Calilily

I Love You Too

June 29th, Thursday, 2023, 9.AM

"Fourteen hours!" Says Dodie in a fit of disbelief after barely squeezing her last bag into Spencer's trunk. Spencer could only shrug in response. "I've driven worse. If anything, fourteen hours is perfect. Get there just in time to sleep."
"Yeah Dodie.. Did you think Oregon was a quick drive away from LA?" Asked Dante.
"No. But I guess I wasn't thinking about the time." Dodie began to fan herself in the overwhelming heat of the outdoors, "But, whatever, let's get going then. It's so hot outside." At least she complained less than Terry. Though just like her, she was sent to the backseat. Spencer and Dante got the front row for this lovely, long trip to be.

     The heat was bearable in Spencer's car with the air conditioning. After about an hour of endless chitchat between the three Dante's habit of falling asleep in the car got the best of him. So Dante was first to rest. Afterward, Spencer and Dodie got to talking before she played on her phone to pass the time. About five hours in all three were overdue for a stop. The following five more hours went by slow and tantalizingly. With another stop- to none other than Spencer's favorite -the three carried on with the remaining four hours with full stomachs. Dodie managed to stay awake for the Oregon sign but her time for rest came shortly after. Finally, it was just Dante and Spencer.
"Are you okay to keep driving?" Dante asked in a quiet tone because of his sister sleeping in the backseat. Spencer nodded along and tapped the lid to his coffee. "I do this all the time. I'll be alright. This is all the help I need."
"Well, okay. It's been a nice little road trip together so far."
"Think so? The way back is always worse."
"Don't say that now." Dante nudged Spencer's arm. It got a small chuckle from him. Then Dante couldn't help but stare admirably at Spencer's mindless driving. That got a small glance from Spencer who peeked over his shoulder to Dodie to assure it was safe to whisper. "What're you looking at me for? Is she still sleeping?" 
"Hm? Oh, yeah she is. But no reason." His hand caressed down Spencer's arm, which was lying lazily over the center console. This seemed like a reason to Spencer. Dante's fingers snuck into Spencer's palm and with no protest at all Spencer turned his hand over in invitation. Then Dante looked away with a happy sigh and watched the world pass by. Even when Dante struggled to stay awake and Spencer longed for more coffee, hands stayed held for the remainder of the drive.

     Since this festival is driven around the holiday it's well maintained and managed. The campgrounds were the travelers' way of affordably staying not only close to but inside of the festival. However, this meant following all the rules. Including taking stops to get tickets scanned and following the directions that staff demanded of them. Soon they ended up in a lot of neatly parked cars. The forest around them was literally packed full of campers. Outside of the campgrounds were truckloads of food and merchandise to cater to the live music and partiers. While the scale of this festival didn't compare to endless stages in the desert- it still stood out as a massively loved event put on by and for the community. The three of them were really lucky to be here at an acceptable price for such gorgeous views. So, although beyond tired and exhausted, the trio began to search for a camp spot of their own. While it was slightly uphill it did mean they were mostly to themselves. Of course, Dante opted to share his tent with Spencer since he didn't have one. Dodie took that as a hint to keep hers at least ten feet away. Sharing space between people and trees wasn't the easiest, but by the end it seemed like the three had a nice camp to stake out the next few days of festival goings.

June 30th, Friday And July 1st, Saturday, 2023. 6.PM

     Finally, the festival has officially begun. There were plans to see familiar faces and soon. However, today was all about showing Dorothy the wonderful world of festivals. She could dress comfortably and colorfully, day drink without shame, meet new people and most importantly, enjoy the music. Although for Spencer he was only substituting drug use with drinking alcohol for this trip. Dante didn't seem to mind partying with both Spencer and Dorothy, but he often stayed the most sober between the two. They had as much fun as they could on their first day.

     However, the fun would probably fizzle out as Terry showed to join the festival on Saturday. I mean that jokingly, obviously. Spencer stood with his hands on his hips in the center of their makeshift camp. He was talking to Dorothy about how they were going to fit in the newcomer's tent. Meanwhile Dante went out into the parking lot to greet her. Though he was met with two new faces, too. While she hassled to unload the trunk of her car the two boys watched shyly just beside. Dante cleared his throat to their staring and spoke, "Um, Terry, can I help?"
"What? Oh hi Dante." Terry said after looking towards the words voicing her name. Dante drew closer and offered a hand. Which Terry quickly filled. "I texted that I was coming to help." Said Dante. "Must've lost service." Terry shut her trunk and looked to the two boys who were watching quietly. She gave a defeated sigh and spoke, "C'mon boys." She eyed the tents and few bags on the ground. They quickly put the pieces together and started to help. Soon the four were walking back to camp. Spencer seemed surprised to see new people joining them. With a tilt to his head Spencer asked, "Terry?"
"Yeah yeah. It's my brother and his friend." She replied as her full arms collapsed bags to the ground. Dante gently set a bag and cooler down beside him. "We made room for the tents. I figure they're sharing?" Said Dante and Terry answered. "Yeah, they'll share."
"Those friends." Spencer vaguely remembered Terry and Dante's talk about a brother and a 'friend'. The two boys weren't far behind. They almost immediately noticed all of the eyes on them. Terry reassured, "Can you guys make your own tent?"

