Pads over Slickrock
<Still in Progress Story>
Pads Over Slickrock
By Conner Leo Chapter One
The rain began with the roar of the thunder. Ren was finally settled in his tent with his book and his things, ready for the weekend ahead. He was down near Moab for a three day event being hosted by three of the local cycling clubs from around Utah. He was looking forward to some time on the red rock and the rafting trip they had planned for the last day.
Ren was reading one of his favorite series while the rain fell. He heard what sounded like the last of the people outside settling in for the night. It was getting late, but he didn't need to be up early on the first day. Ren listened as the rain outside was getting worse, and lightning flashed and lit up the sky more and more often. It was a good night to read a book.
Ren just lay there in his sleeping bag reading for a while till the sound of a car pulling up to the campground drew his attention away from the book, he could see the headlights through the tent, and the sound of someone getting out. Whoever it was had a short conversation with someone in the car, but Ren couldn't make it out through the sound of the rain. Ren heard the person say thank you, followed by the closing of the car door. The car began to move and then headed away. Ren shrugged and went back to his book.
The time passed and Ren was startled by the sound of someone making noise on his tent door. Ren took a moment to pull himself together before he went to the tent door and zipped it open enough to see outside.
Outside the tent is another young man, soaked to the bone from standing in the rain. Ren just looked at him for a moment before he started to feel bad for him, the night was cold and being as soaked as he was he could cool down easily. Ren asked "Can I help you?" he said in the friendliest way he knew how. "Sorry if I am bothering you" the wet young man said "You seemed like the only one still awake. Can I climb in for a bit, there is no cover out here and it's raining like crazy" the wet young man finished. Ren sat that for just a moment thinking about it and said "Sure" He unzipped the tent and let the stranger inside.
Ren failed to realize something very critical as the wet young man climbed inside the tent. This whole time he had been reading he was naked, and was still naked for the wet young man to see. Ren realized this and quickly pulled his sleeping bag to give him some cover as the wet young man climbed into the tent.
The wet young man said "Thanks for letting me in" he smiled as if he didnt notice anything. Ren gave the wet young man a half smile back. Ren asked "What were you doing out there for so long?" he gave a puzzled look on his face as he pulled the sleeping bag over him more. The wet young man answered "I was looking the the guy I was supposed to meet down here, I looked everywhere for his tent but couldn't see it".
The wet young man was beginning to shake, so much so that Ren said "You are soaking wet and its pretty cold tonight". The wet young man nodded and replied "Yeah, but my tent and clothing and bike were with him, if he isnt here yet this is all I have got" and he motioned by lifting the sleeve of his wet shirt.
The wet young man's teeth began to chatter, Ren knew at that moment he was losing too much body heat. Ren spoke up "I have a towel here somewhere, you need to dry off before you get much colder" Ren making sure to keep the sleeping bag covering him, he moved to the side of the tent and started going through one of the three bags he had lined up.
The wet young man began to take off his wet clothing away from the sleeping bags and padding "Thanks, I feel really weird doing this, but I am getting so cold I cant feel my hands" He finished saying as he got his shirt off. The young man sat in the tent with the towel drying his upper self as Ren tried to use that moment to slip into some compression briefs.
"My name is Ren by the way" He said as he pulled the sleeping bag away, he hoped he managed to look dressed the whole time. "Kent" the wet young man said as he dried his hair. Kent pulled out a cellphone from his back pocket and began to press buttons, eventually the faint glow of the screen came on and Kent began pressing more buttons.
Ren watched as Kent pressed a few more thing and put the phone to his ear. After a few noticeable rings, someone on the other end picked up "Sam, this is Kent, Where the Hell are you!??" Kent said in a semi kind of yell. Ren sat there and listened to the conversation for a few minutes, it started out stressed and only went downhill from there before Kent finally sighed and hung up. "Bad news?" Ren asked in a sympathetic way. "Yeah" Kent said "Sam got called into the hospital even though he scheduled his time off over 6 months ago. Something about a bug and a few of the residents being sent home" Kent finished as he looked at his lap, his face empty of emotion.
"What does that mean for you?" Ren said, trying to sound understanding, but not too much so. "Well, I can't call the ride that brought me here, She is heading back to I-70 and east bound from there, she only agreed to bring me this far because I wanted to see her off. I thought once I got here things would already be set up" Kent said, he had the towel draped around his neck and one hand to his forehead.
"He said he called but I was out of range" Kent said staring at his phone once again "He said he left me a voicemail but I dont see it" Kent said with a sigh as he throw the phone next to the wet T-Shirt that was at the door of the tent. Kent cupped his face with both his hands.
Ren was feeling sorry for Kent now, even though he still had reservations about all that was happening "Any other friends here with you?" He asked. "Maybe" Kent said with a neutral face. "It looked like everyone else was asleep, and you were the only one left up. can't blame them since its already past midnight." Kent said, sounding more depressed.
Midnight?!?! Ren thought as he pulled his phone out from the pocket next to his pads, sure enough it was almost one am. Kent was starting to shake again as Ren looked up from his phone, Kent's Lips were starting to lose their color, Ren knew that was going to go hypothermic if he didn't do something soon.
"You arent looking good Kent" Ren said as he made his way back to the bag at the end of the tent "I dont mean to weirrd you out further, but you need to get out of all of your wet clothing, otherwise you may go hypothermic" Ren said as he was digging through the bag. "I have nothing else here but the clothing on my back" Kent said, still sounding depressed.
"You already told me that much." Ren said as he pulled a few things out of the bag, one of which was a blanket "I can lend you something to wear for the night if you need it, I dont have much but I would rather you not freeze to death in front of me" Ren said half sarcastic, half funny.
Kent just looked at Ren for a few moments, it was impossible to read his face, but his eyes leaked bits and pieces here and there. Kent was hurting, and something about Rens offer was bringing out that pain. "You would really help out a complete stranger in the middle of the night in the middle of the desert?" Kent said, he was partially being sarcastic, but that was just to try and mask the pain that was starting to come up from the depths.
"Yeah, I would" Ren said softly but friendly "I let you inside the tent already, so right now you are my concern" Ren said, still softly but in a matter of fact kind of sense. Kent just stared for a bit, before looking away for a moment "Thanks" Kent said in a stubborn voice, after which he began the motions to take off his pants.
As Ren noticed this he immediately turned away, which drew a small laugh from Kent. "Whats so funny?" Ren asked, a slight wobble in his voice. "For someone who would open the tent door to a stranger in the buff, you didnt seem like the shy type" Kent said, this time followed by a full laugh.
That one statement was all it took and Ren could feel a blush coming to his face, he fought it, he started to think of something, anything else that could keep his face from going bright red. Ren felt Kent move closer from behind him, Kent brushed up against his back as he grabbed something then shuffled back away from him. Ren started to feel really awkward about the whole situation, and he pulled the sleeping bag to cover himself again, this brought out another laugh from Kent. It was all Ren could do but scowl and keep his back turned for the next few moments while Kent dried himself, Ren worked at keeping a calm face, but the color of his face betrayed him.
"Its safe now" Kent said. Ren suddenly felt trapped at that moment. If he hesitated to turn around it might make the situation more awkward. He didnt know Kent, but if he turned around and Kent was naked, or taunting him. . . The scowl on Ren's face grew tighter as he took one deep breath and turned to face Kent.
