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“Remind me why we’re doing this again?” Steve grunted, pushing the folded-up tent into the boot of Dot’s car.
Dot lightly placed a hand on the other man’s shoulder, indicating for him to move out of the way. He wiggled the tent bag, sliding it into the boot almost effortlessly. “It’ll be fun. Besides, you were the one who said we needed a holiday.”
“I meant a hotel or something. Like a relaxing weekend away. Not lying in a muddy field in the freezing cold. You know how my back gets in the cold, Dot.”
“Poor you.” Dot pouted, feigning sympathy. “Grab the rest of the bags, would you?”
Steve huffed, making his way back up the steps into the flat. When Dot said he had a surprise for him, this wasn’t quite what he had envisioned. A nice meal, a fancy hotel, a small romantic weekend, before returning to work on Monday. If he wanted to rough it, he would have just met Kate in an underpass somewhere. He grabbed the cool bag from the kitchen counter and picked up the cooking equipment. Despite Dot’s impressive culinary skills, Steve wasn’t sure that even he could make something edible on a camping stove. He descended the stairs two at a time, heading back to the car.
“Sure we have enough stuff?” Steve asked sarcastically, raising his eyebrows at the bags on the seats, piled to the roof.
“Can never be too prepared, Arnott.” Dot kissed him on the forehead. “Besides, this is all for your benefit. I’d be happy with a sleeping bag and a book, but I reckoned you’d need some home comforts.” He grabbed the keys from Steve’s back pocket. “Get in, I’ll lock up.”
Steve obliged, shifting the bags piled up in the footwell so he could squeeze his legs in. He peeked inside one, and it seemed to be filled with blankets. At least they wouldn’t freeze to death, which was some small comfort.
The driver’s door swung open, as Dot contorted his lanky frame into the seat. He fumbled with the lever under the seat, trying to push it back, which the bags made impossible.
Steve silenced a laugh, and looked out of the window so as not to meet Dot’s glaring eyes, which he could feel boring a hole into the back of his head.
“Somethin’ funny?”
“No, not at all. You don’t look too comfortable, that’s all.” Steve turned to him, and saw that he had given up, resigned to being slightly squashed.
“Well, we can’t all be shortarses can we?” Dot smiled, clearly more amused by himself than he should be. “Shall we get going?”
Steve sighed, nodding. “Not too late to get a hotel, y’know?”
Dot placed a hand on Steve’s thigh, and smiled softly. “No chance.” He started up the car, and pulled off.
They drove for a little while, Dot concentrating on the road and occasionally swearing at the satnav when he thought he knew the route better, while Steve fidgeted in the passenger seat, nudging the bags with his knees to give himself more room.
“So why camping?” Steve asked.
“I went a couple of times as a kid. Really liked it, but we stopped going after a while.” Dot paused to change lanes. “It’s just fun, especially when you’re young. The stories, sitting round the fire, listening to the rain on the tent. Peaceful.” There was a hint of sadness to his voice, and Steve stroked the back of Dot’s hand, resting on the gear stick.
“My parents were more of the “nice hotel and a buffet breakfast” types. I don’t think they would have entertained the idea of camping.” Steve chuckled. “You’ll have to show me how it’s done, yeah?”
Dot laughed gently. “Can’t wait to see you try and pitch the tent.”
“I’m sure I know a thing or two about pitching a tent.” Steve raised his eyebrows suggestively, as Dot turned to look at him, mock exasperation plastered across his face.
“Dirty bastard. Keep that up and I’ll drop you at the next service station and go by myself.” Dot grinned.
“Great, that was the plan all along. Piss you off enough until you call the whole thing off.”
A glint flashed across Dot’s eyes, as he took his eyes off the road for a second, his hand moving to Steve’s knee. “I have a proposition.”
Steve sighed. “What?”
“We do make a stop at the next service station. But... I take you into the bathroom and fuck you.”
Steve blushed, hands gripping tightly at the handle of one of the bags at his feet.
“Make you take it, but you have to be quiet. Don’t want anyone hearing, do we? Think that’ll make you less grumpy?” Dot’s fingers traced up the inside of Steve’s thigh, eyes fixed on the road now. Probably a good thing, Steve thought. If Dot actually looked at him, he might agree to it.
“You’re not goading me into getting fucked in a service station bathroom, just so you can get me to come camping with you.”
“Fine.” Dot sighed. He kept his hand on Steve’s thigh, the warmth comforting beneath his splayed fingers. “In all seriousness though, we do need to stop. I need the loo.”
“You’re joking?” Steve raised his eyebrows. “We’ve only been driving for half an hour.”
“My car, my rules. We’re stopping.”
Steve sighed. “You’re a shit, you know that?”
Dot indicated left, pulling off the motorway onto a slip road. He parked up, and turned off the engine.
“Go on then.” He gestures towards the building.
