Chapter Text
“Seems I finally found you, mon ami ,” Jean-Paul says as he lowers himself into the small outcove he’s just discovered at the waterside. Waves crash just feet away at the shore, the water as blue as the summer sky, sparkling as they drift across crystal clean sand. Antonio sits at the back wall of the cave, chin resting on knees pulled up to his chest, his hair and hands covered in dirt.
Jean-Paul crawls in and sits next to the man, their arms brushing. It’s much cooler down below the ground and out of the sun, with the ocean’s breeze drifting inside.
“I assume you dug this yourself, mm?” He nudges his side. Antonio chuckles, inspecting his own palms.
“ Sí . It is nice and cool, and dark.”
“Claustrophobic.”
“Cozy.” He smiles sideways. “Better with company.”
That earns a laugh from Jean-Paul. He shifts, adjusts himself into a more comfortable position against the dirt wall and into Antonio’s broad flank.
“It is definitely better down here than in the sun. And there are no bitchy Americans down here either!” He chortles. Antonio tilts his head, unsure smile.
“Do you mean Sheena? She is… not so bad.”
“Ah, even you don’t like her. I hope that means no more company down in this hideout. Three is a crowd, you know.” Jean-Paul rubs his nails with his thumb, flicking away dirt. He’d rather not have to deal with the company of any other classmates right now, and he would especially dislike it if they were to find this little cove.
Black Sheep was decent- a bit of a little brat if he were being honest- a show off and scoundrel. Gray was bland like cardboard, extremely average besides his whiny voice. That weird redhead kid was creepy, no thanks . To top it off, Sheena was just a massive bitch. There were some other dull classmates but Jean-Paul cared not for them in the least.
Antonio, however, was the best there was; big and strong yet compassionate and so obliviously endearing. He appreciated nature even more so than Jean-Paul, just in his own unique way. It only took but a few days for he and Antonio to connect, like two magnets finally clicking. Call him selfish, he didn’t mind, but he wanted the man’s attention all to himself.
Antonio shifts his weight, leans slightly more towards Jean-Paul to support him.
“I did not intend for this cave to house two people in the first place.”
“Oh?”
“But I am glad you are here. I… did not really want to be alone right now.” He gazes wistfully at the ocean. “Your company is always welcome.”
“Of course it is! You couldn’t get rid of me, anyways. Say, what say we bring some cheese and wine down next time, hm? Perhaps a few candles, too, and some blankets. I will steal some of Sheena’s so we don’t have to get our own dirty,” he suggests. Antonio smiles softly.
“Ah, maybe we can bring something healthier instead? Where would we even get wine?”
“We could-“
“Steal it, of course.”
Jean-Paul elbows him. “Put our training to use, mon ami! What, scared of getting caught?”
He is shoved away playfully. Antonio’s charmingly weird laughter bounces off the walls.
“Of course not! We are an unstoppable team! I just fear the power of the cleaners, is all.”
Jean-Paul crouches as low as he can in the small space, arms raised on each side. Antonio holds up his arms defensively, yelping in shock when Jean pounces at him.
“Haha! And you are not wrong! Those two scare even me!” He exclaims.
They tussle, a mess of thick and nimble limbs twisting and turning. Jean-Paul pulls Antonio’s right arm behind his back, his legs wrapped around his stomach from above. The thicker man grunts and flips them around with his brute strength, managing to pin Jean-Paul below him. He sits atop his stomach, big hands holding down skinny wrists. They pant, face to face, half laughing half breathing.
Jean-Paul chuckles, noticing the way Antonio’s hair has somehow become dirtier. In fact, they both were covered in soil now, their beige uniforms stained with dark brown and black.
He could escape, if so desired. Antonio’s weight is heavy where it rests on his hips, thick thighs pressed into his ribs, but he has left his upper body vulnerable for attack.
As much as he is enjoying their wrestling, it is way too small in this cave. He nods his head to the side. “You win, now get off me you big lug. I’m filthy.”
Antonio shuffles to his side, dropping down into his stomach with an oomph. They lie still, lazy and aimless. Saturday means no classes, so they have the entire day to ignore their homework and chill.
Jean lifts a leg to press his foot into the ceiling, flinching when excess dirt falls directly into his eyes and mouth. He sputters, rolls to his side and swipes at his eyes. Beside him, Antonio watches in amusement.
“How do you enjoy this?” He hisses, completely undignified.
“Enjoy what?” Antonio flicks away a speck of dirt under his eye gently, the brief contact exhilarating.
“Eating dirt. Being dirty. It’s gross.”
“I don’t eat- you think it’s gross?” He sounds slightly hurt, the fingers hovering above Jean-Paul’s wrist wavering.
He scoffs- “On me, yes,” then reaches over to pat his friend’s back reassuringly. “It fits you just fine. I admire the way you constantly smell like a freshly dug grave.”
Antonio smiles, but cringes. “That’s morbid.”
“Fine, like a musty forest.”
“Eh…”
“Like a pile of dirt, then!”
Antonio grins, rough fingertips resting on Jean’s exposed wrist. They’re calloused and filthy.
“That’s okay.”
Jean-Paul clasps Antonio’s left hand between his own.
“Let us shower then, hm? We can grab dinner before the line forms if we hurry.” At the thought, their stomachs growl, causing them to grin and laugh. Antonio pushes himself up, pulling Jean-Paul out of the cave by his hand.
“Careful,” he whispers under his breath, lifting Jean effortlessly over the small cliffside.
The taller man pulls the shorter up after him, returning the favor from earlier by brushing dirt off his cheek once they’re both standing. Antonio shies away from the touch, cheeks dusted with blush under a layer of dirt. His eyes are trained on the ground.
“L-Let us go,” he says, itching his cheek and pushing past.
Jean-Paul follows, head filled with fireworks.