Rain dusts off his hands, letting his eyes scan over the small lean-to shelter he just finished building with Tess. His eyes become uncertain, his lips frowning in disapproval, and he mutters to himself absentmindedly.
"Hmm...I wonder if Chosen Sarge is going to chastise us for this thing..."
He thinks the quality of the shelter is commendable, but...it was meant for two people, and it'd be far from spacious for them. It would still suffice, of course, but he imagines that the people in question would need to know each other well or be in for an awkward night.
Interrupting further thoughts on the matter, Tess walks back into his field of view from wherever she left to. He looks up at her as she approaches, and he notices that she's uncharacteristically excited, a small, satisfied grin lingering on her lips. As she arrives in front of him, she flashes a smile so dazzling that Rain feels his chest tighten slightly, then she crouches down beside him, her emerald eyes studying his face eagerly.
She's close enough that he can smell the faint scent of lavender, and his heart begins racing as his eyes trace the lines of her face and lips. Once again, that evening in her room...when she was so close...it flashes through Rain's mind, the memory as strong as ever. Before he can reflect on it too long, however, Tess gives him a nervous but resolved look.
"Hey...Rain...can I ask you for a favor?"
Rain blinks in surprise, snapped from his intrusive thoughts, and he turns his gaze to meet hers fully. After her request registers, he gives her a studying look. She hasn't asked him for a favor since that movie day together, and her face looks nervous, so he's a little concerned. His expression becomes slightly apprehensive, and he leans in closer to her instinctively.
"Yeah, of course. Is everything okay?"
Tess's face becomes a little less tense, and the trace of a smile forms on her lips. Her eyes study his with anticipation, then she speaks in a calm, hopeful voice.
"Well…everything is fine, it's just…I really want to go camping out here tonight, and Chosen Sarge already approved. But I was wondering…would you join me? I'd appreciate your company."
Rain's eyes widen instinctively – that's the last thing he expected her to ask.
'She…wants to go camping? Out here?'
As he mulls over the request, near stupefied, it begins to make a bit more sense to him. Tess mentioned that she'd never gotten to go to a movie theater before, so what are the chances that she's been camping? He's sure it's kind of a luxury, even for citizens. There just aren't that many protected natural areas within the city's bounds, and the ones outside are far too toxic to be considered desirable.
Truthfully, he fails to see the appeal himself – he already spent nearly a year sleeping outside. Then again, that could hardly be compared to the Academy's campground…somewhere safe, clean, and surrounded by foliage instead of dilapidated human structures.
Rain turns his gaze to Tess, an intense expression on his face.
"Is this something important to you…like the movie was?"
Tess looks back at him, surprised by the seemingly serious question. Hesitating for several moments first, she eventually speaks in a calm, even voice.
"Not quite for the same reasons, but…yes."
Rain lets out a small smile.
"Then sure…I'd be happy to camp with you. Uhm…thanks for inviting me."
A radiant smile yet again graces Tess's face, and he's mercilessly subjected to a tight embrace from her as she squeals quietly, his memories of the other day flooding his senses once more.
'Gods if she keeps this up it's going to kill me…'
She releases him from the brief hug, her emerald eyes fixing on him affectionately as she studies his face. Her own expression still holds a soft, warm smile, and her tone becomes filled with anticipation.
"Thanks, Rain, you're the best!"
Rain raises an eyebrow at the uncharacteristically earnest praise.
"Uhm…that's it? Just a compliment? Not even, 'you're the best, dumbass'? Are you feeling okay, Tess?"
Tess flashes him a smirk, her eyes glinting mischievously.
"Yes, I'm in a good mood is all. Just take the compliment…"
Tess pauses, seeming to think something over briefly, then she glances back at Rain with an amused expression.
"…dumbass."
Rain returns an amused smile.
"Well, now I feel more comfortable…thank you. For a moment, I was worried that a shape shifting Fel had taken your place and was trying to lure me to my death. I'm glad natural order has been restored, though, and your identity affirmed. So, uhm…does Chosen Sarge have sleeping bags in addition to tents and stuff? I…uh…don't have any of that, or any money to buy it."
Tess's expression quickly transitions into a relatively calm, dismissive one.
"Oh…no, don't worry about any of that. Let's do it Asphodel style…to prepare, you know? We'll just sleep together in this shelter we built. It's not too cold in the night right now, and we'll light a fire near the opening of the shelter. It'll be fun!"
He stares back at her blankly for a moment, trying to reconcile the seemingly absurd proposal with her suspiciously nonchalant attitude. Rain slowly turns his head to look at the small shelter they've prepared, imagining how closely he'd have to be pressed against Tess inside it…the entire night.
His face pales as he turns back to her, his heart already racing at the mere thought, and he sees her beautiful, emerald-green eyes studying him warmly. Before he knows it, he begins to feel a rising urge to say yes to the suggestion, no questions asked. It's quickly approaching the threshold for Unhinged.
'Gods…I'm so fucked…'
*****
Tess watches in secretive amusement as Rain glances back at the small shelter she suggested they share. He stares at it for several moments, his posture slowly becoming more tense.
'Oh, this is going to be so much fun…seeing his reaction…I wish I could hear what he's thinking. Maybe more naughty thoughts, like the first time?'
A warm feeling washes over her as she waits patiently to see what he says. Thanks to that day in her room, she's already certain that he's rather interested in her physically, overly tempted by her even, but he's just been unwilling to act on it. So, as far as she's concerned, that could be for two reasons.
