Darby "Darbslay" Loren

Requested by @spookiesandstuff       

       Your wonderful boyfriend Dakota’s birthday was coming up in roughly a week and you already knew what you were going to get him. You started dating him thanks to social media, and it has almost been a year that you two have been together. The only downside has been that the relationship has remained long distance for the time being. Family matters kept you where you were while he’s in Nevada thanks to his show Destination Fear and when he was working with Ghost Adventures. The two of you have tried in the past to see each other in person, but things seemed to get in the way every time. Until now, hopefully.

      “So, I have a plan and I need your help executing it” you send to Tanner and Alex in a group chat.

      “What’s the plan?” Tanner replies.

      “We’ll gladly help, but we need to know what we are getting into,” Alex responds.

      “Okay, I want to surprise Dakota at your place for his birthday and I need help getting there and making sure he will actually be there for the surprise,” you send quickly, “We haven’t seen each other face to face at all in this relationship. Seeing each other through a screen is completely different. I just want to see him.”

      “That’s adorable,” Alex replied.

      “Of course, we’ll help you! Are you flying in the day of his birthday or sooner?” Tanner responds, already wanting to figure out the nitty gritty of it all.

      “I just purchased a ticket where I should land in Vegas at around 11:40 am the day of his birthday,” you send back.

      “Sounds good. One of us can come get you while the other makes sure that Dakota doesn’t go off anywhere or questions where the other went,” Alex replies.

      “I can come get you if you want,” Tanner responds.

      “Sounds great. Would it be a dumb idea to do the hide in the box thing some soldiers do to surprise their young children or genius?” you respond back.

      “Genius,” Tanner and Alex reply almost instantly.

      “Sounds like we’ve got it all figured out, just make sure there’s a box for me there that I can get into. It’ll probably be a good idea to also wrap it once I’m in it to give the effect that it’s an actual present that isn’t human,” you send quickly, super pumped that the plans seem to be falling into place.

      “I’ll make sure we have everything,” Alex responds.

      “Alright, I’ll see you guys soon,” you reply.

      The week seemed to fly by so fast knowing that you were going to see your boyfriend soon. After a few video calls with Dakota throughout the week, frantically packing the night before, and a long plane ride, you’re in Las Vegas, Nevada. Quickly grabbing your luggage, you make your way out to find Tanner.

      “Hey, over here!” you hear in an all too familiar voice you have heard on livestreams when checking up on everyone and the episodes of Destination Fear.

      You turn to your left and notice Tanner waving you down. You speed walk over to him with your bag and give him a huge hug.

      “It’s great to finally see you in person, Tanner. Thank you so much for helping me with this,” you say.

      “Not a problem. If you’ll follow me,” he says while leading you towards his vehicle.

      Once closer to the vehicle, he turns towards you, gestures at the passenger side door, and in a posh accent proclaims, “Your chariot awaits,” causing you to laugh at his antics.

      You quickly get your luggage and yourself in his self-proclaimed chariot before the two of you get seated, buckled up, and headed towards the boys’ place. Music is blaring from the radio interspersed with conversation and lyrics being screamed at the top of both of your lungs. You’re happy with how easy it has been to connect with Dakota’s friends. You knew that their friendship was pretty tight-knit and there was a part of you that thought it may take a while before they warmed up to you. You were gladly mistaken. Before you knew it, Tanner was pulling up to the house.

      “I’m going to text Alex that we just got back. Let’s wait here for Alex so we can assess the situation before we get you in the house to get in the box,” Tanner proclaims after parking and pulling out his phone.

      “Sounds good,” you say and wait for Alex to come out.

      It did not take long for Alex to come through the front door and make his way towards the two of you. Once you guys noticed him, the two of you got out of the vehicle.

      “He’s distracted with editing right now, so we don’t have to be extremely quiet since he has his noise-cancelling headphones on. Honestly, you couldn’t have timed it better,” Alex states while also giving you a hug, “Follow me, and we’ll get everything ready.”

      “Thanks for all the help you’ve done so far Alex. It’s great to finally see everything coming to fruition, and to see everyone,” you say as you follow the boys into the house.

      “Not a problem,” Alex replies before gesturing to the supplies requested for the surprise, “I hope these suffice. With most videos, they seem to be crouched down in a box, so I went with a shorter yet wide box with no writing on it. As for the wrapping paper, I just thought something funny should be used since he will be expecting that it’s a gift from Tanner and I.”

      When you noticed the supplies, you could not contain a laugh. Alex picked out bright pink Dora the Explorer wrapping paper for this occasion.

      “I’m glad he couldn’t hear that laugh or else this surprise would have been a bust, but I love the choice in wrapping paper,” you remark while trying to contain your giggles, “Okay. Let’s get this show on the road and get everything set up.”

      With that, the boys helped you into the box and proceeded to make it look like a present by closing the flaps with some tape and wrapping it all up. There was not much for you to do while in the box than be quiet and not move around much.

      “Alright, you’re all wrapped up and ready to go. We’re going to go get him so sit tight and wait for the magic to unfold,” Tanner stage whispers to you through the cardboard.

      “You got it, dude,” you reply and commence your wait.

      Alex and Tanner left, and time seemed to drag while in the box. There was not much you could do or else you would give yourself away, plus the boys had to convince your boyfriend to stop editing for a bit for the surprise to happen. Who knows how long that would take? You were lost in your own thoughts when you heard footsteps followed by an all too familiar laugh you have heard on your numerous video calls the week prior and beyond.

      “Really? Dora wrapping paper?” Dakota laughs out.

      “You think we would take this seriously?” Tanner chuckles along.

      “Well, don’t just stand there. Go ahead and open your present,” Alex proclaims.

      Your heart started to race a bit. You were getting even closer to seeing your boyfriend face to face with every rip of wrapping paper you heard.

      “You’re going to have to open the box to see what’s inside,” Tanner explains, probably from a weird look Dakota was giving the plain box, “Here are some scissors to get the tape.”

      A quick slicing sound and the dull thump of the scissors being placed on a flat surface told you it was time. You quickly popped up through the box flaps after hearing the scissors being put down and yelled, “Surprise! Happy Birthday!”

      Dakota looked at you trying to process what just happened for a few seconds before a giant smile spread across his face. He quickly walked right back over to you in the box, put his hands on each cheek, and kissed you. It was as magical as you thought it would be. After a few seconds, Dakota broke the kiss and put his forehead against yours.

      “I can’t believe you’re actually came here,” he whispers to you before saying louder, “This has to be the best birthday present ever!”

      “Of course I would come! I’m here for the week. Now, help me out of this box so I can hug you properly and get some cuddles in,” you proclaim.