#Or kindling for the fire at your beautiful camping site in the woods

[evren-d]

Yeah, sound off, and this inflexibility hurts -everyone-. To compare a wlw relationship to a straight one and ask, "who's the woman, who's the man" and act like that designation indicates top/bottom/switch/dom/sub for the lesbian couple is just nonsense.

Straight couples have diversity in their relationship, too, shoving individual characters into a classic straight couple model that never actually existed in the first place is so limiting. Making sure you can contextualize the people in a gay relationship with ONE kind of straight relationship 1:1 is just boring.

To call it out as internalized homophobia and misogyny is exactly right and it's SUCH A SHAME ���

One of the most internalized homophobic takes, even among "non-homophobic" people (and even present in the lesbian community), is the idea that Butch women can’t be submissive. If there's a Caitvi sex scene where Caitlyn goes down on Vi, A lot of people (who unintentionally/subconsciously compare a relationship between two women to that of a straight man/woman relationship) will freak out and feel uncomfortable.

Even if there’s a fem and butch dynamic in a lesbian relationship, it can never be compared to a heterosexual one. In the case of Cait and Vi, I think the opposite is true: maybe Vi puts on a mask, but it’s with Cait that she drops it and shows her vulnerable side. (Despite this, she doesn’t become any less ‘butch’ or more ‘feminine’ – which is also a stereotype due to internalized homophobia and misogyny.) Giving ourselves to our partner is never a weakness.

[acpetersdottir]

Camping is intense

I was going to post this yesterday but I ended up not feeling too hot, so here is Day 1 of the horror writing prompts to try to get better in this genre. Prompt #1: A family is on a camping trip. The parents are walking with their two children, a daughter and a son. The little boy trips and falls into a dark river. His father jumps to rescue him. Somehow the boy manages to swim to the surface. The father is nowhere to be found. When the mother gets a hold of the boy, she can’t recognize him. She tries holding him, but the moment she touches his wet body, her hands start burning. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Look there, honey! It's the front entrance to the park!" My husband, Eli, exclaimed. We are driving in my "mom mobile", what my kids call it, to what is supposed to be the best family vacation yet. Yellowstone National Park. Amazing views, wildlife, and a place where humans are deemed insignificant by nature.  I wasn't too thrilled that we would be staying outdoors in flimsy tents, but once can't just tell him no.

We drove up to the gate and the park ranger leaned out of his booth. "Staying or visiting?"

"Staying two nights." You could tell Eli was excited, he nearly screamed at the poor man.

"How many?"

"Two adults and two children."

"Camping?"

"Yes." Eli beamed.

"That will be $40." The park ranger held out his hand as my husband passed over our credit card. "Two rules of the park for your safety." The park ranger handed our card back and pointed to the large lettering on the wooden sign posted on the wall. "Number one, leave the animals alone, they will not hesitate to kill you. And number two, stay away from the river."

"Is the river going to kill us too?" Alyssa, my daughter, squeaked from the backseat. Her eyes were wide with fear, she was never an outdoorsy kid to say the least.

"It could if you're not careful." The park ranger waved us through the gate and watched our car disappear over the hill.

We followed the signs down the dirt road pointing towards the camp site. The land here was untouched, you could tell that nature was in her element. There was no animals in sight, but I could feel their eyes as we passed the trees. Eli pulled into a clearing after the last sign indicated that we had made it. No one else was here.

"You'd think with spring break that we would have more company." Eli chuckled, unbothered by us being alone. He parked the car and we all piled out. I stretched and took a deep breath. It was fresh, unlike back in the city.

Alyssa and Hank, my youngest, began to help their dad take things out of the trunk and scattered everything through the clearing. You can't get mad at children for wanting to help, but I know that if I were my mother, it would all be in a neat pile after some good old fashion stares.

The sun started to angle itself in west and we finally had everything put together. One giant tent with extra rooms, the cooking utensils in a small pile next to a make shift fire pit, and our sleeping bags all lined up. Eli and Hank were looking around the clearing for some kindling, and Alyssa stuck by my side.

"Not much here to start a fire with," Eli piped up. "Let's all take a walk and explore a little bit while we pick up some wood."

Alyssa shot a look of fear towards me, the words of the park ranger must still be echoing through her mind. I smiled to try to put her at ease, but she furrowed her brow in annoyance. I knew that she didn't want to go, but I also knew that Eli wasn't going to let us stay behind.

We all trudged through the woods together, avoiding anything prickly or anything with red veins on the leaves. Chamomile lotion will only get you so far. Eli had our wagon in one hand, and Hank's in the other as they loaded up wood to take back.

The stillness of the forest was unsettling, you could hear the movements of it's inhabitants, but you could never see them. I was not one for being watched. Alyssa gripped my hand tighter. The beauty of it, on the other hand, was other worldly. Green leaves of spring and fresh buds blooming on them created a sight of peace, though I still couldn't quite put my finger on why I was still so put off.

The sounds of a rushing river filled the air as we ventured on. The scent of water cascading over the rocks filled my lungs. Reminded me of when the rain hits the concrete on a hot day. I could see Eli and Hank disappear behind some trees, their excited voices still letting me know that they were ok.

The voices turned from excitement into horror. I heard my husband shout, "HANK!" Before I could register what happened, I heard my son's scream of terror stop suddenly. My heart sank and I ran.

"Where? Where is he?" I caught up to Eli, breathless with Alyssa still in tow.

"He-He went under," Eli had already begun taking all his valuables out of his pockets. "He slipped. I don't know where. I'm going in!"

"Wait!"

It was too late. Eli dove into the river after Hank. I stood in absolute fear.

"It's going to kill them." Alyssa said, faintly. Shock was over coming her as well. We never planned to have to teach our children from a young age about the horrors of life and death, well not yet at least.

I turned to her and held her shoulders. "You stay right here. Do not move. Do you understand?"

She nodded, her face white as a ghost.

I turned and slid down the hill to the river bank, searching frantically for either my son, or my husband. Neither had surfaced yet.

The mud was thick and slowed down my steps as I tried to make it down the river a little bit, when suddenly, I could see my son's head.

"HANK!" I screamed, throwing branches his way. "Grab on!"

Hank pushed himself towards the branch that I was holding, his little head bobbing up and down as the river tried to pull him under again. His small hands grasped onto the branch. I pulled as hard as I could. After what felt like a fleeting moment, I managed to get him to shore.

I looked back towards the river for Eli, but I still saw no sign of him. I knew that I couldn't leave my son dripping wet on the river bank, but I also knew that my husband was in good shape to get himself out, even if it's further down. I focused my attention back to Hank and knelt to hold him.

My hands started to burn when they touched his sides. I recoiled and stared at him, that's when I noticed it. His face was not the cute pudgy baby boy that I knew, it was twisted in a face that I did not recognize.

"Hank!" I tried to grab his arms again, but the same sensation hit my hands.

"Mother," a dark, deep voice came from my son's mouth. "You have been selected as his new bride."

I fell backwards onto the muddy river bank.

"He has taken care of your… obligations." It continued. I could see that Hank's eyes were pitch black. I turned to look for Alyssa at the top of the hill, but she wasn't there.

"Alyssa!!" I shouted for her. There was no response. Looking back at what used to be my son, I could feel my heart speed up.

"He has taken care of them."

My back was against a large rock, I was too scared to look away.

"Come." The voice grew louder.

I could feel myself beginning to cry, hot tears streaked down my cheeks. The fear wallowing up inside me held my throat shut. I was frozen in that moment.

"Do not keep me waiting." A cold wet hand covered my mouth. I screamed but no sounds made it out. This voice did not come from my son, it was behind me. I was being pulled towards the river. I struggled and threw punches out at random, but I was still being dragged. I clawed at the earth beneath me until I felt my legs submerge. I turned towards the hand and looked to see what was claiming my life.

"Eli?" I choked. His eyes were black and his body was waterlogged. My eyes widened as I tried to take a deep breath, one last scream that may get someone's attention, but the cold water filled my lungs instead.

[pascalpanic]

At Last (Frankie Morales x gn!Reader)

Summary: you, Frankie, and your fur baby go camping! Little does Frankie know what you have planned.

W/C: 2.1k

Warnings: flirting, innuendo, alcohol, food, language, otherwise, this is toothaching fluff!

A/N: SAMMY MY BELOVED @sanchosammy GAVE ME THIS IDEA! I hope it’s as cute as I think it is :) also, Charlie (Frankie’s pup) isn’t involved in this fic but she is still part of the fam :)

Pine trees surround you on either side, tall and majestic. You can see the blue-gray sky patching through the canopy; the clouds are leaving, but some linger a little longer to clog up the sky. The air is warm and slightly humid, but a wonderful breeze rustles through the trees and rushes across your bare arms. Your trail shoes squelch underfoot in the damp ground. You sigh, totally content with this moment. 

Frankie’s flannel is tied around his waist, leaving him in his khaki cargo pants and t-shirt. A couple of curls peek out from under his ball cap, turning into little ringlets at the nape of his neck. He walks in front of you on the trail, his boots pressing prints into the soft ground. His back profile is beautiful, even with the large camping pack, and you can’t help but grin. 

Foxtrot embodies her name- Frankie is holding her leash, and the auburn and white dog trots up ahead of him, sniffing along the mulched and muddied path. The air smells of humidity that’s just passed over and that wonderful accompanying petrichor. Fox’s white paws are surely getting dirtied, but that’s only to be expected. You don’t care, too excited to watch your boyfriend and dog walk ahead of you. 

Frowning at the bend of Frankie’s back, you catch up and take his free hand. “Let me carry something, baby.”

“No,” he shakes his head, lacing his fingers through yours. “You have important cargo,” he teases and pats your back lightly. 

Strapped to your back, in a backpack-style blue case, is your ukulele. One hand carries the cooler, slung over your shoulder, filled with food and drinks for tonight. Frankie carries the heavy-duty stuff- the tent, stakes, more essential supplies. “At least let me take Fox.”

Her red ears perk up at her name and she stops, turning and growing excited, as if she forgot you were there. “Yeah, hi Foxy!” You coo as she runs towards you, jumping with her front paws in the air in excitement. “Yeah, you love it out here, don’t you?” You ask her in a baby voice, scratching behind her ears as she circles around your legs and prevents you from moving. Frankie drops her leash in order to prevent your legs from being tourniqueted by it, and it drags behind her in the mud. 

When you pick up the leash, it’s sludgy and damp, but you don’t mind too much. You continue the hike forward and Frankie and Fox follow at your sides, both beaming ear to ear and enjoying the serenity of the woods. 

Frankie picked the campsite, so he’s technically leading the way, but the trail is fairly straightforward, meaning you don’t need to be led. Frankie points out wildlife here and there: chipmunks, rabbits, cardinals and chickadees flitting through the pine-needled canopy. He’s in his element, and you’re in yours: with him. 

The mud gives way to drier ground ahead, and luckily enough Frankie pulls off to the side. It’s the perfect spot, with a beautiful little field of wildflowers. “Welcome to your five-star hotel for the night, babe,” he assures you and kisses you softly, making you giggle and kiss him back with excitement and a pinch of nerves in your stomach.

There’s a routine the two of you have silently adopted. Frankie sets up the small tent, just big enough for the two of you and Fox. You gather kindling, set up a fire, arrange the chairs and all-around make the outdoor area of your campsite ideal.

Frankie is a man of patience, truly, but sometimes the little portable tent proves to be a challenge. You allow Fox off of her leash, knowing she’s well-trained enough to stick around the site, and find your way to the mess of fabric and stakes covering the man. “Baby. For the love of God, we do this all the time,” you tease.

“Well, something must’ve fucking changed,” he grumbles as he fiddles with the parts. You get on your knees on the soft bed of dried pine needles and help him out. With your help, the tent takes no time at all to put up, and you stand and brush off your hands. Frankie gives you a sheepish smile and you give him a kiss. 

The two of you don’t need to converse while you set things up. You enjoy the woods, the rustling of the wind and chirping of birds. Fox curls up on the blanket you set out for her, and when everything is done, you unzip the cooler and hand Frankie a beer. “Well, now we’re all set.”

“Let the fun begin,” he chuckles and twists the top open, clinking his glass bottle to yours. 

“So, Francisco,” you smile over at him. “What do you have planned for this trip? I know you have some sort of plan laid out up there,” you tease and rap on his head softly, through the trucker cap resting there.

He blushes a little and looks away. “I don’t always have a plan.”

“Hey.” You turn his face back to yours by the chin. “You do and I absolutely love it. Now tell me about it, please, baby.”

Frankie removes his hat and runs a hand through his curls. “Well, I figured we could start the fire soon, cook dinner over it. It’ll get dark pretty quick. Then hang around the campfire, maybe play some of the games I packed.”

“Is a quiet tumble in the tent on the cards?” You ask him with a teasing grin, nudging his side. 

He shrugs, jokingly, as if he’s considering it. ���I don’t see why we couldn’t squeeze that in. We only have, oh… three hours of time in between these plans.”

“Then we’ll use all three of those hours,” you shrug and steal a kiss, smiling into his lips. “I love you. And I love it out here.” You were never a nature person before Frankie, usually preferring indoors adventures to hiking or camping. Frankie looks like he belongs out here, and he probably thinks he does. Even if you didn’t enjoy the fun of outdoors adventuring, you’d have at least one thing to enjoy: Frankie’s excitement and enthusiasm over it. “Thank you.”

Fox is curled at Frankie’s feet, and he bends over to scratch her ears, running his fingers through her scruffy fur. “Thank you, baby. For coming out here with me and putting up with all of this. I couldn’t ask for a better adventure partner.”

-

You do, indeed, cook dinner over the fire. You’d prepped all kinds of chopped vegetables to be grilled over an open flame, and had additionally packed pre-cooked hot dogs as well as s’mores ingredients. Frankie is a firm believer that it’s not camping if it doesn’t include graham crackers, chocolate bars, and marshmallows.

Luckily, your Frankie is a skilled griller. He always is, always has been. He takes care of the cooking part, since you prepared everything else, though he lets you hold the hot dogs over the fire to roast. “I feel like I’m at camp again,” you laugh as you slowly rotate the food over the fire.

Frankie is taking charge of the vegetables, expertly. They’re getting a beautiful char, you notice. “It’s much better, because you don’t have to sneak around to make out with your boyfriend at night, huh?” He teases and tosses you a grin. 

“But I get my boyfriend all to myself,” you nod and confirm. “And I have my baby girl with me,” you coo as you rub Foxtrot’s head, where she’s resting at your side.

The meal is delicious, of course, when the two of you work together and each used your strong skills. Frankie slips bites to Fox when he thinks you’re not looking, of course, but it’s endearing, the way the dog’s big brown eyes mirror those looking down at her.

There’s not much conversation while you eat, mouths occupied with food rather than speaking. That’s alright. There’s plenty of time for that tonight and tomorrow.

The sun starts sinking lower when Frankie brings the marshmallows from the tent. “Guess what time it is!” He exclaims as he rips open the bag, skewering two marshmallows and holding them over the fire.

Like he’s a skilled griller, he’s also a wonderful marshmallow-toaster. Frankie toasts yours to perfection, just the way you like it, and you do your part as the s’more-sandwicher, shoving the marshmallow between the graham crackers and chocolate.

There’s no signal out here, and you agreed neither of you would use your phones unless an emergency happened. Frankie frowns as he sees your phone. “Hey. Put that away. Don’t use that.”

“There’s an emergency, Frankie,” you whine, opening the camera app with one hand and eating the sugary dessert with the other.

“And what’s that?” He asks, taking a bite of his s’more. 

Strings of gooey marshmallow connect the sandwich to his lips, making him laugh, and you snap a picture at the perfect moment: Frankie’s closed-lipped smile as his s’more falls apart on him. “You’re too damn cute, that’s the emergency,” you laugh and set the photo as your lock screen, tossing it away.

