Hunter's first sensation upon waking wasn't the usual chill of the morning air but a heavy warmth pressing down on his torso, legs, and even an arm wrapped tightly around his waist. His brows furrowed slightly as his drowsy mind caught up, and when he opened his eyes, his gaze immediately landed on him.
Sprawled over him like a damn koala, his head resting against Hunter's chest, lips slightly parted as he breathed softly in his sleep. One of Aiden's legs was thrown carelessly over Hunter's torso, while his arms clung to him like he was the only source of warmth in the world. His entire body was molded against Hunter's like it belonged there.
Hunter felt his throat go dry.
Jesus Christ.
Aiden's hair, soft and slightly messy from sleep, tickled against Hunter's chin. His long lashes cast faint shadows over his cheeks, and his lips were so ridiculously soft looking and slightly parted as he breathed out warm puffs of air against Hunter's skin.
Hunter swallowed hard. He wanted to push Aiden off and untangle himself from this mess before anyone barged in and saw them like this.
But instead, he found himself just starting at Aiden's face. His hand moved before he could stop himself, fingers lightly tracing over Aiden's jaw, his thumb brushing against the softness of his cheek. Last night's tension flashed in his mind, the way he had gripped this very jaw in anger, the way Aiden's eyes had widened in fear.
Regret settled deep in his chest. He felt like Aiden didn't deserve that. He didn't deserve Hunter's anger and that Aiden only deserved his care and warmth.
Aiden groaned in his sleep, mumbling something incoherent and shifting closer, nuzzling against Hunter's chest like a cat seeking warmth. His leg slid slightly higher, dangerously close to Hunter's waist, and Hunter nearly choked.
"You're gonna kill me one day," Hunter muttered under his breath but despite himself, his lips curled into a soft smile.
Instead of pushing him away, Hunter sighed, reached down, and pulled the blanket over both of them.
Just a little longer. He thought before holding Aiden closer to himself.
◾◾◾
The camp was already busy with the sounds of teenagers arguing, laughing, and groaning as they all gathered for the morning assembly.
Mr. Davis stood at the front, rubbing his temples as he faced a sea of unhinged high schoolers who were barely functioning at this hour.
"Alright, listen up, you little menaces—"
"We prefer 'agents of disarray,'" Ethan interrupted, yawning dramatically.
"We prefer 'feral children,'" Nick corrected, adjusting his backpack.
"I prefer to not hear your voices before I finish speaking." Mr. Davis deadpanned, glaring at them all.
There were loud snickers from the group, but Mr. Davis continued, though his patience was wearing thin. "We're heading to the lake today. It's a long walk, so get your bags and shut up."
"Why do we have to walk?" someone whined. "Isn't there a golf cart or something?"
"Oh sure, let me just summon a limousine from my ass," Mr. Davis replied dryly.
"You do have a big ass, sir," Ethan nodded seriously.
"Ethan, do you want to be left in the woods?"
"Depends. Will I find my will to live there?"
"No, but you will find a very aggressive raccoon who will fight you for your snacks."
"Sweet. Maybe he'll win."
"Oh my God," Mr. Davis groaned, rubbing his face. "Everyone, shut up and move out."
The group finally started getting their things together, still muttering complaints about the long trek ahead.
"If I die on this hike, just know my will states that all my debt goes to Ethan," Nick declared.
"Joke's on you, I already sold your soul to pay off my own debt," Ethan shot back.
"Bold of you to assume I have a soul."
"Bold of you to assume any of you have left some brain cells," Brain added silently.
Hunter shook his head, shouldering his bag as he walked behind Aiden, watching as he argued with someone about who had more stamina for hiking.
Hunter walked in silence at the very back of the group, with his hands stuffed in his pockets and his eyes lazily scanning the people ahead of him. His gaze inevitably landed on Aiden.
Who was clearly struggling. The idiot was practically dragging his backpack, stumbling every few steps as if the weight of it was trying to pull him into the earth. Hunter sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Give it to me," he let out, reaching out.
Aiden huffed, trying to adjust the straps on his shoulders. "What? No! You're already carrying your own bag."
"And? I can carry two."
