My Chemical Romance - I’m Not Okay (I Promise) | 2004

I’m not okay (I promise)

In the darkness way below, it's my heart he'll keep

Josh Kiszka x GN reader

so I've been thinking about Siren Josh quite a bit so here's a little like ficlet of that :3

Word Count: 956

~

The sun is slowly setting on the horizon, disappearing behind the water. Water is all you can see, in any direction. You are a merchant, far out on a wooden raft, you have crates with enough food and water to hopefully get you through till you arrive in England. Most importantly though, is the boxes upon boxes of jewels. Diamonds and rubies, pretty necklaces and rings. You have been out at sea for exactly 2 months now, and were growing incredibly bored.

Thankfully, the waves were calm tonight, only a gentle breeze in your sail. You sat in the center of your raft, scaling a fish with your pocket knife, quietly humming to yourself a tune from long ago.

The moon hung full and bright in the sky, stars glittering among the empty indigo. That was one of the things you did love about this job, the view of the sky. As you are taking it in, you spot a movement in the water out of the corner of your eye. A shark? Dolphin? No, bigger. You stand up, knife clutched tightly in one hand, glancing around, trying to spot whatever it was again.

A note rings out into the air. Clear and high. A singular voice, filling the vast emptiness of the night. Were you going crazy? There was no one else out this far, and you couldn't identify where the sound was coming from. The noise surrounded you in a way, filling your head.

Again, the voice sings out. This time a series of notes. It was like nothing you had ever heard before. Now, it sounds more like the voice is behind you. You quickly turn around, only to see nothing but the ocean.

You hear a swish of water, something moving. Once again, sound echoes into the air, long, sustained. You slowly turn around, and you can just barely see hands, gripping the end of the raft. Then, up comes eyes, peering at you curiously. They practically glowed. You stumbled back in horror.

The creature raises an eyebrow and laughs softly at you. It lifts up so you could now see the head and chest, of what seems to be the most beautiful human you've ever layed eyes upon. He has dark curls, damp and pushed back out of his face, the sides shaven clean. Water droplets roll off of his skin, which looked as though it was made of porcelain. Not a single visible blemish. He had a little goatee, also dripping with the ocean. His eyes are what you drew you in the most, though. They were big and sweet, from how he appears. Welcoming browns surrounded by crystal white, but as he focused on you, his pupils narrowed into slits, the brown fading a bit. His lips were upturned in a little smile.

"Who are you?…" You manage out, your voice shaking against your will.

"Does it matter?" He responds. His voice is surprisingly raspy, not quite deep, but not as high as he sang.

"..Do you have a name?-" You question him, taking a little step forward, your knife held out in front of you.

"Joshua." The name was shockingly human, but there was no way in hell he was.

As you take a step closer, you are able to see him clearer. He is wearing lots of gold. A pendant dangles from his neck, shaped like the sun. Multiple earrings line his ears. Gold hoops wrap around his wrists, some sliding lower down his forearms. Rings of different shapes on every finger, foreign symbols you couldn't identify. He tilts his head slightly.

You have so many questions, yet all of the words are lost from you, caught in your throat, never uttered. He gives you a soft, gentle look before he begins to sing again, this time words, but it hardly mattered.

"Crash against wave upon wave, whoa-oh In strange horizons, ooh. Heel to the mist and the wind, yeah-yeah You make the movement, ooh"

You find yourself being drawn in to this. Slowly, you stumble forward, it felt like your feet were moving on their own. You drop your knife, it clatters against the wood, but you pay no attention to it. The creature reaches its hands out to you.

"Sail to the end of the world, whoa-oh For death or glory, ooh Bow with your face to the sky, yeah-yeah We are the movement, ooh"

You fall to your knees in front of him, and he cups your face in his hands, his nails ever lightly dig into the flesh, but you don't notice. Totally entranced by this voice, this thing that has found you.

He begins slowly pulling you downwards, still vocalizing. You let it happen, leaning forward, wanting to be closer, something in you urged to kiss him, longed for the connection. He smiles as he sinks down under the water, his eyes locked on yours. As his mouth opens, you can see his teeth are pointed into sharp fangs, his eyes narrowing even more.

Just as you get close enough, your nose touching the water, he drags you down. Claw like nails dig into your cheeks, you try to scream, but your mouth is filled with water. Salt fills you lungs as he pulls you to the deep. He lets you go and you sink down, left to rot in the pit of the empty sea.

~

The sun beats down brightly on your face. You awake on your raft, perfectly dry, perfectly unharmed. You sit up, looking around, confused. Was it all a dream? Everything is seemingly normal..

..Yet, every box of jewelry has disappeared, and you notice, clutched tightly in the palm of your hand is a singular golden scale.

“I don’t want to be a burden” you’re more like a relief, a gift, a blessing actually

josh in a weighted throw net

based on @ofthecaravel tiny van fleet 🫶

at what point did frank stop wearing his nose and lip rings bc like

i miss them very much

jaaaaaaaaaaaaaake pspspspspspssppsp jake kiszka *shakes a pack of guitar picks* where are you

Separate on their journeys through life, but together in connection with the universe.

Gerard you have our permission to write FAG on the drum set

Cowboy couple set

cover by @no-other-mashter

A Cabin In The Woods - Ch2

•☽────✧˖°˖☆˖°˖✧────☾•

Sam x F!Reader

𝙽𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚛𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚜 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚘𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝚍𝚘 𝚜𝚘 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑.

Warnings/Themes: Night Terrors, Storm, Thunder, Lightning, Douche Sam, Soft Sam, Locked in.

a/n: chapter two already!! thank you all so much for the love that you’ve shown so far! i’m super excited for this little series! if you’d like to be added to the taglist for this fic please do let me know! <3

wc; 10.7k

taglist - @musicislove3389 @peaceloveunitygvf @jazzyfigz @sarahbethgvf @fleetingjake @dannys-dream

As the night deepens, an unfamiliar chill settles in the cabin, curling around you like a shadow. You pull the blanket closer around your shoulders, wishing the warmth would seep into your bones, yet you can’t shake the unease that’s blossomed between you and Sam. The silence stretches longer than either of you anticipated, heavy with barely contained tension.

“Did you hear that?” Sam’s voice cuts through the quiet, a low murmur, eyes darting toward the window. The worry etched across his face surprises you, though you quickly remind yourself that it’s likely just irritation filtered through a layer of concern.

“What?” you ask, half-caught off guard, more curious about his mood than the wind stirring outside. You rise slightly from your lounging position, following his gaze toward the darkness looming just beyond the glass.

“The wind,” he replies, tone now laced with a seriousness that seems at odds with the casual vibe of the evening. “It’s picking up. It might get pretty rough out there.”

You strain your ears, catching the soft howling of the wind echoing through the trees, rustling the leaves in a way that sends a shiver down your spine. The atmospheric shift feels more pronounced as the wind picks up, bending branches outside and creating a haunting melody through the cabin’s sturdy walls.

“Okay, it’s windy. It’s a cabin in the woods,” you reply, trying to maintain an air of nonchalance as a flutter of unease prickles at the back of your neck. “What’s the worst that can happen?”

