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"This is not happening," Chase muttered, pacing in the small cabin that kept him and his nemesis from the snowstorm quickly brewing outside. It's getting dark, and all the blond wanted was to stay in a safe shelter to spend the night. Preferably, a safe shelter that did not involve the taller boy that is currently standing still beside him.
Buddy shot him a quick glare before rolling his eyes. "Believe me, I'm not thrilled about it either," he said drily as he tries to lie down comfortably on the small bed. Chase cringes as he realized that the bed barely had enough room for two people.
"Haha, this is just great," he grimaced. He didn't expect this story's route to take such an unfortunate turn. He's regretting giving Deacon a chance to choose the story. Nothing ever goes well whenever that nerd chooses a novel. Chase knew he always had weird and complex tastes, much to his dislike. "Take it or leave it," Deacon would say.
Because out of all the books he owned, why did he have to pick one with a natural disaster that trapped and most probably killed the heroine and the villainess together in a bleak and small unwelcoming cabin?
The silence between them continued until the blond finally felt a shudder run down his spine. Either from the chilly air that threatened to freeze them inside the cabin or the thought of having to lie in the same bed with the annoying Mall Goth if he wanted to stop shivering from the godforsaken cold.
"Do you want to die from hypothermia?" Buddy stares at him. Chase couldn't tell if he was finally concerned for him or if he was mocking him, like usual.
"Of course I don't!" he grits his teeth that chattered from each word he spoke.
"Well, it looks like you'll freeze to death soon, if you choose to stay over there, idiot."
Chase glared at him, but Buddy was right. The cold is numbing that he might actually just freeze to death. After a while, he reluctantly made his way to the unappealing bed in defeat, the wooden floor creaking beneath his feet.
It's just one night. He can do this. He can stay awake the entire night to make sure Buddy doesn't do anything suspicious until the snowstorm clears off. Yeah, no biggie. It's just a bed. A small bed. With Buddy lying down on said small bed.
"I'm not going to do anything stupid." Buddy sighed as if he can read his thoughts and pulled the covers over himself, moving to the edge of the bed. Chase was relieved that he was willing to give him space. Without a word, he settled on the soft mattress, feeling the warmth slowly creep up to him.
But he still felt cold.
He tugs on the blanket, frowning. His attempts were futile as Buddy was hoarding the whole bundle of warmth. Making it obvious that he didn't want to share.
With a frustrated grunt, Chase tugs it harder one more time. "Can you stop hogging the entire blanket? It's not even yours!"
Buddy ignored him and buried himself deeper under the covers. "Great, you're not responding. Is this how you handle conflicts? Being the avoidant type?" He scoffed and decided to edge closer to Buddy's side. He ignores the way their bodies are touching.
And ignores how his heart skipped a beat as he felt Buddy's body heat against his cold skin.
Chase cursed and punches himself mentally.
This is so not happening.
As time passes by, Chase could feel himself getting more restless by the cold and the silence. The cabin was quiet aside from his own breath that fogged through the icy air.
He risked a glance at Buddy, only to see his slim back.
"Hey," he mutters. The goth ignores him.
"Hey, I'm cold," Chase whined.
Slowly, Buddy turns to his side with a sigh. His icy blue eyes meet Chase's warm brown ones. Chase hates seeing his face this close.
"And?"
"You're a jerk, at least share your blanket or something."
"What if I don't want to?"
"You have to or I'll die from hypothermia like you said."
Buddy remained quiet and unmoving, but his gaze lingered on him, as if he was studying every inch of his face. Before Chase could complain again, Buddy brought the blanket up to the smaller boy, letting the soft material drape over the two of them.
As Buddy shifted slightly, his arm brushed against Chase's, sending a jolt of electricity through him.
Chase swallowed hard, his heart quickening its pace in his chest. They were so close that if he really examined him enough he could see his long eyelashes that made him look so attractive-
What is wrong with him?
This is his nemesis. The most annoying guy he has ever met. The guy who would do anything to stop him from getting what he wants.
He should really stop staring.
"You're so easy to read, you know that?" Buddy said. Did he just snicker at him? Chase snapped back to where he was and sees Buddy's cocky expression.
He notices the slight tint of pretty pink on his ears, and Chase wonders if he's also feeling what he feels or if it's just an effect from the cold.
"Ugh," Chase dismisses, annoyed at how his heartbeat is still racing. He doesn't want to engage in this conversation anymore.
While Chase watches bitterly, Buddy's eyes slowly drift shut, his cocky deameanor gone and replaced by a weary yet peaceful expression. Like they weren't just hit with a surging storm outside.
Like they weren't arguing over the blanket a few moments ago.
Like he doesn't mind his close proximity to Chase and letting him see him sleep like this—all vulnerable.
Chase's bitterness fades and instead, he felt a pang of softness for the other boy as he scrutinizes the tired expression etched across his face, even though he can't seem to explain why.
It's dark now. The wind outside is howling and Chase still feels so cold. But Buddy is already asleep.
He scoots closer to him, ignoring how his head is slightly touching Buddy's chin, because the blanket isn't really doing him good any more. In this awkward position, he could see the gentle rise and fall of his chest.
For once, the idiot doesn't seem so threatening and irritating.
Chase is surprised at how warm the latter feels. He wished he could embrace him. Or something. But that's out of the picture, obviously. Why would he want to embrace OR be embraced by this guy? He blames the alarming thoughts on him feeling stupidly cold and his dying need for something warm.
As he tries to calms his racing thoughts down, he soon feels a sense of peace and ease wash over him.
Whatever. This will be tomorrow Chase's problem. For now, he relishes in the soothing warmth shared between him and his nemesis.
Not too long after, he begrudgingly falls into a comfortable slumber with Buddy breathing softly by his side, both of them enveloped by the soft blanket and the gentle heat that mingled between their bodies.
Which was, to be quite honest, enough to keep the both of them warm.