Ren looked and found Kent with the blanket draped around his back and over his sides, but not closed so that Ren could clearly see that Kent had slipped into a pair of briefs from Rens bag, they werent the compression briefs that Ren had pulled out either, but a designer pair he had brought with him. At that point Ren was frozen in terror. Ren's mind was starting to race, what exactly did Kent see in Ren's bag. Ren could feel a blush coming on at just the thought of some of the things he packed. Ren could feel a panic rising in his chest. This situation was heading out of control, and he did not like where it was going.
Ren's panic faded instantly when he saw Kent's face. Kent was even more depressed then before, it made Ren wonder where all this pain could be coming from. "Everything going to be Okay?" Ren asked in a friendly way. Kent looked up and straight into Ren's eyes, he just stared into them for a moment. "Probably tomorrow" Kent said as he wrapped the blanket around himself tighter. "Probably" Ren said with a shrug, he came out from under the sleeping bag and began to maneuver around the tight space of the tent.
"Can I get you to sit on the bags for a minute?" Ren asked Kent with a motion in his hands. "Can I ask why?" Kent replied, seeming genuinely curious. "Well, firstly, Do you have friends down here for this trip?" Ren asked as he began to unzip the sleeping pad. "Yeah, I have two buddies that are my regular cycling friends during the week, but I don't know which tent is theirs" Kent said starting to sound down again. "Then onto my second question, Where are you going to sleep tonight?" Ren said having finished unzipping the sleeping bag. He was now over towards the bags pulling out 2 more pads he had bundled up at the foot of his sleeping bag.
"Are you offering?" Kent asked. Ren just looked at him with a slight scowl on his face "Well, I can't kick you out into this storm." Ren finally said. "Can't" Kent said with more curiosity. Ren was starting to get annoyed with it. "Fine, Won't. Now will you move so I can finish setting up these pads?" Ren said, trying not to be too testy with Kent, but still annoyed with him all the same. "Sorry, and thank you. Really" Kent said with some humility as he dropped the blanket and manuevered past Ren to the bags on the far side of the tent. This tent was made to sleep four. It had a nice high dome which made it feel spacious, but when two fully grown men try to move around in it at the same time all that space seemed to vanish.
Ren moved the sleeping bag over to one side to reveal a blanket he had over 2 pads of his own. He lifted the blanket up enough to slide the two new pads next to it, and then lay the blanket back down over the top. It made for one large padded surface about the size of a queen bed. "I have a question now" Kent said sounding confused. "Where is my sleeping bag? And why did you put the pads together like that?" Kent said with a curious, but playful tone of voice. He was teasing Ren, which made him more annoyed with him.
Ren fought another blush that was coming to his face, Kent was pushing all the right buttons tonight. "Sorry if this makes you uncomfortable, but I only have the only sleeping bag and the one blanket aside from the one covering the pads. We will have to share if you intend to stay warm tonight." Ren said as he finished laying out the sleeping bag and tucking it in at the foot of the pads. "Is that going to work for you?" Ren said, the annoyance was starting to show in his voice. "Sorry, Yes it will and thank you again for this." Kent said with more humility and some kindness in his words. Ren could tell that where ever that sadness had come from, there was more lurking below. Ren was sure that behind Kent's pretty boy looks, there was a battle.
Ren was curious how badly Kent's emotions were raging behind those eyes, but he was tired, and grumpy, and just wanted sleep at this point. He moved a pillow over to Kent's side of the bed and crawled under the covers of his side. "All done now, I would like to get some sleep before tomorrow." Ren said as he slid under the sleeping bag. Kent moved off the bags and crawled on all fours to the edge of the covers, making each move intentionally. Ren could tell this and just scowled at Kent before turning his head to look away. Kent's motions showed off his body and. . . features. Ren was already having a hard enough time not blushing without Kent teasing him more.
Ren could not figure out why Kent was teasing him so much for having known him for such a short time. Maybe he was just that kind of person always pushing buttons, maybe not, but in a way Ren realized that in the back of his mind he has happy, actually happy with this turn of events. He had packed those spare pads in the event that he could bring someone back to his tent. Ren with his face turned away from Kent actually began to smile.
"Are you going to be ok sleeping like this?" Ren asked, face still turned away from Kent. "Yup, this will work just fine for me." Kent said, Ren could tell that Kent was smiling while he said that, maybe Kent was just a tease. "Good, then good night and see you in the morning." Ren said as he reached up and pulled the string on the light. The whole world went dark, with only the sound of the rain and the thunder around them. The lightning had moved off into the distance now making everything seem quiet and still.
"Good night" Kent said as he shifted in bed, he was moving around quite a bit before Red asked "Everything ok?". "Everything is fine now, just getting comfy." Kent said before going silent. Ren was still nervous he realized just then. The only other sound was the rain and the breathing of the man beside him.
Ren just lay there a few moments before he realized something else. He was still wearing the compression briefs, he never wore anything while he slept, especially something as tight as compression briefs. He wiggled a bit just to feel the situation before he knew that it was no good, they would have to go if he was going to get any sleep tonight. He tried to move as slowly as he could sliding them off, making no sharp movements and moving so as not to shake the padding much, it took effort and time before he finally had them slide off and sitting near his feet. He shifted to his side so that his face was away from Kent and relaxed. listening to the sound of the rain on the tent. That sound was so melodious that he could feel himself nodding in and out of sleep.
His nerves were no match for the sound of the rain on the tent and he drifted off to sleep without much time spent.
Chapter 2
The morning sun lit the tent with a bright orange light. The same color as the dome of the the tent but it was a good color and Ren enjoyed it as he opened his eyes. He saw that the side of the tent had a thousand tiny balls of light, it was still wet from last night, and the morning sun lit each drop. Still not fully awake Ren just lay there for a moment, sitting in quiet contemplation for the day ahead. Today they were going to hit several major slickrock trails. Each one sounded like fun to Ren.
He started to shift when he felt it. In that moment Ren just lay there in a state of sudden shock, unable to shift further, and trying to keep perfectly still. There were two arms wrapped around Him, tightly. Someone was pressed up against him from behind and tightly too, it was a very close contact. Ren was in complete shock, unable to move, unable to think, and becoming more paniced by the minute.
His breathing began to quicken as the arms tightened around him further. He tried to control his breathing and was struggling to blank out his mind. It took a good minute before he was calm again, and he remembered the events of last night. The arms of Kent were wrapped around his chest, Ren put his hands on them and just lay there, He was enjoying the moment, and from the sound of the breathing of the man behind him, Kent was still asleep.
Ren sighed with relief, relaxing into the wake up spooning that he never expected. He just needed time to figure out how to move away without waking Kent up. Ren did not want Kent waking to this situation if he could avoid it. Ren wiggled ever so slightly, actually pressing into Kent harder so as to loosen his arms around Ren. It was at that instant Ren realized that slight wiggled was a mistake, what he felt next He knew turned his face bright red.
