Zane and Evan were sitting on the couch waiting for Nico, Emily, and Nate to come from the kitchen. Zane sat there restlessly in his seat, wringing his hands together, bouncing his knee, growing restless. Evan watched Zane sighing, placing a hand on Zane's shoulder, Zane freezing under his touch.
"So you and Nico are a thing now?" Evan questioned.
"What, no, of course not," Zane said.
"Zane, you can bring a stranger in from the street, and they can tell something is going on," Evan said.
"Well, nothing is going on," Zane said.
"And yet you are at her house again," Evan stated, shrugging his shoulder.
"Yeah, cause my power went out," Zane said, and Evan hummed, removing his hand leaning back.
"Huh, out of power," Zane nodded his head, and Evan leaned back, sighing. "Remember when we were kids, and we had a major snowstorm, and we lost power?" Evan said he rested his hands behind his head, closing his eyes.
"Yeah, I remember," Zane said, looking at Evan's relaxed demeanor.
"I remember that your dad went into the garage and pulled out this big generator for the blackout," Evan said, glancing at Zane.
"What about it?" Zane replied, looking away.
"Well, if the power were out like tonight, then I would go out to the generator and turn my power back on instead of going to my neighbor's house just to sit in the dark," Evan said, closing his eyes again shrugging his shoulders.
"What do you want, Evan?" Zane asked, running a hand down his face.
"Simple tell me what is going on," Evan stated.
"Nothing is going on," Zane told Evan.
"Okay, if nothing is going on, then how do you explain the bite mark on Nico's neck?" Evan said, peeking at Zane, studying his response. Zane went pale and started opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water. Evan chuckled to himself before facing his friend, resting his hand on his shoulder.
"I um I-," Zane began but fell silent again, looking down at the candle that was flickering at the table.
"Listen, I get it. It is dark. You and Nico were alone. It's a common thing that happens between teenagers, but can I give you a word of advice," Evan said, wrapping his arm around his shoulder.
"Sure, I guess," Zane said.
"I really like Nate, and I do want to see where this goes," Evan said.
"Okay, and where is this going?" Zane asked.
"Well, Nate cares about Nico, so if Nico is upset, then Nate is upset," Evan said, tightening his hold on Zane.
"Why are you telling me this?" Zane asked, and Evan smiled at him.
"Well, when you and Nico got into that big fight, she went to Nate about it. We went on a date, and the entire time he was ranting about how you messed up and upset his best friend. You are my best friend, and I am looking out for you, but if I find out that you are playing with Nico's emotions because you want to get laid, then I will hurt you," Evan said as his smile never faltered.
Zane swallowed hard, and his blood went cold, fear coursing through his veins as he looked at his friend, never-changing smile. Evan was never the type to get mad, but when he did, it was terrifying. It was always that smile even though it looked normal, but Zane knew what hid it behind that smile, and it always gave Zane a chill. Ever since they were kids growing up with that smile, Zane grew to feared that smile. Zane nodded slowly, and Evan removed his arm, returning into his original relaxed position closing his eyes. Zane sat there thinking about what Evan said and began to think about how he felt about Nico and everything that happened between the two. His mind started to wander to what would have happened when if nobody interrupted them. Zane thought about what would happen if they weren't interrupted. Then it hit him; how would Nico feel about it? Was he only thinking about himself? Feeling like a complete idiot, Zane sighed, leaning back into the sofa, running a hair through his hair.
"What happened in here? It looks like a funeral," Zane heard Nate said.
Zane and Evan looked over to the trio standing in the doorway. Zane looked over at Nico, and the image of Nico moaning under his cheeks looking flushed, eyes half-lidded. Suddenly the feeling of guilt went through his body, and he shifted away from her, trying to calm himself down.
"Is everything okay now?" Evan said. Nate nodded, giving him a small smile strolling over to Evan sitting on his lap. Nate wrapped his arms around Evan's neck, giving him a little kiss on the cheek. Nate leaned closer to kiss Evan again but on his lips. Nico cleared her throat, and Nate stopped and slid off his lap, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Sorry about that, but everything is fine. We were just catching Emily up on everything that has been happening the past couple of days," Nate said, looking over at Nico and Emily. Zane looked at Emily, who was giving him a mean glare before shifting his attention to Nico.
