The Boulder Problem – Part 2: Crash Pad

They did not wait for a proper date. The barbecue was loud and cheerful, the fire crackled, and sausages hissed on the grill, but Hugo kept catching Rafi's eye across the flames. When the others began a rowdy card game, Rafi stood and held out a hand.

"Walk?"

"Walk."

They went down the sandy path away from the campfire. The pines hissed softly in the wind. The moon rose, huge and yellow, and silvered the boulders. Under their feet the sand was cool and soft. At the edge of the clearing, Rafi dropped his crash pad on the sand.

"Is this all right?" he asked. "We can go back. Or we can sit. No pressure at all."

"I'd like to sit," said Hugo. "And more than sit."

"Good." Rafi's smile was slow and warm. "May I kiss you?"

"Please."

The kiss was gentle, chalky and slightly breathless. Hugo's hands went to Rafi's face, then his shoulders, then his hair, pulling off the yellow bandana. Rafi laughed and kissed him harder. They lay back on the crash pad under the pine canopy, the silver stars shining through the branches, and the whole forest seemed to hold its breath.

"Cold?" Rafi asked.

"No."

"Good." He pulled a blanket from his pack. "I'm very well prepared."

"I noticed. Spotter."

"Always."

They undressed slowly beneath the blanket, laughing at straps and buckles, then not laughing. Skin was warm, hands were sure. Hugo felt safe the way he never had on the rock, held up and held close and unafraid of the fall. The moon travelled slowly over the boulders. Far away the card game roared.

In the morning, the first light poured gold through the trees. Hugo woke to the smell of coffee and found Rafi in front of the boulder, tying up his shoes.

"Try it again?" asked Rafi.

"The one I couldn't do?"

"The very one."

Hugo chalked up, took a breath, reached left with the shy foot and, for the first time, stayed on.

More gay romance stories: Morning Run · Night Telescope · The Tailor's Apprentice