Frankie’s schedule actually worked itself naturally. After the s’mores and a wet-wipe hand-washing to remove the endless marshmallow from Frankie’s hands, you find yourself sitting around the fire, no light left in the sky. When you look up, all you can see is inky blue and pine trees, the stars yet to make their nightly rise. 

“I have a song request,” Frankie asks and raises his hand like a child in a classroom.

“Yes, Francisco?” You tease as you walk to the tent, grabbing your ukulele and returning with it, sitting back in your lawn chair with it. “Hit me.”

“Only The Good Die Young by Billy Joel. No, wait- Country Roads.”

Laughing, you noodle around with the strings for a moment. You knew this moment would come, and here’s the opportunity. “I can play all of those and more, Frankie. We’ll do the Billy Joel first,” you nod decisively.

Frankie sounds like the forest wolves at night when he sings along. He absolutely howls, taken away by the song, taken to a place where his voice isn’t just a little on the rougher end of good. He belts the words and dances along in his seat, like you do.

Then Country Roads. You thought the last one was bad before you hear Frankie’s booming voice echoing the ballad of West Virginia through seemingly the entire preserve. But you don’t care in the slightest. You sing along proudly, strumming your ukulele harder and harder until you’re sure you can’t add any more volume before snapping a string. 

After the song, you pause and rest your ukulele flat on your lap. “Frankie, baby. Can I ask you something?”

He nods, smiling over at you. “Any time. What’s up, buttercup?” He asks, taking one of your hands and kissing the knuckles.

“Will you marry me?” You ask. The question is straight and to the point, blunt and honest. Your face conveys your hope, and the grandiose speech follows. “I love you beyond belief, Frankie. I love you almost as much as you love these woods. I know you love me too. I just… think it’s time. We’ll be perfect for it. What do you say?”

You can feel Frankie’s slightly-chapped lips curve into a smile against your hand. He’s grinning and then he’s crying, soft water droplets forming in the corners of his eyes. “Of course I’ll marry you,” he grins, grabbing your ukulele and setting it aside.

Once the ukulele is on the ground, Frankie stands in front of your chair and lifts you to your feet, kissing you with such fervor you can’t help but gasp. When he breaks away, you smile, eyes watering too. “I know it wasn’t the most elegant of proposals, but-”

“It was the most us,” Frankie cuts you off with a teary grin. “I would be honored to be your husband, my love. You really want me enough to do that?”

“Frankie,” you coo, cupping his face in your hand. “You are the best husband I could ever want, could ever dream for,” you assure him and kiss his nose gently.

The man laughs, wiping his tears away. “Then let’s get married,” he whoops excitedly, then lets out an excited shout to the woods. “We’re getting married!”

You laugh at his loud and booming declaration, but nothing can detract you for the love and joy in your heart.

When you and Frankie settle down in your chairs again, you pick up the ukulele and finish off with one last beautiful song that you and Frankie have always adored, with a title that truly fits: At Last.

-

taglist:

@remmysbounty @mishasminion360 @blo0dangel @binarydanvvers  @sleep-tight1 @apascalrascal @randomness501 @spideysimpossiblegirl @notabotiswear @pedro-pastel @sanchosammy @lv7867 @greeneyedblondie44 @hunnambabe @astoryisaloveaffair @emesispo @pedritobalmando @magikfanatic @a-court-of-feysand-and-elorcan @princess76179 @starless-eyes-remain @tacticalsparkles

[smartychatty]

Camping date headcanon

Characters: Bakugou, Todoroki, Midoriya, and Kirishima

Mydoria

He is really good at this

Working together it takes you two practically no time to put up the tent and get everything set up

You guys even know how to make some decent camping recipes

You guys just relax for a few hours away from everything stressful about your lives

The best part though was looking at the stars

You guys placed a blanket on the cold hard ground and bundled up your coats as pillows

It was perfect

You took turns pointing out any constilations you could see

He only knew the big dipper and a few other easy ones

You told Midoriya all about the myths behind the constilations

And then you saw one of them move

And you realized there was a metor shower going on tonight

You could have stared at the beauty in the sky for weeks the way the stars flew across the sky mesmerized you

After not long your sweatshirt pillow got uncomfortable and you got an idea

You placed your head on Midoriya's chest

You instantly felt him tense up and could imagine his face turning bright red as you made yourself comfortable

You guys spent your whole night gazing up at the sky

You both fell asleep inches from your tent but refused to go inside and risk missing a single moment

Bakugou

This little shit is a pyromaniac

He brought so much fire wood

You are a little nervous at first because Bakugou can be well Bakugou

You are worried you'll have to go all smokey the bear on him

But Bakugou understands everything about his quirk

He gives the smallest baby explosion after squeezing his hand over some dry leaves to get some nitroglycerin on them

He tends to the fire not letting it burn to hot or too quickly

It is amazing to watch him he looks at it gets a funny look on his face and then moves one log a little to the left

You cuddle up next to him lost in the way the fire moves and how he tends to it and the reflection of the flame dancing in his eyes

Untill you head becomes heavy with that special kind of tierd you only get in a campsite watching a fire

Where your brain becomes full of cobwebs and your eyes glaze over

And you fall asleep curled up in his arms listening to the soft crackle of the fire and the chirp of insects

Todoroki

Todoroki is a mess

He is not good at camping he definitely has never been without the luxuries of electricity and running water

You thank God your camp site has a bathroom with running water because explaining how to use nature without one was not something you were looking forward to

He tries to help he really does

But after getting hit in the face by the tent pole for the hundredth time he figures it is probably better to just let you handle it

One thing he can do is make a fire

He is good with fire in a completely different way then Bakugou is good with fire

Todoroki controls fire completely

Todoroki simply will the fire to do whatever he wants

When your too cold he just looks at it and it gets bigger

He didn't need to start out with kindling and sticks he just put a log in the fire pit and caught it on fire

You guys spend the night talking

You tell him all about your memories of camping with your family

He listens and when he feels comfortable he opens up about his family

The hours slip by till you ask him to put the fire out so you guys can turn in

It goes out like a light as you cuddle up in your tent

Kirishima

He is really sweet he insists that he must be manly and do the set up

He is pretty decent at it

After no time the two of you are curled up in a couple of camping chairs enjoying the fire and each others company

Then you start to hear noises in the forest

You see Kirishima instantly tense up

You know its nothing probably a deer or maybe just a rabbit

But kirishima is super nervous because of it

So you grab a flash light and stand up as tall as you can before running into the bushes to scare any critters in there

You flail your arms and scream a bit trying to make yourself super scary and send the animal running for the hills

It works and a little bunny pops out of the bush looking somewhat unimpressed with your display before hoping off into the night

Kirishima who was super nervous just minutes before is rolling over laughing

When he finally stops he thanks you for scaring it away

"That was so manly of you! I can't belive how brave you were!"

Your blush of embarrassment quickly turns into one of admiration

There are no other terrifying bunnies the rest of the night

[briefinquiries]

Luke Alvez x Reader: Mountain Men

Request: “can you do an imagine where luke x reader and maybe some other team members go camping?? i think that would be so cute! thanks :)”

Word count: 850

Tagged: @ssaic-jareau​ , @alvezstan​ , @lcvischmitt​ , @ogmilkis​ , @reidswords​ , @ssa-morgan​ , @garcias-batcave​ ,  @akimagies​, @zhangyixingxing1​ , @pinkdiamond1016​ ,  @yourwonderbelle​

*ask to be added ^*

Warnings: none

A/N: this was srsly the cutest prompt thank u whoever sent this, i was so soft writing this adskfjkdasf. enjoy xx. 

“It goes this way-“ Matt insists.  

Luke shakes his head, his hand resting on his hip, “No, I think it’s right the way it is…”

Matt chimes in quickly, “No, Luke. It’s not gonna fit this way, we have to turn it.”

“No, it’s right this way-” he argues briefly before mumbling, “Oh shit…”

“See?” You can hear the smirk in Matt’s voice from across the site. 

Luke sighs, defeated. “Yeah, you were right.”

You shook your head, smiling, and let out a deep sigh.  

“We’re never going to get to go to bed,” Kristy declares, resting her head lazily on your shoulder. 

“Maybe we should just go home, leave them to fend for themselves in the woods for the night,” you suggest.

“That’s the best idea you’ve had—“  

“I heard that!”  Luke calls from across the campsite, his eyes narrowing teasingly at you.

“We’ve almost got this figured out, just give us a sec,” Matt says as he readjusts one of the poles.  

But you chuckle as you hear Luke interfere, “Matt, that’s the wrong way again-”

Kristy sighs and hops off from the flatbed of Luke’s truck.  You hear her open up the driver’s door and dig around for a bit.  When she reappears, she’s holding a bag of unopened marshmallows and a smirk.

“Now at least we don’t have to suffer hungry,” she shrugs.  

Twenty minutes, and about half a bag of marshmallows later, the boys had the tent all set up.  The two of them walk around the campsite with a look of accomplishment plastered on their faces.  Matt and Luke even high five at some point.    

“Ladies, we’ve built you shelter from scratch.  Provided you with a cozy, warm home for the evening—“ Luke says, his eyes narrowing once he’s seen that you had already broken into the food.

“How dare you...” his voice trails off. “How dare you eat all the marshmallows- our sustenance- while we” he motions towards Matt and himself, “were putting our blood, sweat, and tears into that sanctuary over there?”

You laugh, rolling up the bag and throwing it in the tote behind you.  

“I guess we’ll save the rest for the campfire, if that ever happens,” you smirk, jumping down from the truck and skipping over to Luke.  You peck his lips lightly, wrapping your arms around his neck and running your fingers through the puff of curly hair on the back of his scalp.   

“Good job baby,” you coo, taking a good look at the old tent they’d set up.  

He wraps an arm around you and smiles, letting the other hand rest proudly on his hip as he marvels at his hard work.  

“We’re like mountain men, huh Matt?” he says jokingly, nudging his friend.   

“Can mountain men make a fire?” Kristy asks hopefully.  

“Can we make fire?” Matt repeats, scoffing at his wife as if that was the most ridiculous question in the world.  

“If anyone can make fire, it’s the mountain men,” Luke smirks.

Thirty minutes go by and you and Kristy are huddled on the ground watching Luke and Matt argue about how to arrange the sticks they’d gathered.

“I’m pretty sure they need, like, kindling first,” Kristy whispers softly.

Your eyes widen at the sight of Matt banging two rocks together, apparently trying to get a spark like some sort of caveman. 

“I have a lighter in my pocket,” you whisper to her.  

“I think we should just let them figure it out,” Kristy says. “Learn from their own mistakes and all that?” 

You wrap Luke’s sweatshirt tighter around yourself, the sleeves too long and the body too big, and reach for the bag of marshmallows.

Eventually, their struggling becomes too unbearable to watch, so you generously volunteer your lighter.  After that, and Kristy enlightening Luke on the concept of kindling, the four of you sit huddled around the fire.  

Luke sits with his legs slightly apart, you in between them, back against his chest.  He has an arm coiled around your middle, and you gently traced your fingers up and down his thigh, the sound of his soft breath in your ear.  You lean your head back,  resting it against the crook of his neck and stare into the flames.

Matt was telling an old campfire story that his father used to tell him when he was a kid.  The crackling sound of the fire coincided so nicely with the eagerness of his voice and you couldn’t help but smile to yourself as Luke lightly began tracing patterns against the skin on your thigh.  The story was good.    

Kristy and Matt call it quits. They bid you both goodnight before clambering inside the large tent for the night. 

“Are you ready for bed?” Luke asks as he leans down and kisses your cheek.  He brings his knee up and you rest your hand on it.

“Not yet,” you whisper, squeezing his leg and looking up at the sky.

You smile at the sight of millions of stars staring back.  You hadn’t realized what a clear night it was until now.  

“So beautiful,” you whisper.  

Luke hums in agreement.  He’s staring right at you. 

[carriedawayfromhome]

Campfire - M.C

Summary: Michael and you go on a camping trip to relax. 

Rating: General Audience (Fluffy fluff.)

Count: 770

Masterlist 

This is a quick little blurb on the little cute man that is Michael Clifford, thanks for reading. x

It had been Michael’s idea to go camping, he thought it would be a nice way to clear his head and to be able to breath some pure fresh air. He had organised the whole thing quite surprisingly and you were still surprised now as you sat in the camp chair watching your boyfriend collect kindling from around your site to make a fire together. 

You questioned whether he wanted you to come, with a response of complete and utter confusion on the topic, of course he did, it was not for debate. Being the introverts you both are you know that sometimes the best way to recharge is on your own and you both are very good at knowing when the other person needs their space, so the question of whether he needed you or not in your head was very reasonable. 

The drive out to our camping spot had been peaceful and easy, the trees were aligned on each side of the road as you drove towards the mountain, the sharp smell of the city being replaced with warm rich wood and the very faint smell of wood fire. You had left the windows down for most of the drive, letting the fresh air cascade through the car, through your hair and over your skin, encapsulating you in it’s overwhelming warmth. 

Michael was content as he drove, one hand on the steering wheel and one intertwined with yours. You both didn’t say much for the duration, just letting the moment seep into your memories and with the light songs of Cat Stevens and James Taylor playing in the background. 

With a spot all picked out once you had arrived, Michael was straight into the preparation of the area, flattening the ground where you both will sleep in the confines of the tent, figuring out where the fire will go and jokingly mentioning the five course meal he will make for you tonight. 

With knotted brows and tongue lightly poking out he had manoeuvred his way around the mystery that is our tent, putting it up after the fourth time of trying, a few expletives being mumbled before he had proudly presented you the sleeping quarters (his words) and with a beaming smile gave you a “tour” of the inside. 

You smile fondly back on the quick make-out session that had occurred after your “tour” and how the smile that was painted on Michael’s face had yet to falter, his eyes had yet to stop sparkling and that made your stomach flip, seeing him every so happy. 

After a quick dip in the water, slightly on the cooler side but not icy enough to stop you both you had made a snack together, opting for the naughty version of the food you brought, bright red juicy strawberries and laden with sugar chocolate dip. It wasn’t long before the chocolate was smeared on both of your faces, giggles being echoed through the trees above. 

The five course dinner was lovingly prepared by Michael, a full spread of ramen noodles and bread as well as saltine crackers just to top it off. You had realised you probably hadn’t laughed this hard in a long time as you watched Michael pretend to serve up the food as if he were a chef in a five star michelin restaurant. 

The sound of the fire brings you back to present time as you watch Michael proudly look down at his work, the fire taking a hold of the kindling, the sound of the bark as it consumes the heat, letting it break down. With a few more logs laid on the fire your blonde haired boy wanders over to you, sitting down in the arm chair, head falling back to face the stars, the lights in abundance tonight. 

Without even looking he takes your hand, squeezing momentarily before he shuts his eyes, a cool breeze cooling the skin that’s being warmed by the fire. You think now that there really haven’t been any moments as beautiful as this as you watch your boyfriend relax into the sounds surrounding you both, the crackling fire, the push and pull of the waves, the light song from a bird above. 

Michael’s face is illuminated by the flames, a warm inviting orange sweeping over his closed eyes, a heavenly feel being highlighted by the embers. You let yourself relax into your surroundings, your eyes feeling heavy underneath the star laden sky, the heavy droop of the pine trees above creating a comfortable dome around the two of you, as if nothing and no one could hurt you. 

[zanybohbot]

The Outsiders: Camp Squit

The Outsiders: Camp Squit (Episode 4)

Published: 10-19-19 - Updated: 10-21-19

Squit planned an idea of what's happening in this weekend as he planned to go camping with Pinky, Brain, Pesto and Wakko. Will the others ruin it for him? Will it cause cringy chaos? Read what happens and find out. This is the 4th fanfiction episode of The Outsiders.

