Chapter 15

Hunter walked steadily through the darkening jungle with Aiden's weight pressing against his back. Aiden's arms were loosely draped over his shoulders with his fingers curled into the fabric of Hunter's jacket, while his legs were securely hooked around Hunter's waist. 

But what distracted Hunter the most was Aiden's face. His cheek was pressed right against the side of Hunter's neck and he could feel Aiden's warm gust whenever Aiden breathed. 

Hunter gulped, adjusting his grip under Aiden's thighs, fingers pressing against Aiden's pants. "Why are you always getting yourself into trouble?"

Aiden huffed against his neck at the accusation. "It wasn't my fault! I was just looking around and the next thing I knew, I couldn't figure out where I was. And then I tripped and—" He cut himself off, pouting. "You weren't there, so I had to take care of myself."

Hunter didn't respond and just continued walking. Aiden always got lost so this wasn't nothing new. What he was worried about was how Aiden would ever survive without him? 

After a brief silence, Aiden grumbled, "You can put me down if I'm heavy."

"You? Heavy?" Hunter let out an amused scoff. "You're tiny. I wonder where all that food you eat even goes?"

Aiden gasped dramatically and pulled back just enough to glare at him. "I am not tiny! You're just big!"

Hunter only chuckled at that, his smirk deepening. "Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night."

Before Hunter could react, Aiden bit his neck, right where it was the most sensitive spot of Hunter.

Hunter stopped in his tracks. A sharp inhale left his lips as heat rushed through his veins, his grip unconsciously tightening around Aiden's thighs making Aiden jump in surprise. The feeling of Aiden's teeth sinking into his skin, the warmth of his mouth and the ghost of his breath sent an unexpected shiver down his spine.

"The hell—" Hunter started but Aiden pulled away with a smug expression. 

"Stop teasing me or I'll bite harder next time," he threatened, crossing his arms even though he was still clinging to Hunter like a koala.

Hunter exhaled snappily, rolling his shoulders to shake off the lingering sensation. "You're so stupid," he groaned. But truth be told, he wasn't entirely complaining.

Before Aiden could respond they both heard a voice in the distance.

"Aiden! Hunter!"

It was Mr. Davis.

Within seconds, the beam of a flashlight swept through the trees, and soon enough, the teacher and two other staff members appeared, their faces twisted in relief and frustration at the same time.

"There you are!" Mr. Davis let out a sigh, placing his hands on his hips. "I swear, if I had a dollar for every time you wandered off, I'd be retired by now."

"Sorry…" Aiden mumbled, looking appropriately sheepish.

"'Sorry' isn't gonna cut it, kiddo! Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to just walk into a jungle alone?" Mr. Davis scolded him, waving his flashlight around for emphasis. "What were you thinking? Oh wait, you probably weren't thinking—"

"I said I'm sorry!" Aiden whined loudly, wiggling on Hunter's back. 

Mr. Davis rubbed his temples. "Yeah, yeah. And you—" he turned to Hunter, "—running in after him without even telling anyone? What are you, a knight in shining armor?"

Hunter remained silent, adjusting Aiden slightly on his back to stop him from moving. 

Mr. Davis sighed, shaking his head. "Whatever. Let's just get you two back to camp. Aiden, are you hurt anywhere?"

Aiden's fingers unconsciously tightened around Hunter's jacket. "Just a little scratch on my knee, nothing else."

Hunter nearly rolled his eyes. Who was the one crying like a baby earlier?

Mr. Davis nodded again. "Hunter, take him to your tent and clean him up. And no more wandering off, Aiden."

Aiden silently nodded. 

Back at the camp, Hunter gently lowered Aiden onto his sleeping bag. Before he could say anything, Casen came rushing in.

"Aiden! Are you okay?" Casen asked with eyes full of worry. 

Aiden, still disliking him, looked away and pretended he hadn't heard him. Casen waited for an answer but when he didn't get one, he felt embarrassed and looked between Hunter and Aiden. An awkward silence stretched between them before Casen hesitantly held out the first aid kit. "Um…the teacher told me to bring this."

Hunter took it with a nod. "Thanks."

Casen lingered for a second before awkwardly sat down since it was his tent too. Seeing him sitting down, Aiden rolled his eyes as he was expecting him to leave. 

Hunter knelt down in front of Aiden and opened the first aid kit. "Let me see your knee."

Aiden stubbornly kept his legs tucked under him. "It's fine." 

Hunter raised an eyebrow. "You were sobbing like a toddler earlier, and now you're fine?"

