Garret J. Foss (cant_touchthis) wrote in tiberiusswann, @ 2011-02-20 21:05:00 |
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Entry tags: | declan, garret |
Saturday October 18th 2008
Who: Garret and Declan
What: Camping
Where: The woods outside Danvers
When: Evening
Rating: PG
Declan had picked Garret up within ten minutes as promised, and then spent the next hour driving into Danvers and grabbing nearly everything needed from the outdoor supply store. A tent, sleeping bag, firestarter, flashlight and extra batteries, and a few other supplies. Now he and Garret were out in the woods on their own. There was a nice creek several yards away, but far enough away so they wouldn't have to worry about wandering into it at night. Bugs weren't as big an issue since it was cooler and they were mostly gone. Setting up the tent, Dec turned to clear out some brush to make room for a campfire. He didn't mind fires too much, as long as dead wood was used. It was part of the experience after all. "So, how are ye finding the woods at this point?"
Garret was definitely not the outdoors type, but he was desperate to find something to take his mind off Rorie and Mal. Going into the fresh air seemed healthier than drinking himself to death. Plus, he had already tried drinking for every one of his past breakups, and it never really helped. Maybe this would. And indeed, it was distracting all right. Camping had always been a mystery to Garret, and the mystery was not yet solved as they set up the site. It was chilly out, and they were in the middle of nothingness and there were friggin leaves all over the place. Who chose to live like this, even if it was for just a weekend?
Still, he didn't complain, following instructions as they were given. This was something new, and he liked new things, and Declan was definitely keeping his mind off Rorie and the insanity going on there. Garret hadn't said much since they'd left, though he had been thinking a lot. "It's pretty much what I expected," he said truthfully, not indicating good or bad.
Declan chuckled, giving a smile. He'd finished clearing out a decent spot for a campfire, setting the brush and leaves he'd picked up into a pile. It'd make a grea firestarter when he got to it. Walking around the edge of the site, he started picking up large stones to make a circle. "Pick up any rocks ye find. We're going to make a circle to contain the campfire." It was basic safety. Chances were the fire would get out of control, but no sense taking chances. Once his arms were full, he moved back to the clearing, using the larger rocks to make the circle and filling in the gaps with the pebbles.
Garret had to chuckle as he set to work. They were literally gathering rocks like cave people. Next it would be sticks, and then maybe mud for some reason. Picking up what he found, Garret reminded himself that these jeans were sixty bucks and they already had a layer of dust on them.
"Your rocks, my dear," he said with a small smile, holding out a handful or rocks to Declan. "Are these going to start the fire, or can we use matches?"
Declan would have laughed if he'd known Garret's train of thought. Sticks were definitely next on the list. Glancing up, he took the rocks with a smile, fitting them into the circle. "Aye, I brought matches ta light a fire. This is just a protection for the forest ta make sure it doesna get out of control." Finishing the fire ring, Declan stood. "Aye, next we need to get firewood. Make sure it's dead, don't take from the trees. Any and all sizes at this point. We'll need a fair amount ta get through the evening." Of course, he'd also bought a few long-lasting logs at the store, but hopefully they wouldn't be needed.
At the very least they weren't gonna go boyscout on a bunch of pine twigs, clacking rocks together to make a spark. Or worse, use a magnifying glass and the sun. Especially since there wasn't much sun to be had, they'd be there forever.
One might think that, being in the woods, dead sticks would be easy to come by. This was not so true. There were a lot of leaves, and pebbles, and various moss growths and whatever the hell some of those things were. Frowning, Garret grabbed what he could, knowing that there was a difference between a "green" stick and a dead one, but he didn't know how to tell the difference. So he just got whatever he could grab and brought it all back to Declan. None of it had come ripped from a tree, so that was the best he could offer. "This is why I stay in Hiltons," he told the dryad. "Surviving the night isn't based upon how good you are at forraging, just how cushy your bank account is."
Apparently the way Declan went had more twigs and dead wood. Of course, it may have also helped that he had the local dryads giving him a hand. Walking back to the campsite with an arm load of wood, he dropped it next to the circle. Sitting on his heels, he started sorting the pile into three stacks and was nearly done when Garret got back.
Glancing up, he smiled, happily taking the load and sorting it. "Aye, but then ye dunna learn as much. Alright," he nodded, pointing to the piles. "Ye need three types of firewood to build a campfire. Tinder is the small pieces that start it burning. Kindling is the medium sizes and fuel the largest that will keep it going. Questions?"
Three types of wood, building a fire. Simple enough. "Nope, none so far," he said with a smile, though it was only half genuine. He hadn't been smiling much lately. "Oh, wait actually, I do have one. I'm not gonna have to go out and kill a rabbit or something, am I? I'm not a vegetarian in the least, but... yeah I'm really not that kinda guy."
Declan chuckled. "Nay, not at all. See the cooler there?" He nodded in the direction of the tent. "I brought makings for dinner and dessert. And breakfast in the morning." Moving to the circle, Dec started laying the wood for a long lasting fire, teepee style. He figured Garret would probably appreciate it. "Go ahead and take a seat. Hand me some of that tinder." He'd already made a small pile, but it needed to be bigger to get it started. Around the tinder went the kindling, starting in on the teepee shape.
Thank God. Even if it was just a rabbit, having to kill something was nothing he was interested in. Plus, if Garret had to kill something else in a forrest he was pretty sure he'd start having flashback nightmares. As Declan spoke, Garret actually looked around them in confusion for a few seconds. Have a seat... where, exactly? It didn't take too long for him to figure it out. The ground. He had to sit on the damn ground. Well, when in Rome...
Sitting cross legged on the ground beside Declan, wrinkling his mouth as he looked over the stick piled. Tinder were the smallish ones. He grabbed a handful, laying them out on his palm to Declan could take the sticks easily and make that little pyramid thing he was making. "Why do you do it like that?" he asked. "Is there a function for it, or is it just because it looks cool?"
Declan focused on what he was doing, but he was still able to answer Garret's question. "Aye, there's a reason. There's a couple different ways to build fires. The two most popular methods are the log cabin and the teepee. The cabin works great for short term and if ye're doing a lot of cooking where ye need a flat surface. A teepee, like this, is great for stories, some cooking and is usually long lasting. It will burn high so it's great for shows." He turned and smiled at Garret. "Plus I thought ye'd just like ta see it."
