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Aiden Caldwell absolutely hated heat and hot weather, and how ironic was it that Villedor could get particularly brutal during the summer? Aiden was THIS close from shedding his fabric material shell that stops him from wandering around totally in the nude. His solution to the overwhelming heat? Find the nearest lake and pray to whatever God still exists that it’s cold water and not warm.
Aiden used to hate the cold water he was forced to bathe in, especially on the road as a Pilgrim, it was hard enough finding clean enough water sources, but now in the situation he’s in? It’s a GOD SEND.
Without wasting any time, Aiden stripped down to the nude, and it wasn't like it was something uncommon, it was something Volatiles did all the time, as they never wore clothes, although they didn’t possess any sexual characteristics.
And drove right into the cold water, and to his surprise, it was much colder than he was expecting. Aiden felt his body shiver as it adjusted to the sudden change in temperature.
His hair should dry in seconds flat, with how short it was, practical and easy to take care of, he mainly just let it do what it wanted.
Aiden soaked in the cold water, submerging his body in it, the water pasting his shoulders, and letting out a deeply suppressed sigh escape his weary body. “Finally, some solace from the heat.”
A plus of the location where the lake was, Aiden could clearly see the sunset horizon in the distance while he bathed, It provided a breath of fresh air. A sense of optimism from the horrors of reality, for even just a second.
Aiden wanted to bathe for longer, but with the all familiar shrieks of Volatiles in the distance, letting all human and infected creatures alike know that the real danger just stepped out onto the scene, Aiden knew it was time to go.
Stepping out of the cold lake water, Aiden dried himself off the best he could, luckily he found some old towels and managed to dust them off the best he could.
Aiden began dressing himself again, his process of getting dressed was always complicated, his outfits ranged from practical and battle ready to ridiculous and flashy, Lawan always made sure to make fun of him for the latter.
He made the trek back through the forest, his destination: Old Villedor and headed straight for a Metro Station to travel to the Central Loop, he was surprised the metros even still worked, especially with the limited power supply, and for what reason? Just to check up on Lawan, no other reason, wasn’t like he missed her or something, he doesn't miss people, Aiden was well aware of how dangerous getting attached to others was.
Or so he talked himself into believing.
The Pilgrims were the last independent faction to ever experience any spark of romance, it didn’t come naturally. With their daily lifestyle leading them from one place to the next without stopping for long, proper romance was out of the question.
Aiden always made sure to keep his distance, to not get close to people, his self isolation and loneliness had been building by the time he arrived in Villedor to look for his sister, Mia.
Aiden walked away from Villedor with a sense of family, friends who had his back and appreciated the help he offered, something he had always been guarded about, defensive about being close to others.
Because to him, it only hurt more when they left.
And most importantly, Aiden had a consistent unnatural feeling in his chest, his stomach feeling strange, a fluttery sensation in his abdomen. He all pinpointed it to one cause: Lawan. This feeling of nervousness only ever occurred around her.
With Aiden’s complete lack of experience with romance. He had no idea if he was dying or if this was normal, he didn't even really believe in love, especially not in the situation everyone was in, romance was at the back of everyone's minds when every single day was a struggle for survival against the infected.
Aiden tried to suppress the feeling by avoiding Lawan if he could, but being the smartass she was, she caught on quick, and wouldn’t let it go so easily, and he couldn't stay away from her for long.
Arriving at the Fish Eye, Aiden greeted the barkeeper Nikolas with a quick wave, and made his way up the old creaky wooden stairs to "get some air" from the lively crowd that gathered in the bar.
Just to be alone with his thoughts for a moment.
”You’ve been avoiding me, don’t think I haven’t noticed, Aiden.”
Lawan's footsteps that he knew belonged to her struck him surprised, how did she find him so quick? she shot him a knowing glare as she reloaded her crossbow, inserting new bolts into the chamber, with Aiden attempting to play it off, in the least convincing way possible.
“Avoiding you? I would never.” Aiden kicked up his sarcasm to high heaven, just drop it Lawan, come on, don't be stubborn.
”God, you’re such a shit liar, Aiden.” Lawan couldn’t suppress her laugh, he always liked her laugh, it was warm, comforting like a campfire, like a secure safehouse and like music to his ears. All he ever wanted to hear was her laughter. Wait what?
”Lying was never my strong suit, you know that.” Aiden tapped his sneaker soles against the wooden floors of the Fish Eye Canteen upper floor, away from all the customers below them. And especially Frank, if Frank knew about this.. Oh he’d tear Aiden a new asshole, he was naturally very protective of Lawan, especially after the whole complicated situation with Hakon and all.
”Still, you think you could be any more obvious, you dork?” Lawan shoulder-checked him as she walked over to lean against the banister just by where Aiden was stood, he tried to desperately avert his eyes, don't make eye contact, don't be obvious.