One, despite his attraction to her, he doesn't want anything romantic to happen, in which case he'll reject her suggestion at all costs to avoid the obviously enticing situation. Two, he's at least open to something more romantic with her, but he's just unwilling to initiate it himself for some reason. In that case…maybe he'll agree to this, since it was her idea.
She watches as Rain turns back to her, his expression more than a little strained. Her expression is infected by a small blossom of affection for him she watches him obviously struggle with the idea of what she proposed.
'So cute…'
Eventually, his voice comes out a little strained, his eyes uncertain.
"Uhm…Tess…that shelter looks a little…small. Don't you think?"
She suppresses the urge to frown disapprovingly.
'Honestly…how frustrating. I can't tell if he's trying to kindly say no, generally hesitant, or interested but just trying to make sure I know what I'm suggesting.'
After thinking it over for a moment, Tess glances at the shelter as if inspecting it, then she cocks her head to the side and gives Rain a puzzled look.
"It seems like we'll both fit to me…you don't think so?"
His expression becomes slightly confused, his eyes conflicted, and his tone is hesitant when he responds.
"I mean, technically, but Tess…we'll be, uhm…very close together in there."
Tess sighs internally.
'So…it seems he's going to need a little encouragement if I want actual answers. Gods…this is going to be so embarrassing…'
Tess gives him a polite, patient smile in response, eliciting a surprised expression from Rain. She steels herself, feeling a bit of color rush to her cheeks as she struggles to calmly maintain eye contact with him.
"I'll be lying directly next to you, I know…I don't mind that."
'…actually, I'm kind of hoping I'll get to sleep against you…so please don't turn me down and murder me with embarrassment, you clueless dumbass…'
She watches as Rain's eyes widen in shock, staring at her with a dumbfounded expression. His voice comes out full of disbelief.
"You...err, you don't?"
Tess fights the urge to scream.
'You dumbass, quit making me repeat this before I even know if you reciprocate my feelings! This is mortifying!'
She grits her teeth, trying to keep calm as more heat rushes to her cheeks. However, she can feel her apprehension growing, and her voice involuntarily becomes mildly hesitant.
"No. Are you maybe...not as comfortable around me?"
Rain quickly becomes flustered, waving his hands at her reassuringly, and the sight brings her a bit of relief. His tone becomes nearly frantic.
"W-...what!? No, of course I'm comfortable around you! You're the best, I just...uhm...well...you see..."
He looks away from her briefly, his expression growing conflicted and thoughtful. Meanwhile, she just watches him with growing amusement, the heat in her face mercifully subsiding.
'Ugh...it's so nice to see him flustered over this, too...'
Eventually, Rain looks back at her, and his expression grows...serious. His silver eyes seem to shimmer intensely as he studies her face, catching her off guard, and the sight makes her heart beat a touch faster. He sighs, his tone becoming apologetic.
"Gods...I guess I should just be honest. The truth is, Tess, that I really appreciate you...more than any other friend I've made at the Academy, in fact. But it's like I told you before...I'm not unaffected by how attractive you are. I'm worried I might make camping...awkward...with this kind of sleeping arrangement. I'm sorry...I know that's unfair of me..."
Rain looks away, obviously feeling guilty and conflicted. Meanwhile, Tess is just gripping the fabric of her pants near her knees. She seems outwardly stoic, she hopes, but her hands are squeezing the fabric so tightly that her knuckles are whitening, and her heart is beating erratically in her chest. She has some an inkling of what may be going on with him.
'Is that really...he only...is it possible he's just worried about messing up our friendship!? Could that be why he's been so frustratingly resistant!? That's so...'
Tess feels warmth radiating through her chest as she stares at Rain. As much as she's spent the past several weeks desperately wanting him to want her that way, like other guys at the Academy, she's also thrilled by the implications of his comment. It means he values parts of her that she feels others here have disregarded. The realization fills her with an overwhelming sense of appreciation for him.
'I would jump that dumbass for a hug if Chosen Sarge wasn't behind me...'
At the same time, she's uncertain about what to do with this information, encouraging though it is. She could maybe just...be forward with him...see if she's right about what's going on in his head. However, this doesn't feel like the right time or place for that. She'd rather it be part of a longer conversation where she can feel him out. Ideally, in a more intimate setting.
As Tess is lost in her thoughts, Rain looks back over at her. Then, the guilt-ridden look on his face suddenly shifts to one of shock and confusion, and his voice becomes incredulous.
"Tess...why are you grinning at me like that?"
Blinking in surprise, she takes stock of her expression and realizes that...yes...she is indeed grinning like an idiot. Tess sighs at herself.
'Ugh...why do I let him do this to me...'
Returning her attention to the puzzled Rain, Tess clears her throat with an embarrassed smile.
"Ehem...don't worry about it, dumbass. Anyway, about your concerns...uhm...do you trust me?"
Rain stares back at her in open confusion for several seconds, a conflicted look in his eyes. Eventually, a kind of exasperated smile forms on his lips, and he gives her a tired expression.
"Yes, of course I do, but..."
As he pauses, obviously trying to collect his thoughts, Tess shakes her head and interrupts him with an amused smile.
"No buts, then...trust me when I say that whatever...awkwardness...you think might happen isn't something that I would hold against you. You're not going to ruin our friendship...I promise. So, will you come camping with me tonight...please? If it's really as bad as you think, we can always call the plans off immediately, pack up, and leave."
He remains silent for a long time, his face tense, and his eyes are full of concern as they seem to flash erratically between bright silver and dark grey. Eventually, however, she sees his face soften, and he speaks in a subdued tone.
"Yeah, Tess...alright...camping it is."