“Sure I can’t tempt you?” Dot flirted.
Steve looked at him, and couldn’t quite tell if he was joking or not. Part of him wanted to take him up on the offer.
“We’re already late.” He sighed, reaching into the glove box for his wallet and pulling out his card. “Grab us some coffees?”
Dot rolled his eyes, taking the card and kissing him softly. “Your loss.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Steve smiled. “Don’t be too long, we’re on a timeframe.”
“Now who’s gettin’ worried? Thought you didn’t want to come in the first place.”
“Already here now, aren’t I? Hurry up.” Steve teased, as Dot left the car, making his way into the service station.
In the fifteen minutes it took Dot to return, Steve had rifled through the bags, curiosity getting the better of him.
“Why do you have three books? And a pack of cards?” He asked, as Dot swung the door open, handing him both coffees.
“Always be prepared. Thought we might need something to kill the time.” He sat down, taking his drink back off Steve.
“You could always talk to me.”
“Needed to prepare for the possibility you’d be a bit of a shit.” Dot grinned.
“Fuck you.” Steve smiled, kissing his cheek. “Come on, we should get going.”
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Dot couldn’t have said when Steve actually fell asleep. He was quiet anyway, and he couldn’t tell whether he was actually annoyed about going camping. He hoped that it was partly for the sake of winding him up. He wanted the weekend to be nice, to make it all about them. Money was a little tight after moving in together, so this seemed like the budget friendly option, although the amount of money he had spent on the tent and equipment couldn’t exactly be classed as “budget-friendly”. They had arrived at the campsite about twenty minutes earlier, but Dot was hesitant to wake him up. He had considered getting a headstart on putting the tent up, but he didn’t want to disturb him with the noise. Besides, it was probably easier with two.
Steve stirred in the passenger seat, rubbing his eyes, wincing slightly as he adjusted his back.
“Finally with us?” Dot asked, running a hand through Steve’s hair.
“Piss off.” He replied groggily. “What time is it?”
“About half two. Still plenty of light in the day if we want to get on?”
Steve nodded, closing his eyes again. “Five minutes.”
Dot squeezed his knee gently, and got out of the car. He made his way to the boot, popping it open and manoeuvering the tent out. He placed it by the side of the car and began to search for the rest of the components.
Hands slid around his waist, clasping together on his stomach, and a soft kiss was placed on the back of his neck. “Need any help?” Steve asked.
Dot straightened up, turning round in Steve’s embrace, wrapping his arms around his shoulders. “Could you look for the tarp and tent pegs while I connect the tent poles?”
Steve nodded, untangling himself. “What does it look like?”
“Small bag and a big sheet of plastic.” Dot called over his shoulder, unzipping the bag. “Should be somewhere at the front.”
Steve rifled through the boot, producing the tarp, and handing it to Dot, who laid it out on the ground. He placed the tent flat on the ground and turned his attention to the poles, making light work of assembling them. “Come round this side?”
Steve complied, kneeling down. “What do you need me to do?”
“See this hole here?” Dot pointed. “Just keep an eye on that for me.” He grabbed one of the poles and fed it in. “Just keep pushing the pole through and I’ll get it from the other side.”
Dot made his way to the other side of the tent, as Steve guided the pole through the fabric. He could tell that he was getting frustrated, as the material bunched around the metal.
“Do you want me to do it?” Dot asked, more for Steve’s sake than his.
“It’s fine, I can do it.” Steve said determinedly. “Besides, if you do it for me I won’t learn how to.”
“What, for the next time you come camping with me?” Dot smirked.
“No promises.” Steve didn’t take his eyes off the task at hand, finally threading it through so Dot could get the other end.
“Right, just three more.”
“Three?” Steve sighed.
“Or you could just sit there lookin’ pretty. You’re usually happy to let me do all the work.”
“Don’t call me pretty, you twat.” Steve grabbed another pole, smacking him lightly with the end of it.
Surprisingly, the rest of the tent went up with minimal bickering. Steve had only hit Dot once, and to be fair, he had deserved it, he was being a twat. They dragged the sleeping bags and blankets inside, and Steve flopped on top of the pile.
“That you done then?”
“Yep. I think I’ve done more than enough for one day.” Steve yawned.
“Still got to blow up the mattress.” Dot looked at the bag in the corner of the tent. “If it wasn’t for your back, eh?”
“You’re really blaming me for getting thrown down the stairs? Nice one.” Steve rolled his eyes, pulling Dot down to lie with him on the pile of blankets. “Leave it a bit, yeah?” He lifted up one of Dot’s arms, nestling in under his shoulder.
