Ren & Wade

 Ren knew the grilled cheese sandwiches and hot tomato soup couldn't come soon enough. She looks around Wade's shack and there is enough kitchen of two hot plates. He doesn't even have a microwave. She mutters about it as she digs through the small fridge to find what she needs while he's washing up.

Of course, he offered for her to go first but he's worse off with the twisted ankle. She thinks they still need to go to Urgent Care, but he protests as if he doesn't want his parents to know. She contemplates this as she slices the hunk of cheese while the butter melts in the iron skillet. Maybe it's all about her, instead as if might be a wishful thought, but she doesn't want to dwell. They have just met. 

Honestly, she didn't think the place would be this rustic. His old couch is covered in real deer skin hair. She's a bit mystified. Just what does he do here, she thinks. Oh, it's cozy enough. Couch. Bed by the window. But no TV. How does he survive, she wonders.

Soon, he's back, fresh of sandalwood and lemon. He appreciates her efforts, even if she might have burned the edges of the sandwiches. Ren is a little baffled by the iron skillet. She mentions she has a hot plate under her bed at home.

"You cook in your room?" Wade asks while he munches the sandwich he's dipped in the sweet-savory soup.

She nods as she eats too. It's about eight minutes of pleasure before it's all over.

"God, I was so hungry," he tells her. "I could sure use another." He talks about the sandwich but he tells her to wash up.

"I-I washed up at the kitchen sink," she shrugs as if she doesn't want to be a bother.

"Go take a shower, right now," he points the way. "I'll take care of this." But she can see it's an effort to get up with that injured foot of his. He tells her he's got some of his clothes she can sleep in. She doesn't protest. She's thankful he's got a bathroom.

Still, she's kind of shy. Maybe paranoid. Yet the hot water is just what she needs after the long day she's had at that old bookstore.

When she comes out in his old tee and undies, she can't find him. Of course, she should have looked at the pillowy bed first. Wade is already there. He's bandaged up the ankle.

She starts to say what they should do tomorrow about their situation.

"Nope, don't go there Ren." He closes her eyes, "We need to just work on this whiskey that my Uncle gave me when I turned twenty-one."

Ren sighs with a squint. "Are you serious?"

"Well, I am injured," the way he says it, she thinks it's all her fault, but he hands her over the bottle and tells her not to drink the whole thing. After all his whisky is precious. She takes hold of the bottle, wondering just how bad of an idea is this. She braces a smile before she gives it a try. What has she got herself into?

Ren takes a little sip.

"You need another," Wade yawns.

"Do I?" She looks at him half dressed. What is he doing with his shirt off? She can't remember when that happened. She clears her throat, getting ready for another sip.

"Now take a bigger sip this time," he promises it will help her sleep. She wants to believe him.

"Have some faith in me, I live off the land you know."

She nods thinking what if he's one with the wolves. He likes nature and she can't remember the last time she's been in the woods, but she begins to feel hot in here. The sun has gone down and the nightlife is upon them.

"Just one more," he says he's had his share. She nods wondering what's next. She does as he says and this time it burns. It really burns. Ren blinks, wondering if something else might be in the whiskey. Did he spike it? She won't ask. After all, his parents did not come to check on him. They don't even know she's here. 

Ren puts the whiskey on the table, thinking she should get out of here. Of course, Wade rises up on his elbows and gives her a look as if she is just being weird now as she twists and turns not certain of her next step.

"Come over here, and give me a hug," Wade squints. "I'm not gonna let anything get you, including me."

She nods as if there was all that trust before when they were alone in the basement. Finally, she gives in and he wraps his arms around her. She wraps her arms around his bare waist. Her face mashes against his bare chest. There is a comfort that lingers like a bittersweet song. She wants it, but isn't sure it will last.

"See, I'd already be naked, if you weren't here," he tells her.

Ren's eyes lit. 

"It's not like I want to start a nudist colony, I've always liked not wearing clothes to bed," he informs her. "It's been that way since I was a baby>"

"Is that why you don't live with  your parents anymore?" Ren props her head up and looks him in the eye.

"Possibly," Wade admits. He touches the side of her head and brushes the whispy bangs from her head.. "Now go to sleep. Don't think about tomorrow until it gets here."