"Yeah. We can." Said Malakai. Although Archie was practically hiding and staying quiet. To all of his sister's new friends Kai couldn't help but ask. "So um, Dante and..?"

"Spencer." Said, well, Spencer. Who stumbled over to be of some help to the boys. Of course he stood right beside Dante too. Spencer put his arm around Dante, and Dante smiled. Spencer asked, "I figure you're Terry's brother?"

"Yeah." Was Kai's short answer. He clutched tighter to his tent in hand and looked behind himself to Archie. Then Archie gave a soft 'oh' and finally mustered the courage to talk to these strangers. "I'm. Well you can just call me Archie I guess." Archie knew this was a weekend with Terry's friends but it still felt intimidating to be around adults he's never met. He was starting to regret lying to his parents about where he was going this weekend. Additionally, Kai was regretting the days of begging it took to come here just to bring Archie. Their eyes spoke the words they were too afraid to say aloud.

"There's a spot over there for your guys' tents then. Should be enough room." Spencer didn't need to say much more before the two were promptly leaving. Everyone seemed to look over their shoulder and watch with some mutual thoughts. "So you brought a couple of teenagers to this?" Spencer commented towards Terry. She grumbled and crossed her arms, and defended herself in rambles. "It was that or leave them at home, alone, during the fourth of July. While I'm out 'partying at a festival'. Might as well not be the dick of a sister and bring them too."
"They'll be alright Spencer. This is practically camping." Dante tried to reassure as well. Spencer didn't seem amused by it. "Camping, but with a bunch of adults and alcohol everywhere?"
"Since when did you care so much?" Terry remarked. Then it hit Spencer; he didn't care. "Well if you guys don't then I guess I don't either."
"I.." Trailed Terry before hearing some laughter behind her. The boys were already making fun, trying to read the directions to their tent, watching all the pieces sprawl everywhere from the bag. "I think they'll be fine."

     Shortly after...
"I'm Dodie."
"Hey, I'm Terry." It was nice to see at least one other girl in a camp full of boys. "So you're Dante's sister?"
"And you're Spencer's friend?"
"Unfortunately."
"Why unfortunately?" Dodie asked and Terry couldn't have seemed more unhappy to hear that question. She didn't really know why anymore. It felt like every time she looked at Spencer and Dante they were stood beside each other, hands held, eyes lost, or even kissing. No one listened to Terry after all. "So they're dating, huh?"
"I guess so."

     Yet again, it was the two of them. "Real good friends." Muttered Spencer who was leaning against a tree with Dante smoking beside him. He was watching Archie and Malakai from afar. Archie was teaching Malakai how to throw stones over the water. Although Spencer was watching, Dante wasn't until it was mentioned. His head raised for a few moments before giving a shrug. "Yeah, I guess so."
"And you don't think.."
"What?" Dante questioned sternly, passing his joint to Spencer who answered after some clear  staling, "Wasn't the whole point of you being friends with Terry about, like, helping her brother come out?"
"That's.. Not really how that works." Then Dante watched the boys at question. It was nothing elaborate. Only Malakai standing around aimlessly while Archie seemed to march around, talking and talking, making Kai laugh for sure. Terry hadn't asked for advice in months. "She said that all Kai's told her is that Archie's his friend. So maybe that's all it is."
"Hmm." Was Spencer's short response. With moments of silence he interrupted their peaceful smoking, "They're definitely gay."
"You can't say that for sure."
"The one has pink hair, Dante."
"So?"
"I dunno. Seems pretty-"
"They're just kids." Dante muttered and that ended it.

