just testing to see if the quarry fandom is alive. please like this if you see it.
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just testing to see if the quarry fandom is alive. please like this if you see it.
Valentine day’s headcanons with the quarry characters?
YAYY I WAS HOPING FOR A REQUEST LIKE THIS
The Quarry characters Valentines day headcanons!!
Dylan shows no love to bears for Valentines day 💔
All of these are Gender Neutral as usual EXCEPT Dylan ofc.
Wrote for the entire cast.. ENJOY 😍
Jacob Custos
He's so weird I DESPISE him
Anyways, Jacob would be a bit clueless because he's stupid, but he's got the spirit
He knows to show up with a gift and a cute stuffed animal, but as far as date planning..he's kinda all over the place, only planning the night before Valentines day
He asks Nick for advice, but then gets lightly made fun of for not knowing how to treat his own partner
He probably would like a cheesy drive in movie date like those horror movies. He'd try to get his freak on and then he'd get murdered by the Valentines day slasher/j
No but serious, drive in movie date and he tries to make out with you (I would kill that boy)
He doesn't strike me as the type of man to like romance movies. In fact, he probably makes fun of them. However, if it's your thing then I see him toughing it out for Valentines day even though he would prefer an action movie.
He goes through all his Valentines day chocolates in one sitting then looks at you like the mulch gang dog if you haven't ate all yours yet
With Jacob's luck, something definitely goes wrong. His car probably needed an oil change right as you two are about to go back home..and then you're stuck there the entire night.
Nick Furcillo
SWEETHEARTTT
He would be the most romantic on this list imo
A bit cliché also but that's okay!
He would absolutely make you something homemade either for dinner or as a little gift OR BOTH. I'm betting on both.
Candle lit dinner and everything YES GAWD
He's one of those boyfriends who buy you the comedicaly (sp?) giant bouquets of roses and would have a whole surprise set up like..the boxes of chocolates, the stuffed bear, you know the one.
He's so nervous you wouldn't like it too, like?? YOU ARE NOT AN UNGRATEFUL HOE
So many kisses and cuddles from this man in general but especially on Valentines day
He's giving cliché movie bf because he would (in the future when he's older) propose on a Valentines day date
Dylan Lenivy
I don't have a favorite I swear..
Thank you Lynows for making that edit- We ALL love Miles' characters
You cannot tell me he doesn't make a new Valentines Playlist every year for you two
I see perhaps a concert date.. If there's a band you two like that happens to be playing on Valentines day that is
IF NOT..then he would totally set up a fun movie date
Too bad the game is set in 2021 because he would love to do a film projector movie date somewhere isolated and romantic (like an isolated roof top) and watch something with you instead of Netflix. You know what though? He would STILL do it because in his words, "Okay well..I wanted to do something out of the box and totally original and not done..30 years ago for you.."
While cuddling WITH snacks mind you they might be gas station snacks, but its the thought that counts. (He probably spent most of his money on the main gifts)
He buys you some rare collectible cds/vinyls you've wanted if you're into that sort of thing as a gift 💞 (I would kinda hope he would get a boyfriend that's a music nerd like him, but if not it's fine)
If you're not that type of guy then he'll still be on top of getting you something related to your interests. Like..its a Valentines day, not your birthday 😭 Celebration is Celebration to him. He'll ofc add some cute chocolates if you like them.
I think he would absolutely lose his shit (in a good way🥰) if you got him a cute giant stuffed animal. OOH WAIT
FOR VALENTINES DAY I ALSO SEE YOU TWO GOING TO A BUILD A BEAR AND PUTTING A LITTLE VOICE MESSAGE IN FOR EACH OTHER. Depends on how uptight the employees are, but he would love to say something funny for his.
Ryan Erzalher
..passionate? We can make passionate lo
Moving on
He was never really the type to do anything for Valentines day because something in my gut tells me he didn't know how to get a partner or ask someone to "be his Valentine"
BUT NOW THAT HE DOES HAVE ONE.. he's still pretty normal about it. If you ask him what he wants to do for Valentines day, he'll be like, "uh...what do.. YOU wanna do...?"
He really doesn't have a clue, so if you mentioned anything you'd like he'll agree "yeah that's fine." I swear he's in love with you, he's just autistic 💔 (not canonically confirmed I think, but just a hc)
Stands there like this 🧍🏾♂️ while you open your gifts
Anytime you compliment and thank him on what he got you, he's just like, "uh..yeah, don't even mention it..just..yeah." He has awkward game and I love him for that
If you wanna go out, Great, he'll wear a cute little bow tie and go out to dinner with you- if not then he's down for just a stay in Valentines day! That's super romantic too
Though, I think he'd most prefer something to do with nature if he's not totally traumatized by the events of Hackett's Quarry. Maybe it's more before the events because I see him being a bit on guard anytime he hears a noise in the woods if it's after the game events. Shhh let's pretend it didn't happen for a sec because a camping date would be super cute shhh
I'm going to leave this note off talking about how kissable he is. Justice Smith istg.. His lips are made like the typical kiss or lips drawing you'd find on Google. Made for kissing men AND women heck YES Ryan Kissalher, I'm manifesting this.
Max Brinly
Pink bc his crop top
WE GOT ANOTHER SWEETIE!!!
You're 100% waking up to the huge giant comically sized stuffed animal, flowers, and multiple boxes of chocolate because he "wasn't sure which one you'd like the most, so I got them all.."
Taking YOU 🫵 out to dinner if that's what you two agreed on. I feel like he'd prefer this because it's a simple classic and you can't really go wrong with it.
What if you want to spoil him though? I see that working and he'd be very bashful about it, but it's would be very cute
PROPER gentleman
He's so worried about not being the perfect boyfriend on a day that may mean a lot to you, so he's upping it by a lot. Or at least he thinks he is, because he's just doing the usual things he does anyways for you. Shhh he doesn't know that
Max in a cute little suit and tie MANIFESTING THIS
Overall I think he likes Valentines day even though he does think it's a money grab for CEOS, but he enjoys getting to display how much he loves you and likes making you feel special.
Chris Hackett
Do people want his cookie? JUST IN CASE
Actually I see him being very romantic for Valentines day!
You two live in the middle of the woods, but he still makes it's very romantic
I see him being the type to have the bottle of wine and the set up at home date like Nick, but he sets it up outside and maybe had some help from Kaylee and Caleb help him out with decorating!
He's got the romantic songs on in the bg too!
He's so cheesy, I'm sorry divas 😔 he's doing the "to us" toast too
He's old as fuck, but he'll still try to slow dance with you 🥹
Travis Hackett
Im so fucking scared of him, he's all yours
I don't think he likes Valentines day all that much imo
He sees it as big corporations trying to profit off of love and it's just a big greedy scam
Still..if YOU..want to although he may give a side eye and a sigh if you bring it up
"Alright alright fine, just don't expect much outta me."
I mean he lives in the middle of the woods too right? But I don't think he'd do the whole set up like his brother did
Maybe just a romantic evening staying in bed and drinking whatever alcohol that you two choose.
Even if he doesn't like the holiday, he loves YOU, so he'll give you a tight smile throughout the day
ALSO PLENTIFUL CHEEK KISSES!
So i think he'd actually be alright because at least he's taking a break from being officer creepfest
Kaitlyn Ka
(My gf 100% real and canon, trust.)
SHES SO PRETTYYTST
Personally I see her as also the type to think Valentines day is just a way for people to profit off love and you don't need a holiday to show someone you love them BUT..she will also give people shit if she hears about them not doing anything for their partner. So she's in the line of "might as well if I can't avoid it. It exists anyways."
I see her liking a super chill Valentines day. Just a break from life to spend with her partner!
Sooo I think she would also like a super relaxed movie date, but indoors for her. Like a cute blanket fort, I think she'd deep down really dig that even though in her mind she might be like, "what are we, eight?" when its brought up
Ultimately, she says, "Okay. Sure!" And has a great time with you YAY
So it's less of a holiday for you two and more of just a day for you two to be alone
Shes not a very gifty gal, but she would expect it on a day literally about love. She probably won't get anything super over the top romantic, but she'll get you some neat things related to your interests.
She'd be pretty surprised and touched if you got her romantic things though because she doesn't strike me as the type to be really use to it and probably really doesn't deep down want romantic things here and there from time to time.
Emma Mountebank
100% posts something cute onto her Instagram of you two or films a quick little something (if you're okay with the vlog part)
She LOVES Valentines day. She loves seeing people happy and in love, and she loves being in love with you! So what's there to not like?
She strikes me as you need to step tf up to her tastes, SO GO ALL OUT! She needs a partner who can match her adventure and enthusiasm
She would squeal and hug you if you bought her a big bouquet, I just know it.
She wants to go all out every Valentines day, so expect you to be hitting the city and doing all the rich bitch things there is to do. When you two are out of college, I can see her going on vacation to Paris with you for Valentines week.
She acts like she can't be all over her partner as much as on Valentines day. Who's going to tell her she doesn't need an excuse to be extra affectionate?
Abigail Blyg
SHES SO CUTEEE💞 It always looked like she had circle lenses on to me, I love it sm
ANOTHER INDOOR VALENTINES LOVER!
Umumumum RECORD PLAYER ON AND BEING SILLY AND COZY
Maybe there was one Valentines day though where (especially if you're an artist too) you two went to a couples drawing event..thing (WHAT ARE THEY CALLED OMG) And got to paint each other. You can just do that indoors too! Depends if you're super into drawing too or just would like to indulge in her hobby
Shes not the best cook, but I see her wanting to try to make something with you even if it's a fail. It's the giggles and fun memories that matter most to her
She seems like the type to playfully fling some whipped cream on your face too
Either it ends up with "oh wow, thats..actually pretty good..!" Or "oh my god- that's so bad-" between hard laughs. There's no guarantee which it will be
Ooh, balance going on and staying in because I think she would love going to a photo booth with you and getting some cute Valentines pictures taken.
SO INDOORS AND OUTDOORS VALENTINES LOVER!
She would like to go to a boardwalk with you because she's just a fun girl even if she tends to be a bit shy. WIN HER THE BIG STUFFED ANIMALS NOW!!! (That's from me, not abi, you BETTER treat her right, kitten..)
So overall the day is about having fun with you to her 🥰
Laura Kearney
Um, so Tumblr isn't letting me post any more GIFs on this post, but just know I think Laura is so freaking pretty
She likes Valentines day because she can drink a lot of wine/champagne and god knows this woman needs it
Taking a BREAK just to be able to sit across her partner at dinner and talk over wine
She celebrates Valentines day like a woman in her mid 40s and I love her for it
She doesn't expect you to go all out for her, but ofc at least a few gifts and she gets you a little something as well..
