(AN: Well, here we are with another chapter! I'm actually gonna tell you guys that the next chapter is actually gonna come sooner than usual! I'll explain in a future AN but do enjoy this chapter!)
When Jet woke up the next morning, he found himself not feeling… afraid.
Whether it came from a dream of Storm, or fear of someone finding out about his crush on the albatross, the emotion of fear simply wasn't there.
"What happened last night?" Jet lazily asked himself, holding his forehead.
Suddenly, images of everything that happened during the fireworks show flashed into the hawk's mind. His confession, Storm's confession, and Jet and Storm's first kiss. The green avian smiled as he remembered everything, bringing up his sheets to cover his blushing face.
"Oh yeah… that happened… It wasn't a dream…. it was reality… Storm really does love me…" Jet thought.
After finally convincing himself to get out of bed, Jet exited Cabin C and walked over to the Mess Hall, his daily routine since he arrived.
Entering inside, he found quite a long line waiting for the cooks to serve their breakfast. Jet groaned, realizing he was going to have to wait.
As Jet got one of the plastic plates from a stack, he saw Storm at the end of the waiting line, looking irritated as well. The green avian smiled as he walked up to the albatross, poking his shoulder. The large grey avian turned around and saw Jet. His frown turned into a smile as he crouched down to his height.
"Morning, Jet… sleep well?" Storm asked. Jet nodded in response.
"Yup, feel like a new me," Jet replied.
"Same here. I woke up remembering everything and I knew today was gonna be good,"
Jet grinned as he resisted the urges to give Storm a kiss, even if it was a small one. He knew that doing it in front of everyone would end in disaster.
Talking as they waited in line, Jet and Storm's turn finally came as the cooks served them. Buttered toast with grits and bacon were on the menu that day, along with a container of freshly squeezed orange juice.
After getting their items, Jet and Storm walked over to their usual table, sitting down and starting their breakfast as they waited for Duke, Nezbitt, and Eryx.
"Say Jet," Storm said, beginning with his toast. "Do you think we should tell Duke, Nezbitt, and Eryx about y'know… us being together?"
Jet shook his head as he chewed a piece of bacon. "Nope, that is a terrible idea," he said, finally swallowing his bacon. "You know how Duke is and some of the things he's said before; he would hate our guts out for this. And what makes you think he won't tell the rest of the camp? Trust me; it's best if we keep our relationship hidden."
The albatross' eyes widened. "You're right… I overlooked that…" He looked down at his food, realizing he was moments away from making a grave mistake. Jet looked around to make sure no one was watching and placed his hand on Storm's.
"Hey, don't beat yourself up over it. You might have not known. Don't worry, no one has to know. It'll be our dirty little secret."
After eating breakfast, it was time for another kayaking day as usual.
However, Jet and Storm agreed that they weren't really in the mood to kayak, as they would rather spend the day together, just the two of them.
"Alright Storm, here's the plan: we're gonna tell Mido and your camp counselor that we really aren't feeling that well, and we'll need to skip out on today's activity. From then, they'll probably just sit us out, and that's where we make our move and high-trail outta there to the inner forest. Then…" He put his hand on Storm's. "That's where we'll spend the rest of the time. Sound like a good plan?"
Storm smirked. "I have to say, you're a good liar. You know that?"
Jet shrugged, feeling a blush on his face from Storm's compliment. "Well, project and assignment deadlines at school shaped me into QUITE a good liar."
When the scoutmaster finally dismissed them to go to their designated locations, Duke, Nezbitt, and Eryx walked up to Jet and Storm.
"Time for another day of kayaking. I wonder where we're headed to this time." The shark said aloud.
"Probably the same stuff as usual. But who knows? Maybe they'll… I don't know, tell us to juggle eggs while someone rows," said Nezbitt.
Jet narrowed his eyes.
"Time to begin Plan A."
"I dunno, Duke… I'm not really feeling all too good today…" Jet lied, trying to sound as convincing as possible. He placed his arms over his stomach for more emphasis.
"Y-Yeah… I don't feel good either…" Storm moaned. He winked to Jet at the corner of his eye as Nezbitt walked up to him.
"Awh man, really? I wanted all of us to ride a boat together! And you just had to get sick somehow…" The cat complained.