Kent must have taken off his briefs at some point last night, and his morning wood was pressing into the very worst spot on Ren's backside. Ren knew he had two choices at this point, risk waking Kent up by pulling away suddenly, or stay pressed into the other man's naked body. Ren wasnt really upset with the situation as a whole, He liked it in a way, but he knew nothing about Kent, or how he would react to waking up pressed into some stranger like this. Ren waited too long to choose. One of the arms around his chest began to slide down until it rested firmly on Ren's own morning wood. Ren started to try and move slowly away from Kent, but the arm around his chest kept him in place.
Ren wasn't sure if Kent was awake, and his panic was starting to rise again, He was now trapped within the arms of another man and Kent's hard self-one thrust away from where Ren was pretty sure Kent didn't want it to go. Ren focused, and tried to relax. There was no way of knowing where the situation would go if Kent suddenly woke up to this, and Ren could just see in his head Kent shouting at what was happening, and letting everyone else in the camp ground know what had happened in the process.
The arms around Rens chest and wood began to tighten again, and the body behind him was beginning to press harder into him. Ren instantly tightened up, feeling Kent's wood pressing harder against him, he knew if he let go, that there would be no stopping it. It was at that moment the worst possible thing happened, Ren's phone began to buss from the pocket right next him. He had set the alarm last night so as to wake him early enough to get breakfast. Ren reached out his arm for the phone, picking it up and turning it off before it buzzed too much, but in that moment of panic he had let down his guard, and in so doing let Kent in. Ren just layed there in pure terror.
He now had a sleeping stranger inside of himself, sure there were nights where he had dreams about something like this, but the reality held a fear in it that he did not really want. He was helpless in the situation now, the only way to get out was to pull away from Kent's tightly wrapped arms, and waking him up in the process. Ren tried to relax a bit, and calm himself, but to mostly relax. Kent was hard, and Ren had never topped before and was feeling to force of Kent's tip pushed inside himself. Ren controlled his breathing and finally got to the point where he could control himself, forcing himself to relax as he lay in the warm glow of the morning sun.
Ren thought in that moment how good this all felt, the whole thing was beyond his control, but he was struck by the strangest sense comfort. Ren actually wiggled a bit so that he could better feel Kent. Ren realized that he was smiling, not the best facial reaction to being essentially raped, but still, He liked the warm of Kent behind him, and the feeling of the breath on the short hairs of his back gave him goosebumps. Ren wiggled slightly again, this time drawing a response as Kent began tighten his arms again, slowly pushing deeper. Ren did his best to relax and rested there with that smile on his face and a sense of wonder as Kent slid deeper into Ren.
Ren felt Kent's back side stop as he was pressed firmly into and against him. Ren knew he truly was trapped now, and he had no idea of how this would all resolve itself, but in that moment he wanted it. He wanted to rest there like this with Kent at his back. Ren gave up the fight and simply relaxed, there was nothing he could think to do, so he was going to enjoy it before any fireworks might follow.
Ren fell asleep again with the warm and the closeness of the other man in his bed. He woke up at the feeling of Kent slowly pulling himself out, his arms no longer wrapped around Ren. Ren tried to keep quiet as Kent finished, but let out a small groan at the last motion. Ren just lay there pointed away from Kent, his breathing began to increase as his panic climbed. Ren was a terrible actor and he knew it, He decided to deal with the situation rather than run and sat up now free to do so and turned to face Kent.
Kent was sitting in the bed with his knees up to his face, staring into the sleeping bag with eyes that looked empty. Ren instantly knew that Kent was in trouble, some part of him just knew that the man sitting across from him was facing a storm inside, and he was facing it alone. Ren felt so bad that he reached out and put a hand on Kent's back. Kent didnt look up, his faced remained exactly where it was, only his eyes closed, they closed tightly, and with that one motion Kent broke down, he started crying uncontrollably. Sobbing and crying so much so that Ren could not bear it, Ren leaned over and hugged Kent's back, Kent reached and held one of Ren's arms, and sobbed. Kent was a broken man so much more than Ren knew, all he knew now was that he was here now, and he didnt want Kent to face this storm alone.
After minutes of tears the tent went quiet. The two men mearly sat in there spots, not really looking at each other. The morning sun had finally started to warm the tent enough to not need the sleeping bags for warmth.
Moments more of the silence were broken by Kent "So what happens now?" He said, his voice was too empty for this early in the morning. "What do you mean?" Ren replied, unsure of what Kent was getting at. At that reply Kent just stared at Ren, his face held a genuine confused, that annoyed Ren a bit. "I'm sorry about all this. I didn't mean for any of it to happen, not like this." Kent's voice held sorrow in it to the point Ren almost wanted to drive it out by force. "Nothing has happened so far as I know that I have been offended by" Ren said with a slight shrug, trying to act cool. "Huh" Kent said followed by a sigh. "I wondered about you last night, guess I was right." Kent said, but he said it in a way that almost crushed Ren's cool.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Ren said, trying to sound sarcastic. A small grin had found him. "It means If I had known outright I would have taken my time." Kent said with a similar grin. Ren liked the way the conversation was headed, away from the darkness and gloom of earlier. "You don't have to be all sneaky about it, you just had to ask." Ren said playfully, he didnt mean it. He would never hook up overnight like this if he had a choice. "Shall we finish then?" Kent responded playfully. "Nope, you had your chance. It is time to get dressed and get started with the day." Ren replied. Kent frowned but his eyes were much lighter than they were before. "One problem with your proposal" Kent said with a shrug "I still got nothing to wear" He held up the T-shirt he was wearing from last night, still damp from the rain.
"I have no problem with loaning you something for the day, its not that big a deal." Ren said as he moved to the bags at the end of the bedding. "Thanks" Kent said, there was a hint of the sorrow from earlier in it, but it was real. Ren wasn't sure if Kent was grateful for the loan, or the lack of pushing about everything that had happened so far.
"Are you gay?" Kent asked, he was curious which caught Ren off guard "Isnt it a little late to be asking that?" Ren said as he dug through the bags one by one. "Maybe" Kent said "You never know till you ask." He finished with what Ren could only tell was a smile in his voice. "Yes, I am gay." Ren said starting out grumpy "Thank you for asking AFTER taking the time to mate with me" He finished with sarcasm. "You know you liked it" Kent said with a tease. Ren knew that tease was his defense, his way of putting up his shields.
"It was ok, nothing grand" Ren said with a shrug as he was digging out a few things here and there, making a small mess while doing it. "I will try harder next time" Kent said playfully, this caused Ren to actually look back at him for a second. He could see that Kent had a grin on from ear to ear. "I will give you points for the optimism" Ren said before turning back to the bag, it was a gentle push but he hoped it sent the message.
Ren finally had everything for the day all pulled out and he threw a few things in Kent's direction before getting dressed himself. Ren had most of his clothing on before turning back to see Kent still naked on top of the sleeping bag. "Is something wrong?" Ren said as he began putting on his socks. "Um. . .How to put this. . .Hrmmm" Kent said as he sat there with a bit of a wiggle. "What?" Ren said, slightly impatient with Kent. Kent just stared at Ren for a moment "I didnt get to finish." Kent said as he looked down, he was blushing now, which Ren actually found kind of cute. "I dont want to put anything on until I am finished" Kent said, still not meeting Ren's eyes. So there was something that got to Kent, Ren was glad about this. Being around a tease sometimes you needed a bit of ammo to work with. "So take care of it and get dressed" Ren said as he threw Kent a sock. Kent just looked at it and blushed more.
