Summer Camp - 13. Communication

There was a small snuffling noise against his skin, a quivering sort of twitch touching his chest, and Paddy woke up knowing in some indistinct way, that his mate had shifted while he slept. He found the lynx, surprisingly big in his human arms, looking at him with wide glacier eyes.

“Marnin’ pretty boy.” Paddy stroked the soft furred head sleepily, “What d’ye want then?”

The lynx purred under his hand, and then the long tipped ears flicked back towards the door. Paddy blinked again, and realised it was still dark both in the cabin and outside, and from the other side of the door was a frantic heartbeat and the soft scratching of small claws.

“Eh?”

Troy mewled against his skin, big webbed paws warm against his chest. Paddy sighed, pulling the blanket aside and swinging his legs out of bed. Grumbling, he found his short kilt, belted it around his hips and got to the door without tripping over the lynx who wound between his legs like a giant and over affectionate housecat, purring like a train.

Gregg sat in the doorway. Paddy assumed the little brown hare was Gregg, because it smelt like him, and though he shivered violently, he didn’t actually run at the sight of the narrowed blue feline eyes staring at him from between Paddy’s knees.

“Ach laddie, wha ye doin up?” The little hare hopped onto the step, narrow feet neat, ears turned up, nose quivering at the scents of the two of them together, “Ye cannae be in here, ye ken?”

Troy hissed and Paddy sighed, ruffling the lynx’s fur before scooping the cat up in his arms.

“Babe, be nice tae Gregg. Wha’ do ye two want tae do now?” Paddy sat on the edge of the bed with his mate. Troy obviously wasn’t bothered about seeming big and powerful in front of Gregg, because he was floppy as a wet scarf in Paddy’s arms, purring contentedly. “Well then, since we’re all up liek, if tha two o’ ye can be sensible.” He made sure Troy was paying attention by touching his soft nose with one fingertip. “And ye wi’nae chase him, then we’ll all go fer a run aye?”

Troy mewled happily, and Gregg thudded one foot against the wooden floor, ears pricked up and alert.

“Alright.” Paddy held the door open for the two animals, shut it behind them and the three slunk quickly to the forest.

It felt strange to stand under the big pines with his hand on the buckle of his belt, being watched with interest by a new set of little amber eyes.

“Ach, turn aroond Gregg. Gi’e a man some privacy.” The little hare hid his eyes under his paws, nose snuffling the ground. Paddy took off his kilt, hung the cloth over a branch and let all the air flow out of him.

There was a moment of stillness, and in that moment, looking out at him from somewhere between his head and his heart, was Troy. A scent mixed like home and the icy saltiness of his mate, the wind from some far off distant land, and it was for just one heartbeat, as it had been when he had sent himself down the line to find his mate and found them both standing in somewhere both familiar and new. But the moment passed, and Paddy opened bear eyes and wondered what it meant.

“Hurroaw.” He yawned hugely, suddenly tired and wishing to be back in bed. “Hauurnt?”

Troy simply purred against his legs, pushing his whole body against the bear’s thick black fur. Paddy bent his head and nuzzled his lover, pushing at the lynx with his muzzle until Troy’s fur bristled and his little bob-tail twitched happily. They looked up to find the hare watching them, slim head resting on his paws, long ears laid back over the gentle curve of his body. Paddy huffed against the short velveteen fur and the hare shivered.

It was the lynx who raked his claws against the tree, swivelling his ears and shaking out his fur. And though none of them spoke the same language, and Paddy and Troy weren’t connected to the boy like they were to each other, they all understood Troy’s yowl. An invitation to come and play, to run in the forest. Gregg trod the earth in a little circle and dug a little hollow in the dry ground. His ears sprang forwards and Paddy smiled. They took off all together, running through the pine trees, chasing each other for top position. Gregg was swift, light on his feet, his paws leaving tiny sets of claw marks in the earth. Troy was hot on his heels, big webbed paws thundering along behind him. Paddy lumbered after them both, fixed on the sight of Troy’s white fluffy underside racing away from him.

Above, the stars shone brightly next to the gibbous moon, making the leaves and needles of the trees glimmer silver in the night as the three animals ran across the landscape. Troy climbed a tree with his excellent claws, jumped from branch to branch and landed just in front of Gregg’s racing form. The little hare sprung over the bigger feline, legs long and graceful as he leapt, and Paddy felt the tug on his heart as he watched. Troy was smiling at him in his head, and Paddy could feel that he was all at once proud of this boy who had been abandoned by his kin, proud to see him run and dance in the moonlight. Paddy steered the three of them towards the lake, left big paw prints in the mud of the slipway and roared up at the moon glowing over them. Gregg collected himself up and pointed his nose skywards, stargazing with huge eyes.

