David shook his head—art camp was tomorrow and well, after a recent trip to an art museum Dolf had lost interest in art. David shivered at the memory, the poor child's face as he saw just who he resembled. Since that day, Dolf swore to distance himself from him.

“Jeeze Gwen—I mean it's definitely a good thing he's…” David rubbed the back of his neck, as he paced the floor—supposedly helping Gwen set up for tomorrow's activity, yet had done very little work.

"For Christ sake—the kid is a carbon copy of Hitler David.” She barked back, eager to finish setting up so she could finally masterbate Read. “That's gonna mess you up. Who cares if he's taking a break from art? He's fine.” She finished standing the last easel needed with a sigh, turning to face her co-councilor while doing so. “Look, David, He's 9—this isn't the. end of the world—Only a month ago now Space Kid decided to become ‘Race kid’, and how long did that last?”

David hummed a response as he took in her words. “You're right we should—”

“leave him alone—”

“—Ask Spacekid to help !!” David turned on his heels, making his way towards the exit of the mess-hall before a hand grabbing him from behind stopped him.

“—Jesus, not at this time.” Gwen was visibly exhausted, her face looked like she was fit to kill.

“Yeah—ummm in the morning…” David smiled as he stepped out of her grip, a little intimidated while doing so. “I'll ask him at breakfast.”

Breakfast came and went, Art camp was starting and Dolf found himself sitting alone, unaware of the watching eyes of his overly concerned councilor(s) on him.

“Look how sad he is Gwen—I should—” Before he could even move, a hand pressed against his chest to stop him.

“Don't, we agreed we wouldn't intervene when we had our talk with SpaceKid.” She sipped her hot coffee in a slightly better mood than she was last night.

“Where is he then? We can't leave poor Dolf on his own.” David pouted as he watched the ex-artist's dull expression. “He’s miserable”

“We gave him extra time for breakfast—since you gave a ten minute speech” She rolled her eyes, but right as she was about to finish berating her co-councilor someone caught her eye. A space suit wearing child happily making his way to the empty end of the arts and crafts table where Dolf had sat.

“I know Gwen but—”

“Shut up.” She immediately cut him off, her eyes glued to the interaction. She normally didn't care for shit like this—campers cheering each other up, yet the way Dolf’s face lit up the second he saw his friend caught her attention.

“Look.” She pointed to the interaction, without even moving off of it to check to see if David was looking as she spoke. “We haven't had anything like this since Neil at the lake Lilac Dance.” As sly smirk crossed her face. “Our artist has got a crushhhhh”

“Oh my gosh!” David let out a soft gasp “That is the biggest smile ice seen on Dolf in days.” He seemingly ignored Gwen's words, too focused on how happy his camper looked. “Gee—I do wonder what they're talking about”

“Gosh David. Maybe I should check” Without waiting for a reply she began to walk towards the table, only to be stopped mid way by a shouting camper beside her.

“Fuck off Harrison !!!’ Gwen turned to the sound—The dice tower Nerris had been building got elbowed by Harrioson.

“Guys come on—” She shook her head, already sick of the chaos of the day—despite it being 9.30am. “Nerris, that was clearly an accident…”

She spent longer than she would have liked trying to mediate the fight yet when she looked up it was all worth it. She abandoned her original plans and practically ran back to David.

“Doyouseethat.” The words came out sloppy, barely understandable, but David was used to her shenanigans by now.

“See what?” He looked around the mess hall, seeing nothing but happy campers.

“They're drawing eachother.” The words, a bit slower this time, we're just as desperate as she gestured towards Spacekid and Dolf.

“I know ! I'm so happy that he's drawing again.”

She sat for a moment observing the two, how Dolf seemed almost nervous to be drawing in front of him—how he sat shoulder to shoulder while giving Spacekid drawing tips. “Do you think Spacekid likes him back?” Gwen had calmed down mostly after a few minutes of silence. She waited for a reply from David as she continued to watch how Dolf floundered around the other boy.

“Oh my Gosh. Dolf totally likes Spacekid.” Gwen was almost shocked he hadn't already caught on. She has mentioned it once before for Christ's sake. “Now don't go meddling like you did with Neil—” She could feel his gaze on her, like he knew exactly what she was planning to do.

“What—noooo—I wasn't.” She managed to rip her eyes away from the kids for a moment to face David, her face riddled in guilt like she knew he could read her mind. “Fine.” She sighed, mostly to herself. “I won't.”

“At his age, I doubt he even knows he has a crush” His tone was suddenly serious, catching Gwen off guard once more. “Especially if he's never liked a boy before—Just leave him alone…he'll figure this out himself, okay?”

She nodded back without a word. Gwen could understand the complexity of having a crush—she had a ton. “Feelings can be scary.” She added after a while. “Especially if they're not what you expect.” Her gaze made its way back to Dolf and his stupidly happy smile.

“I hope this is a fond memory for him, nothing beats a camp crush.” Gwen looked over her shoulder only to be met with David smiling to himself.

“I remember my first crush—do you?” She could overhear parts of the boy's conversation,sharing art tips and way too much laughter for the conversationst hand. She turned back to keep an eye on the two, almost jealous of how innocent things are when you're still a camper.