"We are going to miss the group breakfast if we don't get moving." Ren said, he finally had his shoes on and was ready to get out of the tent if a naked Kent weren't in his way. Kent just frowned, but Ren was hungry and frustrated. This had not been the morning he was planning for and he wanted to the day to start moving past it. "I will wait for you right outside until you are done" Ren said, tired of waiting he climbed past Kent and unzipped the tent door. The cool air of the outside rushed into the warm space like a flood of water as Ren climbed out, but not before Kent coped a feel on Ren's way out. Ren scowled back into the tent as he zipped it back up and stood infront of the door, He pulled his phone out and checked various things while trying to ignore any and all noises coming from the tent.
It was a few minutes later when the tent door unzipped again, and a dressed Kent sat just inside. He was wearing a mirror of what Ren was wearing, which was his cycling uniform. He had brought 3 pairs with him for the 3 days but it looked like He would be wearing the same pair for the whole trip, that brought a small frown to Ren's face. "By any chance did you just have any regular clothing I could have borrowed?" Kent said as he wiggled a bit in the jersey. He looked out of place in it for some reason. "Sorry, but mostly its just the jerseys and the sleepwear. I only have an evening outfit for after cycling is over." Ren said with a shrug. "There should be a second pair of shoes I pulled out, you can try them on and see if they fit." Ren said as he dug the shoes out and handed them to Kent.
"I dont know if I can go out into public like this." Kent said, he started blushing again which brought a smile to Ren's face. "Why not?" Ren asked in the best teasing way he could muster. "I cycle in gym shorts and a tank top, I like to stare at the guys in the tights not be the guy in the tights." He said with a frown. "Well, until your clothing dries there isnt much more I can lend you to wear, and I would really rather not leave you alone in my tent all day. So suck it up." Ren said with a smile and a gungho attitude. Kent just frowned at him for the last comment. He wasnt upset but he still didnt like it. Kent had some socks on and tried the first shoe on, and as luck would have it, it fit. Kent finished getting dressed before he gathered up a few things from his cloths and got out of the tent.
Ren noticed that Kent had a pretty good profile going on in the shorts, not that he didnt have a good one himself but still he could not keep from looking. Kent caught that glance, and Ren knew that was trouble as Kent shifted to a pose rather than just standing there. This caused Ren to scowl a bit before he recovered and looked around at all the other cyclers out of bed and ready for the day. There were plenty of guys to look at, but Ren knew that matching with Kent he was going to draw alot of attention, this brought another scowl to his face.
"Do you see any of your friends around?" Ren asked kent motioning the group around the tables getting breakfast ready. "Not yet" Kent said as he adjusted himself before starting to walk towards the gathering. "Let me know when you do. Please" Ren said with emphasis. He could do without further surprises today.
Kent smiled at that one, adjusting himself one more time before he was ready to get the morning started. Ren just stood there a moment before he felt Kent cop another feel, He scowled at that, but there was a grin on his face too. Ren realized that he had come on this trip alone. He was here to meet people and maybe make a few new friends. He realized that even after all that had happened, he didnt feel awkward around Kent the way he did others, he felt connected to Kent somehow. He smiled at that fact. This trip was off to a start he would never forget, but so far it wasn't bad. Ren smiled at the thought before he coped a feel back and led the way to the breakfast group. Today was the beginning of his adventures and he could tell he was going to have them this trip.
Chapter 3
Breakfest was coming to an end as Ren and Kent sat alone at the end of one of the picnic tables arranged under the shade structure. Ren was slightly annoyed at the end of the meal that there had been no sign of Kent's friends. He was also slightly annoyed at how well Kent played the smooth talker with so many people around. A few groups of Ren's friends had already stopped by and were swept away by Kent's silver tongue.
"Are you sure you haven't seen anyone yet?" Ren asked, for about what could only be the tenth time so far. Ren knew that after breakfast it would be time to break off into groups and hit the trails for the day. He had hoped to crash with group of people from his local club, but with Kent still here without anyone else, it was looking like that wasn't going to happen. "Nope" Kent said with his mouth half full of toast. "I know I will see them at some point, and my buddy said he just left from home so he should be here in a few hours." Kent finished with a gulp and a half burp. Ren could tell he was quite the charmer when there was no one watching.
"When did your buddy tell you that?" Ren asked curiously, so far during breakfast the only communication he had seen Kent have was with others at the campsite. "He text-ed me as much before I got out of the tent." Kent said with a smile as he wiped his face clean. Ren was even more annoyed with the fact he didn't say anything about this until now. "So you are going to wait here for him then?" Ren asked, trying to keep the annoyance out of his voice. It was too early to be this grumpy with someone, but Kent always found a way to press all the wrong buttons.
"Maybe, depends" Kent said with a shrug and a grin. "Why?" He asked as he turned to face Ren. "I only ask because the first groups are already starting to setup for the day." Ren said as he finished with his meal. "I only have my bike here, clothing I can lend you, but the rest of the gear I don't have. What were you planning to do until your friend arrives?" Ren asked with a slight scowl climbing onto his face. Kent had a sly grin on his face, which caused the scowl on Ren's face to grow harder. "I should be able to join you if you want to buddy up with a group." Kent said as he picked up his plate and began to walk away from the table.
"And what does that mean?" Ren asked, his frustration leaked into his voice. "Just decide what you want to do, I will be along shortly." Kent said with a shrug and a laugh. Ren scowled for a moment more before he let out a sigh and left the table as well. Ren did not know why, but he knew that Kent had something going on and he would get to the bottom of it.
The morning passed into the early noon hours as Ren was at his car setting up his cycle and getting the rest of his gear checked and packed. He had decided on doing an Arches trail today which meant a lot of vertical. Ren had just finished packing a small backpack before out of the corner of his eye he saw someone approaching him. He lifted his head to look, and to his not surprise it was Kent, and he had a mountain bike to boot.
"Your car have enough room for one more?" Kent asked as he left the bike standing next to the car, a grin on his face that Ren hoped had not been there this whole time. "Where did you get a cycle from?" Ren asked as his hands tightened on his backpack. "Someone down here was nice enough to lend me the bike since I dont have mine yet." Kent smiled.
"You want me to believe that just like that someone decided to lend you a bike like that." Ren said with doubt in his tone, and it was right to be there. Kent had brought over a very nice cycle that easily cost its owner a pretty penny. Who in their right mind would lend a stranger something like that was just too much for Ren to believe. "Yup, one of the guys that sat with us earlier actually." Kent said, his grin was going wider.
Ren dropped his backpack at that statement in pure shock. "Please tell me you didn't" Ren said as he picked up the pack and put it back in the car. Ren knew who's bike he was looking at, and what its being here meant. "Didn't what?" Kent said as he sat down on the back bumper next to Ren, a brave thing to do with how angry Ren had just become.
Ren's head was swimming. His friend Joe owned that bike. Joe had been a cycling buddy with Ren for at least the past five years and Ren really liked his company. Ren also knew that Joe was one of the few people here that knew Ren was gay. When Joe and Ren would go out with others, Ren never once brought along anyone else. He made a point not to mix groups of friends in that way.