And then after that it's just like having wine talk with your divorced pretty neighbor/hj
Going to a nice Italian restaurant (olive garden) and letting her hair DOWNSNBSH OKAY REAL TALK, WHEN SHE LET HER HAIR DOWN AMD WORE THE DRESS NEAR THE END KF THE GAME? OMGGGG PLEAAASEEE
But yes, she'd be dressed very nice ofc. Mogging EVERYONE
She definitely gets tipsy at the end of the date, so make sure you're careful because someone needs to drive the two of you home
She becomes a lot more giggly when she's drunk too, so she'll laugh at the most random things you say and get side eyes from other couples. LIKE LEAVE HER ALONE, SHES HAVING FUN🤬
Honestly it sounds like a great time, Ily Laura
Would love to see first kiss headcannons for the camp counselors
How would your first kiss be?
camp councilors x gen neu reader
warnings . . . fluff, suggestive if you squint
for the sake of max and laura’s hcs they aren’t together
dylan lenivy
Behind all the jokes and surprisingly smooth pick up lines, Dylan isn’t the most confident of people. Socially awkward is the word to describe him.
It’s you who makes the first move, the constant flirting and tension between you both practically drove you insane, you couldn’t wait any longer.
It was like any normal day, Dylan talking your ear off, making jokes to attempt to make you laugh. The way you hit his shoulder when he manages to get a chuckle out of you fills his stomach with butterflies.
“You just can’t keep your hands off of me can you?” Comes from his mouth, you’re not sure who’s face lit up brighter. You stare at him, and he instantly waves his hands around. Trying to play it off as a joke.
In the middle of his sentence you cut him off by pressing your lips against his, retreating away instantly, you scan his face for any discomfort.
To say he was taken off guard was an understatement, though once he regained consciousness from his dazed state. He chased you back down, lips crashing against yours. You kissed him back, your arms wrapping around his neck to deepen it.
He was pressed against the wall, sheepish arms snake around you. Your head was dizzy, your thoughts were clouded by Dylan.
You two would’ve gone further if it wasn’t for the “oh shit!” from kaitlyn, walking in on you two in the radio shack. You weren’t living this down.
nick furcillo
You and Nick had a pretty tight knit relationship, you both work in the kitchen so it wasn’t surprising that you are practically attached at the hip.
There was strong mutual attraction between you two, though both failed to recognize one another’s feelings.
It was the end of dinner time, and clean up was finished half an hour ago. Still, You and Nick were idle in the kitchen talking about whatever crossed your minds.
“Hey Nick, I have a question.” You spoke up, he hummed in response, raising an eyebrow. The way his name fell out of your mouth was perfect.
“Do you.. like anyone so far at camp?— Romantically.” Your feet acted on their own, slowly approaching the other. You lean on the counter near him, he seemed nervous.
“Well..” He started, his accent strong. You didn’t expect to feel a tug on your wrist, pulling you closer to him. His brown eyes were focused on your hand, his thumb caressing your knuckles. “I like you, a lot. I don’t think anyone else here interests me as much as you.”
Your cheeks tinted a soft hue of red. Out of every councilor, you weren’t expecting your name to roll off his tongue.
“That’s good to know. Yknow I feel the same way—“ before you could finish, Nick’s lips found yours, pulling you into a delicate kiss. His lips were soft and tasted like mint chapstick, your fingers wormed around his to interlock your hands.
You pull away to catch air, you opened your eyes to meet his. He was so enamored with you, it made you melt even more.
“Why don’t we go down to the campfire?” You interrupted the moment, Nick hurriedly nodded in agreement.
ryan erzahler
Ryan didn’t go out of his way to talk to the other councilors, they usually went to him. Which is exactly what you did, made an effort to talk to him. His loner persona was alluring, you never could take your eyes off of him.
You two became close surprisingly quickly, Ryan enjoys talking to you, and of course you feel the same. Conversation flows smoothly between you guys. The others quickly noticed.
Neither of you can think of a time where you haven’t been together, quality time is important in your relationship. Whether it was walking, hanging out silently, or simple quiet chit chatter.
The small things matter the most, it didn’t need to be any bigger than it already was.
You two were sitting on a log in the forest, watching the view in front of you, your eyes fixate on the view in front of you, Ryan’s rest on your face, examining your facial features.
His hand rested on yours, causing you to look over with a smile. The way he looks at you always makes you nervous.
You liked each other, it’s was obvious even to you. You lean closer to him, your eyes do the communicating. Ryan scoots closer, and pecks you on the lips, one, two, three times before going in for an actual kiss.
Your free hand cups his cheek, he leans into it with a small hum. Thank god for silent communication.
jacob custos
Jacob is a pretty open person, if he’s attracted to someone he will pursue them straight away. What can he say, he’s a charming guy!
From the start of camp, Jacob had a little “hallway crush” on you. Orientation was where it started, He couldn’t take his eyes off you. You’re attractive, and have a certain energy to you that just pulls him in.
You find yourself getting close to Jacob over the first month of camp, you two just couldn’t stop bumping into each other! of course it was on purpose, he just adores talking with you.
At one point he asked you to sneak out, of course you agree. Which brings you to the present, sitting at the dock with your legs dangling over the water. Talking about who knows what, Jacob sure knows how to keep a conversation alive.
“Hey I actually do have something important to ask you—“ Jacob suddenly switched the conversation, you look at him with curiosity. “Sure. What’s up?”
“So I actually am very into you, like very. I was wondering if yknow.. you, me? would be work out?” Jacob points his fingers back and forth between you both, you snort.
“Yeah duh, I’m into you too.” You respond, scooting closer to him. You can tell he got the hint, by the way he wraps his arm around you and pulls you in for a nice slow kiss.
You slowly bring you and him down, your back is on the dock and he’s half on top of you. The kiss breaks off then comes back alive, more passion blooming.
This has to be the best night so far.
max brinly
Max is a bit clueless, especially when it comes to romance. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t have natural charm, he’s had previous experience in the dating world after all.
Infact, that’s what you’re attracted to about him. Clueless guys are cute, the way he looks at you when he’s confused makes you smile, it’s just so adorable.
You both happened to get paired up during cleaning duty one fateful lunch, you were scared to speak with him at first. Once you did though, you two hit it off instantly. Chatter curing the usual boredom of cleaning.
From that day, you both couldn’t stay away from each other. Max would go out of his way to visit your station (even if you’re actively teaching the kids something) You don’t mind though.
Today, you happened to get some free time in the afternoon. You were quick to tell Max and he seemed happy, you planned to go on a walk with him. So you were in a good mood all day.
On the walk you both chat about your days, though you both stop once you come across two camper’s names etched in the wood, a heart surrounding it. Your heart practically explodes in your chest.
“Cute kids, huh? Hey, why don’t we do the same thing?” You feel heat rise to your cheeks, but you accept either way. Max happened to have a pocket knife on him.
After it was done, you two were crouched in front of it. You equally had red faces. You turn your head towards him and reach your hand out, running your fingers through his hair. You slowly got closer to each other, before connecting with a kiss. Max places his hand on your knee and deepens the kiss.
You break off the kiss, nervous laughter spilling from you both. Once your able to think properly again, you look around you. “Shit— we need to get back for dinner.” You two quickly ran off towards the lodge.
emma mountebank
You and Emma became close pretty quickly, having a shared love for theatre really helped secure that bond. Other than her extroverted personality, you guys clicked easily.
Conversations include gossiping, rambling about your lives outside of summer camp, and complaining about how rowdy the kids could get. Emma is glad she has someone close to talk to about whatever, and You’re just glad you have a friend.
You two happened to also quickly develop feelings for one another, Emma was smitten. You were kind, funny, good with kids, and pretty good looking. You couldn’t get your mind off of her, just speaking with her now made your heart race.
Backstage is where you two were usually hiding from kids, so it wasn’t a surprise that’s where you reside currently. Emma groans, rolling her eyes as you complain about Nick and Abi dancing around their feelings for each other.
“Holy shit, I know! She’s always talking about him and not making a move, I really do love Abi but she’s gotta grow some balls.” She said, resting her head in her hand.
“I don’t think it’s her who needs to grow balls.” There’s a beat before you both break into loud giggles, Emma hit you on the shoulder.
“Hey actually speaking of crushes, do you have the hots for anyone?” Emma readjusts herself, that familiar smirk coming onto her face. It’s always when she’s getting nosey.
“Well it so happens that I actually do.” It’s your turn to smirk, Emma purses her lips and squints at you. Under your poker face, your hearts’ practically beating out of your chest.
“She wouldn’t happen to be right in front of you would she?” She asks, your face heats up.
“And what if she was?” You don’t have time to think, Emma is already pulling you into a kiss. It’s passionate right away, you don’t hesitate before pressing back into her. A satisfied whine is pulled from her.
You guys practically made out for an hour, if it wasn’t for Dylan coming in and forcing you both to help with lunch. You would’ve spent more time together.
abi blyg
Abi is a shy girl, anyone could tell that from miles away. Though that didn’t stop you guys from becoming really close at the beginning of camp, your personalities mix together really well.
You have an appreciation for any kind of art, Which is why you mean so much to Abi. You both bond majorly over your love for art, even if it might be different things you are interested in.
You sit in to watch some of her classes. The first time you decided to observe, she was pretty nervous to have an extra set of eyes on her. But overtime she got back into the flow of things again, her being so passionate made you fall in love then and there.
Abi fell in love the moment you actually made an effort to be her friend and seem genuinely interested in her hobbies, she’s never had someone like that.
Today, Abi invited you over her cabin. She found nail polish in her bag and wanted to paint for nails, you accepted straight away.
“—And I was like, Jacob you can’t just say that about a kid. I mean the lowest you can ever go is shit talk a kid. Especially when you’re at a table next to them!” Gossip spills from your mouth, earning multiple giggles from Abi.
“I’ve been waiting for someone to say something! I thought it was just me who thought it was weird.” She responds, painting your nails with caution. The way she gently holds your hand and puts effort into making your nails look good, it just makes butterflies swirl in your stomach.
Once she finishes your nails you compliment her work, making her a bit bashful.
“Hey Abi.. This is really random but, You’re practically my best friend and I don’t want to ruin what we have. But, I really like you. I want to try to have something more than just friendship.” You notice you catch her off guard, her face lights up as her eyes dart around the room.
“I.. I feel the same, I was also nervous about telling you.” She responds, taking your hands in hers. “Can I.. kiss you?” The question rolls off her tongue oh so beautifully. You instantly nod slowly closing the space between you.
kaitlyn ka
Kaitlyn is a chill girl, her vibes were what attracted you. At first her constant teasing was frustrating. You two had a rocky start, disagreeing a ton.
Though, once you injured yourself in a climbing accident. You both had a chance to finally sit down and get to know each other. Your defensive wall lowered immediately and you both genuinely enjoyed the company.
From then on, You and Kaitlyn formed a tight bond. You found yourself making constant excuses for why you needed to go to the nurses office, retreating from your task just to talk with her.
She always scolds you, but in reality she loves your presence. She adores your personality, and your face is really— fuck she likes you.