Finishing up with the tinder, he gestured for the kindling, starting to layer it around. "Ye need to make sure yer fire is built well before you light it, otherwise it will crumble, die and ye'll have wasted the fuel. So ten minutes to make sure the base is secure will leave a long-lasting fire."
Nodding, Garret absorbed the new information, storing it for later. Who knew when he would need to build a fire that needed longevity. Maybe if the power cut off in the school and they all got buried under fifty feet of snow. "I'm glad you showed me," he said, reaching for kindling (the middle ones) and giving them to Declan. "Though I need to point out, it does seem a little sick how well versed you are in burning firewood, considering."
Declan shrugged. "I worked as a forest ranger, and often times stumbled across a group of campers that needed help. The best way to get out of trouble is not to get into it in the first place. Which means ye need to know what yer doing." If he had his choice, he wouldn't be building a fire at all, but that took out half the fun from human camping. Not everyone could just perch in a tree. "Matches please."
Handing over the matches (after finding them), Garret regarded the dryad for a moment. Being a human, like most things, had spoiled him. It really was easy for him, a lot easier than other races had it. Poor Declan was burning his own bretheren right now. "Thank you," he said finally. "For this. All of this."
Sure part of Declan hurt from what he was doing, but the spirits that had lived in these pieces were long gone. Not to mention, fire was part of a healthy ecosystem. Anytime a natural fire occurs, it clears out the congestion and undergrowth clogging the roots and the living, making space for new life. All Declan was doing was helping clear some of the congestion. At least, that's what he kept telling himself.
Keeping his back to the slight breeze, Dec struck the match, setting it to the tinder, watching it burn. As soon as it caught, he tossed the match into it, layering more kindling around. "Yer welcome, Garret. Every man needs ta go camping at some point. I'm just glad I can help."
"I feel so out of my element, though," he admitted, resting his elbows on his knees. "Maybe next time I'll bring you camping in a penthouse suite, take you out of your element. We'll spread a blanket out in the middle of the living room, order room service and make a bellboy light a fire for us in the gas fireplace. Strawberries and champagne. Mmm...." He purred, happily. That sounded like the greatest idea ever.
Declan chuckled, shaking his head. "Yer doing just fine, Garret. Pass me the fuel." Of course, he was referring to the big branches he'd picked up. As they were handed to him, he added on to the fire, watching it build and burn. Gorgeous, and ultimately frightening for the dryad, but he wouldn't tell Garret that. "Aye, sounds like a plan. Ye know, I've never had champagne."
The dryad's admission almost made Garret's jaw drop. "You've never... well that's something that needs to be fixed asap," he determined. "And not that cheap gas station shit, either. I mean four hundred dollars a bottle stuff, the creme de la creme of bubbly. You're having me rough it out here, I need to pamper the crap out of you." Maybe he would make him do the whole shebang, seaweed wraps and mud baths and all, the works. Perhaps a little gay, in modern standards, but so incredibly invigorating and soul satisfying.
If Garret had said what he was thinking, Declan would have laughed. What was the difference between a mud bath and wallowing in the mud like a five year old? He'd dug his roots into some pretty muddy soil several times in his life and while it wasn't bad, it definitely made him feel unstable. "It's not needed, but thank ye." Declan couldn't concieve of spending four hundred dollars on a bottle of anything.
Once the fire was set up, he leaned back on his heels, nodding slowly. It would burn well enough and reduce to coals by the middle of the night. He could work with it. "So when do ye think ye'll want dinner? We should give the fire twenty minutes or so to settle out before cooking."
"Needed isn't the point of luxury," Garret pointed out. Actually, it was kind of the opposite, but it was the world in which Garret thrived. Because Hades, this was all so primitive. The fire needed its own time to get settled, like it was a living being. It certainly acted like one, at any rate. "I don't know," he said with a shrug, drawing small loops in the dirt with a tiny nub of a stick. "I don't remember the last time I ate anything, so I guess I'm good whenever." Not that he was feeling especially hungry, but he figured that food in his system would keep him from being too cold tonight. As it was, the woods were getting cooler. The fire was nice though. His face and fingers were quite warm. "It's up to you, since you're in charge of cooking, since I don't want to burn down all your friends out here." Cooking was very low on the list of Garret's strong suits.
Declan nodded. "Well since we're out here at yer request, would ye like dinner or dessert first? Which reminds me. Dinner is silver turtles, dessert is cherry turnovers and s'mores are a snack for later. I'll take care of breakfast in the morning." Declan hoped Garret liked pancakes.
The face Garret gave Declan was one of utter and complete confusion, though he was smiling regardless. "Are you feeding me actual turtle?" he asked seriously. "Or is it just some cute little nickname for something else, which I am really hoping is the case..."
Declan plopped onto the ground and started laughing. "It's hamburger and vegetables. When you wrap it in the foil, it looks like a silver turtle shell. Hence the name." Really? Garret thought he'd be eating turtles? "Real turtles take too long to cook, are tough and smell like the devil. I wouldna feed ye that."
Well, Declan was a tree and he lived in the woods, most literally. It hadn't felt too far-fetched to assume that he ate turtles. And apparently he knew exactly how they were made, which probably meant he'd had them before. "Ew!" Garret giggled, wrinkling his nose. "I can't even comprehend how one might go about cooking a turtle." It was nice to laugh, and smile, and discover that he was actually having a good time. Declan was just easy to be around. He wasn't demanding, or condesending. He didn't try and dominate, he didn't depend on Garret, he wasn't fussy or high maintenance, he had nothing to prove and had no ego that needed stroking. He was just here, and genuinely relaxed, wanting nothing more than to be out in the air. He was just so simple, in the best way possible.
"Declan, I think I love you," Garret said, looking up into the trees. The sky was growing darker by the second.
Declan leaned back, watching Garret laugh and happy that he could give him that. He'd been so hurt the past week and now he was smiling, not worrying about it. It made Dec happy. "Well I can tell ye how. Ye kill it, take it out of the shell, and toss it into the soup pot after gutting it." Declan had never had it himself, but he'd stumbled across a few carcasses from people poaching them in the reserve.
Leaning back on his hands, Declan arched a brow, looking at his friend. "Aye? And why would ye be thinking that?"
Everything about that preperation sounded absolutely disgusting. Garret knew how turtles were built, and once you took off the shell you weren't left with much except guts and tissue. It made him think of eating all the nasty shit in the top half of the lobster.
