The first thing Lorelai noticed when she woke up was that her sleeping bag was covered in frost. Not just it, the entire tent floor crunched as she rolled onto her side, shivering and looking at the empty space.
Lorelai felt her heart heave and she burst into silent tears.
She was giving Hannah the space she wanted, but she'd been sure that her girlfriend would sneak in, during the night. She'd left room for her, unpacking everything onto just one side of the tent, but... She was still alone.
Not having Hannah by her side should have been fine. Their romance had been whirlwind, based on stolen food, and fucking each other's brains out. Having similar forbidden crushes.
Triss had been fine to be on her own.
So, why did Lorelai feel like someone had stuck a knife in her and carved off one of her arms? Why did she feel like less than half a person without the redhead to greet her in the morning?
She'd been dumped before, albeit not by someone she'd had sex with. It had never hurt this bad. Even with Hannah promising this was temporary, it felt like something in Lorelai was dying. Screaming in pain as it went.
When the tears finally stopped, she sat up tiredly and dragged over a bag. Getting out a clean hoodie and jeans, before finding a mirror and make up to try and hide she'd been crying with a little bit of cover up.
Not much she could do about the redness of her eyes, but she made it less obvious. Less puffy.
Lorelai emerged from the tent, shivering and rubbing her arms. Mateo was already sitting beside a fire, with a small aluminium percolator above the flames.
He was sipping at a mug, and watching the deep red sunrise over the eucalypts. Lorelai crawled onto his lap without asking and pulled in her legs, teeth chattering.
Her dad laughed and brushed her hair, "Next cup of coffee is nearly ready."
She snagged his out of his hands and sipped at it, savouring the nearly boiling liquid as the heat spread out through her chest. "Whoever's idea it was to go camping at this time of year..."
"I think that was yours, Lor."
She shrugged, "Not like I don't do stupid shit."
"Still down, huh?"
She nodded and looked at the landscape of stone and trees, beneath the wavering arms of red, "It's... It's really pretty here. And quiet. But it doesn't help."
"We could hike to either the falls or the hot springs today." Mateo offered, "Which would you prefer?"
"Eating the last of my chocolate stash, lying in my sleeping bag, reading my book and crying." She chose another option.
He continued stroking her hair, "You were excited when we bought the bikini for her."
"She needs space." Lorelai whispered, "I don't want to pressure her."
He sighed heavily and hugged her, "You really shouldn't be mourning just yet. You haven't lost her. Not yet. And showing a little affection isn't going to end things."
"It's my decision."
He gave a frustrated sigh, but didn't say anything else. It was what Lorelai loved most about her father. He would give his advice, encourage her, but if she decided on something different, then he didn't argue with her or scream at her, like her mother would have.
She even knew that he'd support her when her decision turned out to be a crap one, like he predicted.
Lorelai heard another zip open, followed by stumbling feet and chattering teeth. She didn't need to turn around to know exactly who that was. She knew those tired footsteps.
Hannah groaned as she sat down beside the fire, rubbing her hands together, "Any plans for today, Uncle Teo?"
Avoiding asking her directly. Hannah was hurting, too. That was why Lorelai had to suck it up and not push. The redhead probably couldn't look at her, and that was fine because there was no way Lorelai could look at her cousin without bursting into tears.
"I think Lor just wants the quiet. But you and Celia could hike up to the hot springs." Mateo said diplomatically. She still elbowed him in the gut for it.
Hannah took several long and deliberate breaths, "Would... You prefer if I just go home, cuz?"
"No." Lorelai said, standing up and taking her dad's coffee with her. "Going for a walk."
"Lor!" Hannah called after her.
---
Walking around the rocky terrain by herself had been a crap idea, Lorelai decided. Especially when she was feeling too down to actually pay attention to where she was walking and had ended up in this stupid situation.
She didn't have a phone on her, because she was escaping from a media blitz. She didn't need to remind herself by looking at social media.
So, after she slipped and twisted her ankle, she found herself sitting on a boulder by herself and hoping someone in her family was going to try and pierce her privacy tantrum, because she couldn't put any weight on it.
Such a crap idea.
At least she was in a beautiful place. It might be cold and windy, but the treescape leading up to a cutaway to the ocean, was amazing. One of those things that inspired artwork.
