Operation Fake Relationship - Jay Northcote Page 0,12

dissipating before gathering back together in a dense ball. Nick and Jackson watched in wonder as the starlings continued their complex dance for a few minutes, before finally settling into a copse of trees a few fields away.

“That was incredible.” Jackson’s eyes were bright with wonder. “I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

Nick smiled. “I’m glad they put on a display for you.”

“Me too.”

There was a softness to Jackson’s expression that made Nick feel as though one of the starlings had broken free from the flock and was flapping its wings inside him.

“Come on, I’m freezing,” he said briskly. “Let’s head on.”

Four

Jackson’s spirits had been lifted by the sight of the starlings, and his heart felt light as they continued their walk. The sun was a ball of fire, resting on the dark horizon.

When the path looped back into the woods, Nick paused. “Want to watch the sun set?”

“I thought you were cold?”

“I am. But it won’t take long, and it’ll be worth it. Come here. We can huddle like penguins.” He reached for Jackson and wrapped his arm around his waist. Jackson put his arm around Nick’s shoulder and pulled him closer. With the height difference, they fitted perfectly like this. “That’s better.”

They stood, watching as the sun inched its way lower and lower.

“Isn’t this romantic?” Nick said, turning to Jackson with a smile. “It’s a shame we’re not really a couple, because this is the stuff soppy movies are made of. It’s sadly wasted on us.”

Jackson chuckled, hoping he sounded convincing, and looked away quickly. “Yeah. Right. Look at the sun, you idiot, or you’re going to miss it setting after making us stop and watch.” Eye contact was too much when they were standing so close. It made him want to do something crazy, like tell Nick how beautiful he looked, or kiss him, or something.

They waited in silence until the last sliver of gold disappeared, and Nick pulled away.

“Come on, then. Let’s head back.”

It was only then that Jackson realised how dark it was, even more so as they followed the path into the woods. Hurrying along behind Nick, he tripped over an invisible obstacle. “Fuck!” Throwing his arms out, he managed to catch his balance. “Slow down.”

Nick stopped and got out his phone to use as a torch. “That’s better. Have you got yours too?”

“No. I left it charging when we came out.”

“Give me your hand then.”

Jackson hesitated a second before taking Nick’s hand. They were both wearing gloves, and Jackson found himself wishing they weren’t so he could have felt Nick’s skin warm against his own.

With the light of Nick’s torch they made their way carefully through the woods until Nick stopped by a huge tree. He left the path and circled around it, shining his torch at the base.

“What are you doing?”

“Just checking something.” There was a scuffling sound and the light disappeared.

“Nick?” Jackson asked, alarmed.

“Hang on.” Nick’s voice was muffled and distant. Jackson felt his way around the trunk. As his eyes adjusted he could just make out the trees around him, but there was no sign of Nick.

“Where the fuck did you go?” Jackson looked around wildly.

“I’m in the tree.”

Jackson looked up, but there was no way Nick could have climbed it.

“Look down!”

A light flashed near his feet and Jackson noticed a hole in the trunk. At first glance it looked way too small for Nick to have crawled inside it. But when Jackson crouched down for a better look, he saw it was larger than he’d thought. “Come and see.”

Against his better judgement, Jackson eased his head and one shoulder through the hole. “Bloody hell. I thought you’d been abducted by aliens for a minute there.”

“Nope.” Nick had climbed a little way up, his feet were straddling the inside of the hollow tree. “Wait there for a sec.”

“I wasn’t planning on going anywhere,” he replied as Nick started scrambling higher. “Ugh.” He jerked his head back as a few bits of tree dust landed on his face.

“Yes!” Nick’s voice was triumphant. “It’s just how I remembered. Come and join me.”

“You’re kidding, right? I’m never going to fit up there.”

“Yes you will. It’s more roomy than it looks.”

Still unconvinced, Jackson’s curiosity got the better of him. Sure enough, once he managed to wedge his shoulders through, the rest of him followed fairly easily. Inside, it was a tight fit, but he was able to stand and lift his arms. He felt around for a handhold. “How do I climb up? I