AN - I find it funny how loved up I got with these two writing this. Too much sloppy is not my thing yet I enjoyed this way too much which is why it is long. So here's a little more to enjoy.
Walking along the path that led between the tall trees they could hear the sound of water getting louder as they neared the source. The woods were full of the sound of birds and other animals scurrying through the thick undergrowth. It was a tranquil place to be on a warm day when there were very few people around. Slowly working their way up the trail they finally found an opening leading down to the stream that was bubbling and trickling over the uneven stones and rocks that made up the stream bed. There was a small piece of the embankment that was big enough to set the picnic blanket on and sit enjoying the surrounding area.
Brody got the blanket and laid it out while Pride set the bag down with the food in. The ground was soft enough not to be uncomfortable if you sat on it as well as lie on if you wanted to. They both stood looking around until Pride grabbed the blanket and moved it back a little bit so that when he sat down he could lean back and rest against the stream bank to support himself. Seeing how he had positioned himself Brody smiled and instead of sitting down beside him she toed off her shoes and sat in between Prides legs.
When she was finally sat resting with the back of her head against his shoulder and her back resting against his chest Pride slid his arms around her waist and linked his fingers with hers on her stomach. He hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time and it felt good, he could forget everything about work and just be himself. He didn't have to act tough, tackle suspects or deal with grieving families. Here he was just Dwayne Pride, sat with the most beautiful women in the world in his arms and he wouldn't change a thing. Brody noticed he was lost in thought and just sat watching him as she took in his facial features.
She noticed how he looked like he had a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth. His brow didn't see me do be so furrowed in concentration like it always seemed to be. His whole face was more relaxed and his general expression was happier than she had ever seen it. Obviously being away from work was good for him. She could see he had a faraway look in his eyes so decided they had been silent for long enough.
"What's got you such deep in thought?" Squeezing his fingers that were tucked into hers.
"I was just enjoying the fact that it's so nice and relaxing here. I can't remember the last time I wasn't special agent Dwayne 'King' Pride. It's nice to just be me again and not have to worry about anything other than the fact that the sun is shining really hot on us, you did bring the tanning lotion didn't you? I really don't want you getting burnt." Placing kisses on her sun-warmed shoulder.
"Yes I did pack the lotion, it's in the bag. I am glad I finally get to see this side of you. You look so much more relaxed and happier than I think I've ever seen you. I hope that has something to do with the company you're keeping as well as the surroundings." Bringing their joined fingers up to kiss his hand.
"It has more to do with the company I am keeping then the surroundings, I can assure you of that." Resting his head forward so he could place a kiss on her cheek.
"Good to know. Maybe I should put a shirt on and cover my shoulders, they're getting a little warm and with my skin no doubt I will burn a lot quicker." Letting go of Pride's hands and sitting forward to get her bag.
She had packed a thin cotton shirt that was light enough to cover her but not too much in the glaring heat of the sun. Taking it out the bag she went to put it on but Pride being ever the gentleman had it out her hands and held up for her to slide her arms in. Slipping it on she reached across into her bag and dug around for the sun cream so she could put some on her face. After applying the cream to her face, she settled back against Pride and he again slid his arms around her to pulled her closer to him.
"So tell me more about these camping trips as a child during summer vacation. I take it it was summer as you were at school the rest of the time." Remembering the fact, she went to boarding school.
"It was summer, yes, and it was the only time we ever really saw Mom and Dad together. When we were on summer vacation it was a long stint of being passed between them and their work schedule. When we were home they would take turns to stay home with us while the other worked so camping was family time. Once we were old enough other than camping we never really saw them as we were classed as old enough and responsible enough to look after ourselves. When we hit that age staying home was more fun than camping as Emily and I soon found out. We got to have friends over and generally mess around. We didn't have that many friends due to the fact we spend most of our time at school, but the friends we did have were amazing. We had sleepovers at each other's houses and on a couple of occasions we managed the odd party." Laughing at the memories that came back to her.
"I need to know what's making you laugh now, it's obviously funny so come on and share." Giving her a gentle tug at the waist.
"If you're sure. I am sure we were fifteen nearly sixteen when this happened and Mom and Dad were out of town for some reason, probably both working on something. Emily's brainwave was to throw a party. Why I agreed I never know to this day but I did. We invited the usual group of friends which was a group of four girls from our neighbourhood who we grew up with. They, in turn, invited a group of boys who they went to school with. It turned out these boys were slightly older but only by a couple of years. We had all somehow managed to acquire some alcohol from somewhere. So by the time everyone turned up there was a fair amount of alcohol for such a small group of twelve people. As you can imagine there just so happened to be six girls at the house and sure enough, six boys had been invited over. Well, the drinks started to flow and the music slowly started to get turned up as the party got into full swing. We all ended up paired with some boy as we spent the night getting drunk and dancing. Emily had been knocking back any drink she was offered and sure enough, she was seen with her head in the toilet throwing up after only a couple of hours. Being the sympathetic sister, I put my head around the door and checked she was okay before returning back to the party downstairs. I know she was mad as hell when she found out I not only got off with the boy that I got landed with but also the one she was paired with as well."