Aiden turned red. "Shut up," he grumbled, slowly extending his leg.

Hunter carefully rolled up Aiden's pant leg, his fingers brushing against the soft skin of his calf. Aiden flinched slightly, watching him with big, wary eyes.

"It's just a scratch," Aiden tried to be brave. 

Hunter hummed, wetting a cotton pad with antiseptic. "This might sting."

"I know, I'm not a kid—" The second the pad touched his wound, Aiden yelped and instinctively tried to yank his leg back. "Ow, ow, ow—"

"Hold still, you brat," Hunter scolded, gripping his leg firmly.

Casen giggled but shut his mouth when he met a menacing glare from Aiden. Aiden grumbled under his breath, but his lower lip wobbled slightly. His big, watery eyes grimaced at Hunter like he'd personally betrayed him.

Hunter sighed. "Stop looking at me like that."

"Like what?" Aiden sniffled.

"Like I just kicked you."

"Well, it hurts, you jerk!"

Hunter shook his head but softened his touch as he carefully bandaged the wound. "There. All done."

Aiden crossed his arms. "Took you long enough."

Hunter hesitated before clearing his throat. "You can go back to your tent now."

Aiden's eyes widened at that. But he remained seated because he was expecting Hunter to actually send him away. Is it because Casen is sitting there to get a place back which was recently taken by Aiden? 

This time, Casen didn't understand why he was glared at by Aiden. He didn't even do anything. 

Hunter waited, watching him expectantly. But Aiden only lowered his gaze, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his sleeve. His silence spoke louder than words. 

Just when Hunter thought the chaos of the night was over, Sam appeared at the entrance of the tent, arms crossed and an unimpressed expression on his face.

"Alright, Aiden, let's go. It's getting late. And I swear if you try to run in the woods this time."

Aiden, who was sitting comfortably beside Hunter, immediately stiffened. His eyes darted to Hunter's face in hopes. A slow, pitiful breath left his lips as he clutched his chest.

"Ugh…Hunter…" Aiden whimpered weakly, squeezing Hunter's hand. His wide, teary eyes shimmered under the dim light of the lantern, his lips shaking slightly. "I-I don't feel so good. My chest hurts."

Hunter's entire posture changed. His brows knitted together and his grip on Aiden's hand tensed. "What? Where? Let me see—"

Sam groaned. "Oh, for god's sake—"

But Hunter was already placing a hand on Aiden's back, worry filling in his honey-brown eyes. "Do you need water? Should I call the teacher?"

"NO!" Aiden yelled but then as if he realised his mistake he pressed a hand against his chest like he was in immense pain. "No…I mean…can I just stay here? Please?" His lashes fluttered as he looked up at Hunter with a pleading expression.

Hunter paused, glancing between Sam and Aiden until his eyes landed on Casen, who was sitting silently. Sensing an opportunity, Hunter turned to him. "Casen…would you be okay switching with Aiden? You can stay with Sam instead."

Casen tensed at hearing Sam's name, his fingers gripping the fabric of his pants. Sam standing there was already making him nervous and now Hunter's demand churned his stomach. He didn't answer right away.

"No way." Sam cut in immediately, giving Hunter an incredulous look. "Aiden is my partner. He should go with me instead of anyone else."

Casen lowered his head, his nails digging into his palms painfully. He already knew he wasn't wanted by anyone but hearing it directly hurts more. 

Aiden, however, wasn't backing down. Seeing that Hunter was still unsure, he squeezed his eyes shut and let out a soft, pitiful sigh, pressing his palm harder against his chest.

"H-Hunter…It really hurts…" His voice was so faint, so fragile, it sent a pang through Hunter's heart.

Sam watched the scene with barely contained exasperation. It was so obvious what Aiden was doing, but Hunter? Hunter was falling for it like a fool. You little manipulative brat…

"You can't be serious," Sam ran a frustrated hand through his hair.

Hunter turned to him with a desperate look. "Sam, please. Let Casen stay with you tonight."

Sam stared at Hunter for a long moment before agreeing unwillingly. "Fine. Whatever." He turned to Casen. "And you, follow me."

Casen flinched slightly at the direct order, hesitating for a split second before nodding. He reached for his bag when Hunter glanced at him with a guilty look. 

"Sorry about this…"

Casen forced a small smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "It's okay…Aiden is your friend before and he needs you, right?" His voice was quiet, almost resigned. Without another word, he followed Sam out of the tent.

As soon as they were gone, Aiden mentally cheered. But the second Hunter turned back to him, he immediately pulled his hurt expression again.