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Another beautiful and blazing summer has arrived!! And what happens during those few school free months, that's right..
Summer Camp!!
And any kid in the area were darn lucky, why you may ask? well cause there happen to be two amazing camps just right for the picking.
Just had to choose which was right for your little ankle bitter.
Why need to choose?
Oh that's easy to explain, these two camps share a lake and it splits the summer campgrounds right down the middle, and they are very different.
On the east shore stood Camp Rock, yes it's named like the disney one.. they don't want to be sued so keep your mouth shut!
Anywho …it was started years ago by a talented and acclaimed movie producer David Strider, a lover of everything art and music related. He really loved this place…he had to build for his grandsons.
But had sadly passed last year, it was a terrible loss for the Strider family. He was very loved and will be missed. But not fret for the camp is now owned and run by the ridiculously cool and annoyingly talented Dirk Strider, his oldest grandson. Dirk worked diligently and tirelessly to keep the place running in top top shape in honor of his grandfather, and especially to make a place of memories for his younger brother, Dave.
Every morning music drifted across the water, guitars, drums, keyboards, dance, rap battles, DJ mixes, writing songs and singing lessons. If it involved music, Dirk and his staff taught it.
His youngest camper was his little brother Dave. Dave loved camp, he loved it when he got to come here and spend time with his gramps. He loved the recording studio Dirk had built in an old cabin, so stoked to learn how to use the turntables.
Little guy was a natural, then he would stay up late writing terrible rap lyrics with the other campers. Camp Rock was his favorite place in the world.
Most importantly, he loved having absolutely no responsibilities, it was camp, it was meant to be fun 24/7.
Now we draw your attention, to across the lake, where Camp Adventure stood!!
The owner and showrunner was none other than Jake English, a strapping young man with endless enthusiasm and only occasional concern for safety regulations. He personally started up this camp with the help of the inheritance he received from his grandmother. She believed in his dream.
Camp Adventure specialized in adventure!
Anything that was generally athletic, hiking, rock climbing, archery, swimming, just sports all together...oh and obstacle courses and scavenger hunts!
And, according to Jake, in all of those activities, it "builds character through heroic outdoor escapades." he would often say…
And his favorite campers were his younger cousins John and Jade who looked forward to attending every summer as soon as they could walk. They excitedly exited the bus making a bee line for him, to glomp their older cousin who awaited for them with open arms, happily greeting them and all the other rambunctious campers.
“JAKE!” The twins tackle the burly man giving him tight bear hugs, and he happily gives them back.
“Oh it's so jolly good to see you two! How was the ride up? Anyone exciting joining us this year?”
The twins share a look giggling, Jake rose a brow before grinning, that look answering all his questions in a heartbeat.
“Ohhh you have me on pins and needles, who is it?”
John grins that family buck tooth smile as he points out a lonely boy. Jake eyes the boy, he instantly knew the type..
There was always one camper in the bunch, someone who had been forced to attend by their guardian.
This year… It was this boy, Karkat Vantas.
Jake paces over kneeling to him, greeting him with a warm hand shake.
"I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY I'M HERE, I DON'T LIKE SPORTS!" the boy shouted, he certainly has some lungs on him. But Jake smiles, always encouraging.
"You'll make friends, my boy"
"I DON'T WANT FRIENDS!" crossing his arms growling and grumbling.
"You definitely need friends, everyone bloody does."
Karkat seems to disagree wholeheartedly. But Jake moved on, determined to show Karkat how to have fun! Jake and the staff welcome all the campers before escorting them to their cabins.
Well Karkat spent the first week being fucking miserable, hiking was unbearable, swimming sucked, the camp songs were terrible, he could probably write something better..everything was just plain awful. Jake was bewildered, there was no pleasing this kid!
While Karkat hated it there, amazingly he and John became friends. They teased and bickered, spent nights up later talking about their fave movies. Karkat would insult him, only for the john to burst into laughter, easy to say they were best friends.
Then one night as they laid awake in their cabin, their bunkmates all sound asleep
….. John had an idea.
"Hey Karkat…you.awake…”
“Unfortunately…what's up?”
“You know there's a music camp across the lake….What if we sneak over??"
Karkat frowned, humming softly as he turned in his bed to face the other boy "Why?"
"Because the music camp looks cool." John kept his voice low but one could hear the excitement.
"..." Karkat pondered and hesitated.
"Annnnd because Jake says we're not allowed."
Karkat immediately sprang from his bed. "LET'S GO."
