Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“A live-in job, huh? Like a nanny?” David asked himself, taking down the placard to read more closely.

He stuffed it into his pocket to read after he finished his shopping. He intended to purchase a box of mac-and-cheese and a two-liter of soda. David frowned at the box in his basket, actually missing the food Quartermaster would serve to him and the campers. What was it? Mashed potatoes? David didn’t care, it was good. Begrudgingly, he checked the items out, digging through his pockets desperately for his horde of dimes.

“So sorry about the change,” he said, handing the cashier a crumpled dollar and a plethora of coins.

“David?” 

He looked up to see Gwen staring at him in surprise. David perked up, smiling despite the bags under his eyes. 

“Hi, Gwen! Small world, isn’t it?”

“You look terrible, are you okay?” She brushed off his greeting, getting right to the point.

David blinked, trying to come up with an alibi, “Oh, yeah! I’m fine! Fit as a fiddle, I-I’m just tired.”

Gwen frowned, counting the change in her hands. David watched in anxious anticipation. He knew that wasn’t enough money, but he couldn't let her know that's all he had.  He began to delve through his pockets again.

“I know I have a few more pennies in here, hold on-”

“David, just take it.” Gwen sighed, dumping the mac and soda into a paper bag and shoving it into his arms.

“But- but I have the change,” he sputtered, holding the bag to his chest.

“No, you don't. Here,” she leaned over the conveyor belt, shoveling candy bars into his bag as well, “take these too.”

David panicked, “I can't! Gwen!” 

He whispered the next part, hiding his face behind the paper bag, “this is stealing !”

“David, I hate my job. Just take it. I'm the only one here,” she assured him, “just… go get back on your feet, ok? I’ve got a bed for you if you need it. Don't do anything regrettable.”

David smiled somberly, “thanks, Gwen.”

“Anytime. Now get the fuck out of here,” she shot him a quick smile before reopening the magazine she had propped open on the register.

David hurriedly rushed out of the convenience store.

He reached his hand into his bag, pulling out a stolen Milky Way bar. His eyes lit up. He shoved the paper bag into the passenger seat of his car and hurriedly climbed into the drivers. Quickly, he shucked off the wrapper and shoved the candy bar in his face.  He nearly moaned at the taste of the rich milk chocolate and creamy caramel. He didn't realize how hungry he was, stomach growling in anticipation as he swallowed.  He suddenly realized how bad his position actually was. He leaned back, actualizing himself for the first time in a while.

David knew he probably looked homeless. His face was unshaven with some stubble on his chin and dark purple bags hung beneath his eyes.  He sported a beat-up flannel with a stained green shirt beneath and on top of that, he was beginning to smell. He hadn't washed his pants in weeks, the knees worn away with his shins exposed beneath the wrap of twine. The soles of his shoes were falling out beneath him, but they were still durable David assured himself. No wonder Gwen was worried, he was a mess.

He pulled the flyer from his pocket, holding the melty candy bar in his mouth as he fumbled with the paper. He smoothed out the creases with one hand, holding the candy with the other.

Summer Work:

No Experience Needed

Free Room Provided, No Rent

$766.60 a week

Needed: Light cleaning, driving, cooking and mending.

Looking for: a companion for as long as possible to fill the position

ages 19 to 29

We look forward to meeting you soon.

Cult Town, Jackson Meadow on Marine on St. Croix, MN

House 19

Call: 2̷̜͆1̴̟͊8̴̬̽-̶̬͛5̵̢̿0̶̫̈́7̴̤̾-̶̟́2̷̀8̴̤̀5̸̳̂8̴̫͋

David gasped at the wage, almost dropping the chocolate bar onto his lap. This seemed almost too good to be true.

“Looking for a companion, a cleaner, and a cook. I can do that!” He squinted down at the phone number, unable to read the smudged ink.

“Dang.”

He sat back in his seat, breathing heavily out his nose. He couldn’t just pass up this money, though.

“‘ We look forward to meeting you ,’ huh?”

