Darkness

Hot Cocoa

They woke up early, had another cliff bar and then packed their stuff to go back to the lake house. Avi felt better than the day before, he wasn't as mentally unstable and had a smile on his lips while their made their way back down, holding hands.

Scott told him about his last Thanksgiving, they talked about him flying out to Texas to visit his family while Avi would stay with Shelly and Mike in Visalia, but then Scott shook his head and squeezed Avi's hand. "I'd like you to come with me" he said and gently nudged him to the side to avoid a branch on the ground. "My parents have been asking and they'd love to have you there for a few days."

The bearded man shrugged. "That's sweet, of course! I wouldn't mind coming with you but I promised Mom and Dad to come over soon. Last time I talked to them in person was right after the crash, I miss them." Avi pushed his - Scott's, but by now they were his - sunglasses back up as they threatened to slide down his nose. "Maybe you can come too?"

"I'd love to. Your parents are awesome."

Avi chuckled. "Thank you, yours are too. My mama is just- I love her so much."

Once back in Big Bear they took a shower and went out for lunch. Avi had a wings with fries on the side while Scott enjoyed a burger and potato wedges.

"So, what's our plan for today?" Avi asked and nibbled on one of the wings, put the bone in the basket next to his plate and licked his fingertips.

"It's supposed to rain today, it's actually getting a little cloudy so maybe we should just watch some movies? Make some hot cocoa?"

"Can we eat s'mores? Make 'em in the oven? We didn't eat any yesterday before bed.." Avi patted the plate for more wings and frowned when all he felt was sauce. "Are they all gone?"

The baritone couldn't help but chuckle. "Yeah, you ate all of them. Do you want more? We can order some more for you."

"Eh, I don't know. I think I'm good for now. What are we having for dinner today?"

"We just had lunch!" Scott said and laughed. "We'll figure something out, okay?"

Avi hummed and finished his fries while Scott took the last bites of his burger. They paid soon after and drove back home, not without stopping at the store to pick up groceries.

Back at the cabin Avi was the first one to change into sweatpants. While Scott was busy putting away the groceries he already filled a saucepan with milk and put it on the stove, then he felt for mugs. Since he wasn't comfortable using the stove in the unfamiliar environment he moved to the side to let Scott make the hot cocoa and started placing the chocolate and a handful of marshmallows in an oven safe bowl. Once finished they brought everything to the coffee table and got comfortable. Avriel was happily sipping his hot cocoa while Scott scooped some of the hot marshmallow and chocolate mixture on a piece of graham cracker and handed it to Avi. He didn't want him to burn his hands.

"Hey Scott?" Avi asked while he was leaning against the man's chest, holding the mug with both hands. He took a small sip.

"Hm?" He took a big bite of the cracker before feeing the rest to Avi, not even having to gently tap his lip with it so he would notice, but Avi smelled the cinnamon coming from it immediately and opened his mouth.

He chewed and swallowed. "Coming here was a good idea. I like doing things with you."

"I like doing things with you, too" The baritone replied and grinned. "You're sweet."

"I know" Avi mumbled and snickered at his own comment before he demanded more of the s'mores by just opening his mouth.

The two men decided on an early bedtime, giving that their night in the tent the day prior hasn't been the most comfortable one. They brushed their teeth and Avi took an additional ten minutes to apply some hair and beard oil as well as moisturizer before he climbed up the ladder to their loft.

He crawled towards Scott until he felt his leg against his arm and gently patted his way up until he had located Scott's biceps. Then he laid down and pulled the duvet over his body. "Can we go hiking again tomorrow? When the weather is nice?"

"Sure, that's why we're here, huh? Maybe we can even go for a swim in the lake."

"Ohhh" Avi said and nodded enthusiastically. "I'd love that!"

Scott smiled and they shared a sweet kiss before Avi curled up and disappeared under the blanket to get nice and toasty while the air outside had gotten cooler after it had started to rain. The baritone stayed in contact with Avi, he had his hand on the man's bare back, knowing that it always provided some sort of comfort for him when he realized that Scott was there and stayed close. He fell asleep quickly, just a few minutes after they had laid down together.

A loud thud followed by a pained groan woke Scott just after two in the morning. It was dark and after checking the time he turned on the lamp near the mattress on the floor while he automatically felt for Avi. "Avi?" But all he felt was the warm blanket and not his boyfriend. "Avi!" Scott got up and held onto the wooden railing as he looked down to the living room. When he saw Avi his heart stopped at first before it started beating like crazy. His palms got sweaty and he felt like he was going to be sick.

The bass was on his back, his hair sprawled out on the wooden floor, eyes closed and lips slightly parted, next to the ladder nine feet below Scott.