"Don't worry… we'll tell Mido to sit us out so you guys can have your fun. We don't want to ruin it for you," Eryx said.
"Well… if you say so… but man, I was hoping Storm could carry us all in the boat."
Storm sputtered at Nezbitt. "Uw-uhh?! W-W-Why me?!"
"Because you're the strongest one out of everyone here. Doi," Eryx said, sticking his tongue out.
After pulling back Storm to stop him from preventing him from playfully punching Eryx, the five arrived at the sight where they were going to kayak.
"Time for Plan B," Jet whispered to Storm.
The two walked together to Mido and the Cabin D counselor, trying to put their best impression of being sick.
"M-Mido? Me and Storm aren't feeling so great right now… d'ya mind if we can skip out on today's activity?" Jet lied.
"What? You two were perfectly healthy yesterday. How did you get sick?" Mido said.
Jet knew that Mido was going to question them, and so the hawk nodded to the albatross.
"I… I dunno… me and Jet woke up today feeling not so great…"
"Well, judging from the looks on your faces, it looks like you'd throw up if you got in the boats. Alright, we'll let you pass on today's activity. However, we don't expect you to sit around doing nothing, so like, go walk in the forest or something. Get some fresh air or something. Maybe that might make your illness better."
Storm nodded. "A-Alright… will do…"
The two avians walked away from the counselors as they entered the forest. They continued walking for some time until Jet turned around and saw that Mido and the Cabin D counselor were nowhere in sight.
"Now's our chance! Let's go Storm!" He said.
Jet and Storm picked up the pace and ran deeper into the forest. Their breathing picked up as they had the fear of someone catching them.
Finding a large tree moments later, the two sat down underneath it and began to catch their breath.
"Man… we'll be in big trouble if someone… *huff huff*… found out… But it's so totally worth it…" Jet said.
"I agree *huff*… wholeheartedly…" Storm replied. He took his hand and placed it on top of Jet's. "But, that's not the case. Now, we're just here all by ourselves. No one to interrupt…."
Jet blushed as he placed his head on Storm's chest, nuzzling the white feathers. "You're so warm… have I ever said that?"
"Am I?" Storm asked. Jet noticed the flirtatious tone in his voice. The large grey avian lifted Jet's head and kissed him right there, Jet returning the kiss. The two parted ways seconds after.
"I think it's my turn for one," said the hawk. He took Storm's head and brought it to his own, roughly kissing him. Storm turned a deep red as he could feel Jet's hot breath against his mouth. Jet let go, looking rather loopy.
"W-W-Wow… you did it really r-rough, Jet…" Storm said, obviously flustered from the kiss. "I-I me-me…"
"You're speechless? Oh… I'm sorry… Do you not want me to do it again?"
"N-N-No, it's fine! If you want to, do it again, you're good. It just caught me off guard, that's all."
Jet then placed his hands on Storm's sides, climbing on top of his body. "But still, you look so cute, I couldn't help it. But I'll make them a lot softer from now on unless told so."
Storm smirked. "Well, if you say so…"
Jet gave a peck to Storm's beak and nuzzled his face. "Gosh… I'm glad we're alone finally… I'm having such a great time with just us…"
Before Jet could give another kiss to Storm, he heard a voice from above. "Just us? You know, you should pay more attention to your surroundings."
Jet and Storm quickly got up and looked behind him, then looking around at every corner.
"Who's there?!" he said. He felt a knot in his throat, worried that the mystery person saw them.
It was then that the two turned around to see a girl hanging upside down, looking at them. She was smiling.
"Peekaboo."
"W-Wave?!" Storm said with fear in his voice.
Jet squawked and then screamed as he and Storm tried to not look suspicious. The two avians felt a weight come down on the ground when Wave dropped down to the floor. She still kept the smirk on her face.
"Oh, Great One! Please tell me you didn't see anything we just did! Please!" Jet pleaded. Wave chuckled.
"Heh, of course I saw everything. I was up in the tree you know," The swallow replied. "As a matter of fact, I was in that tree, lounging around when I happened to see two familiar faces. Guess who THEY were?"
Jet and Storm looked at the ground, knowing everything was over now that she found out.
