Connor - Are We Out of the Woods Yet?
Summary: THERE WAS ONLY ONE BED SLEEPING BAG. You and the DEH gang get separated from the rest of your wilderness survival class and now have to survive the night in the woods on your own. Oh also Connor forgot his sleeping bag. I meant to make this all fluff but then oops angst
Hopping off the bus, you slung your pack over you and began the hike into the woods with your classmates. Everyone thought taking the Wilderness Survival class would be an easy pass, that is until your final was to survive the night in the woods. Your friends Connor and Jared were about as excited as you were, that is to say, you weren’t at all. But Evan and Alana were very enthusiastic about the trip and Zoe seemed fairly neutral. Alana kept going on about how colleges love to see diverse course selection, while Evan was like a butterfly, fluttering from tree to tree, spouting random facts relating to them.
“You guys! I think this is a ponderosa!” Evan said, running over to the tall tree. “Smell it!”
“Why the hell would we smell it?” Jared criticized.
Though a little puzzled looking, Connor followed Evan and stiffly leaned to the tree to smell it.
“It smells like vanilla.” He stated.
“Let me smell it.” Zoe said, joining the guys by the tree. Despite not being in the same grade as you and the others, the seniors and juniors were combined for this class, and thus this field trip, since they happened to take place in the same period and would save the school having to pay for a second trip.
She shrugged. “I don’t smell anything.”
Evan, now at another tree that looked the same. “Here, try this one, it’s a bit stronger.”
You went to join her in sniffing the tree. Taking this opportunity to rest your back, you took off your heavy pack and saw as some of the others did the same.
“Guys, we’re behind the rest of the group now.” Alana complained, gripping the straps of her backpack firmly. “I’m going to catch up. Don’t take too long, okay?”
“Oh sure, we’re right behind you, once Evan stops getting everyone to snort tree bark.” Jared quipped, letting his pack fall to the ground.
You laughed. “Oh come on Jared, don’t you want a whiff?”
He shook his head. “You know what they say, not even once. Can’t risk myself turning into a tree addict. Sooner or later we’re going to have to host an intervention for Evan. Not for his sake but for ours. It gets annoying fast.”
“Did you know that a single tree produces approximately 260 pounds of oxygen every year?” Evan informed Connor and Zoe.
“See that’s exactly what I’m talking about!” Jared complained.
“Well, I think Evan’s love for trees is cute.” Zoe chimed in.
Evan turned his face away from the group, clearly in an attempt to hide a blush.
As Connor went back over to his pack, he began cursing.
“What’s wrong?” You asked.
“I forgot my sleeping bag.”
You darted your eyes around the area. “Maybe it just fell out?” You suggested.
Connor shook his head. “No, I remember now. I left it on my bed.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Shit.”
You tried to give him a sympathetic look, but he didn’t notice with his gaze glued to the ground.
“Don’t ‘spose you have a spare one do you?” Connor asked, sounding mostly sarcastic.
You thought for a moment before realizing. “Actually, mine is technically a double. I usually find the singles too tight and make me feel like I’m about to be mummified.” You chuckled.
Connor huffed out a laugh at the thought of you as a mummy.
“We could share, if you don’t mind?” You offered, though a little nervous. You’d been shoving down your crush on Connor since you met him. He was a great friend and you didn’t want to jeopardize that by making a move, so you always focused on trying to think of him as just a friend. Besides, he probably only saw you as just a friend too.
“Uhh, yeah, I mean it’s better than nothing I guess.” Connor shrugged.
You nodded in agreement, giving him a smile. Friends could totally share sleeping bags. It would be fine.
“Guys?!” You heard Zoe’s voice call. “We lost the group.”
“Wait what?” You asked, walking over to them. You hadn’t noticed but they’d actually started to continue on the hike, now returning from different directions.
“Yeah, they’re totally gone.” Jared said. “Also, I’m starving.”
“I can identify some edible plants for you.” Evan offered, approaching a fallen log with moss growing on it. “Did you know that almost every moss and lichen is safe to eat?”
“What the fuck? I’m not eating moss.” Jared retorted.
“No look! It’s totally edible, see?” Evan picked off some of the moss and put it in his mouth without hesitation.
You cringed along with the rest of the group.
Evan began to gag and quickly spat out the now slimey, green fuzz. “Eugh, um… yeah… maybe don’t eat that actually…”
“Wasn’t going to.” Jared said.
