After rewatching the entirety of TDI (first season), I just had to make this. I really love the dynamic and relationship between Owen and Duncan and thought this would be fun. Overall, this is just a small piece to get me back into writing little by little. I know I've got other projects to attend to but with everything that's happened personally like college along with more obvious things like COVID, my enjoyment and time for writing has been sapped from me. Hopefully it returns over time when things finally settle down. But enough talk, let's get into this.
This takes place after Duncan's elimination in Are We There Yeti? where he walks the Dock of Shame and meets Owen, who has trouble saying goodbye and just burps in his face. Although here, it's definitely different…
A Winning Promise
"Come on, soldier! Do I bear a striking resemblance to somebody who's got all day?!" Chef Hatchet yelled as he stomped his way down the Dock of Shame towards the boat.
Duncan said nothing has he followed Chef with a duffel bag in hand, ready to get off the stupid island and be done with show. Truthfully, he was pissed. After everything Chris had put him through for the past several weeks at Camp Wawanakwa, the delinquent played hard and managed to make it to the final four with the intent to win once and for all. But now, he was eliminated and walking down the infamous dock towards the boat home. Duncan's fist tightened around the handle of the duffel bag in a flash of anger, but with a quick exhale through his nose, he calmed down and loosened his grip. Whatever. He was done now. That meant no more Chris, no more Chef, no more Camp Wawanakwa and no more stupid challenges. He at least gained some relief knowing that. Despite his internal thoughts and feelings, Duncan kept it all locked up under his trademark poker face and kept walking forward. The others were standing at the dock too and he didn't want anything to slip.
As Duncan stopped to listen to whatever smart ass comment Heather had to say, Owen silently stood off to the side a few feet away from Gwen. The Party Guy was extremely guilty with how things turned out in today's challenge. From reading the map upside down while they were stuck in the woods to running straight for the sticky buns and completely missing the goal, Owen knew he was the reason why they lost. But now, it was also his fault for Duncan's elimination and his heart fell as he watched his good friend about to leave.
Friend.
Throughout the show, the goofball thought he made friends with many of the other campers and was on good terms with them for the most part despite his quirks. But Duncan? At the start of the show, Owen got the impression that the delinquent was mean, rude and just outright terrifying with his rage and criminal track record. Overall, not someone who he would get along with. But after everything they had been through together and the awesome moments they shared, Duncan was actually a pretty cool dude. Sure he was still rough around the edges and could still be pretty scary but he was still a real bro to the goofball and was one of the closest friends he made on the island. Back home, Owen never had anyone to push him to do things he was afraid to do. He never had farting contests with anyone and laughed with them as they floated downstream on a raft. Heck, he never had anyone joke around with him, have a conversation with him or even treat him as a real guy. Not like Duncan had anyway. Also, the dude did have a sweet side to him as Courtney and some others had mentioned before. With all things considered, Owen would go as far as to say that Duncan was like an older brother from another mother. But now he blew it and the punk was being booted off because of him. He had to make things right with them.
However, upon noticing Duncan approaching him after saying goodbye to Gwen, Owen seized up and his guilt turned to fear. He knew Duncan had to be mad at him and wondered just what the punk was going to do to him once he came over. To The Party Guy's surprise though, Duncan didn't look angry. Instead, he seemed to be content and gave Owen his signature smirk as he stood before him.
He was waiting.
Okay, this is your chance. Just don't screw it up!
"I-I…" was all he could manage along with a several strange sounds. His shot nerves didn't allow him to speak and he was shaking out of fear. The pressure of being put on the spot didn't help either.
Surprisingly, Duncan stood there and waited for Owen to spit out whatever he was trying to say. Unbeknownst to the big guy, Duncan felt the same as he did about their relationship. He originally thought Owen was just another fat ass who lived for one thing – food. Well, he was but not entirely. After the time they shared together, the punk realized just how lovable the guy was. Owen was loyal, his happiness was contagious (even to him) and he knew how to have a good time. There was no way in hell he would say this out loud though. Anyone who would see the two of them together as friends would think it was ridiculous. He was the brooding, edgy bad boy and Owen was a gullible, and sometimes moronic, food junkie. It was like predator befriending prey! Bullying the hell out of people like Owen would be one of many reasons why Duncan would get sent to juvie in the first place. But here he was, standing before one of the closest friends he's made on this entire journey and waiting for an honorable goodbye.
