If Levon had known Betto would be such a pain in his ass he would never have let Aisha tell him what was going on between himself and Todd. The sly smirks and winks Betto kept sending Levon were only going to go unnoticed for so long before Todd started questioning things. Like why all his friends seemed to be pushing him to spend time alone with Levon. Why they all kept looking at him like they were about to start giggling. Why they were being made to share a tent for the first time in all the years they'd been camping.
As of now, Todd appeared oblivious to all the attention his and Levon's relationship was getting. Levon had noted how lost in his thoughts Todd had been since their talk. He was living in another world, barely noticing everything happening around him. Just that afternoon, while the group of them had hiked out to the water to swim, he hadn't seemed to notice the not-so-subtle way Betto had tried to get him to appreciate Levon's ass while Levon walked in front of them. Levon had turned around to scold Betto, but Todd had just shrugged it off with a lazy threat to Betto's life. Todd laughed shortly at the jokes, talked only when he was spoken to and stared off into space when left in silence.
Levon would like to say he wasn't the one who broke Todd, but he couldn't be sure that was the truth. He had promised to give Todd space after he confessed to having a 'crush' -a word that seemed too small for his true feelings- and he had held up his promise for almost three weeks. It was killing him slowly. He wasn't sure if he had made progress with Todd or set their relationship too far back to recover.
Levon couldn't say that Todd was avoiding him. Todd came by as often as he always did during the summer between working and hanging out with his other friends. He talked to Levon, and they hung out occasionally. But it felt distant. Todd didn't meet his eyes, always looking at Levon's nose or forehead instead. Todd didn't get too close to Levon. Todd didn't fight with Levon. Todd slept as far away as he could when they shared Levon's bed. Levon was about pulling his hair out wishing he could just kiss the stupid man, but also unsure if that was what Todd wanted. Levon was at the end of his rope.
Todd was sitting by the fire with Betto and Parker, trying to make sure it stayed lit, unlike the previous fire that Parker had set. Cash was getting the meats they planned to roast out of the cooler, and Aisha was seated next to Levon in front of her and Betto's tent. The two of them were watching Todd with interest.
"He's going to kick my ass," Levon sighed hopelessly and Aisha laughed like the terrible friend she was. "I shouldn't have taken you guys up on this."
"Stop being a baby," Aisha shoved him. "You need to reboot him because this empty Todd is kind of freaking me out. He didn't even curse at me for knocking his beer over earlier. That's really weird."
"He probably doesn't want to talk about it yet. And if I fuck up I might make him worse," Levon told her and she shrugged.
"I thought you were following Brad's advice?" She asked and badly mimicked Levon's friend's voice. "Fuck the consequences. Sometimes you have to do what makes you happy."
"If the consequences are that Todd hates me then that really won't make me happy so that doesn't help me much," Levon grinned a little, amused at her antics. He glanced at the tent he would be sharing with Todd. Levon was sure the plan had some flaws, but he wasn't going to back out. He really needed to get through to Todd.
Usually Betto and Todd shared one tent, Aisha and Levon shared one, and Cash and Parker shared one. After listening to Levon bitch about how frustrated he was with Todd's behaviour Aisha had gone and pretty much told Betto what was up between Todd and Levon. Betto had, of course, come stomping up to Levon's house to ask if it was true, then Betto and Aisha then decided to share a tent and to force Todd and Levon together. Levon wasn't sure if sharing a tent would be any different than sharing a bedroom, if the smaller quarters would make things worse, but he was planning at least try to get normal Todd back.
"Are you losers planning to eat dinner?" Parker shouted to them. They had pulled the camp chairs up around the fire so they could start cooking their food.
"We're coming," Levon called back, then to Aisha. "If he starts telling that fucking story about when his dad lost his finger, I'm gonna stab him."
"Careful there, Lev. You're starting to sound like Todd," Aisha smirked and climbed to her feet.
"Well someone here needs to sound like Todd," Levon mumbled. He followed her to the fire and rolled his eyes when the only available seat was next to Todd. Aisha smirked and Cash grinned at him. Levon sat down and Todd didn't look at him. Todd was focusing on Betto's very detailed play by play of his last date with Ophelia. They had gone rollerblading and she had kissed his cheek after. Betto was sure that meant she was as happy as he was. Todd didn't look all that impressed.
"Anyone want drinks?" Parker asked, the cooler was next to his chair.
"Better be alcoholic," Todd spoke up and Levon glanced at him. "I don't think I can take any more talk about Ophelia without something to soothe my pain."