Zoe grimaced at the wet moss in the dirt. “Lucky for you guys, my dad taught me how to fish.”
“Great, so you and Connor can get us some fish and I’ll start a fire here with Y/N and Jared.” Evan planned.
“Me and Connor?” Zoe questioned, laughing a little. “Connor doesn’t know how to fish.”
“I said my dad taught me how to fish. Connor always skipped out when we’d go fishing.” Zoe explained.
“Okay new plan, Zoe and Evan go fishing, and Connor and Y/N gather firewood.” Jared announced.
“What will you be doing?” Zoe asked.
“I,” Jared sat down on a tree stump, “will be sitting here, eating the goldfish crackers I just remembered I packed.”
“Think you can save some to share with us?” You asked.
Jared shrugged. “We’ll see what’s left when you guys get back.”
“Guess it’s an all fish dinner then.” You commented, and went to go find some dry wood.
Connor followed after. It was mostly silent for the first several minutes. Twigs and pine needles underfoot being the only noise as you walked, until Connor spoke.
“Hey, so, uh, you don’t have to share your sleeping bag with me you know…”
“What?” You asked, picking up some small twigs that would make good kindling.
“I don’t need your pity for my stupid mistake of forgetting mine.” He kicked a pine cone. “It’s fine.”
You were confused where this suddenly came from. “I… what? Connor, it’s okay. I can totally share it with you.”
“I just don’t want it to be weird is all.” He said.
“Why would it be weird?” You questioned.
He paused. “I don’t know.”
“Okay, good.” You kept walking until it suddenly hit you. Did he know you liked him? “Unless…”
“Unless, one of us, I don’t know, liked the other? Would that… make it…. Weird?” You mumbled more as you progressed through the sentence.
“I don’t know… would it?” He hesitated.
“You tell me?” You coaxed.
“What? Why would I tell you?” He squinted with confusion.
You rolled your eyes, exasperated that he was making you say it. “Because I’m the one that likes you!”
Shock overcame Connor as he stared wide eyed at you.
“Wait… you didn’t know?!” You hollered, angry and humiliated that you’d just confessed that.
“How could I have known?! You just told me!” He shot back.
“But, what you were saying earlier, if you weren’t talking about me…” You trailed off as you thought.
“I was talking about me!” Connor answered. “I’ve liked you basically since we first became friends.”
“You’re kidding. So have I.” You said.
A few moments passed in silence as you just kind of stared, blinking at each other in shock, both too awkward to make a move. Jared suddenly appeared out of nowhere, cutting the tension.
“Hey do you guys want some of this? I’m sick of them now.”
You jumped at his presence, unsure if he’d heard any of the conversation before. Connor tensed too, seemingly thinking the same thing.
“Uhh, maybe later.” You declined, having no appetite at the moment.
Jared glanced between the two of you. “What’s up with you guys?”
“Nothing.” Connor stated, hurrying away.
Jared’s gaze followed him until he was out of sight. “Is his weird rubbing off on you?” Jared questioned.
“Shut up.” You rolled your eyes and began to walk away, gathering more sticks.
“I’m just saying, ‘cause you’re normally not this quiet.” Jared pointed out.
You bit your lip as you contemplated telling him. He’d probably make fun of you. But then again, it might help to get it out, and the tone he’d just used almost hinted at actual concern.
You sighed. “I told Connor I like him.”
Jared stared. “You what?”
You scoffed. “Do you have to act like that’s the worst thing in the world?”
He couldn’t resist laughing. “It’s just no wonder he ran off!”
You glared at him. “Gee. Thanks. But it just so happens he likes me back.”
“Hey don’t be so surprised.” You criticized.
“I mean I just don’t see the problem then. If you both like each other then why is it so weird? Somebody should just make a damn move.” Jared said plainly.
You stopped walking, realizing he was right. “Okay, but how?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Anything! Make a dirty joke.”
“A dirty joke?” You questioned.
“That’s what I would do.” Jared grinned.
Sitting around the fire, everyone was quiet, the absence of Connor undeniable. The fish Zoe caught roasted on a spit, as you all stared into the flames.
“Maybe, I should go check on him.” Evan suggested, clearly anxious where he was. “What if something happened to him, what if he got lost, or- or fell in the lake, or-” Evan began to ramble.
“I’ll find him.” You volunteered, knowing it was because of you that he’d gone off anyways.
Evan gave you a thankful, though still concerned, smile.