His brow creases with concern, and you can’t help but feel irritated at how serious he is. “You really don’t know, do you? Strong winds can lead to falling branches, or worse,” he says sharply, the edge of his voice betraying a hint of frustration. “We should probably check the windows, make sure everything’s secure.”

You scoff lightly, rolling your eyes. “You think the cabin is going to blow away in a storm? Is that what you’re worried about?”

You can see his jaw tighten, the annoyance flickering through his gaze. For a moment, you think he might retort with something equally biting, but instead, he clutches the edge of the table for balance, taking a breath that fuels the fire of tension between you.

“It’s better to be safe than sorry,” he mutters, leveling an unwavering look at you, as if daring you to dismiss his concern. There’s an intensity behind his gaze that makes your heart race, but in the frustration that bubbles just beneath the surface, you refuse to show any hint of your apprehension.

“Fine. You check the windows then,” you retort, shrugging, trying to play it cool. “I’ll stay here and see if the wind actually plans to sweep us off our feet.”

Sam rolls his eyes, snorting softly with disbelief, but there’s a flicker of something—maybe relief—that he isn’t alone in this. He moves toward the closest window, pushing aside the curtain as he peers outside, his demeanor shifting into a focus that surprises you.

“Seriously,” he focuses, and now his voice lowers, a more intense quality settling behind it, “the weather can change fast in these woods. You’d do well to listen to me for once.”

You watch him closely, a whirlwind of irritation and surprise swirling within you. He’s so intent, so serious, and for an instant, the walls of annoyance start to crack just a little. But you shake it away, refusing to let it permeate the ice that’s settled between you.

“Whatever, go on and play Boy Scout,” you scoff, leaning back against the wall, arms crossed. “I’m not scared of a little wind.”

He doesn’t respond immediately, continuing to inspect the window with keen attention. The way the moonlight pools over his features, outlining his tension, only makes you feel the slightest ounce of understanding. Maybe he really is just worried about something more than the weather, but instead of giving in, you stubbornly cling to your irritation.

“There’s a storm warning for tomorrow,” he finally says, turning slightly to level a glance your way, and the corner of his mouth twitches as he watches for any hint of acknowledgment. “You don’t want to be caught out in it.”

“Then we won’t go hiking,” you reply, waving dismissively. “We can figure something else out. I’m sure we can entertain ourselves without getting blown away.”

As you turn from him, refusing to indulge in his concern any further, you hear Sam mutter under his breath, likely something unflattering, and you can’t help but feel that familiar rush of irritation. Somehow, he always knows how to draw out that part of you that bristles at his presence.

“Why do you always have to be so infuriating?” Sam bursts suddenly, frustration boiling over as he grips the edge of the windowsill. “You could just try for one moment to consider the possibility that something could go wrong.”

You lift your chin defiantly, torn between annoyance and wanting to laugh at the absurdity of it all. “And why do you always resort to acting like the world is a disaster waiting to happen? It’s like you can’t see the good in anything!”

His expression flickers with disbelief, as if your refusal to see his side of things has made him more exasperated than ever. “I’d rather be cautious than stubbornly optimistic,” he snaps back, steps edging toward you, an intensity lingering in his gaze that leaves you feeling hot under the collar.

“Maybe you should learn how to chill out instead of fretting over every tiny thing!” you fire back, the frustration spurring you on. The room feels charged with emotion, the wind howling outside reflecting the storm brewing between you.

For a moment, it feels as though everything freezes, the two of you standing mere inches apart, breaths mingling like echoes in the air. The tension mounts dangerously, and you can’t help but feel an electric pull—a sharp mix of frustration and something deeper lingering just beneath the surface.

But then Sam retreats slightly, crossing his arms defensively as the moment breaks. “Whatever, just do what you want,” he mutters, his voice steely, turning back to the windows, an air of defeat settling in.

You swallow hard, wrestling with your want to respond differently. Are you really going to let things linger like this? But as you glance out the window, the wind growing fiercer, pulling against the trees outside, the weight of everything comes crashing back.

With a sigh, you step toward Sam, placating your ire just a touch. “Look, maybe you have a point. We should check things out before we settle in for the night.”

His posture shifts slightly, surprised by your sudden willingness to work together. “You mean it?” he asks, skepticism lacing his tone.

“Yeah, I guess we can take a few precautions,” you concede, the words tasting slightly bitter, knowing that you’re relinquishing a bit of your pride—but perhaps also taking a step toward easing the tension.

“Fine,” he replies, a hint of grudging approval coloring his voice as he shifts focus back to the windows, lifting both curtains with slight determination. “Just help me make sure everything’s secure.”

And so you move to his side, side by side, as you begin to survey the cabin, working together, despite the churning emotions between you like a wild current. The wind begins to howl more vehemently outside, shaking outdated panes of glass, and together you jam the window locks tight—offering each other fleeting glances as the atmosphere shifts ever so slightly.

Even as the tension continues to cloud your shared space, a fragile sense of understanding begins to weave its way through the cracks. You’re still worlds apart, still on opposite ends of a stormy sea, but perhaps you’re learning how to weather this one small storm together. It’s a tentative truce, but for now, it’ll do.

With a nod toward each other, you both turn to check the windows, moving methodically around the cabin. The wind howls outside, creating a haunting melody that dances eerie shadows across the walls. Sam adjusts the curtains with swift fingers, checking each latch and securing any that appeared loose as you follow suit.

“This one looks good,” you announce, pushing the window closed while ensuring the latch clicks firmly into place. You glance at him, only to find him focused intently on the window beside you.

“It’s not just the windows,” he mutters, glancing around the room. “We should check the door too, make sure it’s secure. And the shutters.” There’s an intensity to his manner that half-annoys you and half-amuses you. It’s almost endearing to see him so concerned, even if it feels ridiculous.

“Got it, Captain,” you reply with a smirk, rolling your eyes again but with a touch more sincerity. “Let’s secure the fort.”

He lets out a quiet huff, barely suppressing a smile as he seems to find your humor just a bit discordant amid the seriousness of the weather.

“Alright,” he replies, lifting an eyebrow. “But if we get blown away by a rogue tornado, just remember I warned you.”

You shake your head and head toward the door, pushing the heavy wood to ensure it’s firmly latched. As you step back, the wind howls through the trees once more, sending a thrill of unease through the cabin—a reminder that this storm is no joke.

“Everything seems solid,” you report, glancing back at Sam, who’s still inspecting the shutters, peering outside as if gauging the coming storm. The tension between you wanes slightly as you begin to appreciate his methodical approach, realizing that there’s a strong sense of responsibility layered beneath his prickly exterior.

Suddenly, without warning, a massive clap of thunder rattles through the trees, shaking the ground beneath your feet. The sound echoes ominously inside the cabin, reverberating off the walls like a warning bell. You leap back, your heart racing as a startled yelp escapes your lips.

“Fuck! That was loud!” you exclaim, instinctively darting to where Sam stands.

“I told you it was going to pick up,” Sam replies, though his voice is tinged with a small hint of concern—something quickly overshadowed by your jumpiness.

You stand side by side, trying to steady yourselves for a moment and gauge the weight of the thunder rumbling outside. Just as you start to breathe again, another rumble rolls through the air, low and relentless, and it feels like the very ground is trembling beneath you.