Lorelai could imagine Hannah sitting here, setting up her camera and the perfect angles. Taking hours to capture the perfect ten second moment, and squealing happily when she got it.
Her ankle looked like it was still swelling. It hurt, even just resting it on the ground.
She looked up as she heard a grunt from somewhere nearby. Deep and strong, like she imagined Mateo would sound on top of her. Lorelai looked around, but couldn't see anyone.
Was someone perving on her, from nearby?
A hand slapped the rock in front of her, and Lorelai's face split into an amused grin as she saw she wasn't the only insane person out and about. Strong and bare shoulders rippled, as the man drew himself up to the top of the rockface.
He half collapsed, and gave a weak smile and wave as he spotted her.
Lorelai gave a timid wave back, and then noticed he didn't have any climbing gear on. Freeclimber. She looked up at the still rising sun, "Is it as pretty coming up, as it is, sitting here?"
The guy ran a hand through his sweat matted hair, "Not really. Mostly just cursing myself for thinking it'd be easy. Name's Chris."
"Lorelai." She replied tiredly, "Nice to meet you. Though, um..."
He glanced at her with concern, "Twisted ankle?"
"You can see it, huh?"
He nodded, "Yeah, we should get some ice on that. Just give me a minute to catch my breath, and I'll help you out. Your campsite far? Mine's kinda... Down there."
"Yeah, not an option." She laughed and then waved, "Five minutes thataways, I think. I was... Maybe... Throwing a tantrum? I got into a fight with my girl."
His demeanour instantly changed. Not huge changes, but there was a definite change to the way he was looking at her. She should have seen that one coming. He was probably hoping that playing the hero was going to earn him a kiss.
Actually... That... Wasn't a bad idea.
"You here with a group, Chris?"
He shrugged, "My sister. She hates physical stuff, though. Reading in her hammock is as much as she likes it. Just you and... Your girl?"
"Family." Lorelai shrugged, "My dad. My cousin and her parents. The cousin is the girl. Hannah. You wouldn't happen to have a thing for redheads, would you?"
Chris chuckled softly, "Prefer blondes. Especially when they cut to the chase, that quickly. You from around here?"
"Yes and no." Lorelai shrugged, "I didn't know my dad, only just met him. This was supposed to just be me meeting the other side of the family... But my mum's a psycho, and completely lost the plot, so I'm moving in with dad, now. Sorry. My family story, it kinda sucks."
"Thought I recognised you." Chris sighed heavily, "The kidnapped girl, right? Shit. What am I supposed to say, at a time like this?"
Lorelai ran a hand through her hair, "Yeah... Don't want to think about that. Buuut... My cousin is as cute as I am. Most people think we're sisters. And, well... You remember those relationships you'd have as a kid? They last until camp is over and then that's it? Like, you'd be girl-boyfriend, but never really talk again?"
Chris shrugged, "No idea where you're going with this."
"I wanna hook Hannah up with someone for a couple of days." Lorelai said quickly, trying not to gag. She didn't want to give her cousin up to anyone at all. But she did think that it was what Hannah needed. She needed to fool around with a guy.
He scratched his cheek, "Okay, wow."
"I wouldn't mind hanging out with your sister, either. I'm in the mood for quiet." Lorelai shrugged, "Too much... Too much shit on my mind. I've got a book to read, but mostly I've just been hiding out in my tent. Think she'd mind some company?"
"Rin?" He thought for a moment, "Nah. She's not the quiet type, she's just bored. But... Why not? Let's throw a party or something. The more the merrier."
Lorelai grinned, "Awesome. So... Recovered? Can you help me limp back to my dad?"
"Your dad gonna kill me?" Chris asked tentatively.
She shook her head, "I know I've been in the news and stuff but... Dad is... I have never met someone so... Strong, before. He doesn't break. He never yells. He's unbreakable."
"He sounds terrifying." Chris pushed onto his feet, walking over to her and extending a hand.
Lorelai took it, feeling how rough his hands were from his climb, before swinging an arm around his shoulders and picking up the coffee cup. He helped her limp, and she felt some of her depression from the last day or so fading. Not the anxiety, but some of the life-is-pointless dropped away.
"Well, I'm obviously here to hide out." She made small talk, "What about you and your sister? Just camping out?"