Quiet a moment, Garret gave the question consideration. "You're just... good," he said, nodding to affirm his own statement. "You want nothing from me, you don't need me to be anyone for you. You're just here for you, glad to have my company, and you don't make me feel like I have to be a certain way to make you want me." His eyes were still up toward the sky, looking through the leaves at the specks of night sky peeking through. "You just.... are."
"Well o' course I want ye to be yerself. Who else would ye be?" The concept was ludicrous to Declan. Why on earth would someone want to be someone else? Sitting up, he dusted off his hands and stood, making his way to the cooler. "C'mere, love and let's get started on dinner." He brought the cooler over closer to Garret, opening it to show baggies with diced onion, peppers, baby carrots, frozen hamburger, seasoning and barbeque sauce.
The fact that the concept of being someone else seemed to genuinely confuse Declan just confirmed with Garret that, indeed, he loved the guy. Smiling a little at being called 'love', the patfinder pushed himself up to his feet, wiping his hands on his jeans. "Well damn, you really got prepared," he said, seeing all the diced veggies laying in wait. "Okay. I'm yours, what do you want from me? Anything you ask, I'll do my best."
Declan grinned, pulling out a couple pieces of aluminum foil and closing the lid. "Easy enough. Make up yer own dinner." Still, he wasn't entirely mean and showed Garret how to set it up. Butter went on the bottom to grease the foil, then the meat and the veggies piled on top. Finally, a hefty squirt of the sweet and smoky barbeque sauce with a dash of salt and pepper. Declan closed the foil packet and sat back, watching Garret with his own.
Garret could make tacos, and he could make this. After all, who couldn't pile things? Tin foil bowl of meat and veggies in hand, Garret looked over at Declan's pouch and folded it up, making sure he did it the same way the dryad had done. "Okay, meat and veggie pocket. So... what, do we just throw it in the flames and hope for the best?"
Declan, still smiling, shook his head. "No, we're going to set it on the edge of the fire where the wood is starting to turn to coals, see?" He pointed out the ash covered branches that had broken off but still retained a lot of heat. "We'll leave them there and keep an eye on them until they're done."
Obviously Declan knew what he was doing, but Garret still frowned a little. How were they supposed to know they were done if everything was wrapped up in a neat little tin foil pouch? Maybe they steamed or something, or burst open like popcorn. He set his dinner in the fire like Declan did. They looked like two lumpy potatoes from the future, suited up in shiny spacesuits.
"So what do we do while that does its thing?" he asked, siding up beside Declan and resting his chin on the dryad's shoulder. "We need to wrestle a bear or sword fight a raccoon or something?"
is available
Declan knew they'd take anywhere between fifteen and twenty minutes, depending on how thick Garret had stuffed his. He leaned his head against the one on his shoulder. "Well that all depends on ye. Talking is the most common option though." Garret was so cute to Declan, asking adorable questions, though sometimes insightful ones. The dryad liked that he was the one who could introduce this man to the outdoors.
"Sure, we can talk." He wasn't opposed to conversation. "Though let it be known that I'm not opposed to sword fighting raccoons. Just in case any of them show up in the night and offer." An arm wrapped around Declan's waist, holding him in a half embrace.
Declan chuckled. "Aye, now that would be something I'd like t' see. Ye sword fighting a raccoon. Poor devil would probably be so scared." Of course, Dec didn't mention just who he was referring to by devil. He'd leave Garret to wonder.
"You don't know the raccoons in my neighborhood," he chuckled. "Raccoons from Connecticut aren't afraid of anything. When they knock over the trash can and you turn on the porch light, they just stare you down like you're invading their space." The fire was mesmorizing, dancing and flickering. Garret watched it, sighing a little, taking a deep breath and humming, pleased at the scent of the dryad. It smelled like their campsite. "Oh, so that's what that is," he said to himself, finally pegging that elusive scent that made up Declan. He smelled like outside.
"Who said I was talking about the raccoon?" Declan teased him, smiling and relaxing, listening to the fire crackly and pop, every once in a while sending a shower of sparks into the air. It'd taken him a couple years to get used to the sound and not jump. He still wasn't a big fan of fires though. Turning his face towards Garret, Dec frowned slightly. "So that's what what is?"
Oops, that was supposed to be an inside thought. "Oh, um... I was just thinking that this is what you smell like." His hand swept over their site vaguely, indicating everything. "You smell like Irish Spring soap and laundry detergent, and this spot right here. A clearing in the forest."
Chuckling, he leaned back against Garret. "Well now, I'd be wondering about that if I didn't. I am a tree after all." Grinning, Dec added, "I could probably run out and shift and ye wouldna be able ta tell the difference."
"Hrm, I dunno... I think I might. I mean for one, you'd be wearing clothing." He chuckled, squeezing Declan slightly. "And for another you'd smell like Irish Spring and laundry soap. Not to mention I'd probably get a boner just from walking by you. Your raw, sexual nature would radiate through your branches and grope me like a filthy pervert." Growling a little, he bit at Declan's neck playfully.
Dec smiled and started laughing as Garret flirted, shifting away while he chuckled when bit. "Aye, of course. How could I forget that I'm such a deviant?" Still, he turned his head to look a Garret, teasing gleam in his eye. "Who said I'd wear any clothes when I shifted?"
"Oh, I didn't assume you really did," Garret assured Declan, his chin settling itself back on the man's shoulder. "Though admittedly, it'd be really funny seeing your knob sticking out from your jeans, your shirt torn open with your rough, rugged trunk. Mm, so manly."
Declan rolled his eyes and shook his head. "You're something else, ye know that?" Really, where did the man come up with half of these ideas. "Do you always think about sex?"
It wasn't a question that Garret hadn't heard a hundred times before, and he was sure that he would hear it a hundred times more. "Not always," he said honestly. "But thinking about sex detracts from thinking about anything substantial." For instance, flirting with Declan was making Garret not think about his skinny ex boyfriend who was falling apart at the seams, and knowing that it was all his fault even though he hadn't been the one to fuck up this time. Flirting with Declan made Garret not think about Malakai, and how he hadn't heard a word from the hound in over a week, and how he probably never would again.
"What do you usually do when you come out here?" he asked suddenly, a blatant change of subject. "I mean aside from just 'be'."