Then, amidst the chaos of nature's fury, a flash of blinding light illuminates the cabin, followed by another deafening crack. You instinctively cover your ears, squeezing your eyes shut against the intensity. The lightning strikes close, almost too close, and the electric energy surges through the air.

The sound booms louder than anything you’ve ever heard, crashing down like a freight train barreling through, and when you finally glance around, the lights overhead flicker and die, plunging you into darkness.

“Great,” you mutter, feeling an icy shiver run down your spine as you try to get your bearings. The abrupt silence that follows is almost more unnerving than the chaos outside, the absence of light enveloping you in an unsettling void. It feels as though the storm has swallowed the very essence of the cabin from within.

“Are you okay?” Sam’s voice cuts through the dark, taut with concern.

“Yeah, I’m fine!” you reply a little too loudly, trying to shake off the remnants of fright. “Just startled, I guess.” You can’t help but feel a strange comfort in his concern, even amid the swirling tension of your earlier argument.

“Let’s find some flashlights or candles,” he suggests, his tone more serious now. “If the power’s out, we need light—especially with this storm.”

“Right,” you agree, the urgency of the situation bringing you back to reality. You rummage through the drawers in the small kitchen, your fingers brushing against various utensils and forgotten items that felt foreign in the moment. In the dark, your movements feel frantic, and not quite sure what you’re searching for, you realize that you don’t even know where anything is.

“Over here,” Sam says, moving toward a closet in the corner of the cabin. You follow him, your footsteps echoing slightly against the hollow walls as he opens the door, revealing a trove of supplies.

He pulls out a lantern, its glass front dusty but intact. “This should do,” he says, a small spark of light igniting within, illuminating the edges of the room. He twists the knob, and the lantern flickers to life, casting a warm glow that wraps around you both.

“Not too shabby,” you tease, a bit of relief flooding through you now that you can see where Sam stands. “You’ve turned into quite the Boy Scout after all.”

He half-smirks, the faint light dancing over the sharp lines of his face, transforming the tension into something a little more manageable. “Just trying to maintain a survival mindset,” he says, feigning seriousness. “Can’t let the wilderness get the best of us.”

You roll your eyes, but the tension ebbs a little more as a hint of camaraderie begins to thread itself back through your interactions. With the lantern lighting the space, you feel a sense of stability returning, just as the wind continues to howl outside, beating against the cabin like a persistent foe.

“Alright, we’ve got light,” you say, taking a steadying breath. “Now what’s the plan? Are we going to stick it out here and wait for the storm to blow over, or do we need a deeper fortress strategy?”

Sam raises an eyebrow, amused, but the concern lingers in his features. “We stick together,” he says simply, shifting the lantern to cast light in all corners of the room. “Let’s just keep an eye on things and make sure everything remains secure.”

It’s such a straightforward answer, yet you can’t help but appreciate it. The notion of sticking together offers a sense of safety even where memories of previous altercations linger like the smell of the storm outside.

As the two of you settle-in beside the glow of the lantern, the wind howls against the cabin walls, rattling the windows as if trying to remind you of its presence. But as the flickering light dances, you allow yourself to feel a certain protective bubble grow in the space between you. Whatever storm outside, whether emotional or environmental, you might just withstand this together—no matter how much you both grumbled against the situation that led you here.

The warm glow of the lantern casts flickering shadows on the walls as you make your way to the small living area. The fire in the stone hearth is barely more than embers now, the remnants of warmth reduced to a dwindling glow, and you can already feel the chill crawling back in. You sink down into one of the worn couches, pulling a blanket around your shoulders in a futile attempt to stave off the cold.

With a sigh, you dig through your bag for a book, hoping the distraction of a good story might help diminish the unease settling into your bones. The soft pages feel comforting in your hands, and you settle in with the light of the lantern warming your lap. But even with the lantern’s glow, the chill of the cabin clings to you like an unwelcome guest.

As you lose yourself in the words, the wind outside howls louder, a fierce reminder of the storm still raging. You find yourself shivering, the blanket doing little to combat the draft sneaking in through the cracks of the cabin.

Just as you’re getting drawn deeper into the story, the door creaks open, and Sam walks in with a frustrated expression, his brow furrowed as he shakes droplets of rain from his hair. He glances around, taking in the dimly lit room, eyes landing on the glowing embers of the fire before turning back to you.

“What’s your problem?” he asks, a hint of annoyance lacing his voice.

You look up, slightly startled by the interruption. “What do you mean?”

“You’re sitting there shivering like a dog with a wet coat,” he replies, crossing his arms.

“Maybe because the fire’s practically dead, and it’s freezing in here!” You snap, the irritation bubbling to the surface as your teeth chatter. The irritation of the cold seems to fuel the irritation of his mere presence. “There aren’t any logs left to keep it going!”

At this, Sam glances at the fire and raises an eyebrow. “You could've mentioned that earlier instead of sitting there with your book like it’s a sunny afternoon.”

“Me?” you counter, incredulous. “I wasn’t the one who decided to wait until the storm hit to bring in logs! You were supposed to check on that!”

“Excuse me? I was busy making sure all the windows were secure while you were sitting here getting cozy with your little fairy tale,” he shoots back, a hint of mockery in his tone as he gestures towards the book in your lap. “Did you think magic fairies were going to magically keep the fire burning?”

“Maybe if you hadn’t been so fixated on your ‘safety checks’ we could have taken a minute to gather some wood!” you retort, your cheeks heating with a mix of frustration and embarrassment. The last thing you wanted was to bicker with him in the midst of a storm.

“Fine. What did you want me to do? Just abandon my post and trot off into the woods without worrying about anything?” Sam replies incredulously, his tone rising. “Because, clearly, that would’ve been a stellar idea!”

You roll your eyes again, the annoyance piercing between you like a thorn. “Well, maybe if we had just made a plan together instead of leaving it to one person, we wouldn’t be going back and forth like this.”

“It’s not my fault you didn’t think about the fire!” he says, raising his hands in exasperation. “If you wanted it to stay lit, maybe you could’ve reminded me when I brought in the last batch.”

You feel your patience wearing thin as the anger swirls, an electric tension clinging to the air between you. “I thought you would’ve just remembered!”

“Right, because I’m supposed to read your mind now,” he replies, irritation etched in every line of his face. “If you had bothered to say something, maybe we wouldn’t be sitting in the dark, shivering like two idiots waiting for a fire to rekindle itself.”

“Fine, then!” you huff, throwing your hands up in frustration. “You go out there and fetch the logs!”

“Me?” Sam scoffs, raising an eyebrow. “Why don’t you go? You seem so eager to fix your own mess.”

“Oh, come on!” you say, the words tumbling out before you can think better of it. “We’re both freezing. It’s only fair we take turns!”

“Fine. I’ll go!” he suddenly snaps, the frustration tipping over into determination. He grabs his jacket off the hook, but as he steps toward the door, he hesitates, shooting you one last incredulous look. “But you better keep watch. If I don’t come back, you need to know that I’ll haunt you for the rest of your days!”

“You wouldn’t dare abandon me!” you reply, startled by how quickly the annoyance morphs into a strange kind of camaraderie.

“Watch me,” he says, smirking slightly, and you can’t help but smile in return, despite the quibble.

