⛺Camp Verdant
── A Kabin Summer Camp AU ݁↟𖠰 ˖ . ݁⋆
wherein Karen is a Camp Manager at Camp Verdant, and Robin is her new counselor.
ch1 - ch2
Summary
At Camp Verdant, summer arrives in a rush of laughter, crowded cabins, and the promise of new beginnings. For Robin, the job is only meant to fill the long weeks ahead—until quiet moments between camp duties begin to feel unexpectedly meaningful.
Guiding the camp is Karen, its steady and devoted leader, determined to give every camper a summer worth remembering. But as routines settle and days grow longer, small encounters and unspoken emotions begin to surface, hinting that this season may bring more than anyone planned.
Because sometimes, the most important stories of summer unfold in the moments no one is meant to notice.
─ Chapter Two
“Good Morning Camp Verdant! This is Rockin’ Robin back again to greet you a warm and eventful day, but also an adventurous one, because today we are braving up the mountain and hiking to the top! So ready your gears and pump up your legs because we have a long day ahead. Over and out.”
The speakers echoed along the camp, replaced by the faint sound of chirping and the bustling of well rested teens. Each group was formed according to their bunk assignment, the counselors were assigned a number of groups each to supervise as they hiked up the mountain. Everyone prepared themselves for the journey ahead and collected at the mess hall for breakfast and a head count.
“Okay everyone, shout here when Nancy calls your name, we can’t risk leaving anyone here alone. Don’t forget to bring your water and snacks” Karen reminded through her megaphone.
After successfully confirming that everyone was there, all packed up and ready, they walked through the woods to find the path up the mountain. Joyce and Hopper lead the way, while Karen was somewhere in the middle. Chrissy and Barb insisted on staying behind, arguing that they would only set them back, and offering to look after Holly. Karen agreed so they would have someone to supervise the camp, and so she would be able to go hiking with everyone.
They carefully reached a part of the mountain, where they took a pause to rest and do another head count. Each group held each other's hands to avoid losing anyone. During the headcount however, there was one group and a certain counselor who hadn’t answered when their names were called. It was the last group, the group at the end of the line, Mike and the party. They were being supervised by Robin, who for some reason, insisted on being at the very back.
When Karen had realized which ones were missing, she felt a pit in her stomach. Her concern grew, she handed her megaphone to Eddie and rushed down the trail, ignoring the comments of her counselors. Not long after, she spotted them. They were sitting in a wider part of the trail, Robin tending to Jane, who had twisted her ankle. The party hovered over them, Will holding Jane’s hand as Robin fixed up her foot. As Karen carefully made her way down, she rushed over to Mike to check if he was okay, then assessed the situation of the whole party.
“Jesus Robin we were so worried, you should’ve called out for someone.” Karen scolded in a way, but with a tone of relief.
“Sorry I- Jane she twisted her ankle..” Robin apologized, rather too quickly as she stood from the ground all flustered.
They all stayed quiet for a while, not quite sure what to say, just looking at each other while they helped Jane to her feet.
“It’s okay mom, we’re okay” Mike assured, trying to calm his mom who was visibly panting.
Karen collected herself, and when the party was ready to start going again they walked up the trail. Karen and Robin stood beside each other, Karen stealing glances at the other and noticing her heavy breathing and disarray. She realized she had overreacted earlier, guided by her fear that something might have happened.
“Hey, I didn’t mean to scold you earlier. You did well staying behind.” Karen apologised, looking away from Robin.
“It’s okay Karen, you were right I should’ve informed someone.” Robin Replied, assuring Karen that her reaction was valid.
“Are you sure you’ve rested long enough? You’re tired.” Karen asked, glancing at her once more.
“I’m fine, the others might worry if we stay behind for too long.” Robin insisted, though she felt her muscles tighten with each step.
Robin felt when Karen would glance at her, the constant worry on her face when she’d turn her face. At this point Robin was too tired to even think about it, but she felt warm when she’d realized how Karen cared for her. She blamed it on the fatigue and chaos of the situation, trying not to notice how Karen’s shoulder brushed against hers when her step faltered.
They regrouped with everyone, explaining what happened to the other counselors and taking a bit more time to rest before hiking up again.
-
After a short walk, the trees faded and the sky came into view. They had reached the summit and were met with a vast open view of the lake, it was beautiful.
“Woah” Robin exclaimed, walking near an edge while admiring the horizon.
“Beautiful right? Makes all that walking worth it” Steve turned to her.
“This is awesome! you can see the town from here!” Robin continued, pointing towards the houses from a distance.
Robin completely forgot the ache she felt in her legs. She laughed along with the campers, being careful not to let anyone trip or fall. The lake glimmered under the bright sun, the trees swayed from the strong winds, birds flapped and flew. Robin could feel the sweat forming on her temples, wiping it off and taking a sip of water.
Karen took notice, she was somewhere in the back making sure no one got lost. Karen saw how Robin marveled at the sight before her, catering to the campers while taking the fun in herself. Karen admired the younger woman, she thought Robin fit naturally in this environment, listening to her quirky jokes and small banters with the campers. She was someone Karen thought she could rely on, the perfect addition to their small camp.