Aiden frowned, hesitating. He cast a glance at the other students ahead, watching them talk and laugh as they hiked. His lips pressed into a thin line. What would they think if he let Hunter carry his bag?
"It's fine, I don't want to overweight you."
Hunter stared at him for a moment, then just nodded, not bothering to argue. If Aiden wanted to be stubborn, then fine.
Before Aiden could say anything else, Sophia suddenly called for him. "Aiden! Come look at this—there's an actual deer over here!"
"Where?! Wait, don't scare it away!" Aiden perked up, practically bouncing as he rushed toward her and her group of friends.
Hunter averted his eyes, pretending not to care, but they landed on someone else instead.
Casen. The little guy was walking behind everyone else, alone, struggling just as much as Aiden if not more. Though Hunter noticed something, that unlike his usual self, who at least carried a small, hopeful smile even when no one spoke to him, Casen's face was completely blank this time. Like a dull mask covering something darker underneath.
Hunter had noticed a few things about him.
Casen reminded him of himself most of the time. The way people avoided him, the way he seemed out of place. It was as if Casen was just like him. But there was a key difference between them both. Unlike Hunter who don't like anyone bothering him, Casen wanted to belong. It was obvious in the way he clung to small moments of kindness, lighting up if someone so much as acknowledged him.
But no one really did.
Hunter sighed and stepped closer to him. "Do you want me to carry your bag?"
Casen was startled at first. His blue eyes widened in pure shock, like he couldn't believe Hunter had spoken to him first.
"H-Huh? Oh—" He flushed slightly, his grip tightening on the straps. "N-No! But…t-thank you for asking."
Hunter frowned. Casen was breathing heavily, clearly exhausted. "It's fine, I can do it."
Casen still hesitated and looked around. He took a slow breath before murmuring, "People might…think something of us if you do help me."
Hunter raised a brow. "Think what?"
Casen's gaze darted nervously toward the others. "People love to make rumors out of nothing," he said softly.
Hunter's frown deepened as he didn't get it. Why would anyone care if he carried someone's bag? It wasn't like—
Before he could question it further, Sam appeared beside him making Casen immediately flinch.
His whole body tensed, and his face paled slightly before he quickly averted his gaze, practically shrinking into himself. Without another word, Casen picked up his pace and walked away, keeping his head down.
Hunter watched him go, then turned to Sam. "You know him?"
Sam clicked his tongue. "Not anymore."
Hunter narrowed his eyes. "What does that mean?"
"It means exactly what I said," Sam said bluntly. "We used to know each other. Not anymore."
Hunter didn't pry further. He wasn't nosy.
But something about the way Casen had flinched sat wrong with him.
Sam changed the subject before Hunter could think too much about it. "What about you and Aiden?"
Hunter's eyes flickered toward Aiden. He was ahead, giggling at something Sophia said, his bright laughter carrying through the trees.
"Nothing interesting."
Sam didn't believe him. "You want me to talk to Sophia? I know my sister. if I ask, she'll back off."
Hunter shook his head. "Doesn't matter. If not Sophia, then another girl will come along. I can't stop everyone."
He exhaled, his eyes darkening slightly. "What matters is who Aiden wants to date."
Sam groaned. "This is so messed up. This is why I don't like people in love."
Hunter let out a low chuckle. "Smart choice."
When they finally reached the lake, the teacher called for their attention.
"Alright, listen up," Mr. Davis announced. "Have fun, but don't be idiots. And absolutely no pushing each other into the lake."
The students exchanged looks.
"Well, I can't promise anything. My hands are kinda slippery." Nick stated.
"I call dibs on throwing Nick in first," Ethan snickered.
"Jokes on you, I've been dead inside for years," Nick shot back. "Drowning would just be a new experience for me."
"If any of you push me, I swear to God, I'm taking you down with me," Jake warned them all.
"Bet. We can haunt the school together."
"Can ghosts fail math?"
"Probably. Death doesn't make you any less stupid."
Mr. Davis groaned loudly. "I should have become a barista instead. Would've been easier than dealing with you little shits."
"Nah, sir, you were born to suffer with us."
"Nick, please shut up!"
Despite the complaints, the students sat in their friend groups and started unpacking their bags and setting up near the water, some already scheming ways to break Mr. Davis's no pushing rule.