Ren liked it that way keeping his straight friends and his gay friends separate, and now with that bike sitting just a few feet away he knew that all that work had just been blown. "Tell me what you did." Ren said with anger heavy in his voice. "You tell me right now Damn it Kent or so help me god I will strip you naked myself and leave your ass here." Ren finished as he got up off the bumper and walked a few feet away. Ren was breathing heavy as he tried to control himself, his emotions were starting to get out of hand. This was the first time in years Ren found himself in such a position, and he did not like it.
"Sorry" Kent said in a very somber tone. Ren turned around to see Kent, his grin gone from his face, tears starting to well up in his eyes. Ren's heart sank at that moment. Ren took a few steps and punched a tree that stood just a few feet behind his parked car. "Damn it damn it damn it damn it" Ren said first angry but ending remorseful. Kent started to get up "Hold it." Ren said in a Firm tone, a fist still pressed tight against the tree. Ren turned to face Kent again, his face held little compared to the emotions that churned deep within.
"What did you say to Joe?" Ren asked in an empty voice, He was furious with Kent, but at the same time he was sad. It made no sense and yet there it was happening inside at this very moment. Kent just stood a few feet from the bumper, tears running down his face as he struggled to even look at Ren. Kent's knees where shaking a bit as he went back to sit. "I didn't say anything. I swear I didn't" Kent said struggling to keep his voice from trembling. "I was walking the camp and he walked up to me." Kent finished.
Ren stood there for a moment before he walked slowly to the car, staring at Kent he sat down beside him. "Then what happened?" Ren said with a softer tone. He didn't mean to snap at Kent so suddenly or harshly but there he was. "We just chatted for a bit, he asked leading questions but I mostly kept things vague. Joe saw me get out of your tent this morning. That and we are wearing matching jerseys." Kent said as he balled his hands in his lap, the tears had stopped but Kent was still noticeably shaken.
"Oh god" Ren said with a sigh and put a hand to his forehead. He slowly rubbed his temples while trying to make heads and tails of this mess. Ren knew this was his fault, all of it. He had been the one to let Kent in, He slept with him, He got friendly with him and yes his jersey and shorts and shoes matched. This whole mess He knew was his fault yet he yelled at Kent. "What a mess indeed" he thought.
Ren started to laugh, which brough Kent's face up. Ren put a hand on Kent's thigh and looked at him clean in the eyes. "God you know how to make a mess of things." Ren said as he put his arm around Kent. This brought the strangest face from Kent, not of confusion, but of wanting. "Yes I do" Kent said with a half attempt at a smile. "Sorry I snapped." Ren said as he pulled Kent close. Ren didn't know why he was doing it, he just way, it was what he wanted to do right now so he went with it.
"You are scary as hell when you do." Kent said in that half embrace. "I am." Ren said with a slight nod "And don't you forget it" Ren finished with a smile. He let go of Kent to see that he was smiling now, though his face was still red. "So about that ride. . ." Kent said with a grin, which caused Ren to bop him on the top of the head.
"Yes there is room for you. Granted you don't cause any more headaches for me before we leave." Ren said with a smile and a sly look. Ren knew he was happy to have Kent along for the day, but he would be damned if he would say it. "Cool" Kent said with a grin "Riding out to the trail then the trail on top of it is too much." He finished with a sigh and a smile. They both got up off the bumper and finished getting things ready, making sure to get Joe's bike onto the car without any damage. Getting a street bike onto a car is easy, getting a mountain bike up, a pain in the ass.
After much fussing and some blood loss, the bikes were secure on the roof of the car, and the gear was stowed in the back. All that was left was the noon meeting before everyone broke off into their groups for the first of the day's ride. Ren and Kent made their way to the group of cyclists, all gathered in a circle at one side of the camp. It was a good turn out for the trip, Ren knew there had to be at least 40 or more people here. That made it smile, the person standing next to him was bringing a scowl to his face all the same.
Kent was slowly sliding his hand down Ren's back and over his tightly wrapped behind. Ren tried to swat the hand away but his motions tended to draw attention so in the end he gave up and just tried to not look miserable. Ren tried to keep his attention on the circle. He knew about seven of the people here, a few others he had met this morning and he knew he would have more time with them at the mixer tonight.
Ren's eyes kept panning around the circle when they came to a small group of three guys together at one side. They all had matching jerseys, they were nice full suits too but that wasn't what caught Ren's gaze. He watched and watched and sure enough there was something swaying behind them. He must have been focusing too hard, when Ren's attention came back to the group he noticed that his left hand was sweaty. He shifted his hand and pure terror came to him.
"You know that staring is rude right?" Kent whispered to Ren as he smiled and help Ren's hand. "Let go" Ren said as he tried to discreetly pull his hand away, but Kent was holding fast. "Why were you staring at them?" Kent whispered, he actually tightened his grip as he said it. "Would you please let go?" Ren said as he tried to outright tug his hand from Kent's tightening grip but to no success. "Why were you staring at the Metas?" Kent whispered, this time his voice sounded serious.
That word was all it took, Ren yanked his hand from Kents. Ren turned and scowled at him but Kent's face was strangely serious, Ren didn't know what brought this all on but he had dealt with enough and walked away from the group. Ren was seriously frustrated as he left the group. All he was doing was listening and looking around and for Kent to act the way he did, and in front of everyone else too! Ren walked over to his tent and sat on a rock that was just a few feet away from it, well outside the view of the group. He cupped his hands to his face and tried to breathe.
Ren could here someone approaching, He knew who it was, but in all honesty He did not know how to deal with him right now. A hand on Ren's shoulder meant that he could not ignore him. Ren sat up and took a deep breath and turned. Kent was standing there, a serious look on his face and his arms crossed. Ren could tell that he was upset, but what did he have reason to be upset about? Ren had done nothing wrong between getting ready and going to the meeting.
Ren stood to meet that serious face "What the hell is wrong with you?" He yelled, trying to keep his voice quiet enough to not alert the whole camp ground. Kent just stood there and gazed into Ren's face. His serious expression never waned in the slightest even after being yelled at.
"I smelled it while you were at the group." Kent said, his seriousness gave way into anger. "What the fuck is that suppose to mean?" Ren said, He was angry now too, and he didn't even know why. "Your fear! I smelled it while you were staring at the Metas!" Kent was yelling now too. Ren took a step back at that word. He didn't mean to, but it happened all the same. He regretted it the moment he did, because Kent's face shifted from anger to flat out rage. "God damn it all to hell! You fear them dont you?" Kent said, his rage coming through loud and clear in his voice. It caused Ren's own anger to fade and He actually felt fear in that moment.
Ren tried to back away, but he was frozen solid in place, the sear force of the man in front of him had rendered him unable to turn, unable to move. All Ren could feel was fear. Ren stood there for a moment as he watched Kent's face. Kent was beyond anger, but it wasn't all rage. Kent's eyes glassed over and started to well up. "You fucking Douchebag!" Kent yelled at Ren as the tears ran down his face, Kent turned and started to Run, but He didn't take two steps before Ren had Him by the wrist. It was Ren's turn this time has he tightened his grip as Kent pulled with great force as he tried to pull away. Kent was pulling so hard that Ren had to swing his other arm around and grab with both hands just to keep Kent from pulling him forward.