You started falling for her as well, the way she handles you so gently, caressing the small bruises you use as an excuse to see her. It makes you feel all fuzzy inside.
For the second time today, you go to the nurses office. You assume that Kaitlyn always expects you to come in, when you enter the doorway and she’s facing the medicine cabinet, she calls out your name without looking.
“Hey Kait’, No injuries this time. I just have a genuine question to ask.” A serious tone fills your voice as you sit on the cot next to her. “You never have an actual injury, dude.” Kaitlyn sasses you, effectively causing you to roll your eyes.
“Anyways, what’s up buttercup?” She turns to you with her eyebrow raised, you exhale out the anxiety that’s festering inside of you. “How do you feel about me? Like genuinely.”
“Are you serious?” Kaitlyn asks, you bite your lip with a sheepish head nod. She laughs a bit before sitting next to you on the cot, her hand resting on your thigh.
“I don’t think i’ve felt this way about someone ever since middle school, I’m so into you it’s no joke. You make me feel so different in the best way.” She looks at you in a way you can tell she’s serious, a smile creeps its way onto your lips.
“You haven’t had bitches since middle school?” You laugh nervously as her eyebrows furrow. “Kidding! Kidding! I feel the exact same way I just didn’t—“ You are cut off from her lips crashing onto yours. You kiss her back, slightly pushing her into the mattress as you do.
You break it off once your lungs start to burn, you both stare at each other with love in your eyes.
laura kearney
Laura is a hardcore animal lover, it was the field she wants to go into anyway. Taking care of animals makes her happy, which is why when she saw you feeding a squirrel a nut stolen from the cafeteria, she instantly had a small attraction to you.
She started speaking to you first, asking about how you feel about animals and mentioning how she saw you feeding a squirrel a nut. You rambled on about your favorite animals and your love for nature.
From then on, You and Laura made an effort to observe the wildlife around you as much as you could. Due to that you two are always together during your free time.
Overtime you developed mutual feelings for each other, You subtly flirted with each other every nature walk you took. Which in turn made you both fall harder.
Both of you are sitting on the steps in front of your cabin, Laura’s head is resting on your shoulder while you write in your shared log about the different types of birds you saw.
She lifts her head off of your shoulder, causing you to glance over at her to see if anything was up. Her eyes stare into yours, it looks like she’s hesitant to say something.
“I just wanted to say, Thank you so much for doing this with me. I mean, I can’t even be more grateful that such a.. lovely person decided to pick up a hobby with me.” Her words turn into mumbles as Laura approaches the end of her sentence, it happens when she’s nervous.
You smile softly, fidgeting with the pen in your hand. “..Yeah?” You feel tension in the air, though it doesn’t feel wrong. It feels so right.
“Yeah.” She responds, you two look at each other for a good minute before she cups your cheek. You set down the notebook knowingly and meet Laura half way, sharing a kiss with her.
You could stay in this moment forever.
FINALLY FINISHED THIS!! I started yapping when i got to the women so excuse that (i’m a lesbian). Also sorry for Laura’s part being lowkey rushed my sleeping meds kicked in towards the end of writing it.
sleep for days (the quarry x reader) - chapter 1
chapter 1 - i step off the train and i'm met with a smile, so i stay for a while
synopsis: summer camp; where children go to spread their wings, learn new skills, and reinvent themselves. there’s bound to be lifelong friendships, fleeting crushes, and milestone heartbreak.
could the same apply for the counselors?
it certainly could for hackett’s quarry’s newest music teacher—resident hottie with a guitar.
but we’ll see.
word count: 4,734 words warnings: gender neutral terms, they/them for reader, avoiding y/n this time who am i??, physical descriptors: unspecified facial piercings, wears jewelry, fashionable & hot, other than that the reader looks like YOU A/N: omg new fic. omg musician reader. what a surprise. more notes at the bottom. also on ao3.
“Whew, thank god…I think my ass fell asleep.”
“Nice. Because everyone was so curious about your ass, Jacob.”
Two childhood friends haul themselves out of a large van. They’re quickly followed by several other young adults, each one rolling and stretching their limbs.
It’d been a lengthy, quiet ride, deep into upstate New York. Kaitlyn had been thankful for the quiet part. A certain baseball-capped idiot could’ve easily chattered the whole way.
“Ooh, someone’s bitter they’re about to be 30 bucks poorer! A silent two-hour ride—boom! Pay up…” Said idiot bounds just outside Kaitlyn’s personal bubble, already infected with a case of the zoomies. Her annoyed countenance immediately fades in favor of a smirk.
“Think again, dumbass. I said you had to zip it until we reached the cabins. Where are we right now, Jake?”
That pauses the zoomies. It’s cartoonish, how quickly his head whips about. Sure enough, the cabins were a distance away. Instead, the group still resides at the dirt lot near the entrance—not far from the towering sign that read "Hackett's Quarry”. The realization carries a sour taste.
“Damn it.” He mutters, head hanging low.
“When you’re done with your victory lap, some of us could use a little help with our bags!” The feminine voice prickles the shells of his ears. His eyes follow the voice, landing on a girl with light eyes and dirty blonde hair. Taking in her coy grin, Jacob stands at attention once more.
“Yeah…yeah, sure.” He moves to the back of the van with haste. Emma’s grin widens at the response, glancing over just in time to catch Kaitlyn’s eye roll.
“Well shit, I need some help with my bags, too.” A taller guy mutters to himself. However, someone beside him huffs a small laugh at his private remark. A red-haired girl gives him a shy smile before returning her attention to the van’s trunk. Dylan only responds with a nod, his lips stretching into more of a tight line than a smile. Yet, a small chime echoes in his head like an achievement in a video game.
Abigail stands patiently in the queue that’s formed for people to retrieve their things. Her eyes stay trained on her purple bag amongst the pile, when someone else grabs it—presumably to move it out of the way. Her voice is gentle and hoarse from hours without speaking. “Oh, that’s mine, I can take that.”
The brunette holding her bag turns to her. She immediately grows bashful at the sight of handsome eyes and beauty marks against olive skin. For a moment, the world slows down, attraction swirling and blooming in her stomach. In real life, though, the interaction barely lasts a second, and he hands her the bag without another word. Just like that, Abigail is staring at the back of his head again.
The attraction festers and goes kaput.
At the front of the van, Chris Hackett watches the group with a content grin on his face. A young man stands beside him, decidedly removed from the others. Chris takes in his reserved posture, able to read his thoughts with a glance. He wordlessly pats the young man between the shoulders. Ryan stiffens at the unexpected contact, but relaxes quickly. The affectionate touch does warm him a bit—but he’s at that age where he doesn’t feel allowed to show it. His full lips only partially stretch into a thin line—but Chris knows to interpret it as a smile.
“Alright, counselors! We’ll begin orientation shortly, but we’re still waiting on the last three in the smaller car. Why don’t you guys drop your things at the camp lodge, and we’ll wait for ‘em there?’
…
The camp lodge is rustic, but surprisingly cozy--and huge. The windows are propped open for the summer breeze, perfect after being stuffed into a van for hours. The counselors meander about, some even breaking into surface-level conversation. Others are content to quietly entertain themselves.
The door swings open, ruffling the moment of peace. Chris is the first through, carrying a few bags himself. He leans against the door to prop it open.
“Come on in, guys…and here’s the rest of ya!”
Next, a freckled redhead enters the room. He’s carrying quite a few bags—as if he’s carrying his own, and a couple of someone else’s. A blonde follows closely behind him, and it becomes clear whose bags he’s carrying. The blonde only clutches a small blue backpack. She watches her companion with an amused gleam in her eyes—because as much as she’s certainly strong enough to carry her own stuff, someone insisted otherwise.
Some small chatter had continued throughout the entrance, only half paying attention to the introduction of new bodies into the space.
“Tough cookie!” Chris grins appraisingly at the final person to enter.
The room suddenly stills, that half-attention turning into full-attention. The atmosphere shifts slightly, nothing tense, or even unfriendly…just a bit more aware.
Okay, very aware of the very attractive person that has entered the room.
You chuckle breathlessly at his remark, chest heaving a little with effort. “I told you I could get it here!”
For a brief moment, everyone is free to check you out without shame. You don’t notice, too engrossed in lugging that giant trunk behind you. It’s gotta be heavy, judging from your deep breathing and the slight shine above your brow. Not to mention the stretch of your skin over working muscles. Skin that peeks perfectly through your very flattering choice of clothing.
Honestly, if you weren’t wearing such a friendly grin, you’d be a little intimidating. Each slight movement carries a cacophony of jingle jangles, courtesy of the various bobbles and bits adorning your neck & wrists. Light catches the glints of metal on several of your fingers. Upon closer inspection, parts of your face glimmer too, thanks to the piercings decorating your face and ears.
But since you were smiling, you were just hot.
You pull a strap over your head, then another. A duffel bag hits the ground, followed by the gentler descent of an enticingly guitar-shaped case.
Then, the checking out has to end, because you’ve begun glancing around the room. A girl with matching dark hair and eyes stares back at you unabashedly. Another ponytailed girl wiggles her fingers at you in a cute little wave. A jock-y looking guy sits up a bit straighter when you look at him, grinning ear to ear. You catch eyes with one more young man, with pale skin and short brown hair, but he quickly glances elsewhere. Others don’t meet your gaze, but it’s no sweat off your back.
These guys seem friendly enough.
….
“Kaitlyn.”
She’s the first to approach you as Chris begins your tour. You all had just done a quick group introduction, but it was going to take some repetition before you had a solid handle on everyone’s name.
You happily accept her hand, and are rewarded with the most solid handshake you’ve ever experienced. Your rings are slightly cool against her warm fingers--a sensation that she gladly welcomes. Her intelligent eyes give you a once over before returning to yours, creasing at the outer corners. Staring into them, you see a world of possibilities--multitudes concealed by a pretty face. Possible trouble--that you wouldn’t quite mind. You repeat your own name back to her.
Kaitlyn. Black hair. Pretty eyes. Great handshake.
Another body flanks your other side—the jock-y boy from earlier. “Jacob.” He says seriously, copying Kaitlyn by offering you his hand. He drops it before you can accept it, however. “Ah, who am I kidding? I’m more of a hugger!”
Sure enough, he offers you his hand closer to chest level. Snorting, you grasp it with your own, letting him pull you in and patting a hand on his back. It’s a bit forward, but you appreciate his affectionate approach. His palm is warm and solid against your shoulder blades. The rest of him is also solid and warm, all mass and muscle. The proximity draws his attention to a light fragrance clinging to you. Something musky and appetizing, dabbed onto your wrists and neck. It has him hesitating to pull away too soon.
You miss Kaitlyn rolling her eyes at him over your shoulder. “So odd, you’re the first person he’s hugged.” She remarks as you all fall into pace with the others.
“Aw, don’t be jealous, Kait! C’mere—.”
