Connor was enjoying the sunset in the treehouse that the Elders have built on one of the trees beside the mission hut. It was not an actual house, more of a wooden platform secured with lots and lots of rope. It was Connor's favourite place to unwind after a hard day's work. He comes up here in the evenings, when the others are busy with washing up and cooking dinner.
The creaking of the wooden steps below the platform signalled the arrival of another person.
"Elder Price," Connor greeted without turning around.
"Dinner is ready," Kevin sat himself down beside Connor, their shoulders touching, "it's so beautiful up here."
Connor turned and faced Kevin, who was bathed in the golden rays of the setting sun. It was a sight that Connor could not bear to look away from, "Yes, it is."
Kevin turned, "What? Why are you staring at me like that?"
Connor took a deep breath and steeled himself. He leaned in and kissed Kevin on his lips. When Kevin did not respond, Connor opened his eyes and pulled away.
"What the fuck, McKinley?!" Kevin was infuriated, and Connor had never seen him that angry, ever.
With a rough shove from Kevin, Connor lost his grip on the wooden platform and he was falling.
Falling further and further away from the platform;
And the ground grew closer and closer.
—
With a gasp, Connor opened his eyes and all he saw was a white ceiling. He was lying on something soft. He was on a bed, in the hotel, in Kitgum. With Kevin. Connor gulped as his heart was still beating a mile per minute.
"Pull it together, Connor McKinley," he whispered to himself as he scrubbed at his face.
Connor turned his head and found Kevin's unmade bed empty. He sat up abruptly as his eyes roamed around the tiny room, settling on the closed door of the bathroom.
Connor strode over and knocked twice on the wooden door, "Elder Price? You okay in there?"
"Yeah, I'll be out in a minute."
Connor took a deep breath to calm his racing heart, and wiped the sweat off his brows with the back of his hand. He was both slightly rattled and embarrassed by his dream. It was the first time he had dreamt of kissing Kevin. Connor blamed it on the exhaustion, and the stress, and getting cooped up in a tiny room with Kevin. And Nabulungi getting into his head. The Elders coming over for a visit would be a perfect distraction for Connor.
Lost in his own thoughts, Connor did not notice the bathroom door opening. He was just inches away from Kevin's face.
Kevin jumped in surprise and clutched at his side with a wince, "Don't do that!"
Kevin glared at him, and Connor was reminded of his dream at once. He tried to put on his best poker face.
"Sorry, umm...well I'm going to go get us breakfast. The Elders should be here in two hours," Connor was looking everywhere but at Kevin, "Oh look, my clothes are dry."
"Connor? What-,"
Connor slid passed Kevin and shut the bathroom door before Kevin could finish.
—
They finished their breakfast in silence, mainly because Connor buried his head in his lists of chores, supplies, and plans. He was checking all of them for the third time.
"Can I help?" Kevin asked, "I'm bored."
Connor debated saying no, but experience has thought him that a bored Kevin Price spells trouble. He had not forgotten that the previous time Kevin announced his boredom. The mission hut almost got burnt down as a result.
Connor tore out a blank page from his notepad and handed it over to Kevin, "Alright, you can plan for our next birthday party."
"I can do that," Kevin shrugged, "who's party am I planning for?"
Connor ran through the calendar in his mind. Poptarts' birthday was three weeks ago, Elder Neely's birthday was in two months, and the next month was July, which means the next birthday boy was...Connor.
"Mine? Forget it. Here, you can help me to check through the medical supplies list again," Connor held out another piece of paper.
"Oh no no," Kevin shrunk away from Connor's arm, "I'll plan the party. It'll be the best party district nine has ever thrown."
"Fine," Connor conceded, "but you'll still have to work within the budget I have allocated."
—
The Elders arrived at noon, their knocking interrupted Connor's ninth check through his lists. Connor stood up from the bed, and Kevin pressed his piece of paper against his chest, "No peeking."
Connor rolled his eyes and proceeded to the door. He did not miss the mischievous grin that Kevin was giving him. He rolled his eyes even harder to cover up his own smile. What a dork.
Before the door was fully opened, Connor was attacked by a big Arnold hug, "McKinley!"
"Nice to see you too, Elder Cunningham," Connor choked out.
Arnold let go of Connor once he spotted his best friend, "Kevin!"
For a second, Connor was worried that Arnold was going to give Kevin his signature bone-crushing hug too, but Arnold just plopped himself down next to Kevin on the bed and gave him a side hug, "How are you feeling, bud? I was so worried!"
"Aw Arn, I'm okay," Kevin returned the hug.