David pulled out his phone, imputing the address into his GPS.  He glanced over it a few times, setting the phone along the dashboard before backing out of the convenience store parking lot.

“I guess they’re just gonna meet me sooner rather than later,” He decided with a smile, driving off and merging onto the closest highway. 

The drive home seemed longer than before. Perhaps because of the new sense of hope that sang in David's heart.  Or possibly it was the nerves that had rooted in his mind and had begun to erode away at his rational thought.  He attempted to shake the sinking feeling in his chest as he pulled into his neighborhood.

He left the car running as he hurried towards the front door. It was 8:45 at night and the neighborhood was asleep. He pulled the house key from his pocket, fiddling with them in the keyhole before pushing the door open.  His long legs carried him up the stairs and into his bedroom where several piles of dirty laundry greeted him.

He yanked a backpack from his wardrobe and began to fill it with the clothes. He figured that he could just do laundry when he got to Jackson Meadow anyway. He yanked a few chargers out from the socket in the wall and shoved them in his bag.  Earbuds, underwear, a camping manual (to read if he got bored), just the essentials. He zipped up his bag before halting in his tracks.

He looked over at his closet, eyes glancing across his yellow bandana. His identity staple. It was all he had left from his camper years at Camp Campbell.  He snagged it and bound it around his neck snugly, wishing the smell of his summer days were still embedded in the fabric.  

"One more check for supplies," he told himself, pacing about his room with his bag open.

A blanket, a pillow, a lighter, rope, compass- wait. He paused, realizing this wasn’t camp. He was going to live with some stranger in a house , not in the elements.  He didn't need it… but he figured it's more respectable to be safe rather than sorry. Into an overnight bag went a thermos, a flashlight, pocket knife, razors, and fishing wire.  He smiled as he recalled the fond memories of camp, but quickly shot back to reality, swinging the backpack across his shoulders. He snatched a green sweatshirt from his door handle and left the house, locking the door and leaving the key behind under the rug.

He looked up at the old place. It was just a rental, but it was his home... but a home he just couldn't afford anymore.

"No time for wistful goodbyes," he smiled, giving the door a light pat on the wood.

He jumped back into his car, throwing his bags into the back seat and pulling out back into the yard with the giddy excitement of a child.

“Goodbye, neighborhood!” He hollered out his window, a feeling of anxiousness welling up inside.

A few lights flicked on and the dogs barked, followed by the angry voices of their owners. David recoiled back into the window, making haste as he drove away.

He glanced down at the paper lying on the passenger seat before turning back to the road.

“Golly, I hope they won't be mad I didn’t call.”

Chapter Text

The road seemed to extend forever in front of him. A whole highway that stretched on forever, there was something he hadn't seen before. David looked at his phone, then back on the route. The GPS stated he was on the right path, though a sinking feeling of being lost settled into the pit of his stomach. He decided not to worry about it now. Just his nerves, he reassured himself.

The roads were super deserted, too. Hardly any cars passed him on his way through this part of Minnesota.

He noticed spray paint across a farther jersey wall reading, “welcome to Cult Town.” The red spray paint had dripped and was hastily done. It was slightly unnerving, but he was determined to remain positive. A whole new neighborhood, a whole new life, and hopefully; a new friend. Just a twenty-four-year-old skipping town, leaving everything behind… all his old friends… and… yeah.

He gripped the steering wheel tightly. He was going to miss them, but he could always take vacations and come back to visit Gwen and Mr. Campbell, he was certain of it. A billboard rose up from behind a tree in the distance.

“Welcome to Jackson Meadow”

“This place is very nice,” David stated to himself, driving past the sign and through the development.

He rode through a large gate. Concrete walls stretched out from between the trees, enclosing the small area within. There was barbed wire across the summit and a chain-link fence within the walls as an extra barrier of protection. David waved it away as just extra security, strange as it did seem.