Troy was watching his spectacled lover closely. The emotions poured through their connection without the need to think or push them. It was as though what had been a trickle was now a river, a bond forged in their hearts that allowed them to think at each other. There were no words, because words seemed silly when Paddy could simply feel Troy in his heart and in his head the lynx thought love and pleasure at him, wrapping them both in emotion so strong it glowed with a light all its own.

Patrick.

Again it made Paddy shiver in his fur, the feeling as though Troy’s human voice had been whispered directly onto his skin. The lynx padded softly to where he sat and tucked himself into the space between Paddy’s big paws, nuzzling and purring against him. Paddy huffed and sighed.

Whatever they’d done with Gregg, it had obviously worked, because the hare was calm and serene on the side of the lake, unafraid and smelling only of moss and sweet grass. He no longer leaked worry as he had done when he arrived, and Paddy thought he could almost see the bearing of the boy, proud and tall under the hare’s sleek fur.

I never thought I’d be a good role model. He thought softly. Oh Great Spirits, please look after him. He’s going to need your help.

Things were never going to be easy for Gregg, but Paddy liked to think they were never going to be as bad again as they had been when he first arrived. The kid was still just a kid, and he had a lot of growing up to do, with no father to guide him and show him how to excel. All people had natural talents, and in a shifter these were more pronounced. Gregg was quick, both in body and mind, and Paddy could see him one day running something complicated and interesting. He’d be employing people who right now looked down on him for being a bit strange and bit different. Paddy lifted his muzzle and roared loud enough to shake the resting birds from their nests.

The stars shone, the moon glowed, and Paddy smiled to be sitting on the lakeside with his lover and with the boy they had helped, surrounded by nature. He thought of the little pine bear totem which was even now sitting by the bed and thought of home. Maybe, just maybe, he could trick himself into believing that he was actually there.

*

“Paddy!” Troy hissed in his ear, “Fuck’s sake, get up you stupid bear!”

“Huurnt?” Paddy yawned hugely, and blinked at his mate. Troy was human and naked, and it was daylight. Not the super soft glow of the very early morning, but full daylight with the sun already up over the trees.

“It’s near enough eight o’clock by now! The kids will be up for breakfast and you’re a fucking bear!”

“Hoorum?” Paddy glanced about himself and stopped when he saw what was lying next to him. Gregg had obviously shifted in his sleep, which at his age and as new in his fur as he was is not unusual. The skinny boy was cuddled up to the space where Paddy’s furry back had been before he’d properly woken up. Skinny and young and naked. And troy was naked, and the only item of clothes they had was a single kilt hanging half a mile away in the woods.

Paddy shifted and swore all at the same time.

“Fuck.”

“This is bad babe.” Troy’s blue eyes were big with panic. “What the fuck do we do?”

“Yer harder tae spot. Shift back an’ run tae get me kilt and if ye can, some other clothes tae. I’ll wake him up and get him in tae the forest. He’s easy enough tae hide.”

“And when the teachers see he’s missing?”

“We’ll deal wi that when it happens aye? Now go.”

Troy shifted like the melting of an ice cube, seamless and smooth, and brushed against his bare chest just once before darting into the woodland. Paddy turned to the boy who still slept on the now dry earth. In the night, he had made Gregg look away when he’d been naked, and now there wasn’t a lot of choice, and if all the kid did was freak out, they would be lucky. Paddy poked his shoulder with one finger. When this had no effect, he prodded more firmly.

“Hmm?”

“Gregg. C’mon laddie, it’s the marnin’, time tae get up ye ken?”

“OK.” Gregg’s tone was thick with sleep but his amber eyes brightened as he sat up in the sun. “Wha-? Why am I naked?” He stopped to glance at Paddy and all the colour drained from his face. “Why are you naked!? Paddy!”

“Calm doon pet.” Paddy held his hands out to stifle the boy’s panic, “De ye nae remember coming tae us and asking tae go an run last night?”

“No!” Gregg was colouring pink across the cheeks. “What did we do?”

It was Paddy’s turn to go pale.

“Nothin’! Great Spirits boy! Calm down. Ye and me and Troy went fer a run is all, and we ended up fallin’ asleep. Troy went tae get clothes an’ hopefully nae one else’ll ever be any tha wiser.” The idea that Gregg thought something sexual might have happened made Paddy want to throw up. “Shift back liek, and come in tae the forest wi me and we’ll hide.”

