iGo Camping
Freddie P.O.V.
Freddie/Spencer friendship, pre-slash, eventually romance/angst
Author's Note: Written without permission or affiliation with iCarly, its creators, and its owners. This story is for entertainment purposes only.
This is my attempt at moving Spencer and Freddie into a relationship slowly. I plan for this to be a longer story than I usually write. It was inspired by a recent trip to Canada.
The following background will be helpful/important in understanding the characters in my iCarly universe:
Mr. and Mrs. Shay were killed in a car accident when Spencer was 12 and Carly was 5. The kids lived with their grandparents until Spencer was 18 and took guardianship of Carly. Using his inheritance to rent the apartment they now own, Spencer put himself through college just short of graduation. He now supports himself and Carly on commissioned art work.
Mr. Benson divorced Mrs. Benson when Freddie was 10. Freddie has not seen his father since.
Spencer is in an established relationship with Socko. Only Mrs. Benson is aware of the status of their relationship.
When Gibby slipped me a flyer for the father-son camping trip, my first instinct was to crumple the invitation in my fist. Thanks, but no thanks. The last time I spent quality time with my father, I was ten and he was telling me that he was divorcing my mom to remarry. I hated him then and I have never forgiven my mom for having us keep his name.
Gibby explained that his Boy Scout Troop goes camping each year right after school ends for the Summer. "That's nice," I said, stuffing the flyer between notebooks in my bag. I had no intention of exploring the topic further. But Gibby sure was persistent, and perceptive.
"Some of the dads can't get off of work, so the guys come with older brothers or relatives as their sponsor. But it's strictly boys-only." Gibby's smile spread from ear to ear. He clearly enjoyed the camping trips and was looking forward to this one. "I know you're not into the Scouts anymore, but my dad said I could invite you."
I blinked, "Why did he say that?"
"Aw, come on, man," Gibby slapped me on the back. "You're my best friend."
I was shocked. When had I slipped into Gibby's high esteem? I thought he merely put up with me to get closer to Carly.
When I didn't respond right away, Gibby started to get nervous. "Cool," I mumbled, forcing a smile. I did not want the responsibility of being Gibby's BFF, but deliberately hurting a friend is against my character.
"Cool," Gibby was smiling again. "Show your dad the flyer and gimme a call when you make up your mind." I received another slap on the back before Gibby turned to hand out more flyers to his troop-mates.
I found Carly waiting for me at my locker. Apparently Gibby had told her the good news. The final bell had rung announcing last call for busing students. Amid our excited classmates scurrying through the halls, backpacks loaded with textbooks and empty lunch bags, Carly wore a look of concern. "I heard about the trip," she began cautiously. "Is it something you want to do?"
I raised an eyebrow, "Seriously?" I knew I shouldn't be getting huffy with her, but she had been fully aware of the tension in my household situation regarding my father since 2nd grade. Of course she knew he hadn't been around since soon after my 10th birthday.
Carly frowned, "Gibby mentioned you were acting funny."
Shaking my head, I twisted the combination 02, 14, 00. It didn't escape notice that the combination was Valentine's date. I had been meaning to reprogram it since school started in the Fall. Someone at the manufacturer probably thought he was clever. Rolling my eyes at myself, I realized Carly was still talking. I nodded for her to continue and gave her more attention.
"I bet Spencer would go with you." Carly looked over her armful of textbooks.
I swapped my science textbook for history and pushed the locker shut until it clicked. I took a few books from Carly to lighten her load. "Spencer? Camping?" The idea baffled and frightened me. Would Spencer survive even one night in the great outdoors?
Carly laughed good-naturedly. "I think he'd really enjoy himself."
I shrugged, "I guess I could ask him."
Carly's grin spread, taking over her round face. "Alright, just don't put it off for the last minute." We both knew how frantic Spencer became when things were sprung on him without ample notice.
I was nodding as I followed Carly to our car. Since turning sixteen, the two of us had pooled our money to purchase a used SUV. We had tried to write a schedule so each of us would have equal access to our new found freedom, but since we did practically everything together, any formal schedule was pushed aside. Our best friend Sam was forbidden to drive our car, for insurance (and peace-of-mind) purposes.
Carly walked around to the passenger side and I took out my set of keys. We climbed into the car and tuned the radio while we waited on Sam. It was not uncommon for our trouble-making friend to be held after school by this or that teacher for a few minutes.
I can't say that we were all that surprised when Sam burst from the school at full sprint, juggling a backpack and an aquarium that I was sure held some kind of creature.
