Not to be Fall posting in August but have another drabble fresh off the press 🏕️:
Late summer nights had gotten darker, and the number of campers attending the Adventure Zone had been winding down for the season.
Dry leaves clung to their branches as a windstorm brewed heavy in the sky. The day had been spent as you helped Daybreak to secure loose tarps and stray equipment around the camp.
As you tidied the last few items Daybreak suggested that you both should head back to the cabin to watch a movie, 'a fun way to pass the time 'till the end of your shift'. You readily agree on the condition that snacks be provided which he accepted with a chuckle.
In your excitement you don't catch the mischievous glint in his eye.
Later you would find out why he gave in so easily. You gave a yelp as you pulled a blanket over your face, the action coming too late to save you from the umpteenth jump scare in the horror movie Daybreak had put on. Daybreak doesn't laugh at your misfortune, but he did nothing to hide his grin as you peeked out at him.
"Careful there Honeybee, you almost tossed the snacks that time~"
You stuck your tongue out at him before retreating back to your ghostly blanket form, "Some of us don’t have the benefit of seeing all the movies in the camp before!"
Now he laughed a bit, “I suppose that’s fair, I guess we will just have to see about some more movie nights then.” He set the snacks in a safe location before before he leaned over and lifted the blanket from your face to settle it around your shoulders, “How does that sound?”
You sigh, drawing the blanket closed around you, “honestly it sounds amazing, but I don’t think we’ll have time.” Daybreak made a questioning noise that you took as a prompt to continue, ”well, I mean, there’s only a few weeks left in the season, and with how much I still have to learn about the outdoors I’m sure they’ll hire someone better next year. Maybe someone who falls into a few less creeks”
You gave a wry laugh but Daybreak didn't join in, you startle when you meet his eyes again to find him quietly watching you with a strange look on his face.
"Yin, I-ACK!"
He is cut off as a loud bang sounded outside and the lights (and TV) in the room blinked out.
Now void of sounds of the movie, the sound of the wind howling against the cabin walls is obvious.
That, and the whirring of Breaker's systems. Systems that, now that you could hear them, did sound a bit faster and *louder* than usual..
"Breaker?"
"Yes Honeybee?"
“Did you just shriek?"
Daybreak choked slightly as he scrambled to answer “No! I- It- was a strangled yell.”
You snicker at his meek tone, relishing in the opportunity to mess with him after all of his teasing about the movie earlier. “Aww, don’t worry Breaker, I can hold the snacks while you get worked up over the big scary noises.” His face starts to glow, the orange hue a beacon in the darkened room, though he seemed confused.
“Worked up over-? Oh, Honeybee that’s not what I’m-” he stopped, running his hand through his rays as he took off his hat. Sighing before he looked at you with a small smile and one eye closed in a wink, “I guess I deserve that, don’t I?”
You couldn't help it, you started giggling. It didn't take long before Daybreak was laughing as well and you both fall back into your respective piles of blankets and soft things. After a bit you quieted with only the occasional snicker breaking through.
After Daybreak clarified he was referring to travel being unsafe until after the storm, focus of the evening turned from misunderstandings to more constructive pursuits. Namely, building an elaborate blanket fort to tell scary stories in, in lieu of being able to finish the movie.
Large quilts, chairs, and plenty of pillows were drafted for the cause. As a final touch Daybreak produced some battery powered string-lights in the shape of bumblebees which offered a warm glow to offset the shadows that clung in corners of the room. Not that you had been too worried about the lighting as Daybreak’s blush had never quite gone away while you worked
Your smile wistfully, you really were going to miss this🏕️