"I did point out if she hadn't got blinding drunk it wouldn't have happened. She spent a week sulking and never spoke to me until she bragged she had a date and lo and behold turned up with the same guy who got off with me the night of the party. What she hadn't realised was how awkward it with be when she came home with her 17-year-old date to find me in the middle of a major making out with his 19-year-old brother in my room. The look on Emily's face was priceless when she saw me with Darren, especially due to the fact all she could see of us was our heads under the covers on my bed. She had to speak to me then, especially since she had a feeling I was the first of us to go all in with a boy. She made it her mission to tell everyone when we got back to school that I lost my virginity over the summer. I am not sure if she was more proud or shocked at the fact I was first out the two of us. Most things we did we did at the same time until we hit our teens then we started to branch off and do things we wanted to do for just us. Maybe because we had grown up being the Brody twins and we wanted to find some sort of path as individuals. I wish I could turn the clock and spend more time doing things together at that age than we did. We were too busy trying to separate ourselves from the stigma of being twins that by the time I registered it she was gone." Brody finished, letting her eyes drift closed.
Pride didn't speak but did pull her a little closer as he shuffled so her ass was now fitted against his groin as he reached around and placed a kiss on the corner of her mouth. They both just sat lost in thoughts as Pride kept his face pressed against the side of hers.
"So what were you like when you were little? Were you as headstrong and independent as you are now and was Emily the same? I would dread to think of two of you know if you were the same when you were little. I can imagine the trouble one of you got into." Finally breaking the silence and making Brody open her eyes and smile.
"We were a pair of complete tearaways when given the chance. For our fifth birthday, we got bikes and that just caused a competition, a broken arm and a grazed forehead. We competed to see who learnt to ride them without the stabilizers, which lead to my broken arm and Emily's cut forehead. I still have the scar from that incident." Rolling her sleeve up to show the inch-long scar that ran along the underside of her right forearm.
"Any more scars from accidents caused by Emily and you competing against each other, and I need to know how you managed to break your arm and Emily grazed her head." Seeing Brody laugh as she pulled her sleeve back down.
Brody proceeded to tell Pride how, after they both managed to convince their dad to take the stabilizers off their bikes, they rode down the drive and on the path where Emily lost her balance trying to take the turn on to the path and fell off grazing her head and to stop herself running over Emily she pulled the brake on but only pulled the front one on and flew over the handlebars with her arm taking her full weight as she hit the ground. Pride ended up bursting out laughing when he found out the fact breaking her arm lead to a fight over who came off with the worst injury.
That lead to other stories of fights over who was tallest and who could run faster which lead to Emily breaking her wrist when she tripped over trying to catch up. After a couple more tales of injuries that fighting had caused, Brody moved out of Prides arms and turned to face him.
"So you have spent the morning listening to me ramble on about Emily and me as children, how about we hear some tales about the famous Dwayne Pride and his life. You had a childhood and teenage years as well, there must be some tales you could tell me." Watching as Pride moved to sit up from leaning against the bank.
"Maybe. How about we do lunch first then I will think about sharing some tales of my younger years, even though there is not much to tell." Seeing her face light up at the thought of finding out more about him when he was younger.
Reaching across for the bag of food he pulled out the flask of coffee first with the cups. Passing them to Brody he reached in and pulled out a box containing a pasta salad followed by a bag of Brody's favourite potato chips. He saw her smile at the bag of chips and look at him. She hadn't packed them so he must have gone and gotten them to bring along. She was surprised he remembered as she didn't eat them often. She went to take the bag but he passed her a plate and fork first.
"Food first junk second." As he opened the box of pasta salad and tipped some on her plate before putting his own out.
Pulling a sulking face she stuck her tongue out at him before making a start on the food on her plate. She had already poured the coffee out so they sat eating as she kept eyeing up the bag of potato chips. When she had finished her salad she moved to sit beside Pride with her back against the bank as she put her coffee down beside her and finally grabbed the bag of potato chips. Opening the bag she took one out and popped it into her mouth smiling as she did.
"Thanks for these, I didn't know you took that much much notice of what I ate, especially since I only have these maybe once a month." Taking another one out the packet and eating it.
"When it comes to you I notice everything. I know when you're happy or sad, or when you're in a good mood or you want to kill someone. I know when to back away and leave you be after a tough case but I can also know when all you need is someone to hold you and make everything okay again." Lifting his arm up and placing it around her shoulder as she let her head drop to his shoulder.
"The same as I do with you then. We seem to be able to read each other better than we do ourselves. So since I have now finished my potato chips and you finished lunch it's time to share some things with me about the famous Dwayne Pride." Looking up at him without lifting her head.
"Fine but I am going to get coffee and a bathroom then I am sure I can find something to tell you when I come back." Standing up and leaving Brody to sit watching him walk away.
