Prompt 050: Camping

Character: David

David stared up at the stars above, trying to pick out different constellations. He didn't really know many of them so he was struggling to figure out which was which. That wasn't really why he was staring at the stars anyway, it was just something you couldn't see in the city. The stars were just one of the reasons that David loved camping, but that was a long list. It was right up there under the quiet of the forest and being able to see so many animals.

If he stayed up late enough he'd get to see some of the nocturnal creatures that didn't come into the city. There were rodents that could blend in perfectly with the trees due to the moss that grew on its body and a lizard that could imitate the calls of several bugs to lure in small birds to eat. It was all a part of nature that had been pushed away by streets and buildings and could only be found out in the woods. Maybe if he got really lucky one of the small wild felines would pass through the area and they'd get a glimpse.

"The sleeping bags are set up," Terry announced, moving out of their tent. "I think we chose a good spot, just high enough so that if it rains we won't be flooded but if we go on a hike tomorrow it won't be a hard walk back up to camp." Terry lay down beside David in the grass and stretched out. "I haven't been camping in so long."

"I took Dana out here a few months ago, but she hated it," David said, rolling onto his side to look at his partner while they talked.

"No wonder you two didn't work out. This is something you love, so she should at least be able to tolerate it." Terry rolled onto his side as well so they were face-to-face. "How'd she handle it?"

"Not well," David answered with a slight laugh. "Complained the whole time, particularly about the lack of bathrooms." David smiled at the other man. "Nothing like you."

"Well I used to go camping every year on my birthday, so I love it. I haven't been in years though so you might have to help me relearn a few things." Terry grinned and scooted a bit closer. "Hopefully you're a good teacher."

"I know a thing or two," David replied, moving close enough to set his forehead against his companion's. "Tomorrow we'll go for a nice hike, there's a place nearby we can have a picnic, and there's a glen my dad and I used to go where this time of year we'd find Blood Finch nests."

Terry's eyes opened a little wider. "You know where to find Blood Finch? I love those," he said as he grinned. "One nested in my backyard when I was a kid and I watched it raise a family. I love the way their black feathers look perfect against the dark red, and their call is so cool."

"Well I know of a place where they always nest, at least twenty every year, sometimes more. I would suggest having the picnic there, but we don't want them trying to steal our food so we can leave that as the climax of our day." David was excited to see Terry's enthusiasm; it promised that weekend to be a good time, not one filled with complaining and groaning.

"I'm glad that we came out here," Terry said. "We really needed some time away from the city, and it's so quiet and private out here." He paused for a moment before he suddenly sat up. "What do you say to making some s'mores?"

David set two fingers against his neck and smiled. "Well I've got a pulse, so hell yeah," David answered as he sat up. "I'll get the supplies, do you know where the roasting sticks are?"

"Yeah, I packed them away," Terry answered as he moved over to their supplies and started to dig around. "I remember that we'd only bring one bag of marshmallows when we went camping because we didn't have the money for a big bag. I usually only got one or two s'mores at the most."

"Well I got a big bag, so you can stuff yourself silly," David assured his partner as he pulled out a large bag of the fluffy white treats. "I got enough that we could make some every night, or put ourselves in a diabetic coma."

Terry looked at the large bag David had set out and watched as he pulled out a large box of gram crackers and six chocolate bars. "You really did make sure we were stocked," he said, surprised. "Maybe my sister is right. You're a keeper."

David smiled and chuckled, leaning over and kissed Terry's cheek. "Well I certainly think I am. I haven't kicked myself out of the house yet." Terry laughed and pulled out their roasting sticks before helping to gather the supplies and they moved over toward the small fire they'd built.