“Why do we need to hide?” Gregg asked bluntly. “I thought we didn’t do anything?”

“Do I need tae spell it out fer ye how this is goin’ tae look tae anyone else who finds us?” Paddy was exasperated. “I’m harder tae hide. Yer a hare, ye’ll be fine, just come along wi’ me.”

It seemed to take a lot of concentration for Gregg to shift, as though he was working a set of muscles he hadn’t had a lot of practice with. He shook all over like a leaf in the wind, then shudder all at once before the hare sat before him. Paddy stood, covering his modesty with one hand as best he could, and made a dash for the trees after the little lagomorph.

Paddy took them on a back route through the woodland, avoiding the paths and the scent of people. There were guys from other camps coming to check on equipment and resources, coming into the woods for their own purposes, and Paddy did not fancy having to explain to anyone why he was naked in the forest in the early morning. Gregg followed him, nipping from bush to bush and they were in the thickest part of the woodland when Paddy heart his mate’s voice against his skin, the tug on his heart strings pulling him West and off balance.

Patrick!

Here! Paddy tugged back, hoping this weird new form of communication was in some way reliable. He sniffed the air, and the scent of his mate filled up his senses.

Troy was carrying kilt and shirt when he arrived, and Paddy’s old hoodie and a pair of sweats which smelt of Gregg. Paddy had never been so pleased to be dressed in all his life and actually wished he had underwear. Being naked around a twelve year old was not something he felt like repeating. Troy threw Gregg’s clothes into the patch of brambles and the boy emerged a few moments later, looking the way Paddy felt.

“Well this is fucking inconvenient.” Troy looked bristly and unhappy, “Everyone is up, Nic was fucking asking after you, Noah had to go down to collect breakfast and Nic wanted you to do it or something. People are looking for him.” Troy gestured to Gregg and sighed, “and that Matthew kid came across the road to apologise and I had to brush him off. We’ve gotta get outta here.”

“Aye, shite.” Paddy shook his head. “Look, I’ll go find Nic, tell him I went tae get wood fer the fire tomorrow. You go see tae breakfast, and ye wait two minutes an’ head in a totally different direction when ye come out o’ tha woods ye ken?”

“Yes Paddy.” The boy looked so morose that the Big Scot stopped and frowned at him. “I’m sorry.”

“Why?”

“I’m gonna get us all in trouble aren’t I?”

“Nae laddie. We’ll be fine. Ye’ll see.” Paddy smiled, and ducked out of the trees. He was most of the way to the marquee when Nic spotted him and jogged over.

“Paddy, where the heck have you been?” His boss frowned at him, clearly annoyed, “You know you can only go AWOL at weekends.”

“Sorry Nic.” Paddy smiled tightly. “I were up early and went tae git wood fer tomorrow. I sorta lost track o’ time.”

“Did Troy go with you?”

“Nae?” Paddy frowned. “Nic, is everthin’ alright?”

“No.” Nic jerked his head back towards the smaller fields and the mess hall and Paddy followed him quickly. “People have been talking.”

“Huh?” Paddy had a sharp sinking feeling in his stomach as to where this line of questioning was headed.

“Some of the staff are concerned that this Gregg kid seems overly attached to you. Ralph’s son says he spent most of the day glued to your side.”

“He’s a gid kid.” Paddy shrugged, “C’mon Nic, ye ken as well as I dae tha’ all tha kids hae their favourites. Wha’s really tha problem here?”

“One of his teachers suggested his level of attachment to you was risky because you’re gay.” Nic shook his head sadly, “Now I can move you to work with a different group, but I don’t think there’s fuck all wrong with the boy taking a shine to you. Ralph has insisted a member of their staff comes with you on all activities.”

“Ye are fuckin’ jokin’ right?” Paddy could feel himself getting angry. “A shy an’ vunerable kid opens up tae an instructor an now I’m a risk tae him?” The big Scot snarled. “You ken this is pathetic daen’t ye?”

Nic sighed, looking ashamed of what he’d been forced to say and Paddy huffed, and stalked off towards the marquee. His black mood was ruined by a number of kids waving to him, calling his name and grinning. Tom and Conner on the other hand, were sulking over their cornflakes and muttered as Paddy walked past.

“Paddy!” It was Matthew, looking slightly worried and a little bit lost, “Have you seen Gregg?”

“Wha’ d’ye want wi him?” Paddy raised an eyebrow at the boy, making him glance quickly at his feet.

