Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Deep in the Unstable Mountains a group of teens ready to spend their summer before college with plenty of chaos and memories.

The old beat up van bounced along the gravel road. Its chipped yellow paint rocked around as the eye sore darted around the mountain's ledge.

The bright blazing sun soaks the earth below. The clouds all but hiding as the warm glow slowly dipped behind the horizon.

Inside the old rustic van deep between the pages of a good book. His eyes switched from the papers to a map. Rek closed the book as he nestled closer in the seat of the shot gun.

Behind him munching on a couple snacks was Planet. His bright white hair was pulled back by a purple head band. He gave awkward yelp as the van spun around a corner.

A couple seats away from him and the luggage was Jumper, her eyes wider. Her nails gripped the seat until her knuckles turned the same shade as a beer foam. As for her sunglasses they hung loose on her pink tank top, it sat snug around her biceps.

“Jaron for the love of the stars, slow the fuck down!”She shouted as the van swerved, its tires leaving long black marks on the road.

Jaron cackled with laughter. The driving gloves he wore drenched in a fine layer of sweat. “Sorry Jumps but I told my mom that we’d get to the lake before dark.”

Planets stomach lurched the cooler slid into his thighs. A deep bruise formed at the impact.

“Do you mind at least not killing us first.”he managed as a pack of marshmallows face planted against the windshield.

Rek slowly picked them up, his lips twitching into a smile. “You bro’s need these.”he tossed them back as the entire van tilted onto its side.

“Jaron!”Jumper shouted as he continued to drive. One of his hands left the wheel to turn the dial of the radio up. Her shout being drowned out by the buss and lyrics of Avicii.

“What was that Jumps?”he teased, keeping his eyes on the road. Even if one of his hands was searching for something.

Rek groaned as he grabbed the wheel. Jaron continued to look off to the side. “Where are those damn cookies?”he muttered.

“Not now! JARON EYES ON THE ROAD!”Jumper screamed, shoving the brunette's face back to the front of the van.

“GOAT!” Planet roared, arms flapping. He scrambled to pull on a football helmet.

“Wha-oh shit.”Jaron snatched the wheel and ripped it to the side.

The black of the paved road stopped to the edge of the green earthy forest below. The van tipped closer, its front tires slowly screeching closer to end.

“Shit, shit shit.” Jaron scrambled back as the van dipped.

The crew screamed as the van plummeted down the mountainside. The bleeping of goats followed as the eye sore shot down through a herd of billy goats.

Rek sighed, his nails digging crescents deep into his thigh. “I vote, Jaron doesn't drive again on this trip..”he called over the screams.

Planet nodded, tears welling up in his glassy purple eyes. His fingers fumbling to pull the remaining shin guards on.

“Im no that bad.” Jaron protests. The road and hills blurring together. Th evan rushing between the forests that painted the mountains side.

Jumper groaned and slammed her head against the driver seat. “I swear to the stars."Her lips dipped into a frown. Her gel nails cut small holes into the seat.

Jaron's eyes narrowed, sweat dripping down the side of his face. The van barreling towards god knows where. Vines scraped along the hull of the car. Slowly pulling back with more force.

Its bumper reared what looked like a small town. The shine of a lake shimmering from behind the buildings.

A loud screech echoes as the van pulls to a stop, its wipers waving as it reaches the end of its descent. Its yellow hood itches away from the wood of a building.

The vines snapping and draping over the roof of the van. Each one at least broken in three places.

Rek sighed his hands unclawing from the seat. “I am never doing that again."he called and body slammed the door open, only to tumble out.

Jumper coughed her eyes watering as she un hooked from the seat and crashed to the ground. Her coffee collared hair bunching around her as she curled up in the fettle position.

Planet stared back at Jarron before carefully picking up the frightened girl. His arms scooping her up, keeping her nails away from his skin. “That was lovely Jaron, I'm going to vomit before the next disaster strikes.”he teased.

Jaron nodded. Ripping off the gloves and sinking deep into his seat. He tucked his legs up to his chest and rested his head on top. "At least we made it before night.”he mumbled as the adrenaline crashed down from him.

Carefully he grabbed the small bag of marshmallows and tore it open, stuffing a couple into his mouth as his eyes glossed over. That was fucking terrifying. He clutched the bag close.

Rek slammed against the hood, his amber eyes wide, pupils dilated as he tapped the glass.

Jaron jumped a startled scream echoing out from him. “Rek.”

Rek chuckled as he gave a teasing smile, showing off his teeth. He slumped off of the hood and opened the door. “You are coming. Planets emptied his guts, and Jumpers less likely to yell at you.”he offered a gloved hand. His hands had black fingerless gloves on. The leather was cool to the touch.

Jaron paused his palm barely touching the leather yet it sent thousands of small sparks up his arm. “Right, yeah I think I am.”

Rek smiled wide as he yoinked the other out of the van and onto the dusty ground. “Thats more like it.”

Jaron flashed a smile as he snatched up the bag of marshmallows. “Race to the cabin.”he shouted and raced off. His hair flying in the small breeze.