"You told her everything?" Zane said. Nico opened her mouth, but Emily held her hand out, walking in front of Nico crossing her arms, still scowling at Zane.
"Yeah, she did. You got a problem with that pretty boy?" Emily said.
"No, I don't. I just thought-," Zane stared.
"You thought that you would make Nico keep this secret and keep it between you two," Emily spat at him. Zane rolled his eyes, looking past Emily at Nico, looking away from Zane. Zane felt that he was not welcome, and he sighed, getting up from the couch.
"Listen, I got no problems with you," Zane walking up to Emily. "But it seems like you have one with me, so I am going to just go because you obviously don't want me here," Zane said, walking past the two towards the exit.
"Yeah, you do that. We can do just fine without you," Emily stated. Nico turned to Zane, watching him approached the front door throwing the door open, walking out, not even sparing Nico a glance as he slammed the door behind him.
"Well, that was a bit dramatic," Nate quipped.
"Whatever, we didn't need him," Emily said. Nico spun on her heels and walked toward the kitchen, not uttering a word to anyone. Her two best friends watch Nico walk away, and Emily looked back at Nate, who was rolling his eyes.
"You know Emily, you really need to know a proper way to talk to people," Nate stated, crossing his arms.
Nico walked into the kitchen, having trouble shaking off this uncomfortable feeling in her chest, beginning to pace back and forth, playing with her curls. What was worst is that she told him that she had his back, and it must have felt like a slap in the face when Emily treated him like dirt. The images of Zane's face when he left were playing in her head. Nico stopped pacing and sat in the chair with her back facing the doorway, and placed her hands in her hands.
"I'm an idiot," Nico muttered to herself.
"Well, I wouldn't say that," Nico heard, and she spun around to see Evan standing in the doorway, staring down at her.
"No offense Evan but I am not in the mood to talk," Nico said, turning back to the table.
"Well, that is alright. I actually wanted to talk to you, but you don't have to say anything back," Evan said, pulling a chair up next to Nico.
"You are not going to leave unless I hear you out," Nico responded, and Evan nodded his head. "Fine. What do have to say?" Nico sighed out.
"You know I am not the type of person to get into other people's business, but when it comes to people who are close to me, then I have to speak up," Evan said.
"Okay," Nico said, looking at Evan's calm demeanor.
"I am not the only person that agrees that Emily took it a little too far," Evan said.
"Yea, she did," Nico said, pushing her fingers together.
"Okay, now that we are on the same page, I need to know something. What are you going to do about it?" Evan asked.
"Um, I don't know," Nico said, running a hand through her hair.
"I see," Evan said, smiling at Nico, and she felt a chill run down her spine. She didn't know what it was, but it was something about that smile that scared her a bit.
Evan nodded, falling silent with an unreadable expression on his face. Nico slumped into her chair, feeling terrible because she knew that she had to do something. Nico looked up at Evan, looking at her waiting for her to say something, but Nico remained silent. Nico groaned, running a hand down her face in frustration.
"I don't know what to do. I feel awful about it. I don't know why I just stood there," Nico said, sinking in her chair deeper.
"Well, maybe you can do something about it," Evan said.
"I can't. Zane probably doesn't want to talk to me," Nico said.
"You don't know that," Evan said.
"So, what should I do?" Nico asked. Evan sighed, reaching over, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"I think you know," Evan said, removing his hand from his shoulder, getting up from the chair walking back to the living room.
Nico sighed, resting her head in her hands, brushing her curls back, staring at the candle in the table's center. Nico groaned, shoving her chair back, getting up from her chair, and rushed out the kitchen to her closet, grabbing her coat. Nico rushed past the living room, not glancing at her two friends looking at her, confused. Nico reached the door turning the doorknob opening the door slightly but soon had the door slammed by Emily, looking at her troubled, trying to figure out what was going on with her best friend.
"Um, where do you think you are going," Emily asked, and Nico turned to Emily, briefly looking over at Nate and Evan still sitting in the living room, looking at her.
"I am going to get Zane," Nico said, and Emily let go of Nico and scoffed, crossing her arms.
"Why?" Emily asked.
"Because if we are going to figure this out, then we are going to need him," Nico said. Nate poked his head out of the living room, watching the pair argue.
"I agree with her," Nate chimed in.