Declan nodded, feeling slightly ashamed of himself. He knew Garret better than to ask. Not to mention, he was having a rough time, so if a little flirting was what it took to make him feel better, Declan saw no reason to stop him. "I watch the stars, shift and sleep, talk to the local nymphs, dryaeds or who ever is around."
"Sounds simple." It was a good simple though, the kind of simple that Garret was desperately needing. Just look at stars, slow down, let yourself think. He couldn't remember the last time he'd laid on the ground and just stared at the sky. It had quite possibly been twenty years or more. "I wanna do that after dinner," he said softly, nuzzling Declan's neck just a bit. "Look at stars. I used to love them as a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut. I kinda just wanted to get the hell outta my house, truthfully. But I want to lay in the dirt and look at the sky. Can we do that?"
Declan smiled, nodding. "Aye, we can manage that. Right after dessert, unless ye dunna feel like Cherry turnovers?" Speaking of dinner, Dec grabbed a pair of tongs he'd brought and poked the silver packages, feeling how tender they were. Still needed a couple more minutes, so he turned them to avoid burning and leaned back again. "What else would ye like ta do?"
Like a patient little pup, Garret released his hold on Declan to let him do what needed doing, accepting him back in his arms once the dryad returned. "Of course I want cherry turnovers," he said with a small smile. "I want everything you've got to give me tonight. I want to do whatever it is people do. I never did things like this when I was a kid. The closest I ever came to camping was sleeping on the couch waiting for my parents to come home." He frowned, disliking the sudden reveal. Declan was too comfortable to be around.
Declan glanced over at Garret, curious about that last statement, but he could tell the other man didn't even mean to say it. No sense pushing for more information. "Well then lucky for you that I'm more than willing ta give ye the camping experience. Granted, I've had a wee bit more practice so I've learned how to make some good food over a fire, but that's alright. Just spoils ye a bit."
Purring, Garret couldn't resist grinding a little against Declan's hip. "Ooh, I do love to be spoiled," he said smoothly. "Especially my dapper foreigners."
Declan thought he must be getting used to Garret's flirting because the only reaction he had was to roll his eyes. "Aye, sure. Go grab the plates and forks. Dinner's almost done and I dunna think ye'd want ta eat with yer fingers."
It was too bad Declan was getting used to Garret's sexual nature, it had been fun to confuse the dryad, make him flustered. "I like when you boss me around," he murmured into the man's ear, giving it a tiny nip before he stepped away, going over to their supplies and rummaging for plates and forks. Coming up victorious, he watched as Declan checked their tin foil pouches, the grey turtles or whatever they were called.
Silver turtles, and they were finally done. "Bring the plates over here if ye would." Declan didn't realize that he'd been bossing Garret around and he backed off, turning things into requests. Garret was a friend and a grown man. He didn't need to be given orders, never mind what he'd said. Smiling up as the plates came nearer, Declan placed one pouch on each. "Thank ye, Garret."
"No problem." It was too bad that Declan was requesting things now. Garret had been sincere in his liking being bossed around. Malakai Hardy had switched on something inside Garret, something he still couldn't explain. But it liked being told what to do apparently.
"This smells incredible," he smiled, prodding the tin foil packet with his fort, steam hissing as it escaped the tiny puncture holes. "Thank you so much."
Declan nodded, backing away from the fire with his own plate. "Tell me ye like it after ye try it," he chuckled. "But ye're welcome. Ye should be proud. Ye made it yerself." Opening his own packet, he speared a piece of meat with a carrot, onions and peppers all smeared in barbeque sauce. Definitely non-traditional camping food, but still so good. He hummed happily in approval as he ate.
"How can it not be good, it's meat and vegetables in barbeque sauce." Despite being a spoiled rich brat, Garret had simple tastes. And as expected, once he'd cooled off a piece and put it in his mouth, it was most certainly heaven. "Perfect," he hummed, chewing happily. "I sure do make a great tin foil bag of various mishmash."
Declan laughed. "Aye, that ye do. And later ye can show off your prowess making turnovers and toasting marshmallows. For now though," Declan paused, reaching into the cooler behind him. "Beer or soda?"
Cocking his head slightly, Garret watched Declan bend over to reach into the cooler. "Um... beer," he said, getting himself an eyeful of the dryad's assets. When Declan handed him his drink he smiled, trying to look innocent. "Thanks, love."
Declan pulled out two beers, passing one to Garret. "Aye, not a problem. I figured a couple grown men could use a drink to go with dinner." Setting his beer beside him, he opened it one handed, plate in his lap and fork in the other hand. The beer was nice and cold thanks to the ice packs in the cooler.
Settling on the ground again, Garret ate his dinner in almost total silence, not realizing until now that he was actually very hungry. This was exactly the kind of food that he needed, hearty and filling and savory. It warmed him from the inside out, just in time because night had finally fallen, little stars peeking out of the blackness. Finishing off his silver turtle, Garret drank down the rest of his beer, sighing. "Perfect," he said again.
Declan finished his own meal just behind Garret. "Good. I'm glad ye liked it. Was it enough?" The dryad hoped his friend hadn't been starving himself like Rorie had been. Though at least Dec hadn't been forced to feed Garret. Rorie had taken threatening; not something Declan liked doing. "Ready to put dessert together?"
Garret nodded, gathering his dishes in a little pile. "It was perfect, and dessert sounds fantastic. Teach me, oh mas..ter." He faltered a moment, clearing his throat. There would be no thinking of Mal tonight. "Dessert sounds fine. Let's make it happen."
Declan frowned a moment at the hesitation. Maybe Garret was suddenly uncomfortable with the flirting? He made a mental note to back off entirely. They were two friends out camping. That was all. "Ye may as well keep yer plate. Ye'll need it later." Digging into one of the bags of equipment he'd bought, he pulled out two square pie irons. They looked a bit ridiculous, but he knew the use for them. He also pulled out butter, bread and a jar of cherry pie filling. "Alright. Time to set them up." Declan shifted the cooler, using it as a makeshift table for them.
It wasn't Declan's fault, not in the least. In fact he was doing wonderfully, he was being everything Garret needed tonight. It was just the little reminders of Mal, of Rorie, that were doing him in. But he wasn't going to let that phase him. He wasn't going to let those two sneaky backstabbers ruin his camping trip.