“Gross.”
Kaitlyn only shoves her palm into his face, walking at a faster pace to escape him.
Jacob. Baseball cap. Broad shoulders. Nice hugger.
…
“So this’ll be your turf, huh?” You walk beside Laura as the group files out of the nurse’s office. Max walks on the other side of her. Your question brings a smile to her lips.
“Looks like it…Thank god there’s a nurse, though. I won’t be solely responsible for the wellbeing of 9 counselors and over a hundred children! Yay…” Sarcasm bleeds into the latter half of her words, but her grin never wavers.
“Only 50% responsible!” Max chimes in. You both give him a look, though humor glimmers in your eyes.
“Woof…and who’s responsible for your wellbeing?” You murmur to Laura. The question gives her pause, as if she hadn’t thought about it before this point.
“Just Nurse Kelly. And this one, I guess.” She points a finger at Max warily.
“Thanks for sounding so confident.” Max replies flatly, grabbing her pointing hand to intertwine his fingers with hers.
You’d gotten to know the couple quite well on the drive to camp. Since they had driven themselves and arrived a day early, they were tasked with picking you up from your accommodations. Even as you sat in the backseat and listened to them lightly bicker over directions, you hadn’t once felt like a third wheel.
Laura. Sweet smile. Dependable. Good with directions.
Max. Freckles galore. Goofy. Decent at driving.
…
You prop your elbows up onto the table, resting your chin in your hands. The classroom is quaint, with long tables in rows instead of individual desks. A sweet aroma floats about you as someone sits to your right. It’s the girl with the ponytail, already staring at you expectantly.
The close proximity allows you to make out the small patch of freckles and daring glint in her eye.
“Hey, we haven’t talked yet. Emma.” She whispers. In place of a handshake, her lithe fingers give your shoulder a quick squeeze. Her manicured fingers tingle a little at the contact. She seems so comfortable within your personal bubble that you don’t mind her being there.
Emma. Pretty hair. Familiar. Extraverted.
The contact brings an easy smile to your face. You return the introduction, only slightly aware of the way her hand lingers on your shoulder. “Emma…and Dylan, right?” You turn to include the person who has just plopped down across from you.
He seems taken off guard, chocolate brown eyes widening a centimeter. “Yeah…yeah, that’s me.”
You extend your hand over the table, enjoying this trend of making physical contact. You slightly regret it when you watch him hesitate. Luckily, he recovers quickly--his fingers are surprisingly gentle around your own. You try your best to replicate Kaitlyn’s skill—maybe a bit too hard, judging by the way his eyebrows shoot up. His eyes dart from your face, to your ornate bracelets, to the rings that are definitely digging into his hand.
“Yeah, I guess you could take my hand off, I don’t need it that badly.” The words come out before he can stop them. Better that than admitting he kinda likes the feeling, and the way your jewelry looks so close to his skin. You free his hand with a shocked laugh. That little achievement noise rings in his head again.
“My fault. I was trying something.”
Dylan. Adorably lanky. Nonchalant. Witty.
…
Chris says your name and claps a hand on your back. You brace yourself for the force that only a father was capable of, but the impact is surprisingly gentle. “I think this is where you’ll be doing your thing!”
You light up at his words, venturing deeper into the room. The ceilings are a bit higher than the last classroom, and there’s much less furniture taking up space. You picture children standing in rows, or maybe even a circle, making music together. The acoustics should be great here.
“What exactly is ‘their thing’?” Kaitlyn asks, hands parked on her hips. Chris glances at you, vaguely gesturing in your direction.
“Ah…music stuff, yeah? Kaylee was really into that sorta thing at that age, so I figured it’d be worth a try. You’ve got some choir stuff, maybe some instruments?” You’re half paying attention, still invested in inspecting the space. Still, you register the question well enough.
“Yeah, did you get your hands on any?” You turn to the rest of the group, having traveled all the way to the other wall (and creating another perfect checking-out opportunity).
“My brother’ll be up with some tomorrow. Can’t promise they’ll be the best, though.” His grin goes from proud to sheepish. Still, you’re delighted at this news. His furrowed brow lifts with a new idea. “Maybe Dylan could help you get them fixed up! His application said he’s good with that sort of thing.”
Bad news for Dylan…he fell victim to the aforementioned checking-out trap. He’d fixated onto your bracelets again, trying to identify which was his favorite—when you’d suddenly turned to him. Everyone suddenly turned to him, and he had no idea what had just been said besides his name. “Uh…yeah.”
“Sweet.” That seems to be the right answer, judging from the way your grin widens. His heart, though racing, still manages to skip a beat.
…
“I…had been wondering why you brought a guitar.” A light voice says beside you. The girl smiling at you has cool hair, dyed an ombre of black to red.
Said guitar was strapped to your torso, along with your duffel. Sure enough, you dragged that cursed trunk behind you. You were the one who packed it so heavy, so you couldn’t complain too much…just a little. It’s why you were too stubborn to let anyone else help with it. (Jacob had been quite persistent. You had no idea what he planned to do, since he had already taken on Emma’s bag as well.)
“Ah, yeah. I just figured it’d be a pain to spend a whole summer without it. I brought some smaller stuff too, but I’m excited to see what Mr. H came up with.”
She eyes the trunk you’re pulling, wondering what ‘smaller stuff’ you were referring to. “Your position sounds pretty cool. I bet the kids will enjoy it a lot.”
Your expression warms, and subsequently, so does the skin of her cheeks. “Thanks. Abi, yeah?”
She perks up at that, nodding her head hastily. To your delight, she repeats your name back to you, beaming when you confirm that she’s correct.
Abigail. Cool hair. Quiet. Attentive.
You wilt in relief when you finally reach the large oak tree that unites all of the cabins. Mr. H then dismisses you all, allowing you to rest after a long day of travel.
“I’m sure you’ve all mingled a bit, but make sure you’ve gotten acquainted with everyone before turning in tonight. Once the kids get in, we’ll be moving pretty fast!” Mr. H begins to leave you all, but pauses to add, “…And I won’t be far, just at that house down the trail. So no funny business.”
That little inkling of sternness is enough to send a shiver down everyone’s spine. You all watch him walk off in silence, a bit unsure what to do now that you’re unattended. He’s placing a lot of trust in a bunch of college kids…but maybe he’s banking on you being too tired to cause much trouble. Judging from the way everyone quietly trudges on, he’s probably right.
“I say we unpack, shower, and meet back up at the campfire for a little ‘get to know you’ sesh!” Emma proposes, beaming with energy thanks to a certain jock carrying her bags.
“That actually doesn’t sound too bad.” Kaitlyn agrees. “After that car ride, I’m not locking myself in a cabin just yet.”
The group dissipates after coming to an agreement, separating towards their respective cabins. As people walk in different directions, you find yourself walking near a guy whose name you hadn’t gotten yet. Ned? Nat? He’d been a bit quiet since the tour had begun, but you think he had some sort of accent. You simply walk near him for a bit, before deciding that the silence is too awkward.
“Looks like we might be neighbors.” You pipe up, speeding your steps to walk beside him. He flinches a little, although you’re not sure what surprised him, because this trunk is loud as all hell.
“…Yeah.” He finally responds. While you’re unperturbed by his curtness, he’s inwardly kicking himself. You don’t notice, repeating your name to him instead.
“Remind me of your name again?” You ask, hoping for a bit more words so you can decipher his accent.
“It’s Nick.” Well, damn. So much for more words. Still, you’re picking up something English, maybe Australian? You’d ask, but you’re not particularly keen on forcing a conversation if he’s not into it. Maybe it’d be best to try another time…
“…you going to this campfire thing?” Hark! He speaks!
“Australian.” You reply on accident. His thick eyebrows raise a little and you want to slap a hand on your mouth. “Sorry…I was trying to place your accent. I meant not to ask, I bet it’s annoying.”
“Well, you’re right, so…no worries.” His fingernails busy themselves at the nape of his neck--an excuse to do something with his hands. One of the wheels of your trunk gets caught in a divot of dirt, forcing you to stop in your tracks. You kiss your teeth, giving it a sturdy yank to pull it free. “…do you need any help with—.”
“Nope. I’ve got a chip on my shoulder. But thanks.”
Then he chuckles a little, finally rewarding you with some semblance of a smile. He’s honestly a bit impressed by your resolve.
Nick. Handsome face. Reserved. Australian!
You break away from Nick soon after, not wanting to hold him too long. By process of elimination, you identify your assigned cabin. Eager to drop all of your shit and take a shower, you go to haul your trunk up the steps. However, an odd clattering noise gives you pause. Your head whips around at the sound--but there’s nowhere near by. You scan the area from the treetops to the dirt ground, but find nothing--
Ah! Something long and wiry has entwined itself with the wheels of your trunk. You make quick work of detangling it, wondering what kind of wire would just be sitting around in the woods. Eventually, you emerge with a pair of dark blue earbuds. Weird. Maybe some kid left them last year? You decide to hang onto them, in case anyone asked.
Now, you had a hot date with a shower!
….
By the time you go to reconvene with everyone, the sun is bathing every surface in a warm, orange glow. Tall, rust-colored shadows stretch across the forest groubd. It’s gorgeous and serene, solidifying that you made the right choice in coming here for the summer.
“Nobody found any booze!? C’mon!” Well.
“Jacob, we have to be up at like 7AM.” Laura reasons from her spot beside Max, who deflates. Another few seconds, and he would’ve voiced his agreement with Jacob.
“Who knows when we’ll get an opportunity like this again…” The redhead murmurs against his better judgement. Laura levels him with a scrutinizing look. He shrugs sheepishly. “I’m just saying--Soon the kids’ll be here, and Mr. H seems pretty strict.”
“As much as I love a good time, there is more to life than getting plastered.” Kaitlyn says.
“Y…yeah. It’s only two months! That’s no time at all to go without alcohol.” Abi chimes in, happy to hear Kaitlyn’s levelheaded words.
“Oh, you’re misunderstanding me, babe. I’m not going that long without a drink--I just don’t need one tonight.”
“Oh.”
The exchange is interrupted by a rhythmic jingling noise. Every one’s gaze naturally wanders towards the source, a little unsettled by the foreign sound. Yet, that feeling subsides when they see it’s only you--dressed down into comfier clothes and donning a healthy third of your previous jewelry.
“Oh thank god, I thought Buddy the Elf had infiltrated.” Dylan sighs with a smirk.
“Ha ha.” You reply flatly, though your lips curl upwards. You plop down on a log next to Kaitlyn.
Emma drawls your name with a whining lilt. “No guitar? That’s, like, a campfire classic!”
“More like a campfire cliche.” You refute, surprised by the request. You’ve been working on releasing the idea of embarrassment--but the thought of holding everyone hostage with your guitar? That was pretty fucking embarrassing.
“I’m just curious about it--I wanna hear you play!” Emma gushes, and you honestly feel a bit flattered.