Wave continued. "You know, I could tell EVERYONE, especially after what happened with the Capture the Flag game, and ruin your reputation..."
Jet and Storm looked at her with complete fear and anger in their eyes.
"…but you two are just so cute together, I can't get myself to tell anyone."
The hawk and albatross looked up at Wave in confusion.
"Huh? What do you mean? Are you being serious?!" Jet asked. "Please tell me I'm not dreaming."
"Of course! And you aren't. You know, I kinda thought there was something going on between you two because of how you acted all buddy-buddy around to each other. Capture the Flag, and that time Storm carried you through the lake."
"You… saw us at the lake?" Storm asked.
"Yeah, I was doing something for my camp when I happened to see you. I would have never imagined Storm would be carrying someone, I've never seen him do that before. But when I saw you two, I knew there was SOMETHING different between you two. Looks like I'm right."
"B-But… I thought you hated us! Me especially! I thought you would use this against us in some way!" Storm said. Wave looked cross as she pointed a finger at the large grey avian.
"Hey, I can be rude to you, Storm, but there's a limit as to how far I go. And ruining someone's relationship, and knowing your camp, your LIFE, I do not go."
Jet was surprised. He didn't expect Wave to be the type of person who doesn't go far with her insults and rumors.
"Well, this is kind of surprising. I'm surprised you're being nice to us for a change…" Jet said.
"Well, I guess you could say I kind of warmed up to you, I've gotten over the Capture the Flag thing after some time, which is... kinda surprising to be honest. And like I said, you two are perfect for each other, I can't tell on someone like you."
"But… what did you mean when you said 'knowing our camp'? Is there something up with Camp Silver Lake?"
Suddenly, Wave lowered her head a little bit. "You two have been keeping low profile with your relationship, right?"
"Y-Yeah," Storm nodded his head.
"Good. You two should be really careful with your relationship. I don't think you know, but Camp Silver Lake is INFAMOUS for not letting LGBT kids enter in at ALL, mainly due to your Scoutmaster's religious views. Not to mention, everyone else there seems to be raised by some REALLY conservative parents. So if someone finds out, the worst slurs could be thrown at you."
Jet looked stunned. "What?! I didn't even know that! That's not fair!"
"Believe it, Jet. Err… that's your name right?"
"Yeah, it's Jet."
"Thanks. As I was saying, believe it, Jet. Our Scoutmaster has been trying to persuade your Scoutmaster into letting LGBT kids join. Just a few years ago, our Scoutmaster started letting lesbian and bisexual girls into camp, and last year she let transgender girls enter."
"I can't believe our Scoutmaster…" Storm said.
"Yeah, that rule is really stupid. It could be worse though…"
"Worse?" Jet asked.
"I have a friend here, her name is Cherry. You met her during the Capture the Flag game. Her brother is bi, but happened to go to Camp Silver Lake. Well, it just so happened that he had a secret relationship with a guy there, and they were caught. As punishment, they were blindfolded and shamed before the Scoutmaster banned them from ever returning. To this day, it's something that still keeps him up at night according to her."
Jet and Storm's jaw dropped. "S-So, the Scoutmaster did nothing?!" The hawk said.
"He didn't participate, the kids did that. When he found out, he shamed them privately, and banned them like I said. Had it not been for her parents almost pressing charges, the kids there would do it over and over again."
Now the two avians were scared. Was… this what would happen to them if the kids found out? One thing was for sure, Jet was even MORE adamant in keeping his and Storm's relationship low.
"I'm scared…" Jet commented, rubbing his feathers.
"Don't worry, I am too… but… we'll make sure that doesn't happen to us," Storm replied, placing a comforting hand on his boyfriend's shoulder.
"You have NOTHING to be scared about as long as no one knows. But hey, don't worry you two; I'll keep your relationship a secret at all costs. I promise," Wave commented. She held out her pinkie finger as Jet and Storm knew what to do. The three connected their pinkies, letting them know that everything that had happened here was all a secret that only the three would know.
"So, what are you two even doing here in the first place? Don't you do activities or something?" Wave asked.
"Well… we were but…"
Jet then explained everything to Wave, who laughed once the story was done.
"Wow, faking sick in order to spend time together. You little delinquents," The swallow said.
"What about you? What's your story?" Storm asked.
