The bonfire crackled under the pot hanging above it, the steam from the boiling soup curling into the night air as its gurgles filled the silence.
Inside the cabin, the sound of a sachet tearing broke the stillness. Powder spilled into a shaker half-filled with water.
"What's that?" Kendrick asked, standing by his bed.
Telly tilted the sachet, letting the last of the powder slide into the water. "Double stem cell," he said, capping the bottle and shaking it.
"What's it for?" Kendrick asked, watching as Telly downed the liquid in one swift motion.
"Cancer," Telly said simply, twisting the cap closed with a firm squeeze.
Kendrick froze, the word heavy in the air. He couldn't grasp what he had just heard—or how casual Telly sounded.
"And you're smoking?" Kendrick said, his voice rising slightly.
"I just think it's cancer," Telly replied with a shrug. "It might be. I'm not sure." He reached for the door, his tone almost dismissive.
"And you're okay with that?" Kendrick stepped in front of him, blocking his way.
Telly smiled faintly, a sadness lacing the edges. "Don't worry. You'll find someone better. That's why I didn't play coffee or tea," he said softly.
Kendrick grabbed his hands, pulling him back toward the bed. "It's not about finding someone better. I want you. You're my better," Kendrick said, his voice trembling as he knelt before him.
"Telly, I did what I did," Telly said, his voice quiet but firm. "And I'm not sorry about it."
Kendrick searched his face, looking past the words, deep into Telly's eyes, where the pain lingered, unspoken but clear.
"Then be selfish," Kendrick said, standing now, his voice stronger. "Be selfish—but only with me. You can't be selfish with anyone else."
Telly's breath hitched, but he didn't move.
"If you want to use somebody, use me," Kendrick pressed. "If you want to hurt somebody, hurt me." He stepped closer. "If you want to love somebody, love me. Choose me. Pick me," he pleaded, his voice breaking. "Because I would never leave you. I would never hurt you."
Kendrick's eyes burned with unshed tears as he took Telly's face in his hands. "So, pick me."
Outside, Peter and Sarah sat on the logs near the bonfire, the firelight dancing across their faces. Sarah stirred the pot while Peter's eyes wandered to the cabin window. Through the glass, he could see Telly's face cupped in Kendrick's hands, their silhouettes framed by the flickering light.
"Well, it's nice to see something got better," Peter said with a smirk. "And you're getting closer to Telly, huh?"
Sarah chuckled softly as she gave the pot another stir, her gaze fixed on the bubbling soup.
"What did you guys talk about?" Peter asked, poking at the firewood with a stick.
Sarah shrugged, leaning back slightly. "It's not my place to share."
Peter raised an eyebrow, curious. "I just thought he'd hate me, but… he didn't," Sarah added after a pause, her voice quieter, almost thoughtful.
Peter tilted his head, intrigued. "So, you two knew each other before this?"
Sarah didn't answer directly, instead tilting her head back to gesture toward the cabin. "Ask him," she said simply, a faint smirk playing on her lips before she returned to stirring the pot.
Peter frowned, his curiosity piqued, but he let the conversation settle, the crackling fire filling the silence between them.
The door swung open, spilling light across the dirt path. Telly and Kendrick stepped out, their silhouettes soft against the warm glow. They strolled toward the fire, the quiet crackle filling the air.
Peter grinned, shifting over on the log to make room.
"So, did you two make up? Are you a couple now? Should I go owl hunting for the wedding?" Sarah teased, smirking.
Telly rolled his eyes but plopped down beside Peter, while Kendrick took the spot next to Sarah.
"What are you guys talking about?" Kendrick asked, leaning forward to warm his hands near the flames.
"Well," Peter began, "we've got two months left together, and we still don't know much about each other—like food preferences or hobbies."
Sarah snorted, shaking her head. "Yeah, because that's what's going to help us survive this hellhole."
"It could get messy with truth or dare, so let's just share what we're comfortable with, okay?" Peter said, reaching into his bag. He pulled out a small, plush cat doll and set it on his lap.
Telly raised an eyebrow. "You seriously brought that to my house?"
Peter shrugged, turning the doll to face the group. "What? It helps me vent. Not everyone gets me, so… I talk to it."
