Chapter 33
THIRTY-THREE
The fire crackles softly, each low pop and hiss blending perfectly with the gentle, rhythmic lapping of water against the shore. The sky above us is saturated with hues of deep yellow and orange as the sun hangs low in the sky, its golden rays shimmering across the water, rippling like molten copper with each gentle wave. The warmth of the beautiful day lingers in the air, and I breathe it all in.
Arthur sits beside me in his chair, the fading sunlight painting his features in soft gold. His lips curve into a quiet smile as he flips through the photos on his camera of the Steller's Sea-Eagle. Watching him so absorbed in reliving that moment, I’m reminded of just how incredible today was. Not just because we saw such a rare bird, but because I got to witness the pure, unfiltered joy in him when he spotted it. He lit up like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It wasn’t just excitement… it was a moment of magic for him.
And I feel so honoured, and grateful, that he chose to share this with me. I know how much this means. He doesn’t let just anyone in, especially into these spaces that are so special and comforting to him. But he brought me into his world, and into the heart of what makes him feel most alive. And I’m so overwhelmed with my feelings towards him, knowing that he trusts me and cares for me enough to let me be a part of something so sacred to him.
I look out over the calm water and release a contented sigh, letting the tranquility of this place wash over me. I’ve always loved camping… but this is different. It’s usually a chase for adrenaline when I’m with friends, packed full of kayaking, intense hiking, and constant movement, always looking ahead to the next adventure. But here, with Arthur, it’s slow, peaceful, and perfect. He’s taught me to slow down, to appreciate the quiet moments, to really see the beauty around us instead of rushing past it. I love his beautiful world, where I get to experience the simplicity, the wonder, and the connection to nature that I hadn’t known before.
And I’m also falling in love with him.
I steal another glance at him, in his shorts and t-shirt, with his unruly hair falling over his forehead as he scrolls through the photos. The soft glow from the setting sun bathes his skin in warmth, making him look more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him. I smile to myself as I realize I haven’t seen him in a hoodie in a while. And I think it’s more than just the weather getting warmer. I think we’re both learning something from each other, as we discover and unveil parts of ourselves we’ve guarded so closely, or didn’t know existed.
Arthur flicks off his camera and sets it aside, his eyes lifting to meet mine with a soft smile. I reach out my hand between us, and without hesitation, he takes it.
“How’s Neville?” he asks.
I chuckle and reach for my phone. “Let’s find out.”
I send a quick text to my stepmom, who has Neville while I’m away. Earlier, she’d sent a picture of him sprawled out in a sunspot on their living room floor, completely content in his weekend vacation home. Arthur had laughed at the sight, especially when he noticed the dogs sitting off to the side, glaring at him as if he’d claimed their favourite spot.
A video comes through, and I laugh, showing Arthur the screen. Neville sits proudly between the two dogs, guarding a ball like it’s his prized possession, while the dogs paw at him and whine, trying to coax him into giving it up. He’s completely unbothered, and just gazes around the room like there’s no care in the world.
Arthur laughs, and I glance at him, catching the way his eyes squint and his whole face lights up when he’s truly happy.
He’s so fucking cute.
“And the bird?” he asks carefully.
I squeeze his hand in reassurance. “My sister is stopping in to feed her this evening. She’ll text when she does.”
He exhales softly, and eases back into his chair as he nods. “Ok.”
I give his hand another gentle squeeze, then my phone vibrates again. I look down to see another text from my stepmom.
Beth
Hope you’re having a good time xo Tell Arthur I say hi and I’m looking forward to meeting him.
I glance up at Arthur as he gazes out at the water, watching the soft ripples reflect the last slivers of daylight. I can feel the question forming on my lips, but the moment is so peaceful, and so perfect, that I hesitate. I don’t want to disrupt this calm we found here. But he did say he wanted to meet them, and they’ll be at my place this week …
“Hey,” I say softly, and he turns to me. “My stepmom says hi.”