You began to wander through the woods. It had gotten dark really quickly. Almost as soon as the fire was going. Growing increasingly nervous, you began seeing things in the shadows that weren’t really there. Why didn’t you bring your bear spray with you? Images of Evan’s fears of what could have happened to Connor began to flash through your mind. What if something did happen to him, and it was all your fault for upsetting him? Blinking, you tried to shake the image of Connor fallen in the lake floating face down, or his torn apart body mangled by a bear.
Stumbling on a tree root, you tripped forward, screaming as a hand grabbed you before you fell.
“Are you okay?” You heard Connor’s voice in the dark.
You turned to try and look at him, only able to make out the shape of his silhouette. Wrapping your arms around his torso in a hug, you felt relief sweep down your face. Relief that he was okay, and that you were no longer alone in the dark. It took a second, but he hugged you back.
“I’m sorry.” You muffled into his chest, though you weren’t really sure what for, though maybe it was just for crying on him.
“Why?” He asked, still holding you.
“I don’t know.” You admitted. “For making you run off?”
“You didn’t make me do anything.” He said.
“Then why did you go?” You pulled away a bit, trying to read his face, but it was too dark.
“I… I don’t know…” He breathed.
“Do you not like me after all?” You wondered, thinking maybe he had just said it to make you feel better.
“What? No, of course not.” Connor dismissed. “You’re... amazing.”
You bit your lip, hesitating to ask the next question. “But… you… don’t... want to be with me?”
Connor sighed, and you could feel him tensing in the hug. “I… it’s more complicated than that.”
You shook your head, trying to understand. “Tell me?” You pleaded, so quietly you almost weren’t sure he heard.
There was a long silence as he tried to compose his words.
“I don’t… want to disappoint you.” He slowly answered.
“I’ve disappointed so many people. My parents, my sister, hell even Evan.”
“No,” You argued, though you kept your voice soft.
“Yes. I’m not the best friend he’d imagined me to be.” He breathed in a little shakily. “He deserved better. They… deserved better. And so do you.”
You shook your head. “I know what it’s like to think so little of yourself. I try not to everyday. But please believe me when I say that I think so highly of you.”
“What if I make you worse?”
“What if we make each other even better?” You countered. “Connor, in the time that we’ve been friends, I feel like we’ve only ever brought out the best in each other, not the worst. I don’t know why that would change...”
Connor was quiet as he took in what you said. The only sound being the rustling of the wind that fluttered the leaves of the trees around you.
“I… don’t know what to say to that.” He admitted.
Your heart pounded as you prepared yourself for what you wanted to say next, however nervous you may be. “Then don’t say anything. Kiss me.”
Connor took in a breath, as if he could inhale the confidence needed to kiss you. Despite his own nerves, he leaned in and gently pressed his lips to yours.
Your heart rushed, as it was everything you’d ever dreamed of. Moving your arms from his torso, you wrapped one around his neck, cupping his cheek with the other hand as you kissed back. Your mind reeled as you let it sink in that you were actually kissing him. For real this time. This wasn’t just an idea you lost yourself in during class, or a hot dream you’d wake up from. This was real life and he was there, kissing you back.
Tightening his arms around your waist, he held you, feeling as though he couldn’t get close enough to you and never wanting to let you go.
You breathed quickly as the adrenaline coursed through you, your lips colliding faster and rougher now. He even pulled on your lip a little with his teeth. It drove you wild.
There was an ironic contrast between the hungry way your lips rushed to each other, and the delicate moments in between when your noses would brush together in soft loving nudges as you realigned your lips. It reminded you of the accidental brushes of hands in the bag of chips, or when he’d be handing you something and you’d feel yourself start to freak out, but try your best to ignore it. You didn’t have to ignore it anymore.
When you put your hand into his hair he couldn’t contain himself, letting a moan slip from his mouth into yours. Your knees nearly buckled at the sound, never having heard something so deliciously erotic from him before. Unable to resist a giggle, you relished knowing his weakness.
“What?” He pulled away, a little worried why you’d be laughing.
“Sorry,” you giggled again. “You’re just really, really hot.”
“I- what?” Connor scoffed and rolled his eyes in disbelief, though you couldn’t see it.
You giggled again. “Mhmm.” You nodded and kissed him. “You.” Another kiss. “Connor Murphy.” Kiss. “Are hot.” Kiss. Kiss.
Trying at first to come up with a response, Connor opened his mouth a few times, searching for words. But too dumbstruck to think of a proper response, he decided to just return to kissing you.