      Archie found a shell and rinsed it in the ocean's water. He hurried over to Malakai to show it off. "Look at this one!" He practically shouted. "Looks pretty.. Brown." Said Malakai as Archie held the seashell awfully close to his face. It was almost against his glasses. "Like your eyes." Said Archie as he closed one of his own with a squint to really compare the color of Kai's dark brown eyes with his newest sea treasure. Kai was smitten, but he wouldn't let it show. "You think so?"
"You should keep it." Archie took Malakai's hand and practically pried it open. Kai was hesitant to hold the shell at all, it seemed gross, but he did. Archie patted his hand closed before continuing his search. Kai followed unwillingly behind to be the bearer of Archie's finds. He stared at the shell in his hand for a long time. Then he stumbled upon another shell, just like the one he had but smaller. He picked it up and compared the two. The ocean felt so loud, he could hardly hear Archie running back again.
"There's nothing down there!"
"Ah!" Kai jumped to Archie's sudden presence, but hardly. After catching his breath Archie said, "Oh, sorry, didn't see me?"
"No." Kai replied, but now it was hard to miss that bright pink hair. Archie reached for Kai's hand, "What's that?"
"A shell."
"I thought you didn't like picking up seashells."
"Mhm. I don't." Kai shrugged but ultimately smiled. Then he held the shell up for Archie to see and added, "But this one is like your eyes too."
 Some silence simmered. Archie stared up at Kai and Kai hardly noticed.
"That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."
"What?" Asked Kai as the waves crashed loudly beside them. He heard Archie, he just wanted to hear him again.
"Nothing." Archie looked away timidly and that made him notice familiar faces watching them from afar. It was that guy, Spencer, and sometimes Dante too. It felt pretty lame to be watched over like they were a couple of kids. He turned his back to them and faced the ocean beside Kai. While he watched birds fly, boats pass from afar, and of course the water too- Kai was still staring at two seashells. The way they felt, their sentiment, and the memories they now held. He hoped he'd remember this day; the color of the water, the brown shells, his pink hair..
"You don't have to carry them." Archie's words interrupted Malakai's thoughtful silence. Archie assumed Kai was sulking over every second spent with these shells. Though Kai replied, "I know." Then he offered his hand to Archie. His hand was open with the shells present for Archie to take. Archie reached over to take them, but Kai's hand stayed open even when empty. So Archie chuckled and clutched a few of Kai's fingers to hold. They stood together and watched the ocean for awhile.
"They're kissing." Whispered Malakai to Archie, who then peeked over his shoulder. Of course the watch party ended early. Spencer quickly became distracted by a quick make-out session against a tree with Dante.
 I don't think either of them had any examples of an openly queer, male couple in their lives. So, maybe this was nice to see. "Lame." Said Archie, pretty much immediately. "I don't particularly enjoy watching old people kiss." Added Malakai. Then the two boys laughed to each other, bouncing off each other's sides as their continuous jokes were clearly hilarious. After their fit of blushing giggles Archie started to lead Kai down the beach and away from the nosey adults. This time they trailed off with hands held.

     Night quickly drew near and like many others the group decided that hot dogs by the fire were much easier and cheaper than walks to food trucks. Plus the festival grounds were crowded today. Spencer, Dante, Terry and Dorothy were all sat around the fire.
"I figure you guys came today because of the fireworks?" Asked Spencer to Terry.
"Yeah, fireworks are tonight and Tuesday. I have to leave tomorrow. So I wanted them to be able to actually see 'em."
"Is that all you came for? Fireworks for kids to see?" Spencer knew Terry. Obviously she added, "That and music."
"Fair enough." Spencer seemed reluctant to poke and prod with her. Terry however, not so much. "I see you guys are together now."
 Dante and Spencer sort of scoffed to the statement. They looked to each other as if one of them would answer, but it seemed like neither really knew. Dante took the liberty of making an excuse, "We're staying here together, if that's what you're asking."
"Well I'm not blind. I see that." She replied sarcastically and it made Dodie snicker. Finally, someone who actually found Terry funny. Maybe it was because Dorothy got amusement out of picking on her brother too. Terry says, "I mean you guys have been kissing and holding hands. You're literally sharing a tent. You guys are dating."
"We did those things at the last festival. What makes now any different?" Spencer asked. "Because it's lasted a month." Terry gave a longing look to Spencer before adding, "And when's the last time it lasted a month?" It seemed like Spencer didn't want to answer that question. Terry's known Spencer for a long time too. Spencer is clearly in love and Dante is just as stupidly in love with him, if not more.
"Better get to the shore before it's crowded." Dorothy added to break the tension between the three. However, it brought attention to the lack of people in the forest around them- and the hassle of people closing into the beach. Suddenly stuffing down hotdogs and chit-chatting turned to abandoning camp before sunset.

