David leaned his shoulder against a tree, scanning the campsite, looking for nothing in particular. The heat from the campfire seemed to stretch further today, the warmth making his skin tingle. Camp was never normally empty like this. It was eerily quiet, which is why the sudden rustling in the bushes made him jump. David was not one to startle easily but he could feel his heart physically stop at the sight before him.
"Hey", Dwight said quietly, approaching him.
Hey. Hey? He comes back after being gone for all this time and all he has to say is, "hey"? For some reason, David was unable to be angry, for once. Instead, he found himself reaching out for his leader, taking his hand and gripping it tightly in his own. Dwight squeezed back before moving to pull David in an embrace.
"I missed you", Dwight whispered in his ear, his voice so sweet and soft David could feel the goosebumps spread over his body.
David reached a hand up to caress the smaller man's face. That perfect face. He ran his thumb along Dwight's cheek and jawline. He was so soft in comparison to himself, his face always bright and free of stubble, unlike his own rough and rugged skin. His thumb moved to trail lightly over Dwight's lips. Dwight let out a satisfied sigh, his lips twitching into a smile. He moved a hand to rest on the nape of David's neck, pulling him down to meet in a lingering kiss. David inhaled deeply, savouring the smell of having Dwight so close to him.
When they pulled apart for breath David did not want to let him go, tilting Dwight's face so they could rest their foreheads together.
"Wait", David pulled away, wiping his forehead, "Why are you wet?".
David's body jerked alive in shock, cold water dribbling down his face.
"Whatcha dreamin' bout, big boy?", Ace asked, leaving the wet cloth in his hand to rest on David's forehead.
"Claudette, putting you on nurse duty?", David asked, not wanting to fill him in on the contents of his dream.
"She's only sending me to the patient's she don't like", the gambler replied, flashing his signature smirk.
David chuckled, "We all know I'm the only one keepin' her in business". He reached to remove the cloth from his forehead, tossing it to the side.
"How long was I out for?", David asked, forcing himself to sit up.
"Hard to tell in here. Suppose a few days", Ace told him, watching him carefully incase his friend passed out again.
"Well", David began, "Help us up then. I'm no use to anyone sittin' round here". He smiled to himself, noticing the jacket hung over him for the first time.
"This yours? If you were interested, you should 'ave said".
Ace shoved him playfully, before looking at David more seriously. He took a moment to remove his shades, his eyes a sight not often seen my many.
"Listen Davey, before you get back out there you should know...Dwight's back".
David's shoulders noticeably tensed.
"Fu-".
Ace put a hand up to stop him.
"Before you say anything. Poor kid, came back in a similar state to you, 'cept he had the fun of being thrown into a trial first".
David opened his mouth to say something but Ace placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him again.
"Look Dave, I don't know what's goin' on between you two, and I don't wanna know. What I do know is, that boy's been sittin' in the damn woods since he got back. I think he could use a friend".
David bristled at the word "friend", but nodded. The older man offered him a hand, which he took, groaning as Ace hauled him to his feet.
"You're a good man, Davey", the gambler tapped his cheek affectionately.
A good man? A good man would not want to punch Dwight's lights out.
David received some respectful nods from his fellow survivors as he got closer to the campfire. Claudette approached him, smiling warmly.
"How's your pain?", she asked. "We were worried, you had a terrible fever".
"Not quite feelin' like a spring chicken but, I'll get there" David replied, lowering his voice before continuing. "Walk with me".
"David, I don't think you're strong enough to-".
"Please, Claude".
Claudette's brown eyes softened when she saw the urgency in the ice blue eyes that gazed down on her. She nodded.
David waited until they were away from the campfire to speak again.
"Where is he?", he asked. David was not afraid to be vulnerable around Claudette. None of the other survivors were. She had a soft, motherly aura about her. Something many of them missed from back home.
"He's out here somewhere. Adam and Jake said he only lasted a few minutes in the last trial. They said they found him vomiting behind a wall, before he was... sacrificed".
"Is he ok now?". David wondered if there was a connection between their illnesses and being brought over to the killers' side, before deciding he would leave the speculating to the smart ones, like Adam and Claudette.
Claudette shook her head, "I don't know. He didn't seem sick when he got back here but, he didn't wait around long enough for me to check over him". She sighed.
"We need him back with us, David".
"I know, I know. Ace already gave me the talk". Claudette nodded, again.
They walked in silence for a while. The scenery did not change much but this was something they had grown used to. Eventually the scenery had a new addition, stopping them in their tracks when they noticed. A lone figure hunched over on a rock, seemingly oblivious to their presence.
"I'll give you two some privacy", Claudette said, already walking away so David could not protest.
David took a deep breath before approaching, making the figure jump as he snapped twigs under his feet.
They locked eyes for a moment, before they both exhaled audibly.
"Hey", Dwight spoke first, his voice was almost a whisper.
Hey.