Author's Notes:

This was my first LxE fic. Go easy on me, this was also my first fan-work in a long time. I had a lot of fun with it, although I may have strained the romance just a bit at the end. I couldnt help it, lol

Have fun and enjoy!

sunshine1717

Chapter One

Noon

After what had been 7 hours and 3 minutes since he had last seen the monkey who had invaded his life all summer, Edward, as you can imagine, was rather deprived of the usual affection that was forced upon him, and though you may think that the poor young platypus was celebrating this long-awaited freedom, it began to grow apparent that the alone atmosphere was not exactly welcoming. Staring out the airplane window, high above the clouds, far away from everything, it played over in his mind like an unkind movie that wouldn't shut off when you punched down on the stop button.

…..Damn you, Lazlo…

24 Hours earlier

The day had been like any other. Slinkman had bellowed over the loud-speaker that same announcement to 'rise and shine' at the crack of dawn, all of the same scouts emerged from their bunks and gathered by the same flagpole, where Scoutmaster Lumpus stood awaiting them with that same annoyed expression across his face he'd been wearing since the beginning of summer.

In fact, it'd been so similar to any other day that Edward hadn't noticed the backpacks and luggage hauled every which way and the camp bus parked at the front gate awaiting departure.

At first glance, it appeared that a field trip was about to take place, but having not checked his calendar in weeks, Edward had failed to realize that the summer months had dwindled down to late august, and though the hot weather still burned on throughout the countryside, today was the last day Camp Kidney would be open!

All at once, this hit him like a freight train. "…Wait'a minute...camp is over??"

Some of the other scouts glanced his way, but didn't acknowledge his confusion.

The platypus stared, dumbfound, as Scoutmaster Lumpus took his place at the head of the collection of scouts. "Alright you beans, listen up! You know the procedure by now, I shouldn't have to repeat myself! All your luggage has to be out here by the flagpole by 5 p.m. sharp!"

Some of the scouts looked at one another, then nodded.

The big moose popped open a jolly grin all of a sudden as he continued. "Parents and transportation arrive tomorrow morning, bright and early!…blah blah blah! So be ready to leave! Camp Kidney misses you already!" Lumpus was noticeably more cheerful than usual.

Edward crossed his arms and let out a huff. How could the end of summer creep up on him so suddenly? In the years before, he remembered when he would literally dwell on that last day of camp, which always took an eternity to arrive! He would have his bags packed a week before departure and have his goodbyes spoken even months before!

But this summer, things had been much different. Besides the usual chaos that took place in camp and the idiotic bean scouts who caused it, there had been a slightly larger chaos that had loomed over him since the first day of camp. He had been torched, trampled, and tarnished with peace, love, and happiness. He had had to suffer a never-ending irritation for three months; An irritation similar to a rash that never left his side; that never let him have a moments rest. This rash had taken over his life and had continuously given him free affection and fun. Edward had found himself hating and loving life all at the same time! How was any of this possible? For him, it had been a huge confusion. Emotions had elapsed in him that he had never felt before and somehow out of all this torment he had found a youthful refuge…

He cringed a little.

There was only one name to describe this torment. And that name was Lazlo.

--"AHEM!"

Edward was brought back from the revolution in his mind by the impatient rhythm of a tapping foot in the dirt. Lumpus towered above him. "Excuse me, but why are you still standing there? Speech is over!! Get to packin'!!"

Edward glared, unable to welcome the presence of the authority figure or his mockingly tempo-pro foot. He'd lost track of time again, it seemed. All the other bean scouts had gone back to their cabins already.

"Did you HEAR me, camper?" Lumpus hollered.

"Sure, whatever…" Edward quickly walked away before the big moose could say another word, and Lumpus's face reddened with adult-rated anger.

"AAARRRG!! Slinkman!! The scouts are disrespecting my dominance again!!"

Slinkman, secretly admiring young Edward's act of bold behavior towards the scoutmaster, could only chuckle. "….Calm down, Sir. Just one day left."

Lumpus slumped over. "……That's one day too many if you ask me."

Edward made his way across camp to Pinto Cabin, where Chip and Skip, his unruly cabin-mates, were staring blankly at their suitcases, drool dangling from their mouths.

"…..Is there a reason why your bags are so enticing, or should I just not ask?" Edward heaved passed the two dimwits and headed for the comfort of his bed.

"I….I forgot how to do this!!" Skip howled suddenly, darting his eyes toward his brother, who nodded franticly in agreement.

"….Ugh." Edward was in no mood, especially now, to deal with his roommates. "How about you both just pack yourselves and they'll ship you off overnight?…That'll save everyone a lot of trouble."

The brothers looked at each other before smiling in acceptance to Edward's obvious sarcasm. "Yeah! What a stupendous plan, Edward! You're the smartest!"

