--------------------Aidan's POV----------------------
My hands trembled as the cold seeped through my body. I looked at my phone, it feeling warm in my hand. Despite it being mid-day, the sky was dark, black clouds blocking what little sun there was as I looked out my windscreen. I had been driving back from my parents when my engine light had come on my dashboard, the power cutting from my car. I had managed to steer into a layby and call a tow truck, but for the next few hours I was stuck alone in the cold.
Sighing, I unbuckled my belt and lay my car seat back, turning and climbing over the scratchy seats. I reached the back seat, fighting through the piles of old hoodies and my gym bag, making it to the boot. I reached through the gap above the seats and began awkwardly dragging out a small plastic box to the front seats, opening it. My dad had insisted last year to make me a survival kit to put in my car in case anything like this did happen. I had fought with him about it. I don't know why I was so against having it, but I only gave in to get some peace. I was glad now he had won, though hoping I wouldn't have to tell him about it.
I pulled out a warm blanket, a few bars of chocolate and some water from the box, leaving the flashlight and candles there. As I unfurled the blanket a small card fell out. I picked it up, flipping it over and opening it. Inside was a picture of my family, a message on the back from my dad about how he hopes I never have to use it.
I looked at the picture, seeing the three of us, my mum and dad flanking me at the beach. The picture was a few years old now, from a family holiday when we had rented a villa in Portugal. I was younger then, smiling, my pale skin slightly sunburnt, and my freckles exploding over my face from the sun. I looked at my skinny frame as my t-shirt hung off me, glad I started going to the gym and beefed up a bit since then.
I put the photo on the dashboard and lay back in my seat. My phone battery was low so I couldn't browse the internet. I had no books or anything else. I had nothing else to do but wait. I wrapped the blanket around me like a cocoon, and lay back, closing my eyes. Hoping to at least get a nap in before the tow truck came.
I was woken about an hour later, the silence of the empty road broken, as I heard the screech of tyres. I jolted awake looking out into the snow sleepily. On the road I could see a red escort spinning out of control, heading off the road. Heading for me.
I panicked, sitting up and reaching for my seatbelt, fumbling, certain it was going to hit. My stomach lurched as I couldn't quite get it in, before the satisfying click relieved my ears. I braced myself, ready for the collision, watching the bright headlights getting closer and closer.
At the last minute the car swerved, narrowly missing and spinning safely onto the edge of the railing. The car sat there for a few minutes before the door opened, and a tall figure clad in winter wear got out. They headed to the front of the car and check the tyre, before kicking it angrily. I watched fascinated, unsure what I should do and whether to get out and help. I had just started to get warm. I didn't know what I could do.
The stranger made the decision for me. They walked over to my car, the heavy footsteps echoing in the silent snow. I felt a bit nervous, all alone here, no one around for miles, this unknown figure approaching my broken-down car.
He reached me and bent down, his face in front of the glass of the passenger door. I had imagined a rough older guy, the kind you might see on the news when there's a prison break. Instead, the face in front of me was handsome. Jet black hair, sharp jaw, 5 o' clock shadow lining his face. I gulped and lowered my window.
"Hey, you okay?" I asked, trying to keep my voice even. My eyes were focused on him, but the rest of me couldn't help but imagine how that stubble might feel to touch, rubbing between my body.
The stranger nodded, "Yeah, something went wrong with the power steering, think Its dead -- how about yours?"
"Yeah, dead to," I shrugged, "it just stopped, engines lights on. I don't know enough about cars to guess."
"Shit," he sighed, "guess we're stuck here -- have you called a tow?"
I nodded, "Yeah, they won't be here for a couple of hours though. Do you want me to text him and tell him your cars broken down to?"
"Yeah that sounds great, thanks". He stood their awkwardly for a few minutes, before continuing, the cold from outside seeping into my car through the open window. "Sorry, I don't mean to be a dick, but do you think I could join you while I wait, my heaters dead as well and I think my balls might freeze stuck in there."
I hesitated, not sure who this stranger was, before deciding, "Sure, I've nothing to do for the next few hours, so better than being stuck alone"
I could see the relief on his face, "Thanks man, I'll just get my bag."
He jogged over to his car, opening the door and grabbing a small rucksack from the passenger side while I closed the window. I had a quick survey of my car, grabbing the stuff on the passenger floor and tossing it into the back, just in time for him to get in.
"Fuck it's cold." He shivered, taking off his gloves and holding his hands by the heater. "I'm Ryan." he offered
"Aidan" I responded. I reached for one of the bars of chocolate my dad had left me, "Want some?" I offered..
He grinned, "Shit yeah," breaking off a piece of the bar, "I've got these to share as well." pulling out a big bag of Doritos and putting them onto the dashboard.
"The red ones to," I grinned, "Nice, I'm almost glad you crashed."
Ryan laughed, "Too soon man, too soon." As he opened the bag up ad put it onto the dashboard.
We spent the next half an hour talking about our lives. Ryan was 27, about the same age as me, told me he was an accountant trying to his girlfriends for Christmas. I told him how I was just coming back from my parents, and about my video game job.
Ryan was excited by the last bit, "Shit, no way -- what games did you work on?"
I blushed, "Well, I'm only a troubleshooter, but I did some work for Larian."
"That's so cool -- "his phone buzzed, and he reached to get it. "Sorry man, that's probably my girlfriend. Have you any napkins or anything, got all this Dorito dust on my hand, don't want to get it on my phone."
I nodded, "Yeah sure, try the glovebox." He started opening it before I realised, "Actually, no, no wait --"
It was too late, as a large thud filled the car. I kept a bottle of lube in there as well as some condoms from when my grindr date couldn't host, both of which dropped out in front of him.
