#panze

A lawman and a grifter…or an outlaw

This went from a comic to a panel to a single drawing to multiple scenes on a wide canvas because I was that indecisive. But it was worth it.

Donald was bored, so he decided a late night walk couldn't hurt. It's not like he could get into any trouble, he WAS at the world's safest place in the universe. He used to think of it as the greatest fun anyone could have, but it seemed growing up was a bittersweet experience. He wanted adventure, maybe a little danger, something that got his heart racing and gave him something more important to live for.

He was turning 18 after all.

The cutesy, family-friendly fun was starting to feel suffocating, and if he didn't get a taste of adrenaline soon, he was gonna lose it. But even if he WANTED to take a risk around here, it was pretty slim pickin's. Just then, he came across a big, bright "STAFF ONLY" sign and he grinned wickedly, not believing his luck. He looked around out of habit, even though there wasn't a single other soul around this place, all long past sleeping no doubt.

He rolled his eyes, even if he DID sneak past the sign, there wasn't even another around to catch his crime, so it felt a little less important. That said, it was better than pacing around the same old scenery he'd been familiar with his entire life. He took a step past the sign, then another, then another, until the path led him past the main lodges and into the cover of the trees.

He giggled to himself, feeling a few tiny thrills shoot through him just from being in restricted areas. After a minute or two of following the path, he finally saw where the path led: A rather large recreational cabin, no doubt a place for the staff to unwind, was at the top of a winding wooden staircase.

Donald's eyes grew wide as he looked up and noticed that all the lights were on and there was some kind of celebration going on, from what he could hear at a distance. His curiosity was peaked in an instant, but he knew that just strolling up and demanding access would get him thrown right back to the baby corner.

Just then, he saw the familiar face of Launchpad, one of the friendly dance counselors, approaching the stairs from another connected path and jumped on his opportunity.

"Launchpad, pal, lovely night, isn't it??" Donald skipped up nonchalantly, trying to give the impression he was totally allowed to be here.

"Donaaaaaaaald! What are you doing here?" Launchpad groaned, trying to juggle 3 enormous watermelons in his arms at once for some reason. "This section of the camp is NOT for kids, now why don't you head on back to bed, hmm?"

Donald bristled at the implication, but figured his best innocent act would be best if he hoped to make any progress.

"Come on, don't be like that! Here, that looks heavy, let me help you!" he smiled his warmest smile and took one of the watermelon's off his hands.

"Grrrrrr, FINE, but this is a one time thing, but it's only because I actually do need help! And you HAVE TO KEEP IT A SECRET!! I could get fired if anyone found out I let you in here!"

Donald nodded enthusiastically, wanting more than ever to see what was going on behind the scenes. But when they reached the entrance and Launchpad shoved open the doors, Donald wasn't even remotely prepared for what he had stumbled across.

Donald followed him in wordlessly, mouth agape and eyes filled with wonder and shock. Bodies writhing everywhere, humid heat swirling around everyone, and blasting music with lyrics so suggestive it made Donald's neck flush.

He knew he SHOULD look away, knew that he SHOULD feel scandalized, but he found he was in complete awe instead. Launchpad must have noticed his interest because he gave him a cheeky nudge.

"Wanna try it?" Launchpad joked, waggling his eyebrows and giving a little shimmy.

Donald WANTED to nod, but he was worried about giving away TOO much about how this was effecting him, so he gave a hasty shake and Launchpad chuckled, making his way through the room.

Donald stuck to him like glue, knowing he'd be way in over his head if he was found alone. Plus, he still needed to get rid of this damn watermelon. He tried to keep his eyes down as he shuffled through the crowded cabin, but they started wandering over all the dancing couples as they went along.

They couldn't have been much older than him, yet it looked like they'd been dancing like this for years. He suddenly felt very small and out of place, almost as if everyone could sense that he was too naive for this world. But now that he knew this world existed, he wasn't sure he could just turn his back and pretend he'd never seen.

Finally, they made their way to the other side of the room and Launchpad dropped the melons behind the bar, helping Donald place his down as well. Then, there was nothing else to do but stare at the alluring and peculiar display of intimacy.

Suddenly there was whooping and cheering that carried across the entire space and Donald's attention whipped to what could possibly cause such a reaction.