Kaitlyn grins, leaning back to get a better look at you beside her. “Yeah, same. What kinda music is it?”
The question excites you, but you try to keep a lid on it. “Oh, all of it. I guess I like the indie, folk, Tracey Chapman kinda stuff the most…but rock & blues are also fun, like John Mayer, Paul Simon--I kinda write all over the place.”
“You’re a writer?” Abi leans forward. You hum in confirmation, endeared by her apparent interest.
“Hot.” Emma hums.
“Emma.” Laura scoffs.
“Anywayyy, speaking of which, I know just the way to entertain ourselves, completely sober!” Emma breezes past her comment, taking center stage in the circle. “Let’s ask a question, and then go around the circle to answer. Question #1: What’s everyone’s type?”
“Um…” Abi clams up immediately.
“Maybe we don’t need to share that with our coworkers? At work?” Dylan also interjects.
“Fine, fine, we’re still a little tepid, okay--how about this: who in this circle is your type?”
Max’s hand shoots into the air. “I’ll go first.”
“No, Max, we know, and that’s--that’s the opposite direction.” Dylan has really mastered the perfect deadpan face, and it’s frying you. You extend your arms in a halting gesture, garnering attention.
“How old is everyone? Where are you at in school--if that’s your thing?” Your eyes scan the circle, finding several relieved faces. You nod, muttering a small that’s grown, we’re grown. Honestly, Emma’s high school-style questions were fun, just maybe not for the first day. Said blonde pouts, but relents, happy that people were at least willing to follow the structure of the game.
It’s then that you finally start learning about everyone. Laura and Max are the oldest at 23 and 22, approaching their final years of college and looking into grad school. Kaitlyn, Jacob, and Emma were in the middle at 21, 20, & 20--and Emma was coming out of a gap year. Abi and Dylan were next at 19, having finished freshman year. Then there was Nick….
“I’ll…be 18 next week.” The group erupts into a wave of reactions.
“God, I thought the kids weren’t supposed to get here for another few days!!” Jacob roared, clutching his hat dramatically. A belly laugh tears its way through you. Nick’s cheeks sting with warmth--embarrassed, but not sure why. It’s not like he can help what year he was born.
“Is that why they put you in the kitchen, you’ll understand their tastebuds better than anyone else?” Dylan piles on.
“Okay, okay, y’all leave that baby alone!” The ruckus lulls at your lighthearted chiding. Then, you can’t help but add, “…this is child abuse.”
The laughter reaches its crest, effectively breaking any leftover ice. You check Nick’s face, curious about his reaction to the teasing. He looks sheepish, face a little rosy, but not too bothered. His teeth even peek through a little grin. Jacob claps him on the back, admiring his ability to take a joke.
You guys go around the circle a few times, answering various easy questions. People talk about what they’re studying in school, and go into more depth about what their responsibilities at camp will be. It delights you to see how much everyone seems to suit their position. Abi, with her colorful hair and soft demeanor, will be holding classes and activities in the art cabin. In addition to first aid, Laura will lead the campers through wildlife studies, going hand in hand with her aspirations to become a vet. Jacob, of course, is responsible for the sporty side of things. If anyone will have the energy to keep up with all those rowdy kids, it’d be him.
Emma shares her position as the theatre coach, eliciting an excited gasp from you. “We’ll have to plan something together at some point,” you eagerly propose. Between the two of you, your expertise easily goes hand in hand. You’d happily accompany the kids if they wanted to perform musical pieces.
Emma shoots you a wink and a pleased smirk. “We’ll talk.”
Once the very final droplets of sun make their departure, you all decide to turn in for the night. You walk away from the fire pit with a fluttering feeling in your chest, already feeling a bit closer to your fellow counselors. Although, you struggle to ignore a nagging sensation in your mind..
There are a perfect ten counselors—a match for the perfect ten cabins that the campers will be sleeping in. And yet, there were only nine of you at the campfire. You feel guilty about this, but you couldn’t for the life of you figure out who was missing. You begin to consider if you’d mistakenly counted Mr. H as one of the counselors.
As you pass the last cabin before your own, a dark figure materializes in your peripheral vision . You flinch, placing a hand over your hammering heart. Your sudden movement seems to startle the figure in return. For a moment, the two of you only stare at each other.
He’s bathed in a combination of warm porch lamp and cool moonlight. He’s illuminated just enough to reflect his dark, pensive gaze. You huff a sheepish laugh, relaxing out of the silence.
“We missed you at the campfire.” You finally say. A little guilty, as you had momentarily forgotten he existed. In your defense, you were at least aware of someone’s absence.
“Just…preferred some quiet time.” His voice is incredibly soft among the ambient sounds of the forest. There’s a gravel to it that has you leaning forward.
“I get that…oh, wait.” Your eyes scan his form, taking in his modest choice of pajamas. They do a double take at the white, wired earbuds dangling at his collarbone. Your fingers ghost over your pocket, before pulling out your treasure from earlier. “I thought there was someone here with headphones, but you’ve still got yours…”
His gaze follows your movements, before gleaming with recognition. He stands from his position on the porch, slender hips tilted by the different step levels. “No yeah, those are my spares. Must’ve fell from my pocket.”
You step forward to drop them into his outstretched palm, smiling triumphantly. On their retreat, your fingertips brush against the inside of his wrist. He stares down at the goosebumps that have risen in their wake. Odd, must be the summer night breeze. “Thanks, um…”
You remind him of your name. He nods and repeats it—it sounds quite nice with that gravel of his. “Name’s Ryan.”
Ryan. Beautiful voice. Introverted. Guy with headphones.
“See you in the morning, Ryan.” You nod, trotting back to your cabin. He doesn’t respond verbally, besides a low hum. He watches your form grow smaller with distance, listens to the ching ching ching of your bracelets.
You simper to yourself as the door shuts behind you. That completes your collection of coworkers! Each of them are so amusingly distinct from one another, and you wonder if Mr. H did that on purpose. Your mind wanders over each person you’ve met today. How will your relationships develop over the next two months? Excitement swirls in the pit of your stomach.
Despite the jagged mattress springs poking into your back, you drift off to sleep, brain carding through numerous pretty faces.
In the other cabins, some are certainly ruminating yours.
A/N: DOES ANYONE LIKE THE QUARRY ANYMORE?? i'm late...i'm sooo late...lmk if you're out there. i just rlly needed the quarry cast + an alt baddie music teacher, isn't it the perfect addition?? my intention is to focus on the events of the actual camp, not the canon game--in fact you'll notice laura and max are here so i've already deviated. we'll see what happens ;)
The Quarry x Male Werewolf Reader Headcanons
The Stages of Infection
Stage 1 (The Bite - First 12 Hours): Fever, intense localized pain, rapid healing of the bite wound, and a metallic taste in the mouth. Heightened senses begin, causing sensory overload.
Stage 2 (The Change - 12-24 Hours): The fever breaks, replaced by intense energy, agitation, and a ravenous appetite. Eyes may briefly flash amber. The infected feels "too big" for their own skin.
Stage 3 (The Crescendo - Final Hours): Pain returns as bones begin to subtly shift and crack. Aggression and predatory instincts surge. The human mind fights a losing battle against the beast's impulses.
Stage 4 (The Transformation): The final, violent metamorphosis into the werewolf. Irreversible until sunrise.
Reactions:
Abigail Blyg
Stage 1: She’s immediately in caregiver mode, using her artistic eye to document the changes in your pupils and skin tone with worrying fascination. She’s quiet, terrified, but forces herself to be calm for you. She keeps a cool cloth on your forehead and holds your hand through the fever dreams, whispering, “Just focus on my voice. You’re still you.”
Stage 2: Your sudden energy and sharp movements startle her. When you snap at her out of hunger-induced irritation, she flinches but doesn’t retreat. “It’s the infection talking, not you,” she’ll say firmly, though her hands tremble. She’ll try to distract you with sketches, asking you to describe the new, overwhelming things you’re hearing and smelling.
Stage 3: Seeing you in genuine pain, writhing as bones creak, breaks her heart. This is when her fear turns into a fierce, protective resolve. She’ll barricade a room with you inside it, refusing to let the others consider more violent options. “We contain him. We don’t hurt him. He’s still in there.”
Transformation: She’ll be the one sobbing silently from behind a safe barrier, her hands pressed against the glass or wood separating you. She’ll whisper, “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry,” not because she’s afraid of the beast, but because she couldn’t save the boy she loves from the pain.
Dylan Lenivy
Stage 1: Uses humor as a defense mechanism. “Okay, so, furry upgrade. Not what I had in mind for our next couple’s costume, but we’ll workshop it.” He’s meticulously researching on his phone (with no service) and making terrible “werewolf-adjacent” puns (“Hair today, gone tomorrow?”) to mask his panic. He stays glued to your side.
Stage 2: He’s oddly helpful with the ravenous hunger, scavenging food with a manic energy. He’ll notice your amber eyes and freeze for a second, the smile dropping. His jokes become softer, more reassuring. “Hey, those gold specs are kinda hot. New aesthetic unlocked.” He’ll try to keep things light, but his touch is constant, a grounding anchor.
Stage 3: The reality hits him when you growl at him, your best friend. He goes quiet, the humor gone. He’ll look you dead in the eye, voice uncharacteristically serious. “Listen to me. You’re you. You hate my music taste and love my stupid jokes. Fight it. Come back to me so I can make a really bad ‘howling at the moon’ joke, okay?”
Transformation: He’ll be the one who locked the door from the outside, sliding down to sit against it. He’ll put his headphones on, playing the song you both secretly love, and let the tears fall, listening to the sounds of the change on the other side of the wood.
Emma Mountebank
Stage 1: All performative bravery. “A werewolf boyfriend? My social media would explode.” But her hands shake as she helps you. She’s filming snippets, not for clout, but because she needs to do something, to frame this as a story where the hero (her) saves the day. Underneath, she’s terrified of losing control of the situation.
Stage 2: She’s frustrated by your aggression. “Stop being so cranky! We need a plan!” She tries to motivate you, to channel the energy into “something useful.” She might challenge you to a race or an arm wrestle, trying to engage the human competitive spirit she knows so well.
Stage 3: When the pain hits you, her facade crumbles. The influencer vanishes, leaving just a scared girl. She’ll cup your face, her voice small. “Hey. No. Look at me. You’re stronger than this. You promised me a boring, normal vacation after this. Don’t you dare bail on me.”
Transformation: She’ll run. Not out of cowardice, but out of sheer, overwhelming panic. She’ll run until she collapses, then scream her frustration and grief into the night. Later, she’ll be the most vehement about finding a cure, refusing to accept the loss as permanent.
Jacob Custos
Stage 1: Pure, unadulterated panic. “No no no no, this is all my fault!” He blames himself for the entire night. He’s overly physical, trying to carry you, support you, fix you through sheer force of will. He’s crying openly, apologies tumbling out of him.