He glances at the phone in my hand, then back at me. “Hi.”
I chuckle, setting my phone aside. “They’re coming to my house this week. My dad is helping me with some electrical work, and Beth’s making supper.”
He watches me a bit cautiously, like he knows what’s coming and he’s waiting for it.
“Want to come over?” I ask gently.
His eyes flick between mine for a moment, before he nods his head, and his lips tilt up in a smile. “Yeah.”
I lean in and kiss him as my heart swells. I can’t wait to introduce him to them. For them to meet the man I’m falling for, to let them see how incredible he is, and to share with them just how lucky I am that he’s mine.
I stand, releasing his hand. “Now, come on.”
He looks up at me with a confused expression. “Where?”
With a smirk, I strip my shirt off and toss it onto the chair, then point my thumb towards the water.
Arthur’s eyes widen. “It’s going to be cold.”
I shrug and kick off my shorts so I’m just in my boxers. “Yeah. But refreshing.”
Then I hold out my hand, asking him to join me. His eyes drop to it and he hesitates… but then takes it, and stands. I step towards him and tug at the hem of his t-shirt, watching him as he takes in a deep breath and glances out at the water again. But he pulls it over his head, pushes his shorts down, and gives me a look like he thinks I’ve lost my mind.
But he’s still here with me.
I smile, taking his hand again. “Let’s go.”
We run into the water together, the cold hitting me like an intense shock, but the laughter that spills from him as the water splashes up around us is worth every second. I lose his hand as we dive beneath the surface, and the world goes silent for a brief, breathless moment. But when I rise to the surface and my eyes find him… It’s the best view of this entire trip.
His wet hair is slicked back, and every feature of his beautiful face is highlighted by the soft evening light as his bright green eyes sparkle like the stars that will soon dot the sky above us. Water clings to his skin, glistening and catching the fading sunlight… just like the glittering Firefox. His wide smile radiates warmth despite the cold of the water, and the fiery streaks of his wet hair make it look like he’s made of water and fire… opposites in perfect harmony.
I pull him into me, completely forgetting about the cold as our bodies press together and his arms wrap around me. Warmth seeps right into my core as our lips meet, and he fills me with his fire.
My hands slide down to his ass, lifting him in the water so his legs wrap around me. Our kiss deepens, and everything else fades away. It’s just us out here… wild and free.
“I really want to get you off,” I murmur against his lips, then chuckle. “But… probably not in this cold water.”
His eyes widen and he shakes his head.
I kiss him one more time before reluctantly pulling away. “Well, let’s get warm so I can hear you moan.”
Arthur grabs my hand and heads for shore, and I laugh, gladly following him.
Once we reach the fire, I grab a blanket and wrap it around him, pulling him into me again and taking him in a needy kiss. I can hardly contain myself… I need him. Now.
He moans against me as I slide my hands down to his wet boxers and push them down his hips. I do the same to myself, then step closer to him, feeling his already hardening cock against mine.
“Hm, Firefox…” I moan as I pull back to look down at him, the reflection of the fire dancing on his skin. “So fucking hot.”
A breath escapes him as his eyes trail down my body as well, and his hands run over my chest. “Yeah.”
I slide the blanket off his shoulders and lay it on the grass next to the fire, pulling him down with me and wasting no time in bringing my mouth to his again. My tongue pushes past his lips and he immediately opens for me, meeting my intensity with his own. It’s like he’s completely free, untethered, and uninhibited, like he’s let go of everything and is living entirely in this moment with me. I can feel it in the way he kisses me and the way his fingers dig into my skin with the same desperate need I feel.
He easily falls to his back as I climb over him and straddle his hips. And the moan that leaves him as I grind my hard cock against his is fucking unreal… I do it again and again, wanting and needing more from him, watching as his eyes flutter closed and his hands drift from my hips to my chest.
“Jesus,” I breathe out, continuing to roll my hips as a warm tingling sensation settles and slowly spreads through me. “Fuck, you feel so good.”