As the dung beetles began zipping themselves up into their luggage, Edward lost his patience. He'd wanted to get some more sleep that morning, but it was apparent that this wasn't going to happen. He sat up from the lumpy mattress and marched out of the cabin to get some fresh air. Nothing was worth watching two idiots turn themselves into baggage all afternoon…not when there was much more important things to take care of. Like, for example, ending the ridiculous situation he'd somehow gotten himself into with a certain oblivious monkey.

As Edward walked the campgrounds slowly, he observed different scouts as they romped around him.

He saw The Loons: Ping-Pong and Dave, talking amongst themselves as they carried their belongings towards the flagpole. Samson was trudging after them trying to get a word in, but with no success.

Across camp, The lemmings could be heard inside their cabin making a fuss over something insignificant.

Other nameless campers ran around in the sun, trying to enjoy the last day of play before they would have to bid farewell to their friends and head home the following morning.

Though Edward could care less about all of them and their so called "friendships," he couldn't deny the fact that he too would have to say goodbye sooner or later to the annoyance he'd come to care so much about over the past few months--And admitting this, above all other things, sent a pang of anxiety down his spine.

How could this really be happening? How could he let himself get so attached?! Now he would have to face the consequences. He tore at his hair trying to keep from thinking about it. He had to somehow make it less of a big deal.

Upon approaching Jelly Cabin, his heart became suddenly heavy, racing at full speed. This always took place when he came near the rickety building.

Pausing outside its walls, he noticed the lack of peace-sign streamers and other miscellaneous décor that was ordinarily cascading across the roof and screens. They must have already been taken down earlier that morning.

After Edward's legs tried to keep walking past the cabin all together, he had to force himself to stop and retrace his steps back to the front door. He knew that this was as good of time as any to go in and end things once and for all.

What was he going to say though?

Lazlo, I wish I'd never met you.

No…too harsh.

Lazlo, it's been real! Have a nice life!

Was that even okay to say?

Lazlo…I'll never forget you, so… Don't forget about me…!

ARGG!!

This was all too difficult to handle…

It wasn't supposed to be. This was supposed to be easy! But if this was so easy, why couldn't he catch his breath?

He swallowed hard and lifted his hand to open the door. Before Edward could reach the handle though, the door swung open, smacking him right in the face, and revealing the rather unattractive backside of Raj, followed by Clam.

The two Jellies were carrying out a large wooden hope-chest with Indian designs carved across it's features.

The scene unfolding in front of Edward and the now swelling lump on his forehead was motivation enough for him to give up on his previous mission and retreat quickly, but before he could get away, Raj abruptly missed the last step of the doorway and tumbled down to the ground, the chest landing on top of the elephant, followed by Clam perched at the peak of the mound.

Edward watched this painful incident take place with a bit of amusement.

After a moment, Raj's muffled voice could be heard from underneath the heavy load. "Get this thing off of me!!"

Clam scampered off the chest and down to the ground, now in an attempt to pick the heavy cargo off of his friend.

"Geez…is it me, or is this place infested with idiots?" Edward barked as he assisted Clam in pulling the ancient form of luggage off of the Elephant.

Clam was a bit stunned to see Edward helping out.

After a few moments of gasping for air, Raj got to his feet again. "….My goodness! You've gotten much stronger than I realized, Clam! Thank you! I owe you my life!"

As Raj began making a panorama of dramatic gratitude, Clam shook his head and pointed towards Edward, who was brushing himself off angrily. "Edward help!"

Raj ceased his performance and rolled his eyes. "Psshhha! Yeah right, little buddy! That's a good one! Trying to keep the mood nice and light, I see!"

Clam shook his head again more violently and repeated himself. "Edward help!"

Edward, still in high hopes of escaping the picture, was already walking away when Raj looked towards him in shock. "….…Your serious? Kind of strange! In fact, very strange! But……thank you, Edward! That was rather nice of you!" Raj called after the platypus.

Edward winced at the word nice and looked back over his shoulder. Raj and Clam were both waving at him like buffoons.

As he grumbled and continued walking away, trying to avoid the reason why he'd come there in the first place, Raj stumbled after him. "Hey! Wait up!"

Finally exasperated with the situation, Edward spun around to face the pests. "What!? Can't yah see I'm in a hurry here, Elephant boy!?"

Raj stepped a few feet away from the platypus for safely, but spared no effort in crossing his arms and puffing out his chest to look as intimidating as possible. "I was just curious to know if you had any intention in your busy schedule today to come see Lazlo? It seems like that would be the correct thing to do… seeing as it's the last day of--"

--"I KNOW! Geesh!! I'll stop by to see him later!! Right now, just leave me alone!"