     Bottles of beers followed the four to the beach. Terry and Dorothy were lightweights compared to Dante and Spencer. Those girls were already tipsy by the time the sun set and music played. Spencer and Dante had plenty of time to enjoy some music and dancing later. So they let it slide that Terry wanted to go exploring, and that Dodie followed behind her. Meanwhile Spencer and Dante sat on a bench close to the beach with Archie and Malakai. To Spencer this was pretty awkward, but Dante wasn't as bothered. "Terry said you should stay by the benches. Just in case, Kai."
"I know. I will." Malakai didn't love the constant reminders. He knew he had to be careful in the dark, but Archie was here too. To Kai's monotone response Dante added hopefully, "You should be able to see the fireworks from here still." Teenagers were scary and he could tell that he didn't enjoy talking to them. Yet like the big brother he's always been he wanted to be nothing but helpful to those who were younger than him. "Your earbuds are in.. Uh.. I'm sure you know." The stone cold faces were enough to silence Dante and continue to keep Spencer quiet.
"I do." Was all Kai said. Archie and Malakai faced away from them and watched the water. The sunset was gorgeous. They just wanted to be alone together, and they were scared in every way to say that out loud.
 Spencer and Dante looked to each other, completely unamused, and their eyes spoke their mutual thoughts. "We're going to go down to the beach. We won't be far." Said Spencer, getting up from the bench and offering a hand for Dante to take. However, with the adults getting up Archie and Malakai's hidden but held hands loosened and shied away. Malakai looked away. Yet Archie looked up to Spencer and Dante, they were holding hands too, and Spencer looked at him and said, "If you need us, y'know, get us or holler."
"Holler?" Dante was surprised and asked that with a laugh. "Must be the Indiana in me." Spencer shrugged, but his humorous words were rewarded with a brief cheek kiss. Spencer's eyes were so full of love gawking up towards Dante, and Dante looked swept off his feet to his dreamy blue eyes. Then the two started to walk away with a few loving laughs.
"I like you with an accent. I love it even." Then Dante added endearingly, "A lot."
"Oh?"
...
 Archie and Malakai listened, watched and looked to each other promptly. Maybe their hearts grew fonder seeing love so simple, so effortless; a love like Spencer and Dante's. It was love that felt like theirs too. Suddenly holding hands again didn't feel so scary.
 They watched the colors fade. The sky grew dark, rich and blue. "Kai." Said Archie quietly. Malakai looked towards him, "Hmm?" Though it felt like awhile before Archie said anything back. "Nothing." He whispered. Archie looked at Kai for as long as he could. His pretty eyes, his perfect nose, the mess of hair he refused to cut, the practically useless glasses.. Then eventually Kai looked away.
 Malakai's shoulder was a comfortable spot to rest his head. He wished he had the courage. Though Kai's eyes desperately darted the darkness before him. He hadn't even known that Archie stared at him to begin with. Maybe if he knew.
 Yet this was nice. The summer's warmth, the sounds of people, the hands held, and the feeling of simply being with him.

     Spencer impatiently checked his phone and exclaimed. "They were supposed to start five minutes ago." The shoreline was packed and tons of people were eagerly waiting. By now Dante had forgotten about the task of teenage-sitting. It was hard enough to babysit his own boyfriend. "Didn't know you were in a rush to see them."
"I'm not. I just like complaining."
"Uhuh." Dante rolled his eyes and reached out for Spencer's hand to keep him from wandering. He pulled him closer but only for a distracting kiss that Spencer had to turn to several. Spencer's breath was tainted by alcohol, and Dante could tell. As a kiss parted Dante asked lovingly, "Are you going to share that?" referring to the only drink at hand between the two of them. Spencer shrugged, dazed by affection and a thoughtful mind. "I could. But at a cost." Or maybe an excuse not to share.
"There's literally more in the cooler."
"That's not what I meant." Spencer teased, "Maybe later we---"
 Unfortunately Spencer's words were interrupted by the loud whistles, cracks and pops of the firework show beginning. Dante heard him though, loud and clear. I guess a verbal answer wasn't needed. A simpler kiss than before was plenty. One that lasted, one that was almost romantic with the fireworks above them. Afterwards Spencer let out a celebratory holler and raised his can to the air. They pointed up at the sky and all the colors that fell over the water. Dante shook his head to Spencer's excitement, but an indefinite smile was plastered on his face. They stood together for many, many minutes and watched the show at length. It was a moment they wouldn't forget.

"Hey." Muttered Spencer up and into Dante's ear to get his attention in all the sound. Dante's expression said it all, 'yes?' was the look. Then Spencer very obviously looked over his shoulder and behind them. Dante sighed and knew, and looked as well.
"Oh." To say Dante was surprised was an understatement.
"Must be real good friends."
"Shut it." Dante nudged Spencer's side and Spencer laughed. Afterwards Spencer kissed Dante's cheek and held him close, "We're best friends then."
"I'm sure you'd like to think so." Dante teased but lovingly.
"That's mean~"
"I'm just joking." Dante trailed off before resting his head against Spencer's. "You're a lot more than my best friend Spence."
"Really?" Though I guess that was a stupid question, and following quickly after, "I know."
 They both thought it for sure, but they didn't say it.



"I love you."
"I love you too, Kai."