Once inside the ramparts, he oohed and awed over the neighborhood. It was very quiet and orderly. Tall white houses with tall white fences and tall white sheds. They all looked expensive and really nice. The streets were clean and the lawns were green with a full stretch of woods surrounding the neighborhood. He could see a tall white tower that stood out amongst the trees.

“Golly!” David exclaimed, leaning close to take the house numbers. 

They were all in order, unlike most places where the odds are on one side of the street and evens are on the other, they were all in a straight line.

“Twenty-two, Twenty-one, Twenty…” He counted aloud, parallel parking on the street. “Nineteen!”

He bounded out of the car, standing in marvel. This was one of the nicer houses, too. It was tall and orderly, at least two stories and an attic. There was a garage and a shed in the back, along with a balcony on the second floor.  David let out a long, low whistle.

“Nice digs.”

He trotted up to the front door, flyer in hand, and rang the doorbell. He couldn’t hear it ring, so he tested it again. Silence. He stood for a couple of seconds before ringing it again and again repeatedly. He stopped once he saw a figure approaching from behind the kaleidoscope glass. David stood up straight, a thick feeling of nerves tightening in his gut. A tall man answered the door. He was blonde and very pale, vivid blue eyes looking disinterested as they rested on David. His eyebrow raised in inquiry;

“Can I help you?”

Daniel had not been expecting company, so he was less than thrilled to be torn away from his work. He looked up to the monitor hanging on the cellar wall. It was blurry and out of focus, but the figure didn’t look familiar- and they rang the doorbell incessantly. The blond pinched his nose bridge in frustration and dropped the heavy trash bag on the concrete floor. It crunched slightly upon landing.

Chapter Text

David waited a few minutes, taking in the feel of the room before going back out to his car to carry in his bags. He threw his backpack on and slung the heavy overnight bag onto his shoulder. He also grabbed his paper bags from the passenger seat and locked the car behind him, awkwardly closing the door with his arms full.

David hefted his bags up to his new room, dumping his messy heap of belongings on the bed. He soon finished unpacking, not having much with him to begin with. He stood in front of the room, taking in how tragically simplistic it was.

It didn’t feel like home, but it was a start.

This was exciting, but scary with the daunting fact that he didn’t know Daniel all that well. He told himself that his fear was silly and that Daniel seemed really nice.

Handsome too, his brain helpfully quipped.

David bit his bottom lip and quickly dismissed the thought, wondering what Daniel could be doing that kept him so busy.

The ex-counselor then found himself walking down the stairs, looking for any sign of the man. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he noticed a tray sitting on the living room table.

David picked up the little note, reading the cursive writing.

‘Help yourself. -Daniel.’

David smiled, picking up one of the cookies on the tray. They were pretty good, but very crunchy and obviously burnt on the bottom. When he finished, he sat himself down on the couch, looking around the living room.

“Gosh, this place is huge.”

“Glad you like it.” 

Daniel appeared from the kitchen, taking off a pair of blue rubber gloves and disposing them into a nearby trash can. David jumped at his voice, watching the blond glide across the room over to where David sat.

“Oh, yeah. It’s really nice,” David said sheepishly.

Daniel sat on the couch across from him, taking a cookie for himself.

“So David,” he began, scrunching up his nose at the treat and throwing it back down on the plate, “how old are you?”

“I'm twenty-four.”

“Mh hmm,” Daniel nodded, “and can you cook?”

“Yup! And I can bake, too. And grill, or barbeque--”

“Mh hmm, and are you single, too?”

“huh?”

Daniel just smiled, “and I suppose you can drive, too?”

“Yep!”

“And clean?”

“Absolutely!”

“Good. Follow me,” Daniel instructed, suddenly standing up and swiftly exiting the room.

David scrambled up to follow him, “oh, okay!”

He followed Daniel through the kitchen and down a set of basement stairs. It was dark and kind of damp. The stairs were wooden and echoed softly with their footsteps. There was no light. David ran his hand along the wall for stability.

His gut feeling, for some reason, told him this wasn’t a safe place. But that was just silly.