That night they snuck out of their cabin, under the cover of a light evening, borrowed a canoe, course wearing life jackets. Neither of them really knew how to properly paddle, so the trip took three times longer than necessary but they eventually made it to the other side.
“Probably would of been faster if we walked!”
“Hahah definitely! hahah”
When they finally stumbled onto Camp Rock's shore, they were soaking wet and just exhausted. Panting and huffing. Climbing out of the canoe and making sure it was tied to the dock, a flashlight suddenly shined in them, crap caught already?!?
Throwing their hands up, in mock surrender.
“sorry sorry…”
Dammit now they are gonna get in big trouble, and sent back to their own camp, GASP! What if Jake is so mad they were sent home? Jake wouldn't do that….would he?
Karkat probably wouldn't mind, but John most certainly would! Oh this was a stupid idea coming here!
“hey man…it's cool..” the duo paused.
….wait a tic….
that wasn't an adult voice, that was….a kid?
Peering up as they were immediately spotted a skinny kid, someone their age, with blonde hair and shades sitting on a dock.
The boy lowered the flashlight, and headphones from over his head to his neck, also who wears sunglasses at this time of night??
"yo...welcome to the cool side of the lake.."
John blinked owlishly before instantly waving enthusiastically..
"Hi! I'm John! and that's Karkat”
Dave stared. "Dave…you guys aware you're committing interstate crimes or… whatever."
"Ah no we didn't! We crossed a lake."
"same thing my dude"
Karkat rolled his eyes groaning, as Dave helped them onto the dock.
"IS EVERYONE HERE THIS STUPID?"
Dave pivots his head to really look at the loud rude boy, lifting his shades revealing his red eyes, and stares. There was just something about this other kid, Karkat with wild scruffy black curls, his tanned skin, his beautiful dark eyes and the angriest expression Dave had ever seen. Karkat looked back and the other had messy blonde hair that was almost white, cool shades pushed onto his head, freckles dusted his pale skin with an amused grin. And for a moment both boys froze, like nothing else existed, not even John.
Dave recovered first. "Dammmn."
Karkat blinked, stammering "W-what?"
"you always yell like that?" smirks softly.
"YES shut your face!"
"respect." Karkat immediately felt his face heat up.
Dave grinned playfully as he gave them the tour.
“in case of suspicion..lets get you some camp shirts~” Taking them to his cabin, lending them a pair of extra shirts of his.
“Whoa these are so rad!”
“yea ..my bro designed tje..hes pretty cool~”
“thanks dave….this is nice”
On with the tour, it wasn't long till John and Dave became best friends, easily within twenty minutes. The three explored the camp together, playing terrible music together, making fun of each other, getting kicked out of a recording booth for laughing too hard. Meanwhile Karkat followed behind them trying very hard not to stare at Dave, unfortunately Dave kept talking to him so the fascination continued.
"you play anything?" Dave spoke to Karkat, this part of the tour they were in one of many music cabins on the camp, this one displayed some equipment such as drums, a harp and piano.
"No." Karkat huffed, he did like music but never pursued it, Dave wouldn't have that…
"Want to learn piano?" offering up a seat on the grand ivory baby.
"No." the tanned boy repeated, crossing arms.
"cool. c'mon." ignoring him as he pats the spot next to him, John across the room checking out the drums, encouraging his cabin buddy from the side lines.
"I JUST SAID—" he attempted to protest.
Too late. Dave dragged to the seat and showed him a simple melody, as Karkat sighs and played along, it turned out Karkat was surprisingly good at piano, like really good. By the end of the evening he'd learned three beginner songs and accidentally enjoyed himself, which was humiliating, Dave sat beside him smiling warmly.
"Wow nice Karkat, you got talent."
Karkat looked away flushed "W-WHATEVER."
Dave smiled as he watched the tips of Karkat's ears turn red.
Their secret visits continued on for a few nights. John would insist they sneak across the lake. Dave would be waiting on the dock, Karkat would pretend he wasn't excited.
The crushes got worse, Dave started fixing his hair before the visit. Karkat started caring about what shirt he wore, neither understood why. John understood immediately, he thought it was hilarious and kind of cute.
But someone happened to catch them sneaking out at night, and tattled to Jake…
Jake marched across the grassy divide that separated the two camps, his boots thumping with a fiery temper, he would give those boys a good what for!
He had come over to Camp Rock to retrieve his missing campers, his cousin John and the perpetually grumpy yet secretly sweet Karkat, the boys expecting a punishment smackdown about camp rules and trespassing.
