The four of them were on their second double date. Much to Connor's dismay, they were going to see the caves near the flower field. It was most definitely not an unanimous decision, Connor had much rather they went somewhere sunlight could reach, but it was a democratic decision. Connor had lost three votes to one.

"We could get rabies from the bats, Kev!" Connor had reasoned.

"No we couldn't, we've all been vaccinated before we left for our missions."

"But- But it's dark! We don't know what's in there!"

"Aww, Connor are you afraid of the dark? Don't worry, I'll be there to hold your hand."

Connor had almost started on about how Kevin was afraid to sleep alone, but that would be in extremely poor taste.

So here he was, dragging his feet towards their impending doom. He concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other as they climbed the hill, so that he wouldn't start freaking out about the thousand and one things which might go wrong.

Nabulungi laughed, "Oh Elder McKinley, they're just caves, I'm sure there are nothing dangerous in them."

"Have you been?"

"Nope."

"Then you can't really know that, can you?" Connor snapped and then apologised, "I'm sorry, Nabulungi."

Nabulungi took his hand, "Elder McKinley, if you really don't want to go we could just turn back-"

Connor looked behind him, at Kevin and Arnold, who were talking animatedly with each other, "Nah, we're already here."

"Arnold!" Kevin threw his head back as he laughed.

If exploring some caves was what would make Kevin happy, that was what Connor was going to do.

—

Connor stared hard at the foreboding darkness in front of him.

"C'mon, Connor!" Kevin pulled Connor closer to the entrance of the cave by his hand.

It felt like the start of every horror film ever.

Connor let out a whine as he was engulfed in darkness. He blinked and let his eyes adjust to the dim interior. The cave was tall enough for them to walk upright, and it wasn't too narrow either, Connor could walk side by side with Kevin.

Kevin and Arnold both turned on their flashlights, and Connor thought maybe it wasn't so bad after all.

"Hello!" Arnold's voice was booming in the space, but there wasn't a dramatic echo like Connor had expected.

"You alright?" Kevin squeezed his hand.

"I'm okay," Connor squeezed back, "Just- let's not go too far, alright?"

The floor of the cave was damp, and Connor let himself relax with the constant squishing of their footsteps and the two bouncing beams of light, illuminating nothing but walls of yellow and white in front of them. They haven't spotted any bats yet, thank Lord. But he could definitely hear faint flapping noises in front of them. Or maybe it was just the wind, Connor could be imagining things. The air in the cave was surprisingly light. Connor turned behind and watched as the glow of the entrance grew smaller and smaller.

They seemed to be going down a slight incline, and from time to time, had to walk around stalagmites, and dodge the stalactites hanging above their heads.

"This is amazing," Kevin marvelled at the cave formations, and placed his hand on the wall, "Oh my gosh, Connor! Feel it!"

Connor reluctantly placed a finger on the wall, "It's cold."

Kevin let out a satisfied sigh, "Isn't nature beautiful? I hope there's a cavern somewhere!"

"Caverns are where the bats live," Connor commented, "You should know that bat droppings can carry diseases, right?"

Kevin shot him a look for raining on his parade, and continued dragging Connor along.

The passageway gradually narrowed, and their shoulders were almost brushing against the walls. If it got any narrower, Connor was going to start freaking out. He tried not to think about how the cave would get flooded if it rained. Connor was already feeling like there wasn't enough air. He had never thought of himself to be claustrophobic, but then again, he had never willingly went into a deep, dark tunnel before this.

Connor coughed and brought his free hand up to his chest, trying to get his lungs to work properly. Kevin frowned at him in concern, but Connor shook his head.

He was going to be fine. It was just a cave. It wasn't raining, and they weren't drowning. And Kevin was happy. Connor focused on Kevin's presence as they walked, the heat of Kevin's body beside him, the feeling of Kevin's hand in his, and the smile on his face.

In front of them, Arnold and Nabulungi suddenly gasped loudly.

"What is it?!" Connor's heart raced.

They quickly caught up with their friends and Connor's jaw dropped, "Oh em gosh."

"Oh wow," Kevin whispered beside him.

They had reached the cavern, standing on the edge of a large pool of groundwater. Rays of sunlight reaching down from the big opening on the roof of the cavern made the clear blue-green water sparkle. The water was so clear, Connor make out the cervices and submerged tunnels at bottom of the pool

"This is-," Connor had never seen anything so majestic and beautiful.

"A great place to cave dive," Kevin finished for him.

Connor put his foot down, "Definitely not, Kevin. Don't even think about it."

Kevin grinned mischievously, as they continued to marvel at the incredible view while in each other's embrace.

They tried their best to look past the smooching couple to their right. Connor gave Kevin a sideway glance at that, and Kevin's body shook with silent laughter.

—

The Elders decided to do a campfire night later that evening.

Connor watched as Nabulungi expertly split the thick branch with a mighty kick.

"Have you and Arnold given thought to what was going to happen at the end of the month?" Connor asked, bringing an axe down at his branch with a grunt.

She looked away, "I'm trying not to think too much about that, Elder McKinley."

"I'm sorry."

"What are you apologising for?" Nabulungi tilted her head at Connor.

"Well, if I hadn't screwed up we would still be able to stay here for another two years," Connor sighed.

"Oh, Elder McKinley," Nabulungi put a hand on his shoulder, "Surely, you must know that it is not your fault? If you want to blame someone, it should be me."

"What? Don't be silly, Nabulungi. How is it your fault?"

