Page 4 of A Little's Campervan

Emmie didn’t actually think there was anything childish about being called Emmie, and she liked how it sounded, so it’s how she thought of herself in her head. And for some reason it had felt completely natural to tell Wren Emmie.

“Come on Christie, you’re holding up the line,” said Emmie, looking pointedly towards the food.

“Oh!” That got her sister’s attention, and she hurried along, grabbing a plate and piling it up with food.

Wren picked up a plate and cutler, and offered it to Emmie, and then as they went along the buffet she served Emmie each time before serving herself, making sure that Emmie had plenty of food and didn’t even blink when Emmie refused potato salad with a slight shudder.

“Mayonnaise is the devil’s food,” she’d said by way of an explanation and all that Wren had done was laugh and move. There hadn’t been astonishment or denial or berating and it was nice, having someone to look out for her like this. It didn’t feel overbearing, or like it was removing her own autonomy. Just nice.

Maybe slightly more than nice.

When the four of them found a place around the campfire to sit, and Wren held Emmie’s plate whilst she got comfy, handing it back to her when she was ready.

And all Emmie wanted to do was say “Thank you, Daddy.”

4

Wren

Eating round the campfire, and listening to people singing and chatting was always Wren’s favourite part of campout. More than the hiking, and more than the setting. Because you could do a hike and visit Crater Lake any time; but it was only during campout that she got to feel this intense queer euphoria.

It was similar to the first time she’d put on a plaid shirt and seen herself in the mirror.

You’re very fucking gay.

And being surrounded by queer people of different orientations and genders always made her feel so damn grateful for her life.

This time though, she was sat with Emmie, and watching Emmie’s response to it all.

At first she’d been all smiley, but when it had gotten a bit later and a bit noisier, she’d grabbed something out of her purse and popped what Wren assumed were earplugs in her ears.

“Everything alright?” Wren asked, coming in close so that Emmie could hear her.

“Yes.” Her answering smile was wide. “Just need my earplugs to stave off any overstimulation. Doing this at night is a lot more manageable though. During the day I’d struggle a bit.”

That made sense. As fun as it was, there were a lot of people here, and Wren could see how that might feel like a lot, especially if someone was prone to sensory overwhelm.

Emmie snuck a look at Wren from beneath long lashes, clearly wanting to say something, and Wren hid a smile and waited patiently. Sure enough, she said, “I’m autistic, and my senses are very… highly tuned?” She pulled a face, as if expecting a shitty comment in response.

“Is it just sound that hits hard?”

The relief on Emmie’s face was such that Wren just wanted to tug the other woman into her lap and hold her. Who the hell had been making her Emmie feel like her needs were too much?

“Smell too, and sometimes light. I’ve got sunglasses, which help, but there’s very little you can do about strong smells.” Emmie took a bit of her burger and did a happy little wiggle in her chair. “Ohwowthat’s good. Apple sauce with a pork burger is inspired. How’s yours?”

Wren’s burger was perfectly fine, but Emmie looked so happy and excited for her to love it too, that she took a bite of hers and allowed herself to luxuriate in the flavours. Her eyes opened in surprise. It genuinely tasted better when she took the time to appreciate it like that. “Really good!”

The two of them laughed, and finished off their food whilst someone else got out a guitar. There were so many people coming and going that they ended up sat very close next to each other on the overturned tree trunk that was their seat.

Emmie’s hair had caught the smell of the smoke from the barbecue and Wren wasn’t sure that she would ever be able tosmell barbecue again without thinking of this moment, sat close, a frisson of exciting blossoming between the two of them.

The blonde’s sister seemed to have stopped being grouchy about Wren now as well. When Emmie excused herself to go to the bathroom, Christie leaned over and said, “Just don’t be an ass, yeah? Emmie’s so sweet and way too trusting.”

She looked like she wanted to say more than that, but Wren interrupted. “I’ll let Emmie tell me about anything about her past she thinks is necessary, but I assure you that I’m not planning on being an ass.”

“Good.” For a moment Christie looked really vulnerable. “She’s always looking after everyone else and that just doesn’t seem fair.”

Dana reached over and grabbed the other woman’s hand. “She likes looking after people, Christie. It’s all good.”

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