"Go, go, go!" Sam shouted in my ear as she threw herself and her luggage into the backseat. I did as I was told and brought us home safely, if not as quickly as Sam would have liked. Pulling into the apartment building's lot, I glared at Sam through the rear-view mirror. "What is that thing?"
Sam's jaw dropped. "This thing is a baby guinea pig; a cute cuddly guy who was being treated cruelly by some stupid 7th graders."
I watched Sam skeptically as she pet the furry animal. I didn't think same knew a damn thing about keeping a guinea pig alive. Carly, Sam, and I walked through the lobby with our hands full.
Lewbert, ever watchful, eyed us with suspicion. "No pets," he sneered from behind the counter. He had learned to keep his distance from Sam, but insisted on upholding his law.
Sam made a rude gesture toward the doorman and told him to "shove it." Lewbert decided that a baby guinea pig wasn't such a big deal after all.
Pleased with herself, Sam followed us into the waiting elevator and our gang made it to the Shay apartment without further incident. The girls retired to the studio, cooing over their rescue and hiding it from Spencer. It was my job to distract our friend and guardian while they decided where the piglet would stay.
Hearing movement in the kitchen, I called out across the living room. "Spencer, is that you?" Who else could it be, I chided myself.
"Yeah!" A strangled cry came from the tiled floor behind a counter.
I jogged over the few steps to find Spencer sprawled out on the floor with a frying pan held at-the-ready.
"I saw a mouse." Spencer was breathing heavily and his eyes were wild.
I moved toward him slowly. Stepping over his body, I took the frying pan and gently lay it on the counter-top. "Carly and I can pick up some traps for the kitchen later on." I kept my voice cool and even. It sounded like I was mocking Spencer, but as always, I took his intensity seriously.
Spencer did not put up a fight, but still had a frazzled energy about him. The circles under his eyes and sagging shoulders gave pause to my thoughts. "Look exhausted," I pulled out a chair at the kitchen table, motioning for him to take the seat.
Spencer looked at me a moment from the floor and the hard lines in his face relaxed. As the man walked toward me, and the chair I held, I felt compelled to listen in on his thoughts. But I am no telepath and had to resign to hear what Spencer had to say, not what he was thinking. "Been having trouble in the art department."
My spastic friend was always worrying about deadlines and the satisfaction of his clients. It looked like this particular commission was fraying Spencer's nerves. "It's this piece I am working on for a collector. He's been really specific; I feel like I'm missing the mark."
I nodded and gave his shoulders a squeeze and Spencer collapsed into the seat in front of me. I walked around the chair to face him. "I don't suppose you'd want to get a way for a few days," my voice was low, doubtful.
"Are you kidding?" Spencer's eyes gave a faint sparkle. "I'd love to get my mind off work. I was on my way to go for a walk through the park when that rodent ran in from the hallway."
Ah, the mouse. "Well, we can still go for that walk," I said, reaching out to him. "There's a hardware store on the way; we can get that trap."
Spencer brought his eyebrows together in thought. He seemed to be second guessing his time allowance for leisure. "Okay," he said, finally. It was another moment before Spencer pushed himself to his feet.
I led the way out of the apartment as Spencer grabbed his wallet and keys. He called up the stairs to his sister, "Carly, I'm going out with Freddie! Text me in an emergency."
Carly gave a holler back before Spencer stepped away from the staircase. I allowed myself a small smile as I observed responsible!Spencer in action.
Our walk was quiet and I found keeping Spencer's pace was agreeable. I felt a surge of pride having experienced a growth spurt and the resulting longer stride. My body felt mature though I was becoming increasingly aware of the way Spencer guarded me like a child. His arm thrust across my chest more than once to warn me of traffic I had acknowledged on my own. He walked a step ahead and moved with high alert. It felt kind of silly. I wasn't afraid of Seattle's streets, certainly not the area where I grew up. Watching Spencer I felt a jolt of unease. Maybe Spencer was aware of a danger I did not yet know. It seemed a ludicrous thought, and I pushed the idea from my conscious.
Moving from the sidewalk to a grassy incline, Spencer led us to the rock wall that ensconced the park. Spencer took my hand in his, helping me keep steady on the wobbly rocks. Sure, there were gates and trails at the North and South ends of the park, but this was faster. And it seemed like Spencer was familiar with this short-cut. Within a few feet we were surrounded by trees and underbrush. Spencer squeezed my hand; I think it was to assure me that everything was alright. But the contact caught me off-guard. Had he been holding my hand this entire time? Spencer caught me staring at our clasped hands, but didn't react.
"There's a trail a little further in," He smiled and let go of my hand to point our direction.