Dot sighed, pretending to be annoyed, but letting Steve’s weight settle on him. He wrapped his arms around him, and closed his eyes, just for a second. He knew that they needed to finish setting everything else up, a task which would take double the time because he knew Steve would whine about it. Sometimes he wondered how they ever worked together, despite being eternally grateful that they did. That was one of the reasons it had taken them so long to finally move in together. They would have had to disclose their relationship at work, and neither of them particularly felt like explaining how it came to be, especially as it was tricky to pin down. Something just clicked one day, and suddenly the man who wound him up everyday was the man Dot could see himself spending the rest of his life with. Not that he had told him that yet.
“You’re thinking.” Steve interrupted his train of thought.
“No shit.”
“You get quiet when you’re thinking about something serious. What is it?” Steve tilted his head up to look at Dot.
“Nothin’, really. Just thinking about how we need to finish getting everything sorted.” Dot took Steve’s hand, rubbing his palm with his thumb. He would tell him one day.
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The rest of the day went by a little too quickly for Dot’s liking, and he was conscious that they would need to leave tomorrow afternoon to be back in time for work on Monday. It was nice, just the two of them, and he was almost dreading going back. They had to disclose their relationship to Hastings in order to move in together, so the stolen glances and sneaking off to a quiet cupboard or bathroom together were more likely to be noticed now. At least here they could just be themselves for a little while.
He clicked the camping stove on, and to his surprise it lit on the first try. Steve had insisted he do it outside, because he didn’t want the tent to catch fire, which seemed sensible. It was raining though, so Dot tucked the umbrella into the crook of his neck, trying to keep himself and the stove dry, while he emptied the pre-made chilli into the pan. He reckoned that Steve would have been fine with a sandwich and a packet of crisps, but the idea of a cold tea was practically offensive.
“Steve?” Dot called into the tent. “Could you grab the cutlery from the bag?”
There was a small grumble from inside, and it was clear that he had fallen asleep again. Dot had never known someone to nap so much, but he did admire how he could switch off so easily.
“Are you awake?” He asked, knowing the answer.
“Yeah.” The voice that replied was decidedly not entirely conscious.
“Okay then.” Dot smiled to himself. He could rest a little while longer. He stirred the pot, satisfied that it was warmed through enough, and switched off the stove. Making as little noise as possible, he produced two bowls and spoons from the bag, placing them on the table. He dished up the food, putting the pot back on the table outside the tent.
He made his way to the bedroom, where Steve was sprawled out on the mattress, book half open on the pillow next to his head. Dot knelt down next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“Steve.” He whispered, shaking him gently. He placed a soft kiss on his cheek, then the tip of his nose. “Wake up.”
Steve groaned, screwing up his eyes.
“Dinner’s ready, come on.”
Steve sat up, eyes still closed, and leaned forward into Dot’s chest. “Do I have to?” He mumbled.
“It’ll go cold.” Dot stroked the back of his head. “Come on.”
He took one of Steve’s hands in his, standing up. Steve opened his eyes, blinking dramatically, before pulling himself up.
“Did you make chilli?” He asked, voice still full of sleep.
“Tried and tested recipe. Sit.” Dot gestured to the table.
Steve did so, and Dot pushed a bowl across the table towards him.
“Thanks.” Steve smiled, before eating a spoonful.
Dot smiled back, as they ate in silence for a while, listening to the rain patter on the canvas.
“I can see why you like it.” Steve said quietly. “It is peaceful.”
Dot hummed in response, finishing his mouthful before speaking.
“This is nice. Us, I mean. Just the two of us.”
Steve reached out across the table, grabbing his hand. “Yeah, it is.” He smiled, and kissed Dot’s fingertips.
“I know I don’t say it much, but I’m really glad I met you.” Dot looked at him, vulnerable.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to say it.” Steve smiled, absentmindedly playing with Dot’s long fingers. “I know.”
“I want to though, it’s important. You’re important.” His expression softened, although it was still nervous. “I guess what I’m tryin’ to say is that I can’t really imagine life without you, and I don’t want to imagine a future without you either. Just don’t wanna scare you off.”
Steve laughed lightly. “We just moved in together Dot, I’m not going anywhere.” He sighed. “Come here.”
Dot uncrossed his legs, shuffling round to the other side of the table, allowing Steve to wrap his arms around him.
“I love you.” He whispered into Dot’s hair. “You’re not going to scare me off, okay?”
Dot nodded, closing his eyes, letting himself feel small in Steve’s embrace. He had never let himself be this vulnerable around anyone else before, and he didn’t want to.
“I’m taking us out for breakfast tomorrow though, the tent stinks of chilli.” Steve laughed. “And I want a fry up.”
Dot grinned into Steve’s chest. “I can make you a fry up, y’know.”
“Relax, you’re on holiday. Let someone else cook for you.” Steve leaned back against the flimsy wall of the tent, not caring if his back got wet.
Dot mumbled in protest, wrapping an arm around Steve’s waist, as they listened to the rain falling heavier outside.