𝐔𝐧𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

𝑷𝒕. 𝟐

Ted grabs Diego's hand, which was certainly held longer than necessary. Their feet and legs started to hurt as they kept hiking, eventually reaching the school. As per-ransack, they stole anything and everything they could while stuffing things in the backpacks.

The tan boy worked on the vehicle in the garage of the school, meanwhile Ted turned on the power.

"Alright, we gotta split." Diego stands up and throws the backpack strap over his shoulder. To which the other boy jumps in the car.

Instead of driving home, Ted drove to a nice spot on a cliff. Their sneakers hit the grass, the wind blowing in their hair and clothes. The blond boy turned to look at his handsome "friend."

Ted looked as though he wanted to desperately take him away and run forever. "Diego..."

Diego widens his eyes as he looks at Ted as sees the look on his face. "You look sad.."

Ted smiles and exhales a laugh, "Nah, I'm not. I'm really grateful I met you, y'know.." Ted turns his body to face him, almost blushing. Diego laughs with him and pulls his hand into a hug.

Diego rubbed his back and whispered in his ear, "I'll never leave you behind, I'll take care of you, Ted." Ted's eyes light up, the wind rushing around them. The trees seem to applaud with the sound of their leaves.

The moon shines on them, both not caring of the danger it could hold.

"You seem so tired.." Diego cups the other boy's face as he notices tears. "Why-"

"I'll protect you too!" Ted shouts, cutting him off. His bottom lip quivering, he blushes as Diego wipes his cheeks.

Diego chuckles lovingly, "I never doubted you would."

The two were exhausted after a long day of retrieving necessities. They settled for sleeping in their new car, using body heat as a heat source.

Diego took initiative to big spoon Ted, pulling him into a warm yet gentle, and loving embrace. Diego's long and skinny, yet rough fingers brush through Ted's straight-wavy blond hair.

"I was thinking.. When we get out of Ruddleside, I don't really wanna leave you.. I want to keep you by my side.." The little spoon spoke softly into the big spoons chest.

"..You do? I mean- me too! We definitely work well together.." Diego seems thrilled, though said with a sleepy voice. Ted smiles into his neck and slowly falls asleep.

In the middle of the night, Ted woke up from Diego squirming. "What's wrong Diego?" Ted rubs his eyes, looking at him.

"I'm kinda cold.." Diego whispers and looks embarrassed. Ted groaned and pushed himself into a sitting position to take off his hoodie, handing it to him.

"N-no this is yours now.." Diego's eyes soften.

"I want you to stay warm, put it on.." Ted views his boy put on the familiar hoodie, his cheeks flushed.

"What're you blushing for, pretty boy?" Diego smirks as his hands move elegantly to tug the clothing over his head.

Ted's eyes widened from his sudden side comment, "Wha-" He was interrupted by being pulled down.

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As the sun began to rise, it reflected into the car windows, waking the pair. They use water from the water bottles to brush their teeth.

"Morning sleepyhead.." Ted smiles at the visibly fatigued boy. Diego was too tired to be talking early in the morning.

They finally hit the road once again, driving along the abandoned rocky road, exploring the stores and areas around Ruddleside. Ted stops at an eye-catching store. They grabbed some stuff as they stepped outside to put their things in the car, when it started raining.