Stage 2: He misinterprets your energy as a good sign. “You’re getting better! See? You’re a fighter!” He’ll become your enthusiastic hype-man, bringing you huge piles of food, trying to wrestle playfully. He’s in deep denial, clinging to any sign of your old self.
Stage 3: The sound of your bones shifting is his breaking point. He becomes angry, at the curse, at Hackett’s, at himself. He might punch a wall. He’ll want to fight the beast for you. “Get out of him! Fight me instead!” He needs to be physically restrained from doing something reckless.
Transformation: He’ll insist on being the one to lock you in the cage or shed. He’ll do it with tears streaming down his face, whispering, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” as if the act of securing you is the ultimate betrayal. He’ll stand guard outside all night, a broken sentinel.
Kaitlyn Ka
Stage 1: Immediate crisis mode. She takes charge, barking orders to get you secure and comfortable. She’s assessing you like a tactical problem: fever level, pain points, potential threats. Her worry is channeled into ruthless efficiency. “Abi, get water. Dylan, find any medicine. Ryan, watch the door.”
Stage 2: She’s the best at handling the aggression. She doesn’t flinch when you snarl. She’ll stand her ground, arms crossed. “Knock it off. You’re hungry, we get it. Here’s a can of beans. Use your words, Fido.” She treats you like you’re still fully in control, which strangely helps you cling to it.
Stage 3: She prepares the containment area, the sturdiest room, reinforced barriers. Her voice loses its edge, becoming solemn. She’ll hand you a weapon, handle first. “If you feel it winning… you know what to do with this. But I’ll be on the other side of that door, and I’m not leaving. So you fight like hell.”
Transformation: She’s the last one to leave the containment room, giving you a firm, final nod before shutting the heavy door. She’ll sit with her back against it, shotgun across her lap, jaw set. She doesn’t cry; she stands vigil. She made a promise to protect the group, and that includes protecting them from you, and you from yourself.
Laura Kearney
Stage 1: She’s eerily calm. She’s been through this. She recognizes the symptoms instantly and explains them to the others with a clinical detachment that hides her inner turmoil. She’s checking your eyes, your pulse. “Max went through this. The fever is normal. The pain is normal. It’s going to get worse.”
Stage 2: She’s your coach. “The hunger is the beast’s voice. Ignore it. Focus on a memory, a specific one. Hold onto it.” She’s the only one who truly understands the mental battle you’re fighting. She’s tough, demanding, but her eyes are full of a painful empathy.
Stage 3: She sees you losing the fight and makes the hard call. Her voice is steel. “It’s time. We have to secure you now.” She’ll look at you with a mix of grief and resolve. “I won’t let you hurt anyone. And I won’t let anyone hurt you. We just have to make it until sunrise.”
Transformation: She oversees the lockdown with the precision of a general. Once you’re secured, the mask slips. She’ll find a quiet corner, slide to the floor, and let out a single, choked sob, thinking of Max and now you, the two people she loves most, lost to the same curse.
Max Brinly
Stage 1: He’s having a traumatic flashback. He’s pale, shaking, but he forces himself to stay by your side. “Okay. Okay, it’s… it’s going to be really scary. But I’m here.” He’s the only one who can truly describe what you’re feeling, offering small comforts. “The metallic taste fades a little, I promise.”
Stage 2: He tries to be a guide. “The energy… try not to move too fast. It makes the vertigo worse.” He’s deeply anxious, seeing his own nightmare reflected in you. He’s constantly checking the time, counting down the hours.
Stage 3: He panics. The sound of cracking bones triggers his own transformation memories. He might hyperventilate or freeze up. But his love for you pushes him through. He’ll stammer out, “L-Laura, the cage. We need the cage. Now. Please, now!”
Transformation: He can’t watch. He’ll hide, hands over his ears, rocking back and forth. He’s consumed by guilt and shared trauma. Afterward, he’ll be the first to say, “It’s not him. The thing in there isn’t him. We just have to wait. He’s still in there, somewhere.” He has to believe it, for both your sakes.
Nick Furcillo
Stage 1: He’s withdrawn, guilty, and terrified. If he’s infected too, he sees a kindred spirit. If he’s not, he’s paralyzed by the memory of his own transformation. He stays on the periphery, eyes wide, muttering, “I’m sorry… I know how it feels…”
Stage 2: He might subconsciously move closer to you, a pack instinct drawing the infected together. He’ll share food without a word, a silent communion of the cursed. He doesn’t offer comfort with words, just with a haunted, understanding presence.
Stage 3: He becomes agitated as you do, feeling the pull of the moon alongside you. He might start to transform himself if infected, or if not, he’ll retreat into a catatonic state, reliving his own pain.
Transformation: He’ll watch with a horrifying fascination if he’s human. If he’s also a werewolf, your transformation will likely trigger his own. His reaction is less about you and more about the shared, tragic fate, a loss of self he knows all too well.
Ryan Erzahler
Stage 1: He’s in research mode, but internally reeling. He’s quiet, observing every symptom, cross-referencing with Hackett’s notes or his own knowledge. He asks short, direct questions about your pain and senses, his brow furrowed in intense concentration. He’s trying to solve the unsolvable.
Stage 2: He notes your aggression with clinical interest but personal concern. “The irritability is a psychological effect of the heightened senses. It’s not you.” He tries to create a low-stimulus environment for you, understanding the overload better than anyone.
Stage 3: The pragmatist accepts the inevitable. He helps Kaitlyn and Laura with containment without argument, his face a mask of grim acceptance. He’ll look at you, and for once, his voice is raw with emotion. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t find another way.”
Transformation: He’s the one who double-checks the locks, tests the barriers. He’ll stand silently, listening to the transformation with a pained, stoic expression. Later, he’ll pour over every book and note with renewed, desperate fury, the silent vow to fix this becoming his sole purpose.
run away
characters — dylan lenivy (the quarry) and child!reader (platonic!!)
description — child!reader has been having a hard time at the summer camp, getting harrassed and bullied by the other kids... after they run away into the woods, their favorite counselor Dylan finds them and comforts them. tags & cw — hurt/comfort, bullying themes; wc 1974
a fic for age regressors and age dreamers and anyone aligned (❁´◡`❁)
i actually wrote the first draft back when the quarry had only just come out! but only recently fully revised it and decided to post :] hope you enjoy!!
The sound of the tall grass catching against your legs, heart thumping in your chest, your breath ragged and loud; you ran as fast as you could, away from the source of your agony. Your body in the flight mode, fleeing from danger, from humiliation, from the sadistic laughter and mockery that was echoing within your mind like the screeching of a thousand hyenas.
Running away from that laughter, running away from humiliation, running away from those malicious grins, running away from the pain, running away, running away...
You had no idea where you were going, you just had to run, run as fast as you could from this nightmare, escape everything. Through the greenery, between the trees, dodging the branches, jumping over logs, the woods hiding you from the rest of the world. Your body knew where it had to go and you found yourself near the river, your legs carried you all the way there from the camp. You'd been there before, with the counselors. Not on your own though.
You panted, trying to catch your breath and fighting away your tears. You weren't going to cry. No, you weren't going to cry. You—
Ah. No matter what, you couldn't control the emotions that came welling up from inside and the tears started filling your vision anyway. Bitter, bitter, lonely, hurt tears; tears that could not be filled with anything else but pain and despair.
You sat down on the log, sniffling and wiping your face, but only shedding more tears. You were completely at a loss, a broken, sad mess.
It wasn't fair. None of this was fair. You didn't deserve this. Why were things this way?
You kept crying for a while before the tears ran out and you just stayed there, surrounded by trees that gently swayed in the wind and the rushing river.
You'd wanted to spend this summer making friends and having fun... not get bullied by some assholes. It felt like it was going to take an eternity for the camp to be over, and you just wanted your parents to come and get you already. But you knew you had to stick it out for the entire length to get back home and you hated that.
You had no idea how much time had passed before you heard footsteps approaching. Startled, you jumped onto your feet, swiftly turning around and ready to just... punch someone! You were so scared and now also angry and you weren't going to let these bastards torture you any longer!
"Hey! You assholes!" You yelled out, desperate, hurt, and angry. "Don't you fucking dare approach me!"
To your surprise, the footsteps stopped. Then resumed. Tense, fists clenched, you stayed where you were, ready to face the bullies and just straight up fight them. But to your relief, from amongst the greenery appeared a tall figure that you recognized – one of your counselors. Dylan.
"Now that's not a very nice way to greet your favorite counselor, don't you agree, (Y/N)?" Dylan said in a lighthearted tone. Despite being ready to melt from the shame, you knew you weren't in trouble.
"I'm sorry, I thought it was... I didn't know it was you," you said quietly while your face grew red from embarrassment and shame.
Dylan gave you a good look but shrugged it off, "I thought so," he replied. "Relax already, it's no big deal."
He approached you and sat on the log, a smile on his face. Dylan patted the space next to him, inviting you to join.
You kind of knew what was coming – some kind of serious talk and you were likely going to get reprimanded. You knew you weren't in the wrong and none of this was your fault, so you felt annoyed but resigned to your fate. It just wasn't fair that you had to suffer because some jerks just... argh, whatever.
With a heavy sigh you waddled towards him and hauled yourself onto the log, plopping your butt onto it. Despite your apprehension, Dylan didn't look angry or tense at all. He seemed relaxed, just as usual, and exuded the laid back and playful energy that made him one of the most likable counselors. He was like a big brother to you (and to lots of other kids), he had so much charm and was so vibrant and energetic, as though always ready to party, and he always made you feel welcome. The other counselors were all nice in their own way and it wasn't like they were super strict either but Dylan was something special, and you missed his chill vibes when he wasn't around.
"Okay. So," Dylan clapped his hands authoritatively. "Spill the story. I want to hear exactly what led you to running away from the camp."
You cringed at the thought of revealing the truth. It was both embarrassing and seemed pointless. What could Dylan possibly do anyway? Scolding those kids would likely just backfire.
Argh, you hated dealing with this kind of a situation and being put on the spot. Running off and having Dylan come search for you made you feel weak and incompetent. How you wished you could be strong just for once and handle things differently!
With a sting in your eyes and tears threatening to fall again, you fought to suppress them and appear collected and in control of your emotions.
What a mess.
As though reading your mind, Dylan reassured you:
"Hey, you don't need to worry. I'm not gonna do anything that like... compromises you, you know? I won't insert myself into this... conflict, if you don't want me to. I just want to know what happened, is all."
You still weren't too sure but... despite your lingering doubts, you decided to give it a shot. Try opening up to Dylan. You knew he was trustworthy and a safe enough person to share these kinds of things with… even if, frankly, you just wished you could hide away instead of having this kind of conversation.
With slow and hesitant words, you shared the story. How those kids had banded together since the camp began. They teased and provoked you, along with several others. Today's encounter had been particularly intense, leaving you feeling overwhelmed. You felt like you’d reached your breaking point today.