"It's been awhile since a man taught me how to cook," he smiled, pushing aside any negativity and coming back to the moment. Just a slight regression, nothing else. "Lloyd always tried teaching me how to bake, but we always ended up having sex on the counter and getting covered in flour. It was always my fault."
Declan chuckled. "Aye, then it's a good thing I havna any flour." Handing Garret one of the irons, he showed him how to butter the bread, fill the center with the filling, top with another piece of buttered bread and close the iron. Of course, he chuckled when Garret put the bread in butter side up. "Nay, butter goes down so it doesn't stick," he grinned. When they were ready, Declan locked the irons and then held his over the fire, keeping well away from the flames thanks to the long handles.
Chances were that Garret could be a great chef, if he'd ever had any desire to become one. He could follow instruction well, and he had a flair for artistic additions. But he had no such desire, so he didn't cook, so he mimicked Declan's actions carefully and hoped for the best.
"You know, this is fun. Kind of... strange, but fun. I don't think I've ever used fire for its intended purpose. Well... burning, but... not the kind of things you're supposed to burn. Except in hotel fireplaces."
Declan shifted the inon in his hands, getting a slightly better grip. "I'm glad yer enjoying yerself. Fire can be very helpful if controlled right, as early man learned. Or it can be highly destructive. A beautiful and frightening force it is." Glancing over his shoulder, he smiled. "At least you're now figuring out its uses."
"Mm," Garret hummed, agreeing. "Give me a bear skin rug and a rental cabin any day of the week," he chuckled. "Not that this isn't fun. I'm just a spoiled rich boy is all." He watched the flames dance around the pan, making sure to hold it steady like Declan was. "How long will these take?"
Declan shrugged, turning his over. "Depends on how golden ye like it. Five minutes will have it nice and warm. Wait a couple more and it will have sealed together and be golden brown on the outside." Counting back, Dec estimated they'd been over the fire for a few minutes. Still need to wait a bit longer for his at least. "A spoiled rich boy ye may be, but ye also know how and when to appreciate the simpler side of life. Otherwise ye wouldna be here."
Staying quiet a few moments, Garret nodded. "I'm out here to escape," he said after a moment. "I needed something different. This is definitely different. You're definitely different." Looking over at Declan, Garret gave him a small, soft smile. "Thanks for being different, Dec."
Flattered, Dec blushed slightly. "Yer welcome. I'm just glad I could help. But I still stand by what I said. If ye didna know how to appreciate the simple things, one, ye wouldna like me. And two, ye wouldn't have even mentioned camping."
Oh, well shit, Declan blushing was possibly the most adorable thing ever. It made Garret remember how the Irishman wore shamrock underpants, another gem of cuteness, and he grinned. Declan was just so damn likeable.
"Maybe you're right," he said, still grinning, still picturing Dec in his underwear. If the dryad knew that, would he blush even more? That might just be too cute to handle. "Though, I don't think you're simple. I think you're classic. I think you appreciate the basics of life, but you're deeper than people give you credit for."
Declan would most definitely blush harder if he knew his friends was thinking about him in his skivies. That was just mildly embarrassing, though coming from Garret it would be a bit flattering. "Aye? And just what makes ye think that?" The dryad truly believed himself to be a simple person. There wasn't a puzzle to him, he just was.
Everyone was a puzzle. Nobody was ever as simple as they seemed, nobody just "was". Everyone had something they were hiding, even if they didn't know it. "Oh, let's see," Garret mused, shifting the handle of the pan on his grip. "Well... you appear to be very innocent, and naive about sex, but... you can be a real tease. And I think you know it." He gave Declan a look, a mix of playful suspicion and coy accusation. "You've got a real sexy streak in you, Mr. Dryad."
Declan shrugged, turning his pie iron again. "Turn yer iron, Garret love, or it'll scorch. And sexy streak? I think I'm just a fast learner is all. I've had a good teacher." He wondered if that would stroke Garret's ego any.
"Yes, dear," he said dutifully, doing as he was told with only a mild roll of his eyes. Of course the ego stroke worked. Despite everything he had, Garret's ego was small and needy and grabbed at anything it could to build itself up. "I admit, I am a good teacher. But there were moments where you... well, I'll just say that I certainly didn't teach you to tease me like you do."
Declan frowned. He didn't mean to tease. His intention had been to please. "What did I do?" The dryad wanted to make sure he knew what was wrong so he could avoid doing it in the future. Garret hadn't complained, but maybe that was because he knew Dec didn't know any better.
Chuckling, Garret had to shake his head at the poor dryad. "Oh, honey... don't look like that. It's not a bad thing. Actually, it's a really good thing. That's the kind of thing people take years to learn. You've got a gift." Giving Declan a sideways glance, he paused a moment before explaining. "It's just... a kind of confidence you have. You saw that I was interested in you physically, and you didn't give it up so easily. You made me work for it, you had a little fun. It's called being coy, and it's really, really sexy."
"Oh." Declan thought about it for a moment, then shrugged. "Alright then. At least ye got it out of your system." Now that he could smell the richness of cherry, a hint of vanilla and buttery toast, Declan knew his was done. Pulling his iron from the flames, Declan moved to his plate, carefully unlock it and flipping out the turnover. Cherry was just barely oozing out the side and Dec wished he'd brought powdered sugar to top it. Oh well.
Declan had a way of just... letting things go. It was strange, and refreshing. He didn't dwell too long, and he didn't go too deep into things. And that's exactly what Garret needed tonight.
Pulling his pan from the flames like Declan did, Garret undid the clasp and insected his dessert. It looked good, so it probably was good. There wasn't any instruction on how one was supposed to go about getting this thing out of the pan, so settling himself on the ground, Garret grabbed his fork and began prodding it, watching the cherry ooze out enticingly.
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Technically, the best way would be to take it out of the iron so that Garret's fork wouldn't get overly hot and he'd have some place to catch the cherries when they dripped. "Do ye want ta put that on a plate?" Declan smirked, cutting into his own dessert and watching Garret poke his.
Sure, if Declan wanted to do it the easy way, a plate would work. "Well, I guess so," Garret sighed, grinning. "Honestly, you make everything so difficult."
Declan shrugged, chuckling. "Well I never said ye had to, now did I?" He held the plate just out of reach, a twinkle in his green eyes. "If ye want it, come get it."
Jaw dropping a little, Garret laughed, pointing an accusatory finger at Declan. "Tease!" he declared, the word ending in a small laugh. "You absolute whorish tease! This was what I was talking about before."