“Alright, fine. I’ll keep the lantern ready!” you call after him, your heart hammering in your chest as he heads outside into the storm.

For a moment, you sit there, the fire flickering in its desperate attempt to stay alive in the presence of discord, and you can’t help but shiver a little more from the chill settling deeper in your bones. But in an odd way, the argument seems to have shifted something—a reminder that despite how infuriating he can be, you’re both in this together.

As the wind howls outside, you curl back into the couch, adjusting the blanket around your shoulders, keeping an eye on the door like a sentry on duty. You think about the absurdity of it all—a shared moment of bickering that, in another time, might have driven you further apart. Instead, you feel strangely connected, united in this ridiculous battle against the elements.

A few moments later, you hear a faint rustling outside, and you instinctively reach for the lantern, flicking it higher to cast more light over the room. Sam steps back inside, half-drenched and laughing, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

“Guess who brought firewood?” he declares, tossing a few logs onto the floor near the hearth. They land with a soft thud, and you can’t help but laugh in disbelief.

“Not bad, Boy Scout,” you tease, and despite everything, you feel the warmth of camaraderie returning—the kind of fire that no storm could extinguish.

Sam carefully arranged the logs in the hearth, his hands moving methodically, but his brow remained furrowed in irritation. He struck a match, lighting a corner of one of the logs, and fanned it gently until the flames began to dance and crackle. The warmth that radiated from the fire filled the small cabin, slowly pushing away the remnants of the chill that had settled in. But even as the fire roared back to life, Sam’s mood didn’t seem to improve.

“Great, now we can enjoy the heat we should have had all along,” he muttered, the remnants of his earlier frustration still lingering in his voice as he adjusted the logs to ensure they combusted properly.

You settled back in your seat, watching him with an amused smile as the fire slowly grew. “You’re really putting in a lot of effort for someone who was so eager to take a break,” you teased lightly, trying to lighten the mood.

“Yeah, well, maybe if I didn’t have to clean up someone else’s oversight, I wouldn’t have to go through the effort,” he replied, glancing at you, his brown eyes flashing with mock irritation.

You chuckled, shaking your head. “No one said you had to be so dramatic about it. It’s just a couple of logs. You’d think you were fighting a grizzly bear.”

“Just wait until one of those logs rolls away and sets something on fire,” he shot back, but the corners of his mouth quirked up, betraying him just a little.

As the warmth spread through the room, you let the book slip from your fingers, surrendering to the soothing crackle of the fire and the muffled roar of the wind outside. You could feel the tension ebbing slightly, though Sam’s crankiness still hung in the air like a storm cloud.

After a while, the silence stretched comfortably, the rhythmic crackling of the fire filling the space between you. But as the glow of the flames flickered, you couldn’t ignore the creeping exhaustion that tugged at your eyelids.

“Hey, Sam,” you said, breaking the stillness. “What do you think about calling it a night? I mean, we’ve spent a good stretch battling the elements and whatnot.”

He turned to you, blinking as if coming out of a trance. “And just leave the fire unattended? Not a chance,” he replied, though there was a hint of fatigue shading his voice.

You stifled a yawn, stretching out your arms. “It’s barely past eleven. Look at you—you’re practically falling asleep over there. Besides, body heat is one of the best ways to stay warm, right?”

Sam opened his mouth to state his objections but paused, a doubtful look crossing his features. “You really think so?” he asked, his tone softening ever so slightly.

“Sure! It’s like a built-in heater,” you joked. “And it’s better than letting this fire die out and freezing in the process.”

He shifted his weight, clearly still reluctant. “I don’t think it’s a great plan to share a bed just because of a bit of cold,” he remarked, still holding on to the remnants of his crankiness.

You raised an eyebrow. “A ‘bit of cold’? Sammy, it feels like we’re stuck in an icebox. If you’re not going to stay up tending the fire, you might as well embrace the sleep.”

His eyes seemed to soften at the nickname, one that you hadn’t called him in quite some time. Finally, he sighed, running a hand through his damp hair. “Fine, fine,” he conceded, finally relenting as the exhaustion in his eyes began to twinkle with a begrudging acceptance. “But we’re not sharing blankets. You stay on your side of the bed, and I’ll stay on mine. Got it?”

You nodded, trying to suppress a smile. “Whatever you say, Captain Control.”

The two of you made your way to the bedroom, the flickering firelight casting soft, dancing shadows as you stepped carefully around the room. Sam slid under the covers on his designated side, taking the edge of the blanket and tucking it tightly around himself.

You stifled a laugh at his meticulousness, settling onto your side of the bed, grateful that the mattress was surprisingly warm. But even as you lay there, feeling the warmth seep into your skin, the reality of sharing a bed with Sam crept in—strange and a little foreign.

“Just—no touching. I mean it,” he warned, propping himself up on one elbow and giving you a pointed look.

You rolled your eyes. “Of course. I’ve got no interest in cuddling with you, relax.”

“Right,” he said, though there was an almost imperceptible chuckle in his voice before he laid back down, the moment of teasing having lifted the heaviness in his tone.

For a few moments, silence enveloped you both again, the only sound the distant howling of the storm outside and the crackling of the fire in the other room. Bit by bit, you felt the tension fading away—both the external chill and the lingering prickliness of your earlier argument.

As you shifted slightly, pulling the blanket closer around you, you could feel the warmth radiating from Sam’s side, instinctively knowing it wouldn’t be long until your bodies began to close the distance beneath the covers.

“Just don’t blame me if you end up cold and wishing for my warmth,” you teased, allowing the smirk on your face to widen as you basked in the unexpected familiarity of the moment.

Sam let out a soft huff of frustration that melted into a gentle laugh. “Fine, blame it on the storm. But I’m not pretending it’s anything other than desperate times.”

With a grin pulling at the corners of your mouth, you close your eyes, letting the warmth envelop you. The storm outside raged on, but within the small cabin, you lay there knowing that perhaps, just perhaps, even cranky Sam could be a source of comfort in the midst of uncertainty.

As the night encased the cabin, the glow of the fire shifted from a cheerful blaze to mere embers, the once vibrant orange fading into dull reds and ash-gray whispers. You lay beneath the covers, cocooned in warmth, but the chill of the room began to seep in through the blankets, creeping along the edges and wrapping around your toes. You shivered involuntarily, instinctively turning toward Sam, hoping his presence would offer some comfort against the increasing cold.

But Sam was sound asleep in his corner of the bed, the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest steady and deep beside you. It felt odd to be sharing a bed with someone you argued with so fiercely not long before, but as you glanced over at him, there was something oddly reassuring about the way he seemed so peaceful.

You contemplated your next move: whether to brave the cold and stoke the dying fire or simply bury yourself deeper into the blankets. If only you could borrow some of Sam’s warmth. Just as you were about to decide, a low, guttural sound broke through the serene silence of the room.

It came again—a muffled whimper that sent a shiver racing down your spine. Your heart leapt in your chest as you turned to Sam, who jolted upright, his eyes wide with terror. His breath came in heavy gasps, the vulnerability stark against the strength he had shown earlier.

“Sam!” you called softly, reaching out to touch his arm. “Hey, it’s okay. You’re safe.”