"What exactly did they do?" Dylan pressed gently.
You didn't want to relive the memories, but you reluctantly shared them. It hurt to recall the incident, but it also filled you with anger.
Those kids had offered a truce, claiming they no longer wanted to be enemies. For a brief moment, you actually believed them and hoped for a peaceful summer. How foolish of you. It was all a cruel trick. You should have known better.
You didn't suspect a thing when suddenly, a bucket full of dirt and god knows what else was hurled at you. Luckily, your reflexes kicked in, and you dodged just in time, avoiding the full brunt of the disgusting mess. They didn't think to pour the bucket somewhere from above, simply one of them had snuck up and tried to throw it at you.
Despite that and their poor aim, the prank still left you feeling hurt and humiliated. Those jerks laughed at your reaction, and you were left frozen in shock and anger. It was a horrible situation, even if they had missed the mark. The memory still stung, reminding you how gullible you had been, falling blindly into their false kindness.
In a fit of anger, you yelled at them, but they were completely unfazed. Frustration surged through you, and you instinctively pushed one of them before running away.
You cursed yourself for being such a coward. The situation made you feel so vulnerable. But more than anything, you just wanted to let the tears flow and release the overwhelming emotions building inside you.
Dylan offered you a gentle gesture, patting your shoulder reassuringly. You turned to see his empathetic expression, which only heightened your emotional turmoil.
Tears welled up in your eyes as a mix of anger and humiliation washed over you once more. With an outburst, you exclaimed, "They pranked me! They said they wanted to be friends, but they were lying! It was all a cruel prank, and I ran away!”
Dylan wrapped his arm around your shoulders, and you leaned into him, crying into his shirt. He didn't speak, allowing you to release your emotions while softly rubbing your arm.
"There, there..." he comforted softly. There was a moment of silence before he continued. "It's okay, kiddo. It's awful how they treated you. Well... have been treating you. They're real mean, huh?" He paused, sighing before adding, "Hey, I know what it's like. Being bullied and all."
Your eyes widened as you looked up at him, a mix of surprise and curiosity in your gaze.
Dylan chuckled softly, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. "Yeah, I know, it's hard to imagine with how cool I am, right?"
You chuckled in response, wiping away your tears. Dylan reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out a handkerchief, gently holding it to your face. "Blow," he instructed, and you obeyed. He carefully wiped your nose with the handkerchief.
"There you go," Dylan said softly. "Anyway, yeah, I was bullied too. I was a bit different, you know? That sort of thing makes you a target. You stand out in some way and attract unwanted attention. So I get it.”
You looked up at him expectantly, hoping to hear more but Dylan merely squeezed your shoulder in response, giving his reassurance. It didn’t seem like he really was about to delve deeper into the subject. And you weren’t about to press him about it.
…But your curiosity still got the best of you.
“T-tell me more?” You got through your teary hiccups.
Dylan chuckled and shook his head. “No. Sorry, kiddo. It's not something I feel comfortable sharing right now. But hey, maybe someday we can have that conversation when the time is right?”
As your tears subsided and you kept gradually calming down, Dylan continued to hold you in a comforting embrace, allowing you to regain your composure. You became aware of the wet spot on his shirt, but he reassured you, insisting it wasn't a concern.
"Don't worry about it," Dylan said with a sympathetic smile. "Feeling better now?"
You nodded, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and relief. At least someone was on your side! At least someone understood, truly understood you… It was a comfort to have an adult on your side, especially one who seemed to get your situation and empathize with your feelings. Many adults weren't as understanding, making Dylan's support all the more valuable.
"Alright. I assume you're not all that keen on me intervening directly, then?"
You shrugged tiredly and Dylan offered a warm smile, respecting your reluctance.
As he pondered the situation, he proposed, "Well, you know what? How about we brainstorm a solution together, hm? I don't want to make things worse, and I don't want you to keep suffering from this. How does that sound?"
You nodded in agreement, feeling drained from the emotional outburst and all the crying you’ve done. The fatigue was setting in, and the thought of sleep seemed quite appealing. You yawned, signaling your exhaustion.
Dylan hugged you tight for the last time and patted your shoulder before standing up. "Okay, (Y/N), let's go back to the camp,” he suggested. “You look tired, so maybe you could catch a little nap before dinner. And if you have problems again, don’t hesitate to just tell someone, anyone, okay? And you can always come to me. I got your back, kiddo."
Dylan offered his hand and you accepted it, following his lead as he guided you back to the camp.
shivering in the absence
pairing: Dylan Lenivy/Reader
The reader is implied to be transmasculine/nonbinary & has undergone top surgery. Otherwise, no pronouns or physical descriptors are used; race is ambiguous.
summary: “Were you really going to take your shirt off?” Dylan asks, averting his eyes. You get to your feet and take a sip of your water, pretending not to feel flustered by the question. “Did you want me to?” you counter, sounding much more composed than you actually are.
word count: 3.2k | ao3 version
author's notes: So I was watching Friday the 13th and came up with this… then I realized the character I wrote it for was pretty much unimportant… and so this happened. (Hence the Friday the 13th tag) …No horror elements are in this, though!
warnings: stripping/changing clothes, implied hypothermia
“I hate Monopoly,” Abi sighs.
You nod in sympathy. Abi, Dylan, Emma, and you are all cooped up in Dylan’s cabin for the night. It’s one of the last days that the counselors will remain at Hackett’s Quarry, before you all leave for the summer. The four of you had planned on meeting up before rejoining the rest of the counselors at the fire pit outside, but the unexpected rainstorm that came curbed those plans—leaving you somewhat stranded in Dylan’s cabin.
“Well, you’ve never played strip Monopoly, have you?” Emma grins, breaking you out of your thoughts. Abi, Dylan, and you exchange looks. Emma notices and sighs. “Come on. It’ll be fun. Besides, it’s terrible outside.” You follow her gaze to the open window across the room. Indeed, there’s a steady rain coming down now. There were a few thunderbolts, but nothing too serious. Unfortunately, returning to your own cabin would mean getting your clothes soggy and drenched. Safe to say, you’re stuck here—and stuck playing strip Monopoly to pass the time.
“Fine,” you acquiesce. Dylan and Abi follow your lead and surrender too. Emma really is too stubborn for her own good—there’s no way you’d be able to get out of this one. There are just some battles you can’t win, and strip Monopoly isn’t that laborious of a task. It’ll be more embarrassing than anything else. “How do we play, though?” you ask.
“We strip,” Abi responds with a deadpan voice. Dylan chokes on a laugh and Emma smiles.
“I got that much,” you huff defensively. “I mean, when? And why?”
“Clothing is currency, pretty much,” Emma explains. “The simple stuff—socks, shoes—are worth less. Underwear is worth the most… You get the idea.” You feel yourself frown and, when you look around the table, Abi and Dylan are wearing similar expressions of apprehension. Emma looks at you three and rolls her eyes. “If you don’t want to take your underwear off, then just play well. Duh.”
“Easier said than done,” Abi mutters. The remark goes unheard by Emma; you exchange an amused smile with Abi and she seems to relax a little. The four of you decide to make Dylan the banker; then, each of you choose your pieces and roll to see who goes first. You end up rolling the highest. Your first turn lands you on Oriental Avenue—one of the properties towards the middle of that first stretch of the board.
“So… if I want to buy it…?” you trail off, looking to Emma for help. She glances over at the property and hums.
“It’s $100,” she says, “so it’s worth two shoes.”
“This is weird,” you feel the need to announce, after taking your shoes off and throwing them onto the ground next to you with an exaggerated movement. Dylan hands you the Oriental Avenue property card with an amused smirk.
“No one’s going to land on that,” Dylan remarks. You raise a brow and hand him the dice. He’s conveniently located a few spaces away from the property, ironically; if he rolls a six, he’ll land on it. Dylan rolls the dice and the dice skitters across the board, before landing to reveal a six.
“I think you owe me a shoe,” you grin. Dylan pulls his shoe off and places it onto your open palm with a flourish. Within moments, you recoil and drop it onto the ground. “Why is there so much mud, what the fuck—?” you choke out, glancing down at the offending sneaker. Sure enough, there’s a solid layer of dirt on the sole. With the way Dylan handed it to you, you hadn’t seen the mud until it was too late. You get to your feet and head to the sink to wash your muddied hand. Abi and Emma are laughing hysterically, and Dylan joins them—wiping amused tears out of his eyes. You rejoin the table with an exaggerated groan. “I don’t think I want to play anymore,” you mutter.
“Oh come on, that’s just the game,” Emma chastises you, taking the dice and rolling. She rolls a three and moves the Scottie Dog piece three spaces. She decides to buy the property and gives up a shoe; soon, it’s Abi’s turn and the game continues.
After several rounds, you’re relieved to find that no one has needed to take off anything too revealing. Dylan’s shirtless; Emma doesn’t have socks or shoes; you don’t have shoes; and Abi is still wearing all of her clothing. When you reach your fourth or fifth turn, you land on North Carolina Avenue: a green property that costs $300. When you do the math in your head, you realize you’d need to give up two socks—not really a big deal—and your shirt—a much bigger deal. You stare at the property for several moments, contemplating whether you should take the risk.
“We don’t have all night,” Abi remarks helpfully, breaking you away from your thoughts. You stare at her with a faux expression of irritation and she just shrugs.
“I mean, she’s right,” Emma pipes up. “Just buy it already. Unless, that is, you’re scared…”
It’s such an obvious trap. But you fall for it anyway. “I’m not scared,” you argue. And maybe, a small part of you is ultra-aware of your company right now—of a certain counselor sitting next to you, who you don’t want to look foolish in front of.
“Then buy it,” Emma dares you.
Fuck, she’s got you now. You walked yourself right into that one, didn’t you? “......Fine,” you say. Taking off your socks is a relatively quick and painless affair. Unfortunately, that leaves you an infinitely more difficult one: taking off your shirt. You’re not necessarily insecure or unhappy with your body; you’re just not the type of person to constantly flaunt it or reveal a ton of skin. You’ve certainly had moments where you’ve felt confident enough to do so—but now, in the far too bright light of the cabin, surrounded by friends (and someone who you have feelings for), you feel extremely hesitant.
“Well?” Emma demands. Abi elbows her in the side harshly and she promptly presses her lips shut, albeit with an outraged hiss at the temporary pain that the action caused. Abi and Emma aren’t really the ones you’re worried about… The two of them are rather hopelessly infatuated with one another, even if they don’t recognize it just yet. No, the problem happens to be sitting right next to you: staring at you with a surprisingly intent gaze.
Feeling as if you’ve been shoved under your microscope, you take a deep breath and reach for the hem of your shirt. Dylan’s shirtless too, you remind yourself. It’s not like you’ll be completely alone in your discomfort. And you’re not ashamed of your chest—you’re proud of how far you’ve come. You’ve felt more at home in your body these past few months than you’ve ever felt. It’ll be okay, you reassure yourself.