"Let go of me!" Kent yelled, the rage and anger gone from his voice, there was sorrow there, the same sorrow that Ren had heard last night. Kent gave one massive pull, and got free of Ren, but in so doing He pulled Ren forward so hard that Ren tumbled forward onto the rock he had sat on just moment before. Ren hit the rock with a bad sound and rolled to the ground next to it, struggling to breathe. Kent did not take any more steps forward after pulling free, He turned and looked at what he had done, tears still pooring down his face.
Kent got down and leaned Ren up in one arm, Crying and looking down at Ren. Ren leaned on Kent and coughed for a bit before he was able to breathe again, and even then Ren stayed silent for a bit. Ren would not look at Kent. After a few moments more Ren started to get up, Kent helped him and Ren did not fight it. Ren wasnt entirely sure he could stand on his own right now anyways. "The sun is pretty warm right now, lets find some shade." Ren said after he finished standing. He put one arm over Kent as they walked back to the shade structure and sat at a table.
Ren sat down on one side and Kent sat down on the other. sitting across from each other but not saying a word for a while. Ren was upset. Ever since last night His whole trip had been turned upside down by a complete stranger that came into His tent and into His life. Kent just sat at the table. His tears had stopped but his face was blank.
"So where do we start?" Ren finally broke the silence at the table. His chest still hurt but he hoped that nothing was broken. "I dont know." Kent said with a sniffle as he wiped his nose with his arm. "You asked if I was afraid of Meta-Humans, didnt you?" Ren said, he tried to sound soft. He didnt need his emotions running away with him, and right now if He gave them even an inch they would and he would rage all over Kent.
Kent just sat there quiet and un-moving. His eyes were so empty it hurt to look at them. "The answer is yes, I am afraid of them. There are reasons in my past why I have this fear, but its there all the same." Ren said trying to sound sorry about it, but he didnt understand why he needed to be sorry. Kent's eyes started to well up again and tears began to roll down his face. It was as if something had wounded him so badly there was nothing that could take away the pain and the only way out was through his face. "I'm sorry if that offends you. I didn't mean for it to." Ren said as he tried to reach across the table to Kent, but Kent pulled his hands away and stared down into his lap.
"Why do you hate us?" Kent said as he sobbed. "Of all the people, why did it have to be you to say that to me now." Kent said as the tears would not stop. Ren sat the a moment feeling sorry for Kent, but he was confused as well "I dont understand what you mean? I dont hate you." Ren said with a kind tone, he meant it too which surprised him. Kent stood up suddenly, which caused Ren to jump a bit. Kent fumbled with his hands behind his back for a moment before he turned ever so slowly, turning all the way around till he pointed away from Ren.
Ren was dumb struck at what he saw. Out of the back of the clothing, between the jersey and the cycling shorts hung a furry thing that fell from Kents behind down below the table. It began to move which caused Ren to actually jump, But he remained seated as he sat and watched the thing sway right in front of his eyes. It was a dark golden tank color, which shined in the light of the day. Ren was at a loss of words, He knew that when he had seen Kent naked last night, That thing was most certainly not there.
Ren came back to his senses when he heard Kent whimpering in front of him. At that moment the strangest thing happened. Ren stood up, and slowly he began to walk around the table until he stood in front of Kent. Ren stood there for a moment before he lifted Kent's chin with his hand, Ren stared into Kents tear filled eyes a moment before he stepped forward into a tightly wrapped embrace with Kent. Kent simply sobbed into Ren's shoulder and Ren embraced him. Ren could feel his eyes starting to glass over as he fought for control of his emotions.
They stood there in that embrace for moments longer before Ren slid a hand down Kent's back and grasped at the fur. Ren ran his hand down if a few time and said "You know its really quite soft.". Kent laughed and cried at the same time at that moment, and Ren pulled him in tighter. Cycling today was a bust, but another adventure had found him none the less.
Chapter 4
Ren and Kent finished their embrace and returned to sitting at the table in the shade, sitting next to one another this time. Ren had his arm around Kent's shoulder, which hurt a bit, but not so much he couldn't handle it. "Why do you put up with me?" Kent said in a soft voice. Ren sat there a moment in thought "Its probably because I like you." Ren said with a soft smile on his face. It was a bit embarrassing to say it out loud, but it was the truth.
Kent leaned into Ren a bit "You can't both like me and hate Metas. It just wont work." Kent said softly but with a hint of happiness in his voice. Ren slid arm off of Kent's shoulder and worked his hand down Kent's back to the base of his tail. There he proceeded to stroke the tail softly "You are probably right, but thats the way I feel about things right now." Ren said. Kent just sat there and wiggled slightly "Sorry I am so much trouble." Kent replied.
Ren slightly shrugged at that "You don't really need to be sorry for anything. This trip so far hasn't gone smoothly for either of us so far." Ren said with a smile on his face. He liked how soft the tail fur was under his hand. Kent wiggled more next to Ren "You are one of the most laid back people I have ever met, you know that?" He said with a smile. "Heh, you might say that." Ren smiled and pulled the tail forward onto his lap. It was a wonderful golden color down to a few inches before the tip, where it turned a deep black.
"So, if I can ask without offending you. What are you anyhow?" Ren turned and asked Kent. "I" Kent said with a cheerful pause "Am a Cougar." He finished with his standard grin on his face. "Cougar huh" Ren said trailing off "How" Ren said unsure of how to continue "How fuzzy do you get?" He finished as a slight blush came to his face. Kent looked into Ren's eyes for a moment before smiling "The tail, my hands become more paw'ish." He said as he made strange hand gestures "My feet too. A bit of fur full body and my Ears and nose. Other than that I stay mostly human." Kent finished as he brought his face close to Ren's and brushed cheeks.
Ren blushed more at the closeness of Kent. "You know something Kent?" Ren said with a slight wobble in his voice. "What?" Kent asked in a curious tone. "These cycling shorts hide nothing." Ren finished. With that statement Kent burst out laughing, as did Ren. They had both gotten a rise out of that small close moment but for some reason Ren wasn't ashamed of it. Ren just smiled at Kent and stroked the tail a bit more "So how about you then? How do I rank to you?" Ren said with the best curious tone he could muster.
"Oh I liked you the minute I saw you naked in your tent." Kent said with a wink and a quick feel of Ren's tight behind. It caused Ren to jump a bit, but he blushed more. "Plus I could smell your desire, its an unfair advantige but I take what I can get." Kent said with his grin. "Smell?" Ren said confused but smiling. "Yeah, good senses come with the fur. I can smell your desire right now. I can hear your heartbeat and my sight isnt too bad either." Kent said with as he moved his hand up and down Ren's back.
"Seriously" Ren asked. Kent simply nodded as he moved his hand from Ren's back to his chest. "Is that why you got angry at me at the meeting?" Ren asked with slight caution in his voice. "I could smell your fear rise, and your eyes gave the rest away. Sorry about that." Kent said as he slowly moved his hand down Ren's chest. Ren gulped at the hand reaching lower and lower. "Are you normally so emotion around others?" He asked even more carefully. He knew it was a very touchy subject as the hand stopped.
"No, normally I am the wise ass and the clown." Kent said as he dropped his head slowly. "Its not just your desire that drew me in, there is something about you that I like. It makes things so hard sometimes." Kent finished with a semi-somber tone. "I haven't liked anyone in a very long time. I almost thought that I had forgotten how" Kent lifted his head just as slowly.