He flinched at your voice, his gaze darting around the room as if trying to grasp his surroundings. “What—what happened?” His voice was raw, edged with the remnants of fear that clung to him like a shadow.

“You had a nightmare,” you replied gently, trying to keep your tone soothing. “You’re okay. I promise you’re not alone.”

For a moment, he remained tense, his muscles coiled as haywire as a tightly wound spring. You watched as he blinked rapidly, his breaths still ragged. He was battling some unseen force, and the last thing you wanted was for him to feel isolated in his fear.

“Sammy, look at me,” you said softly, shifting closer so you could see his face better in the dim light. “You’re here with me. We’re safe in this cabin. The storm is outside, and we’re warm inside, okay?”

Gradually, the tension in his shoulders eased a fraction, but the fear still flickered in his eyes like the dying embers of the fire. He finally focused on you, and something in his expression shifted, softening as he recognized you, the familiar face tethering him to reality.

"I'm sorry," he stammered, his voice scarcely above a whisper. “I didn’t mean to wake you… I just—”

“It’s okay, really,” you assured him, placing your hand on his arm, conveying your presence. “Nightmares happen to everyone. You’re not alone in this, I swear. Just breathe.”

He nodded, but you could see the remnants of panic still lurking in his gaze, tracing the way his chest heaved as he struggled to calm himself down. “I didn’t mean to—”

“Stop,” you interrupted gently. “You don’t have to apologize. Just focus on my voice, alright? In through the nose, out through the mouth. You can do this.”

He closed his eyes for a moment, as if trying to latch onto your words and ground himself. You watched him carefully, offering whatever reassurance you could as he took a few shaky breaths, mirroring your guided rhythm.

After several breaths, the frantic look in his eyes began to fade slightly, and his gaze softened into something more vulnerable. The tension in his body began to dissipate as your calm, steady voice seeped into the cracks of his fear.

“That’s it,” you encouraged, your heart softening at the sight of him slowly regaining his composure. “You’re doing great.”

Eventually, Sam drew in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Thanks,” he murmured, his voice more steady now, though still laced with exhaustion. “I didn’t mean to wake you. I thought—”

“Sam,” you cut him off again, shaking your head playfully to ease the weight of the moment. “I’d rather be awake with you than asleep alone and cold. Besides, this means I get to check on you, right?”

A semblance of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, a flicker of warmth breaking through the lingering chill. “Yeah, right. I appreciate that.”

You felt a surge of relief wash over you when he shifted himself to sit a little closer. The bed felt impossibly small, but you hardly cared as you settled in beside him, still mindful of that invisible boundary you both had established earlier.

As the fire flickered low in the hearth, you realized the chill had seeped away, replaced by an unexpected warmth that blossomed between you. “How about we stay up a little longer?” you suggested, glancing over at the dying embers. “We can talk… or I can tell you a story.”

“Story?” he echoed, his brow quirked slightly.

“Sure! I’ve got plenty,” you replied with a teasing grin. “Anything from shipwrecks to mythical beasts. Your pick.”

He chuckled softly, the sound warm and genuine. “How about the shipwreck?”

And as the storm raged outside, you settled back into the cushions, letting the words flow like water—the story wrapping around you both, offering comfort against the unrelenting world outside, while the warmth between you sparked a connection that was stronger than any nightmare.

As you finished the tale, weaving the final strands of your story into the warm atmosphere between you, you couldn’t help but notice how Sam’s tension had faded, the remnants of his night terror replaced by a relaxed expression. He leaned against the headboard, listening intently, a hint of a smile lingering on his lips.

“...and as the shipwrecked crew watched the horizon swallow the sun, they realized that their greatest treasure wasn’t gold or jewels but the bonds they forged during their darkest times,” you concluded, savoring the moment before you added, “And yes, they all promised to never sail again.”

Sam chuckled softly, a glimmer of admiration in his eyes. “Not bad at all. You know, that almost makes me want to venture out onto open waters—well, once the storm clears, of course.”

“Only if you promise to keep the boat away from sharp rocks,” you replied with a playful poke to his side. “You’ve had enough close calls for one lifetime.”

He shrugged, a teasing smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “What can I say? I'm a bit of a thrill-seeker.”

As the flicker of the dying embers began to dim the room, you felt a swift chill sweep through the air, a reminder of the cold that still lurked outside. “Hey, let me get you a glass of water. You could probably use it after… you know,” you gestured vaguely, not wanting to bring up the night terror again.

“Thanks,” he replied, his voice softer now, still carrying the remnants of vulnerability.

You slipped out of the bed and padded into the kitchen, your feet brushing against the cold floor. The house felt eerily quiet, and you knew the storm outside was still raging, but you were too focused on your task to worry much about it. You turned on the tap, filling a glass with fresh water, the sound of rushing water soothing.

Just as you turned to head back to Sam, a loud thwack against the window made you jump. Your heart raced, and before you could register what was happening, a startled scream escaped your lips. You spun around, wide-eyed, instinctively bracing yourself against the counter.

In an instant, Sam appeared in the doorway, his hair tousled, laying across his shoulders, and his athletic frame nearly silhouetted in the dim light. The sight of him shirtless made your breath catch in your throat.

“What happened?” he asked, his voice low and slightly panicked as he scanned the room, trying to gauge the danger.

“A branch… it hit the window!” You stammered, still slightly shaken. But as you glanced at him, the fuller realization set in. “And why on earth are you not wearing a shirt? Are you trying to catch a cold? It’s freezing out there, Sam!”

A bemused grin broke across his face as he moved closer. “I’m not cold,” he said, as if the chill in the air was a mere afterthought. “But you seem to be shivering a bit… might be a good idea to warm up.”

He wrapped his arms around you, pulling you close against him in a gentle embrace. You felt the steady beat of his heart against your cheek, his short facial hair getting caught up in your hair, and despite your earlier scolding, your pulse quickened in response.

You furrowed your eyebrows, trying to maintain an air of unimpressed annoyance, but the warm flutter of your stomach betrayed you. “Sam, this is ridiculous. You can’t just—”

“Can’t just what?” he interrupted, a playful twinkle in his eyes. “Keep you warm? You seemed more than okay with it when you were telling stories.”

Your heart raced as you leaned back just slightly to meet his gaze. “That’s different! It was—”

“Was it?” he teased, his smirk only growing as he tightened his embrace.

“Ugh, you drive me crazy,” you replied, folding your arms and attempting to look displeased, but the corners of your mouth betrayed you with a reluctant smile.

“Good, because I’m here to stay,” he said, his voice dropping slightly, growing more serious. “Seriously... you know I’ve got your back, right?”

Caught in that moment, with his warmth wrapping around you like the thickest blankets, the ease of the situation made your heart swell unexpectedly. You felt lighter, the fears of the night moving further away, if only for now. “Well, I guess you are kind of nice to have around sometimes.”

“Kind of nice?” he repeated, mock-offended but clearly delighted. “I’ll take that as a compliment. But I can definitely do better.”

With a chuckle, you finally relented, letting your guard down just enough to lean into his warmth. The storm continued to rage outside, but inside, you felt cocooned in safety—a warmth that radiated from more than just the physical. While the weather outside was frightful, being here with Sam felt entirely delightful.