Part 1: The Arrival

(Brain is driving in the woods with Squit, Pinky, Pesto and Wakko for their camping trip.)

Squit: As we're near, I thought I'd run through the itinerary for this weekend.

Wakko: What's an itinerary?

Pesto: (annoyed) Squit's way of taking the piss outta everything?

Squit: No, it's just a schedule of what we'll do and when we'll do it.

Pinky: Okay, item one, get your shit off my side of the car! (pushes Squit's suitcase)

Squit: It's not shit. It's essentials for everyone to make the trip more enjoyable!

Pinky: Oh, really? (Gets out Monopoly from Squit's suitcase) Monopoly?! Y'fuckin' serious?! This is tha most shitty-ass game you've ever bought! Look. All we need is beer and weed and I've got plenty of both.

Squit: Why have you brought a load of weed?

Pinky: In case I get lucky and stoned.

Squit: But we're camping by a lake near a woods.

Pinky: Listen, all these country bitches love some big city diugh.

Squit: You're not from the big city!

Pinky: Well growing up in da hood counts as a city to them!

Brain: (frustrated) Pesto, look at the map, please! Where is it?!

Pesto (checks phone) Uhhh...I dunno. It's around here somewhere. Th-the next left or something.

Brain: (sarcastically) And that's what Google Maps says, "The next left or something"?

Pesto: Sorry, dude, I'm running outta brain juice. What if I have to literally give birth with the babe from Walmart I had sex with? Can you imagine how fuckin' disgusting that'll be, watching that baby getting squeezed outta her ass?

Squit: Okay, I've got some news, Pesto. Do ya...

Pesto: Oh, here we are, B. Turn left.

(Brain turns left to the nearest forest.)

Brain: Oh, Jesus Christ, it stinks. Is it near a pig farm, Pesto?

Pesto: Sorry, that was me. It just slipped out.

(they all gag and moan by the smell)

Pinky: What?! (holds nose)

Brain: Ugh! I can't believe that's the smell of your ass!

Squit: I think I'm gonna throw up!

Wakko: I can fucking see it! It's like a brown mist!

(Squit N/R: Despite Pesto's anxious bowels burning our eyes and choking our lungs, we made it to the forest. I'd researched this place online and it certainly delivered. Secluded. Remote. Beautiful.)

(All 5 were standing in the forest.)

Pesto: So...where do we shit?

Squit: What?

Pesto: When we need to shit, where do we shit?

Pinky: Hang on, he's right. Where are we gonna shit?

Squit: Well, usually, you'd place a trench at least.

Pesto: Well, what trench, smart-ass?!

Squit: The toilet trench.

Wakko: Where you place the public bathrooms?

Squit: No, it's where you DO a public bathroom.

Pesto: (whacks Squit in the head) Fuck you, I'm not shittin' in a trench! Dafuq's the matter with ya?!

Pinky: Dude, you're fuckin' high.

Brain: I'm not going near a hole filled with your shit!

Squit: (rubbing his head) No. We each get our own trench. That's what I'm sayin'.

Brain: (sarcastically) Oh, OK. Yeah 'coz that makes sense!

Wakko: We're camping surrounded by shit?

Pinky: No! No-one's shittin' in a trench! That's disgustin', I'm not gonna do it! We'll have to drive to tha bar or a convenience store or something.

Pesto: Shit there?

Pinky: Shit there.

Wakko: Good idea.

Brain: Agreed.

Pinky: Then, that's decided, write that down, Squit, item two.

Squit: Could do. Or you could remember to shit in the bar when we're there anyways?! Now, c'mon. Let's get this tent up.

Pesto: I need to go now, tho.

Squit: What? Just hold it in!

Pesto: I can't, I get emotional.

Squit: We only just got here, Pesto! Camp first, shit second!

Pesto: I don't think I can, I'm honestly gettin' teary here, it feels like it's trying to push its way back up into my stomach!

Wakko: Great. I need one now, too.

Brain: What about that gas station we've just past?

Pesto: (panicking, holding his ass) Oh, God, the snake's out the cave!

Squit: Fine. Everyone, back in the car.

(They got back in the car and drove to the nearest gas station.)

(Squit N/R: So our camping trip was shortly delayed while Pesto left what he described as "King Kong's finger" in the Welcome Break bathrooms. Pesto genuinely felt better about life after unloading a massive turd. And now the car was unloaded, so did I.)

(Back at the forest.)

Squit: First need to clear the ground, make sure the site is safe and then put up our tent.

Pinky: Fuck dat, let's just crack open the beers and build a fuckin' massive fire up in this bitch!

Squit: You can't just build a fire. It takes preparation. I mean, have we even asked the landowner's permission?

Brain: (frustrated) Squit, c'mon! I didn't come here for a refresher course in the Countryside Code. I just wanna get pissed and have fun. Otherwise, I won't be able to do any of this in Wales.

Pinky: What, 'coz there's no fields?

Brain: No, 'coz I won't have any friends of my kind.

Pinky: You won't need friends. Welsh hoes are totally horny.

Brain: Are they?

Pinky: Yeah. Pretty much all British porn stars are Welsh, even though they are popular here in America. Most of them don't even get paid, they just do it for dick.

Brain: (sarcastically) Oh, OK, made-up sluts. Now I'm glad I'm going to Swansea. Oh, fucking hell, Swansea! I have to see my grandpa for a WHOLE WEEK in Swansea!

Squit: Fine, Brain, look if you really want, I'll build you a fire. Y'all put the tent up, I'll go and find some suitable wood and kindling.

Wakko: All right, Akela. HA!

Squit: But remember, fire is an element, it must be respected.

(He leaves to find some wood.)

(Squit N/R: Camping's all about self-reliance and teamwork. And I knew I could rely on myself to create the perfect camp and my team fucking it all up.)

(When he came back, he saw his stuff from his suitcase being burnt down with fire as his suitcase was open, it causes him to have a panic attack and drops all of the wood he just found.)

Squit: WHAT...THE...FUCK HAVE YA DONE!?

Pinky: Y'okay, Squit?

Wakko: (tried to hand Squit a cooked sausage) Want a sausage?

Pesto: Calm down. I just got it going and I didn't even need a fire gay's badge.

Pinky: Nah, just some diesel.

Squit: You put diesel on it? Wait a minute. Is that my fold-out table on the fire? (gasp) And my picnic basket?!

Pinky: I thought you said look for stuff to burn.

Squit: (getting angry) Wood, burn fucking wood, not my stuff! Oh, for Christ's sake! Why would ya do that?!

Pesto: Look, someone had to take charge of this weekend or it's gonna be all Monopoly and shitting in trenches!

Brain: Look, come on, sit down, have some weed, have a beer, have a sausage. Just chill.

Squit: I'll chill when y'all stop burning up my fuckin' valuable possessions to dust!

Pinky: (teasing) Oh, but I thought they were for "everyone"?

Squit: Yes, for everyone to use, not to burn up with! God.

(Wakko saw the fire going down so he puts Squit's fold-out chair on top of it.)

Squit: What the hell are you doing now?!

Wakko: Fire's going down.

Squit: (getting furious) STOP...BURNING...MY...THINGS!

Wakko: (angrily) Sorry, I forgot. (flips his chair off the fire) Jeez!

(Squit N/R: We were barely an hour from home, but somehow that meant that burning my possessions was not only OK, but hilarious.)

Part 2: R.I.P. Brain's Shitty Car

(Squit was sitting down still looking pissed off because of what happened earlier.)

Brain: Oh, come on, we're sorry. It was just a joke.

Wakko: We'll do whatever you want to cheer you up.

Pinky: Anything you like.

Squit: (smiled) Game of Monopoly?

(The others moan about this)

Pinky: Oh, fuck off!

Pesto: Boooooooooooooo! Y'suck!

Brain: Apart from that.

Pinky: Look, if you wanna play a game, I've got a proper game, not a shitty one, especially Monopoly. Though thinking about it, y'all might be too pussy to play.

Wakko: It's not that game that you used to play with your weird neighbour in his shed, is it?

Pinky: (looks nervous) Well, that never happened.

Wakko: Yeah, you told me about 8 years ago. Just after he moved away.

Pinky: No, I never. Shut up, dumbass!

(Wakko looks confused)

Pinky: OK, to start with, y'all have to swap phones. Squit, you swap with mine. Brain, I'll swap with your phone. Wakko and Pesto can swap each others and Pesto can swap with Squit.

(They all swap phones.)

Brain: Okay...now what?

Pinky: Now you text someone in their phone book. So when you text someone, they'll think it's from him.

Wakko: So does that mean I have to write it all posh and like all hurdy wurdy durdy?

Pinky: Nope. The only rule is you can write whatever you like and no-one can stop you.

Squit: I just wanna say, for the record, there's no way anything good can come outta this.

Pinky: Whatever. Ready? Go.

(They all text.)

Pinky: I've only got five numbers in my phone, and four of them are four of y'all, so do ya worst.

Pesto: Well, as long as one of the others is Squit's mama, you're still in trouble.

Squit: (looking disgusted) Pesto, come on, that's too much.

Pinky: Sorry, it's literally the point of the game, y'know.

Squit: Awww...fuck. Fine!

Pinky: Right, homies, finished?

Wakko: (finished texting) That's it, send 'em.

Pinky: Good, now swap back.

(They swapped back their phones.)

Pinky: Good, so I wrote, from Brain's phone to Billie, "Bills, I love you from the bottom of my ding-a-ling. The thought of leaving you is making me cum." (laughs)

Brain: (embarrassed) Oh, god.

Pinky: "And I'm using those tears as lube to jerk myself off with."

Brain: (sarcastically/disgusted) Gee, thanks, Pinky.

Squit: Don't worry, B, I texted Pinky's dad and wrote, "Dad, I'm just thinking about you."

Pinky: (whispered) Hmph, pussy.

Squit: "I'm in the bath and I'm hard." (laughs)

Pinky: (angrily) Holy fuck! Damnit, you've won this round!

Brain: Pesto? What about you?

Pesto: Fairly standard to Squit's mama. "Ma, it's been 29 years, but I'd love to have another go on your big fake-ass tits."

Squit: (embarrassed) God. No.

Pesto: "Then I'd like to smash in your back doors (anus)."

Squit: (sarcastically) So it'll come up that I've sent her a text, she'll think, "Good, he's just letting me know I'm proud of him," then she'll read that? Yep, thanks Pesto!

Pesto: No probs. Wak, who did you send to?

Wakko: I presume, your dad? I wrote "Your gay as fuck." HA!

(There was a short silence as Pesto looks pissed)

Pesto: (he snatches his phone back from Wakko) Gimme my phone back!

Wakko: Wait, I've also wrote for Saucy Walmart Karen.

Pesto: Wait, did ya?

Wakko: Hell yeah, I've written, "Karen, I love you and love that you are to be the mother of my child. Marry me?"

Pesto: Oh, c'mon!

Pinky: Nice.

Pesto: I only met her a month ago. She smells like cheese most of the time.

Pinky: What, 'coz of all dat dick she sucked?

Pesto: Yes...no...maybe...I DUNNO! God, I thought coming out here would take me mind off it, but the countryside's really boring! It's just a load of fields and rivers. And they don't do anything. They just sit there doing jack, it's not like The Blair Witch Project where people jump out at you.

Pinky: He's right, it is boring.

Wakko: Shall we go back?

Brain: Oh, no, come on, we could go for a swim? Skinny dipping? (The others look slightly disgusted) Yeah, you're right, probably be a bit gay.

Squit: Well, there's always Monopoly.

(They moan once again.)

Pinky: Fuck, fine, as long as I can be the dog.

Squit: Why?

Pinky: Reminds me of Benji.

(Squit N/R: This was great. Camping. Playing board games round the fire as the sun went down. It was like I was back in Cub Scouts, but without the unpleasantness.)

(At night, they were still playing Monopoly.)

Pinky: Miami, with a hotel, that's $1,500 you owe me, Top Hat.

Squit: Can I pay you after I pass Go? I'm nearly there.

Pinky: Nope.

Squit: (frustrated) Oh, c'mon. This is impossible. I can barely see. I've not been able to see anything for fuckin' hours! Let's just stop.

Brain: OK, we'll call it a draw.

Pinky: Fuck you, just because I'm winning and all you've got is just cities!

Pesto: I'm happy to call it a draw, y'know.

Pinky: Course you are, 'coz you were out four hours ago anyway, you fuckin' idiot!

Pesto: Y'all think I'm dumb, but I've got street smarts!

Brain: You got a woman from Walmart pregnant in her lunch hour.

Pesto: (pondered) Oh.

Pinky: I'll build another fire.

Squit: It's too dark to collect wood and you've burnt everything I own!

Pinky: Well, fine, I'll...I'll get Brain's shitty car and shine the lights over here.

Brain: Fine. Here ya go. (hand's Pinky his car keys)

Pinky: Thanks, mah boy!

(Pinky runs to Brain's car and turns on the headlights.)

(Squit N/R: This was embarrassing. I hadn't lost a game of Monopoly since I was 7. And yet I was about to be beaten by Pinky, a man who took pride in the fact that he couldn't count to 100.)

Squit: He really wants to win, doesn't he? I never knew he was so competitive.

Pesto: (eating sausages) I can't get enough of these sausages.

Wakko: (eating sausages) Yeah. I love 'em raw in the middle.

Pinky: Right, done. (he gets out of the car and shuts the door) Mission accomplished! Now you owe me $1,500. And you can pay me right fuckin' now!

(Brain's car was about to roll down into the lake.)

Brain: Pinky, my fucking car! (he stops his car from going down) Handbrake?

Pinky: Oh, shit, sorry.

Brain: Quick, everyone. Stop it!

(The others stopped the car except for Pinky.)

Brain: Pinky, help!

Pinky: Okay, calm your tits! (as he helped stopping the car)

Brain: (tried to unlock it) It's locked. Pinky, throw me the keys.

Pinky: I don't have them.

Brain: The fuck are you talkin' about, what do you mean you don't have them?!

Pinky: I gave them to you.

Brain: No, you didn't.

Pinky: Yeah, I did.

Brain: (getting angry) No, you fucking didn't!

Pinky: Brilliant, someone's gone and lost the fuckin' keys.

Squit: (looks at Pinky while being concerned) Yes, you. You've lost them.

Brain: You must have locked them in the car. (he panics) Oh, God! Oh, God!

Squit: Sorry, Brain. We'll have to smash a window or something.

Brain: (furious) Pinky, you dolt, Imma kill you for that!

Pinky: It's not my fault.

Brain: It is entirely your fault!

Pinky: I always lock my car like that!

Pesto: But yours must be different.

Wakko: It's shitty, for one.

Brain: (sarcastically angry) Thanks, Wak!

Pinky: If my lil' bro was here, he'd be able to get into it in two seconds flat. He used to jack Ferraris in New York City for the Mafia.

Brain: (bops Pinky in the head with a pencil in anger) How is that total bullshit helpful?!

Squit: Enough! OK, you three hold it. We'll go and find something to smash a window with.

Pinky: (rubbing his head looking dizzy) Hey! Why do me, Pesto and Wak have to hold the fuckin' car?!

Squit: Well, obviously, because you three are the strongest.

(Pinky, Pesto and Wakko hold the car.)

Pesto: Huh. It's true, we are.

Brain: What the fuck, why are there no rocks?! It's the countryside! Why aren't there any fuckin' rocks?! What are we gonna smash the window with now?!

Squit: Well, I dunno. Pinky's face?!

(Brain and Squit leave to find the rocks.)

