Haunted

Dust Clears - UNEDITED

Disclaimer: This chapter has not been edited from the original as posted on JBFF. There will be mistakes, typos, continuity problems and other issues.

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"Seriously why did we decide to do this again?" Maddox asked, yawning.

"Because this place is gorgeous," Brent motioned to the forest around them. "Don't tell me you're struggling to keep up with me, this is barely a hill."

"Someone kept me up all night," Maddox gave Brent a pointed look. "So yes, I'm a little tired."

"Come here, let's take a break," Brent took Maddox's hand and pulled him off the trail into the forest.

Brent and Maddox were on their trip to Moorea, the island they'd visited for their honeymoon. For the first few days Maddox imagined it would be another trip where they never left their room but that day Brent insisted they needed to go for a hike.

"Since when do you like hiking anyway?" Maddox asked. "I know you think you love running but you're not really the outdoorsy type."

"I do love running," Brent insisted. "And there are two reasons I dragged you out here. You're about to find out one right now," he grinned and leaned in to kiss Maddox.

"What are you doing?" Maddox's jaw dropped open as Brent got down on his knees.

"Trying to get you to stop whining," Brent winked and unzipped Maddox's fly.

"B," Maddox glanced over where he thought Alex and Damon would be standing. The bodyguards had been keeping a respectful distance but they were now completely gone. Maddox was out of reasons to protest and he didn't feel like stopping Brent anyway. "Oh yes," he closed his eyes and leaned against the tree.

The sun was filtering through the trees and the air was warm and heavy with the smells of the forest. Everything around them was lush and green. Maddox could feel the bark and moss of the tree against his back as he ran his fingers through Brent's hair.

"I love you so much," Maddox gasped. "I'm getting close," he warned and Brent's mouth seemed to tighten around him.

"I love you too," Brent said after Maddox came and he'd leaned back on his heels. "Now do you really need to rest or are you ready to find out the second reason I brought you out here?"

"Mm, let's go," Maddox sighed and pulled Brent to his feet. "I just want to kiss you for a minute first."

"And I want to give you everything you want," Brent smiled.

Brent led them further up the mountain for a while, Alex and Damon mysteriously reappearing as they walked. Maddox was starting to wonder how much longer they would be hiking when they reached the edge of the forest and walked out onto a grassy overlook.

"Oh wow," Maddox took Brent's hand.

It was a clear day and from where they were standing they could see the other mountains and part of the coast. The valley was covered in dense greenery that seemed to run right out to the white sandy beaches and sparkling water.

"Worth the hike?" Brent asked.

"Is this reason number two?" Maddox asked.

"Actually," Brent slipped his backpack off and unzipped it. "This is reason two," he said, pulling out a bottle of champagne and two glasses.

"Aw, babe," Maddox smiled. He took the glasses from Brent so he could finish unpacking. Brent had an entire picnic for them.

"Remember earlier when you were sitting on the porch and kept asking what I was doing?" Brent explained.