“I wanted to apologise. You were right. It’s just as much my fault as it was theirs.”

“Aye lad. Last time I saw him he went tae tha bathroom. I expect he’s in his tent now.”

“Thank you Paddy.”

It was a welcome moment of relaxation to sit on the bench beside Troy and allow their knees to touch. The lynx handed him a small stack of toast and jam with a smile, and bit into his own combination with peanut butter.

“No bacon this morning Troy?” Sean was done serving and dropped down next to them with a cup of tea. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen you eat anything that wasn’t previously living.”

“Thought I’d try out Paddy’s diet for a week.” Troy said. As he finished the sentence he looked up and his eyes went rather wide.

“I talked ‘im in tae it.” Paddy grinned, elbowing Troy in the ribs quickly, “If he makes it tae the end o’ tha week I’ll buy all his beer.”

“Good bet.” Sean nodded sagely, “Too bad you won’t be able to make it work the other way around eh?”

That’s not the only thing we can’t make work the other way around. Paddy thought to himself, making sure not to follow Troy around with his eyes as the Norwegian got up to clear his plate. The fact he was going to spend the next three days being shadowed by a teacher just in case he turned out to be a paedophile was momentarily eclipsed by the lack of sex and further lack of progress made in getting to screw his lover. He watched Troy leaving the marquee and simply decided to follow him.

Troy was stepping into his climbing harness, pulling the straps tight around the top of each thigh, the webbing at the back unconsciously framing his wonderful pert rear. Paddy smiled and shut the door of the equipment shed behind him as he stepped forwards, placing one hand on Troy’s arse, the other over his chest, bringing the slender man up against him before he could turn around.

“Ye look so fuckin’ pretty liek tha babe.”

“Patrick!” Troy’s voice was a hiss. “It’s the middle of the goddamn morning.”

Paddy growled low in his ear and felt Troy shudder against him with unwanted desire. The bear used one big hand to grope over the fleshy mounds of Troy’s arse. His cock swelled, pushing between the frame made by the straps of Troy’s harness and Paddy snarled with want.

“Paddy…” Troy whimpered. “We can’t”

“Aye we can.” Paddy rubbed himself against his mate, grinding his hips, “Nae one’ll ken.”

Troy shivered again as Paddy’s fingers slipped under the waistband of his short and travelled down, seeking heat and pressure. The lynx growled.

“No!” It was like the line that wrapped around his heart was pulled suddenly tight, choking him, and Paddy fell backwards with a cough and a snarl.

“Troy!”

“Not like this.” Troy was shaking, invisible hackles raised. “I am not giving up to you in a shed in the middle of the day when anyone could walk in.”

Paddy tried to breathe, and found it almost impossible as the line tightened inexorably. Troy was holding it with both fists, and Paddy could tell that it was requiring all of his mate’s strength to keep the same shape, the stay in the here and now where they could talk about this. It was what Paddy had wanted since the first day, to talk about things, to reach out and discuss with his mate all the things that bound them together, but the universe decided this was not his chance.

“Oh.” It was Levi, standing in the doorway with eyes round as saucers. “I see.”

Troy snarled, Levi stared back at him. The boy obviously hadn’t the slightest inkling of what his senses were telling him because he didn’t run, didn’t even quiver, and had the stupidity to smile at the lynx and show his teeth as he spoke.

“You don’t want a boy who fancies you, but you’ll try it on with a straight guy who obviously doesn’t want you.”

Troy snapped, growled, took a step forwards and Paddy hated to do it but he wrapped his own fingers around the bond and pulled. Troy tripped, fell and sprawled on the wooden flooring in the most ungraceful manner possible.

“Fuck off Levi.” Paddy snapped. “Git out.”

“Fine. Whatever.” The boy turned on his heel and strode from the hut.

Troy pulled himself up, shaking and sweating, but he’d let go of the bond, and it was easier to breathe again now.

“What the fuck Patrick?” He brushed down his shorts and the sandstone dust which clung to everything. “What did you think you were doing?”

“I was nae thinking.” Paddy pulled his knees up to his chest and sighed. “The teachers think I’m a danger tae Gregg.”

“I heard.” Troy shook himself as though rearranging his fur. “It’ll blow over babe. Don’t worry about it.” The lynx stood behind him, hands on his shoulders, pouring love down the connection which bound them until the tension flooded out of the big Scot. “You miss home don’t you?”

“Aye.”

“We’ll be home soon babe. Try not to worry, and call home tonight.” Troy kissed the top of his head. “And I’ll sort out Levi. Little shit doesn’t know what’s good for him.”