Smirking, Declan figured the accusation didn't even deserve a comment. Instead he wiggled the plate, drawing it a bit closer to him and arching a brow. "Does that mean ye don't want it?"
Giving Declan a look, Garret frowned at him, thinking. Sure, he could go over there and be cute, let Declan have his fun. It made him think of Mal, because that look the dryad was giving him, the way he was acting... it was so much like the hound. "I'm good," grinned, scooping up some dessert in his fork and slipping it into his mouth. "Mmm," he hummed victoriously, crossing his legs indian style and planting himself right where he was.
Hmm. Declan frowned for a moment, then shrugged, putting the plate down and tucking back into his dessert. Apparently he didn't have the hang of flirting. No surprise there. The dryad resigned himself to never being good at it. His mind just didn't work that way it seemed. Oh well. At least dessert was wonderful. Hot, melty, gooey on the inside and crisp outside. Delicious.
Poor Delcan might lose his mind with Garret in charge of his flirting. The pathfinder was in such an odd way lately. Normally, he was about as sexually charged as they came, would have literally crawled over to Dec on his hands and knees, coming to him like an obedient servant. But this past week, he just felt... dead. Like someone had killed his desire to be attracted to anyone, to want to flirt. It just seemed pointless.
Eating in silence, burning his mouth a few times but too satisfied to pace himself, the dessert was soon vanished, the pan only just starting to cool. It was delicious, and warming, which was a plus because the air was getting a chill.
Declan was about halfway through his when he noticed that Garret was done. The man had been sitting and eating in silence, obviously lost in his own thoughts. "Ye can make another if ye want," he said quietly, not wanting to break the silence if it was what Garret preferred.
He had to think a moment on if he wanted nother one. "No, I think I'm okay. Thank you, though, that was good." Blowing out a long, slow breath, Garret tipped his head back, looking up at the sky. More stars peeking out between the trees. Resting his hands on the dirt behind him, he just watched the sky, letting his thoughts wander. Thinking about what came next.
Declan nodded, finishing off his pie in silence. Garret had looked so relaxed and peaceful earlier and now he seemed troubled. He wished there was something he could do to help. Setting his plate and fork aside, Declan sighed softly. He may as well meditate while Garret was busy, lost in his thoughts. Crossing his ankles and resting his palms against the ground behind him, Dec closed his eyes, letting his mind sink into the world around him.
Garret was lost in his own world for awhile, mind frolicking from topic to topic but always coming back to the same damn issue. Idly, he looked over at Declan, coming back to the present with a furrowed brow. What was Declan doing? He watched a moment, head tilting slightly. He thought perhaps to ask, but Declan seemed so lost within himself, almost meditative. So instead of interrupting, he watched, wiping a hand on his jeans and then resting his chin on his palm.
Declan was a couple thousand miles away and yet he was right there. Mentally, he was both checking in with his home, the area he was sanctioned to protect, and he was fully aware of what Garret was doing. Dec had been feeling a twinge in his stomach the past couple days, but he couldn't place why. Maybe because he hadn't checked in with home in awhile? Things seemed to be alright, but he wasn't sure.
Coming out of his meditation, he opened his eyes to find he was being watched. Dec smiled sheepishly, blushing lightly. "Sorry. I didna mean ta ignore ye."
Watching the dryad was almost as calming as watching the fire, or the stars. He just seemed so unaffected by the world outside him, just content to be with himself, to have his own thoughts and not have troubles invading them. "It's okay," Garret assured him softly. "I guess I was ignoring you first. Besides, you looked so peaceful in your mind... I'm jealous, actually."
Declan wasn't entirely peaceful at the moment, but that wasn't something Garret needed to know. So he just put it out of his mind and smiled instead. "I'm glad ye think so. It's easy for me to feel at home out here. And that makes it all the more relaxing."
"Show me." It was probably a lot to ask, as it was such a vague request, but he didn't know how to make it clearer. He didn't know how to just be at ease, how to not worry. Garret seemed like the kind of person that never worried, played his life by ear and didn't think about how the consequences would affect him. And while yes, he did plunge headfirst into most everything, he still worried. Because everything he did seemed to fuck himself over, and maybe it wouldn't if he could take a step back and just... be.
Declan felt his heart break a little at the plea. His friend really must be having a rough time of it. If Garret ever wanted to talk it out, hopefully he knew he had a willing ear. Declan wasn't one to judge or cast stones. "Alright. I'll try."
Getting up, he moved closer. "The easiest way ta start is to lie down on your back." He had a sweatshirt nearby, so he balled it up for Garret to use as a pillow. No sense getting that lovely hair all dirty. "Arms by your side, and close yer eyes." Declan made sure to keep his voice low and mellow, soothing like the sounds going on around them. There was the creek nearby, the crackle and pop of the fire, an owl in the distance, the wind in the trees. "Don't focus on any one thing. Just listen. Here's the odd part. Tense up every part of your body you can. Then slowly release it, starting from your toes. Gradually work your way up, staying relaxed."
For the cause, Garret would have gotten the lovely hair dirty. But he was grateful that Declan was so accomodating, and willing to do this. Laying down in the dirt, wriggling until he was comfortable (or as comfortable as the ground was going to be), Garret closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. This was soothing, and calming, though he needed to open one eye to give Declan a look. "This sounds a lot like something a yoga freak ex of mine used to try on me," he said wryly, but he did close his peepers again and gave it a try, tensing his muscles. He felt ridiculous, but Declan had to know what he was doing because his feathers never looked ruffled. Things came and went, and he seemed unphased.
Declan also worked differently than a human. As a dryad, he could actually tune into what was going on around him. The best he knew to do for a human was essentially a yoga exercise, at least to teach the basic of meditation. "Don't be cute, just let it go. Listen to what's around you. Don't focus, just float in the sounds, in the colors they create."
Listen to colors... float... All of it was a little nonsensical, but at the same time it was soothing. Painting a picture with noises. Breathing in deep the scent of the forest, Garret sighed, hins fingers curling into the dust around him. There was the fire next to him, popping periodically, crackling like packing peanuts. Garret groaned at himself. Comparing nature to something industrial and chemically based was counterproductive. Okay, fire, and noises, and the cool air competing with the heat of the fire against his face. It sent a chill down his spine.