After a few more moments you pulled away. “As much as I’d like to keep doing this all night, we should probably get back before they start looking for both of us.”
Connor agreed, walking back with your hand in his.
“Where the hell were you? We were getting worried.” Zoe said when you approached the dimming fire.
Suddenly you felt the loss of Connor’s hand. He’d brought it back to his side as soon as you’d approached the others. You hadn’t discussed when to tell your friends, if at all, but apparently it wasn’t going to happen right now.
“Sorry, it just took a while to find him.” You answered, going over to where you’d left your pack.
The boys were already in their sleeping bags, Zoe soon climbing into hers which laid next to Evan.
You unrolled your sleeping bag on the other side of the fire from them, gesturing for Connor to get in first.
Sadly, the awkwardness seemed to return once you had gotten back to the group. Laying in silence with your back to Connor, you stared at the dying fire as you wondered how to break the tension. Jared let out a loud snore, reminding you of his earlier advice, but you were unsure how to use it. As if to hand you a perfect opportunity, you began to feel something firm pressing against your thigh.
“Is that a snake in this sleeping bag or are you just happy to see me.” You joked.
Suddenly Connor rolled over in an attempt to face you. “What?”
You quickly rolled over too, facing him with confusion. You hadn’t realized that he was sleeping with his back to you too. But then… how...
Feeling the thing begin to move, you hurried out of the sleeping bag, Connor following suit though he wasn’t sure why.
Sure enough, an actual snake slithered out of the double sleeping bag.
You shrieked again as you jumped away from the snake and toward Connor, who instinctively held you protectively as he stared at the snake slithering away.
“Oh my god, was that a snake?” Evan questioned.
Ignoring him, Jared leaned on his arm to sit up a bit, grinning at you and Connor. Clearly half asleep. “Looks like you two worked it all out. Congrats to the Mr. and Mrs.” He said, then flopped back down to sleep.
“What is he talking about?” Zoe asked.
“Uhhh…” You looked from her to Connor who seemed to be silently asking your permission to speak. You nodded.
Connor turned his gaze from you to Zoe. “Yeah. We’re… like… kind of… a thing now.”
“Oh.” Zoe paused before turning to Evan. “Did you know this?”
Evan shook his head, clearly also in shock. “No, I- he didn’t say-”
“I knew.” Jared bragged, his face in his pillow.
“It like literally just happened today.” You added.
Zoe nodded slowly as she stared, before quickly shaking her head. “Sorry, just still processing.”
You laughed. “Honestly, me too.”
“Yeah, yeah it’s such a shocker, we’re all mulling over the dramatic plot twist of it all, now can we please all shut up and sleep?” Jared complained, voice still muffled by his pillow. “You don’t get this good looking staying up all night.”
“Ohh, well if it’s beauty rest you need, you might want to sleep for a few weeks.” You teased.
He threw his pillow at you but missed, hitting Connor instead.
“Hey thanks man, I forgot my pillow with my sleeping bag.” Connor said, taking the pillow and getting back in the double sleeping bag.
“What? Hey, c’mon. Connor. Give it back.” Jared whined.
“Nope. Finders keepers.” Connor said, resting his head on the pillow.
You smiled and climbed in with him.
The next morning, you made the hike back to where you knew the bus would be picking the class up from. Once again, Evan was sharing all the tree facts he knew while Zoe listened intently, Jared grumbled, and you and Connor trailed behind.
At one point, Connor pulled you aside and behind a tree, kissing you against it.
He held your face in his hands as he pressed his body against yours, pushing your back against the tree bark. You slid your hand into the back pocket of his jeans as you kissed him back with as much passion and fever as he kissed you.
“I just, I can’t believe that I can kiss you whenever I want now.” He shared, pulling away. His eyes sparkled with excitement in the morning sun.
You smiled at how adorable he was, leaning in and kissing him again.
“Ew!” Zoe shouted from the distance. “Are you guys making out behind that tree?!!!”
Connor furrowed his brows, glancing to the side. “Why aren’t YOU making out behind a tree?” He shouted back to tease her.
Jared piped up now. “Because Evan would rather make out with the tree!”
You both had to laugh at that comment.
“But really, can we hurry up? I’ve gotten a poison ivy rash in… some very uncomfortable places.” Jared added.
“He didn’t know I packed toilet paper.” Zoe explained.
“Yeah. That’s exactly what I used it for.” Jared said.
You held back a laugh, snickering with Connor as you took his hand and ran to catch up with your friends.
