Big Book of Hatsome One Shots

Ashes (S)

TW: Fire, Death, Swearing, Sadness

"Do you reckon Smith's having a good time?" Ross glanced over at Trott, sprawled across the burgundy sofa and almost laying on him, his head resting on a cushion by his knee.

"Probably. God knows what he likes about being covered in mud and shot at though." Ross smiled ruefully at the thought. The one time he'd gone airsofting with Smith he'd come back covered in bruises, aching and damp to his bones.

"He reckoned it wouldn't be so muddy this time. Apparently he's going further east. Near London? They've had almost no rain so far this year."

"Mmmm." Ross hummed, a non-committal sound. "That's what he said that last time we went camping."

Chris grinned over at him affectionately. "Wasn't that the one where it rained loads?"

Ross smiled, a laugh forcing its way out as he cast his mind back to the disastrous camping trip. "The entire tent flooded! It was like an indoor swimming pool."

"A portable pool you say? Nilesy would be proud." Chris snorted, his grin wide across his face. Ross laughed with him, grinning as he yawned, stretching his arms out above his head with a sigh.

"I didn't know about you mate, but I'm shattered."

Chris smiled and grabbed the remote from the floor. "Maybe stick the news on, then go to bed?"

"Go on then, mate." He flicked channels, stopping just as the news jingle crackled through the speaker. 'BREAKING NEWS' flashed across the screen as a catchy jingle played, completely at odds with the news about to be disclosed to the public.

"A forest fire had broken out in Surrey, near Wisley. A popular airsofting tournament was taking place in the wood in which the fire is believed to have started. It is unknown as yet if the fire was intentionally started. It is believed the fire began to spread due to a drought in this area of the country. We go now to our reporter, Jenny Taylor, who is on the scene."

The camera cut to an attractive woman standing on a hill, the dark night illuminated from behind by a large, orange glow seeming to fill a valley. It quickly appeared that that was the fire. "Fucking hell." Ross' voice broke the silence that had settled in the room.

The woman on the screen looked up, evidently getting a message, then began to talk into the camera, her large green eyes solemn as she broke the news to the two men perched on the edge of a scruffy sofa, praying with all their might for some good news.

"Thank you, Coleen. It appears that very few people so far have managed to escape the blaze. Firefighters are on the scene, attempting to control the spread. Search and rescue teams have been brought in, but many fear the rescue effort will be pointless."

Chris sat frozen, staring at the screen as his mind processed this information. Ross glanced over at him, placing one hand on his shoulder, his voice shaking. "Where did you say Smith was?"

"Oh fuck... fuck... FUCK! Ross, ring him now."

Ross scrambled for his phone, keying Smith's number in as quickly as his shaking hands would allow. His mind spiraled with worry as the phone rang, each buzz passing by in what seemed like hours. Smith's bright voice rang through the phone and Ross sighed in relief. "Thanks, mate. Just leave me a message and I'll get back to you-"

Ross hung up promptly, immediately keying in the number again. He tried three more times before giving up. "He's not picking up."

"Try again." Chris grabbed the phone, re-ringing the same number repeatedly, unable to give up even for a second. He must have rung fifty times.