Imagine | Warming Up
Imagine camping out with the Expendables in the cold.
Word Count: 1185
Thanks to @one-boring-person for their help! Definitely go check out their blog!!!
~
The air is sharp and cold, chilling you to the bone. Sunlight slowly fades, bright colours giving way to darkness speckled with white stars.
A painting of serenity.
Puffs of condensation escape your lips as you trudge through the deep snow. You've figured out a way to successfully avoid most of the snow, carefully following in the footsteps of Gunnar.
It saves you effort to simply copy the bigger man's steps, so you've been doing it for the past hour or so.
The deep trenches that his feet leave behind providing you with firm ground to trudge upon.
You and Toll Road occupy the rear of the pack, with Gunnar and Caesar in the middle, and Lee and Barney at the front.
At least the constant movement is fighting away the frigidity.
This assignment is in Igarka, Russia. A smaller town that started as a lumber export but the sawmill has since closed, leading to a decrease in population.
And, of course, it's freezing here.
The air bites at your lungs as you take a deep breath, stumbling as your foot slips on the snow.
You lurch forward, face planting into Gunnar's back, hands gripping his sides to stay upright.
Eyebrow raised, he looks over his shoulder at you, a lopsided smirk forming.
"I'm that irresistible?"
You quickly step back, rosy cheeks heating up from a blush. Forcing a scowl you say, "No. I just slipped."
Before Gunnar can make another comment, Barney points to a nearby cluster of trees.
"We'll camp there for the night. You guys set up, Me and Lee'll scope the area."
You sigh, shrugging your heavy backpack off and leaning your rifle against a tree. Thankful for the relief, you get straight to work.
The tent itself is not all that big, but it will suffice. It's large enough for everyone to fit, albeit a bit uncomfortably.
"Here, Y/n, let me help," Gunnar offers, taking one end of the tent to assist you in raising it.
"Thanks," you offer him a small smile.
Soon enough, the shelter is prepared and Caesar is lighting a fire as the dark of night overcomes the woods.
You are quick to seat yourself by the fire, trying to warm your cold hands as Caesar begins to cook. The smell of it makes your mouth water.
"Don't suppose you have extra?" You question, eyeing the pot he's stirring.
He chuckles, "Nope. You should've brought your own."
"I didn't have any room in my pack..." You glance disdainfully at your own ready to eat meal.
Caesar shakes his head, not giving in to your pouting at all.
"When I get home, I'm gonna have a feast. I'm talking steak, potatoes, cake; anything I can get my hands on."
Beneath you, the snow is cold even through your snow-pants.
"I'll also have a hot bath," you mutter under your breath.
Unfortunately, Gunnar just happens to sit beside you, catching your quip.
"I know a way to warm up real fast," he smirks, shooting you a wink.
The others sit down too, catching your blush and rolling their eyes at his comment.
"I'm sure you do. But I'll have to decline," you manage to laugh it off even though his flirtatious comment sends butterflies flapping in your stomach.
Toll Road switches the conversation to something his therapist said once and you're thankful for the switch. Casual banter begins to fly back and forth between teammates as supper is devoured. You follow along, occasionally adding to the conversation and laughing when someone makes a joke.
Eventually, the food is gone and the night grows colder.
"I'll take first watch," Barney announces in his rough voice.
"Alright, I'll get the second," Lee chimes.
You roll your eyes, "You know, other people can keep watch too."
"Yeah, but not as good as us," Lee states with a smirk.
"Oh, bullshit, anyone here could keep watch just as good, if not better than you," you retort.
"Fine, then you take first watch."
"Fine, I will," you say even as instant regret floods you. You're tired enough to fall asleep right away and you just had to run your mouth.
Barney shakes his head, "Okay, lights out."
You watch somewhat enviously as the boys pile into the tent. Gunnar is the last to enter, grinning at you.
"The offer to warm up still stands."
His gruff voice is enough to send pleasant shivers down your spine. A returning smile forms on your cold lips as you shake your head. He shrugs and enters the tent, closing the flap.
Leaning against a tree, you grab your gun and keep your eyes peeled for any movement in the surrounding area. Hours pass with no action, your body shivering as the cold permeates you.
The only thoughts keeping you awake are images of Gunnar 'warming you up', which you try to shake away. Gunnar is a known flirt, and you're fairly certain that half the things he says are just to tease you. He couldn't really be attracted to you, right?
But what if he is?
You don't let yourself dwell on it.
After a while, Lee is crawling out of the tent to replace you. He says something but you're too tired and cold to completely understand him.
So, you wave him off and shake the snow from your boots as you enter the covered area. Your weary eyes scan the place, finding the only available area is right next to Gunnar.
Too exhausted to feel any embarrassment, you practically collapse next to the snoring Swede, wrapping yourself in your blanket.
He's so close to you that your arms are touching and you can feel how warm he is through your thin blanket.
Shifting your position, you move so that your back is facing him, determined to fall asleep.
Your plan is foiled as the snoring stops suddenly.
Before you know what's happening, a large arm is wrapping a toasty blanket over you and pulling you up to a hot chest.
Shocked, you twist your head only to have a large hand stop your movement.
"Shh- just go to sleep."
Gunnar's voice is laden with sleep, a sensual sound that makes your face heat up.
He's so close to you. You can feel his solid chest against your back, his heavy arm trapping you against him. You feel like a teddy bear as you're embraced by this giant of a man. And you can't deny that you love the feeling.
His chest moves steadily as you get comfortable and close your eyes.
~
A low whistle is what brings you to your senses, dawn breaking through the opening to the tent.
You're still in the Swede's strong arms, warm as could be.
"You and Gunnar, eh? Who'd a thought?"
Lee's teasing voice makes you glare in his direction.
"Shut up."
"Aww, don't be bashful."
You flip him the bird and turn to press your face against Gunnar's chest again.
He lifts you slightly so that you're laying on top of him, his hand resting atop your head.
"Sleep well?" He asks with a smile. Not his classic smirk, but a genuine smile.
You return the look, "Yeah, we'll have to do that more often."
"I'd like that."