Apocalypsis 02 - Warpaint

breeze to try and dry myself off. I was soon joined by Peter, who came out of the darkness from the direction of the ceremonial hut, and we sat down together on the mattresses.
    “So what happened with you and Trip?” I raised my eyebrows suggestively.
    “Nothing. We just talked.”
    “About what?”
    Peter sighed. “Well, I want to tell you, but you have to promise to keep it confidential. He didn’t say it was a secret, but it kinda seemed private. Like, I don’t think he shares it with everyone.”
    “Sure, I’ll keep it a secret. Who am I going to tell?”
    “Bodo?”
    “Pfft. He’s a jerk. I’m not telling him anything.”
    “Yeah, right.” Peter’s tone made it obvious he didn’t believe me, but I wasn’t going to argue about it. Then it would seem like I was trying to convince myself of it. And I wasn’t. Not really.
    “We just talked about his brother. He had a little brother who was only seven when the virus came. He died after their parents did. I guess he was hoping his brother would survive, but then he didn’t.”
    “They were close?”
    “Not at first. That’s what part of the problem is for Trip, I think. When they had their parents and their lives before, he blew his little brother off all the time. Trip was always too busy with his friends and school. So his brother would ask him to play catch or soccer or whatever, and Trip always told him to get lost. By the time he figured out he was going to lose him, it was too late. He’d let all those chances to be together go by.”
    I didn’t have any siblings, but I could totally see how that could tear a person apart. “Wow. That really sucks.”
    “Yeah,” said Peter softly. “I did that, too. With Lily sometimes. She was such a pest. She was always coming into my room, messing with my stuff.”
    “I hear little sisters are like that.”
    Peter just nodded, and I could tell he was really upset, so I just sat there and rubbed his back while he continued.
    “Trip really isn’t a bad guy. I think he’s way more emotional than people give him credit for. I mean, he shows his angry emotion just fine, but he hides the other ones. I guess it’s a lot of pressure to be in charge and to try and keep your group of people happy and feeling safe when everything is so crazy.”
    “You’re right. I only have to worry about us and this naked poodle here, and it’s not easy.”
    Buster climbed over to my lap from Peter’s at the sound of me saying his name.
    “Yeah. He has, like, fifty people to take care of. And they had all those issues with Kowi and his tribe going on too. So it hasn’t been easy, is what I’m saying. Don’t take his anger personal. I don’t think he’s really angry at you.”
    “Kowi was acting like Trip liked me or something, which is nuts.”
    “Maybe, maybe not. You’re cute, smart, and tough. All of those things are attractive, especially nowadays. But he didn’t say anything if that’s what you’re asking.”
    “No, no, don’t be silly. I’m not asking at all. I’m hoping he doesn’t like me, actually. My life will be a lot less complicated if I only have to fend off Bodo.”
    “Why are you fending him off at all?” Peter was looking at me with his head tilted to the side.
    “Well, lots of reasons.”
    “Name one.”
    “First of all, he’s hiding crap.”
    “Well, at some point he won’t be. Is there anything else bothering you?”
    “Other than the fact that we can’t get intimate without risking me getting pregnant? I don’t know, maybe.”
    “Ah- ha . So you do like him.”
    I sighed. “Of course I like him. What’s not to like? He’s smart, gorgeous - I mean really gorgeous, Peter. I saw him naked tonight. He doesn’t have a single flaw. Not one.”
    Peter leaned in. “Not a single one? I mean, you saw everything everything?”
    I answered in a conspiratorial tone. “Yes. I saw everything everything. And he is flawless.”
    Peter put his hand on his chest and patted it gently a few times. “Oh, my … be still my heart.”
    “Oh, and let’s not forget that he’s funny, nice, and a gentlemen. He could have … well, let’s just say he could have pushed me more than he did … in a … well, when we were in a compromising situation. But he didn’t. He’s big and strong, but gentle too, if you know what I mean.”
    “Oh, I do. I can imagine it, anyway,” said Peter, sighing. “It sounds nice. And I get that you’re worried about things getting heavy and the