Suddenly, the light flicked on. David blinked, seeing Daniel stand in the middle of the basement floor, holding the pull-light cord between his thumb and index finger. The luminescent bulb sparkled and hummed, slowly rocking back and forth from the cord in the rickety wooden ceiling.

At their feet, David looked down and saw many a scattered red cup, spilling a suspect purple liquid all over the floor. There also was a podium in the back of the room- and the entire basment was uncharacteristically huge. David tilted his head curiously.

“I need this cleaned up,” Daniel said simply, “and when you finish, come upstairs and wait for me. I’ll show you what bathroom you’re allowed to use.”

David nodded, watching Daniel bring out a black basket full of cleaning supplies. The blond quickly handed him the basket before walking up the stairs. David felt like he should've said something but he already heard Daniel close the door behind him. This left David by himself in the strange basement.

He pulled out a white spray bottle. All the labels were peeled off and in big black letters, it read “BLEACH” messily scribbled across the plastic. Strange. David pulled out a spray can. In big letters, it read “HYDROGEN PEROXIDE”. There were also a bag of wipes labeled “CHC13.” David blinked. He has no idea what those were for. Maybe it's a special solution for wiping down Daniel's marble-top counters.

David also noticed there were white and black rags settled at the bottom of the basket. They had a pleasant yet chemically smell to them, kind of like rubbing alcohol.

These chemicals must be homemade, David assumed.

He pulled out the paper towel roll, folding some up to start absorbing the sticky purple liquid that soaked the floor.

David was on his hands and knees, vigeously scrubbing the floor. At first, the purple liquid smelled sweet but now it started to smell like rotting garlic. David used his bandana over his mouth like a mask, scrubbing the floor with vigor. He was sweating and red in the face, panting a bit as he sat up on his knees. He stopped to wipe his forehead with his forearm. Was this basement like, a million degrees?

David's hands were stained purple up to his wrists and so were his knees through his- now torn and ripped thanks to the gnarly concrete floor- jeans.

David unintentionally smeared the purple across his sweaty forehead, creating a long magenta smudge against his flushed and sweaty skin. When he got done scrubbing, he sat back on his heels and looked over his work. The concrete was clean, just a little damp from the amount of cleaning liquid he used.

Hopefully Daniel wouldn’t have him doing this kind of work all the time. He was exhausted and his back ached from being bent over for so long. He’ll have to ask about buying a dang swiffer wet jet or whatever if this keeps up. Are those even a thing? David can't remember the last time he saw a commercial for one.

Once he was up the stairs, David stretched. His back popped in several different places as he reaches his hands above his head. He let out a quiet sigh, his eyes closed as he rubs the back of his sore neck.

“Tough work, huh?”

David jumped, spinning around to see Daniel watching him from across the hall. The man leaned against the wall with his arms and legs both crossed cooly in front of him. Even from a distance, David could see those vivid blue eyes.

“Oh, haha. Yeah.” David sighed, rubbing his sides as he continues to strech. “My back is killing me.”

“Better get used to being on your hands and knees in this house.” Daniel smirked, bemused.

"I guess.. if you have more messes like that for me to clean up.”

The blond chuckled, glancing up at the clock. “It’s midnight. Follow me.”

David complied, tracing his footsteps through the first floor as Daniel led him into a large bathroom. Daniel got some towels out of the cabinet and set them on the side of the sink along with a fresh set of clothes from a small drawer within the shutter-like closet.

“Here,” Daniel said, patting the puffy pile of clothes.

David was in awe at the size of the room before realizing that Daniel had spoken to him. He was quick to express his gratitude.

“Oh. Thank you, Daniel.”

“My pleasure,” he assured, “come find me in my room after you’ve cleaned up. I have something for you.”

The blond smiled as he walked out, closing the door behind him. David blinked, feeling his cheeks heat up a bit. Daniel was very confident in himself and David admired that. Admired... yeah, that's the word. David just admired Daniel.