"I was the one who wrote the play. I was the one who convinced everyone to put up the play for the mission president."

Connor shook his head, "It's not your fault, Nabulungi."

He was the one responsible for all the Elders. He should have paid closer attention to Arnold and Kevin.

"Then it is not your fault either," Nabulungi reasoned.

If only it was that easy. Connor knew Nabulungi was not going to concede, so he just nodded.

Connor felt an arm snake around his waist.

"What are you guys talking about?" Kevin pressed up against Connor's side.

"About how much of a dork you are," Connor lied.

"Oh. Rude!" Kevin narrowed his eyes at the both of them.

"But it's true, Elder Price. You did spend thirty minutes kneeling by the water, singing to your own reflection," Nabulungi played along.

"You know, I've never pegged you as a Mulan guy," Connor ruffled Kevin's hair.

Kevin slapped his hand away, "It was a private moment! I don't know why I even bother coming over here. Ugh!" Kevin untangled himself from Connor and stalked off.

Nabulungi pointed her chin at Kevin's retreating back, "How is Elder Price doing?"

"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Connor chopped another branch into halves.

"I did. Many times."

"And?"

"He never tells the truth," Nabulungi said plainly.

"Yep. Sounds about right."

"That day when Arnold came back from the clinic, I have never seen him that distraught," Nabulungi picked up a new branch, "Arnold never worries about anything. So if he's worried…," She trailed off.

"i don't know what to tell you," Connor wiped the sweat off his forehead, "He's doing okay today though. I think going to the caves helped to take his mind off things."

"Elder McKinley? I have to tell you something about The General," Nabulungi lowered her voice, "Baba said that he was spotted two villages over, and he seemed to be heading in our direction."

—

Connor spent the whole evening feeling vaguely sick, the weight of Nabulungi's words settling heavily in his gut. He couldn't even bring himself to finish his dinner. What was he going to do? Kevin cannot know about The General, that much Connor was sure.

He turned his gaze to his left. Kevin was laughing along with everyone else around the campfire, as Arnold told an anecdote about his childhood. As if sensing Connor's gaze, Kevin looked up at him, his smile vanishing in an instance.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm just tired," Connor lied for the second time in a day.

Kevin's smile returned, "You're getting old. It's only nine."

"Let's play Truth or Dare!" Elder Michaels clapped.

Connor groaned, "Why?" He wasn't up for mediating quarrels tonight.

"Sure! I'm in!" Elder Neely raised his hand.

Elder Church shrugged, "Let's start with McKinley. Truth or dare?"

"I didn't say I wanted to play."

"Oh c'mon! You're so boring!"

"We'll go easy on you, I promise," Elder Michaels said.

Connor rolled his eyes, "Truth."

"Since you keep saying that you're not boring," Elder Church started, "Tell us about the time you broke the law."

"Uhh-," Connor mused, "I'm gay? It's against the law here."

"Booooo!"

"That's a cop out, McKinley!"

"Fine. I drove without a licence once. I was alone at home, and I was craving for Chipotle. To be fair, I had already finished my driving lessons. I just hadn't taken the test yet," Connor crossed his arms, "Elder Church. Truth or dare?"

"Dare."

Connor looked to Kevin for inspiration. Kevin snapped his fingers, "We dare you to lick the sole of Michaels' feet."

Elder Michaels shrieked, "Why do I have to- Why am I- I wasn't the one who chose this!"

"Very gross, Price. But it's an easy dare," Elder Church nudged his mission companion, "Shoes off, bud."

"Go lick Elder Price's feet or something, I'm not doing this!"

Elder Neely cringed, "Can we please stop talking about licking feet?"

"What'd you say, Price? Since he doesn't want me doing that," Elder Church smirked.

Kevin pulled his legs closer to his body, "No way. Nope. Arnold?"

"Oh, I don't mind," Arnold kicked his shoe off and stuck his foot out.

Elder Church took Arnold's leg and completed his dare.

Arnold's face turned to one of disgust, "It's so wet."

"Ugh, nasty," Elder Church spat onto the ground.

Elder Neely looked like he was about to vomit.

"That was really uncomfortable to watch, all thanks to you, Elder Price," Elder Michaels shuddered, "Your turn. Truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"Confess to a lie that you've told recently."

"I was the one who ate the strawberry Poptart in the toaster," Kevin rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"It was you?!" Poptarts yelled, "I've been wondering about who the heck it was all week, you thief!"

"I didn't think it was anyone's. I waited around for like ten minutes," Kevin defended.

"I was in the shower!"

"Right, how was I to know that? I didn't see anyone in the hut."

Poptarts pointed a finger at Kevin, "You lied to my face. You said you didn't see my Poptart when I asked."

"I'm sorry, okay? I knew you'd get all," Kevin gestured at Poptarts, "Worked up and I wasn't in the mood to deal with that then."

Connor decided to step in before it escalated, "Alright, guys. What's done is done. Let's stop arguing about this."

Poptarts chewed his lip as he thought about it, "I'll forgive you, if you take over my mission hut chores for next week."

"Deal," Kevin stretched out his hand, which Poptarts shook.

The game continued around the campfire, and Connor began to zone out, staring at the flickering flames and worrying about the danger that was heading their way.

"Elder McKinley! It's your turn again!"

"What?"

"Truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"What's your biggest fear?"

Connor had many fears. Right now, he was deathly afraid of losing Kevin Price.

"Spiders."