by Detergent
The fiery rainbow of fallen leaves crunched underfoot as DeKalb helped Anthony pile up the last of the deadfall they had cut up for the secluded firepit. Over the past few days, Anthony had spent a lot of his free time getting everything in order for Sören's birthday. He had borrowed garden tools to dig the pit and had walked with his friend to find stones to ring and line what he had dug over the space of an afternoon by hand. Anthony enjoyed getting dirt on his hands, working towards something he hoped would make his partner happy.
"Thank you so much for all of your help. If you hadn't given me a hand, I don't think I'd have gotten this done while the weather still held," he surveyed the little campsite with an air of extreme satisfaction.
"Hey, no problem," DeKalb put the final armload of wood in the stack, then dusted the sawdust and leaf litter off his arms. "You sure you got everything you wanted for tonight? There's still time to run to town before supper."
"I've counted over everything until I've driven myself nearly insane," the Brit assured him. And then checked the supplies once again anyway. He had a mat, several cushions, a thick blanket to sit on, and a cosy oversized throw of deep russet waffle-knit with sherpa lining on the reverse. In a cooler to the side, he had chocolate bars, graham crackers, and marshmallows. Hidden off to the opposite side were two long spear-like sticks of green wood for roasting the marshmallows. He had brought pumpkin-spice mulled cider as well. On their way out to the site up the fencerow, he had already ensured that all of his luminaries were in place to guide the way back into the little wild orchard that sat where his friends' woods began.
He nodded to himself and then noticed DeKalb watching him with a crooked smile. Anthony chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. "Eh, sorry. It's been a while since I've planned something like this and I'm a little nervous. I just want it to go without a hitch."
"Oh, I understand," the older man's lopsided smile melted into a look of empathy. "You just want Sören to like it and to be happy. I know the feeling."
Anthony reached out and patted him warmly on the back. "I know you do. Still, I mean it when I say it- Thank you for all of your help. It means a lot."
DeKalb nodded. "'S my pleasure. Since everything's in order, we'd better get back to the house. We'll be missed and I don't want to miss out on that beef stew Dara and Nicholas have going. I've been thinking about it all day," he chuckled.
"I agree. Maybe I'll let you know how dessert turns out."
-
The sun had dwindled down until it sank below the field corn, painting the sky with a cheery glow of colour when Anthony stood up from the porch swing and extended a hand to Sören. "Up you get. I've got something to show you."
Sören took Anthony's hand and his partner pulled him up until he was standing. He wobbled a bit and steadied himself against the other man's chest. He kept his hand there longer than it took to regain his balance, savouring the strength of the muscles beneath Anthony's sweater.
"C'mon," urged Anthony after a few moments, tugging him playfully, laughter colouring his voice.
"But Nicholas..." began the Icelander.
Nicholas had gathered up an armload of plates from their supper on the back porch as Maglor followed him picking up the silverware. "It is our turn for dishes," he nodded at the Eldar, who paused for a moment and waved the couple off.
"Have a wonderful evening. Shoo."
-
Anthony walked him up a grassy path and along an old wire fence. Goldenrod and many different shades of asters reached through the large, open squares of still-stout, rusty wire, forming an airy quilt of flowers and greenery. Ryegrass waved in the late evening breeze. Up ahead, Sören could see lights dotting the edge of the path. Votives burnt welcoming flames behind the glass of Ball jars. Anthony swung their clasped hands between them and when they reached the cosy little encampment with the cushions, blankets, and fire pit, he stopped and brought Sören's hand to his lips, planting a firm, warm kiss upon it.
Sören looked at the nest his partner had built and then back at Anthony, no words, it seemed, would come. He took in the cushions, the fire pit, everything. He swivelled his head again and a third time, his mouth working but no sound came out.
"All for you," Anthony's breath warmed Sören's ear, his voice a rich trickle of honey.
"Thank you," he finally managed and allowed Anthony to cuddle him onto the cushions. He pulled up the fleece-backed throw, enjoying the texture of the wool on his fingers. The wool pressed in his grasp, puffing like the cotton ball clouds that had bumbled their way across the pale blue sky earlier in the day.
"What do you have there?" he asked as Anthony wallowed down beside him.
Anthony passed him one of the roasting sticks. "I thought we'd make s'mores."
He reached into the cooler and came out with a large chocolate bar, a box of graham crackers, and a bag of large marshmallows. He opened the box of graham crackers and broke a few of the sheets in half while Sören took the bag of marshmallows, affixing one to each stick. Anthony unwrapped the chocolate bar and handed his partner a hunk of chocolate and they toasted their marshmallows, turning them over the fire until they had gone gooey and had browned to perfection.
Sören put a big piece of chocolate onto one of his gram cracker halves and used the assemblage to help pull the marshmallow off of its stick. The chocolate melted and some squished out as he put the top gram cracker on and smooshed the s'more together. When he took his first bite of dessert, the chocolate smeared all over his nose. He didn't really notice, he was busy watching Anthony leisurely consume his own dessert.
"These are sooo good!" he enthused, taking another big bite. "What a terrific idea!"
Anthony reached over and took up the mulled cider and poured a loving cup for them to share. He lifted the cup and took a swallow then passed it to Sören who had, by now, managed to get chocolate smears all over his nose and the corners of his mouth without realising. He took the cup and sipped.
"Mmmm! I've always liked pumpkin spice. It's a shame it's only in fashion in fall." He held the cup out so Anthony could have some more and then noticed how Anthony was looking at him- A mixture of humour and affection that made his handsome face extra appealing. The cup was removed from his hand and set aside.
"What?"
Anthony began to grin.
"What? Do I have a booger? What?" Sören wiped the tip of his nose with his chocolatey fingers, making the smears even worse.
"My favourite treat never goes out of fashion," Anthony's grin went wider still but his eyes lit up like embers. He leaned forward and kissed Sören on the lips and then playfully licked the chocolate from the corners of Sören's mouth. Sören reached for him and kissed him back.
After some moments, chocolate also streaked Anthony's face. They cuddled and petted until the fire had waned and Anthony had to throw more fuel on. He stirred up the fire and resumed his place under the blankets with his love. They returned to their cuddling and finished the cider.
The fire grew warmer and warmer and as it did so, a sweet lethargy overtook them. Their fire-watching melted into periods of slumber. After a while, they quietly admitted to each other that they couldn't stay awake and they felt loathe to move from their cocoon of pumpkin spice-scented blankets.
They curled up against each other, Sören secure in Anthony's embrace and fell asleep under the throw as the fire slowly turned into a pile of cherry embers.