He wraps his hand around the back of my neck and pulls me down, and the feeling of his tongue in my mouth only heightens the amazing sensations flowing through my body.
But then his other hand moves on my chest, and his thumb flicks over my nipple.
Holy fuck.
I groan against his lips and thrust against him even harder as he does it again and it sends a jolt of pleasure straight to my dick.
“Oh my god,” I pant, unsure if I can keep going like this without coming too soon.
I pause and look down at him as I catch my breath, the warm flickers from the fire illuminating his face as his chest quickly rises and falls. His lips are slightly parted and his eyes glow in the firelight, locked onto mine with something so raw and unspoken swirling in their depths. The heat between us right now is more intense than the fire crackling nearby, but in this moment, all I can do is drink him in.
Then he dips his head to bring his lips to my chest, and kisses softly along my collarbone. But when his tongue lands over my nipple and flicks lightly, I think I’m fucking done for.
“Oh god,” I grunt, immediately grabbing him and flipping us over so he’s on top of me.
He looks down at me, and now I need to catch my breath for a different reason.
My eyes trace the sharp lines of his jaw, which is such a contrast to the softness of his lips. His damp hair hangs loosely over his forehead, casting shadows across his face in the fading light as the glow from the fire illuminates him. Behind him, the tree branches sway gently in the evening breeze, framing him perfectly against the darkening sky. He looks like he’s part of this place, like he’s meant to be here, and the wild and the quiet belong to him .
He leans over to bring his lips to mine again, kissing me softly, like he’s also taking something in about this moment that can’t be put into words. I take in everything about his touch and this moment as he settles over my hips and gently rocks them into mine.
“Hm,” I hum, my grip on him tightening as he does it again. “Fuck, yes , Firefox. Just like that…”
A moan escapes him that quickly tips me closer to the edge again, and I try my hardest to hold myself together as he thrusts his cock against mine. He feels so fucking good. I let my hands drift down his back to cup his ass, feeling the motion of him and urging him on.
“Fuck, you’re going to make me come…” I groan.
“Do you want to?” he asks breathlessly, hesitating for a moment.
I grab his ass and pull him tight against me. “I really do.”
Then… he surprises me again.
Arthur leans back, drops a hand between us, and wraps it around us both.
Oh my god.
I stare up at him as he keeps his eyes down on our cocks in his hand, and he starts to stroke us.
My wild Firefox…
His features twist as he strokes us faster, and I feel the tingles rushing up my legs as I near the point of no return.
“I’m coming,” I say, grabbing onto his hips as my muscles tense.
I feel him tense under my touch as well, and his head drops as his abs contract, and cum shoots from his dick onto my stomach. A rush of ecstasy flows through me as I follow him, and pleasure crashes into me like a tidal wave.
I’m breathless as I look up at Arthur and he releases us from his grip to sit back, and stare down at me.
“Damn…” is all I can say.
He smiles, and his soft chuckle makes my heart sing.
But I don’t miss the way his eyes flick to the cum all over my stomach.
I sit up to press a kiss to his lips. “Lucky us… we have a quick clean up this time.”
He watches me with a puzzled look, brows furrowed as if he’s unsure of what I’m doing. But as I step towards the water, the uncertainty in his expression melts away, replaced by a smile.
I dive in, the cold rush of the water like little pin pricks over my skin, an exhilarating contrast to the warmth still lingering from Arthur and the fire. When I surface, I’m facing out towards the ocean with the water lapping at my waist, and my hands skim across the surface as I look out at the vast, endless stretch of water before me. The indigo sky has almost completely swallowed the sunlight, leaving only the faintest glow along the horizon, while stars begin to appear like distant fireflies in the growing darkness.
I turn to make my way back to shore, and I see Arthur, crouched low at the edge of the water with his camera raised and pointed at me.
He lowers it slowly, and an easy smile spreads over his lips. “Stay wild.”