Strawberries and Stolen Kisses (boy x boy) [COMPLETED]

12.

The group had a great couple of days together and Sam was starting to relax. Sam breathed in the fresh air deeply every day, feeling his head clear of fog and his forehead start losing its worry lines.

They spent most of the days messing around the nearby fields, climbing up hills and generally feeling like kids again.

Sadly on the fourth day, the weather broke and a storm collapsed on the camp site. Everyone was confined to their tents. Liam and Sam spent the day joking around and playing cards.

"Sam" Liam started "I'm sorry about Emily, I don't know why I was like that... I blame the drink" Liam laughed.

Sam smiled "don't worry, it's not like I wasn't weird either" Sam cringed "never drinking again"

Liam chuckled "Shame! I liked drunk you! It's similar to you now, but more open and relaxed" Liam confessed.

Sam couldn't look at him "yeah I've heard I push people away"

Liam felt he had touched upon a part of Sam that he usually kept hidden.

"Well I think you're great, Sam, you don't need to hide anything from anyone" Liam stared out of the opening of the tent, momentarily distracted by the water that fell "people should like all of you or they aren't worth knowing"

Sam felt Liam enter his heart, causing all sorts of jumbled emotions to be unlocked. He finally felt himself let a little bit more of what was him.

Then a wave of worry overtook Sam and he suddenly felt really hot. What if he wasn't good enough? What if Liam hated the real him and he left?

What Sam didn't realise was that Liam already knew more than Sam thought. Little things like habits and Sam's likes and dislikes had found their way into Liam's life, causing the boy to be reminded of him by small things like the smell of paint.

Liam noticed that Sam had retreated back into his own head. He saw the deepening worry in Sam's eyes and he wanted to bring Sam back to the peace he was in before they spoke.

Grabbing hold of Sam's chin, Liam lifted it until Sam's eyes held his "You're beautiful" Sam took in a shaky breath and noticed the closeness of Liam's lips.

They jumped apart suddenly as the teacher poked his head into their tent "Hey guys so the rain is clearing but you'll need to eat in your tents, it's still pretty wet out here" the teacher gave them both a packet of sandwiches and some fruit.

Liam groaned at the measly dinner. Turning back to Sam as the teacher left, he saw Sam had an armful of sweets and crisps. His mouth dropped "Where have you been hiding that"

Sam chuckled "Secret" They ate, the atmosphere grew lighter and slowly they got back to the comfort they had before, ignoring what had almost happened.

Sam was starting to get frustrated by how he could never read Liam. He wanted something real from Liam.

.............................................................................

The next day they woke up at midday to the sounds of people getting up.

SAMMY! LIAMMMM" They cringed at the sounds of Holly's screeching.

Exiting their tent, the walked over to their group. "What's up Hols?" Sam sighed.

"We're going swimming! There is a lake about half an hour away and they teachers are letting us go" she squealed in excitement.

Sam felt the tiredness leave his head and he smiled at the idea "fuck yeah" Emily giggled at his responses.

They all grabbed their swimming costumes and put them on under their clothes. They leisurely walked through the forest to the lake and stopped in surprise at how beautiful it was.

Chris broke the silence "Right! The last one in smells like fish" .

They all started undressing quickly. Holly protested "this isn't fair! You guys just have to take off your T-shirts!"

A rare childish smirk lifted into Sam's face, the same one he wore with Liam in the park. Glancing at Sam, Liam noticed this smile and went along with Sam, creeping behind Holly. They suddenly pulled her towards the lake and threw her in.

They all roared with laughter as Holly screeched, she had only enough time to take off her shoes and shorts "you little shits this is my favourite top"

Chris chuckled and joined her in the water, splashing her.

Liam and Sam quickly jumped in and shivered at the cold water. They messed around in the water as Emily finally got in, complaining about the cold.

"Don't worry we can sunbathe after to warm up" Holly offered.

The group spent the day at the lake, chatting and laughing, feeling the weight of exams lift from their shoulders for a little while.

The girls got out to sunbathe and Chris ran back to camp to get some snacks. Liam and Sam stayed in the water, gently talking and splashing each other.

Sam shivered as the cold finally got back into his bones "God it's cold"

"Come here" Liam pulled Sam through the water closer to him. Putting his arms around the other boy, he turned Sam so his back was against Liam's chest. If anyone was watching they would think they were a couple.

Sam started to pull away but then realized he was warmer in Liam's arms, stayed. "How are you not freezing?"

"I have a warm heart" Liam laughed "keeps my body from getting cold"

Sam ran his fingers through his wet hair "I must have the coldest heart then" he joked

Liam teased Sam pulling him closer "No you don't Sam, just lukewarm"

Sam swallowed, he finally pulled himself away and remembering last night he cringed "this feels like Déjà vu" he choked laughing slightly. Sam pulled him self up onto the bank of the lake. Liam followed him.

"You need to stop self hating Sam! See yourself as I do"

Sam turned quickly, having enough of the teasing tone of Liam, wanting something truthful "and how exactly do you see me"

"SAM" Liam could scream at the girl who interrupted "Come sit with us" Sam shuffled off to where Emily and Holly were lying down.

Liam angrily ran his hands through his hair, feeling frustrated that every time he felt he was getting closer to Sam, he was interrupted.

He went to find out if Chris needed help and ended up just staying in his and Sam's tent.

He got into his sleeping bag but couldn't sleep. Finally he felt Sam enter and get into his own sleeping bag. Shuffling, Liam noticed Sam had ended up moving his sleeping bag closer to Liam's by accident.

They ended up lying with their bodies indirectly touching through the sleeping bags. Sam was lulled to sleep by Liam's warmth and unconsciously snuggled closer. Liam was too tired to care about their position and pulled Sam closer.

They slept wrapped in each other's arms, creating a bubble of warmth in their tent that contrasted the cold air outside.