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Looking up at the trees, Ghost let out a contemplative hum before it broke off into a surprised noise as a leaf broke off a branch and landed directly on his face. He heard a small chuckle before the leaf was removed and Theo’s face was in front of his.
“I know you like researching but was that a new technique?” Theo teased, twirling the leaf in between two of his fingers. He grinned widely when Ghost pouted up at him. “You’ve got that look in your eyes, Sunshine. That one you get when you get super interested in something and want to take an entire day to study it.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Ghost muttered, quickly looking away before he had to stare up at Theo’s teasing grin any longer. Even as he was trying to push past the other, he knew he was going to get pulled back and didn’t fight it as he was grabbed. Sighing heavily, he tipped his head back to look up at Theo with a frown. “What now?”
“You want to study the leaves right? Go for it.” Theo murmured, smiling softly down at him before dipping his head further to brush his lips against Ghost’s forehead lightly. “They’re really pretty aren’t they?” He asked as he pulled his head back to gaze around them at the multiple shades of reds and oranges with splotches of green still clinging around. “This time of year is always so damn pretty with all the leaves changing color. Unfortunately also means that winter will be coming soon and that is less fun. You also get incredibly old during winter which I didn’t think was possible. Your feet get FRIGID.” He turned to look down at the other again with a teasing grin, quickly backing away as Ghost balled a fist and looked ready to strike. “But this is why we share a beeeeed. So you don’t get cold anymore.”
“You are the worst.” Ghost huffed, willing the heat in his cheeks to go away as he turned around to start walking away. He snatched up his bag and shouldered it quickly, ignoring the quiet laughter behind him. “Hurry up. We need to keep moving. It’s getting darker earlier.”
“And colder!”
Rolling his eyes, Ghost shook his head and just started walking up the path without checking if Theo was following him. It wasn’t even ten seconds later when he felt the gentle presence of the other next to him anyway. And the silence lasted another five before Theo started speaking again.
“Have you...never seen the leaves change color?” Theo asked gently, eyes glancing over towards where Ghost was and noticed the other’s eyes were jumping from tree to tree in a way that he could only describe as childlike wonder. He was going to take back his question when he heard Ghost sigh. “So-”
“No, I haven’t. You are very aware that I didn’t ever step outside of the guild before you joined.” Ghost said quietly. “The most I really ever saw was the tree outside my bedroom window.”
“Isn’t that a pine tree?”
“Yes.”
“Those don’t change color.”
“I’m well aware of that.”
“So you really haven’t seen all of this.”
There was a beat of silence before Ghost finally nodded. “No, I really haven’t.” He was quiet for another moment before quietly adding “It’s really pretty.”
Theo, surprised to hear Ghost speaking in an almost shy tone, smiled and slipped closer to him, slinging an arm around his shoulders loosely. “We could take a detour and camp a few days to watch the leaves.”
“Not if we want to keep time and make it to the next town before we lose our lead.” Ghost muttered, sounding almost dejected about it. A startled noise was ripped out of him as Theo pulled him to a stop and spun him around to face him. “What is it?”
“We can camp for a few days.” Theo said seriously, his expression oddly stern. “I want you to have fun.”
“I can’t imagine watching leaves is considered fun, Theo. I’ll just grab a few and press them into a book to kee-THEO” Ghost was interrupted as Theo started pulling him off the path gently. “We are never going to get to the next town if you keep us from going anywhere!”
“Exactly! Let’s just stay here! Even just for one more night.” Theo said easily, twirling them around to face him with a wide grin. “Whatddya say?”
Ghost tried to look annoyed but he could feel the expression slipping away faster than he could hold it and he sighed in defeat, a small smile breaking through. He heard the amused noise from Theo and he smacked his chest gently. “You’re turning me into someone who actually enjoys the outdoors, Theodas.” He murmured, leaning up to press a gentle kiss to the corner of his mouth before pulling away.
Theo only grinned, letting go of Ghost as he felt him pull away. “Hey, I’ll take that as a compliment. I got you <i>outside</i>!” He was grinning again as he watched Ghost excitedly run from tree to tree and pull off various leaves to carefully press them inside his journal. “Let’s find a spot to set up for the night.” He got a vague hand gesture in his direction and he rolled his eyes in amusement, settling for trailing after the other as he casually searched for a safe spot for them for the night.
Ghost seemed to settle down from his excitement a good two hours later, coming to sit next to Theo who was propped up against a tree comfortably after setting up their tent, and leaned against him. He got a questioning hum from Theo and he simply slipped an arm around Theo’s waist gently. “Thank you.”
“For what?” Theo murmured, adjusting so he could put his arm around Ghost’s shoulders.
“Making me do this. I’m glad.”
There was a beat of silence before Theo smiled wide and tipped his head to the side to kiss the top of Ghost’s head. “Is this the okay to get you to do things more often then?”
Chuckling softly, Ghost carefully moved his head to look up at the other. “Absolutely not.”
Theo let his own chuckle as he pulled Ghost in close. “I accept that challenge.” He murmured, grinning when he heard the soft laughter from the other against his side.