If You Tell Me To Stay

Chapter 26

Can stayed awake the whole night. Getting up to walk around and stretch every once in a while when he felt sleepy. Ayhan eventually fell back to sleep, exhaustion winning out over the pain in her shoulder. The forest began to lighten with the rising sun. This was Can's favorite part of the day. When everything was still asleep and quiet. Not even the birds had woken up yet. He watched the sky as the stars disappeared with the growing light. He was thankful for an uneventful night, even if that meant no rescue team.

He heard movement next to him and saw Sanem stretching as she woke up. She looked up at him with sleepy eyes and a smile. "Good morning." She whispered and stretched again.

"I've missed you saying good morning to me."

Sanem laughed a little and went to get up. She adjusted Can's jacket and tucked it under Ayhan to keep her warm. She shivered as her skin met the cold morning air. She crawled into Can's lap and he wrapped his arms around her and bent his knees to cocoon her in his warmth. "And I've missed this." She snuggled into him more.

"As fun as this week has been, I am looking forward to having you to myself again."

"You always have me."

"You know what I mean."

She looked up at him to see him smiling at her. She did know what he meant. She tilted her chin up to give him exactly that. Can bent down and raised his arms up, lifting her closer so their lips could meet. Sanem moved her hands from his chest to his neck. Can shivered slightly when her cold hands met his warm skin. They kissed slow and deep. The peaceful quiet surrounding of the forest reflecting in their kiss.

They were interrupted when Veli's wet nose was stuck in between their entwined lips. Sanem pulled back and giggled as she wiped at her cheek where Veli's nose had touched. She opened her eyes to see Can smiling and rubbing Veli behind her ear.

"When did that happen?"

Can knew she was referring to his and Veli's new apparent friendship. "Last night, after getting Ayhan out of the hole."

"Look at you, winning over every girl's heart."

"I only want to win your heart."

"You should know by now that you already have."

Can leaned in to kiss her again, but Veli's snout was there once more. The two laughed at the interruption, causing Ayhan to now wake up. She stretched and then all too suddenly remembered the pain in her shoulder, "Ow!"

Sanem crawled out of Can's lap to go to her. Veli licked Ayhan's face as she giggled trying to gently push her away with her one good arm. Sanem placed Can's jacket over Umut's to keep her toasty warm for their walk back. "Guess it's time to get going. I'll go wake up Umut."

"No, no. I can do it." Can quickly got up and walked over to Umut before Sanem could.

Sanem shook her head as she helped Ayhan stand up, "Be nice." she warned him.

"I'm always nice."

"Uh huh..." Sanem didn't even bother to hide her disbelief.

Can bent down next to Umut and shook his arm while saying his name. All he got was a groan in response. Next Can pulled on his shoulders, forcing him into a seated position. Umut's head lulled to the side and then fell forward. His whole body would have fallen forward if not for Can holding him up. "Umut. Wake up."

"Huh..?" Umut finally looked up and opened his eyes to see four other pairs of eyes looking back at him. The scariest being the giant black dog next to his face. "Shit!" Umut backed away from the dog and then held his head in pain from his hangover.