2025-09-03 - Campsite Carpool

Back to the mainland. Specifically, the much less glamourous parking lot where employees stow their rides. Danny's busily loading gear into the back of his SUV. No dogs present; this'll be a little vacation away from the kids, apparently.

It's a worn Ford Explorer, well travelled by the look of it. Scrupulously clean, though. And miraculously, no scent of dog. Just some sort of citrus-scented cleanser.

Theo is likely going to have to rent things once they get to the campsite. But he answered Danny's call when he put out an offer for those who wanted to ride with him to the campsite. He comes trailing in with a backpack on his back. It is only a few days, and he knows how to pack light.

Surprised when he takes notice that none of Danny's dogs are with him. "Taking a break?" He calls out when he gets closer. He also has a paper sack that is full of junk. There might be fruit in there that is portable, like apples and bananas. "Thanks for the ride!"

"Daddy needs a little vacation from the fur kids," Danny agrees. Hard to tell how much of the gear that was in there is newly packed for this trip and how much he just stores there. "I love them, they're my buddies but after Labor Day Weekend..." He blows out a breath. "How'd you do? We had record audiences and everyone behaved. No one crapped on stage." Not a concern with most performers.

He flashes a little grin. "More'n welcome. Figured I might as well see how many I can take along, save spaces at the parking lot."

Theo is on his best behavior. Ayep. He knows. Knows Danny did not mean the word Daddy any other way, especially when he's talking about his fur kids. See? Theo can be a proper gentleman. Ahem.

"Labor Day weekend, huh? What is so special about this holiday?" He likes learning new things about Danny when he can gather information from the man. "Oh yeah, everyone came in as if this was their last hurrah." It likely was, as school is now back in session, and unless their schools have fall break, the park won't be as busy till the holidays.

Laughing to himself when he hears the whole no one crapped on stage. "Since it is only me on the stage, I hope to God I never have that kind of accident. How very considerate of you, Danny." Giving the man a wink as he moves to the passenger side to put his paper sack down, as his backpack goes into the trunk. Oh, and he has a pillow too, because it helps him sleep better when he has his own.

Theo can see when what Danny said actually registers with himself. He slowly turns pink and his laugh is sheepish as he meets Theo's eyes. Then he shakes his head, turns to rearrange some of the big Rubbermaid bins he's brought. "I brought mostly drinks. Soft drinks and water, some beers and ciders. No hard liquor."

He shrugs. "Just a lot of performances. I would've put my foot down if I thought it was more than the dogs could handle. Honestly, I feel like I'm the weak link there." Only to promptly guffaw at that reply. "I hope so, too," he says. The pillow gets an approving nod. "I've got one, too. I don't care how nice they say the bedding is at this place."

Theo boldly says to Danny, "You are adorable when you turn pink. I like the color." He straightens and is going to make things really awkward now. "I wish you didn't see me as a kid because I do not think I am a kid, and I like being around you." The dogs are not here, so he can't say he also enjoys being around Danny's dogs, even if that is true.

As much as he wants to, he really is not going to play on that one word that was uttered in innocence. "Probably best to not have any hard liquor, especially because I heard there is going to be an obstacle course on one of the days." Grinning at making Danny laugh at his reply and that they both brought their pillows.

The pink deepens a shade. "I don't see you as a kid," he says, simply, even as he turns back to meet Theo's gaze. His expression's earnest. It's a conversation that had to come sooner or later. "I just don't think I can be what you need .. or want, for that matter. I'd rather be a friend that you don't regret having than a lover you do."

Danny snorts at that. "I'mma sit and drink and watch that happen. I've done enough obstacle courses in my life and now I won't do one unless I'm paid real well."

There's a slight frown as Theo listens to Danny. "Look. You are not me. I am me, and I think I have a right to say what I do and do not want. And I do want you as a lover."

Unless he is stopped, he's going to aim for Danny's lips and kiss him. Giving the man ample opportunity to push him away, because Theo did hear those words, but still took matters into his own hands. He will also step away after. This is about to be a long car ride, and awkward or things will be okay. Here is the offer, and he took it regardless.

"Look, Theo, what I mean is - what do you want from that situation? Because I think there's a disco-" Maybe it's wanting to see if Theo's really trying what he thinks Theo's trying or his brain rabbiting off on its own monologue, but he permits the kiss. He doesn't really yield to it, though.

What he does do is pull Theo in for a hug. "I'm sorry," he says. "This- we'll talk about it more. Maybe a little drunk, that might help. But let's just say there's a disconnect between how you think that might go and how it would."

