I dream that night. I recall the night we did it in vivid detail. Max and I were going on a scouting trip around the house, in case we had to leave in a hurry and needed a place to stay. It was getting dark, so we decided to spend the night in one of the potential places we had found. Thinking it wasn't going to be an overnight trip, Max and I hadn't worn thick clothing to combat the night's chill. The small cave helped to hold in our body heat, but we were both shivering. We huddled together in the back, under a few soft pines Max had managed to find. I thought I could wrap my shirt around both of us to make it easier to hold in the heat.
"Max, would you mind if I took off my shirt to wrap it around both of us?" She looks at me funny. I start to roll over, thinking that means no.
"Sure, why not? I'll do the same thing." I don't show my shock on my face. I never thought she'd do that. But here we are, bare chest to bare chest. She wraps her shirt around my back and her side, and I wrap my shirt around her back and my side. Within minutes I can feel the air between us getting warmer. I look at her face, trying to determine if I can kiss her. Nothing is saying no, so I caustiously put my arms around her and give her a peck on the forehead. She lays her head against my shoulder and slowly wiggles closer. Encouraged, I give her another kiss and begin to pet her hair. She hesitantly puts her hands on my chest and traces some of the scars I have. I smile at her, and she smiles back. She looks so vurnable and shy. This is the side of Max that I rarely see, and when I do I can really try to go for it. I carefully move a hand down her back to her hips, hoping she won't push me away. I'm in luck. She just sits there quietly, tracing my chest.
After that, things start to get hazy. I remember asking Max a question, and her giving an answer, but not much beyond that until the next morning. When I woke up, Max had taken her shirt and gotten up, leaving my arms wrapped around air. Before I even stood up I could tell Max was a bit shaken. I could see her silouted against the sky from my position. She looked beautiful with her hair down and arms crossed across her chest. I propped myself up on my elbow, content to stay on the ground and admire her. Her shoulders rose and fell as she sighed. I wish I knew what she was thinking. Max turned around suddenly, still looking up. I must have made a noise, because she looks down at me. She starts to turn bright red, brighter than I've seen before. Probably in part because from the waist up I'm not wearing anything, just part of a shirt draped on my side.
I give Max a smile, hoping she'll be okay with last night. Maybe even cuddle this morning. Gosh, what happened to the no emotions me? Max turns even redder, if possible. Okay, she's not that okay with it. I backtrack a bit, standing up and putting on my shirt.
"So what's the plan for today?" I ask. Max just opens her mouth once or twice, then finally says
"We're heading home. We won't mark this spot, okay? It gets too cold." I nod, happy she'll at least talk to me. This is one thing I don't like about Max. She seems okay with something one second, then hates it the next. I just don't get the big deal about some of this stuff. As we take off the air starts to go fuzzy, and I look around in concern.
"You don't think that-
I wake up again, this time in my own bed. I groan. Why did we have to do that? I mean, couldn't I have controlled my hormones? Whatever. What's done is done, and I'm probably gonna be a dad. I wonder how that will work? Will I be good at it or will I be a totally crappy parent? I stand up and get dressed, shrugging on a black shirt over dark jeans. Yeah I know. But black looks good on me, and I like it. I walk to the bathroom and brush my teeth and hair. Time to see Max.
I walk to her room and quietly open the door. Max is still asleep, she looks so peaceful like that. Hair spread out, mouth slightly open, skin soft and relaxed. Not worried about anything, just stuck in the state of sleep. I just stand there in the doorway for a bit, taking in her features. Man, she looks so beautiful. She stirs slightly, and I stand up straight. I gotta talk to her with a backbone. I walk over to the bed as she wakes up. When she opens her eyes I smile and say,