The teacher assigned to accompany them was one Ms Spinell, who smiled with a bright falseness behind her eyes like the glint of glass pretending to be diamond. She was obviously unhappy that he was still on the staff and allowed access to the students. Gregg arrived at the group with Matthew, bouncing on the balls of his feet, eyes shining. He was dressed and smiling brightly, looking for all the world like any other twelve year old at camp. He did not look like he’d spent the last six hours sleeping by the side of the lake with a bear.

“Hi Paddy!”

“Ay up pet.” Ms Spinell frowned at him, as though joviality should be somehow banned from the proceedings. “We all ready fer the day?”

“Yes Paddy!” The boys chorused. Tom sulked.

“What are we doing first then?”

Paddy looked sideways at the teacher. She didn’t look like the usual sort who wanted to join in at camp. She looked a lot like she wanted to be sleeping on a hundred count Egyptian cotton sheets. Paddy grinned.

“Tree climbing guys. You git tha climbing wall this afternoon wi’ me an Noah.” Paddy jerked his thumbs at the harnesses laid out on the ground. “Buckle up!”

*

By mid-afternoon, the boys were tired after their day of climbing.

Tom had sulked most of the morning, but got better after he’d made it to the top of the tall tree quicker than Matthew had. He crowed, but a lot less than he had the previous day. All the boys cheered, even if only a little, when Gregg reached the top and rang the bell before jumping off. Paddy high fived him and Ms. Spinell had looked angry, but wisely said nothing. By the time the sun was high in the sky and they’d all tackled the climbing wall, Noah waved them off and the boys all yawned hugely.

“Up all night were ye?” Paddy laughed, but had to use a hand to stifle his own yawn, “Ye can hae a rest when we git back tae the site.”

“Aww Paddy…” Rory lagged, looking at the patches of soft shade at the edge of the woodland. “Can’t we have a rest here?”

Paddy checked his watch and smiled.

“Sure. We aten’t due back fer an hour. Hae a kip.”

So the eight boys sprawled on the grass, lying on backs and fronts, talking sleepily in little groups. Matthew and Gregg lay with their heads together, giggling over sculptures made from twigs and broad leaves, trying to build a tiny tent for mini beasts. Paddy sat with his back against a big birch tree and closed his eyes. It was warm, a soft gentle breeze played across the grass, and made the leaves above them dance. There was the soft humming of bugs, the far of sounds of rabbits sleeping under the earth, waiting for twilight and safety. Tomorrow would bring the promise of fire, and the beginning of a weekend with a full moon. He and troy would be able to run under the silver light and play in the forest to their hearts content. It was a good dream.

He felt it when Troy reached out down the line to him. It was not a tug, just a sense of stretched fingers, as though the lynx was trying to talk to him across the vastness of the woodland wherever he was. Paddy took the thread, the scent of his mate and followed it. He didn’t need to stay in the fields with the sleepy muttering boys. They were happy enough to be left to their own devices, make jokes they considered to be sophisticated and laugh at nothing. It would be fine.

Patrick…

Troy’s breath against his ear, a shiver ran down his spine at the combined scent of ice and the thick pine of home, and Paddy opened his eyes to find himself standing in a forest he remember as if from a dream. It was light, the sun overhead just as it was in the real world, but this was clearly a place that was not real.

Troy? It was thought more than actual speech, because he couldn’t find his vocal chords at all, even though he could see his body. The young man stood in front of him dressed in furs and cloth woven from thick un-dyed wool. Paddy found he was wearing his great kilt with the extra fabric slung across his bare chest. Where are we?

I have no idea. Again the words came as though Troy was standing, not a few feet across from him but pressed against him, the sound whispered again this skin and making his scalp crawl with a sensation that hotwired straight to his cock. It smelled like home.

Paddy took a step towards his mate and ended up with the young man in his arms, curled tight around him, hands pressed against the muscles of his back.

“Do ye think we’re alone here?” Paddy asked. This time he found his voice and kissed the space behind Troy’s ear, pressed his lips to the hot skin.

“I can’t see how anyone else could be here. I can’t even hear any birds.”

“Me neither.” Paddy smiled and found an answering grin on Troy’s features. “D’ye reckon it would be bad te hae sex in the middle o’ the day now?”

Troy’s fingers were already under his kilt as Paddy spoke, wrapping around the length of his quickly hardening erection.

“You know, I think we’re good.” Troy’s grin was every bit as feline as a cat getting all the cream. “I think that here will be just fine.”