Now Raj, who was very protective of his friend's well-being, despised the fact that Lazlo and Edward had been in cahoots with each other for the past few months. Although he'd long since given up the battle of trying to keep the couple apart, it was still daringly apparent that Raj wanted to make sure that Edward treated Lazlo with utmost god-like goodness at all costs. This included, of course, that Edward be a good boyfriend figure and give a proper farewell to his "lover" ….or whatever you'd call it.

Edward, however, being Edward, was in NO such mood to deal with Raj or his insanely protective ideals.

As the two began a never ending stare-down, Clam dragged the hope-chest over to Raj and motioned towards the other side of camp where the flagpole stood. It was clear to Edward that the Jellies were in some sort of a hurry.

As they initiated leaving, Raj yelled back to the peeved platypus: "You know, Lazlo's right inside the cabin! Just waiting away! In fact, I think he's still sleeping even! Don't you think now's a good time to go and see him!! That is, if you really care about him."

Edward's insides boiled at this comment, but he only rolled his eyes in response..

"Ahhh!! Fine! Suit yourself, you meany! Why do I even bother trying? I tell you Clam, he's not right for Lazlo at all!! I think he's a….." Raj continued to complain off in the distance until he could no longer be heard.

Edward looked back towards Jelly Cabin, sighing. Something inside him wanted to go in and see Lazlo, sure! But he was very mindful of this and backed away slowly. His endless fear of not being able to end things with the primate held him back from facing the problem! What if he couldn't do it?

He was about to carry out his previous motive and escape the scene, when he witnessed two scouts outside the cabin next door. One was crying and the other was handing him a goodbye gift-- some sort of handkerchief with words written on it.

How old Fashioned, Edward thought.

The next gift was some high-tech Transformers toy.

No comment.

After a moment, they both hugged and commenced sobbing on each other.

Edward felt like he was going to be sick.

But as the sad atmosphere impended upon him, he gazed up at the sky with an angry grimace. "OKAY! I GET IT NOW!!" He screamed to the Gods above.

He finally pushed himself to walk up the steps to Jelly Cabin and enter with his temporary frustration as support.

Upon opening the door, he saw toys and random objects scattered all over the place. Most of it must have belonged to Lazlo, because as it appeared, the monkey hadn't packed a single item into his empty suitcase yet. It lay, open and vulnerable, at the foot of Lazlo's bed. Somehow the poor looking thing reminded Edward of himself.

After gazing at the bed for some time, he managed to tip-toe over to the other side of the room, finding Lazlo, curled up, and as anticipated, fast asleep in the quilts.

Edward stared down at the monkey, at times finding excuses to peer off at other things in the room.

The lamp.

The crack in the wall.

The G. I. JOE dangling by a string from the ceiling.

The fixation of anything other than the compassionate monkey's face. It was too heart-warming and too relieving to consume, at least in Edward's case.

Why is he still asleep this late? It's already almost noon! He's usually up at the crack of dawn! And he's never missed out on one of Lumpus's stupid pole-gatherings!….What's his problem!?

Edward reached forward and felt Lazlo's forehead, anticipating to find him on the verge of high-degree death. But unfortunately for Edward, his temperature felt normal.

The platypus recoiled quickly.

What am I getting myself all worked up about? He's just a stupid monkey!! He's ignorant and idiotic and a total pain in the neck! I should be happy that camp is over! It should be comforting for me to know I can get away from all this!! I mean…..I could just leave him a quick little sticky note on his luggage sayin' "Bye!" and that could be the end of it! I could be rid of him, and Camp Kidney, once and for all! Maybe I could….I dunno….be normal for a change?! Start anew! Meet someone else! …Someone better!….A girl even?

As Edward grew lost in his own thoughts, Lazlo slowly opened his eyes to find the platypus sitting on the edge of the bed, staring off into space contemplatively.

…No, what am I thinking?!………….. There's …..no one else better than him…at least, that's how I feel about it! DAMN IT!! I can't just leave him a freakin' sticky note!! God, what am I, a total jerk?? ………….WELL, I mean--in some cases, but this is different!! I just can't say goodbye to him!! No way!! Not to…….Not to Laz--

--"Edward!! Good morning!" All of a sudden, Lazlo sprung from the bed sheets, arms outstretched, wrapping around, and then practically suffocating the un-expecting Edward to death! Now officially scared stiff, Edward jumped up off the bed with great haste in frightened reaction to Lazlo's sudden gesture of love and joy.

After a moment of inhaling and exhaling, Edward tried to smooth over the departing incident. "Oh!….Uh…hey! Um….good morning? --" But gave up half way through. "I mean, What the hell, Lazlo?! What is this with the out-of-nowhere hugging and excitement!! I could' a had a heart attack!! And why are you still in bed? It's already past noon!! What is WRONG with you??" Edward was so nervous all of a sudden, but his clutched fists and grinding teeth did a rather fine job of covering that up.