Pinky: My arms hurt. I don't know why they're bothering to get rocks anyways. The way I look at it, it's inevitable that the car's gonna dive into the lake.

Wakko: I suppose it's nature. You can't fight nature.

Pesto: Exactly.

Pinky: It's going in anyway, I'm legitimately sweatin', my arms achin', we might as well just let go.

Pesto: Do you think Brain will kill us all?

Pinky: How can he? He hates it anyways. It's logical. We can't stop it.

Wakko: We are stopping it now.

Pinky: It's inevitable, Wak, trust me. We'll let go after three, do ya hear?

Pesto & Wakko: Gotcha.

Pinky: One, two, three. Go!

(They let go of the car as the car starts rolling down again. Brain and Squit finally got some rocks but Brain saw his car going down as he panicked and dropped the rocks.)

Brain: NO! Oh, God. Oh, God! Oh, God! Oh, God! Oh, God!

(The car went into the lake as there was a short silence, then Pesto picked the rock up and smashed the back window.)

Brain: Why did you do that?!

Pesto: You said smash a window. Look, there ya go!

Brain: NO! No, no, no! (Brain went into the lake and tried to get his car out and shortly gives up, looking at Pinky, Squit, Pesto and Wakko furiously) You assholes. You total pair of fuckin' scumbags!

Pesto: Relax, B. We'll just wait 'til morning and rescue it when the tide's out.

Brain: It's just a fucking lake, Pesto, the tide isn't going out! (He emotionally tears up) I've wasted my whole 14 years hanging around with you fuckin' morons! I wish I'd never met y'all at all! I can't wait to move to Swansea! I fuckin' hate you, fuck you! FUCK YOU!

Squit: Come on, Brain, come outta the water and dry off, you could get sick, I'm sure we'll think of something.

Brain: You never think of anything. You've just got an accent that makes us think you're clever, but you're not, are ya?! You're just as much of a fuckin' idiot as these three!

Squit: (he frowns) Wow, harsh.

Brain: You scumbags, you total, total scumbags! (he continues to get the car out) Oh, God! Oh, God! Oh, God! Oh, God! Oh, God! (he gives up trying to get the car out)

Wakko: Do you want a lager, B?

Brain: Yes, please.

(Brain got out of the lake as they all go back to the camping area.)

Pinky: (he took Brain's keys out of his back pocket) Oh, shit! I did have the keys.

Squit: Uhhh...yeah. Probably wouldn't mention it. Like ever!

Pinky: Y'right! As a matter of fact! (he throws the car keys into the lake and leaves)

(Squit N/R: So, Brain's shitty yellow Fiat was gone forever.)

The Final Part: A Disgustingly Happy Ending

(But look on the bright side, at least Pinky did beat me at Monopoly now despite I've lost $1,500. But the last thing I wanted to have is Pesto burning my $10,000 suitcase for fire.)

(Squit and Brain watching Squit's suitcase being burnt down.)

Squit: Hey. Which do you think burns better, B, my suitcase or my dignity? Heh, heh, heh, heh. (sighs all sadly)

Brain: Yeah, ha-ha. Nice try, but this is now officially the worst night I've ever had. Let's just go home.

Wakko: How?

Squit: Call your dad, B. If you think about it, it's sort of his fault we're here anyways.

Brain: Ha, sorry, no chance. He's gonna go ballistic about picking us up at 2 in the morning. What about your lil' bro, Pinky?

Pinky: Nah. He's out with my dad, private poker tournament in Las Vegas with Danny Dyer and the Krays.

Squit: Wait. Aren't the Krays dead?

Pinky: No! That's just a cover story cos they done a bunk from prison. They're holed up in one of me dad's warehouses.

Brain: Of course.

(short silence)

Pinky: Shall we swap phones again to cheer us all up.

Squit: Sure, why not.

(They all swap their phones back to their previous precision)

Pinky: (reads text) Oh, Brain, you got a message for your insurance company, they said, "We're sorry about the car. One of our retarded staff sended you the wrong car. Just burn it, dump it, kill it with fire. We're sorry for the delay for the last 2 years. Your old one will be back in 2 days." Hmph, looks like you're not in trouble at all, Brain.

Brain: (confused but relieved) Huh, that was anticlimactic. Plus, I knew they tried to rip me off anyways.

Squit: (reads text) Oh. Looks like your dad and your brother are taking a break from that made-up poker tournament, Pinky. Your dad's just texted you back.

Pinky: Oh, shit. What did he say?

Squit: "You're sick, son. Your ma was right about sending you to that shrink."

Pinky: (looks nervous) What's he on about, that fuckin' asshole? Talkin' jack-shit as usual.

Wakko: (checks phone) You got a text, too, Pesto. It's from your babe. Maybe you should read it. (gives phone back to Pesto)

Pesto: Oh, thank you, God. Thank you.

Pinky: She said yes to the marriage proposal?

Pesto: Even better. It says, "You dopey prick. Not pregnant. Tested positive for" What's that say, Squit?

Squit: (read carefully) "Chlamydia."

Pesto: Nice! (short silence) Dafuq's chlamydia?

Squit: Well, how shall I put this, Pesto? You no longer have a child on the way but you do have an STD.

Pesto: (celebrates) I got an STD! Yes, an STD! Whoo!

Pinky: (continues to reads texts) Oh. It's from Billie and your dad. It says… (Brain snatches his phone back from Pinky) Douche!

(Brain reads the text from Billie and his dad, then suddenly smiles.)

Pinky: (curiously) Well?

Squit: Shall we go to bed? It is getting late.

Wakko: Yep, good idea.

(They all went in the tent.)

Pinky: Well...what did it say?

(Squit N/R: Brain was never this cagey. When it came to Billie or his dad, he normally wore his heart on his sleeve and his boner in his pants. Maybe he had other things on his mind.)

(Brain looks at the light in the tent while he was lying down.)

Brain: (slightly annoyed) So we had a light this whole time?

Pinky: Oh, shit, yeah. Forgot about that one. Sorry, man.

Brain: So, my car went into the lake for no reason?

Pesto: I'm upset too, B. I got my first hand job in that car. Who's gonna wanna gimme a hand job when I'm a dad?

Pinky: You're not gonna be a dad, remember, Pesto?

Pesto: (pondered) Oh, yeah!

Pinky: Whatever. Look, even if we did get it out, I doubt it would work anyway. I think the engine's flooded.

Brain: Is that supposed to be funny, Pinky?

Pinky: Did I say it was funny tho?

Brain: (pondered) Good point. I also felt happy I'm not going to Swansea next week. My grandpa cancelled the trip because he was broke.

(They all laugh.)

(Squit and Wakko came into the tent looking disgusted.)

Brain: How was the trench?

Squit: (looking disgusted) Wakko and I had to wipe our asses with leaves.

Brain: (disgusted) Jesus.

Squit: And I think there were some ants in there, so I now literally have ants in my pants. And soil, and some earwigs.

Wakko: I never wanna do that again.

Pesto: Hey. Do you remember that first time we slept in a tent in my back garden and Pinky pissed himself? (laughs)

Brain: Yeah, we had to come in the house at about midnight because Pinky got scared. (laughs)

Pinky: Yeah, I was scared that Pesto's dad was about to come out and rape us!

Pesto: (furious and disgusted) Just...go fuck yourself.

Squit: And on that familiar note, it's good night. (lies down in his sleeping bag) Sorry about your car, B.

Brain: Doesn't matter. It was a piece-of-shit car, anyway. Thanks for the send-off. For the last 2 years, I always knew they were trying to scam me in the first pla... (holds his nose) Jesus, that stinks, Pesto, was that a fart?

Pesto: Nah, Wakko and I burped. It ain't great, though.

Wakko: Yeah, I think it's them sausages.

Brain: Whatever. Good night.

Pinky: Well, I'll get the fuckin' light, then, shall I? (turns off the light) Night, mah boys.

(long silence)

Wakko: B, I was wondering, when you die?

Brain: Yeah?

Wakko: What do you want us to do with Squit? Like, look after him and stuff?

Squit: I'm not a stray cat, Wak.

Pinky: Yeah, but you do shit in a hole in the ground tho. (laughs)

Squit: (sarcastically) Gee, thanks.

Wakko: I just worry about you, that's all.

Squit: I think I'll be fine. Good night. (lies back down) Thanks, though, Wak.

(Wakko suddenly vomits on Squit)

Squit: (furious/disgusted) UGH! FUCKIN' HELL, IT'S IN MY HAIR!

Wakko: (feeling dizzy) I think it's the sausages.

Pinky: (panics and turns the light back on) Fuck dat! I've gotta get out. I've gotta get out!

Brain: (disgusted) Oh, God, the smell. It always makes me puke.

Squit: Please don't puke in here.

Brain: Oh no. (vomits)

Squit: (disgusted/annoyed) Oh, you have.

Wakko: I don't feel well. (vomits again)

(Brain pukes again)

Pesto: Help me! (vomits so much)

Pinky: Oh, shit, the smell. Oh, God, doublepuke!

Squit: JUST GET THE FUCKIN' TENT OPEN, PINKY!

Pinky: (tries to find the zip) I can't find the zip! I can't find the zip! Oh no! (vomits on the tent zip)

(Squit looks at his mini-blade as he knew what he had to do.)

Squit: (angrily) Great!

(Squit rips the tent with the mini-blade and got out, so did Pinky, Brain, Pesto and Wakko. They started walking away together abandoning a damaged tent, a burnt suitcase and Brain's shitty car in the forest)

Squit: (reads text) Oh, my mom's texted me back.

Brain: Is she up for some back door action?

Squit: Nope, it said, "I love you too but I think you're on weed. No offence."

Pinky: If she's up for it, Pesto should get to do her, cos it was his text that got her kinky.

Pesto: True.

Squit: Obviously she's not up for it.

Brain: How do you know?

Wakko: Does it say that pacifically?

Squit: Specifically.

Pesto: Are you sayin' she only likes it in her axe wound? Ha.

Squit: Seriously guys, c'mon, we've got a long walk ahead of us, I'm covered in puke, can we just drop the "yo mama" jokes?

Pinky: I'd like to drop yo mama's jokes. Get it?

(They all laugh while they were walking away from the forest.)

Squit: Okay, that's brilliant, I give ya that! Heh, heh!

(short silence)

Pinky: (putting on his fake Cockney accent) So what are we doing now, Brain?

Brain: The same thing we DON'T do every night, Pinky! Try and call my dad 'coz we're fuckin' lost! (laughs)

Pinky: Yep. Good idea.

Squit: Yep.

Pesto: Yep.

Wakko: Yep.

Brain: (relieved) When I get home, my dad's gonna kick...my...ass!

THE END!

This is the 4th fanfiction episode of The Outsiders. Thx. Hope you liked it. 

[aswithasunbeam]

Of Camp Fires and Bear Attacks

[Read on AO3]

Rated: G

Summary: Summer 1801. While the Grange is being built, the Hamilton’s take a camping trip to oversee the construction and enjoy the riverside air. There's fishing, stories around the camp fire, and, of course, the odd bear or two. __ Just some fun, sweet Hamilton family fluff

Summer 1801

Eliza leaned back on her hands to watch the bright blue sky turn to a hazy purple. The breeze kept the worst of the summer heat bearable, rustling the light cotton of her dress and the blanket she spread out over the sand. Alexander’s arms wound around her torso from behind, squeezing her tight. She smiled, turning her head to the side as his lips found her neck.

“Papa! Papa, watch!” William shouted. “Watch me!”

Alexander made a contented sound deep in his throat and nuzzled her.

“Papa!” William insisted.

“Are these all right, Papa?” Johnny asked from the other direction, struggling with a bundle of sticks. “Jamie’s bringing more.”

“Put them over here, away from the water,” Alexander said, releasing her from the embrace to gesture towards the pit he’d constructed for their fire.

“Papa!”

“I’m watching, Billy,” he called.

William attempted a somersault on the soft sand near the water, but ended up in the river when he turned sideways. He stood up and held his arms overhead triumphantly, as thought he’d intended to soak himself all along. She heard Alexander squelch a laugh.

“Very good, son.”

Eliza noticed Johnny fumbling with the tinderbox. “Johnny,” she said, rocking forward to stand.

“I’ve got it,” Alexander said, already on his feet and moving to assist with the fire building. He’d been on top of everything all day, she considered, as he rushed over to their ten year old. He seemed to be delighting in the simple joys of parenting.

“Tent’s up,” Pip reported, skidding down the hill behind them with Alex and Angelica in tow.

Camping had been Alexander’s idea. The Grange, though beautiful on paper, was little more than a wooden frame, and the farmhouse nearby was cramped and stuffy. So, to enjoy the land and oversee the construction, he’d suggested pitching a tent for a week. They’d all been thrilled at the notion, the older children included, right up until Alexander had set them to work assembling the tent.

“Took you long enough,” Alexander teased. “At your age, I could get a tent up all on my own in ten minutes flat.”

“I think you were a little more in practice, what with the war and all,” Pip replied as he plonked down onto the blanket beside her. “Hi, Mama.”  

“Hi, honey,” she said. When he leaned against her, his head resting on her shoulder, she kissed the crown of his head and ran a hand down his back. Her sweet, darling boy.

A spark from the tinderbox caught on the kindling. Alexander nudged Johnny back a little as he fed the fire, keeping the blaze contained and tidy. The smoky smell mingled with the salt air on the breeze. “There now. We’ll be able to start cooking soon.”

“What are we cooking?” Johnny asked.

“Fish, of course. We spent all that time catching them. We wouldn’t want to waste them, now, would we?”

After spending the morning measuring out pathways for their would-be gardens, Alexander had piled the whole family into a fishing boat. She hadn’t been fishing since she was a girl, but he’d patiently refreshed her on the finer points of casting off, Johnny and William listening closely at his knee. She’d picked it up without much difficulty. In fact, she’d ended up catching four fish to his two.

“Good thing we have Mama to provide for us,” he’d joked good naturedly after fumbling a striped bass over the side of the boat back into the water.

“Fish?” William paused from shaking his hair out like a dog to fix his father with a skeptical look. “That’s all?”

“That's all?” Alexander repeated, comically scandalized. “What more could you want?”

“I have some crackers, cheese, and fruit,” she assured the boy, having anticipated some fussiness from the little ones over the menu.  

“I bet you were happy to get fish when you were in the army, Papa,” Pip said pointedly, sitting up and sending her a wink. She smiled at how well Pip knew his little brother. William adored Alexander’s war stories, and he’d seize any chance to be like his father.

“Yeah?” William asked, interest piqued.  

Alexander grinned at the ploy. “Oh, yes. We’d be ecstatic to have some fresh fish. Much better than army rations. Meat jerky and mealy biscuits can only satisfy you for so long.”

“Mealy biscuits?” Eliza asked with a laugh. Serving under General Washington, he’d just as often enjoyed fine wines and delicacies as army rations.  “Did you suffer from the scurvy, too, sailor?”

“Maybe,” he parried, pulling a face at her playfully.

Little Eliza toddled by, clutching something in her tiny fist. Eliza reached out to catch her shirt. “Sweetie, what do you have?”

“No.” Her new favorite word.

Prying the little fist open, she saw three twigs. “Are you helping collect sticks for the fire, honey?”

“No.”

She chuckled and freed her daughter to continue on.  “Alexander, incoming.”

He turned and held his arms out, lifting little Eliza high up into the air and producing a delighted squeal. The twigs tumbled back onto the sand, unmissed. The girl settled happily onto Alexander’s hip as he went about preparing supper. He assigned the little ones simple tasks to make them feel useful while he sliced the fish into filets and cooked them in the little traveling pan on the metal rack he’d placed over the fire.