Sarah pressed her lips together to suppress a laugh, and Kendrick smiled faintly, nodding as if to say, Fair enough.
Telly stared at the doll for a moment, then leaned back. "Alright, so… who's going first?"
As the hours passed, the fire crackled, casting flickering shadows across their faces. The doll made its rounds, passed from one hand to another like a vessel for their confessions.
As the hours passed, the fire crackled, casting flickering shadows across their faces. The doll made its rounds, passed from one hand to another like a vessel for their confessions.
Sarah passed the doll to Peter with a teasing smirk. "Alright, spill it."
Peter twirled the doll nervously. "So… I kissed my cousin's crush back in high school."
The group erupted into a chorus of disbelief.
"Wait, wait," Sarah said, eyes wide. "You kissed your cousin's crush?!"
Telly's hand flew to his mouth, muffling a laugh. "Oh."
"Well," Peter said, sheepishly tugging at his sleeve, "he kind of… confessed to me. And before I knew it—boom. His lips were on mine."
Sarah groaned, throwing her hands up. "Wow. Just… wow."
"You don't believe me?" Peter asked, his brows shooting up.
"Not when you look like that," Sarah shot back, smirking.
"Hey," Telly interjected, leaning back. "Some people fall for soul than substance."
Peter nodded vigorously, grateful for the backup. "Exactly!"
Sarah's smirk widened. "Guess that's how you fell for Kenny, huh?"
Kendrick blushed furiously, the color rising to his cheeks.
Telly raised an eyebrow at Sarah and let out a long sigh, clearly over the teasing.
Peter, ever the instigator, passed the doll to Telly. "Your turn."
"All right," Sarah leaned in, her grin devilish. "How did you fall for Kendrick?"
The group's attention snapped to Telly, all of them waiting eagerly. Kendrick felt his heart skip a beat, both terrified and thrilled by what Telly might say.
"No," Telly said flatly, turning the doll over in his hands.
"Oh, come on," Peter pleaded, practically bouncing.
Telly rolled his eyes but finally spoke. "Fine. Other than the fact he's my type—smart, glasses, tall…"
Kendrick's cheeks burned hotter as the group snickered.
Telly hesitated, his tone softening. "There's just something about him. He looked… innocent, you know? Like he was still figuring out the world—like I was."
Kendrick's gaze fixed on Telly, captivated by the rare vulnerability in his voice.
Telly continued, almost to himself now. "I guess… I wanted to treat him the way I didn't get treated."
Sarah tilted her head. "So, what? Out of pity?"
"No." Telly turned, his eyes narrowing. "Because he wanted the same things. At least… I hope he does."
Peter, leaning closer like a kid at story time, grinned. "All right, all right, pass it on, lover boy."
Telly passed the doll to Kendrick, his gaze lowered, suddenly shy. Kendrick couldn't help but find it adorable—and surprising.
Kendrick cleared his throat, gripping the doll tightly. "Well, uh… Telly's actually my first."
The words hung in the air for a moment before Telly's eyes shot wide open. He bolted upright.
"No," Telly said, pacing in tight circles. "You're kidding. You're not serious."
Kendrick nodded, biting back a smile at Telly's spiraling reaction.
"Jesus," Telly muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Shit. Fuck. Are you for real?"
"Yep," Kendrick said, unable to suppress a laugh.
Peter and Sarah burst into hysterics, thoroughly enjoying Telly's meltdown.
Telly spun back toward Kendrick, his frustration morphing into something softer. "No." He shook his head, exhaling deeply. "This is a joke right?"
Kendrick smiled, watching Telly's frantic pacing with a mixture of amusement and affection. "Guess you'll just have to deal with it."
Sarah smirked at Peter, nudging him playfully. "Huhuhu… This definitely haungs his dreams."
Peter snickered, covering his mouth as he tried to contain his laughter.
The two of them giggled, their teasing lighthearted, but Kendrick's focus stayed on Telly. Amid the chaos, he couldn't help but feel touched. Behind the bravado and the sarcastic quips, there was something so raw and innocent about Telly in this moment—a guilt that didn't quite match the cool, detached persona he usually wore.
For the first time, Kendrick saw him without his armor.