Thread by @OurFlagMnsSteph

#noangstnov
#steddyhands
Day 20: Forest

The trip is a disaster from the start. Stede packs two suitcases for the weekend "just in case" and Ed's in a sour mood because "nature is gross."

Izzy had been planning a solo trip, but Stede had asked to go and he'd been too weak to argue. He knew Stede would hate camping the way Izzy liked. And where Stede went, Ed followed these days, and Ed would absolutely hate it.

The plan had been to leave Friday morning by 9, but Ed had slept in and then Stede insisted they needed to eat a full breakfast before hitting the road. So they didn't get in the car until noon.

The drive would have taken 2 hours for Izzy, but with stops for snacks and pissing, it'd been 3 and a half. By the time they got to their campsite, light was already fading. Ed played up how much the car ride had hurt his knee so he didn't have to help set up camp. Lazy bastard.

Stede tried to help, but he just ended up getting in Izzy's way while he set up the tent, started a fire, and set up their bear bag. By the time they were all set up, the autumn chill had set in and Ed started shivering in the clothes Izzy had warned him wouldn't be warm enough.

Izzy dowsed the fire that had barely had time to warm them and urged the other two into the tent where he stopped short.
"Where's the other sleeping bag?"
"We brought the big one, Iz, so we can all share."
Izzy looked back and forth between the two incredulously.

"I had packed mine though. Where is it?"
Ed clapped him on the shoulder and squeezed in warning.
"Back at the house." Stede shifted nervously. "We needed the room for food. The double is plenty big for all of us. And we'll be warmer sharing, too."

Izzy closed his eyes and counted to ten.
This was fine. It was just a weekend.
When he opened his eyes the other two were changing into their pajamas. A full matching set for Stede (of course) and a pair of thermals for Ed and a Judas Priest shirt with more holes than cotton.

Izzy changed into his gear as quickly as he could in the cold air, missing the look Ed and Stede shared behind his back.
Izzy was frustrated. He couldn't even enjoy the sounds of the forest with the other two chattering constantly as they readied for bed.

"Ed, you better sleep in the middle since your duds are the least warm."
Somehow the other two didn't argue.
Once the light was out, and they were crammed like sardines in the two-person sleeping bag, Izzy felt like he could almost relax.

Except Stede snored. Loudly. And then Ed threw an arm around him, pulling Izzy into his chest and he was burning up. He needed a smoke. He extricated himself as carefully as he could and left the tent. Izzy took a moment to stare up at the stars.

He'd forgotten how bright they shone out here. He could take a moment, breathe in the forest air, savor the quiet that still felt alive.
"You okay?"
Stede had said it gently, but it still startled him. How'd he not hear him coming?

"Fine, just got over warm."
Stede nodded, "Ah, Ed does run hot."
Izzy looked at him, standing away like he was worried he was intruding. Izzy sighed.
"Sit with me a moment."
Stede hurried to join him on the log.

"Why did you want to come, Stede?"
Stede chuckled softly, "Sorry, I just won 10 bucks from Ed. He didn't think you'd ever ask."
He's honestly not sure why he is. He hadn't planned on it. He told himself he didn't care the reason, but that was a lie.

"I wanted to experience something you like. You do things Ed and I enjoy all the time, and yes sometimes it's fun how easy it is to wind you up when we're doing something you think is dumb."
Stede shifted closer, his shoulder brushing Izzy's.
"But you don't ever pick things."

"You don't share things with us much. And I want you to, Izzy. I want to be a part of what you like."
Stede reached out, offering his hand to Izzy. He took it, feeling overwhelmed by Stede's words.

"I already love you, you silly man. I want to be a part of your life, as much as you're a part of mine."
Izzy felt the tears on his cheeks go cold in the air.
"Okay...I...I want that, too."
Stede grinned and kissed his cheek. They were silent a moment and then Izzy nudged Stede.

"Look up."
Stede did and he gasped.
"Wow, they're so beautiful."
"They're never brighter than in a mountain forest like thus. It's one of the things I love most about camping here."
Stede asked if he knew any constellations and Izzy told him his favorites until they got too cold.

They went back to the tent to find Ed rolled all the way over to one side, so the got back in with Izzy in the middle. They drifted back to sleep with Stede's hand still in Izzy's and Izzy was excited for tomorrow.

-End-

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