Can you See me up here, in the Trees?

Chapter 6

Both of you stood there in your home, freezing from the cold rain.

"Is the rain always so cold?" Carl asked, trying to suppress his shivers.

"Part of being so high up." You went over to your clay stove and started up a fire. "Once the fire gets going, it should help."

"We're going to freeze in these clothes before that happens."

You bit your lip. He was right. You turned from the stove to a makeshift shelf and pulled out some dry clothes. You figured you would have clothes in his size.

"Here, these are dry."

"Uh... this is great but uh... where do I change?"

You paused, your dry clothes in your hands. You hadn't thought of that.

"Just... don't look?"

Carl nodded and turned away and you did the same. You slowly peeled off the wet clothes, sliding into your warmer pants before sneaking a peek. Carl was young but he was toned from working so much. You blushed as Carl turned and noticed you looking. You snapped your head forward, slipping on your black tank top.

You felt Carl walk over, wrapping his arms around you. You felt the heat pour in from his bare chest, and you melted right into him.

"See something you like?" You felt a tingle go up your spine from his husky voice and you nodded. "Well that's a good step."

You felt the heat pull away and he slipped on his long sleeve shirt and you did the same thing. You added more to the fire, the fire hiding your blush. You helped him lay out the wet clothes so they wouldn't get moldy before sitting on your old cot together.

A moment of silence. That was all that was before Carl layed down and pulled you with him. He pulled a blanket over the two of you and held you in his arms. Both of you were quiet, the rain and small crackle of the fire was the only sound.

"So uh.. We should."

"I think you're smart and beautiful." Carl said. "I want to get to know you, get closer to you. You offered your home to strangers, you are someone I want to know."

"Yeah, I would like that."

Until the rain stopped, the two of you would take turns adding wood to the fire and cuddling to share body heat. It was bliss for you, you even fell asleep in his arms a couple times during the storm. You felt safe.

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After the rain passed Carl helped you hang up the clothes so the sun would dry them, and then you showed him the rain trap system. He helped you collect the water, clearing it through a steel wool and felt filter to get as much gunk out as possible before bottling it.

The sun was setting once you finished straining and bottling the water. The pack he would take it back with was sitting in the water home, ready for when he left first thing in the morning. You shared your dried deer with him once you were done, sitting in your home as both of you munched on a high protein bar he had brought.

You were cuddling into his chest, listening to his heart, feeling his chest rising all falling, lulling you into sleep. Before you could fall asleep Carl got up and layed on the cot motioning for you to follow him. Happily you got into the cot with him, laying your head back onto his chest.

"Goodnight." He said softly, kissing the top of your head. You hummed in agreement and quickly fell to sleep.

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