"If you don't want to hear me talk about her, just tell me to shut up," Betto huffed and grabbed the cans Parker was passing down to him. "I can always talk to someone else."
"Not me please," Levon raised his hand. "I don't think I could stomach listening to you talk about my little sister in such a lovey-dovey tone."
"There is a lot of rude stuffed in your skinny, little body," Betto observed and Todd snorted a laugh.
"I'm lean not skinny, you brute," Levon retorted and Betto grinned.
"If I can snap you in half, you're skinny," Betto stated. Levon pulled his pocket knife out threateningly.
"I could shave some of that extra meat off you and see who's skinny then," Levon offered and Aisha reached over to take the knife from him.
"No psychos allowed at this party," Aisha scolded him.
"My dad cut off his finger with a knife like that," Parker started and Levon groaned.
"Quick, gimme the knife so I can shut up the chatty ginger," Levon hissed and Aisha just cackled.
Meats and sticks were passed around until everyone was holding sausages over the fire to cook. Conversation stayed constant and they all ate quite a bit. The sun had barely begun setting when they started but by the time they were done, and all changed into warmer clothes, it was dark and they were seated around the fire drinking hot chocolate and beer.
"Parker, I'm probably just friends with you for this place," Aisha sighed, tilting her head back to look up at the very visible stars. Parker nodded in acceptance. Parker's family owned the land and members of the family took turns coming up to camp. The six of them were staying for about five days, this being their first.
"I can live with that as long as you can live with the fact that I'm only your friend because Cash told me I had to be," Parker said and Aisha laughed.
"This is, in fact, true," Cash said. "He didn't like you when you two first met because he thought you were scary."
"Do you think I'm less scary now, Parker?" Aisha asked while they laughed, and Parker smiled.
"I think anyone would be stupid not to be scared of your psycho ass," he said. "I watched you key a chick's car because she took your seat in class. I don't want to see what you do to someone who really pisses you off."
"She blackmailed Mr. Reef when he tried to fail her for not doing math exactly like he did," Betto said. "I think that's the scariest thing."
"He was cheating on his wife and doing a shit job of hiding it. He set himself up for it," Aisha said in defense, but she looked rather flattered with the attention.
"Are you still seeing that professor you were hooking up with?" Cash asked, and Aisha shrugged.
"I'll have to see in the fall," Aisha mused, chewing her lip. "He was pretty bummed when we said goodbye, though. So that's that."
"I hope it works out," Cash said, and Aisha arched a brow, but seemed to decide not to bring up her usual rant about how she was happy being single and unchained. "Everyone deserves a happy ending."
"I want more than just a happy ending," Levon said and he felt Todd look over at him, but didn't want to scare the other man off by forcing eye contact. "I want a happy beginning, middle, and end."
"Levon's over here getting philosophical and all I can think about is how I wish we had night vision so I could go piss without taking a flashlight," Betto sighed.
"What time is it?" Cash asked and Parker showed her his watch. "I'll probably be heading to bed soon. There's not much to do once it goes dark."
"We could sit out here and talk all night," Levon suggested with a smirk and Cash returned the look.
"Or I can whisk my fiancé off to bed for some sexy time in our tent," Cash said. "Personally, I like my idea better."
"Same," Levon nodded. "I'd also like some sexy time with your fiancé."
"Everyone loves a good ginger," Parker chuckled and laughed harder at the sudden hate fest on gingers.
They all retreated back to their tents within the next few hours, once the fire had died down and the chill had settled into their skin. Their voices quieted as they all went to their separate tents. Levon couldn't help feeling nervous as he climbed into the tent, setting the lantern in the middle of the space so he could see. Two sleeping bags laid out next to each other, their belongings tucked by the door.
"Move over," Todd grunted as he entered and Levon pulled off his shoes before crawling onto his sleeping bag. Todd didn't look at him as he removed his own shoes and zipped the tent back up. "It got really cold."
"That happens at night sometimes," Levon said and held back a smile when Todd sent him a mild glare.
"I will smother you if you keep that attitude up," Todd threatened.
"Smother me with love?" Levon couldn't help but tease and Todd cast him a look that said his joke wasn't particularly well received. Levon held in a sigh and unzipped his sleeping bag. Todd was slow at first but eventually climbed into his sleeping bag as well.
They were laying next to each other on the uneven earth, the blue light of the lantern casting misshapen shadows all over the walls. Todd was staring at Levon, and Levon stared back, eagerly taking in the eye contact.
"What is going on in that pretty little head of yours?" Levon hadn't meant to ask the question, but it came out so he rolled with it. Todd licked his lips and Levon tracked the movement.