I followed him, a pace or two behind. He held branches for me and knew where steady footing was hiding. I pictured Spencer with a kerchief tied around his neck and hiking boots over his glowing socks. Then I remembered the reason I had sought out Spencer's company.
"Gibby and the other eagle scouts are going camping in a few weeks. I think the site is just across the border into Canada."
Spencer turned to face me, his expression was all longing and reminiscence. "Wow. I would give anything to have a camping weekend." His face became more serious as he looked at me, "You should go, Freddie."
I shrugged and looked away, "It's a father-son thing." I had said enough. Spencer knew all about my absentee father. When my mom needed consoling or a babysitter for me, Spencer had been a great neighbor to have. Just when he inherited guardianship of Carly, at 18, Spencer took me under his wing as well. I remembered playing with Carly at his feet, surrounded by law books and LSAT prep work. I found myself wondering if Spencer ever thought of those days. Probably likes sculpting better than law anyway. Although, both jobs have deadlines and clients to keep life stressful.
Spencer didn't say anything for a while which, I guess, meant he saw I had retreated into my head to dissect memories. I sighed and took longer strides to catch up. I kept up with Spencer's pace without trouble on pavement, but the forest floor was far from even. As I stepped the final length to stand beside Spencer, I was panting. "Carly suggested you might be able to be my sponsor."
"Sponsor?" Spencer spoke absently as he stepped onto a cleared trail and began to move again.
"My guardian while we're camping." I couldn't see his expression, and the silence made me nervous. I started to babble. "Some of he dads weren't able to request off work, so brothers or uncles are going as sponsors." I let out a short sigh, "I guess since you're kind of both, you could be my sponsor."
I caught a brief nod from my companion as he led the way to the center of the park. It was early evening and the air was full of the happy chatter of families picnicking in the clearings. Was I wrong to think of Spencer as family? "I wouldn't have asked if Carly hadn't suggested it first." Why was I embarrassed, second guessing myself?
Spencer's pace slowed by a fraction. He didn't address me until we were sitting on a small dock. Dock? The pond hardly merited a dock, or a bridge, though it was fixed with both. I heard my name and looked up from the wood boards beneath me.
"Freddie," Spencer held my gaze easily. "You don't need anyone's permission to talk to me. You can ask me anything. I'll always help you if I can."
I nodded and thought he was taking things too seriously again. Or, maybe I really was being naïve. About what? I wasn't sure.
"I'd really enjoy sponsoring you for that camping trip," Spencer grinned, the corners of his mouth nearly reaching his eyes.
"Yes!" My fist moved of its own volition as it made contact with Spencer's arm. I hadn't realized how much I was hoping to go camping; I surprised myself.
Spencer watched my excitement with a kind smile. He threw his arm across my shoulders briefly and suggested we walk the perimeter of the pond. The sun was setting to the West and I kept my gaze on the treetop horizon. "Bring me whatever I need to sign and we'll be in business." Spencer paused before adding, "I need to go shopping."
I looked down at his sandaled feet and cargo shorts. We laughed and started a list of items we'd need to purchase before our trip.
Spencer and I ended up spending a lot of time together in the weeks prior to the camp out. I went with him to renew our passports one day and we shopped for fishing gear the next.
Today we walked through Campmor looking for a tent, packs, and sleeping bags. The associate on the store floor offered to teach us how to pack our rucksacks, but I could tell Spencer was getting antsy. We had already spent a few hours shopping and Spencer hated being away from his current sculpting project for too long. Spencer's moods fluctuated, I noticed. Some days we'd spend hours picking out lures and bait hooks. Other days, even an hour of talking in the living room made Spencer anxious to return to his art studio/bedroom.
When the muse strikes, I shrugged inwardly. "Thanks, man." I smiled at the Campmor salesman. "We'll keep the offer in mind. Just don't have time tonight." I pointed at the associate as if committing his face to memory. Then, Spencer and I slid out of the double doors toward the parking lot.
I could tell from Spencer's grim expression that he was feeling guilty about taking his client's money and spending time doing anything other than the sculpture. Spencer tossed me his keys and I was glad I had been watching him. I caught the projectile deftly and my eyes went wide.
Spencer had never let me drive his car. Once or twice he had taken me out in my mom's car to practice for the driver's test. But he hadn't entrusted me with his own car before.
Opening the driver's side door, I smiled at Spencer. "I guess we'll part ways when we get home. I have to get cracking on my homework."
Spencer looked relieved that I was giving him a way out. It took many years of knowing Spencer not to be offended by his eccentric attention span. It's not that he was bored with me. Spencer was ready to focus on his sculpture for a bit; I knew he would contact me when he needed a distraction.
