Of the Earth

10

The clear skies that lended to a warm day turned into another cold night. Without the clouds blanketing the sky, there was little to contain the heat on the surface of the earth and it dissipated into the atmosphere throughout the evening until they were both shivering in front of the fire.

"Should be back in civilization by this time tomorrow," Harry said quietly, trying not to be sad about it.

"Yeah. Sorry about cutting your trip short."

"For the love of god, stop apologizing ," Harry groaned. "I w0uld be an asshole to just leave you there to die for the sake of a few more days out here."

"Not an asshole to want more time in a beautiful place like this. And I would not have died."

Harry couldn't argue because he knew it was true-Louis would survive, no doubt. He knew more about surviving in the backcountry than anyone Harry had ever met before and it made him ache to think tomorrow was the last day he would have the opportunity to be near someone so amazing.

With a twinge in his chest he realized he would have to say goodbye to Louis tomorrow. The illusion would falter as they returned to the real world and they would part to live their completely separate, utterly different lives. Never to see each other again.

Louis must've been thinking the same thing because he huddled closer to Harry under the guise of seeking body warmth, and asked what he planned on doing when returning to society.

"Probably gonna find somewhere to sleep in my car, or get a cheap hotel room or something, then drive home the next day, I guess."

He wasn't entirely sure what he was going to do, but nothing seemed less appealing than going back home and facing all the people he ran away from. All the people who looked at him with pity after what happened between him and Dante. As if his life was a soap opera for their consumption, for their entertainment.

Louis hummed. "And what's back home for you in New Hampshire? That's where you're living right now, right?"

"Yeah, I've been at camp all summer and I'm visiting my family until the semester starts."

"Oh, so you are doing the master's program then?"

"Yeah, at NYU actually. I've never... I'm not really a city person, but I figured there would be a lot of opportunities there, so."

"For sure," Louis agreed. "It's nice." He didn't sound very enthusiastic.

"You've been?" It's a stupid question because of course he's been to New York City, this man who's been everywhere. But Louis didn't seem willing to elaborate without reason, and Harry just gave him a reason by asking the question.

"I have a few friends there. I visit a lot."

"How often."

Louis laughed. "Once a month, maybe. For a weekend or so."

"Wow. Between LA and New York..."

"I spend quite a bit of time in cities. Have to break it up by running away from everything and hiding in the woods for a few days or so. Spraining ankles and meeting cute boys. You know how it goes."

Harry blushed, sure Louis didn't mean anything by it. Still, there was a sense of urgency thrumming beneath his veins. He didn't want Louis to hobble out of his life tomorrow, never to be seen again. He didn't want this to be over so soon, without even a chance at anything.

They stayed quiet after that. Harry pulled Louis into his side, figuring this would be the last night he was able to do this. He tucked him under his arm, feeling his body vibrating with each shiver, and wished he was enough to warm him. But even between Harry and the fire, he was still cold.