Pete didn't tell Mek where they were going.
He just packed a bag, grabbed Mek's hand, and said, "Trust me."
Mek groaned the entire car ride. "If this ends in a surprise camping trip, I'm never speaking to you again."
Pete smirked. "Not camping. Just… peace."
Two hours later, they arrived.
A small cabin.
Surrounded by trees. Overlooking a quiet lake.
The air smelled like pine and sky. There were no city sounds. Just birds, wind, and the gentle ripple of water.
Mek stepped out of the car and blinked. "...This is real?"
Pete came up behind him, wrapping his arms around Mek's waist. "You like it?"
Mek nodded slowly. "It's… beautiful."
Pete whispered against his ear, "So are you."
---
Inside the cabin, everything was simple. Wooden floors. Soft blankets. A fireplace. One bed.
Pete dropped their bags and flopped onto the couch.
Mek wandered toward the window, fingers pressed to the glass.
"This place feels like a dream."
Pete looked over. "Then we better not wake up."
---
Later, Pete made hot cocoa (yes, with marshmallows for Mek), and they sat on the porch with a shared blanket, watching the sun set over the lake.
Mek's head rested on Pete's shoulder.
"Why did you bring me here?" Mek asked quietly.
Pete laced their fingers together. "Because I wanted you to see a place where the world doesn't hurt."
"And you think I belong in a place like this?"
Pete turned to him, serious now. "I think you are a place like this."
Mek's breath hitched.
Pete kissed him. Slow. Soft. Like he had all the time in the world.
---
That night, they lay under a sea of stars.
Pete pointed up. "That one's yours."
Mek blinked. "What?"
"That star. It's mine now. I'm naming it after you."
"You can't do that."
"I just did. That's Star Mek. Shiny. Mysterious. Possibly dangerous."
Mek giggled — actually giggled — and Pete swore he could die right then and be happy.
---
In bed, wrapped in blankets and each other, Mek whispered, "Can we stay here forever?"
Pete kissed his temple. "Maybe not forever."
Mek frowned.
"But," Pete continued, pulling him closer, "we'll come back. Whenever life gets too loud, we'll come back here. Just you and me. Deal?"
Mek smiled.
"Deal."