The mood had been lost but Still Ren smiled at Kent. He was still confused by most of what was happening, but for what ever reason he did not know why he was not afraid of Kent in the way he was afraid of the others at the meeting. Ren grabbed the still present hand on his chest, and looked at Kent "Well, I am still lost on most of this, but" He paused "I know that I am liking you, and you seem to maybe like me back." He paused again as a smile came to his face "So lets just take it how it comes. We have this whole trip ahead. I can learn more about you, you can learn more about me." Ren finished.
"And no more breakdowns." Ren added in as he drew Kent's face to his. Kent just looked deep into Ren's eyes looking for something. Ren pulled in closer as he and Kent closed their eyes. Ren gave a gentle and chaste kiss for a moment before he pulled Kent into another embrace. The kiss ended and the two pulled slightly back, but still embracing each other. Kent's smile was genuine for once. "I can live with that. Can I still sleep with you?" Kent shifted his smile to his grin. "If you want to, but no more stealth sex from now on." Ren said with his own grin. Kent pouted at that.
It was already early afternoon as the Two still sat in the shade of the camp. The first ride of the day was already underway as they sat there, waiting now instead for Kent's friend to arrive with his stuff in tow. Ren was still leaning against Kent and stroking his tail softly. The being as empty as it was gave them some time together alone. Ren was happy about this fact, but still his head was filling up with thing he wanted to ask Kent. So many questions and he had no idea where to begin. It made him scowl a bit at the thought.
"Whats wrong?" Kent asked as he sat up. "Huh, what?" Ren said as he was pulled from his thoughts. "You went all moody there, Whats wrong?" Kent asked as he turned to face Ren. His face held a hint of his grin. "Your senses make it alot harder and easier to be around, did you know that?" Ren said with a sigh and a shrug. Kent just smiled at Ren "People get used to it over time." He said with a full on grin now. "I'm sure." Ren said sarcastically "Its just there are so many questions I have, For starters I seem to be getting to know more about you, but in reality its all backwards." Ren said as he shook his head. "Now you have me confused." Kent said as he half tilted his head. The gesture made Ren smile.
"I am confusing myself really." Ren said as he put a hand to his forehead. Ren was getting frustrated, but at himself. "How about you just start, asking or telling, and we go from there?" Kent said with a smile. "Well for starters, I have slept with you, I have your tail on my lap, and we may or may not have shared our first intimate moment together, but I dont know your last name, where you live, if you have a job. It is just so messed up in my head right now." Ren said with a frown. "Awwww" Kent said in a sappy way "Are you a romantic?" He asked Ren point blank.
Ren's face started to go red as he couldn't find the words. Part of Ren was upset with Kent for pointing it out so quickly, and part of him was upset that Kent could tell. "Damn you shifters." Ren said as he pushed Kent's tail from his lap. "What is that suppose to mean?" Kent said with a sly grin. "I" Ren paused "How do I deal with you?" He asked in a confused way. "You seem to be able to tell how I am feeling, but I cant do the same to you. Its so one sided!" Ren was expressing his frustrations now.
"What are you really scared of here?" Kent leaned into Ren. Kent slid his hand into Ren's crotch, which caused Ren's face to go even more red than before. "That I like you." Ren said as he put his hand onto Kents. "That for the first time in a very long time, I like someone. You were dropped into my life and into my bed, but we don't know each other at all." Ren said and he gripped Kent's hand. Ren could fell his heartbeat in his throat now. "So what?" Kent said "If you had gotten to know me first, would you have let me in the way you had?" Kent asked "If I had been here earlier and we had chatted before bed, if you found out all about me, would that really have changed so much?" Kent finished as he leaned into Ren.
"You held strong desire for me the moment you opened the tent door, you hold even stronger desire for me right now." Kent said as he rubbed his cheek along Rens. "You probably get to know people first, then as the night goes on,you find a reason and slowly push them away." Kent said in a soft tone. Ren didn't want to hear that. Not from Kent, the truth of it hurt for some reason. The red left Ren's face as he gripped tighter onto Kent's hand. "You are not being fair."Ren said. "Screw fair." Kent replied.
"And what happens when this trip ends, if we don't even live close to each other?" Ren said quietly. "Then we have one amazing trip together." Kent said with a smile. "God you are frustrating." Ren said with a slight huff. Kent just laughed at that one. "You don't know me well enough to say that yet." Kent said with a happy face. "We will see about that." Ren said with some defiance. "If you really feel the need to try and do the whole compatibility check with me, you can, but not right now." Kent said as he leaned further into Ren.
"And why not now?" Ren asked. "Because I have been trying to get you back to your tent for the last hour now, and you keep throwing a wrench into my efforts." Kent said with a sly grin. "Oh I noticed as much. I will tell you right now, the answer is no." Ren said humorously. "Ahhhhh, why do you have to go and be like that?" Kent said as he wiggled against Ren. "When we get back to that activity, It will feel right, now is not that time." Ren said with a smile. "You are just being stingy." Kent said with a frump on his face. "I am that too." Ren said with a growing smile as he cuddled with Kent.
"Where do you live?" Kent asked. "Cedar City, and you my fuzzy cuddler?" Ren asked. "Cedar City." Kent said with a grin. "Liar" Ren said. "What?" Kent said trying to look innocent. "There aren't many of us that cycle in the group that came here from Cedar City. So all along really I have been wondering where you live." Ren said "And how do you know that I dont just cycle with others?" Kent asked slyly. "I am out on the road five days a week, I have been to all the local meet and greets for the last number of years. Yesterday was the first day I ever saw you before." Ren replied.
"I don't really have a very sound reason for it, but I just know that you aren't a local around there. Call it a gut feeling." Ren said with a smile. Kent just stared at Ren a moment, almost as if he was looking for something. "I don't live in Cedar City." Kent said "I don't really live anywhere, I move around from place to place alot." Kent finished. "But" Kent said with a noticeable pause "Because I don't live anywhere, I can live in Cedar City" He finished with a smile. "Just like that you can live near me huh?" Ren said as he looked at Kent.
"Just like that." Kent said sounding happy. "I am almost curious enough to ask how, but for some reason I really don't want to know." Ren sighed and smiled. "Don't you worry about it too much." Kent smiled "But starting after this trip I will live there, so we dont have to end with this trip alone." Kent pulled into Ren tighter. Ren was confused by all of it, but He was also happy if it turned out to be true. Ren wondered if this adventure could continue beyond here and now, but for once He was happy to just leave it be. For just this once He would live in the moment.
Chapter 5
The day continued on into the afternoon as Ren and Kent cuddled at the campsite. Ren wasn't feeling as restless about getting out and riding today as he was earlier. The camp site was still fairly empty except one or two that came back before heading out again. The sudden sound of a car pulling into the parking area caused Kent to pull away from Ren suddenly which surprised him, up until now Kent had been happy to stay close to Ren and He was curious as to why the change.
"Something up?" Ren asked as he sat up from the chair. "Sounds like Buddy is here." Kent said with a smile. "Buddy as in your friend?" Ren said slightly confused. "Yeah, his name is Buddy though." Kent said with a grin. Ren didn't feel annoyed as much by Kent's grin as he was before. "Is it just me, or do you seem eager to see him?" Ren said. It was the truth though, Kent seemed different about this person then others. "Yeah, about that, Buddy is my" Kent paused for a moment as if searching "mate. I think thats the best word for Him." Kent said with a smile.