Connor greeted all the other Elders who filed into the tiny room, followed by Nabulungi.
"So, what have you two been doing?" Nabulungi asked.
"Nothing much. Boring stuff," Connor sighed.
—
Kevin was chatting with the Elders, who took up position all over Connor's bed, and Connor was left with the empty spot beside Kevin. Connor found himself being shoved towards Kevin by Nabulungi.
"Nabulungi," Connor complained softly, but was only met with Nabulungi's Chesire grin. He was feeling miserable enough without Nabulungi reminding him of his pining at every turn. She pushed Connor down onto the bed, and sat down beside him, trapping Connor between Kevin and herself.
He was sitting beside Kevin, just like in the dream.
"So, Elder McKinley, what's the plan?" Elder Michaels was looking through the lists which Connor has left on the bed.
From the corner of his eye, Connor could see Kevin stop his chatter with Arnold, and turning his full attention onto Connor.
"We'll break up into groups, and each group can be responsible for a list. Let's see," Connor paused to study his lists, "Elder Church and Elder Michaels, you two will be in charge buying groceries from the market. Elder Davis and Elder Neely, you two can get the non-food supplies-"
Kevin interrupted, "And also this list of supplies we'll need for Mckinley's birthday party."
"A party! Cool!" Elder Michaels cheered.
Connor tried to intercept the piece of paper, but Kevin slapped Connor's hands away, "Nope, you don't get to see it."
"We cannot afford to waste money on unnecessary things."
"Don't worry, they are definitely necessities," Kevin smiled innocently.
Elder Neely glanced over the list that he has been handed, "Oh yeah, totally necessary stuff that we totally need."
"Totally!" Elder Davis chimed.
"Just so you know, I'm not giving you two any extra money for this," Connor waved the stack of Ugandan shillings in front of Elder Davis and Elder Neely.
Connor continued, "Elder Thomas and I will be getting the medical supplies. Elder Cunningham, you will be staying here with Elder Price."
"Got it!" Arnold gave Connor a salute.
"You forgot me," Nabulungi elbowed Connor in his side.
"You are free to do whatever you want, Nabulungi," Connor answered while he distributed the stack of money, "Remember Elders, no unnecessary purchases."
The Elders started discussing their plans amongst themselves, filling the room with loud chatter. After a few minutes, the Elders started to head off to complete their tasks.
Connor's list was rudely snatched from his grip by Kevin.
"But I'm bored," Kevin protested.
"No you won't be, not with Elder Cunningham here," Connor disagreed, "and you're supposed to be resting."
Besides, Connor believed that spending a few hours without Kevin Price by his side will set his head straight again. Furthermore, he needed to talk to Poptarts and catch up on the shenanigans which have happened while he was away.
"Fine," Kevin handed the list back. Connor watched as Kevin slowly scooched back into his bed and lay down with a muffled groan.
"Shall we?" Poptarts tapped on Connor's shoulder and motioned at the door.
Connor nodded and packed his bag. His eyes roamed over to Kevin, who was resting with his eyes closed. Connor was suddenly having second thoughts about leaving Kevin in Arnold's care. What if they decided to do something stupid, like they usually do when left unsupervised?
"Remember to take your pills, and don't forget to eat something before doing so," Connor checked his watch, "you can have your pain meds in 45 minutes."
Arnold stopped picking at a stain on his pants and looked up at Connor, "Oh don't worry, Elder McKinley! I will take care of my best friend! Once, my hamster got sick and I had to take care of it."
"Okay?" Connor waited for him to continue.
"Sadly, it died. But it's all fine, my dad got me a new one."
"Yes, because that sounds very non-worrying at all," Connor snorted, "Nabulungi, you're staying here, right?"
Nabulungi raised her eyebrows, "Oh sure thing, Elder McKinley! I will take good care of Elder Price for you!"
Poptarts chuckled at the indignant look on Connor's face.
"Nabulungi!" Connor hissed.
"Jesus, I'm not a child, you guys," Kevin muttered, his eyes still closed.
"No you're not, but you can't even sit up without assistance right now," Connor pointed out.
"I'll have you know that I made it out of bed all by myself this morning!" Kevin bragged.
"And I cannot imagine that it was a pleasant experience," Connor said, "you should have woken me up."
Connor could never understand Kevin's reluctance to accept help from anyone else. Even without his faith, Kevin was very much still the same stubbornly-independent missionary who thought that he could single-handedly change how a crazy warlord thinks.
"Whatever," Kevin shrugged, "you're such a nag."
Sometimes, Connor was not sure if he likes Kevin Price, or actually hates him.