The children did an admirable job on the fish he handed out, more for the novelty than the taste, she suspected. When they’d all finished, they laid back on the sand to watch the stars, the fire crackling merrily nearby. Eliza held their little daughter in her arms, the girl already fast asleep. William snuggled into Alexander’s side, and predictably demanded, “Tell a story, Papa.”

“Hm,” Alexander hummed, pondering over his memories. “How about the time General Washington ordered us across the Delaware?”

“Is that when you blasted off the King’s head with a cannon ball?” Johnny asked eagerly.

“That was just a portrait, Johnny,” he said with a chuckle. “And it was at Princeton, a little bit after Trenton.”

“I want to hear about blasting off the King’s head!” William demanded.

“I’ll get there,” he promised. “Well, it was freezing cold night in December when the order came down that we were to move our artillery down to the gunboats. The river was filled with ice, chunks so thick you could barely row through. We had to move quick and quiet as possible, so as not to warn the enemy of our advance.”

The children all listened with rapt attention as he related stories of marching through snow, surprising Hessians still sleeping off their Christmas cups, and then later, firing artillery into the College of New Jersey, beheading the image of King George in the effort. “And the Demos call me an Anglophile,” he noted wryly. “I’d like to know if Jefferson ever beheaded King George.”

Eliza noticed Jamie give a huge yawn. “I think it’s time for bed,” she said, nudging at Alexander with her foot. “It’s getting late.”

“Bed sounds like a good idea,” he agreed, yawning himself. “Come on, up we get.”

After encouraging all the children to stand, Alexander kicked sand over the dwindling fire and collected the blanket. They herded the sleepy children back up the hill towards the tent. She lit a lantern as they all dressed for bed and fought over space in the mounds of blankets arrayed on the tent floor.

“Uh-uh,” Alexander tutted when William tried to curl up on the stuffed pallet towards the back of the tent. “That’s for me and Mama.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m too old to sleep on the ground. And I like to hug Mama while I sleep.”

William scooted over grudgingly.

“I heard something,” Johnny said, pressing his face against the canvas as though he could see through. “I think something’s outside.”

“Probably a squirrel or a bird,” Alexander dismissed.

“It’s sounds bigger than a squirrel,” Johnny insisted.

Jamie sat up. “Maybe it’s a bear!”

“I want to see the bear,” William said, bouncing up with sudden energy.

“It’s not a bear,” Eliza said, though she shot Alexander a concerned look. The woods were close by. Could there be a bear?

Meeting her eye, he sighed. “I’ll take a look.”

“I’ll come,” Pip offered.

He slipped through the tent folds with Pip close on his heels, and she belatedly wondered what exactly they would do if they did find a bear hunting around their camp site. They both wore only a nightshirt, and they hadn’t brought the hunting rifle or any other kind of weapon for defense. Waiting tensely, she listened right along with the children.

She heard them whispering outside, voices muffled as they moved around the tent.

“What’s that?” she heard Alexander ask in a loud whisper.

Pip let out a shout as something barreled into the back of the tent, swiping at the canvas. Startled, she jumped back, then realized the roar was most definitely coming from her husband. She groaned even as she smiled. He thought he was so funny.

“Bear!” Johnny shouted, all too happy to play along.

Pip yelled from the side of the tent, “I think there’s another one!” He then let out a roar of his own and began swiping and rattling the tent from the side.

William squealed in delight at the game as he raced around, trampling over Jamie and Alex as he went.

Alex gave a great “oomf” as William pressed a knee into his stomach. “Get off.”

“It’s only Papa and Pip,” Angelica said, voice tinged with the disinterest of a teenager, though Eliza could see amusement dancing in her eyes.  

Little Eliza had woken at all the noise and commotion, and she watched with one eye open as William barreled into the tent where Pip was playfully swiping, shouting, “Bears!”

Crawling over to where Alexander was roaring, the little girl pushed herself up and took a run at the tent, pushing out with her hands. Eliza heard Alexander stumble backwards a step, laugh, then lower himself to push at the tent closer to little Eliza’s level. In a low, gravelly voice, he proclaimed, “I’m going to get you!”

Little Eliza giggled and looked back at her, grinning. Pointing at the tent, she said, “Papa!”

“Yep, that’s him. Your Papa’s silly, huh?”

She clapped happily and pushed back on the tent again.

At last, Pip and Alexander moved around to the front and stepped back inside.

“That was scary,” Pip said, grinning. “Those were some massive bears. I think we scared them off though, right Papa?”

“I don’t think they’ll come back any time soon,” Alexander agreed.

“You’re not funny,” Eliza scolded, though she couldn’t seem to wipe away the smile on her face. “You almost gave me a heart attack.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Alexander said.

Little Eliza let out a tiny little roar and charged at him, still playing.

“Oh no, a bear cub!” Alexander cried, kneeling down to play with her. “How did a bear cub get in here?”

Eliza watched fondly as William jumped on his back to wrestle him, the three falling into a jumbled heap on the blankets. She plunged herself willingly into the mass of blankets and wriggling babies, tickling William until they could hardly breathe from laughing. Johnny dove in as well, followed quickly by Pip and Jamie, and finally Alex and Angelica.

Later, as she laid curled beside her husband on the stuffed pallet, she gently pressed her lips to his, heart close to bursting with affection for him. He responded lazily, not quite awake, and gave a sleepy sigh. She whispered softly in his ear, “I adore you.”

[theearlymorningmist]

Domestic Fluff #10: Camping

TONY STARK X READER

Summary: one-shot series of domestic fluff, can read separately or together.

Word count: 2.5K

A/N-  I almost want to turn this into a series, with all the Avengers.  

MASTERLIST HERE

If you knew one thing about Tony Stark, it was that he loved technology. Not just his suits, but any kind of tech. If it could be tinkered, Tony was tinkering with it. You found this to be an amusing trait, but its endearment hit its limit when you noticed that Tony’s tinkering had morphed from work/hobby to obsession.

You finally couldn’t stand by and watch Tony slowly transform your shared living space into a robot’s wet dream after sleepily picking up your toothbrush only to find it had been replaced with a shiny new toothbrush made of nano-tech.

“STARK!” You called from the washroom.

“(Y/N)?” A confused, and sheepish Tony called back. He knew that tone in your voice. It meant run.

You stepped into the bedroom to look at the suspect in question, who was rubbing the back of his head with a proud little smirk on his face. “Did you seriously replace my toothbrush with some nano-version?” You asked, still in disbelief.

“I improved it!” Tony argued, with an not-so-apologetic shrug.

“But I liked that toothbrush. I’d even go as far as ‘loved that toothbrush’!” You huffed.

Tony bit his lip for a moment, trying to think of a way to make it up to you. “What if I tinkered around and made it play your favourite song? Then it would be better than your old one, hm?” He asked, excitedly.

You gave the man a dead-pan look, trying not to snap and laugh at the same time. “Tony…sweetie… If I wanted a singing toothbrush I could have bought one at the pharmacy.” You explained.

Tony’s expression fell. “Someone beat me to toothbrushes with songs? Damn.”

“Yeah, like 10 years ago, Tony. Tooth-Tunes, look it up.” You explained, stifling a grin. Dammit why did the man have to be so cute when you were supposed to be mad at him.

The beautiful idiot let out a soft sigh, and then moved on. He slowly wrapped his arms around you, smiling sweetly. “Maybe I can make it up to you, hm? What do you say (Y/N)? We can test out some of the other tech I’ve been working on…”

“I don’t want to test the next SI product Tony I’m---“ You began, but you were silenced by Tony’s lips on yours. “This is more of a….private experiment…” He winked, suggestively.

“Oh. Ohhh…. Well I—wait no! I’m mad!” You caught yourself, pulling away from the man and standing with your arms akimbo. “This has gone too far! I bet you couldn’t go two days without using any technology!”

Instead of arguing, Tony’s eyes lit up. You had, so it seemed, said the magic words. Tony Stark was never one to step down from a challenge. “Is that so?” The man purred, excitedly. “What do I get if I win this proposed challenge?”

You narrowed your eyes. “IF you can go for 2 days without using any technology… I won’t bother you about your obsessive tinkering anymore.” You stipulated.

Tony smiled to himself, glancing down and taking a step closer to you. “That’s nice and all but how about…” He leaned in and whispered something that if said aloud would have been censored by the author.

You giggled, despite yourself. “That sounds…agreeable.” You smiled briefly, but then resumed your seriousness. “But! If you lose, you must dedicate one day a week to being tinker-free. And you will spend that time with your loved ones. Do we have a deal?” You asked, holding out your hand.

Tony eyed you for a moment, thinking it over, before finally clasping your hand. “Deal. But you have to purge all things techy too.” He said, resolutely.

“Fine, it’s only fair I suppose.” You agreed.

“So, I guess I should start shutting down JARVIS for the next 48 hours, and—“

“—Oh no no no.” You interrupted, with a smirk. “You don’t get to spend 48 hours in your nice accommodating home. I know juust where this bet will be taking place.” You explained, knowingly.

A few hours later, you were turning off a bumpy off the ‘off the beaten path’ kind of road into a clearing between some trees. You turned off the engine, and glanced at your watch. “Okay, checking this watch to set a timer for 48 hours will be both of our last interactions with any kind of technology. Any last words?” You asked Tony, with a teasing smirk.

“You have to deal with Dum-E and his abandonment issues when we get home.” The man huffed.

“Duly noted.” You nodded, pressing the button, and then putting the watch away.

The two of you got out the car and began exploring the camp site. Tony kicked a branch, hands shoved in his pockets petulantly. “This’ll be a piece of cake.” He announced.

“Great. Then how about you go collect and cut up some fire wood? And I’ll start building the tent.” You challenged.

Tony narrowed his eyes. “Sounds good to me. Oh and uh, at the store I switched out the pop-up tent for one with the good old pegs and wires.” The man added, a self-satisfied grin on his face. “Couldn’t have it too easy now could we?” He hummed, trying to get a rise out of you.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” You replied, through pursed lips.

While you struggled with the tent, Tony went off somewhere to look for usable kindling for the fire. Tony, as it seemed, had chosen the world’s most complicated tent. You looked at the instructions for what felt like the millionth time before letting out a frustrated groan and kicking some dirt.

“That doesn’t make any sense!!” You shouted into the void.

“Having trouble are we?” Tony’s voice came from behind you, startling you. You whipped around, attempting to compose yourself.

“No! No…of course not. I’m just you know…mad that life doesn’t make sense…in general. You know…wacky world we live in…injustices…and all that…” You cleared your throat, awkwardly. Now that you were looking at the man, you noticed that he had scrapes along his arms and a small cut on his forehead.

“What happened to you? Get in a fist fight with a tree?” You asked, amused.

“Something like that…” Tony muttered, dumping the wood by the fire pit. “So just out of curiosity, we don’t have to hunt down our dinner do we?” Tony asked. “Because I don’t know how I’d feel about BBQ Bugs Bunny.”

You made a face of horror. “Of course not. Bugs is safe. And so is Bambi’s mom for the record.” You nodded over to a cooler. “There’s your dinner. Premium hot dogs and smores.”

“At least tell me you brought coffee?” The man asked, desperation in his voice.

“There’s a kettle and some instant coffee. But you’d need to build the fire for that and we should do that later.” You grinned, enjoying the mans suffering a little too much.

“I’m going for a walk.” Tony finally said, heading out into the trees while muttering “Instant coffee…instant coffee…my taste buds will never forgive me… This is a hellscape…”

“What was that darling?” You called.

“Nothing! Love you (Y/N).” Tony called back, and then disappeared in the woods.

While the man was gone, you finished setting up the tent and even blew up the air mattress inside. But because of the no technology rule, you couldn’t use the cars battery for the pump. Instead, you had to blow it up using your own breath.

“I think I have asthma now.” You wheezed, plopping down into a lawn chair. Tony sat down next to you, seemingly appearing from no where.

“That’s great, honey.” He mumbled, sinking down into the chair. “Did you happen to pack any alcohol for this wilderness excursion? A boy scout must always be prepared, you know.”

“In fact, I did!” You chimed, grabbing two bottles of beer from the cooler. You handed one to Tony and he looked about the same way someone looks when you hand them a cup of worms. A mixture of disgusted, offended, and confused.

“(Y/N), sweetie. I meant real alcohol.”

You shrugged and cracked open your beer taking a long sip. “Sorry.” You said, trying to hide a smirk. Tony sighed, and submitted to his fate.

A little while later, you were both hungry, so Tony started getting things ready for the fire. “Do you need the fire starter, or do you think you can get that thing going on your own?” You asked, handing the man a pack of matches.

“I don’t need that. Or those. I can start a fire the old fashioned way.” Tony declared. “It’s basic mechanics.”

Ten minutes later you returned to Tony desperately rubbing two sticks together and angrily muttering to himself. “I’m Tony fucking Stark. I can start a stupid little fire! I will start a stupid little fire even if it kills me!” He grunted, finally getting enough friction to start the fire. “I did it! Look whose surviving without technology now, huh (Y/N)?!” Tony grinned, satisfied.

“Still a long way to go. We’ll see who comes out on top.” You countered, getting the food ready to cook.

“Yep. And then whoever comes out on top….will decide who comes out on top.” Tony smirked.

“You’re disgusting.” You laughed, tossing a prong at Tony and then handing him the bag of hot dogs.

The two of you ate, and played with the fire, forgetting all about the bet for the moment and just enjoying the time away together. No jobs or teams distracting you, or interrupting.

As the night grew darker and colder, you found yourself cuddled in Tony’s lap. The only source of light was the soft orange glow of the fire. You put a marshmallow on the end of the metal prong and handed it to Tony to cook. The man immediately shoved the marshmallow into the top of the flames, and you rolled your eyes, confiscating the prong from him.

“Of course you don’t know how to roast a marshmallow properly.” You sighed in amusement. “Let me show you how its done.” You reached forward, putting the fluffy treat underneath the logs, where the embers of the fire were glowing.

“If you put them up in the flames, they’ll cook faster but it’ll burn and it’ll just melt the outside. If you put it down in the embers, it gets golden and perfectly gooey all the way through.” You explained.

But when you looked back at Tony, he wasn’t watching the marshmallow, he was watching your face and how the soft fire light made it glow. Before you could say anything, the man kissed you softly, pulling you closer as he slowly deepened the kiss.

After a few moments you pulled away slightly. “The marshmallows ganna burn…” You mumbled, kissing the man again.

“Let it.” Tony breathed, tossing the prong aside and picking you up. He carried you into the tent, lips never parting. You briefly wondered how he made it to tent in the dark without tripping, but you ceased thinking about anything else except Tony very quickly…

The next morning you woke up the sound of birds instead of a blaring alarm clock, and it was one of the most serene things you’d ever experienced. You stretched and slowly made your way out of the tent.

“Morning sleeping beauty.” Tony greeted, in a chipper voice.

You rubbed the sleep from your eyes, and opened them to see Tony stood there- fully dressed, axe in one hand, coffee mug in the other, smiling happily.

“I’ve been up since dawn. There’s some coffee left for you. Cereal is on top of the cooler. I was just about to head out and get some more firewood for tonight.”

You blinked, slowly taking in the mans words. “O…K…” You nodded, still out of it.

“See you later, honey.” He smiled, pressing a kiss to your cheek before heading out in the woods, purposefully.

Oh no… You thought. You were so sure this bet was in the bag, that you hadn’t accounted for the fact that underneath all the tech and pageantry, Tony Stark really was a domestic little thing. He’d talked about getting a farm like Barton’s later on, but you thought he was surely joking. But seeing Tony pull a full Joe Lumberjack was eye opening...

You let Tony choose the activities for the rest of the day, seeing as his entire mood about being tech free seemed to change in an instant. He seemed happy, and more carefree than you had seen him in ages. The man took you for a hike through the woods. You went for a quick swim the lake. And on the way back to the campsite the two of you even saw a deer grazing peacefully.