"Well, same thing really. We were doing something but I got bored and decided to play a little hooky."
"Then looks like you're also a delinquent like us," Jet chuckled. "You've got no excuse then."
Wave winked in response.
"Heh… you know, it would be funny…. if one day all three of us got lived when we're older. We'd be three birds living together," Storm said.
"Well, probably only me since you two will probably be in your rooms, sucking face all day." Wave teased. Jet and Storm turned away from embarrassment in response.
"By the by, what time is it? We don't want to make our counselors suspicious," Jet asked.
"The time? Hm… let me check…" The swallow said. She pulled out a phone from a pouch on her waist, Jet and Storm looked as she opened it.
"You smuggled a cell phone here?" Jet asked in awe.
"Yeah. I wasn't really planning on bringing my phone here, but mom's ALWAYS worrying about me."
Jet looked down at the ground, remembering his own mother.
His attention was brought back to Wave, who held out her phone.
"It's currently almost one right now. Usually we eat around this time. Is that the same for you?"
"Oh, uh yeah! We probably should be heading out right now!" Jet said to Storm, the albatross nodding in response. However, just before the two avians could high trail out of the forest, Wave stopped them for a moment.
"Hang on guys… I know you might be a little suspicious that I'm acting nice to you, and that I'm going to backstab you or something. No, don't worry; your secret is safe with me. Yeah, I know I'm repeating myself at this point but… I'm serious. I promise I won't tell anyone what happened, nor will I tell anyone that we played hooky," The swallow said. She gave Jet and Storm a thumbs up as the two returned it.
"And hey, we won't tell anyone else you brought your phone, too!" Jet replied. Wave nodded as the three avians left the forest, Jet and Storm going to the left and Wave to the right.
"Wow… she's… nice…" Storm mused.
"I always knew there was a nice side to her," Jet added. "Looks like we finally got to see it firsthand."
When the two avians returned to the where all the boys where, they could see Mido and the Cabin D counselor looking around. They saw a jaguar point towards Jet and Storm's direction as the two counselors turned around, walking up to the two avians.
"There you two are! Where have you been?!" Mido snapped.
Making up a lie really quickly, Jet put on a face of extreme guilt to trick the Cabin C counselor. "Well… we walked around a bit, but… we got lost…"
"Y-Yeah!" Storm added. "W-We didn't mean anything! Honest!"
"Well, at least we found you just a few minutes before lunch. If I had these kids complaining that they were hungry, I was going to chop your heads and cook what's left of you two for Thanksgiving dinner."
Jet and Storm laughed nervously as they shook their hands. "Heh heh, no thanks. We don't want to die." They said together.
"Then let's go back to camp and feed your faces. I'm sure everyone ELSE wants to eat too."
After lunch, Jet and Storm decided to not use the lie again and claim they were feeling a bit better for kayaking this time.
After fooling around with Duke, Nezbitt, and Eryx for some time (Storm finally carrying the boat like Nezbitt wanted him to), the sun finally set down on Camp Silver Lake as all the boys returned back to the Mess Hall for dinner.
Once dinner was over, all the boys were let out around the camp until bedtime. Jet and Storm decided to lie down near the a few feet from the outhouses, where no one was around.
"Tell me, Jet. What do you want in the future?" Storm asked.
"I never saw you as the philosophical type, Storm," Jet replied.
"Answer the question…"
"Alright, alright. Well… I know I'm gonna take control of the Babylon Rogues in the future, and of course, you're coming with me too… To be honest…. I see no future without you."
Storm smiled as he turned around to face the hawk. "Really?"
"Yeah…. you know, I think…. I was born to meet you, Storm…"
"If that's the case… I'm glad you're here with me…"
Storm sighed. "If I can be honest, I… used to be kind of a bully as a kid. A huge one at that. But… after an experience in Middle School… I wanted to change. I've been making myself into a better person, and and… it's working too. I just… sometimes kinda wish I had someone to spend the future with."
He then smiled. "Fortunately, I'm looking at him right here."
Jet grinned. "Storm… lovers or not, I'm glad I know you."
"And I am too…"
The two continued to look at the stars.
"Storm?"
"Yeah, Jet?"
"Love you…"
Storm's cheeks grew slightly red.
"Same here…"