That's when he laid eyes on... THEM.

A pair of dancers joined the fray and their energy was ELECTRIC. It was like the parting of the sea as the entire room swept aside, making room for the new arrivals to really flaunt their stuff. Just when Donald thought his jaw couldn't be any lower or his eyes couldn't be any wider, they proved him wrong.

Holy. Shit. They're HOT!

Donald was completely spellbound as they tore up the dance floor. Their movements seemed wild, erratic, and urgent at first glance, but the longer they danced, the more clear it became that their movements were in PERFECT sync.

The way the couple looked at each other while their hands grabbed and rubbed all over was so intimate, Donald felt like he was intruding. Their gazes blazed into each other, full of unspoken danger and promise and Donald gulped. He hadn't seen a look that firey between anyone in his life, not even his own parents, and it stirred some kind of feeling in his gut.

"Who... who ARE those two??" Donald said in what he hoped was a casual tone, but his heart was beating a mile a minute.

"Oh, that's the camp's most popular "After Hour" couple, Panchito and José! It's pretty obvious why they're the highlight of the night, huh?"

Donald stood on his toes to get a better look past the other dancing heads, and noticed that he had instinctively started bouncing to the beat. He bit his lip, wanting to explore more of what his body could do, but he'd never danced ANYTHING like this before. Just the thought of wrapping his legs around someone, pressing against them, and swaying so openly made him squeal.

Then time stopped.

Donald was staring, blatantly and unabashedly, directly at the handsome strangers when the shorter one with red eyes looked DIRECTLY into his eye contact. Donald could practically feel the floor crumbling from beneath his feet as the song ended and the sexy pair started making their way towards him.

"Hola, LP!" the tall one chirped loudly, "What's this little patito doing in a place like this? Isn't he from the main floor?"

"Indeed," purred the one who hadn't stopped gazing at Donald since he laid eyes on him, "Such a place might corrupt such an innocent looking cutie."

"Oh, don't worry, he's with me! Just helping me with a little something is all!" Launchpad chuckled awkwardly, hoping it was a convincing enough excuse.

"I carried a watermelon!" Donald blurted out the first thing that came to mind, and froze in horror after processing how dumb that must have sounded.

José and Panchito arched their eyebrows in amusement, sparing him the humiliation of laughing in his face at least, but Donald felt like an absolute fool in front of such good-looking and charming gentlemen.

Panchito gave a shrug and twirled himself back into the dancers as the next song started playing, but Jose stayed behind with eyes that felt like they were penetrating Donald's very soul.

Then, almost as if he could see right through Donald's inner desires, the bold man raised his hand and beckoned him closer with a single finger. Donald was hypnotized by this creature he'd never even seen before and it scared him, but it also exhilarated the hell out of him. He was convinced that he would do anything and everything this man ever asked of him with the snap of a finger.

So he gulped, ignored the hesitation, and took his hand, allowing himself to be led into the sweaty, frenzied party.

José positioned Donald in front of him, helped him with his posture, and started dancing again immediately, inviting Donald to join in. Donald was mesmerized by the rolling circles of the older boy's hips as he offered him a few tips to loosen up.

"Look at my eyes, there's no one here but us," José chuckled as Donald started following his lead in a much more clunky and awkward way.

But after a few seconds of finding the rhythm, Donald was pleased to discover he was actually making quick progress and grooving much more naturally.

"Good!" José praised and Donald felt a swell of pride and giddiness, "Now faster!"

Donald let his body relax even further, letting the music take over him fully as he gazed deeply into José's piercing eyes. It wasn't long until they were pressed against each other, pelvis to pelvis, and José was making little circles into him that made him lightheaded.

José's hands were firmly on his hips now, and Donald wrapped his arms around his neck to stay balanced as Jose steered them into more complicated moves.

Donald never wanted this to end, feeling more alive than ever before, but as he lost himself in the bliss, José was already planning his next endeavor.

He spun Donald into a twirl and disappeared into the crowd like smoke, leaving him empty and disoriented, but more fulfilled than he ever felt before. He clapped along with everyone as the song came to an end, searching for one more glimpse of his curious dance partner.

He felt a sinking feeling, fearing that he'd never again see the man who had awakened him in so many ways, but he wasn't gonna let him go without a fight.