With a shared, sleepy laugh, you both made your way back toward the bed, exhaustion creeping in on every step. The events of the night hung in the air like a lingering mist, but the warmth between you dulled the bite of the cold, softening the day’s earlier fears. Sam climbed back into bed, and you followed, letting yourself sink into the soft sheets.

As soon as your head hit the pillow, a wave of fatigue washed over you, heavy and inviting. You nestled into the blankets, feeling Sam’s warmth beside you, his presence a soothing balm against the chilly remnants of the night. The conversation faded into silence, and before long, the steady rhythm of your breathing synchronized with his, drawing the two of you into a gentle sleep.

Time slipped away like fallen leaves in the wind, and you drifted into a peaceful slumber, lost in a world where worries melted away.

Morning came softly, the sun peeking timidly through the window, casting a gentle glow across the room. It slowly crept into your dreams, nudging you toward consciousness with its warm fingers. You were the first to awaken, blinking away the remnants of sleep as you gradually adjusted to the new day.

Your gaze fell immediately upon Sam. You were taken aback by the sight of him, tangled in the sheets, his form a mesmerizing silhouette against the sunlight. The way the beams danced over his skin brought out a gold just under the surface, a halo of warmth that made him look almost ethereal.

You couldn’t help but admire him—a quiet moment stolen just for yourself. His hair fell messily across his forehead, soft waves that framed his face, and his chest rose and fell rhythmically, a peacefulness enveloping him like a comforting blanket. Sunlight caught the birthmark on his arm, nestled right beside his armpit, a gentle reminder that even the smallest details made him all the more unique. You found yourself tracing the outline of it with your eyes, then shifting your gaze to his tranquil expression.

Gazing at him, you noticed how the curve of his lips held a slight smile, as if he were lost in a pleasant dream. The vulnerability displayed in that moment pulled at your heartstrings—a reminder of how even the strongest weathered storms needed solace.

For a moment, you just laid there, absorbing the simplicity of the scene. You relished the sound of his soft breathing, the way the sunlight highlighted the contours of his body, and how it made everything seem so peaceful. It was a stark contrast to the chaos of the previous night, and yet here you were, home in the warmth and safety.

You smiled to yourself, unable to resist the urge to reach out and brush your fingers over the skin of his forearm, feeling the warmth radiate from him under your touch. Just a little longer, you thought, granting yourself the luxury of this peaceful moment.

As you watched Sam in the warm sunlight, a wave of nostalgia washed over you. He looked so peaceful, unburdened by the pressures of the outside world or the complications of your shared past. Yet, as you observed him, a bittersweet ache gripped your heart. You couldn't help but reflect on how their friendship had changed over the years.

Once, you two had been inseparable—confidants, partners in crime, charged with the thrill of shared adventures and whispered secrets. It felt like only yesterday that laughter echoed unabashedly between you, and the warmth of camaraderie wrapped you both in safety. But then something shifted. Some invisible line was crossed, and the distance that grew between you almost felt palpable, heavy like a cloud hanging over your heads.

Now, it often seemed like Sam was a complete stranger, one who could barely look you in the eye, as if he hated your guts for some reason you struggled to comprehend. The sharp edges of that distance were painful, creating a chasm that was hard to bridge. Yet here, in this intimate room filled with the soft light of morning, he was different. The guard he usually wore was absent, replaced by a serene vulnerability that beckoned to you.

You realized, with sudden clarity, that you had never truly hated him. You had only wanted him to feel the same hurt you had endured, to understand the pain of that distance you both created. It had driven a wedge between you, and so you had mirrored his cold demeanor, thinking it might draw him closer. But all it did was push you both further apart.

A quiet longing surged within you as you leaned forward slightly, your heart quickening in the presence of such intimacy. Sam remained deeply asleep, completely unaware of your internal turmoil. Carefully, you brushed your lips against his chest, a soft kiss that felt like a promise—an apology, perhaps—for the misunderstandings that lingered between you like shadows you wished to dispel.

In that fleeting moment, you felt his heart rate quicken beneath your lips, sending a jolt of panic through you. You slid back, eyes wide, swallowed by the sudden urgency of the moment. “Oh, gosh, what did I just do?” you thought, biting your lip as you considered the reality of his reaction. But after a second, you brushed it off. He was probably just dreaming again, caught up in whatever world he had escaped to in sleep.

An inkling of warmth lingered with you, but the urgency of breakfast overcame the fleeting intimacy. Slipping out of bed, you moved quietly to avoid waking him, the soft sheets whispering as you gathered your bearings. You padded toward the kitchen, the familiarity of the space welcoming you like an old friend despite the chaos of the storm still raging outside.

But once you stepped into the kitchen, you halted in your tracks. The picturesque view from the window was marred—trees had been knocked down by the intensity of the winds, and one massive trunk now lay squarely against the door. Your heart sank as you realized the extent of the storm’s havoc.

“How on earth are we going to get out of here?” you murmured to yourself, feeling a mix of dread and disbelief. You stepped closer to the window, peering outside to assess the damage. The scene was chaotic and disarrayed, the landscape transformed into a labyrinth of fallen trees and scattered branches. From your vantage point, it was clear that escape would require more than just a simple opening of the door.

Your thoughts drifted back to Sam, the warmth of his body still a vivid memory against the encroaching chill of reality. A newfound determination grew within you as you considered the task ahead. If you were going to clear a path to freedom, you would have to do it together—start peeling back the layers of the past and work toward finding common ground again.

With your heart racing, you resolved to prepare breakfast first, hoping that the smell of food would wake him from his peaceful slumber. Maybe there was hope yet—for both of you—if you could just work together to navigate whatever lay ahead.

You took a deep breath, allowing the lingering warmth from your brief moment with Sam to settle into your chest as you moved about the kitchen. You wanted to make this breakfast special, even if the storm had rendered you both temporarily trapped in the cabin. The aroma of comfort food had a way of melting away tension, or at least you hoped it would.

As you rummaged through the cabinets, memories flowed back to you, unbidden yet comforting. You could almost see the two of you during those carefree mornings, sitting around a small kitchen table, devouring pancakes drizzled with syrup and topped with fresh fruit. Sam had always liked his eggs fluffy, just the right amount of salt and a sprinkle of pepper, ideally served alongside crisp bacon. You began pulling out the ingredients, your hands moving automatically as you prepped the food, reflecting on the bond you once shared.

With each crack of an egg and each slice of bacon sizzling in the pan, you put your heart into the meal, willing it to convey the warmth you desired to share. Cooking became a form of therapy, a way to distract yourself from the nagging confusion swirling in your mind.

As you whisked the eggs, you heard a rustling sound from the hallway. Soon enough, Sam emerged from the room, his hair a mess and eyes blinking against the bright morning light. There was a moment—a flicker of hope—that he might look at you differently after the moments you shared, but as he stepped into the kitchen, that hope began to dim.

His expression was neutral, almost cold, as if the vulnerability of the night before had never existed. It felt as if a door had opened briefly, only to slam shut again, locking away whatever connection you had forged in those quiet hours. Your heart sank. It felt as if you were back at square one, navigating a landscape filled with unspoken words and guarded hearts.

