't exactly what you expected him to say.
"uh-yeah, that would be nice. bring a bottle of wine and i'm sold." you attempt to sound playful but your throat had a lump you couldn't swallow.
his lips curved up a little bit- the first time in hours he had smiled. you smiled too, still watching his eyes.
"let's do it tonight. wine, me and you." he said decisively, as if his mind was made up. before you could answer, he flicked his cigarette onto the wet grass below the deck and walked off without another word.

you were, if possible, even more baffled by his behaviour. why can't he just say what he's thinking? it would certainly make you feel less like you need to walk on eggshells around him.

the rest of the afternoon you were a ball of nerves, uncertainly glancing at jake, who had been playing his guitar for everyone to sing along. he was sat opposite you, and you knew he could see you. you tried to catch his eyes, but he wouldn't look at you directly.

once the sun dipped low in the sky, getting ready to set, jake stood up and finally made eye contact with you. he nodded his head and you too stood.