When you got back to camp, it was late in the afternoon, and you decided that you had better start working on blowing up the air mattress again or you’d forget and end up sleeping on the ground. You emerged from the tent about 20 minutes later, breathless again.

“I think we poked a hole in that thing last ni—“ You cut yourself off when you saw that Tony was dead asleep in a hammock he had made, a peaceful expression on his face.

The sight almost made you tear up. You knew firsthand how difficult it was for Tony to get to sleep, let alone to get restful sleep. And there was the man you loved, looking so incredibly relaxed and happy, you couldn’t just let the moment disappear.

Quietly you snuck over to the car and grabbed your phone. You crept back over to the hammock, and ever so carefully took a picture to remember the moment. You smiled to yourself as you looked down at the image, already thinking about where you could hang it up back home.

“You lose.”

You jumped about a foot in the air. “What?” You questioned, holding your chest to keep your heart inside.

“You lose.” Tony repeated, with a grin. “Or is that not a cellular device in your hands?”

You opened your mouth to argue, but instead you just smiled, putting the device away. “Yeah. I lost.” You conceded, climbing into the hammock with the man. He immediately wrapped his arms around you, and the two of you settled down comfortably.

“You know, I think we should stay a little longer.” You suggested.

“Really?” Tony questioned, nuzzling his face into your neck. “How much longer?”

You closed your eyes, sighing contently.

“Forever.”

*Any Questions About My Writing After ‘The End’? Here’s a prompt list! Ask away! :) –> After ‘The End’

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[bourbonbucky]

Five years. How had they already been married five years? Loki put the last of the kindling in place and lit it with the grill lighter. The tent was already up when he looked, Thor busy inside setting up their bed. It was massive, made for ten people, but perfect for the two of them to spend the next four days cut off from the world so they could focus on each other. They had two cots and an air mattress, which would then be topped with a memory foam topper. It had been a joke when Loki said he would only go camping if they had a proper bed, but he should have known his husband would make it happen anyway. 

Their site was fairly private, surrounded by towering oaks and all kinds of unkempt shrubbery. Loki never minded the thought of being caught during sex, but Thor was wildly possessive and tended to terrify anyone who had had the misfortune of bad timing. A smile lifted Loki’s lips at the memory of Stark walking in on them in college. The murderous look on Thor’s face had turned him ghost-white and he ran out so quickly he forgot to close the door, then came back to slam it shut a second later. 

“What’s so funny?” Thor asked, plopping down next to him on the log that acted as a bench for the fire pit. 

His golden hair was falling out of its braid, fly-away hairs sticking out in every direction, some of them plastered to his skin from sweat. Thor was the most beautiful man alive. 

Loki tossed a piece of wood on the fire as it grew. “Just remembering one of the times I visited you in college.”

Thor hummed and wrapped an arm around him, kissing his neck and smiling against his skin. Loki sighed and leaned into the touch. 

“Bed’s done,” Thor said.

Loki chuckled. “Mm, it is, but I’m not going to finish setting up naked with your cum leaking out of my ass.”

Thor pulled a thoughtful frown, then leaned in and bit his shoulder. “What if I finish setting up naked with your cum leaking out of my ass?” 

The idea was tempting, truly, but Loki shook his head against it and stood. “No, that happened last time and you ended up with a mosquito bite on your dick. Come on, let’s finish setting up and then I’m going to ride you until those cots break.” 

Thor grinned and followed him with the eagerness of a puppy. 

Loki didn’t consider until that night that Thor would take breaking the cots as a personal challenge. 

[ellstersmash]

Three: Eight

Fandom: Dragon Age

Pairing: Solas x f!Lavellan (Modern!AU) / Minor Cullen x f!Lavellan

Rating: T for Teen

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They drive out to Dragon’s Peak on Friday morning. Early, and she sleeps the whole way, waking up when the car slows to find the mountains filling the windows and Cullen’s hand resting on her knee. Gravel crunches under the tires as they weave through the campsites. Most are unoccupied, but it’s nice not to have neighbors when there are no walls. After a while, Sera’s car comes into view, a round yellow rusted thing surrounded by more empty campsites and the color green. They park at the next site over, get out, and stretch their legs.

It’s beautiful. The trees here are limbless for the first twenty feet, all dark wood and wonder, reaching invariably for the bright blue that peeks down from between them. A tiny packed-dirt path between the sites leads through the edge of the woods, down to a wooden dock and a small sandy beach.

Athi pulls out a french press, sets up the camp stove, and helps Cullen with the tent until the water boils.

Sera finally shows, emerging from the woods with a roll of toilet paper and a bottle of sanitizer, and Athi pours her a cup. Then the three of them sit, quiet on the dock. Coffee in their hands and the wind in their hair and their toes in the water, soaking up too much sun.

Leliana, Josie, and Cassandra show up first. They come prepared with towels and suits and Leliana brings a raft made for lounging.

Bull, on the other hand, brings his new boyfriend, Dorian. One of those guys who are handsome enough to kick the wind right out of a perfectly healthy set of lungs. He’s funny and clever, with charisma coming out his ears.

And he insists that Cullen join them for a hike.

“So, frat-boy came after all,” Sera says once they’re gone. “That’s good, right?”

“He didn’t go to university.”

“Like that’s the point.” She kicks out her legs, inspecting their color as the water drips down, then grabs the sunscreen from behind her. “Blonde. Beefy. Boring. Frat-boy!”

“How would you know if he’s boring?”

“Is he?”

“He runs into burning buildings to save people for a living, how could that possibly be boring?”

Sera bumps her shoulder, cherry blossom streaked with white, into Athi’s. “That’s not a real answer.”

“Fine, he’s not boring!”

“If you say so. Ah, shite. Got too much of this mess. Take some?”

They swim and sit and float and play, jeans and sundresses stuffed into bags, abandoned on the beach, draped over the dock. Athi goads Cass into a race to the floating island, and then loses by more than a hair. The sun trades places, east to west, and suddenly the day is gone.

Athi pulls herself onto the dock and wriggles back into her jeans. Finds her tank top on Sera’s shoes, and twists her hair up to keep the lake water off her back. When she offers to go back to camp for drinks, the response is more than enthusiastic.

To be perfectly honest, it’d be nice if someone else would fetch the drinks for a change.

Back at the camp, Varric is crouched next to a rather pathetic excuse for a fire.

“Please tell me you’re not cooking,” she says.

“Oh, I’m not. Though I’d like to think I could rise to the occasion and warm up some hot dogs. You know, if the people needed me.”

A trunk slams shut, and she startles. “Thankfully, the people do not, or they would likely all starve.”

Solas walks toward her—no not her, just the campsite. But when she catches the flick of his eyes down her form, her heart still does an uncomfortable flip-flop inside of her ribs.

No, she tells it. No, keep it together.

But creators, she must be a mess. Rolled-up jeans, no makeup, no shoes, swim top soaking through her shirt, and a hasty bun. Probably fried and frizzy. Come to think of it, she’s not even sure she’s looked in a mirror yet today. Not that it matters, of course.

Then there’s Solas. Sharp features and ocean eyes. Somehow immaculate, despite the heat, in cuffed tan shorts and an easy olive v-neck. He’d worn it to that party, all those months ago. And it’s half tucked in over the bone of his hip, not that she dwells on it.

And he’s here.

Not that she cares.

He opens a cooler by a small blue tent. Comes back with three beers and a bottle opener, and he holds one out to her. It’s ice-cold and dripping. Off the bottle, into her hand, leaving cool wet tracks down her forearm.

“Hey,” she says softly. For such a small word, it comes out awfully shaky.

“Hello.” His smile, too, is an uncertain little thing, hanging crooked on his mouth like a—

Not that she’s looking at his—

Oh, fuck.

She tears her eyes away, resting them instead on Varric’s dying fire.

“Do you want some help with that?” she offers.

“You know, I thought you’d never ask.”

Setting her bottle beside her, she uses the end of a piece of firewood to push his blackened sticks to the center of the pit, extinguishing whatever flames actually managed to survive his efforts. Then she lays it in the ashes next to the pile. More logs, arranged crosswise, more kindling in the middle, and a burning match sets it freshly alight.

“Hey, Solas! Glad you made it, buddy!” Even coming from the edge of the campsite, Bull’s voice booms in her ears.

Cullen and Dorian trail a ways behind him, talking like old friends.

“You know each other?” she asks.

“Sort of, yeah!” Bull claps Solas on the back. “I was on the squad for some big deal museum thing a couple months back, and he was there, and we got to talking.”

Solas laughs softly. “As I recall, you asked if my companion was single.”

A log slips free of her grasp and clangs against the heavy metal fire guard, but no one seems to notice.

“Mmm. Yeah, I remember,” Bull says. “Redhead. Good times! Anyway, we’ve hung out a few times since then.”

Varric leans over. “I’ve tried to get in on it, but so far, no luck. Whatever they get up to, it’s gotta be good.”

“Oh, it’s good.” Bull waggles his eyebrows, but Solas only grins, tips his bottle up, and drinks.

“So, this is where you went!”

Cassandra, walking up the path from the lake with the others, has her you’re in trouble face on. Brows knit tight, eyes fierce, voice shrill, and Athi can’t help but wonder if this is what it feels like to be accused of murder.

But Varric cuts in before she can ask for a lawyer.

“Hey, Seeker!” he says. “Fancy meeting you here.”

The look Cassandra gives him is withering. “Oh, it’s you . I suppose I should have known.”

“Sorry, I was”—Athi gestures to the now-healthy fire—“waylaid.”

Varric laughs. “Taken captive by my charming vulnerability, she means.”

“Charming!” Cass rolls her eyes. “I have never heard anything so ridiculous.”

Dorian swoops in like the guest of honor, rather than somebody’s plus-one. “Well, this has been a delightful bit of repartee,” he says, “but might I suggest we consider our supper? I’m not sure about the rest of you lot, but the three of us did just climb a mountain.”

“Not the whole thing,” Cullen admits, and is quickly shushed by Dorian.

Athi lets the fire die a bit, and over the embers they cobble together a meal: Bull grills the veggie kebabs he’s had marinating, Sera roasts up some corn, Leliana tucks potatoes wrapped in tin foil into the warm ashes, and Cullen cooks the chicken they brought on hot-dog skewers.

They make a weird bunch, she thinks as they eat and talk and laugh and tease and argue. Humans and elves, a qunari, a dwarf. Different homelands, different jobs. With the exception of Leliana, who has known Josie since high school and Cass since college, all the connections between them are thin. Sera did a couple of Leliana’s tattoos. Varric was (briefly) a suspect in one of Cassandra’s investigations. Cullen and Dorian hadn’t even met before this afternoon. Yet those bonds were struck and somehow held fast in an instant.

It’s difficult to tell where she fits. What gap she fills, what role she plays, but then Bull tells the one about the time she took him shopping, and she decides it doesn’t matter. So long as she fits at all.

Seconds and thirds, then Bull stands and pulls a handful of cigars from his shirt pocket. “Anyone want to go down to the dock? Genuine Seherons, been looking forward to these babies. Dorian? Cass?”

“Thank you, but no.” Dorian grimaces. “I don’t smoke. Besides, I’d like to wear these clothes again someday, and ‘campfire’ is going to be difficult enough to get out.”

“I’ll join you,” says Cass.

Cullen goes as well, leaves her with a warm smile. She never expected him to be so interested in socializing. Not like he ever asked to meet her friends. She’d been worried about him, thought he’d feel out of place or something, but it was needless. He has charmed them all in a single afternoon just by being his polite, well-spoken, surprisingly funny self.

“Surprised you let her out of your sight,” Sera says to Varric, throwing a piece of onion across the fire at him.

He bats it away like he’s done this before. Knowing Sera, he probably has.

“I’m just giving her a chance to miss me, that’s all.”

Everyone seems finished, fed and content. Instinctively, Athi starts to clean up. Collects the trash and plastic plates, the empty bottles, then goes for water but Solas is already elbow-deep in suds. He tells her to sit with the others; instead, she picks up a towel and dries. Feels good to have her hands busy. Feels better to be near—

No.

Josephine gasps. “Oh, Leliana, we never set up our tent!”

“Now is as good a time as any, don’t you think, Josie?”

“Now it is dark! Do you know what you’re doing? I’ve never actually done this before.”

“Well,” Dorian says, “I shall volunteer my services, as I neither prepared dinner nor cleaned up after it.” He nods gratefully toward her and Solas. “Luckily for you, I’m a natural at pointing a flashlight.”

The three of them disappear into the darkness, chattering away.

After the dishes are done and the trash packed away, Athi adds another log to the fire. Another hour or so of Sera fixating on the marshmallows nobody brought, and Varric smacks his palms to his thighs.

“All right, I think it’s about time for me to head out,” he says. “That actual, sheltered, comfortable bed is calling my name.”

“Really?” Athi teases. “It’s barely nine! I’d have thought you had more life left in you than that.”

“Hey, not all of us want to have the same special loathe-hate relationship with mornings that you have, early bird.”

Solas chuckles. “You’ve noticed this as well?”

“Yeah, I made the mistake of calling for a favor at a perfectly reasonable time of day—”

“Reasonable for who, exactly?” she protests.

“—And she picked up, swore colorfully at me in, I believe, no less than three different languages, and disconnected.”

“Oh, please. That’s nothing,” Sera says with a scoff. “She shattered my guitar!”

“I apologized for that.”

“Can’t play an ‘I’m sorry,’ now can I?”

Athi groans. “Just go, Varric. Go to your mattress and mini-bar and room service and take your slander with you.”

“It’s only slander if it’s not true,” he says, and walks away with a casual wave of his wrist.

Sera yawns. “Think I’ll turn in, too.”

“Seriously?”

If Sera leaves, she’ll be alone with him. Really alone. And if they’re alone, he’ll almost certainly look at her at some point, and her heart will do that thing it always does and is not supposed to. Athi pleads with her eyes, begs her to stay, but Sera doesn't notice—or pretends not to. She walks behind the canvas chairs and plants a kiss atop Athi’s head with an exaggerated smacking sound.

“Be good!” And she slips into her tent.

Athi briefly considers following their lead, then remembers it’s been all of five minutes since she declared it too early to do so.

“I suppose you’re the next to fall,” she says to fill the silence, hoping he is.

Hoping he isn’t.

“I could not abandon you so easily.”

Seven words, and she melts. It’s not fair, how quickly he breaks her down, leaves her bare. It's not right. His nearness is intoxicating, their solitude is terrifying, and she’s stuck somewhere between the fear and the falling. Safe, though, like he’s the solid ground. Searching, and he's an answer. Brimful, satiated. Like she’s been trying to breathe underwater, and he’s the air above its surface.

Like she's a foolish, stupid girl with a foolish, stupid heart.

He’s abandoned her once already, practically ghosted her after that stupid fucking morning. Not that she can blame him; she’d disappeared too. And Cullen—

As if summoned by her guilt, his laughter drifts up from the dock. If she blocks out some light from the fire, she can see him from here—just a shadow among shadows.

“He seems nice,” Solas says, and stares intently through the flames like he can see what she does.

“He is.”

“And you are happy?”

Yes , she tries to say. It sticks in her throat. Instead says, “He’s a good guy,” as if that’s enough.

But he accepts it, nods and leans forward to add another piece of wood to the fire. It shifts, and sparks fly. Some disappear into the dirt around her bare brown feet, some float into the air and mix with the stars.

This time, he is the one to break the silence. “Before the world was changed and much of history concealed, magic came to some as easily as breathing.”

His voice, much like a hearty red wine, goes straight to her head and its cadence leaves her giddy.

He continues. “A fire could be summoned or extinguished with a thought; without need for wood or matches to ignite it. Many feared such power, and locked mages away to prevent what they might someday do.”

