Keep Calm and Hug Me

Chapter One

“Aww, they are so cute!” Chris crooned in a delightful tone when we exited the area of the koalas. I could only smile at his lovely face and agree.

“They really are, makes you want to cuddle them.”

“If it wasn’t illegal I’d have one as a pet,” he announced.

I chuckled.

“I’d name him Jonny.”

I eyed him quizzically, “That’s a bit too much, isn’t it?”

“No, they remind me of you,” he told me with a wide grin, “They’re cute, fluffy and cuddly,” he said.

“Well, but you’re not getting one,” I retorted.

“Oh, jealous, are you?” he raised one eyebrow, “Don’t be jealous Jonny boy, I’d never change you for a koala, no matter how adorable they are.”

I rolled my eyes dramatically at him, “Come on,” I placed my hand on his shoulder, guiding him towards our left, “Time to see those birds,” I said.

Chris and I were currently on a day off from our Australian tour and we had decided to visit a wildlife sanctuary. Animals here were unique and amazing and the fact that this was a sanctuary and not a zoo made the experience all the more enjoyable, I had always felt bad for the poor fellows when they were confined in horrible cages or coaxed to perform for the audiences. Chris felt that way too, that’s why he had chosen this place.

He was thrilled to be here, he loved animals and nature, his anxiety seemed to disappear and I could not help feeling extremely joyful every time I saw his eyes sparkling so brightly.

“Jonny!” he exclaimed.

“Yeah?”

“Are there Emus in this sector too?” He had been eager to see Emus since he had seen a documentary last month.

I had no fricking clue, so I spread the map of the place in front of us and scanned it, “Yeah, this way too,” I nodded towards the long wooden path that led to the birds area, “Let’s go babe.”

He stared at me with a cheesy smile on his face.

“What?”

“I love it when you call me pet names, especially when we are in public.”

I blushed, “Umm, yeah…” I uttered and focused my eyes on the floor, feeling a bit self-conscious. I quickly caught myself about it and raised my head, glancing up at him, “Yeah,” I smiled.

I would not have wanted Chris to think I thought it had been a mistake from my part or that I did not enjoy it, for despite my odd reaction, I did enjoy it, very much.

He smiled back and we were on our way to the see the parrots, the owls and the Emus.

It wasn’t that I was embarrassed by him or us, it was just that I was still learning how to deal with those feelings. I loved him, I truly did. It had taken me years to finally accept it, but I was sure of it. Unlike him, however, I wasn’t so open when expressing my feelings, especially in public.

After nine months of being together as more than friends, and thanks to his incommensurable patience and support, I had started to open up with him. I was much more confident in our relationship and much more affectionate, especially in private, however, it hadn’t been so easy at first; I had struggled for the longest time to show him my true emotions.

*flashback*

“Jon,” Chris uttered from the other side of the sofa.

“Yeah?” I turned to him and saw his serious and concerned face. What was wrong? I frowned.