"What! No, we don't need him," Emily said, snatching Nico's jacket from her hands.
"Come on, Emily, don't you think you are a little unreasonable?" Nate asked, walking out of the living room up to the two girls.
"No, I am not. Didn't you say that Zane was not to be trusted?" Emily shouted, turning to Nate.
"Yea, I did at first, but that changed when I actually got to know the guy," Nate said, crossing his arms rolling his eyes at Emily.
"Well, I don't trust him," Emily said, crossing her arms.
"I don't have time for this. I am going," Nico said, reaching for the door to only be stopped again by Emily.
"What is with you?" Emily asked Nico. Nico took a deep breath and looked back at Emily.
"You said that you would have my back no matter what. I will do this, and if you have a problem with me getting Zane's help, you can go home because I won't need your help anymore. Now move out of the way," Nico said. Nico was determined more than ever, and she was not going to break down because Emily didn't like it. Emily looked at Nico like she was slapped in the face. Emily gripped Nico's jacket taking a step back, opening and closing her mouth, surprised. Nico turned away from Emily, opening the door, slamming it shut behind her, making Emily jump slightly. Emily turned to Nate, waiting for an explanation, but he looked just as shocked as she did.
"Well, that was different," Nate said, looking up at Evan, and Emily walked over to the living room, sitting on the sofa.
"Yeah, yeah, it was," Emily said quietly, sinking into her seat.
Nico rushed down her driveway, turning left on the sidewalk towards Zane's house, her feet pounding against the pavement. Nico stood at the end of Zane's driveway, looking up at Zane's home getting soaked by the pouring harder on her. Nico rushed up to his front door, cutting across his grass jumping over his bushes. Nico ran up to Zane's front door, raising her hand to the door, banging on it, screaming Zane's name that was only being drowned out by the sound of the thunder booming behind her. Suddenly the door swung open, revealing Zane in a fresh set of clothes and his damp hair. His auburn eyes opened wide, staring at Nico in shock at the fact that she was standing in front of him soaking wet in her pajamas. Zane notices that Nico was out of breath and shivering from being outside for too long. Zane grabbed Nico's wrist, dragging her inside, slamming the door close before looking back at her. Nico stood looking at Zane rubbing her arms, still shaking. Zane walked past Nico going into a room and coming out a moment later with a towel. Zane walked in front of Nico placing the towel on her head, drying her off.
"Are you crazy? What the hell are you doing here?" Zane asked. Zane finished drying Nico's hair and let the towel drop to Nico's shoulders. Zane took a step back from Nico, looking at her, waiting for an answer. Nico adjusted the towel and started looking around Zane's house before looking back at him with a confused look painted across her face.
"You still had power?" Nico asked. Zane sighed and, leaning against the door crossing his arms.
"I have a generator," Zane responded flatly.
"And yet you stayed at my house," Nico said, brushing some of her curls back behind her ear.
"Well, I had a reason to stay," Zane said.
"Oh yeah, your clothes," Nico said, and Zane pushed off from the door walking up to Nico, resting a finger under Nico's chin tilting her head up.
"No, not the clothes," Zane said. Nico blushed, moving her head away from Zane and talking a step back, awkwardly rubbing her arm.
"Um, I- I am here to bring you back," Nico said, clearing her throat.
"Really, is that it?" Zane said, leaning back on the door crossing his arms again.
"No," Nico began and fell silent.
"So, what do you want, Nico?" Zane asked.
"I also want to tell you that I am sorry. I should have stopped Emily. She tends to become very protective and sometimes gets out of hand like tonight. So I am really sorry. I know I said that I have you back, but at that moment, I didn't, and I feel terrible about it," Nico said.
"I figured, but I don't believe that you came in the pouring rain just to apologize when you could have called me," Zane stated.
"Well, I wanted to apologize, and I also really need your help," Nico said, and Zane arched an eyebrow at her.
"You need my help?" Zane asked.
"Yeah, you are the only one that knows Latin, and we make a pretty good team," Nico said. Nico mumbled that last part hoping Zane didn't hear her, but he did, and a smirk form on his face.
"Yea, we do, don't we," Zane said.
"So can we please start over and you come back with me please?" Nico asked. Zane fell silent, looking at Nico with such intensity that made Nico shift uncomfortably, looking down at her soaked socks. Zane pushed himself off the door walking to Nico, giving her a small pat on her shoulder before walking past her.
