Work Text:
“We’re here.” Bradley’s voice paired with the gentle shaking of your shoulder, roused you from sleep. You wipe your mouth, a little embarrassed to find that you’ve drooled against the passenger side window.
“Bradley, why is it dark outside still?” You rub at your eyes, a little grumpy that he had dragged you out of your nice warm bed.
“We’re going to watch the sunrise.” He said, entirely too cheerful, as he gets out of the bronco, coming around to open your door.
“You’re kidding me.” You glare at him, and he simply smiles sweetly at you. “We’re going on a hike?” Blearily you look around the abandoned parking lot, pulling your hoodie tighter around you.
“I wouldn’t call it a hike, honey.” He says, leaning in to kiss your cheek, dodging your playful swat to his chest. “More like a gentle walk uphill.”
“Bradley,” you mutter warningly. It’s all in fun, his excitement is palpable, and you smile sleepily at him. He pulls you close for a tight hug, his large hand rubbing up and down your back soothingly. “I take care of you, answer your every whim while you’re nursing a hangover after Bob’s party, and you want to drag me up a mountain to watch the sunrise?”
He nods, pressing a kiss to the top of your head. “The first of thousands of sunrises honey. I want to watch them all with you.”
“You’re lucky you’re cute.” You mutter, taking his offered hand. You can feel the warmth radiating from his touch, even through the gloves.
There’s something to be said about the quiet pre-dawn peace. Bradley walks alongside you, and it’s so easy to just simply be with him. You had been dating for a few months, after he had come into the coffee shop you worked at a few times a day. You had left your phone number on his to-go cup and from there, it was history. He was warm, gentle, strong. Supportive in ways you’d never experienced and possessed a romantic streak that often left you flustered, overwhelmed but so grateful that you had taken the initiative to make the first move.
The air is fresh and crisp, heavy with pine and a scent that is decidedly winter. Your breath curls in pale gray exhalations, and when you look up at Bradley, his cheeks are flushed, eyes bright. He leans in, kissing your forehead, the tip of your nose, and finally a soft kiss to your mouth.
“We’re almost there.” Bradley murmurs against your lips, his mustache tickling your skin. “Come on.”
The trail is well maintained, the hardpacked dirt crackling under your feet as you walk. Heavy frost lines the edge of the trail, gradually growing heavier and heavier as you climb. By the time the two of you reach the end of the trail, there’s snow on the ground, accumulated on the foliage.
Bradley lets go of your hand, walking a bit ahead of you. The trail had evened out to a wide clearing, a heavy wooden bench at the edge of a lookout point. You can see Bradley spreading a blanket out on the bench, before he returns to you. The two of you sit on the bench, sharing a thermos of hot chocolate that he had brought up in a backpack. His arm rests on the back of the bench, and you cuddle a little closer to him, enjoying the closeness.
The horizon lightens, the deep blues of the sky giving way to soft pinks and yellows, gradually giving way to a soft shade of light blue. Tendrils of light chase away any remnants of the night, bringing with it the gentle energy of a winter morning.
“Oh,” you whisper, breathless at the beauty of the scenery being painted by the early sunlight. “Bradley, it's…”
“Beautiful.” He says. When you turn to look at him, he’s watching you, a small smile on his face.
“I’m talking about the sunrise.” You point toward the picturesque landscape before you.
“But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and you are the sun.” He offers, pressing a soft kiss to your mouth.
“I do believe Shakespeare is turning in his grave.” You kiss him again, fingers tangling in his curly hair. He deepens the kiss, his tongue sliding past your lips. Genuine, soft and so, so easy—everything with him is so easy. Conversation, the quiet, picking what to eat, falling in love with him. When you part, you’re breathless, a little unsteady. His warmth retreats a little when he settles back against the bench, keeping you close.
“It’s the thought that counts.” Bradley chuckles, taking a sip of his hot chocolate.
“The thought…” You say, “Like dragging your girlfriend out before sunrise to go for a nature walk?”
He's quiet for a few minutes, “I wanted to share the beauty I see in you.”
“Sap.” You can’t help but smile, your voice shaking a little bit. You kick at the snow at your feet, watching it scatter and swirl. An idea takes form, and you lean down under the guise of tying your boot. Instead, you gather snow in your hand, quickly forming it into a ball, getting to your feet, before tossing square at Bradley’s chest.
He blinks, his grin changing from soft to downright mischievous. “Oh really? Is this what we’re doing honey?” Bradley puts the thermos aside, leaning down to gather snow as well. His snowball splatters against your hoodie, and you gasp.
After that, it’s on, the two of you quickly forming snowballs, tossing them at each other. His laughter is bright and infectious, your face hurting from smiling so hard. Eventually you’re pressed together, shivering, soaked through, snow in his hair and mustache, and he’s carefully brushing it from your clothing.
“You mad at me?” His nose and cheeks are red, lips chattering before they’re easing over yours in a light kiss.
“Never was, just missed you in my nice warm bed.”
“Why don’t we head back, and we’ll reunite you with your nice warm bed. If you ask nice, I’ll stay with you.”
“You’re the one who got me up before sunrise. You should be asking to stay.”
“Oh honey, by the time I get you home and warmed up, you won’t want me to leave.”
/end