Making it Official
Ben shifted slowly to the sound of wood cracking in a flame. His eyes fluttered open, warmth radiating from the flame and Kevin no where in sight. He sat up slightly and felt the oversized T-shirt on him drape over him. He looked down to see he was wearing nothing but his briefs and Kevin's black T-shirt. He sat in the dark with only the fire as a source of light. Nothing but the sound of a breeze rustling the leaves of the trees above and the soft crash of the waves against the sand and rocks on the shore. He brought his knees in closer to him and hugged him closer to his chest. The warm flames whipped upward with the breeze but the night's air still made it cold. Kevin's silhouette appeared between some trees and then came into view when the light of the fire hit him.
Kevin grinned when he saw Ben "oh hey, you're awake"
"How long was I out?"
"Umm... maybe a few hours."
"Wha?"
"Well it is dark now..."
"Has Gwen not called?"
"Yea. Maybe 3 hours ago. Why?"
"Why didn't you wake me?"
"Cause you were sleeping. Duhhhhh." Kevin looked at him like he said something stupid.
Ben glared at him "Well?"
"Well what?" Kevin asked innocently.
"Are we not leaving?"
"Nah, I thought you could use a vacation." Kevin asked with a smile. "Some R&R... stress relief." He took a quick glance at Ben. "Like earlier on the beach."
Ben buried his head further into his knees as Kevin laughed loudly. Kevin set some fish, that he had caught, above the fire to roast slowly. Then he plopped next to Ben. Ben felt a little uncomfortable even though he had instigated the earlier scenario on the shore. At least kevin was wearing pants this time.
"What's on your mind kiddo?"
Ben just looked at his toes while they kicked a small rock from one to another.
"Benji?"
"It's nothing." He smiled with a mask on.
Kevin could see through the lies and felt a little hurt, like he had caused it. "If it's me then we can go if you want" It was Kevin's turn to look at the ground
"No, it's not you... I'm just a little worried I guess. I'm not sure if worried is the right word."
"Worried about what?"
"It's embarrassing to say..." Be shuffled his feet.
"Just say it"He nudged Ben softly with a smile. "Nothing is embarrassing as popping one in front of you on the shore."
"Embarrassing?" Ben snorted. "There is definitely nothing embarrassing about what your packing."
"Oh yeah? Like what you saw?" Kevin asked slyly.
"I think I did more than just look at it."
"You can still do more than just look at if you want."
"Hahahahaha. You're such a manwhore."
"Whaaaaaaaaat. I just want some lovin'."
Ben punched him softly and felt a bit better about the situation between the two. Kevin draped his arm around Ben's waist and tug on his side. Ben smiled sheepishly and put his rested his shoulder. 'This is nice' he thought 'I really like this. It's almost perf-'
"Shit!" Kevin sprang up to the fish that we're drying up and turning a dark brown color from sitting next the fire to long.
'Awesome...' Ben's sarcastic thoughts followed the daggers he was stabbing into Kevin's back. But that soon was replaced with excitement when the scent of cooked fish entered his nostrils.
After half a dozen fish later and two filled bellies, Ben and Kevin laid next to each other and gazed at the starry, night sky.
"Hey Ben?"
"Yea?"
"What is it that you wanted to tell me earlier?"
"When?"
"When you were to embarrassed to tell me?"
"Oh... that."
"Yea?"
"It's nothing"
"Don't you trust me yet?" Kevin frowned slightly.
"It's not that.. I just.. I'd feel stupid. I was just being emotional earlier."
"Please?" Kevin turned to lie on his stomach.
"Kevin..."
Kevin's face nuzzled Ben's neck softly. "Please?"
"Okay..."
Kevin tentatively kissed his collar bone and nudged Ben to continue.
"I... What... umm..."
Kevin continued to nuzzle his neck. "It's ok. You can tell me anything."
"Do you.. um.. see me as anything more... or could you? After we leave the island I mean?" Ben could feel Kevin smile against his neck.
"Does a certain someone have a crush too?" Kevin mocked.
"No it's not that I ju- wait." Ben's eyes widened "Did you say-"
"That I had feelings for you? Why yes I did." He said with a grin.
Ben closes his eyes and sighed and it felt like a weight on him left his body as the sigh escaped his lips.
"Did I scare ya?"
"Maybe hahaha."
"Can't believe you doubted me in the first place babe."
Ben's face lit up with the nickname.
"But If I'm gonna your boyfriend then we're gonna have to set some rules" Kevin wondered if the younger teen had heard him correctly.
"Did you say-"
"That's right."
"Kevin you don't have to make this public if you don't want to..."
"Ben? Do you want to keep it private."
Ben didn't answer. Kevin sighed and rolled away.
"Kevin.."
"What?"
"Don't be mad. I just don't know what other people will think."
"What other people? You should only care bout what I think. I only ever care about what you thought of me." Kevin admitted.
Ben felt like he had betrayed and hurt the older teen. Kevin had turned his back to him. Ben turned towards and touched his arm.
"Kevin. I'm sorry. I still want to be with you though."
No response was given.
"Kevin?" Ben heard a sniffle. He turned Kevin toward him to see the older teen's eyes a little swollen and pink as was trying to hold small tears back. "Oh Kevin." Kevin turned and hugged Ben softly and Ben snuggled into his warm chest. "You big softie..." He let their legs intertwine and they laid there for what seemed like hours till they both fell asleep.