“Morning,” he muttered, his voice flat. He walked over to the counter, leaning against it casually, but the cool demeanor he wore sent a chill through your resolve.

“Morning,” you returned, trying to sound cheerful, but you could hear the undercurrents of uncertainty in your own voice. “I was just making breakfast. Hope you’re hungry.”

“Sure,” he replied, shrugging slightly, devoid of the enthusiasm you’d hoped for. As you finished stirring the eggs, your mind raced. Had last night meant anything, or had it all been a fleeting moment of comfort he now wanted to forget? You chose to hold your tongue, beleaguered by the tension that hung heavily in the air.

You plated the bacon and eggs, trying to focus on the task in front of you but finding it hard to ignore the growing weight of unanswered questions. Why had he returned to this distant, guarded version of himself? You couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted between you in that room, only for him to act as if it held no significance when morning arrived.

As you presented him with his food, he offered a cursory glance, his features returning to that passive mask. Your heart ached; it was hard to reconcile the two sides of him—last night’s warmth and today’s chill. Maybe he had simply decided that nothing had changed, that the walls he built were more comfortable than the vulnerability you both had briefly explored. Perhaps he was afraid of letting anyone in, even if that someone was you.

“Um, how do you—” you started, but the moment felt stagnant, laden with an unspoken tension. You were uncertain if you wanted to broach the subject of last night or if it was even worth it. Did he even want things to change?

“Thanks,” he interrupted, taking a quick bite and returning his attention to the food. The way he focused on the plate felt dismissive in a way that left your heart feeling hollow. You swallowed hard, tapping down the urge to ask, to pry, to shout out the confusion brewing within you.

The two of you ate in relative silence, the sound of forks clinking against plates filling the air. The shared breakfast lacked the lightness and warmth you had hoped to cultivate. Instead, you felt the distance between you widen, as if an invisible chasm had opened itself up once more, reminding you both of the walls that had been built in the aftermath of whatever had soured your once beautiful friendship.

With every bite you took, fragments of yesterday echoed in your mind, a dissonance between “us” and “now.” The disconnect threatened to overpower you, but you knew discussing it would only push him further away, reasserting those cold barriers. Instead, you opted for silence, hoping that maybe, just maybe, time would bridge the gap that had formed around you both.

After finishing breakfast in tense silence, you leaned against the counter, steeling yourself for the next part. With a deep breath, you glanced at Sam, who was now picking at his plate, and decided it was time to address the elephant in the room—literally and figuratively.

“Hey, Sam,” you began, a touch of trepidation in your voice. “I think we have a bit of a situation on our hands.” He raised an eyebrow, a familiar spark of skepticism in his gaze that made you both nervous and resolute.

“We’re kind of stuck in here,” you continued, gesturing toward the door. “A tree fell right outside and it’s blocking our way out.”

For a moment, the weight of your words hung heavy in the air. Sam furrowed his brow, as if processing the absurdity of the situation. Then he pushed himself away from the counter with an exaggerated sigh, rolling his eyes.

“Great,” he huffed, striding toward the door with an air of determination that momentarily brought a smile to your face. You watched, mildly entertained, as he braced his hands against the wooden frame, stepping back slightly before launching himself against the door, pushing with all his might.

You couldn’t help but laugh softly at his futile effort. “You really think you’re strong enough to move a tree, Sam?” you teased, biting your lip to keep a straight face.

He paused, caught somewhere between irritation and amusement, shooting you an annoyed look over his shoulder. “I could if I wanted to,” he scoffed, the corners of his mouth twitching despite himself. It was nice to see a flicker of the old Sam, even if it was just for a moment.

But as he turned back to the door and gave it another firm shove, the tree remained unmoving, a solid testament to nature's stubbornness. Sam groaned in frustration, stepping away as he brushed a hand through his disheveled hair. “Okay, I get it. Not a tree-moving type of day.”

With a resigned sigh, he turned to leave, muttering something about needing to figure out a different plan. You followed him, curiosity pulling you along as he headed toward the couch where his phone lay. He picked it up, a look of determination returning to his features as he tapped a few numbers, presumably dialing Jake.

You leaned against the armrest, watching him silently as the phone rang, each beep sounding like a ticking clock counting down uncertain moments together. After a few moments, his expression shifted from focused to frustrated.

“Come on, pick up, man…” he muttered under his breath, tapping his fingers on the couch. But the moments stretched on, and you could see the tension mounting as he pulled the phone away from his ear, scowling at the screen.

“Seriously?” he said, a frustrated breath escaping his lips as he realized the truth. “No service. It’s like we’re completely cut off from the outside world.” He ran a hand over his face, the irritation practically radiating off him.

You crossed your arms, transforming the uncertainty of the situation into a fleeting sense of mischief. But rather than allow the opportunity to deepen the rift between you, you decided to lift the mood. “I guess we’re officially isolated. How thrilling,” you said lightly, attempting to inject some humor into the situation. “Just you, me, and a tree. Sounds like the setup for a bad movie.”

He shot you a half-hearted glare, though the tension in his features softening slightly. “Yeah, a real thriller,” he replied dryly, but the corner of his mouth quirked up, betraying the faintest glimmer of amusement.

“But seriously,” you continued, feeling a mix of warmth and determination from the awkwardness of the moment, “if we can’t get in touch with anyone, we’ll have to figure out a way to cooperate, right? If we're stuck here for a while, we might as well make the best of it.”

Sam nodded slowly, the edge of his annoyance beginning to ebb as he processed your words. “Fine, we’ll have to clear the tree together,” he conceded, his tone softening slightly. “But let’s hope it doesn’t rain. I’d rather not be stuck under a flooded roof.”

Your heart swelled a little, encouraged by the return of his willingness to engage. It felt like a tiny victory amidst the larger uncertainty looming over both of you. “Agreed,” you replied, a lightness creeping back into your voice. “In the meantime, let’s figure this out, and maybe we can reminisce about life before all this?”

The glint in his eyes suggested a tentative willingness to join you, and for the first time in what felt like ages, you sensed the intricate threads of your friendship starting to weave back together, even if the way ahead remained shrouded in both darkness and possibility.

As you stood there, contemplating the bizarre turn of events, Sam paced back and forth, tension radiating off him. “This is just so stupid,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief. “I mean, Danny and Jake booked these cabins, right? They must have known that there’s just one bed in ours.” He paused, running a hand through his hair, exasperation leaking into his voice. “They wouldn’t have done it on purpose… would they?”

You caught sight of the frustration etched across his face—complete disbelief mingled with annoyance. The prospect of being trapped together was clearly not sitting well with him, and you understood why. The very thought of sharing such tight quarters, especially after last night’s electric moments, seemed utterly ridiculous in the light of day. Something about it felt off, even if you found it hard to blame anyone for the misfortune of a fallen tree.

“It’s like they just thought it was funny or something,” Sam continued, pacing again, the floor creaking beneath his steps. “I mean, of all the cabins they could choose, they pick this one? Just to watch us squirm?”

You watched him ramble, the frustration evident in his posture. There was something oddly gripping about his annoyance, connections and feelings still simmering beneath the surface of frustration. Maybe he was right; perhaps it was a choice made by Danny and Jake to throw you both into a situation that felt absurdly uncomfortable. You almost chuckled at the scene, picturing their mischievous grins as they plotted, unknowingly contributing to the mess unraveling around you.