A gush of wind blew Robin’s hair just right, framing her face in a way that revealed the structure of her cheekbones. The blonde glowing a bright and sunny yellow, and her eyes twinkling with joy. ‘She looks different when she smiles.’ passed Karen’s mind, but her thoughts were interrupted by a kid asking for a photo.
“Could you take a photo for us please?” A kid asked, handing her a polaroid camera.
“Sure sweetie, you guys stand over there” Karen accepted, moving in front of the children.
Just as Karen was about to take the photo, another camper ran behind her and bumped her forward, causing her to lose balance. The camera clicked and whirred, releasing an accidental photograph.
“Sorry guys, one more” Karen apologised, holding the photo in one hand and positioning herself once more.
When the kids were satisfied with their pictures, Karen returned their camera and took a peek at the photo in hand. She was surprised to see she had taken a blurry, out of focus photograph of Robin. She stared at the photo, it had caught the moment she was looking at just seconds before.
“You can keep that one, thanks Karen!” The children walked away laughing together. She slipped the photo in her pocket and moved towards the others.
Robin walked away, hoping Karen wouldn’t notice. She walked where Steve and Eddie were sitting together, shouting at the kids every few seconds in their conversation.
“Hey no running Timmy!” Eddie exclaimed, his voice echoing through the trees.
“I swear kids these days have no fear in their bones” Robin said, crouching down to meet the two.
“You’re handling this pretty well for someone who was so skeptical about this job” Steve teased.
“Fine, okay? I like it here.” Robin glared.
“Oh- could you hand this to Karen, I thought I heard her asking for it earlier” Eddie realized, reaching for the megaphone on his side.
“Can’t one of you do it? I just got here.. Why do you have it anyway?” Robin whined.
“What, are you scared of her or something? Besides we’re comfy here right now” Steve insisted, not aware of Robin’s avoidance.
Robin stood up reluctantly, glaring at the two men chuckling at her. She went to the bench where Karen stood, along with Joyce and Hopper.
“Hey Karen, heard you were looking for this?” Robin said, handing over the megaphone.
“Thanks, I’ve been looking for that.” Karen reached while smiling.
Their hands brushed for a brief moment as Karen took the item from Robin’s hand, the contact lingering a second longer than Robin expected. The warmth of Karen’s hand caught her off guard, causing her to look away quicker than intended, her body tensing slightly as she hurried back to Steve and Eddie.
-
After a bit more time enjoying the summit, everyone began making their way back. Walking through the same trail and taking a few stops on the way. The day progressed like it had before, campers filling the grounds with laughter while counselors prepared for the evening activities. The usual rhythm of camp slowly returned, but something felt slightly different and quieter in a way Robin couldn’t quite explain.
When their evening activities for the day were all finished, the counselors started preparing for a campfire. Robin ran over from the hall after she and Joyce had finished putting away their drama props.
As she helped set up the benches near the fire pit, she caught herself glancing across the yard more than once, only to quickly look away whenever she realized where her eyes had landed. She told herself it was nothing, just the exhaustion from the long hike and the overwhelming noise of the day.
Across the grounds, Karen spoke with Joyce and Hopper about the next day’s schedule, nodding absentmindedly while her fingers brushed against the pocket of her jeans. She didn’t take the photograph out, not with everyone around, but she was aware of it, aware in the same way one becomes aware of a thought they keep trying to ignore.
When she finally looked up, she found Robin laughing with the others near the fire pit. Karen quickly turned back to the conversation, pretending she hadn’t been looking at all.
The campfire was set, and soon only quiet murmurs and the crackling of fire can be heard. It was a chilly night, and though the fire provided warmth, some huddled together sharing the blankets that were passed around by the counselors.
The campfire was set, and soon only quiet murmurs and the crackling of fire could be heard. It was a chilly night, and though the fire provided warmth, some huddled together, sharing the blankets passed around by the counselors.
Steve tossed another piece of wood into the flames, sparks rising briefly into the dark sky as the campers settled into a loose circle. A few of them began exchanging stories, some exaggerated, others barely making sense, but each one earning laughter that echoed softly through the trees. Eddie occasionally shouted playful protests whenever the kids got too loud, though the smile on his face gave him away.
Robin lingered near the back at first, watching the circle fill up before finally spotting an empty space along one of the benches. She slipped into the seat quietly, pulling the edge of a spare blanket over her shoulders as the warmth of the fire reached her face.
Across the circle, Karen listened to one of the younger campers retell a dramatically embellished ghost story, nodding along as if it were the most convincing tale she had ever heard. When the laughter settled her eyes drifted briefly around the fire, and for just a moment, landed on Robin, who was already looking away. Neither of them acknowledged it, the firelight dancing across their faces. Barb sat next to Robin holding a ukulele, shoving it onto Robin’s hand and catching her by surprise.
“Here you go newbie, bless us with your music skills” Barb asserted.
“Oh- uh.. Okay, anyone up for singing?” Robin asked around.
“Can you play gypsy?” Isha asked, one of the older campers sitting close to her.
