A Cabin Away

Chapter 1

The sun was starting to set beyond the horizon, shifting white and gray clouds appearing only to move if you stood still long enough. Sunlight crept between shifting branches and tree lines creating dancing shadows on the path. The sound of boots hitting dried leaves and twigs mixed with the occasional bird flitting from one tree to another.

"Oh my god Ei are we almost there yet? I knew it'd be a walk but this sun isn't exactly making things easier." Sweat dripped down Ryuko's brow as she marched along the dirt path, a heavy backpack in tow and a mostly empty water bottle draped between her fingers.

"I think maybe another half a mile? Let me double check." Kirishima stopped to take out his phone, bright red hair pulled up in small ponytail to keep it off his face and neck. "Yep, maybe about ten more minutes! You can make it I believe in you!" He grabbed her free hand and continued leading them down the path. Honestly he was also starting to get tired – and hungry – but he wasn't going to let her know that.

A branching path caught their eyes and before long they were in front of a wood cabin, hidden away by the dense trees and from prying eyes.

After some discussion and planning they'd decided to take a long weekend vacation away from the city – not too far, but far enough to where it felt like a new adventure with a refreshing atmosphere. A long train ride and one sweaty hike later they finally arrived.

"Oh wow, this is bigger than it looked in pictures...you have the code to get the key right?" They walked up to the front door of the empty cabin, double checking the address to make sure they had the right place.

"Ya one sec...it's 3596" she said, looking up their reservations on her phone. There was a click and the lock opened revealing a small house key. Kirishima's eyes lit up as he slid the key into the door and led them both inside.

"Oh man that air conditioning feels so good...aww this place is so nice looking!" Ryuko looked around the room as she set down the heavy backpack and took off her dirty shoes. There was a kitchen with anything they'd need to cook most simple meals, a living area space with a TV and comfy-looking couch, a bathroom and spare bedroom off to the side and another master bedroom upstairs. Everything was made of wood and was decorated with images of woodland animals and muted color schemes. Most cabins were made for larger families or groups of people, so this much space was about the smallest they could find.

"It's so cool! Hell yeah this is gonna be awesome." Kirishima set down his own backpack before picking his girlfriend up in a sweaty hug and spinning her around. "This was such a good idea you're so smart."

"We both thought of it you dork," she said, laughing as he put her down. "It's so quiet out here already...no cars, no buildings, no other people. Just us."

"Is that a problem?" His fingers ghosted over her sides, ruby eyes staring into hers as he met her for a gentle kiss. He smiled against her lips.

"Of course not, that's the whole point. But before you get any ideas let's put this food away and have a look around." A kiss found it's way to his neck before she grabbed her bag and walked into the kitchen, aware that he was probably staring at her backside.

"OK ok, party pooper." Exploring the kitchen they put away the food and drinks they'd brought, which was basically all they could carry in one of the bags; but they packed efficiently and didn't bring anything that would spoil quickly. The other bag held clean clothes and toiletries.

"Eijiro...look at this view. Holy shit." There was a large set of sliding doors that opened up onto a wooden patio space, and beyond that...was nothing but forest. Trees and mountains echoed farther than the eye could see opposite the direction they walked from. It looked like something out of a painting, something so beautiful it almost wasn't real. Kirishima came up behind her and pulled her in close by the waist as a mesmerized smile appeared on his face. The view outside was nice, sure – but the look on his face was just as beautiful to her. This trip was already worth it. "I love you." He looked over at her and his eyes held the exact same glimmer they did when they'd confessed their love for each other.