You’re about halfway through the motion, your shirt moving up along your ribs, when Emma’s phone pings. Everyone freezes, including you. Emma sighs dramatically and picks up her phone, eyes widening when she evidently stares down at the notification. When she notices that you’re all staring at her expectantly, she elaborates. “It’s Jacob,” she remarks, grabbing her socks and shoes and beginning to put them on. “Gotta go, guys. We’ll pick this up some other night,” she promises, tying her shoes before tugging her hood over her head and retreating.
Abi stares at the doorway with a frown on her face, evidently not happy with the new development. You look over at Dylan, only to catch him as he looks up from where you’re pulling up your shirt. You then realize that you’re still awkwardly frozen with it halfway off. You quickly drop your hand and pretend that nothing happened.
“I should probably go too,” Abi announces, placing her hands on the table and standing up. She’s looking at Dylan and you; it appears as if she’s going to say something else, but she seems lost for words. “I… left an excuse outside,” she immediately grimaces. You laugh and tell her it’s fine; she loosens up and leaves you both with a quick goodbye.
Now it’s just Dylan and you sitting at the table, staring down at the abandoned Monopoly game. For a long moment, there’s nothing but silence. Then, just as you’re about to break it by forcing yourself to say something, Dylan speaks.
“Were you really going to take your shirt off?” he asks, averting his eyes. You get to your feet and take a sip of your water, pretending not to feel flustered by the question.
“Did you want me to?” you counter, sounding much more composed than you actually are.
“Maybe,” he says, a lopsided grin rising on his face.
“Hm,” you say calmly, pretending to think about it. And if you are actually thinking about Dylan and you alone in this cabin, with no one else… then only you have to know. “I’ll keep that in mind,” you respond cheekily, putting your socks on and slipping your shoes on—tying them with slightly shaking hands. You’re jittery all of a sudden.
“Hey, where are you going?” Dylan asks, squinting at you.
“To the bathroom…?” you remark. Unfortunately, as nice as the cabins at Hackett’s Quarry are, they don’t have bathrooms in them. The camp is still stuck in the twentieth century in that regard—as there’s a cabin with all the bathrooms located a short walk from the counselors’ cabins. You refocus on what Dylan just asked you. “Do I need a hall pass?” you ask snarkily, with no real heat behind the remark.
Dylan just rolls his eyes. You roll your eyes in return and leave the cabin, closing the door behind you. The rain is coming down hard now. It’s a relatively short walk to the bathroom, though—so you don’t bother to head back in for a raincoat or umbrella. The flashlight you snagged from Dylan’s living room is a godsend—as it illuminates the beaten path leading to the restrooms.
Thankfully, the walk to the restroom is quick and relatively painless—save for how soggy your clothing is becoming. After you use the bathroom and wash your hands, you stand under the awning at the entrance and turn on the flashlight. You flick the switch a few times, but it doesn’t turn on. You groan and head out into the rain, putting a hand to your temple to prevent the water from getting into your eyes. You trust your muscle memory to take you back to your cabin.
…Unfortunately, in the dead of night and amidst the brutal downpour, your muscle memory is worth jack shit. You get lost rather quickly, and soon you’re stumbling through thicketed trees with an increasing feeling of fear and dread coiling in your chest. You don’t want to spend all night roaming the forest. You’re somehow away from all the counselor cabins now. You try the flashlight one more time, even hitting it a few times, but it still doesn’t work. Groaning, you take a deep breath and try to retrace your steps.
By some miracle, you manage to make your way back to the restrooms and you head off in a different direction. A few minutes pass and relief courses through you as you spot the lights of Dylan’s cabin. You’re quick to run over and stand under the awning, before knocking on the door with an unnecessary amount of force. Dylan opens the door within moments, an annoyed expression on his face.
“What took you so long—?” he asks, breaking off as he looks at you. Dylan’s gaze wanders up and down your form, evidently taking in your drenched clothing. You’re sure you look like some sort of wet cat—soaked and unhappy. “Should’ve worn a raincoat.” He clicks his tongue, stepping aside to let you in.
You groan in frustration, moving past him and sitting on one of the chairs at the table. You’d love nothing more than to lay on the couch, but you don’t want to ruin the upholstery. “I know, I know,” you seethe. You have no one to blame for this but yourself. And maybe the flashlight—if the stupid thing had a better battery, you would’ve made it back much faster. But instead, you were left to stumble around the campground for twenty minutes.
Dylan rounds the table and stares at you, an uncharacteristic expression of concern on his face. You feel a shiver roll down your spine. “You’re freezing,” he states, looking at your wet clothes. “You’re going to get sick.”
You sigh in exasperation. “I’ll be fine,” you assert. The universe then decides to spite you, as you’re forced to sneeze. Dylan stares at you knowingly. You stare back unflinchingly.
Eventually, he sighs. “You’re not fooling anyone,” he continues, gesturing to your forearms. “You have goosebumps.” You continue to stare at him stubbornly. Sensing that you won’t give in, he sighs. “Fine,” he announces. Rather than retreating to the couch as expected, Dylan leans forward and picks up your Monopoly piece. Dylan taps your Monopoly piece on a space, then another, then another—before finally letting it go. “Oops. Looks like you landed on Park Place… And what do you know? It’s my property. I think you owe me… all of your wet clothes.”
You resist the urge to groan, immediately understanding what he’s trying to do. “I see how it is,” you sigh.
“You need to change,” he maintains with uncharacteristic sincerity.
“Desperate to get me out of my clothes, huh?” you deflect. The effort doesn’t work, and he looks entirely unimpressed. You rack your brain for another excuse. “I don’t have a spare set of clothes—my stuff is in my cabin.”
Dylan holds up a finger, gesturing for you to wait, before leaving the room and heading for his bedroom. When he returns, he’s holding a long-sleeved shirt and sweatpants. He places them on the table and stares at you expectantly.
“Fine, fine,” you acquiesce. Admittedly, now that he mentions it, you realize that you’re freezing—so much so that your teeth are chattering. You push yourself up from the chair and to a standing position clumsily, before fumbling for the button of your jeans and taking them off. Dylan kindly averts his eyes, looking endearingly awkward as he shifts his balance from side to side. You pull the sweatpants on and very nearly sigh in relief. You hadn’t realized how uncomfortable wet denim was until you removed it.
Next is your shirt. You take a deep breath and manifest some confidence, before reaching down to the hem of your shirt. But your hands are shaking and trembling—so much so that you’re struggling to simply pull your shirt off. Your struggle must take longer than expected, because soon Dylan glances at you and frowns.
“Here—” Dylan says, swiftly breaking the distance between you and grabbing the hem for you. Before you can protest, he’s gently pulling it up. And while you recognize that he’s trying to remove your shirt without touching you, his efforts aren’t really working. His fingertips brush against your ribs and your heart starts to race. Dylan mutters an apology and pulls your shirt off of you faster. Shirtless in front of him, you feel yourself instinctively taking a half-step backwards, only to nearly crash into the back of the couch. You stick a hand out to brace yourself and try to regain your composure. Moments later, Dylan is pushing the shirt he grabbed for you into your hands.
While you want nothing more than to tug it over your head rapidly and forget about this whole situation, your body doesn’t want to obey. You’re still shaking ever so slightly—and your uncharacteristic sluggishness is making this task seem nearly impossible. Before you can attempt some strange contortion to get the shirt over your head, Dylan’s helping you. In the blink of an eye, the grey shirt is tugged over you. The fabric is soft and, most importantly, dry.
“Better?” Dylan murmurs, still standing far too close for comfort.
“...Yeah,” you say, your tongue feeling thick in your mouth. “Thanks.”
“No problem,” Dylan answers easily, finally taking a step backwards and giving you some more space. You immediately miss the warmth that was practically emanating off of him. Silence settles in the air, thick and strangely uncomfortable. Everything unspoken lingers between the two of you.
“Well, I guess I should go…” you eventually mutter.
“Are you crazy?” Dylan blinks at you in disbelief. “You’re just going to get drenched again.” Your traitorous mind wants to attribute his insistence to something more than just friendly concern; you’re quick to push those thoughts away, though.
It seems like Dylan is expecting another argument, because his eyes widen in momentary surprise as he realizes you’re remaining silent. Truthfully, you want nothing more than to put up a fight, but you feel as if the energy has been completely drained out of you. And despite the fact that you changed into fresh, dry clothing, you’re still cold.
Dylan notices that you’re still shivering slightly and frowns, before evidently coming to a decision. “Here, come on,” he says, placing a hand on your shoulder and guiding you towards his bedroom. You’re so dazed that you don’t really grasp the implications until you’re standing before his mattress. You immediately glance back at him in confusion, only for him to gently push you towards his bed. You’re too exhausted to overthink everything that’s going on.
Dylan helps you settle in and tugs the comforter over you. Even despite the added layers, you’re still a bit chilly. You burrow into the blankets and try to find a comfortable position, before settling for reclining on your back and staring up at the ceiling. Sleep is dragging your eyelids down and you blink furiously, your eyes dry and stinging. You see Dylan lingering in the doorway, seemingly unsure of what to do. You reach out to him wordlessly and his eyes widen for a brief moment.
“Don’t want me to leave?” he then says, a playful grin on his face. He rounds the side of the bed and gets under the covers. “I guess I am pretty irresistible.” You can’t quite see the expression on his face, but you somehow know that he’s wearing a cheeky smirk.
Once he gets settled, you realize that, somehow, Dylan is just radiating heat. You try to tell yourself that you’re just cold, that you’re seeking him out for warmth and nothing more. But you know that’s a lie. You’ve grown quite fond of Dylan over the course of this summer, after all. You inch closer to him and practically burrow into his side, resting your head on his chest and feeling any of your remaining energy seep out of you.
Despite your exhaustion, your mind is beginning to run wild as you try to justify your actions to yourself. This is just a friendly gesture. Amongst friends. Because you’re nothing more than friends… Right?
Dylan must be a mind reader, because he looks over at you and hums. “Just sleep,” he whispers. Somehow, the remark is enough for your thoughts to calm down—for you to accept that he’s okay with this, that you’re not taking advantage of his kindness. And maybe a sizable part of you is still desperately hoping that even a fraction of your feelings are returned—that maybe, just maybe, he likes you too.
But right now, you’re drifting off into sleep in his arms, and one thing is for sure: you’re warming up already.
endnotes: as i said, i had some of this fic written up for a character in friday the 13th… until i realized he wasn’t an important character and ended up dying… but then!!! i realized hackett's quarry is also a camp… and this happened. (*captain holt voice*) boom! had it both ways! no regrets.
i sprinkled in a bit of Abi/Emma. teehee. the gay agenda.
thanks for reading! <3
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Infected Dylan lenivy, Nick furcillo, Jacob custos, Emma mountebank aesthetic






