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He shouldn't have to do this. Why couldn't the company pick a do person, it shouldn't have to be him. Dr.Wells delivered the 'exciting news' that he had been hand picked for this little mission, the study the apparently weirdly coloured creek in the middle of the woods, for a entire week. A entire week in the woods with Rathaway. But it would look amazing on his resume. He sighed and closed the suitcase. While picking up his bag and dragging it to his car he thinks of ways to make Hartley's death look like a accident. A bear ate him! Yeah, no more snide remarks about outfit.
"This is the camp site." Hartley looked up from the map to Cisco. Cisco glanced around, no one else here. He took out the tents to be set up and started on his. Hartley grabbed his and started his, "These instructions were written poorly..."
"I'm finished do you want help?" Cisco offered.
"I doubt you assembled yours correctly. It'll collapse in the night."
"Well I'm going to find the creek."
"That's dangerous. You should wait for me, there are animals you know." Cisco shrugged, he had a point, so he sat on the ground on looked over the map. The creek wasn't to far away, but they were very far from anyone else. If something happens no one will hear them and they can't call, "Done, come on let's go." Hartley of course led the way. Cisco followed behind him listening to birds sing beautiful songs. It was good to be in nature, he hummed in content. The creek came into view and it looked? Normal? It certainly wasn't a weird colour, Hartley was glaring at the map suspiciously, "This is it, according to the map. Let's take the sample and go back before it gets dark."
"Got it." Cisco took out the rubber gloves and test tubes. And took a sample of the completely normal looking creek. Which makes him suspicious of why he was sent here. Hartley came up behind him and grabbed his shoulder.
"Look." Hartley pointed, a heard of deer were eyeing them. A massive buck stood proudly in front of the heard, it's antlers intimidating. Cisco shifted and deer, even the big buck, took off, "You scared them." Cisco rolled his eyes.
"I know, sorry, I'm sure we'll see more over the week."
"The one was very big. Did you get a good sample?"
"Yeah, creek looks fine though."
"It does, maybe the location for tomorrow will look strange." Cisco hummed in agreement, tomorrow would be a long walk to wear the creek meets the river. Approaching the camp site and Ciscos tent came into view, but Hartley's tent was... not there? A large brown head was were it was supposed to be. Both of them froze. Bear. A bear was destroying Hartley's tent. The bear froze and sniffed the air, it's ears twitched, and it's eyes searched for someone. It heard something and started walking away, back into the woods. They both waited in silence for awhile until Cisco sighed in relief.
"It took the food." Cisco's panic came back, no food means death. Hartley sighed and went over to the remains of his tent. The bear ate the food but left his stuff mostly alone, a few claw marks on his bag of clothes and he guessed that laptop wasn't turning on anytime soon, "What if it comes back?" Cisco's panic intensifies.
"Is there another camp site?"
"It's across the creek and a mile west. It's already getting dark. Risk the bear or getting lost forever." Hartley said like a walking gps.
"How about one of us stays awake with the gun in hand and we take turns being asleep?"
"That could work, but we have to share the tent."
"Not a problem with me, I don't plan on getting eating alive by mosquitoes all night." Hartley looked uncomfortable but nodded. The both squished into the tent and quickly found out there was no way to not be touching each other. Hartley took the first shift and sat the gun next to him and listened for anything. Cisco realized he couldn't sleep, he was hungry and filled with panic. Different scenarios of dying by bear played through his head.
"Can't sleep?" Hartley turned him.
"No, hand me my ds." Hartley felt around and handed him his ds, he was trying to save his battery life, but this was a emergency. He kept his volume off and played his soul silver, "Are you watching me play, thought this was too childish for you?" Hartley rolled his eyes and moved closer so his head was right next to Ciscos. Cisco could feel Hartleys breath on his cheek. Cisco felt the overwhelming urge to turn over a kiss Hartley, but that would very stupid, but also kinda hot. I mean, kissing the guy that's been nonstop harassing you at work, up until a couple weeks ago it stopped he's been mostly avoiding you and staring at you from a distance. Normal behavior for someone that hates you. Now kissing that guy in the middle of the woods, not because you think he's kinda cute. No one would know. Cisco turns his head, and kisses Hartley. Hartley returns the kiss eagerly.
"Wha- ? Why?" Hartley says once they part for air.
"You looked cute, and I noticed you looking at me more. So I decided to be brave."
"I guess I wasn't subtle, you're cute too."
"Once we figure out how to get out of here, I'll be taking you on a proper date. Cuddle and some sleep?" Hartley nodded and quickly snuggled up to Cisco. Being cuddled put them both to sleep. Once they were awake Hartley led the way to the far away camp site. Log cabins and a few families greeted them.
"They couldn't have set us up in one of these?" Cisco looked at the good sized cabins in envy. Hartley seemed irritated too, they were both hungry and wanting to sleep in a proper bed.
"Let's hope one of these people has a phone and food to spare. And a spot to sit. Cisco went up to a man eating delicious smelling hot dogs.
"Sorry, but a bear ate our food, could you spare some food?"
"Bear? A bear hasn't been seen here in decades." He turned away, "Homeless bozo." He grumbled. Cisco turned and tried a fisherman, who did give up two of his catches. He had apparently also seen the massive bear roaming the forest.
"I got some fish!" Cisco called to Hartley, "Let's start a fire and have a little date by the pond." Hartley started a fire and started cooking the fish while Cisco struggled with the radio a person had given Hartley.
"Fish is done, take a break and come eat with me." Hartley patted the spot next to him. Cisco sat down and leaned against Hartley as he was served his portion of fish. It tasted amazing, even though it has no seasoning, must have been the hunger.
"Soon we can eat a delicious meal in a fancy restaurant."
"This fish does taste good, probably the hunger though."
"We've had a rough day." Hartley laughed and took another bite. He was looking forward to the coming days shared with Cisco.