Days Go By | lavashipping

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"Oh my god, we're going camping."

"We're going camping!"

Cole turned away from the packed backpacks – god knows at what unholy hour Kai decided to pack those because there certainly wasn't anything ready when they went to sleep.

"I thought we would just like... I dunno, spend all day in bed?"

"Come on, as much as I love and respect your cosy lifestyle, this is a nice chance to go on a proper holiday! You love nature, no?"

"Well, yeah– I just... I've never been–"

"And that, my dear Cole, is exactly why we're going. Do you even realise all the romantic opportunities this can bring? Just you and me and fucking crickets... Peak of romance."

"All right. Sure. If you say so." Cole made a beeline to the kitchen, his mind probably still stuck in bed, as he could hardly comprehend anything going on. If he didn't know any better, this could just be a dream. "I need coffee."

"It's already waiting for you," Kai called after him. Which came as another surprise – was he not right behind him? "And don't forget the breakfast, I poured my blood, sweat and tears into it! Mostly sweat."

"That definitely didn't just toss my appetite out the window," Cole muttered to himself. There were two ways this could go and – maybe it was because of his fitting name – his roads were predominantly rocky.

"There's mountains – nothing extra but it's still mountains – and a nice lake. Bonus, it's far from being a crowded place, so there should be more than enough privacy even if everyone decides to go there for a swim." Well, at least he can try skipping stones from his own path. When life gives you rocks, try to hit a high score.

Kai explained everything on the train – at least the things he deemed important. Had they not been his boyfriend, Cole would never buy anything from such a sketchy seller. Then again, if Kai was a random guy trying to sell Cole something, they would probably flirt their way into it without any issue. Honestly, Cole wouldn't be surprised if Kai had the ability to sell anything to anyone.

Sure, he was very, very, very nervous about the whole sleeping-in-a-tent thing. And sharing a kitchen and bathroom with dozens of random people. And overall everything a caping trip entailed as he was used to simple spa trips with his family. But as he found the most comfortable spot on Kai's shoulder and watched the nature illuminated by the golden morning sun roll by, some of his worries eased down. He wasn't on his own, he had Kai by his side to guide him through the unknown world.

He blankly stared at Kai as they lied down in the grass and used their backpack instead of a pillow without saying. a single word. The bag that was supposed to be their humble abode for the next few days idled beside the rest of their things. Kai opened one eye to look at him.

"What?"

"What now? We just do nothing?"

"You gotta build the tent."

Maybe he misunderstood. Maybe he misheard. "What? I don't know how to do that, why don't you do it since you're si experienced?"

"The newbie always takes care of the tent." The nonchalance was either infuriating or confusing or a wicked concoction of both. Either way, Cole was not having any of it.

"Well, that's bullshit, who came up with that?"

"Dear, ol' Wu." Kai clicked his tongue and stretched. "I did it, Nya did it, Lloyd did it, so you can too."

"At least that explains everything."

"Come on, it's not that hard. The instructions are inside too, you've got it, honey, I believe in you!" Waving him off, Kai went back to his peaceful doting off on the ground while Cole gave the soon-to-be tent a sorrowful look.