David turned his head to look over himself in the mirror, noticing the sticky purple smudge across his forehead. He internally cursed his luck. He must’ve looked like an idiot this whole time talking to Daniel.

David leaned over the sink, getting real close to the mirror. He licked his thumb and scrubbed against his skin. It was stained fast and he sighed in defeat. He needed soap.

David licked his lips, re-tasting the residue left from his thumb. The purple on his hands tasted like grape-flavored bleach. He made a face. It reminded him of eating an unwashed fruit from the grocery store, still covered in the innocent-smelling pesticides.

David let a breath out through his nose, moving to awkwardly untie his bandana around his neck without staining the yellow fabric. He set it down on the sink’s edge and continued taking off his pants and shirt, discarding them in a clothes hamper.

David noticed a few other articles of clothing already inside but decided not to snoop. The hamper smelled aggressively of fabric softener. This house was just full of chemicals.

David quickly turned on the shower, fiddling with the handles as he found the perfect temperature. Scalding hot, perfect for washing away the day's mistakes. Gwen told him that once and it really stuck with him.

A hot shower was just what he needed.

Chapter Text

Yes. A hot shower was exactly what David needed.

His palms and knees were still a stifling shade of magenta but other than that, he was squeaky clean. In the shower, he found a razor and shaving cream so he decided he’d shave his face while he was there. He dripped onto the floor as he got out and stood in front of the sink, leaning over into the mirror. He ran his hands over his freshly-shaven, freckled chin with a smile. He looked just like he did back at Camp Campbell.

He then reached out for his bandana he left out on the sink, but it wasn’t there.

“That’s strange,” he mumbles to himself.

David looked around for a good few minutes before throwing on a towel and making his way out into the hallway. He looked around the floor. Not a thread to be found. He hurried back in and tossed on the new clothes.

A fresh cotton-fiber shirt and a pair of white lounge pants. There was also a white button-up and a pair of white jeans, too. Probably for tomorrow, David thought.

David worried about getting stains on them with how expensive they must have been. They fit nicely, too. Daniel must be around the same size, though it was tight in the hips. He didn’t need the belt that was left out for him, they were pajama pants so he left it where it lay with the other odd articles of clothing.

On his way up the stairs, David heard the sound of soft violin music. He remembered Daniel asking him to find him after he had his shower, so he quick-stepped up to the second floor. He listened for the music throughout the house.

David followed it down, finding the source in the room next to his. Slowly, he opened the already cracked door. Daniel stood, his back turned to David, resting his head on the fiddle while he played it slowly. 

The door creaked as David leaned against it and Daniel turned his head with a grin.

“Oh, there you are.”

David blanked, words failing him as he tripped over his own tongue, “sorry, I shouldn’t have barged in- you play that really well. It sounds beautiful.”

Daniel cocked his head, arching his eyebrows in surprise, “Oh? You enjoy music, I take it?”

“Yeah! I play guitar sometimes, too-”

David paused, remembering that he had to sell it a while back to afford rent. A look of regret crossed his face, but only for a second. "I-I use to, I mean.”

The blond seemed interested and nodded before turning to face his dresser.

“We’ll have to duet sometime."

David perked up, wondering if that meant Daniel owned more than one instrument.

“Yeah, that sounds like it would be fun.”

“Good.”

David watched Daniel set the violin in a black case ontop the dresser, clicking it shut before glancing over. David looked away quickly, not quite sure why he felt so nervous.

“Did… did you need something from me?” David asked timidly, scratching the back of his head.

“No.” Daniel answered.

David’s face turned red. “Oh. Um... I just thought since you wanted to see me after I finished--”

“What’s your backstory?”

“Huh?” 

The blond was at the other end of the room now. David couldn't help but notice how elegantly Daniel seemed to carry himself. The blond opened up a closet with a small shelf, perfect in size as if it were made to place the violin case inside. His back was still turned to David as he spoke;

“I was born in this place, raised by my mother and father who were born here, too,” he looked off towards the window distastefully, “they died here. Leaving me to fulfill my father’s work. I hated my father.”