Only to stop when someone walked out of the main cabin, expecting the boys….
"JOHN! KARKAT! you boys are so…so..”
Instead, he found Dirk Strider, tall, lean but can just tell he's got muscles. Was leaning against a rustic wooden fence, wearing a pair of dark sunglasses that seemed to absorb all the sunlight around him, a guitar over one shoulder. He looked effortlessly cool, a stark contrast to Jake’s sweat-wicking athletic gear and wind-blown hair.
As Jake stopped in front of him, chest heaving, Dirk didn’t move an inch, save for a slow, knowing smirk that tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Dirk’s gaze ran up and down the other male, burly body, nicely tanned, square glasses that framed his cute buck-toothed face very nicely, and can we talk about those cargo shorts that hugged his hips in all the right places..
Dirk stopped too, Jake stared, Dirk stared back with a smirk, neither of them spoke….
Dave looked between them. "...yo i think my bros got a crush?."
John whispered to Karkat. "I think they're broken."
"I THINK THEY JUST GOT HIT BY THE SAME TRUCK."
"You must be Jake," Dirk finally broke the silence, his voice a smooth, low drawl that sent an unexpected shiver down Jake's spine.
"I’ve heard you run the 'Adventure' side of the lake. I have to say, the enthusiasm you bring to your walking is truly inspiring."
Jake blinked, his anger vanishing as he stared into those sunglasses.
"I…ah well, your campers are harboring mine! It’s a breach of camp protocol!" he squeaks as he tries to gain control over himself.
Dirk chuckled, finally pushing his glasses up onto his forehead to reveal gorgeous amber orange eyes that were dancing with amusement. He stepped closer, entering Jake’s personal space just enough to be daring.
"Protocol is such a strict word, don't you think? I prefer to call it... organic networking. And as for the kids, they seem to be getting along famously. It would be a shame to stifle that spirit."
gestures to the boys who all nodded rapidly in agreement, wasn't a lie, but anything to keep them out of trouble.
Jake felt his face heat up. He had never met someone who could dismantle his authority with a single look.
"I suppose... if they're learning something..."
"Exactly," Dirk purred, his tone shifting into something more flirtatious.
"In fact, I was just thinking, our camps are far too isolated. Why settle for a border when we could have a bridge? What if we combined some of our activities? A bit of athletic vigor mixed with artistic expression. A 'Symphony of Strength,' if you will."
Jake stared at him, completely captivated. "You want to... collaborate?"
"I do," Dirk said, his voice dropping an octave. "Strictly for the benefit of the children, of course."
Jake beamed, his heart doing a little flip-flop.
"I-I think that's a wonderful idea!"
Neither of them mentioned that the "benefit of the children" was a complete lie; they both just wanted an excuse to spend every waking hour in each other's presence.
Over the next two weeks, the border between Camp Adventure and Camp Rock effectively disappeared.
They organized "Rhythm and Run" days, where campers would sprint through obstacle courses while a live band from Camp Rock provided the soundtrack. They held "Artistic Athletics" workshops, where Jake took the music kids on hikes and Dirk taught the athletes how to write poetry about the wilderness.
Between the chaos of the campers, Jake and Dirk carved out their own private world. Their "business meetings" to discuss scheduling frequently devolved into long walks along the shoreline of the lake, their fingers occasionally brushing until Dirk finally took the plunge and laced his fingers through Jake's.
Their first real date was a disaster in the most romantic way possible. Dirk had attempted to set up a sophisticated outdoor dinner with white linens and candles on a floating dock. However, a sudden summer breeze sent the tablecloth flying and the appetizers sliding into the lake.
Jake had burst out laughing, a loud, boisterous sound that made Dirk smile genuinely for the first time. They ended up sitting on the damp wood of the dock, eating slightly smashed sandwiches and sharing a single bottle of sparkling cider, staring up at a sky so full of stars it looked like spilled diamonds.
"You're a lot more chaotic than I expected," Dirk whispered, leaning his head against Jake's shoulder.
"And you're a lot softer than you pretend to be," Jake replied, kissing Dirk’s cheek, Dirk smirks, turning his head catching Jake off guard as they shared a sweet first kiss.
Meanwhile, the younger generation was experiencing a romance of its own. Dave, usually the king of irony and detachment, found himself completely undone by Karkat. He spent hours in the music cabin, humming melodies and scribbling lyrics in a weathered notebook, his brow furrowed in intense concentration.
One humid Tuesday afternoon, Dave pulled Karkat aside to the edge of the woods, where the shade of the towering pines kept the heat at bay.
