Loving Will

Chapter 9

We spent hours in the water swimming and having fun. At six o'clock when our skin had long ago wrinkled we got out. Will started a fire in the fire pit whilst I pulled out meat and salad. As Will cooked over the fire using a wire try I tried my best to cut salad using an almost blunt knife.

We quietly ate together, neither one of us want to destroy the peace and quiet around us. I grabbed his plate when he was finished washing it in a makeshift sink we had put together using a large storage container Will kept his camping gear in. Once they were away drying I grabbed my jacket from my bed sitting back next to Will. The side of my body just touching his, I could feel his natural heat radiating. I unknowingly cuddled into his side "it's beautiful out here, I have never seen so many stars."

Will looked down at my body pressed against him "that's why my parents loved coming out here. In the chaos of their lives once a year we would go away for a few days and that is all we would do in the year."

I felt such pity for Will, I didn't have parents growing up but my Aunt would always make sure we had time together as a family as well as providing me with everything I would need. "My Aunt Sarah would always do one trip a year whether it be the beach or a night in a hotel, she always made sure she showed me little bits and pieces of different cultures."

After bidding Will food night I headed into my tent. The bed was surprisingly comfortable. What I found difficult was the fact that it was freezing, I had my sleeping bag, a thick blanket and my jacket. As my body shook I tried to gain warmth from rubbing my hands against my arms. I quietly omitted sounds of being cold. Will yelled out "are you okay."

I yelled back but my voice was strained "yeah, just cold."

I heard his tent unzip then footsteps. The front of my tent shook then the zipped undid. Will pocked his head in "is it okay if I laid beside you?"

I was taken back "yeah, are you okay?"

Will nodded "yeah, I'm fine but I like the sound of your mattress and I am male, I have a lot more heat than you."

I threw my blanket over me for a moment unzipping my sleeping bag "hop in."

He got in beside me zipping up the sleeping bag. I threw my blanket over the top of us and then he put his blanket on top. At first, we laid beside each other, both uncomfortable. I rolled onto my side facing him, I placed my arm under my head "is this okay?"

Will nodded, he glanced over at me seeing my teeth clamped shut stopping them from chattering together. He placed his warm arm around my waist pulling me into his body. I laid my hands against his chest. His arm moved to under my head I buried my head into his chest "thank you, Will."

He laid his head against mine "I'm just using you for your mattress."

I quietly laughed "good because I'm using you for your heat." It didn't take either of us long to fall asleep.

When I woke the next morning it was light outside. I cuddled into Will chest fitter but he was already awake playing with my long strands of hair. I glanced up to him "sorry, you should have just pushed me out of your way."

He continued to run his fingers threw the ends "I didn't mind, you looked peaceful. I didn't want to take your source of warmth."

Laughed pulling away from me "more like you don't want to get off my mattress."

He pushed the blankets off his chest. He only wore sleeping pants and an old worn singlet. Whereas I wore a long sleeve shirt and jacket and mismatch thick pants. My aunt was insistent I packed warm clothes, I hope I remember to thank her when I get back.

I rolled away from Will unzipping my jacket removing it. I glanced over to Will to see he was laid on his back watching me. I smiled at him "breakfast first or a morning swim?"

Will threw his arm over his eyes "coffee, it's too cold for a swim and I cannot function enough to help with breakfast."

I threw on my shoes walking out if the tent over to the fire pit. The fire had long gone out so I gathered a few logs. Then I reset the fire with a match. Once that was raging I grabbed the kettle filling it with bottled water. I grabbed two mugs from inside the storage box. Once the kettle was boiling I paired it into our mugs.

Will came us as I was lifting the mugs off the makeshift bench. He came over to me now wearing a maroon coloured hoodie. I smiled at him "coffee is ready and I have started breakfast. I don't want you to cook every meal here."

He smiled grabbing the mug from my hands, he blew on the mug "you know how I make my coffee?"

I nodded "you mentioned it before when we were talking about the things we preferred. I was thinking of pancakes for breakfast on the barbecue?"

Will agreed to start the heat the barbecue, I mixed the batter pushing him out of the way with my hip. He smiled coyly at me "I can help."

I shook my head "it's just pancakes."

The whole time I made pancakes he stood beside me watching as I cooked the best pancakes ever. I handed him a stake taking a second lot for myself. I sat in one of the fold-out chairs enjoying the view. Will wasn't too bad on the eyes either.