"I don't think so," Zane said, walking past Nico walking toward the steps. Nico turned to Zane with a confused look on her face and followed him up the steps.
"What do you mean? You just agree that we made a good team," Nico said, following Zane down the hall.
"I did," Zane said, pushing his door open, walking inside.
Nico stopped in the doorway and looked into Zane's room. Zane's room was clean, plain-looking, room something that Nico didn't expect. She expected a messy room and some sports equipment, but his walls were decorated with photos of his family, old movie posters, and many paintings. Nico stepped inside, closing the door, glancing over at Zane, who was walking into his closet going through his clothes. Nico took this opportunity to look around, seeing what kind of stuff Zane hides in his room. Nico walked over to Zane's desk, covered with a notebook, papers, and old worn-out books. Nico brushed her hand over one of the books, picking it up, reading the title before opening it up, flipping through some of the pages. Nico flipped back to the first page, noticing a faded stamp on the page showing that it belonged to the library. Nico placed the book back on his desk, and a painting on the wall next to the desk caught Nico's eye. She walked up to the paint and started to study it, running her fingers against the edge of the canvas. It was a painting of an empty field with a single large tree in the center. The leaves on the trees were a golden orange color and falling off from the breeze. Towards the bottom of the tree, a silhouette couple was standing under it. The man looked like he was on one knee holding on to the woman's hand, and the woman was standing there covering her mouth with her other hand. Even though Nico can't see the facial expression on the couple's face, she felt happiness run through Nico's body as she looked at the picture. Nico turned her head, noticing another painting, and this one was the same tree, but the couple was now colored sitting on top of a blanket with now a child sitting on the woman's lap reaching for one of the falling leaves as the couple looked at the child lovingly. Nico smiled at the painting at how happy the family looks.
"That is my favorite painting," Nico heard Zane said from behind her. Nico turned and smiled at him before turning back at the painting, running her hand against the edge of the frame.
"It is beautiful. Where did you get it?" Nico asked. Zane walked up next to Nico, looking at the painting sighing a bit.
"My mom," Zane said.
"Well, she is very talented," Nico said, looking over at Zane.
"Yeah, she was," Zane said, giving Nico a sad smile. Nico felt her heartbreak as she looked at Zane, who was now staring at the painting.
"I'm sorry," Nico said in a whisper, looking down at the ground.
"Don't be. It was a long time ago," Zane said, patting Nico on the shoulder before walking back to his closet.
Nico looked back at the painting one last time before moving on to Zane's bookshelf. Nico examined the books Zane had, and it mainly was mystery books, but as soon a Nico reached for a book, she was blinded by a sweater being thrown at her head. Nico pulled it off her head, looking at a character's graphic design from an old movie Nico used to watch when she was a kid.
"I didn't know you were a fan of the iron giant," Nico asked, glancing up at Zane, who broke out into a huge smile.
"Are you kidding me? It was my favorite movie to watch when I was a kid. My mom and I use to watch it on rainy days like this," Zane said, giving Nico a slight grin.
Nico slid the sweater on and was intoxicated with the smell of vanilla and cinnamon coming from the sweater. It looked like a dress because it ended the middle of Nico's thigh while the sleeves engulfed her hands.
"I hope you don't mind. I just didn't want you to get a cold cause of you know," Zane said, gesturing at the fact that Nico was still in her pj's. Nico blushed and pulled the sweater down a little more, looking away from Zane.
"T- thanks," Nico muttered out.
"No problem," Zane said, rubbing the back of her neck.
"So, do you want to explain to me why you are not coming back with me?" Nico asked, changing the subject.
"Right. Hold please," Zane said, pulling out his phone, dialing a number before placing it against his ear.
"What are you doing?" Nico asked, looking at Zane, who held a finger up to her.
"Hey, I got the generator up so you can come over," Zane said on his phone, falling silent again.
"Hold on, let me ask," Zane held the phone close to his chest, looking at Nico. "Do you want Evan to grab the work that we did earlier?" Zane asked, and Nico walked up to Zane, holding her hand out. Zane looked at Nico arching his brow, and Nico huff reaching over, grabbing the phone placing it against her ear.
"Hey, Evan, can you put Nate on the phone?" Nico asked.