That's why Duncan was so shocked when he received a powerful burp to the face after Owen continued to stutter several times over.
So that's it?
"Whatever," Duncan said, frustrated. He stomped his way to the boat where Chef was waiting, eager to finally get out of there. Meanwhile, Owen watched in horror and bit his lip.
What did I just do!? I have to do something before he leaves!
"D-Dude, wait!"
Duncan rolled his eyes and spun around to face him.
"What? You gonna fart in my face now?" he asked with a raised brow.
"N-No! I-" Owen sighed and calmed himself down.
The punk crossed his arms and waited with an annoyed expression.
"I just wanted to say I'm really sorry," Owen finally said as he averted his gaze to the wooden floor.
A pair of crossed arms went slack at his words.
"This is all my fault. If I didn't mess up on today's challenge, you wouldn't be leaving right now."
A hardened face softened.
"If I just stopped being myself for once and took the game seriously, you would still be here and have a chance to win this thing. But I blew it for you – one of my closest friends."
A pair of sneaker-clad feet started walking back towards him.
"So I'm sorry, okay? I've made a lot of mistakes while I've been here, but this is probably the worst one yet. I get it if you're angry with me…"
After finishing what he had to say, Owen just stood there with his arms hanging limply by his sides and his face full of sorrow. He still looked at the floor, not daring to meet his eyes. Even at night under the dim torchlight on the dock, Duncan saw all of this clearly as he stood a few feet away from his friend. Who couldn't see it? It was like a radiant sun being blocked out by heavy rain clouds. The punk sighed and he looked at Owen with concern.
"Look dude, if it's anyone's fault it's mine," Duncan said.
Owen's head shot up to look at him.
"What?"
"If I hadn't lowered my guard around the girls and let them run off with our stuff, then this wouldn't have happened," the delinquent said and he knew it was the truth. Even though Duncan was angry with Owen earlier for running straight for the sticky buns and completely missing the goal, they wouldn't have been in that desperate situation in the first place had he not lowered his guard around Heather of all people. Sure, Owen had a few screw ups, but ultimately his own mistake cost them the game in the end. He definitely couldn't blame Owen for running straight for food, it was like in his nature. He got suckered by a couple of chicks and that was that.
"So just man up, all right? Don't worry about it," Duncan said with a scowl, attempting to play it cool.
"But-"
"And don't you dare give yourself crap for being yourself. It's because you were yourself that I even started liking you in the first place and I'm not gonna let a bro of mine be fake, got it?"
Stunned, Owen could only nod his head in return.
"Good. Now you gonna say goodbye or what?"
Duncan didn't have to wait long before his friend scooped him up into a bone-crushing bear hug.
"I'm gonna miss you, bro!" Owen cried.
The punk gave a genuine smile against his chest and he patted his friend's large back with one hand.
"Me too, bro. Now win this thing. It's all up to you now."
"Yeah! I'll win this for you! I promise!"
"I'll hold you to that."
Owen finally broke the hug and let him go. The two nodded at each other before Duncan stepped onto the boat and threw his duffel bag on a nearby bench. Owen stood on the dock and waited to see his friend go off. Meanwhile, Chef rolled his eyes at the scene and then he sped the boat away from the dock. He just wanted to scare the delinquent to death over and over again with his yeti costume already, was that too much to ask?! But of course, the campers had to get all sentimental and waste time. He just hoped his prank worked. Duncan gave a final wave to his friend as he sped off into the lake while Owen continued waving goodbye until the boat vanished into the darkness. He sniffed and wiped away any tears threatening to spill from his eyes.
A small hand softly landed on Owen's shoulder and he turned to see Gwen giving him a reassuring smile. With a gentle squeeze, she led him back to the campfire where Heather was already sitting on one of the stumps and waiting for them. Once the two settled into their own seats, Heather broke the ice.
"So, looks like we made it to the final three," she said in a friendly manner.
Gwen just shot her a glare in response.
However, Owen didn't react as he thought about the Queen Bee's words.
That's right, the final three. And I'm gonna win.
Needless to say, Owen made Duncan proud when he eventually crossed the finish line that day to become the first victor in Total Drama's history.
So what do you think? Not bad for a guy who's been inactive for over a year? I sure hope so. Anyway, this is my first time doing anything centered around fluff and sentiment and whatnot so this probably isn't my best, but oh well. I think it's all right. Tune in next time to… whatever the hell I'm gonna write next and when! See ya!
