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It was an hour before midnight. Qiu Lin was still in their hideout, legs dangling out the entrance and ignoring the goodnight texts they received from their parents.
It wasn't often that Autumn slept in their hideout, but it was a Friday and they were feeling particularly irritable that day. As long as it was the weekend and free of rain, their parents would leave them alone for the night.
Qiu smacked their legs together as they stared up at the roof of their hideout. They heard the sound of a door opening, only lifting their head slightly to check if it was one of their parents.
After seeing that the noise wasn't from their house, they sat up and looked towards your house. They were able to spot you thanks to the light next to your back door. You were still in your pajamas, but you had put on shoes, a coat, and earmuffs. In one arm, you were holding what looked like a bundle of blankets and a pillow. In the other arm, you were balancing a tote bag while holding a flashlight.
Not aware of their presence, Qiu watched you close the door quietly with an elbow. You scrunched your face as you readjusted, clicking the flashlight on and speedwalking towards the forest in your backyard.
Autumn had jumped from their hideout, moving with more speed and energy than typical. It was likely due to your earmuffs that you didn't hear them following you. They maintained some distance while trying to keep up as you started to run deeper into the woods. It was a lucky thing that flashlight stayed on because they would've lost track of you easily without it.
-----
You instinctively knew the way to your secret forest shelter, but still using a flashlight was smart for a nighttime trip. You had your phone in the bag with you too, but you were saving power for the alarm you set.
It was a cold night but thankfully not rainy. You had an argument with Ma over dinner and had waited to hear that she had fallen asleep before sneaking out, gathering your supplies as you listened for snoring.
You finally approached your shelter after a few minutes of running. You were glad that all the sticks, moss, and leaves were still in place, though you still had to put your supplies in suitable places. You removed the sticks blocking the entrance and crawled inside, putting down the tote bag and still turned on flashlight. There was plenty of room in the visible dirt to put down your sleeping bag, extra blanket, and pillow.
You pulled off your earmuffs and put them in the tote bag, trading those for your phone. You put it on the pillow and crawled to the entrance, reaching towards the pile of sticks you removed before you looked up and jumped.
-----
Qiu Lin was looking down at you, hands in their pockets and a confused expression on their face. You stared back at them, still inside your shelter on your hands and knees.
"Uh...hi, Autumn. Fancy seeing you here."
They snorted, shifting a little while kicking into the dirt. They lowered themselves onto their knees, leaning forward a bit to get a better look at your face.
"Hi. I was in my hideout when I heard you come out. I guess you couldn't hear me following you this whole time."
They smirked while you smiled and looked away, embarrassed. Maybe wearing your favorite earmuffs wasn't the best decision for stealth, though you didn't mind the unexpected company.
"I--" you stopped, coughing. "I had a fight with Ma. She's sleeping, but I wanted to not be in the same house...you probably understand."
"Yeah."
You both nodded, feeling a bit awkward.
"But..."
"Hm?"
"I wouldn't mind hanging out with you for a bit. Unless you just wanted the opportunity to discover my hideout, as payback!"
That got some chuckles from Qiu. They started to crawling towards you, and you shifted to the side to let them in. They moved to properly sit and you did the same, watching as they looked around your little space.
There were kid-sized binoculars, a few toys, and containers with craft supplies left over from your childhood, tucked away in the shelter's corners. Qiu could probably recognize some of those things.
"I haven't been out here in a while." You clarified. "I probably need to renovate the place."
They didn't respond, though they turned to look at you.
"I set an alarm for the early morning on my phone, so I can return home before Ma wakes up." You pick up your phone and wave it. "I dunno if you care to stay here or go back, but..." You trail off, waiting for them to give an answer to the implied question.
Autumn stares at you for a bit, not saying anything as you wait. You feel a bit ashamed for being so bold, but also annoyed. Can't they hurry up and answer so you could sleep?!
You're about to give them some snark when they finally respond.
"You don't mind?"
You don't expect that but you're quick to reply.
"Not at all!"
You immediately move to block the entrance, fully set on going to sleep now with your friend (and crush) as an unexpected guest.
-----
When you turn back to face Qiu, you suddenly smack your forehead.
"Ugh, crap, I only brought one sleeping bag."
"That's okay--"
"No, it's--wait! You can take the blanket." You grab the blanket and toss it to them. They're surprised but catch it with both hands. You hurridly rearrange your stuff again.
"ACK!"
"Wha--?"
"Only one pillow, god damn--!" You close your eyes, taking a deep breath before looking at Qiu. They have an eyebrow raised, looking a little freaked out by your small outburst.
"Sorry. I'm really glad to have you here." You smile, relaxing your face. "I just want you to be comfortable. I'll let you have the pillow."
You grab the pillow to throw at them, though they hold out their hands and shake their head.
"No, stop, it's--"
You throw the pillow anyways.
It hits them right in the face, landing in their lap as they scrunch their face and glare at you. You cover your mouth, stifling giggles.
Qiu blinks in silence before pushing the pillow and blanket off their lap.
"I'm going back, bye."
"NOOOO! Autumn!" You leapt forward and grabbed them. "Please stay! I'll stop fussing over dumb shit, I swear!"
They stopped, and you realized you were basically hugging them from behind. You pulled away and they turned back around, giving you an unimpressed look. They sigh.
"Alright, fine."
You grin.
-----
You slip off your shoes and settle in your sleeping bag as Qiu wraps the extra blanket around themself. You both agreed to share the pillow and you hoped they couldn't tell how flustered you felt.
The flashlight was turned off and left on the ground, and you kept your phone in your coat pocket. The tote bag you brought had two water bottles, a few granola bars, a small bag of chips, and one box of band-aids. You let Qiu know they could help themself to anything, though you guessed they only cared about getting some sleep like you did.
"Night, Qiu." You say, snuggling into your bag. "I'll wake you up so we can head back together, okay?"
"Cool. Goodnight."
They don't see you roll your eyes affectionately before closing them and settling into a supine position.
You hear Autumn breath next to you as you start to drift off.
It could've been a few minutes later or an hour, but as you feel close to deep sleep you feel lips brush against your temple. You don't even acknowledge it at first, though as soon as you realize what happened you open your eyes and turn your head to the right.
As your eyes adjust, you notice Qiu looking at you. From what you can make out in the dark, they look a bit ashamed.
"Sorry, that was weird..." They whispered, shifting a little in place. You turn on your side completely, getting closer to them.
"I didn't expect you of all people to give goodnight kisses." You tease. "I would've expected that from Tamarack instead."
The mention of your other neighbor makes Qiu scoff. You giggle before leaning towards them. You brush your lips from the corner of their mouth to their cheek, gently pressing your lips into their skin.
When you pull away, you're certain they're blushing. Your lips feel warm.
Before you can tease them again, Autumn wraps their arms around you and pulls you into a proper kiss. You close your eyes and wrap your own arms around their neck.
The kisses you share with Autumn are not heated or even accidently gross. All you both do is press your lips together, pulling away sometimes with quiet smacking sounds before pushing in again. You're overjoyed but also so tired, you can only keep the kisses going for a couple of minutes.
You break off from Qiu, though they keep holding onto you as you lay back down. You keep your arms around them too.
"I'll see you tommorrow." You manage to say as your eyes close. You don't hear a reply, though you felt a gentle squeeze on your arm before finally drifting off.