It takes Theo a few minutes to realize he interrupted Danny. Hands get stuffed into his front pockets as he takes that step back. Even when Danny pulls him in for that hug, and he's apologizing. That also confuses Theo. He is just listening now, trying to understand what it is that Danny is apologizing for, and now he's offering for both of them to get a little drunk to have this conversation.

Once the hug is done and he is released, he looks to Danny. "Why? What will a little drunk do? I would rather be straight in the mind than dulled. What are you afraid of, Danny? That you will break my heart? You will not be the kind of man you think I would want you to be? Or is it something else, and I have just been reading things wrong, even if you do not see me as a kid? You know my story, Danny. Out of everyone in this park, you are the one I trust the most. So yes, I will have this conversation with you, and you can tell me where the disconnect is happening."

He looks decidedly sheepish as he admits, "Might make it a little easier on me." Danny rakes his fingers through his hair, that rare gesture of unease or distress. But his expression's sad more than anything. "Theo, I'm not- I'm not a good person in relationships. I've got a lot of damage from the wars. Anger, PTSD, nightmares. It's one thing when I've got that little distance. But it's real different when it comes to intimate relationships. I saw how it affected my last one...."

He looks down at the scuffed toes of his boots. "It was bad. She didn't deserve it and I ended up being a real burden." He blows out a huff of breath. "I mean, I know you've noticed I haven't gone looking for anything like that while I was here. Not even picking up a tourist like some do."

There is a study being conducted by Theo as he listens to Danny. It isn't him that Danny is rejecting, but the fact that this man is afraid to try. That is what he is picking up. His magic is subtle, or he's just gotten better at it, where it's not as showy as it might have been one time.

He steps closer to clasp Danny's hand. Looking straight at his mentor, his friend, and someone he wants to be a part of his life more than Danny already has. He's not here to fight the man, but he's going to make his case regardless.

"Hey, Danny."

Theo's voice is quiet as he really looks at him. Feeling the emotions within Danny, even though the man has said nothing out loud. "I am not asking you to marry me. I really want to see where this goes. You don't scare me. I won't push you into something you don't want to do. But you have been my person for some time. I am sorry your last relationship sucked. I don't have the best track record myself. But what do you have to lose if things go poorly?"

He might not have all the right words, but he's trying. "I want you to be my burden. I am sorry that things did not end well with you and her. But I am not her. I..." He laughs a little and may be a little embarrassed. "Why can't you find intimacy or love? So what if you have been in wars and it left its scars on you? Would you be willing to give me a chance? Small steps? You know I enjoy your company. I did like that movie night, and when we go on our trainings. I also accept your dogs as an extension of you."

Theo is trying to find the right words without coming across as weird, taking a breath, and letting it out. "When the nightmares come. When it becomes too much, I think I can buffer it. Give me a chance?"

Dan doesn't step back. He'd have to slide away along the truck's side, and doesn't. Nor does he yank his hand away from Theo's. Far from it; his fingers curl around the younger man's, the calluses rough against Theo's skin.

"Theo," he says, voice low and desperate, "I can be straight up cruel in relationships. I have a temper you haven't seen. And what I have to lose is your friendship and my self-respect. No, you're not a kid, but there's a pretty big gulf when it comes to experience between you and me. That does affect things. Affects the power dynamic. I'm not going to put you through that. You deserve better."

Theo looks at Danny. Feeling the calluses against his skin and then back to the man that the hand belongs to. His voice goes quiet. Empathy can be found there. Not moving his gaze from Danny, nor letting his hand go, as he speaks the truth he sees before him.

"You are scared of hurting me. I get that. But you are already hurting me by pushing me off." There is no plea of desperation coming from Theo. Yes, he is younger than Danny and may not have had the kind of experiences that he has had, but there are similarities between them. They are both here at the park working. Both country boys. Both are enjoying each other's company. "I am scared, Danny. I realize this is a no, but I just wanted you to hear me out."

"Why are you scared?" Danny wonders. That others might show up in need of a ride he's apparently forgotten entirely; wholly focused on Theo for the moment.

"And not like I would if I were your lover," he says, softly. "I hear you. Don't worry. I do."

"Look. I know Danny. You don't want to be a lover. You think you are damaged goods. You think your anger will make me run away. But I am stronger than you think. Do you think it is easy for me to confess to you how I feel? To be vulnerable to you like that? To have you look at me like that and say nuh uh? I....." Theo sort of snorts and gives a small laugh.

