The night was getting darker as the minutes crept by. Alex and Ares hadn't noticed anything suspicious, but it had only been about an hour. They were exchanging small talk, but it was infrequent since they wanted to keep an eye and an ear out for anything.
Im glad I brought a blanket with us, because it's freezing! Ares thought to himself while a chill ran up his spine. He went to grab for the blanket. What I wouldn't give for Alex to put his arm around me right now to keep me warm, and almost like he heard what Ares was thinking, Alex scooted over and wrapped his warm muscular arm around him. Ares froze. He couldn't believe his fortune!
"It's freezing, isn't it! I hope you don't mind me doing this, but I thought it would keep me warm as well."
"uhm not at all, it's totally fine, we can save the blanket if it gets any colder I guess." Ares melted into Alex a little more and felt the warmth of Alex's body rush over him like a hot bath.
"Oh! I forgot we had a blanket! We can just use that instead." Alex unwrapped his arm and reached for the blanket to put around them both. Ares was a bit disappointed, but they were both under the blanket so he decided to take what he could get.
"So, I keep forgetting to ask you. While I was gone, did you get together with anyone? I know there was that cute girl Tabitha that was always following you around?" Alex asked him with a cheeky grin and winked.
"Oh, yeah, she actually asked me out a few times. But I turned her down. It was a weird time. You had died, and I was pretty depressed."
Alex was taken a back. He didn't consider up until now how he death effected Ares. They were best friends, so obviously it much have been hard on him. That warm feeling came back, that feeling that Alex still couldn't put his finger on.
"I'm so sorry. I know it wasn't really my fault for dying, but I'm sorry you had to go through all of this without me." He said this and moved ever so slightly closer to Ares.
"It's okay. I'm just glad you're here now." Ares said with a bright smile, looking into Alex's eyes. Alex looked back into Ares' crystal blue eyes, as deep as the sea, as warm as a fire on a cold night. That strange feeling came back with a vengeance and all he could do was quickly look away and hope Ares didn't see him blush.
What is going on with me?! This is my best friend. I love him, because he's my brother. It's like a family love. Right? Right. I need to pull myself together. This feeling I keep having is just my imagination. Nothing more.
They awkwarderly say there in silence for another hour until Alex suggested that Ares take a nap.
"I know you're tired, you keep nodding off. Ha ha! Just rest on me, and I'll wake you up in a while so I can rest. Don't worry about it."
Ares could barely keep his eyes open any longer. He was warm under the blanket, and Alex's shoulder was like a soft pillow. He quickly fell into a deep sleep.
Ares opened his eyes to find himself in a meadow. Wildflowers blowing in the warm summer breeze. Puffy white clouds overhead, and he could hear the faint sound of a waterfall near by. He leisurely walked through the tall grass of the meadow, letting his fingertips graze the tops of the flowers and grass. The sound of the waterfall grew steadily louder as he made his way towards a beautiful lush forest. Walking over roots and rocks, he finally made his way to the river at the base of the waterfall. Looking through the mist, he saw a faint figure. Upon closer inspecting he realized what it was. A man. Naked. Bronze skin pulled tight across his muscles. Standing beneath the waterfall to bathe. Ares' face grew hot and red, he felt like maybe he shouldn't be staring, but as soon as he was about to leave, a voice called to him.
"Come on, my love! The water is perfect!"
Ares looked once more, and the man turned to face him. Ares almost lost his footing as he saw those beautiful caramel colored eyes squinting with a smile, as the man beckoned him into the river.