Declan was watching Garret, the expressions crossing his face. He still wasn't quite getting it. Silently, he moved so that he was sitting on his heels, Garret's head between his knees. Slowly, he reached out, stroking his fingers through Garret's hair and giving a light head massage. He worked his way down to the temples, rubbing in steady circles with his thumbs, trying to help him relax. "Easy," he soothed.
Oh, Hades, if there was anything that could relax Garret, it was rubbing his head. He wasn't even aware that if he opened his eyes he would be pleasantly between the dryad's legs. All he could feel was the soft touch on his face, and the low, soothing brogue in his ear. Purring softly, the pathfinder's shoulders slumped slightly, his fingers uncurling. "You can do that all night," he murmured.
"If it helps ye relax, I'll do it till ye sleep," Declan murmured softly. The massage seemed to be the right choice as Garret seemed to be melting into the ground, very nearly what Declan had wanted to begin with.
The thought was tempting... incredibly so. As Garret's mind melted into mush, he sighed, smiling a little. "Little tip," he said slowly, words getting harder to form because his body was going limp. "If you're ever trying t'seduce a man... this'll... mmmm........"
Definitely a good idea. Though Declan didn't think it'd work as well for seduction as Garret was trying to imply. The pathfinder was more of a puddle than an aroused being. Declan didn't know much, but he was pretty sure a puddle wasn't the end result of an attempted seduction. Good thing this wasn't one.
Puddles could often lead to seduction. Starting at the head, if Declan moved his massage downward, even just to the neck, he'd be getting a far different reaction then the one he was getting now.
After a short while, Garret felt soothed, his mind focused on the noises in the night and not on his skinny and emotionally barren problems back home. "Okay.... relaxed," he mumbled. "So what happens now?"
Declan smiled, keeping up the massage. "Ye stay that way. For as long as ye like." Gradually, he eased his hands away, settling back into his own half-meditative state to where he could relax, feel refreshed, yet answer anything Garret may like to know.
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"That's it?" It seemed too simple. Declan had looked so enlightened, so at peace. Garret just felt sleepy. But maybe that's all it took. Maybe it was as simple as just relaxing, feeling calm. He didn't feel connected to anything, though. "This doesn't seem much different than just falling asleep... except there's an owl out here and there isn't normally one in my bedroom."
"Aye, that's it. At least for humans. I can connect a bit more, being a dryad," Dec spoke quitely so as not to disturb Garret. "Given some practice, ye could probably get better and connect ta something." Declan was always more at peace when he could relax into himself.
Garret frowned. Being a human seemed to have an insurmountable number of disadvantages. They died sooner, caught every disease... He was certainly thinking about upgrading. Lloyd would like to hear it, he had always worried about Garret dying so much sooner than he would.
"So.... I just listen." It seemed simple enough. Just listen. Garret was such a city boy, and the lack of sounds was very obvious to him. But it was easy to see why people came out here to escape. It was simpler, there was less to deal with. Your problems were based on basic survival, not on relationships and work and all the stupid drama that entailed. Opening his eyes, Garret looked up at the sky, quiet for a few moments. "I wish we could see more stars," he said softly, mostly to himself so as not to disturb Declan.
Declan nodded. "Mmhmm. Just listen." He didn't think it was at all quiet. There was music to the forest. In the fall, it was a gentle melody, the world going to sleep. In spring, energetic and fun, summer was primal and fierce so much so that you could almost hear the rhythm pounding. He loved it.
Opening his eyes, Declan glanced up. Their view was mostly blocked by the canopy, though he knew that some light pollution from Danvers was still blocking out a bit of the natural beauty. Turning his gaze back to his friend, he asked, "Would ye like to move so ye can? There's a place not far from here where the sky's open."
The sound of Declan's voice startled Garret a little, making him lift his head. "Okay," he said, a few joints popping as he pulled himself upright, eventually getting to his feet. "I haven't looked at stars properly in forever." Dusting the dirt from his jeans, he waited for Declan to get to his feet, stretching his limbs.
Declan rose to his feet smoothly, fully at ease getting off the ground. Glancing over at the fire, he saw that it had died down enough for them to leave it for a few minutes. They weren't going far anyways. He'd be right back to check on it.
"Alright, let's go." Moving towards the creek, he followed a barely-there path and walked into the clearing just beside the rocky bed. Dropping his head back, he took a deep breath and released it, gazing up at the bright, twinkling lights above.
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Following Declan carefully in the dark, Garret had to smile at himself. He would never had thought himself walking through the woods in the dark for any reason other than being lost (or being chased by a bear/zombies). But now he was out here, and he was enjoying himself, and looking forward to the rest of the night.
Very rarely was Garret ever really impressed, but as he stepped out into the field and tilted his head back, like Declan was doing, a small gasp escaped past his lips. The stars were so much clearer out here, even though the city was still somewhat close and the light clouded up the sky. But this reminded Garret of his own backyard from when he was young. Moving a step closer to Declan, Garret took the other man's hand in his own, lacing their fingers.
Declan squeezed Garret's hand, not minding at all since he knew that the man was just overwhelmed with the view. He couldn't blame him. "So what do ye think?" It was nice to know that Garret was enjoying himself since it made Declan happy to know he could help.
Still quiet a moment, Garret let his eyes rove the sky, catching the few constellations he knew. "It reminds me of Fairfield," he said softly. "I'd come lay out in my backyard and watch the sky, and..." And he would think that his mom and dad were seeing the same ones, and maybe thinking of him. But now, as an adult, he was pretty sure that wasn't the case. "I used to know all the constellations, or well, all the easy ones. Orion and the seven sisters and Taurus and all."
Declan pulled his gaze from the stars to watch Garret. He seemed so happy to see them that it made the Irishman smile. "Ye can learn them again. It's all a matter of practice."
"I suppose," he agreed, wrinkling his mouth a little. "Never seem to have the time." Another moment passed, in silence, before Garret leaned his head on Declan's shoulder, eyes still skyward. "Show me," he said softly.
Declan chuckled, glancing around the sky to see what constellations were out. It was hard to find anything good. The patch open to them wasn't very large, and the light pollution made the fainter stars hard to see. But there were some. Raising his free hand, Delcan took the next several minutes to point out the patterns, making sure that Garret saw one before moving to the next.