“I… I just wanted you to know. That’s it. I don’t expect anything. I’m not asking for you to… to change how you feel. I just needed you to hear it from me. Because keeping it inside? That’s harder than anything else I’ve done today.” He continues looking at Danny. "You are the one who knows me best, Danny. My roommate left. The girl I was interested in left. I have fought the feelings I have had for you for a long time. I was afraid to talk to you about this because...." He swallows. "Because of this."

"I care, Theo," Dan's voice is low, ragged. "Hell, you know I think you're attractive. I just...I know you'd end up regretting it. And I'd be carrying the knowledge that I hurt someone else who cared for me."

He lifts a hand to gently brush a lock of hair away from Theo's brow. "I know it's not easy. And you're right." His eyes close, for a long moment, lips pressed together hard enough to leave them white.

Theo comes closer to the touch that Danny gives him when he touches the lock of hair away from his brow. He tries to smile, but then it goes away because in his head, it sounds silly. He tries again and sighs, letting it out slowly.

"Danny."

His voice goes quiet once again. "Have you hurt me when we are training? Or when I came over and we watched the first Lord of the Rings movies. Who was there when you were hesitant in that world we were discovering? You held my hand. Danny, I am still here. I have not run away. Maybe that makes me a glutton for punishment, but I don't think so. I can't force you to do what you are afraid of. But I am willing to take a chance on us only if you are. Hell, we could go get ice cream or something."

He had told himself he was not going to beg, and he was trying not to hold that quality in his voice, and he had already tried to kiss Danny once. His eyes remain open as his hand goes up to where Danny's own hand was to his brow, and he looks at him when Danny's eyes close, and how he sets his lips. Going quiet and waiting.

Ice cream. That sounds innocuous enough. "I'm not....not physically violent," Dan says, sounding sickened by the thought. "Not with- not now. That I can say truthfully."

No need for empathy to feel him struggling with himself - fear versus the idea of what it might be like. Fear of himself.
Then finally, he lets out his breath in a long sigh. "Okay. We can do ice cream. When we get back."

Danny said they could do ice cream when they get back. Nope. Theo is not going to act like a school boy who was expecting another no or a pat on the head.

At the talk of physical violence, he pauses. His hand comes to stroke Danny's cheek. "I don't think you are. Your dogs would not love you the way they do. Animals know a good person and will gravitate towards them. You are a good person, Danny. I see that light in you, and I will hold it until you can hold it for yourself."

He says a little shyly, "Is it bad to say that I want this camping adventure to hurry up and be done with so we can go do that ice cream?" He laughs as he says that. Joy and hope are seen in his features and in his voice when he says that.

It's a faint bewilderment in his face now. Like he's surprised he's relented even as far as he has. But Danny doesn't try to backpedal, doesn't shut Theo down.

More wonder that someone sees him this way. The smile he offers after a moment is uncertain, but still genuine. "C'mon, get in the car," he says, as gruffly as he can manage. Which isn't very.

Theo gives a quick nod and moves away so that he can move to the passenger side and go to the front seat.

"You are cute when you are gruffy." Theo grins as he settles in his seat, putting his seatbelt on. "How long is this drive anyway? 45 minutes?" He didn't pay close attention to the directions because he knew he was in good hands with Danny.

"Yep, fortyfive minutes," Danny confirms, as he gets into the driver's seat. "Should be an easy enough drive. Not a hard place to find."

Cute. That has Danny glancing at him, amused. "Cute, huh?" He doesn't pretend to be offended. Not in the least. "'d you pay people off so you could be the only passenger?" he teases.

"Yeah, cute. I could compliment you throughout this drive, you know." And, being Theo, it would be sincere because the man doesn't know how to lie and wouldn't want to lie to Danny. Especially not after the confession they just went through.

Grinning when he hears the last bit, this time a tease, "Yes. You have found my secret out. Now to see if you can't tolerate me for forty-five minutes." He thinks Danny can. He's confident that he can.

Something Theo's said has finally sunk in. Danny's brow furrows as he pulls out, heads for the exit to the employee parking lot. "....you don't have a roommate right now?" he wonders, glancing at Theo.

Then he grins again. "I've tolerated much worse for a lot longer. I'll survive."

Theo had been looking straight ahead as they began to make their way out. At Danny's question, he shifts in his seat to look at him. "Yeah, Jett left. So it's just me and my snugglebunnie." He shrugs. It wasn't like he really saw Jett in the end, but he still considered him a friend.

He smiles when he hears Danny. "Good, good. Thank you for not calling me worse." That makes him laugh even more.