”Obvious about what?” Aiden kept his expression schooled, the best he could, Lawan saw through it, because of course she did. “Are you serious? Don’t play dumb.” Lawan threw her hands up in disbelief that he’d even try to deny what she’s already figured out in world record time.
”Aiden, we haven’t known each other long, but I know when something’s bothering you. It’s written all over your face and carved in your body language.” Lawan took a seat next to him shortly after he did and the visible flinch from Aiden as her leg brushed his for a moment, told her all she needed to know.
”You’re in love with me, and you’re shit at hiding it.” Lawan made direct eye contact with him, she wasn't angry, at least that calmed his nerves, god. Why was he nervous? Despite Aiden’s attempts to look away, an attempt to avoid the conversation of how this happened, Pilgrims weren’t meant to get attached to people around them, especially not romantically.
”Fine, you caught me. What, you want a medal?” Aiden shrugged his shoulders and let them drop shortly thereafter with his natural snarky behaviour, fortunately for him, Lawan was always a fan of his sassy personality, it felt like a breath of fresh air from all the stale men left in the world, men with no backbone.
”I want you to admit it. I’m never letting you live this down.” Lawan got right up in his face, that smug smile of hers written on her face. Aiden felt his cheeks burn as the realization that if he just leaned in closer, he could kiss her so easily.
”Kiss me.” Aiden mumbled under his breath as quietly as he possibly could, to hide his inner thoughts, stop them from being said aloud, but his mouth acted before his brain did, and Lawan perked her head up in surprise, Aiden’s immediate shock and backpedaling was as SWIFT his parkour running across rooftops. “Oh shit, pretend I didn’t say that. Fuck.”
Aiden forced himself to his feet as quickly as possible, good going Aiden, you ruined it. Intent on just walking away without finishing the interaction out of embarrassment and especially shame of ruining their friendship.
”Aiden.” Lawan rose to her feet, so quick her sneakers squeaked against the wood floors and jogged to catch up to him, walking closely behind him as the truth of the matter was that he went outside of the Fish Eye for “fresh air” that's what Nikolas told her, the snitch. Lawan had always been a bold and direct person, that was especially evident in this situation.
”You want to kiss me? What’s stopping you?” Lawan felt her heartbeat in her ears as she stood a few feet from Aiden who was taking in the nighttime air into his lungs.
”The fact that I’ve never kissed anyone in my entire life?” Aiden let a small awkward chuckle escape his throat as he tried to cope with his embarrassment with humour.
”Checks out. Lucky for you, I have some experience. Not an expert by any means.” Lawan approached and stood shoulder to shoulder with the Pilgrim she’s grown to adore and respect, bumping her shoulder against his playfully.
”What?” Before Aiden could even properly ask her to elaborate, Lawan just took the initiative to make the first move, or otherwise they’d stumble over each other like clumsy deer.
Having never been kissed or even pursued romantically, outside of a hookup, that he always rejected, Aiden was as shocked as he was surprisingly over the moon and just acted on instinct as he kissed back rather passionately, he was a utter newbie when it came to this kind of thing, but he was always a quick learner, he adapted quickly that's for sure.
Holding onto Lawan’s face with a gentle and careful motion, and her surprise was evident. “I thought you said you’ve never kissed anyone before.”
”I haven’t, wasn’t lying about that. It’s just.. all instinct for me.” Aiden caught his breath, as if he had the wind knocked out of him as they stepped back and separated.
Before Lawan could get another word out, potentially to push the barriers of their newly discovered relationship, possibly more intimacy if Aiden was comfortable moving that fast, they were interrupted by Frank.
Am I interrupting something?” Frank closed the door to the Fish Eye behind him, with an almost knowing expression that Lawan was both embarrassed by and irritated because her mentor, and father figure ruined the mood.
”You aren’t.” Aiden chimed in to try and hide the clear tension between himself and Lawan, but obviously Frank wasn’t buying it, sure the guy was old, but he wasn't stupid.
”Right, kid. I may be a recovering alcoholic, but I’m not blind.” Frank crossed his arms and gave him a warning look, as if to caution him to treat Lawan right or he’d send him to a Volatile Hive with no backup or precautions and especially no UV Light.
”Busted.” Lawan laughed heavier than she ever has before, bumping her shoulder into Aiden’s. With him responding with his own nudge and a laugh, finding the situation more humorous than embarrassing.
”Shut up, Lawan.” Aiden playfully rolled his eyes at her, giggling like a total goofball, as if they were high school sweethearts that had just fallen in love.
This could be the beginning of something special for the two of them, Aiden's nerves were still shot from how EASILY Lawan figured him out, is he really that obvious?
Aiden felt like a newborn deer around her, stumbling without any balance, and yet she didn't think any less of him for that.
In fact, Lawan loved how much of a dork he was, a stubborn, reckless parkourist, but still a dork at the end of the day.