Yet, as Sam continued to voice his grievances, you couldn’t shake a lingering thought that crept into your mind—Josh’s smirk from earlier, his cryptic ways. The way he had looked at you, with eyes that spoke of secrets and somehow promised mischief. It felt like he had been orchestrating something, planning an outcome that wasn’t just about the fallen tree and isolation. Was this all part of his plan?

You furrowed your brow, feeling a knot form in your stomach. What if Josh had seen something between you and Sam? Maybe he had wanted to provoke a reaction, to push the two of you together under the guise of a mere cabin arrangement. It felt absurd to think that a simple twist of fate could have been manipulated so purposefully, and yet the feeling of being part of a larger game simmered just beneath the surface.

“Hey, you still with me?” Sam’s voice broke through your thoughts, his eyes searching yours for a moment. There was an intensity there, as if he sensed the turbulence of emotions swirling within you, perhaps eager to bridge something between you.

“Yeah, sorry.” You managed a small smile, shaking off the distractions in your mind. “Just thinking about how ridiculous it all is.”

“Ridiculous doesn’t even begin to cover it,” he replied, the irritation still lingering. “It’s like they were trying to set us up for failure.”

His frustration echoed yours, and you couldn’t quite tell if it was your own feelings surfacing through him or if it was the other way around. Despite the annoyance, you found comfort in the shared sentiment, a wicked spark of humanity that seemed to bring you closer in your shared plight.

“Honestly, I’m starting to think this was all just a ploy, some elaborate scheme,” Sam said, hands on his hips, his eyes narrowing as if trying to cut through the chaotic absurdity of it all. “And now we’re stuck here, facing it alone.”

“Maybe we’re just collateral damage in their plan.” Your voice was light, teasing, though it held a hint of sincerity. “Not to mention that tree, as if nature has a sense of humor too.”

A faint smile crept onto Sam’s lips, but the lingering shadows in his eyes betrayed the confusion that still held sway over him. In some ways, you wished you could wipe away the doubt that lingered in the air, the unasked questions that seemed ready to unravel whatever fragile progress you’d made.

He sighed deeply and plopped down onto the couch, a moment of stillness passing over him before turning contemplative. “Well, I guess we’ll have to figure this out. Together,” he said finally, the weight of the previous night reinvigorating the warmth between you, even as it felt complicated.

“Together,” you echoed, and for a moment, there was a quiet understanding, a fragile sense of unity in the chaos around you. Implicit within it was a knowing acknowledgment of the late-night conversations, the secrets traded under covers, mocking the bizarre reality of being locked in this cabin.

Yet beneath the words, the unseen strings from Josh’s earlier gaze tugged at you, uncoiling your thoughts. Was this some cruel game of fate? Or a calculated move by a friend who meant well but was overstepping? Only time would tell if the tangled web of events was predestined or simply an accident of life, and beneath it all, a budding connection simmered, waiting for the right moment to blossom amidst the madness.

Feeling the weight of the stillness settle heavily in the cabin, you decided it was time to take action. Sure, sitting around and brooding wasn’t going to solve anything. Maybe you could dig through your bags and find something to entertain yourselves—anything to stave off the sense of impending claustrophobia.

“Okay, let’s see what’s in our bags,” you suggested, rising from the couch. “Maybe we can find something to keep ourselves busy.” You headed toward the pile of bags near the door, excitement stirring in your chest as the prospect of a distraction materialized in front of you.

As you rummaged through your things, you tried to focus your mind on the mundane task of sifting through clothes and personal items, hoping to unearth a board game or maybe even a deck of cards. But with each zip and flap, you felt a growing sense of unease. You finally pulled out a couple of sweaters, a pair of jeans, and a well-worn book you always brought along for trips.

Then, it hit you like a bolt of lightning—most of the bags had been packed by Josh. The revelation was almost comical in its irony. He had insisted he’d handle the packing since everyone else was “too busy,” and you can bet that the bulk of the entertainment items had gone along with him to the other cabin.

“Oh no,” you muttered, the reality dawning fully as you flopped onto the sofa beside Sam, who was tapping his thumb against his knee, still lost in thought. “We left all the games at the other cabin.”

There was a brief moment of silence before Sam turned to you, his brow scrunched in disbelief. “Wait, really? All the board games? The card decks?”

“Yep,” you confirmed, sighing dramatically. “Josh was in charge of packing everything fun. And apparently, he thought we’d only want our sweatshirts and some snacks for the road.”

A frustrated laugh escaped Sam. “That’s genius, really. Cut us off from any source of entertainment.”

“So what now?” you asked, feeling the bubble of disappointment rising. “Unless you want to stare at the wall for the next few hours—”

“I mean, that sounds like a choice.” He chuckled, but the humor in his voice carried a hint of annoyance as well.

“What about your phone again?” you suggested, a flicker of hope once more igniting. “Maybe we can find a way to call someone, recruit help?”

“I already tried.” The humor fizzled as he leaned back, crossing his arms in a way that made it obvious he felt just as stuck as the rest of you. “No service. It really is just us and this tree… and one bed.”

You both groaned dramatically, the ridiculousness of the situation settling around you like a heavy blanket.

“Guess that’s the universe’s way of telling us to bond or whatever,” he said, rolling his eyes.

You laughed a little but felt a wave of introspection wash over you. The reality of the strange predicament was beginning to sink in—it wasn’t just the physical barriers that would keep you trapped. Sharing close quarters with him in a moment like this, with emotions still raw from the night before, added a whole new level of complexity to everything you felt.

“Look, we can’t just sit around feeling sorry for ourselves,” you said, forcing a lightness back into your voice. “We have to make our own fun. We could… I don’t know, tell scary stories? Start a book club?” Your attempt at humor brought a smirk to Sam’s lips.

“Why don’t you go first? I’d love to hear your version of a ‘scary’ story,” he teased, leaning forward with a glint of playful challenge in his eyes.

“I’ll have you know, I have superb storytelling skills,” you retorted, a grin growing between you. “But maybe we should save that for when the sun goes down. How about a dramatic reading instead?”

“Oh, please,” he sighed dramatically, folding himself into the cushions. “Spare me the poetry. I’m not sure how much more emotions I can handle today.”

“I have plenty of thrillers in my bag if you change your mind.” You smiled, butterflies taking flight when your eyes met his. “But if you really want to torture me, we could go with the age-old tradition of twenty questions.”

The notion hung in the air, a challenge waiting to be met, and you felt a thrill run through you as Sam raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Twenty questions it is, then. But you better come prepared.”

You both fell into a lighter mood, a sense of camaraderie blooming amid the challenges ahead. Even entangled in the ridiculousness of the situation, there was warmth in the unknown as you navigated uncharted territory together. The fallen tree might have cut you off from the world outside, but perhaps it had carved out a new space for something else to grow in the confined atmosphere of the cabin.

And as you settled into the moment, surrounded by laughter and playful banter, you felt a renewed sense of purpose, ready to tackle whatever twists and turns the day—and the absurdity of the circumstances—would throw your way.