"Look, don't make a big deal out of this…," Dave muttered, his face a shade of pink that matched the sunset. "It's just... something I was working on.. f-for the combined camp showcase. But I wanted you to hear it first."
Dave pulled out his guitar and began to play. It wasn't a loud or flashy song but a soft, acoustic piece with a melody that felt like a warm hug. The lyrics spoke of loud voices that hid kind hearts, of unexpected friendships, and the way the sunlight looked when it hit Karkat's eyes.
As the final chord faded into the silence of the forest, Karkat stood frozen, his face was an absolute crimson, his mouth slightly agape. He looked like he wanted to scream, to argue, or to run away, but instead, he just let out a small, shaky breath.
"It's... it's offensively mushy..," Karkat managed to choke out, though he didn't move away. "It's cheesy, a-and absolutely ridiculous." He paused, his voice softening. " w-what im saying is..I love it. I love it so much, you idiot."
Dave grinned, a real unguarded smile.
"Yeah? Really? You do?"
Karkat huffed and buried his face in his hands to hide his massive blush. "Shut up and er just play it again!"
Watching all of this from a distance, hidden behind a large oak tree with a look of supreme satisfaction, was John.
John leaned back against the bark, crossing his arms over his chest. He had seen Dirk and Jake holding hands by the lake, and witnessed Dave and Karkat's shy, lingering glances. remembering the night he and Karkat had first snuck over to Camp Rock, recalling the exact moment he had realized that Jake and Dirk were practically vibrating with tension the first time they met.
"I am a genius," John whispered to himself, a proud glow in his eyes.
"A total mastermind. I didn't just find a best friend and a crush, but I engineered two entire power couples, I am the architect of love Bwhahahh!."
He felt a surge of pride, sure, he hadn't technically set them up like at all, but in his mind, his presence was the source. His curiosity had started the chain reaction, without John’s adventurous spirit, none of this would have happened
As the summer sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the combined camps, the laughter of children and the sound of music filled the air. Jake and Dirk were currently arguing, affectionately over whether a poetry slam should be held during a game of capture the flag, while Dave and Karkat walked side by side, their shoulders touching.
John stepped out from behind the tree and jogged toward them, waving his arms enthusiastically.
"Hey everyone! Who's ready for s'mores?"
As he joined the group, he caught the elder Strider's eye, Dirk gave him a small, knowing nod, as if acknowledging that the kid had totally played a part in this chaos. John just beamed, totally convinced that he was the secret hero of the most romantic summer in the history of the lake.
It was a hot afternoon near the end of the summer, the kids were mingling and running between camps, Dirk treaded over to see his boyfriend, asking around other staff, he was directed to the laundry storage cabin, Dirk smirks
…Perfect~
The laundry room was a humid sanctuary of sterile scents and rhythmic thumping, the air was thick with the smell of industrial detergent and the cloying sweetness of fabric softener, clinging to the skin like a second layer of clothing.
Jake was in his element, or at least, he was in his productivity element, not to mention his fave alluring short booty shorts. Humming a jaunty tune, methodically folding the mountain of white towels that had piled up from the morning’s swim sessions, his movements were efficient and energetic.
He was halfway through a particularly stubborn huge beach towel when the heavy door clicked shut behind him.
Jake didn't have to turn around to know who it was, there was a kind of silence that followed Dirk Strider, a calculated, heavy presence that seemed to shift the pressure of the room, plus he could smell that body spray the blonde uses.
"You know, Jake," Dirk’s voice drawled, echoing slightly against the tiled walls, "the efficiency with which you handle linens is almost erotic. It’s the dedication to the process, the raw, unbridled passion for... terry cloth."
Jake let out a startled laugh, the towel slipping from his fingers. "Dirk! You can't just s-say bloody things like that in the laundry room, I almost had a heart attack."
"Almost?" Dirk murmured, he was suddenly much closer, the scent of expensive cologne through the scent of bleach.
Before Jake could react or offer a witty retort, Dirk moved with a predatory grace, in one swift motion, he stepped into Jake’s space, his hand landing firmly on the wall beside Jake’s head, while the other gripped Jake’s hip, pulling him flush against a hard, lean frame. Jake gasped, his back hitting the cool surface of the wall, trapped between the industrial shelving and the man who had spent the last two weeks mindlessly teasing and flirting, throwing off his composure.
"W-what are you doing Strider?" Jake breathed, though his voice lacked any real conviction, his heart was drumming a frantic rhythm against his ribs, mirroring the beat of the nearby dryers.
