Twilight doesn't belong to me. I just have fun with the characters.

WitFit Prompt: Layer

Highline

Chapter 10

"Is it ok if I come in?" Edward asked, peeling back the tent flap and letting in a gust of cool mountain air. Although it had been hot all day, it was amazing how fast the mountains cooled down once the sun had set.

"Sure, but keep that light out of my eyes." I said, shielding my face with the back of my hand. Edward rolled out his sleeping mat then straightened his sleeping bag on top beside mine. He'd dropped the flashlight pointing away from the head of his bed, and I watched from my darkened corner as he removed his sweater.

I wasn't prepared for him to remove his thermal layer as well.

"Warmer tonight, eh?" he whispered as he tugged off his pants. I was glad for the darkness – I'm sure I looked like a deer in the headlights. I'd seen him shirtless before, but the thought of him sleeping next to me – all lean muscle and stubbly jaw – without clothes on was a whole new thing to wrap my mind around. He quickly shuffled into his sleeping bag in nothing more than his boxer briefs.

"It is." I whispered back, propping myself up on my pillow. "Can I ask you something?" I began, while Edward shifted around on his mat in an attempt to get comfortable.

All day long I had wanted to talk to him about his behaviour when we first arrived in Banff, but I hadn't had the opportunity. With him secure in my tent, I knew I couldn't pass up the chance.

"Sure."

"Why were you so rude to us when we first met?"

"I was hoping you'd forget about that." he groaned, rubbing his face with his hands. He'd left the flashlight pointing downwards on the blankets - it cast just enough light over the canvas that I could see an outline of him stretched out on his back, his head resting on his folded arms.

"I didn't. I think you owe me an explanation."

"I know. It's just…" he paused, clearly thinking over his words, "We get a lot of tourists around town. They come to party, hook up –mess around. They've got no respect for the way of life up here."

"Without tourists though, you wouldn't have a business." I replied, repeating Alice's words from earlier in our trip.

"I don't mean all tourists. The people that come for the sightseeing, the tours – they appreciate the area - they respect it. There's a certain crowd that comes only for the crap – they're usually younger, well off, spoiled. When I saw you girls, I thought that's what you were here for."

I had to brace myself for a moment to refrain from yelling at him. "So you assumed that we had some kind of party agenda and then treated me like dirt for nothing?" I deadpanned. I couldn't believe he'd been so simple minded. "That's pretty unfair. We worked our asses off to save for this. Being here is a dream come true for us."

"I was wrong, and I know that," He said, "But from my perspective - It's not the norm for us to be doing a tour with two beautiful girls in their mid-twenties, Bella. You don't fit the mold." I couldn't help but soften a bit – he'd called me beautiful, and I didn't think he had even realized it.

"I hope my poor judgement and attitude hasn't had too big of an impact on your experience."

"That sounds like something Human Resources would make you say." I teased, trying to lighten the mood a little. "Drop the professionalism a little, k?"

I earned a small chuckle from him in response.

"Fine. I'm sorry for my shitty attitude. Better?"

"Much. Thank you."

xoxoxoxoxo

When I first heard a low rumbling sound, I couldn't figure out if I was awake or dreaming. When a loud boom erupted all around the tent, I jumped upright in my sleeping bag, quickly realizing that this was no dream.

Seconds later, a crack of lightning lit up the tent like a flashlight on the highest power.

"Whoa." Edward groaned, startled from his sleep. "Oh, wait, shit!" he startled, sitting up swiftly. "Quick, Bella – we've got to move these blankets."

"Move them where?!" I asked, not sure what he was getting at.

"Closer to the middle. The sky is gonna open up any second and anything touching the canvas will be soaked!"

We worked together on each of our sides, shuffling our bedding over and moving our bags away from the edges of our already cramped tent. Edward was right – the pitter patter of rain drops started off slowly but increased in speed and strength in no time.

"It'll be a little tight, but at least we'll be dry." Edward whispered, sliding back inside his sleeping bag once everything was settled.

It was tight – so cramped that I could feel his back against my own. "I'm not a fan of thunderstorms." I admitted, wrapping my arms around my waist. Ever since I was a child, they'd always made me nervous.

"Don't worry." He replied, his voice heavy with sleep. "You're safe here with me."

A/N Thanks for reading and reviewing! I love to hear your thoughts, theories, etc. You may start to notice a pattern with chapter length – the shorter ones will likely always be on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I'll still do my best to get 'em out anyway. If you're enjoying this story, please spread the word! See you tomorrow night!