“Can you keep up with me? is a better question, Let’s do it! Whenever you’re ready, kid.” Robin exclaimed, positioning her hands on the strings.
The chatter quickly faded as Robin started strumming, everyone’s focus shifting to her and Isha. The song started slow, it created a nice ambiance along with the distant chirping of bugs and the crackle of wood beneath them.
“So I'm back, to the velvet underground.
Back to the floor, that I love
To a room with some lace and paper flowers
Back to the gypsy that I was
To the gypsy that I was”
The moment was felt by everyone, some swaying gently to the music while others hummed along. Robin nodded to the rhythm, keeping the strumming steady but subtly adjusting the tempo whenever she felt Isha begin to waver. Every now and then, she offered an encouraging smile, quietly filling in the parts the girl momentarily forgot.
She made one small mistake, though. When she lifted her head, her eyes landed on Karen, who was already looking at her, a soft smile resting on her face. The chord faltered for only a second, barely noticeable, before Robin steadied her hands and continued playing.
“And it all comes down to you, Well you know that it does
And lightning strikes, maybe once, maybe twice
Oh, and it lights up the night
And you see your gypsy
You see your gypsy”
Across the fire, Karen found herself completely drawn in, her attention fixed on Robin. She wasn’t sure when it had happened, whether it was at the start of the song, or when she noticed the way Robin gently guided Isha through the melody. Instead of watching the performance itself, Karen realized she had been watching the exchange between them, noticing how easily Robin seemed to make space for others to shine. ‘Gypsy huh? Free spirited, just like she is.’ Karen thought.
When the final chord faded, a ripple of applause broke the quiet. The campers cheered and clapped, some stood to their feet, while Robin laughed softly, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face and nudging Isha with a grin.
Karen stayed seated for a moment longer, her hands resting lightly on her knees, eyes still on Robin. Only when the campers’ excitement carried her attention elsewhere did she let herself shift, offering a small nod toward Robin as if to say, well done, without anyone else noticing.
Later, as the group settled and blankets were folded, Karen caught Robin passing by.
“Thanks for helping keep the rhythm out there. You made her shine.” Karen said.
Robin blinked, a little surprised, then smiled and kept moving. The comment was small, casual, but it lingered longer than either of them realized.
-
Robin didn’t stay by the fire much longer after the blankets were folded.
She told herself it was because she was tired. The hike, the music, the noise. It had been a long day. That was all.
Inside the cabin, she sat on the edge of her bunk, unlacing her shoes slower than necessary. The echoes of the evening still clung to her, the warmth of the fire, Isha’s shaky voice growing steadier, the applause.
And then there was the look.
Robin paused mid-motion.
She could still picture it too clearly. Karen smiling at her from across the fire, not distracted, not polite. Focused. The kind of look that lasted a second too long to be accidental.
“Stop,” she muttered under her breath, shaking her head as if she could physically dislodge the memory.
It didn’t mean anything. It couldn’t. Karen smiled at everyone. Karen was warm, encouraging. That was just who she was.
Still, Robin had felt something shift when their eyes met. Enough to make her miss a chord. Enough to make her look away first.
She lay back against the thin pillow, staring at the ceiling in the dim cabin light. The air smelled faintly of smoke from the fire. She pressed the heels of her hands briefly against her eyes, exhaling sharply.
‘You’re reading into it.’ But the thought didn’t settle.
When she finally rolled onto her side and closed her eyes, sleep didn’t come right away, and she hated that she knew exactly why.
-
When the last of the cabin lights had gone out and the camp finally settled into quiet, Karen sat at the edge of her bed, the distant hum of insects filling the silence and the smell smoke from the fire lingering. She had changed into her sleeping clothes, her hair loosely tied back, the calm of the evening finally catching up to her.
As she reached into the pocket of her jeans to tidy up, her fingers brushed against the small photograph taken earlier at the mountain summit. She paused.
For a moment she considered leaving it there, pretending she hadn’t noticed it at all, but instead she slipped it out and sat back down. The picture captured the bright openness of the overlook; the wind lifting loose strands of hair, sunlight washing the edges of the frame, and Robin, slightly off-center and half-turned as if she had just been called by someone outside the shot.
Karen studied the image longer than she meant to, her thumb lightly tracing the edge of the paper. A quiet warmth settled in her chest. Admiration, she told herself. Nothing more.
Then the thought came, sharper than the first. ‘You shouldn’t be doing this.’
Karen exhaled slowly, her fingers tightening just slightly around the photograph. She was a counselor, a mother. Older. Responsible. Robin was someone she was meant to guide, her daughter’s friend, not someone whose picture she should be sitting here quietly admiring in the middle of the night.
With a small, almost embarrassed shake of her head, she slipped the photo into the drawer beside her bed, closing it a little too quickly, as if someone might walk in and catch her. Yet even after the room went dark and she lay back against the pillow, sleep didn’t come easily. The wide view from the summit, the wind, and the brief moment their eyes had met earlier that day returned to her thoughts far more often than she wanted.
And that, more than anything, was what unsettled her.