Dirk leaned in, his sunglasses sliding down the bridge of his nose just enough to reveal eyes that were smoldering with an intensity that made Jake’s knees feel like gelatin.
"I found myself suddenly preoccupied with a certain athletic director," Dirk whispered, his breath warm against Jake's ear. "And I decided that 'collaborating' on the schedule wasn't providing nearly enough … feedback."
Jake didn't wait for another word, he reached up, grabbing the collar of Dirk’s shirt pulling him down, the kiss was a collision. It wasn't the tentative, sweet exploration of their first date; it was a desperate, starving thing.
It was the sound of two weeks of suppressed tension finally snapping, Jake moaned into Dirk’s mouth. His hands migrating from the shirt to the back of Dirk’s neck, fingers tangling in the spiky hair there, pulling him closer as if the lack of space between them still wasn't enough.
Dirk responded with a low, visceral growl, his grip on Jake’s hip tightening, hoisting him slightly upward. Jake instinctively wrapped a leg around Dirk’s waist, pinning him in place, his back arching against the wall. The contrast was electric: the cold hard tiles of the wall behind him and the searing radiating heat of Dirk pressed against his front.
Dirk broke the kiss for a split second, letting them both breathe and pant, before trailing his lips down Jake's jawline to the sensitive skin of his neck. He nipped at the tendon there, a sharp, playful bite that sent a jolt of pure electricity straight down Jake's spine.
"GadZooks Dirk!" Jake gasped, his head falling back against the wall. "We're... the kids... s-someone could walk in..."
"Hush up English, the door is locked," Dirk murmured against his skin, his voice a vibration that Jake felt in his very bones.
"And if they do walk in, let them learn a lesson in organics."
Jake let out a shaky, breathless laugh that was quickly swallowed by another kiss, mews and whines escaped them, kisses became deeper and more demanding than the last. Dirk’s hands were everywhere now sliding under the hem of Jake’s sweat shirt, palms hot against the small of his back, pulling him in until there was no air left between them. Jake threads his fingers through Dirk's hair, gently pulling at his hair, causing the blonde to moan sweetly.
The laundry room, once a place of mundane chores, had transformed into a blur of friction and heat. Jake felt dizzy, consumed by the sensation of Dirk’s lips, the smell of him, and the way Dirk seemed to know exactly where to touch to make Jake forget his own name. He felt a surge of boldness, his hands sliding down to grip Dirk’s waist, pulling him firmly into the cradle of his thighs.
Dirk paused, pulling back just an inch, his forehead resting against Jake's. Both of them were breathing hard, their chests heaving in unison. Dirk’s expression was no longer the mask of cool detachment; he looked wrecked, his eyes dark and focused entirely on Jake.
"You're incredibly distracting," Dirk whispered, a genuine, crooked smile tugging at his lips.
"You're the one who broke into the laundry room," Jake countered, his voice husky and thick with desire.
"Trueee, but you didn't tell me to leave." Jake chuckles responded by pulling Dirk in closer for another kiss.
While the laundry room was a storm of sudden electric heat, the edge of the lake was a study in stillness. The sun had dipped low, painting the water in strokes of violet and burnt orange, and the air had finally begun to cool, carrying the scent of pine needles and damp earth.
Dave and Karkat were sitting on a weathered driftwood log, a comfortable but cautious distance between them. For the last hour, they had been talking, like really talking, about things that didn't involve ironic coolness or screaming matches. They talked about the pressure of expectations, the loneliness of being the "difficult" one in the room, and the strange terrifying comfort they found in each other's company.
Karkat was currently mid-rant, his hands gesturing wildly as he complained about the "utterly haphazard" of the camp's organization; it was a disaster. But Dave wasn't really listening to the words, he was watching the way Karkat’s expression softened when he thought Dave wasn't looking, and the way his voice, while still loud, had lost its jagged edge.
"And another thing!" Karkat snapped, turning to Dave. "The sheer audacity of placing the tubas next to the oboe’s is against…."
Dave reached out, his fingers gently brushing against Karkat’s wrist, silencing him. The silence that followed was heavy, but not uncomfortable. Karkat froze, his breath hitching in his throat. He looked at Dave, his grey eyes wide and searching, the usual defensive fire replaced by a raw, shimmering vulnerability.
" Hey Karkat," Dave whispered, his voice devoid of its usual sarcasm. " Can ye stop, just... stop for a second."
Karkat swallowed hard, his throat clicking.