Planet looked up and launched into a sprint to keep up with others. His feet pounding against the un-even ground.

Rek chuckled and offered a hand to Jumper. She sat on the ground clutching her chest. “Thanks.”her hand hooked with his as she also raced off, dragging Rek behind her.

“The last one to the cabin is a rotten egg.”

Planet's voice echoed as he raced alongside the others. The silly tease hanging high in the pine filled air.

This was going to be a great summer.

Chapter Text

Planet groaned from his place on the dingy couch. It’s faded fabrics clinging to springs and coils. As for the cotton that would have separated his back from the metal frame, it was nonexistent. Like actively giving him more pain than the years spent in school.

He flopped over onto the splintering ground. The wood had been there since the cabin was originally built, so splinters and nails were out of place. He huffed and pushed up.

The only thing in this place that was new was the metal dock and boats. They had been fixed up ever since the massive hail storm that had come by a couple years ago.

His tangled ivory hair fell in front of his eyes. The tips were covered in a good layer of dust from the rafters.

What time was it? He scrunched up his nose and reached for his phone that was barely handing off the edge of the spruce table. The purple case hit his noise as it fell on him.

He tapped on the cracked screen. The background was the bi flag. He had known for a while that he liked both girls and boys. The appeal to both was almost toxic and addictive if he spent too long staring at photos.

Yeah maybe that was why he agreed to join the early crew. He needed to get away from that life and start again. Even just arriving before everyone else to fix up the dumpster fire that was this cabin.

He rolled over and unlocked his phone. The different apps string at him as he looks at the small clock in the corner.

Six am. Of course it was earlier the sun was not even up, and his back was dying. He sighed and closed the device. No need to get distracted.

The high roof stared back from behind the fan that spun in circles. Around and around like the tick of time. The only sound was the soft buzz it made.

Really why was it the only thing that seemed to click with his mind. Out of all the lights and sounds the world brought. It was a stupid click of a fan that made the most peace

His eyes locked on the small gears that poked out from the sides. Each one turning and shaped in different ways. Just like the group.

He chuckled it was cheesy it always was, just like how the lake had its own story. Everything in nature did, one of hope and one of sorrows.

His eyes wandered over the different groves that danced around the wood. Each one showing off the under colors. It painted a soft picture.

The door of the cabin slammed open. Rek was bent over panting his tank top sweat coveted as he tumbled in. His eyes were fixed as he gripped the wall.

“Wo you good?”Planet shot up, rushing over to the other.

“Fine.”Rek croaked as he stumbled to the sink and turned the tap on.”Just got lost.”he mumbled and began to take sips of the water as it pooled in his hands.

Planet blinked as he watched the other. “Care to explain why you went out at six in the morning?”he called out and began to fetch some form of granola bar.

“Whent for a quick one but got lost near the marina and had to go around th whole late.”he explained between sips. The cold water pulsed against the flush skin as it dripped down from Rek's mouth.

“Of course you did.”Planet hissed and tossed over an old granola bar in front of the back of the cupboard. They were going to need to go shopping.

Rek weakly smiled and took a small bite of the bar."Tastes horrible but thanks."He tossed the bar aside and continued to drink.

“You see I would have gone shopping for better ones, but I couldn't cuz I was fixing up the plumbing in the second floor master bedroom, bathroom.”Planet informed with a teasing smile.

Rek chuckled, his body leaning on the counter. It was a quart and it was giving off a very pleasant feeling on the burning skin.”We really need to fix this place up..” he trailed off as he pressed his forehead on the counter.

Planet nodded as he slowly began to dust off the table. “I say after you get your mojo back we clean and fix this area up.”

Rek gave a thumbs up and spread his arms out to gain more coolness from the counter. His brown doe eyes opened as he stared off. Nothing behind them, just a blank stare.

“Well I'm going to fetch Jaron and shove him in the lake.” Planet teased and darted up the first flight of stairs to the second floor. His socks picked up dust as he landed on the carpet.

Jaron's room was the third one on the right. Its door a
It had a small name plate and in a sharpie it had the name Jaron. Cheesy but Squiddo did send them with a stack of them so they might as well use them.

He kicked open the door. It clattered against the wall with a thud.

Jaron blinked at him from his palace in front of the mirror. His shirt was off and he was flexing his abs. “Its not what it looks like, I swear.”

Planet paused, eyes wide as he slowly began to step away. Eyes trained fully on the other's body. “I'm telling Rek.”

“NO, NO, NO-PLANET GET BACK HERE!”he screamed as Planet sprinted out of the room.

Plante gripped the railing of the stairs and jumped on it and began to slide down the railing. Jaron chased as he raced down the stairs.

“Don’t listen to him!”

Planet smirked and leopard off the railing and rolled to a stand. “Rek! Jaron was doing it.”He teased with a smirk.

Rek blinked from his slumped spot on the counter. He furred his brow and pushed off and onto the floor.

Jaron barreled down and skipped to a stop. His face burned with embarrassment. “ He lies.”

“Do not.”

“Do to.”

“Do not.”Planet spat and frowned.

Jaron hissed as he glared at the other. “Shut up!”