A story, like the ones about the stars. He settles back into it so quickly, so unexpectedly. On the rooftop at Varric’s with the music thundering beneath them—that’s when they had started. She’d matched his rhythm, once, and the counts of the syllables. Trying to see if he noticed. Trying to provoke him. Trying to see what his ruffled feathers looked like. But he hadn’t missed a beat, only looked at her as though she was all that existed, and begun another story.

Athi tucks her feet underneath her and watches the smoke curl up into the ink-black sky. Carefully, she considers her story and patiently, he waits.

“The Dalish have some stories still, of spells that sunk into the earth and made the forest twist and grow around them. A secret gift from silent gods to keep the world from chaos, because nature has a way of running wild. So they kept it to themselves, passed down from every Keeper to their First.”

“Very good.” His voice wears a smile and a hint of pride. “I’d hoped you had not forgotten.”

“It’s your turn,” she says, still looking up.

“You are right. Give me a moment.”

Feeling indulgent, she lets her eyes rove his face. The glow of the fire on the rise of his cheeks, the focused calm, the cut of his jaw.

“At night, when people slept, they’d dream—but not the empty flailing of a restless mind devoid of stimulation. They visited the Fade, a realm of spirits who reflected expectations, memories, even desires. Waking and sleeping, each world shaped and reflected the other.”

She grows too content, watches him for a split second too long, and it bubbles up in her chest before she can stop it. “I’ve missed you,” and it feels good. Feels honest.

His eyes shift to meet hers, the calm replaced by something soft, surprised, sorrowful.

“And I have missed you.”

Her heart beats wildly against her rib cage. She doesn’t know where to go from here, but then sees a head of yellow curls and the kindest face she’s ever kissed, and Cullen walks up to stand behind her. His hands on her shoulders, he leans down to whisper in her ear.

“Come to bed?”

She wants to say no, wants to stay, but she shouldn’t. She’s lost enough ground already. So she nods, takes his hand, and fills her smile with an apology.

“Goodnight, Solas.”

He smiles back, sort of.

Back in their tent with a flashlight hanging overhead, she roots around the bottom of her bag.

“Hey Cullen?” she asks. “Is my toothbrush in with your stuff?”

“I don’t know. Maybe? I’ll check when I get back.”

“Back? What happened to bed?”

“Yes, back. I need to go use—well, a tree.” He chuckles and kisses her on the forehead and rustles off into the darkness.

Athi changes out of her jeans and her tank top and sits there in the mostly-dark, watching the target-shaped circle of light sway slightly over the blankets. Then she grabs his backpack and starts looking.

It’s not in with his toiletries, or buried under his clothes. Last, she checks the side pockets, and her fingers brush something smooth and hard and suspiciously shaped. Her gut says leave it , but she pulls it out anyway. Just to look, so she won’t wonder.

It fits in her palm. A small square box with rounded edges, black and sleek and velvet, but there’s no way it is what she thinks it is. Still, she flips back the lid. Just to check, so she won’t worry.

Inside is a delicate silver-colored ring, engraved vines climbing toward a deep blue stone. Inside the band, a tiny engraving: everlasting.

The tent zips open again.

“Any luck? Maybe you . . .” He trails off when he sees what she holds in her hand.

“Cullen, what the fuck is this?”

[campgroundspei]

Bayside Travel Park

Campground #20

It's a long weekend on PEI and we are doing what our family enjoys doing most! Camping! We are on our 20th Prince Edward Island Campground!

Bayside Campground in Oyster Bed is where we  spent our weekend.

Even though, it is a long weekend we had some appointments in our day so we didn't get to the campground till around 4:30. We are also tenting this trip as my husband is working and I don't feel comfortable enough to drive a truck with a fifth wheel hooked on to it.

(When I called and booked the owners were so sweet and said that they would put me right across from the park so I could stay at my site and relax if my children wanted to take off to the park!)

We got our campsite set up in about an hour, it was pretty hot yet windy so it took me longer then I felt it

should have because of my hair blowing in my face every five seconds and the sweat pouring off of me! Once we got our site all set up, we definitely did some cheating and went to Big Mommas for supper.

(I actually planned on doing this all along though as they have the best fries with works I have ever had on PEI and have been waiting all summer to get there for some!)

After supper,  we ran into my brother who is seasonal at this campground and we had a drink together and went for a walk around the campground!

(He didn't know I was coming so it was a surprise for him to see me there!)

  After the walk I went back to my site and chilled for a bit with the kids then let them watch a movie in the tent. (We had our laptop there and used the campgrounds wifi and the kids were able to watch Netflix without any problems at all!)

After breakfast the next morning, the boys and I went for a walk around the campground. It is a small quiet very clean campground. The 2W and 3W sites were a fair size, they also have lots of seasonal people here who seem to be like a community. (I felt very safe camping here in a tent with the kids by myself!) They also had a gorgeous area for playing horse shoes, a beautiful pool set up, small playground with swings and a small store that sold your basics like ice, firewood and chips!

After our walk the kids wanted to go to the pool they had just peeked at so we got ready and headed there. The pool temperature was cold at first but not to bad once you got used to it. It was also beautifully laid out, with relaxing chairs on the sides and even a few shelters around. It wasn't very busy and lots of places to lounge around it ( definitely a place where I would enjoy lounging around all day!)

When we were done the pool we headed back to our site for some lunch! Then after that we headed to a beach with my brother and his kids that was a short drive away!

We spent a few hours there and then as soon as we got back the kids wanted to go back to the pool so we did!

(We were in the pool until supper time!)

After supper we started an early campfire, the store even gave me paper and kindling to start my fire! (This is the first time that paper and kindling have been provided from  any campground I've been to. Usually it is just the wood!)

I spent the evening around the campfire with my boys and playing with glow sticks until they were ready for bed!

As soon as we woke up Sunday morning we packed up our site and headed home. We were definitely all a little more tired after tenting for a weekend then we are when we have our trailor!

This campground is a small, quiet campground that is very clean and has a community vibe.

It is beside the Oyster Bed Speedway so if you don't like that noise I would suggest to go on a weekend with no races! (There was some when we were there but apparently the wind was going the right direction so it wasn't to bad. We only heard the cars every once in a while.)

My 12 year old said his favorite thing was the pool!

My 5 year old said his favorite thing was the pool and playing with the glowsticks!

My favorite part was the how relaxing the pool area and also that there was NO MOSQUITOES!

I would probably come back here for a weekend!

[tipsycad147]

How To Create And Use A Ritual Fire In Your Magic

Julie Hopkins

Fire is one of the most versatile and powerful elements we have available to us as witches. It provides many benefits to humans and animals, such as light and warmth. It also has the ability to harm and destroy. Because of this, we often view fire as one of the most dangerous elements.

Personally, I find ritual fires to be a beautiful expression of my magic. I grew up going to camp in the north woods of Wisconsin, and evening campfires were times for singing songs, telling stories, deepening relationships, and admiring the abundant power of nature.

Traditionally, a ritual fire is a magical practice involving a large outdoor fire. This can be a campfire, a bonfire, or a fire in your backyard fire pit, but you’re certainly not limited to those types of fires. You can even have a mini ritual fire by burning paper, wood, or herbs in your cauldron. Ritual fires allow you to work with the element of fire in a different way than with other magical tools such as candles or incense.

Ritual Fire Safety

Before we get too far into this topic, let’s talk about fire safety. Again, fire is a powerful element, and we must treat it with the respect it deserves. Just because we’re performing magic with fire doesn’t mean we can bypass any of the necessary safety precautions. The safety tips in this article are meant to serve as a starting point. It’s not an exhaustive list, so be sure to do your own research before using this magical tool.

Choosing The Location Of Your Ritual Fire

Make sure that the location you choose for your ritual fire is a place where you can legally and safely use fire. Different neighbourhoods or forest preserves may have regulations regarding fires. It’s not uncommon for parks and neighbourhoods to place fire bans when the weather has been dry and the risk of forest fires is high.

From a magical standpoint, it’s ideal for the location of your fire to hold some kind of meaning for you. You might want to pick a place where you’ve created many positive memories over the years or maybe you pick a location for its natural beauty. You might just pick a place that you feel drawn to for some unknown reason. If possible, honour that intuitive pull. It might mean that you are meant to work with the energy of that particular space.

You’ll also want to take a moment to walk around the area, making sure that the energy of the space is a good match for you. Consider inviting anyone else who is taking part in the ritual fire to do a walkthrough of the space as well. If something feels “off” to you, you might decide to pick a different spot.

Starting Your Ritual Fire

Wear clothing that isn’t too loose or baggy. Capes are fun and witchy, but they can be a fire hazard. If you have long hair, pull it back with a hair tie.

When you’re ready to start your fire, check that there are no overhanging branches near where your ritual fire will be. If you see any bits of flammable matter near your fire such as pine needles, small twigs, or leaves, brush them away. Make sure your fire will be contained in some form or another. A ring of rocks or a ring of metal are common ways to contain your fire.

Creating a circle around your ritual fire with rocks or metal can also hold powerful symbolism. Circles represent completion and cycles. Fire is sometimes viewed by witches as a demonstration of a life cycle. A fire grows from a spark, creating beauty, light, and warmth in the physical world before transitioning from flames to smoke. Humans are born into this world, create change, and finally make some kind of transition through death.

That may or may not resonate with you, and I invite you to create your own ideas, beliefs, and symbolism to your ritual fire.

Holding A Ritual Fire With Others

Ritual fires are typically practised with others, but this isn’t a requirement. I recommend for safety purposes to have at least one other person there with you, particularly if you’ve never started or put out a ritual fire. It’s nice to have someone else with you to share the responsibility of tending to the fire. You want to enjoy your fire and your witchcraft, not spend the whole time stressing about it.

Tools For Your Ritual Fire

A large bucket of water

Depending on the size of your fire, you might want to have more than one bucket of water ready to go. Make sure you have enough water to douse the embers of your fire before leaving the site, and extra water just in case.

A shovel or long stick

You’ll use this to tend to the fire and the logs. You’ll also use this at the end of your ritual fire when you stir the remaining embers to extinguish them.

Matches or a lighter

You’ll need something to start your fire. Depending on your preferences, you can use matches, a lighter, or even rubbing two sticks together. I use a lighter for the sake of convenience, but again, this is completely up to you.

Wood

Some campgrounds have regulations on what wood you’re allowed to burn for environmental reasons. Check the local laws. If there are no regulations, consider choosing wood by what kind of energy it holds. Think about what memories, beliefs, and stories you associate with different kinds of wood. Maybe birch trees make you think of your childhood home because you lived on a road called “Birch Street”. In that case, using birch wood in your ritual fire might be perfect for home blessing spells or “inner child” healing work. Get creative here and make your own connections if you feel called to do so. This will add meaning and power to your ritual fire.

Herbs

You may consider adding herbs to your ritual fire. If you do this, pick herbs that are safe to burn and that support your magical intention. I love charging a bay leaf with my intention (by holding it in my hands or writing my intention on the leaf) and burning it in a ritual fire.

Paper

You can also burn journal pages with manifesting intentions written on them, or notes about things you want to banish from your life. It’s very satisfying to watch your paper blacken, curl and disappear into a ritual fire.

Cauldron

Use your ritual fire to heat your cauldron. Make potions, drinks, or soups over your ritual fire. Or create a mini ritual fire in your cauldron.

Other Magical Tools

If you feel called to use other magical tools with your ritual fire, use them in your practice as long as it is safe to do so. For example, you can hold a crystal that supports your intention as you gaze at your ritual fire, but don’t put the crystal near the fire because heat can cause crystals to crack. You can also use kindling or fire starter to help get your fire going.

Ritual Fires & The Elements

You can acknowledge and honour each element as you come across it during your ritual fire. Earth is represented by the wood. The flames and heat represent fire. Air is represented by the smoke rising up from the fire. Water is used at the end to douse your fire. Think about the relationship between different elements. Observe what elements feed the fire and which extinguish the fire. This can allow you to understand the energy of each element in a new way.

The Magic Of A Ritual Fire

When you’re enjoying your ritual fire, take notice of all the different qualities of the fire. Create your own stories and meaning around each quality.

Light & Shadow

There are many ways you can find symbolism in the light and shadows that fire displays. For example, you might associate light with your conscious mind and shadow with your subconscious side. Maybe the relationship between light and shadow makes you think of the sun and the moon, or even the different phases of the moon.

You can practice scrying with your ritual fire, using the flames and the movement of the shadows to receive messages. You can also scry with the embers of a dying fire. Move the embers and ash with your shovel and see if you receive any messages.

Heat

The warmth of a fire can be incredibly soothing. You can use the sensation of heat to energetically cleanse yourself or call in love.

You can place a rock (or a nonflammable object) that represents a person or energy and use the magic of your ritual fire to “warm its cold heart” or any other phrase that resonates with you.

Burning & Releasing Energy

Your ritual fire has the power to consume matter, transforming it into ash. You can use this energy to release and banish any unwanted energy. Think about the fire burning away your unwanted energy just as it burns through the wood.

Smoke

Smoke naturally rises up into the sky, and because of this, you can use smoke to send intentions, messages, or visions into the universe. Picture your intention riding on the smoke all the way up to its destination.

How To Put Out A Ritual Fire

Never leave your ritual fire unattended. Make sure your fire is COMPLETELY out before you leave the space. This includes making sure the flames are extinguished, the wood isn’t smouldering, and all the embers have been put out.

Just because a ritual fire looks like it is out, doesn’t mean it’s actually out. Sometimes all it takes is a gust of wind or even the heat from the sun to get a fire burning again.

The safest way to put out a campfire or bonfire is to wait for the flames to burn down into embers. Then douse the embers with water. Use your shovel to stir the embers, separate burning pieces of wood, and mix in dirt to help extinguish the last bits of the fire. Keep pouring water on your fire until you can’t see any more smoke rising from it and you can’t feel and warmth coming from the ash.

To learn more about fire safety, here’s a video created by the USDA Forest Service on how to start and put out campfires.

Occasions For A Ritual Fire

Hold a ritual fire whenever you want! You don’t need a specific occasion for doing this kind of magic. If you happen to be looking for a special way to celebrate a sabbat or esbat, ritual fires are associated with full moons and most of the sabbats. Some sabbats have traditions that call for ritual fires like Beltane or Yule.

Other than that, if you feel called to have a ritual fire or if you think the symbolism of a ritual fire will support your specific intention, by all means, use this magical practice in your witchcraft. If you do so with respect for the potential dangers, you’ll be able to reap the many benefits of this powerful magic.

https://thetravelingwitch.com/blog/how-to-create-and-use-a-ritual-fire-in-your-magic

[travelinglifeshighways]

Glacier National Park & Livingston, Montana

Glacier National Park

& Livingston, Montana

Saturday - Sunday, August 11 -12, 2018

Smoky, 82°

 “Before Alaska came along and ruined everything, one of every twenty-five square miles in America was Montanan.  This much space has nurtured a healthy Cult of Place in which people find perfection, even divinity in the landscape.” (Ellen Meloy)

 Saturday - Before leaving the Golf Course RV Park, laundry was done, oil added to the RV and in about an hour we would be at the border crossing on Highway 93 in Roosville, Montana.  Border crossings can be fun or a little annoying depending on how crowded or the moods of the border patrol officers working at the time.

This little back road entry into the United States was not crowded but watching the vehicle in front go through the passport procedure gave a little hint as what was to come.  The couple in the car in front of the RV, after giving their passports to the patrol officer, was asked to get out of their vehicle and go inside for further examination.  After several minutes, the man came out and moved his vehicle so we could pass through.