Lazlo sat patiently through Edward's fuss, then took part in a yawn and a stretch. "Oh man, I guess I forgot to set my alarm last night! ….Oops!"

Edward, now settling down a bit, continued asking questions. "I just don't get you, you're normally awake and singin' Let the Sun Shine before the sun even decides to come up!! What gives?"

Lazlo peered over at his 'Bean Scout of the Month' calendar, frowned at the date, and then shrugged. "I dunno! I guess it just wasn't the greatest day to wake up so soon..…"

Edward tried to block out the reality behind Lazlo's words.

Wow, he actually remembered what the date was? I figured he would've forgotten about it like I had! Was I the only one at Camp who forgot?? …..Ugh, I shame myself.

"Yeah…today ain't so great." He glared now, peering aimlessly out the interwoven screens above Lazlo's bed.

The monkey looked down at his lap now, twiddling his thumbs. After a moment of silence, he laid back down and opened the covers, smiling over at Edward as if the small conversation they'd been having hadn't taken place. "Care to join me?"

The platypus was not in good states. "….In the middle of the day? I think not."

Lazlo snuggled into the covers more. "Are you suuure? It's nice and cozy!"

Edward, still annoyed, sat down on the bed next to the horizontal monkey. It was already happening; Edward couldn't believe how easily he'd given in! This had to be a sign that he was much too stressed out to resist Lazlo's usual happy, fun, super-duper, extra-magnificle love attempts. But…things could be worse, he decided.

"Fine…..move over." Edward crawled into the sheets alongside his demise, crossing his arms behind his neck and staring up at the ceiling.

When he thought about, and I mean really thought about it, everything had actually been sorta good the past few months! Sure, he had been aggravated, upset, and embarrassed countless times!….But truth be told, Edward's subconscious told him that these things could somehow transfer into being genuinely happy! Perhaps happier than he'd been in years….maybe even ever!

How could he let a simple thing like a day on a calendar ruin it all?

He felt Lazlo breathing alongside him. His cheeks were turning bright red.

Why did it have to be like this? Why did he have to enjoy the monkey's company so much? He had been trying to hate him for so long… but hate was such a cover up now.

"Hey Edward?"

"….What?"

Lazlo cuddled closer. "…..Edward?"

"..What?"

The monkey's arms were wrapping around him now with delicate precision. "…………….Edward?"

"WHAT!? I SAID WHAT!?" Edward screeched out, annoyed and tense at the same time.

"We should go do something today! Instead of laying in bed."

Edward's expression slumped. "….Nice suggestion coming from someone who just woke up." He rolled over, sighing. His back was turned to Lazlo now.

Silence descended again on the cabin. Outside, they could hear the hustle and bustle of camp's final day of activities taking place.

Before long, Edward felt Lazlo press his body against his back, burrowing in as if to escape the world around them; a motion only they could understand.

What am I, a stuffed animal? Edward turned around to find their faces inches apart.

"….Edwarrrrrd!!" Lazlo whined.

"Ugh! Fine! Let's go do something…."

The monkey leapt out of the covers happily and rushed to find some appropriate attire. Edward sat, dull-faced.

….This'll be the last day I get to spend with him. The last day! Who knows if I'll ever even see him again!…… Next year? Won't we be two different people by then? Older and maybe even over this stupid phase? That could be good, right?

"How about this?" Lazlo's excited voice brought Edward back from his discouraging thoughts to find the monkey dressed in an oversized tee and blue jeans.

"A little casual, don't yah think?" He gave his most honest fashion opinion.

"But of course, Edward! It's a very casual type of day!"

Before the platypus could get another word in, he was pulled away by the arm out the front door of Jelly Cabin and into the sunshine.

Around them, campers still hurried about. Noon was a busy time for camp during it's usual schedule, but today it seemed abnormally busier! Everyone was occupied with their own concerns. Even Clam and Raj, who could be recognized off by the flagpole, were diligently organizing their belongings and distressing Slinkman, who was apparently in charge of all the scout baggage.

Edward sighed. "…..It's not like there's anything exciting going on today, Lazlo. Camp is more than ready to kick the bucket…We should just wallow in luggage til the day is over."

"Come on now, let's think positively! There's TONS of stuff to do today! Great stuff even!" After letting these words float around for a moment, Lazlo calmly inspected the surrounding area.

Edward was waiting to be amused.

But as always, Lazlo seemed to have a solution to any dilemma, and it wasn't long before he spotted a trail leading off into the forest not far off from where they stood.

His face lit up. "Come on!!" He again grabbed Edward's arm with loving tightness and galloped off up the trail. "I got an idea! You're gunna love it, Edward!"

Although Edward usually loathed cheerful antics such as this, he couldn't help but find this final adventure of theirs rather nice and somewhat consoling. Couldn't Lazlo grab onto his arm like that and drag him away-- somewhere unattached from everything else-- more often?

TBC