This is the first of a few one-shots for Dadvid Appreciation Week, considering I was only able to do a few. The theme for today is 'The Moment David Became Dadvid' And I wrote about when I felt would be the moment he became the dad we all know and love today. Any constructive criticism is appreciated and please excuse any grammar and/or spelling mistakes. Hope you enjoy!
The camp was completely empty when Gwen, David, and Max arrived from their trip to the restaurant.
All the campers and their things seemed to have disappeared, but the small sticky note on the door of the mess hall explained what had happened. Niel's handwriting was clear on the front of the sticky note. While on the back they read an almost unreadable 'See you soon' which they both assumed was by Nikki.
Gwen and David both looked at each other with worried expressions.
From what Neil had written, Cameron had been taken by Ered's dads and they all went home with their parents. Both adults were pretty sure that would cause many problems for both of them, yet they decided to think about it later.
"So this is it, huh?" Max spoke startling them, "With Campbell in jail they'll close down the camp." He kicked a small rock near him and his hands balled up in the pocket of his hoodie.
Something about the tone of his voice and posture told David that Max disliked the idea of camp closing down. Despite the fact that he had been trying to escape since camp started.
Max stared at the ground, his body tense. He looked back towards the road where the bus would usually come to drop off the campers as if someone were to appear there.
David sensed that this whole situation was making Max feel uncomfortable, and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry Max, I'm sure this will turn out fine. Gwen and I will try our hardest to do so." David assured him, but Max didn't answer and by then David had figured out what was bugging him. He felt how Gwen touched his own shoulder. "David," she whispered and then pointed towards her watch, "It's nearly 10." Her eyes averted towards Max who had turned to face the road.
David knew the last thing he should say was how Max's parents were going to arrive at any moment because if he did he knew even he wouldn't believe it. Remembering the papers he had seen before there was no contact information or addresses. It was as if they had simply left him there with no plan in returning.
Something Max seemed to highly believe.
David took a few seconds to think, before walking towards Max. He placed a hand on his shoulder and crouched down next to him. "Come on Max, let's go get some sleep. Tomorrow we will do what we can and try to work things out as best as possible." David told him.
Max seemed to hesitate but nodded. His sudden silence unnerved both adults. They took him to David's room, and while he tucked him in, Gwen left saying she needed to get something.
Max took a good look around David's room before lying down. David went to tuck him in, but Max quickly murmured that he could do it himself. Once he finished, David wished him a good night.
As he turned around, he heard Max murmur his own goodnight. He smiled to himself and opened the door to his room. There stood Gwen her hand outstretched as if she was about to the door. Her other hand was hidden behind her back, and David raised an eyebrow. She gave him a quick smile and walked past him still hiding whatever it was in her hand.
"I need to talk to him for a few seconds," Gwen spoke, and David nodded walking out of the room and letting her in. He turned to close the door and managed to see how Gwen handed Max, what seemed to be a bear. The scene made him smile and he closed the door and headed back outside.
It was now dark, and David could see all the stars brighten up the sky. He admired it all and heard as Gwen walked out of the cabin and towards him.
"So...what are we going to do?" Gwen asked, looking up at the stars. Her hand fidgeted on her thigh, and she gulped.
David took a deep breath, "I'm not sure...I don't have much say in what happens to the camp or if it will stay open...Although I wish with all my heart that I did, but I think right now the one thing I want to fix is Max's situation."
Gwen seemed to have assumed that he would've said that because she quickly replied. "I thought I had shitty parents, but at least I knew they would come pick me up by now." She had a hand on her hip and looked at David, "Do you have a plan on how to help him?"
"I have an idea." David began, "Assuming his parents don't arrive by midday tomorrow it will be clear they've abandoned him. I plan to report it, and if Max is fine with it, then I will recommend myself as his possible foster parent throughout the case."
Gwen processed his words, and seeing how he had that determined look in his eyes, she knew things had a great possibility of going well.
"And you're willing to do this for him?" Gwen questioned.
"Well, yes. His parents treat him as if he were a punishment and not their son, and no one deserves that. He's just a kid. He understands the world and the people that inhabit it so well that he's forgetting to live it. I want to help him the way Camp Campbell helped me, and if that's the way then I'm willing to do it." David explained.
She nodded and crossed her arms. Her thoughts raced through her mind but there was one thing that clearly stood out.
David would make a great dad.
And if things went the way he wanted he would soon be the father to one of the grumpiest 10-year-old kids on earth. Gwen didn't doubt David would excel at it, despite the obstacles that would be thrown at him. Still, she was sure Max had thrown much more difficult obstacles David's way. After spending nearly every day with Max, both adults knew many of his quirks and ideas. It would help David in his plan, and he wished everything would go alright. In his opinion, many people deserved to be happy. And it was his goal to help people find that happiness.
Currently, it was Max he was helping, and as he stared at the star-filled sky he felt a surge of hope and smiled.
Things were going to be alright. He would make it so.
