Camping Trip
#7 of Short Stories
I can see my breath. It's too cold right now. This is what I get for not wearing a coat in this sleeping bag. I'm with my friend, Ben on a camping trip that he offered to me. I don't know exactly why I did come here. Maybe it's because I have a small crush on him, but I know he would never be mine. After all, I'm gay.
"Hey, B-Ben?" I ask.
"Yeah?" he responds.
"It's gettin' c-cold out h-here."
"You too, huh?"
"Yes." I hear something unzip and for a second I think it's the tent that surrounds us, but it isn't. It's Ben coming out of his sleeping bag.
"What're you doing?" I ask.
"I'm cold too." The wolf unzips my sleeping bag and I'm actually scared for a second. Ben climbs in with me and zips it shut. He wraps his arms around me and I shudder as a wave of warmth rushes over me.
"Thanks," I say, "At least we're both getting warmer."
"Yep. Now, we should probably go to sleep since we have that hike tomorrow." Oh, that's right. I have no idea what time it is! I need to fall asleep soon. I rest my head on Ben's chest. Before I'm about to fully slip into slumber, I feel something slowly stroke the top of my head. I start to mur a little bit. After a while, I figure out that Ben is the one who's caressing me.
I tighten my hold on him and I gently rub his back. "Don't get the wrong idea, Dan." I hear Ben's voice.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"I know you're in love with me." I open my eyes and look up at me.
"Really?"
"Yep. I could tell."
"How?"
"By the way you said 'yes' to coming with me on this trip and right now. You're rubbing my back like you're in love with me. And I would know that because my last girlfriend did the same."
"Well, this isn't going to ruin our friendship, is it?" I ask.
"No. I think it's cute. Plus it does feel kinda good to know that someone really loves me. But, we both know that I'm straight and you and I would not work out." he says.
"I know."
"But, don't worry about it. You're perfect match is out there somewhere."
"Thanks." I smile. But something it itching in my mind. "But, why are you cuddling with me and rubbing my head?"
"Why would I not?" Ben says, "I know you like to be cuddled and caressed and so do I, so I figured I might as well. Besides, you're getting warmer, right?"
"I am."
"Well, that's why I'm cuddling you." I rest my head back on his chest. I can faintly hear his heartbeat through his shirt. It's pretty nice. Ben starts to shift around. I quick glance up shows that he's taking off his shirt.
"What're you doing?" I ask.
"I'm getting too warm." Is that a hint of playfulness in his voice? It sounds like it. I take off my shirt as well. As soon as I go back to cuddling him, I notice that his fur is so soft and warm. I start to caress his back again.
"You're such a cute, cuddly fox." Ben says as he goes back to rubbing my head. He kisses the top of my head and says, "Goodnight, Dan." I close my eyes and I drift to sleep.