"What? Is there something on my face? Am I shouting too loud? I know I'm shouting, just tell me to shut up already…"
"I don't want you to shut up," Dave said softly. He shifted closer, the gap between them closing until their shoulders were pressed together. "I just want you to know that... I've spent my whole life pretending that nothing actually matters. That everything is just a joke or a performance... But this?...."
Karkat’s expression wavered. "Dave..."
"I mean it," Dave continued, his gaze intense. "I don't just like you, Karkat, I think I’m actually, genuinely, terrifyingly in love with you. And it's the most honest thing I've ever felt in my entire life."
Karkat looked like he had been struck by lightning, his face flooded with a deep, brilliant crimson, and for once, he had no retort, he looked down at his lap, his voice barely a whisper. "You're a complete idiot, you know that, right? I'm a nightmare, I'm loud, I'm angry, and I'm probably the most exhausting person you've ever met."
"Good," Dave smiled, a small, tender thing. "I've always liked a challenge."
Dave leaned in slowly, giving Karkat every opportunity to pull away. But Karkat didn't move, in fact he leaned forward, meeting Dave halfway.
The kiss was nothing like the collision in the laundry room. It was slow, tentative, and achingly sweet, it tasted like summer and nervousness and a promise that had been waiting to be kept. It was a gentle exploration, a quiet confirmation that the feelings they had both been hiding were mirrored perfectly in the other.
When they finally pulled apart, they didn't move far, stayed in each other's space, their foreheads resting together, breathing the same air.
"So," Karkat murmured, his voice shaky. "Does this mean you're... applying for the position of my boyfriend? Because the benefits are terrible and the boss is a tyrant."
Dave laughed, a soft sound that vibrated against Karkat’s skin. "I'm more than applying, I'm practically begging for the job. I want to be your boyfriend, Karkat! Like officially!"
Karkat huffed and leaned further into Dave's side, his hand tentatively finding Dave's and squeezing tightly. "Fine, you're hired! But don't think this means I'm going to stop complaining about everything"
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Dave replied, kissing his cheek, smiling silly, while Karkat flushed.
As the stars began to prick through the velvet sky, a sudden shadow of anxiety crossed Dave’s face. He looked out at the lake, thinking about the calendar. Camp wouldn't last forever. In a few weeks, the cabins would be empty, the music would stop, and they would return to their separate lives, miles apart.
"Karkat," Dave said, his voice tightening. "I don't want this to end. When we leave... I don't want to just be a 'summer memory.' I can't go back to pretending you don't exist, when you're in my head every single second."
Karkat looked up, seeing the genuine fear in Dave's eyes, he squeezed Dave's hand harder, his grip grounding and firm.
"You think I'm just going to let you slip away? You just got your boyfriend position, You're the only person who actually understands my rants, you moron. I'm not letting that go."
"Promise?" Dave asked.
"I promise," Karkat said firmly. "We'll text, call. I'll write you those ridiculously long, angry letters that you'll probably find 'ironically poetic' or whatever. We'll make it work. Because if you try to ghost me, I will track you down and scream at you until your ears bleed."
Dave beamed, the tension leaving his shoulders. He leaned in and kissed Karkat again, a short, confident peck. "Deal. I can't wait to see your handwriting."
"Shut up," Karkat muttered, but he was smiling, a real, genuine smile that reached his eyes.
Far off in the distance, the sound of a dinner bell rang through the trees, calling the campers back to the mess hall, as they stood up to leave, never letting go of each other's hands. They walked back toward the lights of the camp, two souls who had found something permanent in the middle of a temporary summer, stepping forward into a future that felt, for the first time, completely wide open.
The summer finally came to a tearful end, for one last final jam, the day before they were set to leave, there was a huge camp celebration.
Music from Camp Rock, and the showcase. Dave played his song, kids performed new skills and talents. John and Karkat played dueling pianos, having a blast.
Games from Camp Adventure scavenger hunts and obstacle courses.… Both camps together, they are definitely doing this again next year..
And at the end of the fun, Dave sat beside Karkat on the dock, having snuck away. The water reflected the stars they snuggled together, then Dave nudged him.
"Hey."
"What?"
"glad you snuck over." Karkat smiled softly, a rare thing.
"YEAH." Dave smiled back.
"same." For a moment their shoulders touched closer humming softly.
Across the shore, Jake and Dirk sat together watching the campers. Their hands brushed, then we stayed together. Dirk smiles at Jake, who beamed back, a summer of love.
Nobody was forgetting this summer.