"Yeah, sure," Nico heard Evan said before calling for Nate.
"What's going on, babe?" Nate asked Nico.
"Can you grab my papers from my room?" Nico asked.
"Yeah, sure, hold on," Nate replied.
Nico looked over at Zane, smiling at him before walking over to Zane's bed, sitting on the edge. After watching Nico for a bit, Zane walked over to his desk, pulling out his chair, grabbing one of the old books before sitting into the chair, opening the book flipping to the marked page he left, continuing his reading. Nico hung up the phone, sighing, lying back on Zane's bed because Nate was having difficulty finding what Nico was asking him, resulting in Emily stepping in and finishing up. Simultaneously, she instructed Nate to blow out the candles scattered around Nico's living room before hanging up on Nico. Nico glanced over at Zane sitting at his desk with his back facing her slightly hunched over. Nico sat up and stared at Zane, and he was really into what he was reading. She slid off the bed, strolling over to Zane, looking over his shoulder, glancing at what he was reading.
"Is there something that you need?" Zane said, looking over his shoulder up at Nico.
"No, I wanted to see what you were reading," Nico said, stepping back.
"You're done on the phone?" Zane said, turning to Nico.
"Oh yeah, here," Nico passed Zane's phone back. "Evan said that everyone would be here in a couple of minutes. Is your front door locked?" Nico asked.
"Yeah, but Evan has a key, so," Zane said.
"He has a key? You really trust him?" Nico said.
"Well yeah, don't your friends have a key to your house?" Zane asked, and Nico scoffed.
"Have you met them? If I ever gave them a key to my house, I would never be left alone," Nico said, walking over to the side of Zane's desk, sitting on the edge.
"Well, you'll never know," Zane said, shrugging his shoulders.
"Ha yeah, right, I don't know about you, but I like my sleep," Nico said.
Zane hummed and went back into his reading, and Nico stood there, pulling out the dog tags from under her shirt, beginning to play with them. Nico looked around Zane's room, fiddling with the dog tags, and started to drum her fingers against her thigh.
"Hey, Zane, can I talk to you about something?" Nico asked, and Zane places the book down, looking up at Nico.
"Yeah, sure. Is there something wrong?" Zane said. Nico stopped dropping the dog tags against her chest and looked down at Zane.
"Why aren't you mad at me?" Nico asked. Zane sighed, pushing the book to the side before looking back at Nico.
"Why would I be mad at you?" Zane asked, arching his eyebrow.
"Well, I didn't stop you when Emily was asking you to leave," Nico said, pushing her finger together.
"True, but I only left because I didn't really want to start a fight with your best friend," Zane said.
"I see," Nico said.
"Yeah, and to be honest, I couldn't blame your friend for not liking me," Zane said.
"What do you mean?" Nico asked.
"Well, I hurt you. I was more worried about myself instead of talking to you about it, and I know we talked about this earlier, but after thinking about it, I shouldn't expect to be welcomed by your friends with open arms," Zane said.
"Yes, that is true, but I am also to blame because I tend to always jump into situations not caring about what everyone else thinks and how it would affect them," Nico said.
"I guess that is something we have in common," Zane said, nudging Nico.
"How about this? Whenever something happens, that will affect us in the future. We talk it out. Deal?" Nico stated, holding her hand out.
"Deal," Zane said, taking Nico's hand.
"Good," Nico replied, letting go of Zane's smile.
"You know I am starting to think you are warming up to me," Zane said.
"Maybe I am, but this doesn't mean that I am going to go out to parties with you and your friends," Nico responded.
"Dang, I was so close," Zane said, slapping his knee dramatically, grinning up at her. Nico rolled her eyes, giving Zane a small smile before moving off the desk walking back to Zane's bed.
"Oh wait, there is something else," Nico said, stopping halfway, turning back to Zane.
"What's up," Zane said, still smiling.
"I just remember that you said that you wanted to talk to me about what happened earlier, and since we are alone, maybe you wanted to talk about it now," Nico said.
Zane smiled, disappeared, glancing down at Nico's covered neck, and he turned away from Nico and covered half of his face hiding the blush that was rushing to his cheeks. Zane cleared his throat, running a hand through his hair, looking to regain his composure before looking back at Nico.
"Y- yes, that is true. I did want to talk to you," Zane said as his voice cracked a little.