"Fine."Planet teased as he gave the other a whack on the back. “Thats for being awake at six am, bro.”

Jaron rolled his eyes as Rek gave him a small smile as they locked eyes.”You're helping us fix this place up right?”

“I will, I will, don't worry.”

Chapter Text

Back towards the main road was a group of old style cars. Each a good couple hours between them. The cars Clowns family had lent for the group to use as the sumer progressed.

In an old red van held some pretty interesting characters. In the driver's seat holding the wheel tight as his knuckles turned white was Wemmbu. His lilac hair pulled into a low bun. He was reaching for his fourth cup of coffee that day.

No one stopped him since each of the crew had been living off the same thing that day. He took a careful sip as the liquid burned his insides. “Still hot thank god.” he mumbled, turning his full attention to the road.

Beside him resting in shotgun was Parrot, he was tapping away at his phone. The blue light eliminated hsi face, showing off his bright green eyes and amber curls. The tip of each curl was dyed a deep cyan.

No one knew who he was texting, but there was a hint. Whoever it was made the man happy. “You're stupid.”he mumbled typing something out before sending it. A grin that only the moon ever knew was laced on his face.

Pearing over the seat was Mid. Her purple nails dug into the soft fabric of the seat cover. Coffee colored strains fell in front of her eyes as she pulled closer. She had been trying to figure out who this mysterious guy Parrot was texting was. So far she had figured out jack nothing.

Beside her curled up in a bright orange sweater was Bacon. His face was smooshed up against the window. The freckles that littered his tan skin mimicked the stars.

This was one of the least packed cars out of the four vehicles. This group were the last to leave since they all had work that took up an extra day. So that was why this car was leaving well past when the sun set.

It was quiet, the only sounds being the running engine and Bacon breaths. No one talked, they didn't need to. They had all worked together at the same job for years. Ever since anyone could get a job.

Gentle patter of rain began to tap against the roof. It wasn't a shower but more so a spray as the car continued down into the valley.

“How long do we have Parrot?” Wemmbu questioned.

Parrot paused his typing to pull up maps. He squinted out the widow for a second. “Probably thirty minutes give or take.”

Wemmbu nodded as he stared back to the blacked road. “Im going to assume every is at the cabin already."

“Yeah they are.”Mid interjected. She was looking at photos of the group. Jumper had sent them to her. All of their friends gathered around a fire roasting and cooking up hot dogs and marshmallows .

“So any one feels like this summer we're going to be replaced.”Bacon joked between a long yawn. He was rubbing his eyes as he pulled the sweater closer.

Mid jumped her eyes widening. “Bro don't do that, you scared me.”she hissed. It lacked all the bite as she gently shoved him.

Parrot lifted a single brow before turning back to typing. “If you two are going to fight, at least do it after the coffee runs out.”

Wemmbu snorted at the others' bluntness. “To be fair the coffee ran out a long time ago.”

“See I can shove him.”Mid teased with a playful smile.

The car settled in a comfortable silence. No one needed to share what was on their mind. It was two in the morning and zero sleep was what each was running on.

Soon from under the fallen tree branches was the glow of warmth from the cabin. They had made it. The summer has finally begun.

Parrot shot up grinning. “Finaly!” he shouted pounding his fist against the dash bored.

Mid smirked un-hooking her seat belt to get a better view."Finally sleep.”

Wemmbu and bacon both squinted, staring in awe as the van began to emit the lights that were shining from the windows.

The car pulled to a stop. The crew is already grabbing backpacks and a cooler to bring inside. Each over joyed to finally get some well deserved rest.

“Jumper says that most are asleep.”Mid informed as she hauled up the cooler to the front door. Warmth was seeping from inside. A stark contrast to the chilly night air.

Inside playing a card game at the table was Mane, Clown, Jumper and Ash. Each looking up to see the crew pull remaining things in.

Bacon yawned as he dragged a duffle bag in. His eyes lit up when he spotted Mane. He scampered over and hugged the other.

He murmured something as he pressed closer. His sweater matched the overhauls the other was wearing.

Parrot rolled his eyes as he walked passed, carrying his phone and backpack up the stairs. “Dont wake me up until after ten.”he informed and quickly vanished up to the next floor.

Clown raised an eyebrow at the others' dismissive mode. “Whats up with him?” the reventet questioned.

Wemmbu shared a small glance with Mid as he poured a glass of water.”No idea."He started chugging the water. The tasteless liquid was a nice change from the coffee. “To be fair bro, I still think he's pissed off that Spoke, and Mapicc have summer detention.”

“Or the fact that he and Spoke were going to head to a bar for his birthday since he's going to be legally allowed to drink.” Mid informed.

Ash nodded as he placed down a six of spades. “So what are we going to do for Parrots birthday since it's on independence day?”

“Could we see if there is a nice restaurant?”Jumper added, already making notes on her phone.

Clown looked up, a twisted grin working its way onto his lips. Over the scar that was stamped on the rose colored flesh. “Im sure we’ll figure something out.”
Yep this summer was going to be an interesting one for sure. Even if some felt the remaining hatred from school.