Reality Bites - Wattys 2018 Shortlist

Chapter 8 - Lookout

I couldn't believe he was here! It was literally all I could do to stop myself squealing with delight and throwing myself into his arms. Grinning like an idiot, I just stood there. Watching Stan stomp out of sight towards the tents, Dimitri turned back to me openly gazing at my chest in appreciation.

"Do you have any idea how sexy you look right now?" he asked, quietly.

"Nope," I giggled, still elated to see him, "but I think Stan might!"

Dimitri laughed a rich, hearty chuckle.

"Come on, get some clothes on!" he said with a final admiring look at my breasts. "You must be freezing. I'll make you a hot chocolate."

Putting a shirt and pants over my wet undergarments, I followed Dimitri to the tent. Walking in beside him, I was met with a sight I am sure I will spend the rest of my life trying to forget. Standing beside a camp stove was Stan, stripping out of his wet clothes, and hanging them off the stovepipe to dry. Thank God we hadn't dallied a moment longer at the water's edge because he'd not yet taken his white Y-fronts off. Not that, drenched as they were, they concealed a great deal. Nor did it appear there was a great deal to conceal!

On the shorter side for a Guardian, Stan could best be described as stocky. Like all Guardians, he was in great shape and well toned, but he was mid-forties, and a small tummy was starting to show. Taking in the whole sight, I hope, for his sake, the icy water had affected him too.

"Well I guess we're even now, Guardian Alto," I said cheerfully before I could stop myself.

The look on his face was priceless. Quickly turning his back to us, he started spewing expletives and threats. I thought I had a sailor's mouth at times, but I had nothing on Stan! Dimitri quickly turned me away, but not before I'd noticed Stan's back was covered in salt and pepper colored back hair. As in a thick, full pelt. Eww!

Out of Stan's view, Dimitri clamped his hand over my mouth.

"Apologies, Guardian Alto. I didn't realize you were indisposed," Dimitri said, quickly moving me out of the tent. "We're going for a run, now Hathaway," he barked at me, racing towards a group of buildings in the distance. Following behind, I managed to contain my laughter until we were hidden behind a closed storefront.

Looking at Dimitri, I laughed until the tears were running down my face. Laughing with me, he commented, "You know Stan is going to hate you for the rest of all time, don't you?"

"Meh. He already did!" I replied, still giggling uncontrollably.

"We'll have to go back there," he warned, "and I need you to be professional. He could cause us both a good deal of trouble if he had a mind to."

Instantly sobered by the thought of Stan making Dimitri's life difficult, I promised I'd not antagonize him further.

Walking slowly back to the tent, Dimitri started up a boring conversation about my training. Loudly clearing his throat approaching the tent, Dimitri called out "Guardian Alto – are you there?" in a completely neutral tone.

A string of bad language was the only response, so Dimitri entered the tent gesturing for me to follow. Continuing our banal discussion about training, Dimitri pretended that nothing had previously happened.

Stan, however, was having none of it. Shooting me truly murderous looks, he was obviously in a state of high dudgeon.

"I suppose you think your little stunt before was funny, Hathaway?" he shouted incensed, spit flying from his mouth in rage.