"Okay, great. So how do you want to deal with this?" Nico asked.
"Oh um, well, we don't have to deal with you know," Zane said.
"Zane, what are you talking about? We have to talk about this," Nico said.
"No, no, I don't think we have to," Zane said, turning away from Nico.
Nico tilted her head in confusion before walking up to Zane, grabbing his chair, spinning it around, forcing him to look at her.
"Zane, what is wrong with you?" Nico asked, looking at Zane, who was looking at anything but her.
Zane started to look around before settling on Nico's tan legs and how they were exposed and still a little wet from the rain. Zane felt the heat rushed to his face and looked back up to her face that was too close for comfort. Zane shot up from his chair, making Nico stumble a bit before straightening up, staring at Zane, who was now at a far enough distance.
"Why are you acting so weird?" Nico asked.
"Weird? I am not acting weird," Zane said.
"Yeah, you are Zane. It is not a big deal. We almost kissed. I don't know why you are acting like this unless," Nico said.
"Unless what?" Zane asked, and a smirk played across Nico's lips.
"Unless you never kissed anyone," Nico said as her smirk grew.
"W- what that is ridiculous," Zane sputtered out.
"But why not? That is why you have been acting so weird," Nico said, walking up to Zane.
"That is not true," Zane said, and Nico placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, it is alright. I get it. You don't have to be embarrassed," Nico stated.
"What I am not," Zane began but was silenced by Nico placing a finger on his lips.
"Shh, listen, I won't tell anyone," Nico removed the finger from Zane's lips and started to frown as Nico continued to talk. "To be honest, I am honored that you wanted to have your first kiss with me," Nico said, flipping her curls off her shoulder.
"Nico," Zane said but was interrupted again.
"You don't have to say anything. I am glad that we discussed this. Now, let's go wait for our friends to come," Nico said, walking away.
Suddenly Nico was being pulled and pushed onto something. Nico closed her eyes, bracing for impact, but she landed on something soft. Nico slowly opened his eyes, looking up at Zane, who was pinning her again on his bed. Zane's amber eyes were filled with lust instead of the flustered look he had. Zane leaned down his lips, brushing against her ear, and Nico shivered when she felt his hot breath on the shell of her ear.
"I am not inexperienced like you think, but if you keep messing with me thinking that I am, then I guess I have to show you how experience I really am," Zane said in an alluring voice.
Zane pushed his hips against Nico's, and she gasped at feeling something hard pressing against her thigh. Zane pulled back, looking into Nico's eyes with hunger. Nico gulped and bit her lower lip, and Zane stared at her, looking like he was going to eat her. Zane took his hand to bring it up to Nico's face and brushed his thumb against Nico's lower lip as he lowered himself closer to Nico.
"Do you have anything to say, Nico?" Zane said, inches away from Nico's mouth.
Nico felt her mind went blank when she heard Zane say her name feeling his minty breath on her lips. The only thing that ran through Nico's mind was how much she wanted Zane pressed up against her again. Nico shook her head at Zane, and her lips parted, letting another gasp escape as she felt one of Zane's large callous hands slowly running up Nico's thigh. Zane smirked at Nico and started to lower himself down to Nico. Nico wrapped her arms around Zane's neck, closing her eyes instinctively, waiting for Zane's lips. Suddenly Zane's bedroom door swung open, and Nico and Zane stopped slowly turning towards the door, looking at Evan standing in the doorway looking at them in shock.
"Um, when did you get here?" Zane asked awkwardly.
"Not that long," Evan replied with shock still edge in his face.
"Are the other two with you?" Nico asked.
"No, they are waiting downstairs," Evan said.
Nico nodded and looked back at Zane, removing her arms from around his neck as Zane pushed himself off of her. Nico scrambled off the bed onto her feet before rushing past Evan. Evan watched Nico rush down the hall before looking back at Zane, who was now sitting up, covering his face.
"I'm going to go back down there so you can have some time alone," Evan said. Zane waved him off, his head still covering his face, and Evan turn to walked out, grabbing the door, looking back at Zane one last time before shutting the door close. Once the door was closed, Zane laid back down on his back, groaning slowly, removing his hands from his face.
"This girl is going to be the death of me," Zane thought, glancing down at the tent in his sweatpants.