Like a good student, Garret stayed quiet, looking wherever Declan pointed and nodding a little to indicate he understood. A few of them he remembered, and some he had never known and could only vaguely see but he made a mental note to look them up. "I wish I'd had a tutor like you when I was younger," he said softly, squeezing Declan's hand. "I might've actually wanted to learn something." He had learned quite a lot, though most of that had been just studying on his own. Tutors went through hell in Garret's house, even the ones he'd fooled around with.
He stood awhile, leaning on Declan and staying quiet, soaking in the peace. Maybe this was what meditation was supposed to accomplish. He felt centered, like he was a small part of the world but still very much in it. It was humbling and empowering. "We should maybe go back to the site," he said after awhile. "Before a bear comes and tries to steal the dishes."
Declan smiled softly at the compliment. "Now why do ye say that?" Garret was proving to be an avid learner, quick on the uptake and willing to put to use what he'd learned. Surely he was the same as a child.
"Aye, we should head back. I'll tend the fire for ye and clean up the dishes before we settle down for the night." Of course, if Garret was still hungry, there were plenty marshmallows for s'mores. He just had to search them out. Leading the way back to the camp, they arrived quickly. Declan noted everything was where it should be. Good. He knelt by the fire and started to build it back up.
"Because you're comforting." There was a way about Declan that was hard to describe. Garret was attracted to him, there was no doubt, but being around the dryad didn't make him want to (necessarily) jump his bones. He could just exist beside him, appreciate his company, and not have it turn to sex. That was a rare occurrance with the pathfinder.
With a nod, Garret followed Declan back to the campsite, surprised to find that he was actually looking forward to doing the dishes. It was better than building up the fire and failing miserably, and it also made him feel accomplished. He was contributing to his own survival, to this manly exibition. As he gathered up the plates, a sudden buzz in his pocket made him jump. His phone. How could there possibly be reception out here, he had AT&T! Sometimes he barely had reception in downtown Boston. Pulling it from his pocket, he checked the number and frowned. Mr. Hardy. Not someone he was going to hear from tonight. "So long," he told the phone, silencing the call and setting back to his work.
Declan glanced over as Garret jumped. "Something wrong?" He frowned as the man spoke to his phone and then tucked it back into his pocket. How had he managed to get service out here? Apparently he wasn't interested in whoever called, so Declan didn't pry. Instead, he built the fire back up, flooding the campsite with light and warmth to fight back the night's chill. "Now, do ye want to learn the fast way ta wash dishes or the proper way?" Of course, the dryad wasn't a fan of the "proper" human way since it used bleach and dish soap, something that would make the local flora sick, but he'd still teach it.
"No." Nothing was wrong. Everything was fine, Mal was just an ass, that was all. No big deal. Once he had everything gathered in one relatively tidy pile, he turned to Declan and mulled over his options. "The proper way is probably better, but.... the faster way is faster."
Declan sat back on his heels, resting his chin in his palm and watched Garret. He was a terrible liar, but Dec wasn't going to push. He was, however, going to wait for Garret to choose which way he wanted to do the dishes.
"I guess.... let's do it the fast way," he decided. "It'll give us more time to appreciate nature and stare at the fire and all. Besides, I really hate dishes."
Declan chuckled. "Aye, that works for me." Reaching out, he pointed to a bag bought that afternoon. "Hand me that scrubbie and the gallon of water in there." The scrubbie had environmental safe soap loaded into it and the water would be to rinse. "Open the pie irons and set them in the fire. We'll burn off any food that's on them. We'll wash the plates and utensils."
Following instruction like a good boy, he grabbed the dishes and the bag and gave them all to Declan. "Burning mess off with fire... I like it." It sounded like something Lloyd would do. Giving Declan help as he needed, and following instructions as they were given, Garret discovered that dishes didn't take nearly as long as he had anticipated, even though they didn't have running water. Maybe the trick was not getting annoyed and walking away three times before the job was over. It also could have been that Declan kept him on task. Plus, they had burned a few pieces in the fire, and that was interesting enough to keep his attention.
When all was said and done, despite how early it still was in the evening, Garret felt tired but satisfied. As Declan was putting various things away, sitting on his heels, Garret came up behind him and wrapped his arms around the dryad's waist, resting his head on the man's back. "Mmm," he hummed. "Sleepy."
Delclan was making sure that the food was locked away securely enough to not cause a problem during the night and so he was mildly surprised when Garret hugged him. He'd thought the other man was lost in his own thoughts, staring into the heart of the fire. "Tired already? So I'm guessing ye dunna want s'mores then," he teased. Oh well. They could always have them with breakfast.
"It's the fresh air. It's making me sleepy. Not t'mention, I haven't been sleeping a lot lately." Declan was comfortable, damn comfortable. Garret nuzzled against him, sighing. "This has been great. Really great. I can't thank you enough for this, Dec. You're my hero tonight and I'm totally smitten with you."
Declan was glad that he could maintain his balance easily enough, because Garret was most assuredly testing it by leaning against him. "Garret, if ye let me move, ye can get into the sleeping bag and tent ta sleep." Dec was pretty sure they'd both be uncomfortable come morning if they slept this way.
"But you're comfy," he whined playfully, chuckling a little. Still, he released his grip on Declan and stood up. "Fine, we'll do it your way."
Shaking his head, Dec stood, moving over to the fire and kicking the big logs down to the side. There wasn't any sense in leaving it burning if there wasn't going to be anyone to look at it. It also made the dryad feel safer to know that the logs would soon be coals and not the flames they were. "Go on ta bed, Garret and sleep." Declan stretched lightly, looking forward to shifting and settling his roots in rich soil again.
He was tired. Everything had been exhausting lately, and the open air and the slight chill was making Garret's old bones weary. "Mkay," he said, running his hand over his hair, mussing it up. Pausing a moment, Garret watched Declan, watched that form move. Stepping forward, he placed a gentle hand on Declan's waist and drew him close, pressing a kiss to his mouth. He held it a moment before pulling away, smiling softly. "Good night," he said softly, his thumb rubbing Declan's stomach before breaking away, heading off to his tent.
Declan was surprised at the kiss. Pleased, but surprised. He didn't think his friend had meant anything sexual by it, but more as a thank you. He caught himself before taking a step towards Garret, shaking his head. Garret would sleep just fine on his own. If Dec was needed, he'd be nearby. Stripping off his shirt, he folded it and laid it on the cooler, doing the same to his jeans and the rest of his clothes until he was bare. It felt so good to be close to home again.