 The patrol officer asked the usual questions, “How long have you been in Canada?”  “Do you have more than ten thousand dollars in the vehicle?”  Are you carrying any fruits, vegetables, or other agricultural products?”  The answers were, “about a week, I wish I had ten grand, and no.”  The officer explained that the couple in front was pulled inside for a random inspection but since they had other issues the random inspection would go to the RV instead.

 He took the passports; off inside we went and after about 10 minutes another officer came over and would go out to the RV to inspect it.  I had put a bundle of firewood in the shower to keep it dry and looking at the border crossing from Alaska into Canada there was about a cord of fire wood in “camping bundles” off to the side so I figured this time the firewood would be grabbed up by the officer.  He came aboard, looked into the refrigerator and found two and a half lemons there.  This was forbidden fruit, even though it was purchased in Alaska, he had to confiscate it.  Oh no, contraband being brought in the United States.  They were bought to help my throat irritation from all the fire smoke.  Lemon and honey plus maybe some Jim Beam to help soothe that crappy feeling over the last several months was what the hot toddy was going to be used for.

 After the identity check and confiscation of the wayward fruit we were allowed to enter the USA! 

Welcome to the USA Sign - Simple but True

 It was about time after this forty five minute pause in the drive.  Down the road a way was the beautiful little community of Whitefish.  There were several deer grazing in people’s yards and the road through town was filled with people doing their Saturday chores.  The town has a rustic feel to it, much like Jackson, Wyoming, with its old style buildings.  There was a fire truck with firemen collecting money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association for the upcoming Labor Day drive.  This would be another beautiful place to live with a population of only about 6,500 people.

 We were heading to Glacier National Park to Apgar campground, a first come, first served facility which fills up quickly each morning.  Arriving just at eleven o’clock the board at the Park’s entrance still showed campsites available. 

 Glacier National Park Sign

 It took only a couple minutes to drive into the campground but the camp host said that the last spot was just taken minutes ago so there was no room anywhere in Glacier National Park to spend the night.  The smoke was really bad and we could only see Lake McDonald through a fuzzy bluish-white haze.  The mountains with the glaciers were not visible and were covered by the smoke that drifted everywhere.  It was lunch time so a picnic by the lake was in order.  After lunch, a drive along the lake revealed a black bear and several deer wandering the campground.

 Deer in Campground

 It would have been nice to spend the night but it was time to head toward the next bucket list place and cut down on some of that drive tomorrow.  Heading out from Glacier was Flathead Lake where I wanted to drive along the west side on a major highway south.  Missing a turn somewhere, we ended up on a small country road on the east side of the lake.  This whole area was filled with cherry groves and small roadside stands selling fresh, off the tree cherries.  Another unexpected find and the cherries were great, large Rainier cherries.

 South on highway 93 was the National Bison Range, it was debated whether to turn down an old dirt road to see if there were any bison but decided not to as there were still many miles to go.  Where the highway hits the town of Ravalli, coming over the hill and down a long incline were several herds of bison off to the west. 

 Bison off the roadway

It was another pretty amazing sight, seeing these ancient animals grazing or waddling in the dirt.  It would be several more hours before stopping for the night in a small town called Deer Lodge, Montana.

The city is perhaps best known as the home of the Montana State Prison, a major local employer.  The Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs, and former state tuberculosis sanitarium in nearby Galen are the result of the power the western part of the state held over Montana at statehood due to the copper and mineral wealth in that area.  Deer Lodge was also once an important railroad town, serving as a division headquarters for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad ("the Milwaukee Road") before the railroad's local abandonment in 1980.

The current Montana State Prison occupies a campus 3.5 miles west of town.  The former prison site, at the south end of Deer Lodge's Main Street, is now the Old Prison Museum.  In addition to a former cell-block building, the museum complex includes a theater, antique and automobile museums, and a former Milwaukee Road "Little Joe" electric locomotive.

 Deer Lodge is also the location of Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, dedicated to the interpretation of the frontier cattle ranching era.  This site was the home of Conrad Kohrs, one of the famous "Cattle Kings" of Montana whose land holdings once stretched over a million acres of Montana, Wyoming, and Alberta, Canada.  The Grant-Kohrs ranch was built in 1862 by Johnny Grant, a Scottish/French/Metis fur-trader and trapper who encouraged his people to settle in Deer Lodge because of its pleasant climate and large areas of bunch grass prairie, ideal for raising cattle and horses.  The city's name derives from a geological formation known as Warm Springs Mound which contained natural saline that made for a natural salt lick for the local deer population; the protected valley in which Deer Lodge is located was where most of the local wildlife would winter as the temperatures lowered in the high country. (Wikipedia)

We pulled into the small KOA campground as the sun was setting.  It cast a warm, red glow on the western horizon toward Warm Springs Mound.  The other campers were sitting by their fires but after the long day of driving, it was time for dinner and off for some much needed sleep.

Sunday – It would be another long day driving across Montana.   As I was doing my routine of disconnecting the water, power, and sewer, I saw that the thread was showing on the driver side front tire.  This was not good as there have been over 18,000 miles on this trip and whatever was on the tires when the RV was purchased.  It is Sunday morning, in the middle of nowhere USA, and all of the tire stores are closed today.   

It was only about fifty or sixty miles to Butte, so hopefully, we could find something open on a Sunday and replace the tire.  It was a slow careful drive into Butte and hopefully, this Montana town would have something open.  There was a large Walmart with an automotive section that was open so we spent the day there getting two new front tires.  The young guy helping check me in looked at the tires, said the rig was out of alignment causing the excessive ware on one side of the tires.  He had replacement tires but thought he would have to put the new tires on the rear of the RV and swap out the rear ones to the front.  After checking, he decided to put the new ones on the front since the rear wheels have dual tires on each side.

It was going to take several hours to get to the RV ready so it gave us an opportunity to buy groceries, get a pedicure, and hang out for lunch while the vehicle was being readied.  One stop shopping for all your needs at Walmart.  There were even a couple of overnight campers Boondocking in the parking lot.  It was about four in the afternoon when the tire change was finished.  Finally, it was time to hit the highway towards Bozeman and another “hot springs” campground. 

Calling ahead, we found the campground was full so it was time to adapt, overcome the obstacle and find another campground for the night.  On a previous trip, I remembered another KOA campground just past Livingston, Montana on the way to the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park.  So, it was time to drive there for the night.

While driving towards Livingston, I remembered a dream from the night before.  It was weird and funny and came to me out of nowhere.  I was checking into a camp ground and the camp host was “Jerry Lewis”.  He was the airline pilot, “Captain Eddie” from “The Family Jewels” complete with the funny looking mustache.  After getting set up at the campsite another “Jerry” came by to show me how to start a campfire.  This one was “Skylock”, the Sherlock Holmes style detective with glasses and bushy mustache.  He went around placing kindling and haphazardly threw logs in the fire pit.  Once that was done, he threw gasoline all over the logs and lit it causing a huge explosion and fire.  His eyebrows and mustache were singed off as he excitedly said what a great fire he started.  I’m not sure what brought this dream on but could only figure that driving through Whitefish, seeing the fireman with the MDA boot must have triggered something from long ago.

 We checked in just before sundown.  While taking a walk, I started up a conversation with another veteran staying there.  He and his wife were staying in one of the “Kamping Kabins®” that KOA offers.  They were with another couple riding their motorcycles through Yellowstone and that part of Montana.  Each year, they pick a place and do a road trip.  They camp in the cabins and ride each day to see what the area has to offer.  A walk down to the Yellowstone River as the sun was setting was a nice way to end another day on the road while Traveling Life’s Highways.

[photographerswiththeircamer-blog]

Everything You Need To Know About Camping: A Guide

There isn't much in this world that can be as satisfying as a good camping trip. All that fresh air and nature is amazing. These tips can help you to start being a camper yourself! Let all of your family members have a chance to contribute to picking a campsite. Discuss things like the state you would like to see, particular parks that interest you and what type of camping experience you are looking for. Choosing one can be really hard in the United States, given how many places there are to go! To aid in this decision, you may want to offer a few of those that you personally like the best and than let each family member vote. If you have a new tent, practice setting it up at home before your trip. It will help you make sure that all of the parts are included and learn how to set it up right. This can eliminate the frustration of trying to set up your tent in a hurry. Preparation and organization are chief factors to facilitate a great camping trip. Try to be as prepared as possible when you go out camping; don't just take off on a whim. If you are camping somewhere new, research the area to familiarize yourself with the climate, wildlife and other factors. You can go swimming at the same time that you camp! You are probably going to miss the shower you have at home while camping. Swimming is a great way to rinse off and can take the place of your daily shower. Oranges can be used for insect repellent. Keep the peels when you are finished eating them. Rub the peels on your body and mosquitoes will stay away. Don't forget to https://www.dcu.dk/ pack up some duct tape when you're camping because it's very versatile. You can patch holes in tents, shoes and inflatables as well as using it to secure your tent or seal your mosquito netting. Prior to camping in a brand new area, you must understand its dangers. You need to know about the local insect population, wild animals, natural dangers like water or steep locations and weather conditions. Each camping spot is unique and can be dangerous in its own way. Camping is great fun for kids if you plan things that they can do. They could get bored if there isn't anything to do. Children may not be familiar with activities like pitching a tent or fishing. Take the time to teach them these skills before the trip, especially if they don't spend a great deal of time outdoors. Make sure you pack plenty of camping-friendly food. Nonperishable food is favorable while you will be camping. A run-in with food poisoning can quickly put an end to a fun trip. Take all precautions to make sure your food is packed and prepared properly. The whole point behind camping is to be one with nature, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be prepared for it. While you should bring a sleeping bag, you should bring additional blankets. They can be used as padding or for warmth. Prior to camping, write out a list of everything that you need to pack. This will really be handy if you have a long hike to get to your campground. Make sure you have everything you need and pack a couple days before leaving. When you are camping, be sure you choose the right sleeping bag for the site conditions. If its winter, use a heavy-weight bag and use a light-weight one in the summer. You also want to get a sleeping bag that is comfortable to sleep in as well, so test them out. An orange may prevent you from getting mosquito bites when you're on your camping trip. This can be used if you have forgotten your insect repellant. Use the insides of an orange peel, rubbed gently on any exposed skin. The scent from the orange peel should last for several hours resulting in a long lasting repellent.

Pack mindfully and appropriately. Make a list of what you'll need and check it off as you get things packed. This is very helpful if you'll be far from civilization. A well ventilated and dry tent is a lot more comfortable. When your sleeping quarters are entirely sealed, from head to toe, condensation gathers and can aggravate the breathing. You can wake up wet without adequate ventilation. Tents are usually equipped with ventilation slots and zippered windows and doors that can easily be opened to avoid a build up of excess moisture and that provide a nice cross-breeze. Always bring toilet paper and baby wipes when you go camping. Though leaves offer a natural alternative, it can be very unsavory to do so when paper and wipes are readily available. When you are planning a long trip, bring games to increase the amount of fun that you have. You don't want to spend your entire time reading or playing with electronic gadgets, though. You can do that a home anytime! Bring dryer lint on your next camping trip. It might be a little weird sounding, but it's a great and cheap way to start up a campfire. Lint can light more easily than wood kindling does. All that's needed for a toasty fire is a spark https://www.reserveamerica.com/ and a pile of lint. Take some things to do while you are inside the tent, or just hanging out at the campsite. You should be prepared in case of bad weather. You could end up spending a great deal of time in your tent if it rains. You do not have to let this ruin your trip. Bring alone a good selection of activities that can be used in an RV, cabin or tent. Camping is a unique adventure. Fresh air, beautiful things to look at and that outdoor feeling are all part of the appeal. Try the tips and tricks you've learned here to make your next camping trip even more relaxing.

[rethink-music-blog]

Learn All About Camping Here And Have Fun

There isn't much in this world that can be as satisfying as a good camping trip. The fresh air and outdoor environment will help you have loads of fun. These tips can help you to start being a camper yourself! Select a sleeping bag which is right for the season. You don't want to sweat all night because you brought a sleeping bag that is suitable for winter in the middle of the summer. On the other hand, if you pack a lighter summer bag during cold weather camping, you are going to not get any rest. Extremely cold weather can bring about frostbite. After buying a tent, make sure to pitch it in your yard before you leave for a trip. It will help you make sure that all of the parts are included and learn how to set it up right. This can eliminate the frustration of trying to set up your tent in a hurry. Make sure that the tent you take camping has enough space for everyone you are taking along. This will give you the room necessary for a comfortable camping trip. You may wish to take a class that has to do with first aid, especially if you're traveling with kids. If something bad happens, you'll be able to take care of it because you'll know exactly what to do while waiting for a health professional to show up. Also, do your research. Are there any poisonous snakes, plants or any other things you should know before you head out? Before you set out on your camping trip take the time to check the weather forecast for the area that you will be visiting. There are dozens of websites that can tell you about local climates. This way you will know what type of clothing to pack and the equipment you need. The lint from your dryer's lint filter will help you start a campfire. Begin collecting dryer lint a few weeks before your trip. Collecting lint in a bag will allow you to have a fire building tool for your trip. This technique allows you to grab your kindling and go the day of your trip. There are many items in terms of camping equipment that you should bring on your trip. You certainly don't want to forget something important like your sleeping bag or tent. Have a checklist of the items you need before you leave lest something be left behind. When you are camping, pack enough of the right kinds of food. It is very important to make sure the food you bring will not spoil during your trip. Food poisoning can put a miserable end to an otherwise lovely trip. Take the proper steps to prepare your food and do research if necessary. Find the most level, rock-free ground possible to set up your tent on. If you pick a spot that is rocky or has a slope to it, you will be uncomfortable when you are inside your tent. Make sure you place a tarp underneath your tent to keep water out, also. Pick an appropriate sleeping bag for the camping climate. If you are camping in a colder climate, purchase a heavyweight sleeping bag; people who camp in warm weather should use a lightweight sleeping bag. You want a sleeping bag that is close to your body and helps you retain your body heat if you plan to sleep in a tent. Pay close attention to where your kids are when camping. Cars always are always coming and going from these sites, so young children may simply and quickly get lost inside the woods. In no time, your children could be harmed, so always keep a watchful eye on them. Plan out all of your clothing before leaving for your trip. Make sure you'll have clean clothes to wear every day. You should also make sure to include clothing that is appropriate for the climate and possible weather changes in your camping area. Closed toe shoes and hiking boots are generally needed for camping. It is wise to leave a cell phone fully charged somewhere where you can reach it. Better yet, bring along an extra battery or two in case your phone runs out of juice. Your cell phone can help should an emergency arise. Camping can make for a very relaxing weekend in your life or it can be a hellish trip. It all depends on the time you take to properly prepare for your trip. When you prepare correctly, your trip will be great. Seal all the seams when pitching your tent. If your tent kit did not contain a tube of sealant, it can be found at most sporting stores. This can keep rainwater, insects and animals from invading your tent.

Select a sleeping bag that works with the temperature and season. For example, in the summertime, a lighter bag will keep you cool. Though, winter will require a heavy bag that traps body warmth during the night. Make sure that all food brought along on a camping trip is preserved and prepared properly. Put your food in waterproof containers. Also, use insulated coolers. Cooked foods should always be kept away from raw foods so they don't become contaminated. Make sure your hands are clean whenever you are preparing food either by washing them or using hand sanitizer. Cook foods to the right internal temperature and get foods that need to be cold chilled quickly. Instead of buying an expensive tarp, you can use a shower curtain you planned to discard. You can use it for a variety of other purposes as well. Instead of consigning your shower curtain to the dumpster, wash it and keep it around for your next camping trip. In closing, there are not very many activities that can compete with the experience of a camping adventure. Fresh air, beautiful things to look at and that outdoor feeling are all part of the appeal. By applying the ideas in this piece, you are positioned to have the best camping adventure possible.