Chapter Text
They pull up to the mess hall, which is all gussied up with ribbons and a banner that reads, “Welcome Back Alumni!”.
“Wow this place hasn’t changed a bit.” Chris says in mild distaste after giving the dim camp a once over.
“Yeah I know, isn't it awesome?” Chris and Elise share a look as Dan pushes the door open, warm air and the smell of prepared food wash over them. It must be a reunion for multiple years because there are many more adults mingling around than there had ever been campers.
They walk up to a table full of name tags, the girl behind the table does not look up from her phone to greet them, but it’s alright because there are only like ten name tags left, they easily find their names.
Name tags stuck on they start to walk around, Dan scanning the place for a certain face...
“Danny, is that you?” An absolutely sickeningly chipper voice chirps. Dan whips around, already smiling.
“Danny?” Elise quietly snickered. Chris put a hand on her arm and chortled with her as Dan walked towards the very tall ray of sunshine.
“Davy-iid,” Dan blushed and coughed into his shoulder, “David! It’s great to see you again!”
“It's nice to see you too, every year when I get your Christmas card I wish I kept in touch more!”
The chatter behind Dan intensified, them both knowing Dan does not send Christmas cards and would find the act of sending them inane. Dan continued talking as he slowly ushered them away from his hyena like friends.
“You should, I ‘d love to hear from you, so would Mr. Mumbles.” Dan jokes, David laughs.
“Oh your cat, yes, she’s so cute! How long have you had her now?”
“Two years, honestly the best two years of my life, I never knew pet ownership would be so rewarding!”
David gets a far off look in his eye but agrees, then asks Dan what he’s been doing for work lately. And for someone who is chronically unemployed and hates working, he didn't even seem to break a sweat, suavely answering almost.
“I’ve been working any job that sounds interesting, it's been cool, I’ve learned quite the assortment of trades.”
“Oh a handyman? That's so fun, a jack of all trades, it suits you.”
“Thanks, what about you, up to anything lately?”
“Well actually I work as a counselor here during the summer, and as an elementary school teacher the rest of the year.”
“Oh wow, working at Camp Cambell? What a dream, you must be having a blast.”
“I really am, being able to be in the great outdoors every day is such a gift, sure there are still some...frustrating days, but hey that's life, right?”
“That's life…” Dan smiled as he gazed at David's face, savoring the pleasant warm feeling growing in his chest so much that he didn’t realize how long he’d been staring at David's face until he started blushing and looking away, hand scratching the back of his neck.
“Oh sorry, I didn’t mean to stare, you’re uh,” Dan stammered and wracked his brain for the right adjective, something that wouldn’t embarrass him, Handsome? Breathtaking? An angel? Attractive? Hot? Tall? Oh tall! Not great but not as telling as the others, “Really attractive, opp, I mean hot, not Tall tall, I was just distracted at how tall you are… right…” Dan mentally berates himself, suddenly very interested in the wall next to them.
David pursed his lips and watched the red faced man in amusement, it was nice to know some things never change, but, David thought, stealing himself, some things would have to, because now well into his 20s he knew he had to be braver than he was as a camper.
“Oh um, thanks, I think you’re pretty handsome yourself.” David's ears burned but the look he got from Dan made his bravery feel worth it, and well, he decided to push his luck. David reached out to put a light hand on his shoulder, “Wanna take a walk by the lake? It’s getting a little stuffy in here…”
Dan gulped, “I agree, super stuffy, lets get outta here.”