Daniel spat the words like they left a sour taste in his mouth, his nose scrunched into a bitter expression. David was unsure of what to say and picked at his nails nervously.

“I’m sorry to hear that-”

The venom dripping off Daniel’s voice was violently counterparted when he glanced back to David, a soft smile quickly gracing his features.

“What about you?”

David blinked for a moment, not expecting the topic to switch over to him so suddenly. He looked about the room, pointing at himself in question when he saw no one else with them.

Daniel nodded, “tell me, where did you come from?”

The blond crossed the room to where David stood, standing across from him. He maintained eye contact the whole time, eagerly awaiting the redhead’s tale. His eyes were hypnotizing and David found himself staring before he realized it. He glanced away a few times, unable to keep his eyes away from Daniel's for very long. David felt his face begin to turn red again.

Gosh, this was a lot of pressure.

“...My mother lived on a farm. It was only me and her, my father left when I was a kid.” 
Daniel stepped closer, his face intent on every word David spoke. David's eyes widened a bit but he didn't make a move to pull away or anything. He was mostly shocked by the curious change in Daniel's demeanor.

“What was she like? What was it like, on a farm? We have farms here, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve always wanted to know if it was different elsewhere. Sit-”

He grabbed David’s hand, the redhead hesitating before being pulled to sit on the bed with him, “tell me everything.”

“Everything?”

Daniel didn’t say anything or even nod. He just stared at him intently.

So, feeling slightly pressured, David told him everything.

He told him about the farm and the chickens they raised, about the dairy cows, and lastly, about his mother. He told him about how she was a smoker and was neglectful- but she was the best she could be with the circumstances she was in.

He told him about his first experience at summer camp and how it changed his life. He told him about his first friend Jasper and about Mr. Campbell who, despite his greedy demeanor, was more of a father than David ever had.

David even went on to tell Daniel about his days as a Camp Campbell counselor and how it all came to an end… leading him up to where he was now. Sitting on a bed in a dark room with a stranger in a house he wasn’t totally familiar within a town he didn’t know existed until that afternoon.

David felt tears build in his eyes, realizing how bat-shit crazy the entire situation was. His heart wrenched in his chest from recalling the memories he so desperately tried to repress.

Daniel stared at him, captivated by the emotion in David’s story. The redhead looked up to see Daniel’s face and blue eyes, boring into him. Expressionless. 

David figured that maybe his story wasn’t as sad as he found it to be. David wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

“I’m sorry, it’s in the past. I needed... something new.”

Daniel leaned in without warning. David felt butterflies build up in his stomach as he watched the man's lips get closer. He went to meet him halfway- completely caught in the moment- but Daniel drew away just as quickly.

David realized and blinked at him in confusion, slowly pulling away as well. The blond didn’t say a word. He was motionless except slowly moving a hand to hold over his chest, looking off as he furrowed his brows.

David didn’t know what to say, so he stood up and ruffled his red hair, “it’s uh, it’s getting late so I should… uh, bed now…”

Daniel stood up too, wringing his hands together, “Yeah. Yes, it is… Goodnight, David.”

“Yeah… goodnight, Daniel."

David hurried out of the blond’s room and back into his, closing the door behind him. He covered his eyes with the palms of his hands, trying to process what happened. Was Daniel going to kiss him? They just met- David must’ve been imagining it. He was probably just tired and- gosh, that was embarrassing.

David fell backward onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling before groaning loudly. He smothered himself with the pillow under his head, screaming into the billowy fabric. It smelled like Daniel’s room. He took a big breath in through the nose before he caught himself.

"Jesus christ, what's wrong with me?" David mumbled to himself, staring up at the ceiling as he held the pillow tightly against his chest.
He was just starved from human contact, that's all. These butterflies are nothing more than nerves.

“I can’t be… gay,” David whispered to himself in the dark, “hmm... where did my bandana even go?”