Ren almost fell off his chair. His head went blank and his heart sank at the same time at what Kent had just said. Ren was having a hard time breathing again as he tried to stand up, his knees almost gave out as he pushed out of the chair. Kent dived in with an arm to catch Ren, and helped him to stand up. "What the fuck. . ." Ren began to say before Kent cut him off "Ok, that was the wrong word after all. He is not my boyfriend, or my husband, or a love interest at all." Kent started to say as quickly as he could, one word after another. "I need to sit down again." Ren said as his head began to swim. None of what Kent said made any sense for some reason, and the strong sense of anger was starting to build up inside Ren, He knew he needed to calm down but was losing control too quickly.
Kent helped him back down to he seat, but still stood in front of him. Ren sat there and tried his best to focus, on anything that would give him some control. "What the fuck is wrong with you?!?!" Ren yelled out, that helped a bit as he began to try and sort things out inside his head. Ren knew that Kent was annoying, but maybe there was more to it than just that. "God I am so sorry." Kent said as he tried to bow his head a bit. "I am bad with words sometimes, well, maybe bad isn't enough, but still I am so sorry." Kent finished.
"Damn it!" Ren yelled again, felling a bit better now he slowly worked at keeping is anger as cooled as he could while he worked though this "What do you mean he is your mate!?!!?" Ren didn't yell this time, but his frustration was very present. "A mate is someone you look out for, and looks out for you." Kent said "Its more of a pride term than anything else, but you didn't know that." Kent finished with more apologies. "No, I did not know that." Ren said in a fairly calm tone of voice, He was proud that he could get himself under control so well now.
Ren sat there a moment and took a few breathes as Kent stood there quietly. "You mr. fuzzy, are frustrating as hell sometimes." Ren said as he was able to stand up now. Ren just stared at Kent for a moment before he punched him in the shoulder. "What was that for?!?" Kent shifted back a bit. "That was for the rock earlier." Ren said with a smile, He moved quickly into an embrace with Kent and without much else began to Kiss Him. After a few moments Ren pulled back and stared at Kent "And what was that for?" Kent said as he swooned a bit. "I just needed to kiss you, was it bad?" Ren said with a grin of his own. "Am I not allowed to kiss you?" Ren asked with a playful yet sarcastic tone. "I don't know, Is he allowed to kiss you Kenny boy?" said an unfamiliar voice from behind Ren. "Brock!?!!" Kent said with a slight yell as he caught himself. Kent looked down suddenly and raised a hand to his head as he rubbed the bridge of his nose with two fingers "Oh shit." Kent said sounding slightly frightened.
"Kent?" Brock began to walk closer "You have been a busy kitty it seems." Brock finished as he stood a few feet from both Kent and Ren. "Brock, what are you doing here?" Kent said as he took a step into Ren and took Ren's hand. "Manners Kent" Brock said as he took a step closer. Ren was confused at this change of things, He looked at Kent, and saw some panic in him. Then something else got Ren's attention as he felt eyes on his back, He turned to look to see another Man standing not 2 feet behind him. Ren almost stumbled forward in surprise since He had not even heard the other person walk up.
"Kent, am I missing something here?" Ren asked as he stabled himself. "You and me both." Kent replied. "I would ask that you let go of my cat." Brock said, this time to Ren. There was force behind the words even though he sounded pleasant. Kent pulled Ren suddenly and was holding onto him tightly "I would say you are asking the wrong person." Kent said. Brock raised his eyebrows at that "Really now?" He said as he took another step.
"Damn it Brock, He is not pride, and you have said before you have no right to meddle in our personal lives." Kent said as he pulled Ren with him, backing away from the two other people slowly. "Enough with the power play bullshit." Kent finished. "I thought so, you really do like him. You picked the worst time possible to fall in love my cat." Brock said as he stopped moving. "Why are you here Brock?" Kent said with force this time. "You know why." Brock said, sounding serious now, deathly serious.
"Xavier has returned, He is on the move again." Brock finished as he lowered his head. Kent just stood there, motionless. His grip had tightened on Ren almost to the point of pain. "It was always just a matter of time." Kent said as he began to shake. "I am not running." Kent said like it was the stone in the hills above camp. "Then what will you do?" Brock asked. "I don't know yet." Kent said as he began to shake more. Kent looked straight at Ren, His eyes held something but Ren wasn't sure what. "But today I would like to spend with Him." Kent said as he pulled into Ren again.
"And what about us?" Brock said sounding sad. "I don't care, but until the sun goes down, stay away." Kent said as he turned and started to lead Ren away. "Harsh." Brock said in a playful being brushed off kind of way. Kent was still leading Ren to the other side of camp, there was a smaller shade structure there. Ren felt like it was not the right time to begin asking questions, so He simply followed in silence. They arrived in the shade before Kent let go of Ren's hand, Kent slowly began to walk toward a tree that was standing near, Ren noticed Kent's hand curling into a fist, and He shoulders began to shift. In one sharp movement Kent punched the tree with great force.
"Do we start talking about this now?" Ren asked dryly "Or should I wait till you bring that tree down with your fist?" Ren finished as he walked toward Kent. "Sorry" Kent said as he turned to face Ren "This is beyond fucked up." Kent said "I don't even know what to say." Kent finished as he stared at Ren. "How about who the hell were those two?" Ren asked as he moved closer to Kent, taking his and from his side and gripping it tightly.
"Two?" Kent replied. "There were eight people there." Kent said as he tried tighten his hand in Rens. "My whole pride is there on the other side of camp." Kent said. "Eight!?!?" Ren said slightly shocked. He stood there for a moment and tried to think, trying to calm down. "Ok, lets just start with the talking one and go from there." Ren said as he pulled Kent over to a picnic table to sit at. Ren and Kent sat there for a few minutes in silence, hands together but Kent would not meet Ren's eyes now.
Ren took the silence in stride and calmed himself as much as he could, He did not want to upset Kent more than he had done today already. "Brock" Kent said as he broke the silence. "He is our pride's king, our leader." Kent said still not meeting Ren's eyes.
"And this Xavier person he told you about?" Ren asked while holding Kent's hand tightly. "Xavier is a long story." Kent said sounding sad now. "If he is already on the move" Kent said with a long pause "Oh dear god I am sorry Ren, I am so so sorry." Kent sounded even more sad now, but he wasn't crying. Kent seemed caught between sorrow and something else. "What is going on Kent?" Ren said, trying not to sound troubled, but it didn't work. "All of my pack is here, all of them." Kent said. "It means Xavier knows I am here, or has sent someone to watch me." Kent said with another long pause "It means Xavier knows or will soon know I was close to you here today." Kent said with fear and sorrow in his voice.
"And this is bad?" Ren asked starting to be a bit confused. "If Xavier could smell what I feel for you, have gotten close to you" Kent's voice trailed off "There are so many things that you can pick up on scent alone." Kent said sounding fearful again. "If He finds out, He will kill you." Kent finished finally meeting Ren's eyes with what could only be called terror. "That" Ren paused "That is" he paused again as his head began to swim "That is a lot to take in at once."