"I'm not all that pretty, Lev," Todd said and Levon smiled slightly.
"You're right," Levon murmured. "You're much more than that. You're beautiful."
"Oh, fuck off," Todd grunted, and Levon had to grin.
"Can't take a compliment?" Levon teased.
"I will hit you," Todd warned, eyes narrowed. Levon chuckled. Silence fell between them and it was comfortable.
"I'll turn the lamp off if you're ready to sleep," Todd said after several moments, a hand moving toward the lamp.
"Have you had time to think clearly?" Levon blurted out, then tried to appear less eager and nervous, glancing away and aiming for nonchalance but failing as he peeked at Todd's face. "About us and this?"
"I thought you were a patient man," Todd answered after a pause, a tiny, crooked smile curving his lips.
"I didn't think it would take you that long," Levon admitted. "Maybe a couple days."
"I've been busy," Todd muttered. He glanced away and Levon kept his eyes on Todd's face. "I didn't think you would actually wait for me."
"Were you trying to test me?" Levon asked, laughter in his voice and Todd's face snapped toward his with wide, embarrassed eyes.
"No!" Todd quickly said. "I was just taking my time. I wasn't testing you. That'd be dumb and childish."
Levon hummed in affirmation. "And what has all this time brought you?"
"Well, things have slowed down a lot," Todd cleared his throat. "I've been able to think."
"And what have you thought up?" Levon would drag every word from Todd that he needed to hear. He was feeling light-headed watching Todd, hoping to hear the what he wanted.
"I still don't know much of anything," Todd admitted. "I've never been great at analyzing my feelings. I've spent so long pretending I don't feel anything."
Levon nodded for Todd to continue, eyes drinking in the almost shy way Todd tried to keep looking at his face without meeting his eyes. Todd was blushing dark enough that it was visible even in the shitty lighting.
"I've also found that I really can't stop thinking about you," Todd spoke a bit lower. "But I'm not so sure it's a bad thing anymore."
Levon felt like all the air was caught in his lungs and he had to force himself to exhale around the intense feelings flooding him. He tried to restrain the smile on his face, not wanting to get too carried away with his happiness lest he misunderstood something.
"I probably should have brought this up a bit sooner," Todd mumbled, guilt tinting his expression. "I just-I'm not great at this shit."
"What shit?" Levon's smirk grew and Todd glared half-heartedly.
"This emotional, kissy shit," Todd growled and Levon laughed.
"If it makes you feel any better, I don't think you're totally awful at the kissing," Levon's eyes twinkled. "Can't say much for the emotional shit. You've always been a bit stunted in that area. Stuck in various levels of pissed off."
"Shut up," Todd flicked Levon's forehead, too softly to actually hurt. Levon caught the hand and pressed it to his cheek, watching Todd's face or signs of discomfort.
"I'd never say 'no' to helping you practice if you wanted to get better at the kissing thing," Levon breathed and Todd's eyes dropped to Levon's lips.
Levon stopped breathing, didn't move, as Todd went up on his elbows, moving his upper body from the sleeping bag and closer to Levon. The kiss was a bit awkward, both of them laying in sleeping bags, but Todd bent his head down over Levon's, pressing their lips together timidly.
Levon kissed back immediately, and one of Todd's hands clung to his arm. Levon's hands went up as the kiss grew firmer, and he wound his fingers into the messy black hair, holding Todd's lips against his. Todd's tongue peeked out and Levon almost cried as he eagerly rubbed their tongues together. Todd was clumsy but desperate as he kissed and that did more for Levon than the most experienced kisser could.
By the time they stopped kissing Todd was completely breathless and Levon was sure his body had reverted to that of his teen years. He felt alive and invincible. Todd's eyes were closed but fluttered open to gaze at Levon with wide baby blues once they'd separated their mouths.
"Keep kissing like that and you may be decent someday," Levon whispered and Todd laughed sheepishly. His upper body partially on top of Levon's, Levon's fingers still trailing through his hair. Levon smiled, as wide as his face allowed while he gazed up at the man of his affections. "Will you let me kiss you tomorrow?" Levon murmured.
"Don't push it," Todd snorted. Levon leaned up and pecked him on the lips making Todd's smug look fall.
"Wouldn't dream of it," Levon smirked. Todd pulled away then, settling into his own sleeping bag with a contented sigh. Levon watched him, feeling weightless. Soon Todd was snoring softly and Levon turned out the light.
***
Sorry for the wait but I'm back now. Updates will be regular again. Thank you :)