#anyway face to face w patrick zweig again

[artstennisracket]

Camp Evergreen

Art Donaldson x Patrick Zweig

Ch 2: Bestfriend

Monday 9:30pm

Art and Patrick got to Olivia’s a little late, they wanted to take a smoke and they didn’t want to be the first ones there anyway.

They get inside and they see a lot of the counselors they met earlier, Taylor, Sam, and Ally. They find out that Olivia and Ally are bunk mates so it’s their cabin. Everyone’s just hanging out for the most part. Patrick and Art join them in their circle formation on the floor. Taylor had brought some beers and Ally picked up some vodka.

“Vodka? C’mon now we all know tequila is where it’s at.” Patrick says sipping his beer.

Art reaches over to grab Patrick’s beer and takes a sip. He doesn’t want his own can because they have work tomorrow so he can’t risk it. “Since when do you care about what kind of liquor it is? You just like getting drunk”

“You’re right.” Patrick shrugs. “How do you guys even do this anyways? Isn’t working hungover awful?”

Ally pours herself a shot. “It’s easy, you just have to hydrate well before, take aspirin before going to sleep, and make sure you eat enough.”

The group agrees pitching in with what they do to help their hangovers. After a while everyone had a good amount of liquor in their system. Then, it had become ask Patrick and Art hour. Again, fair they were two of the newest counselors to this camp.

“So how are you guys so close?” Taylor asks.

“We went to mommy and me classes together.” Patrick jokes. He’s on his third beer (all three he shared with Art) and he may of had a few shots but who’s counting.

Art was. He wanted to make sure Patrick didn’t over do it. “I told you we just lived together for 6 years at school.”

“So have you guys ever like…?” Ally questions. She was definitely past the point of tipsy.

“Ally don’t ask them that, you guys don’t have to answer that question.” Olivia interjects.

It took Art a second to process what she was asking but he shook his head and started laughing. “Oh no, no we haven’t.”

Patrick lulls his head to the side and presses his lips together. He take a deep breath and looks back up to the group only to find everyone looking back at him. “What?”

Ally focuses in on Patrick punching her eyebrows together. “You want to say something.”

“Well I-“ Patrick starts.

“No.” Art says firmly

“Well I think it’s a cute story.”

“No Patrick.”

Ally interrupts “Yes Patrick I think you should.”

Art rolls his eyes and pulls his shirt up to cover his face and the blush spreading to his cheeks, “Fine” He mumbles.

Patrick sits up smirk spreading on his face. “Do you want to tell it or should I?”

Art waves his hand dismissively, indicating Patrick can go ahead.

“Well I taught Art how to jerk off” Patrick says like he’s so proud of himself then he takes another sip of his beer.

The group laughs, it’s not really like their laughing at Art but just the concept of his self-discovery also including Patrick just makes sense.

Art feels the need to stand up for himself and elaborates, “Okay well Patrick was an early bloomer and I think that, that I was in time. So one time when we were 12, it was night time and I asked what he was doing and he said-“

“Jerking off” Patrick chimed in

“And he showed me how”

Taylor raises his eyebrow still chuckling. “What mean do you mean he showed you how?”

“We were doing it together but l I stayed on my bed, he stayed on his bed .” Art says running his hand through his hair, why is he so stressed right now?

Ally chimes in, “So was it like…silent?”

Patrick goes to say “No we were talking about uh what’s her name?”

“Kat Zimmerman, Patrick said it was always better if you think about someone so I asked who he was thinking about so I thought about her too” Art mumbles.

The group starts to laugh again, just because of how ridiculous all of this is, but also because they’re all pretty intoxicated at this point.

Art stands up, he stumbles a little he was definitely more tipsy than he thought, “It’s getting late, I think we should head out.”

“Whaaaat? It was just getting fun.” Patrick smirks. Art doesn’t have to look at him to know he’s pouting.

Art goes to help Patrick up without stumbling too much. He slings Patrick arm over his shoulder to stabilize. “Thanks again for the invite Liv.”

Art walks them back to his room but all he can think about is that embarrassing story that Patrick loves to bring up for some reason. Thinking about it brought redness to Art’s cheeks and he could feel himself start to harden in his shorts. It’s not the first time thinking about that particular story has made Art feel this way but he usually tries to ignore it. There have even been times where he’s jerking off and Patrick manages to slip into his thoughts…maybe Art did drink more than he thought.

They get back to the cabin and Art helps Patrick take his shoes off and get in their bed. Patrick knocks out almost instantly when he hits the mattress. Art takes his time using the bathroom, getting changed, and gets into bed. He’s laying down now facing Patrick. Art takes his time admiring studying Patrick’s features. He likes how Patrick’s freckles always become more visible in the summer. He likes how long Patrick’s eyelashes are, they accentuate his high cheekbones. Art brings his hand to rest on Patrick’s cheek, moving his thumb in back and forth gently. Art feels like he could stay here forev-

Only for his train of thought to be abruptly interrupted when Patrick lets out a loud snore. Art retracts his hand and shakes his head with a small smile on his face, some things never change.

…

Friday 11:00 am

The rest of the week goes pretty well. Art’s finding being a counselor easier than he originally thought, he’s thankful that his kids are so amazing. His favorite parts of the day are definitely when he’s coaching his kids in tennis. They’ve grown so much in a short period of time so he feels a sense of pride that he was the one that helped them get there. The tennis courts were also right next to the pool so he could see Patrick, shirtless, at the pool with his kids. But that had nothing to do with anything…

Today the kids had craft time, so Art took them over to the arts and crafts building. The art instructor had told the kids that today they’ll making friendship bracelets, a staple part of summer camp. The instructor explained they could pick any colors of string they wanted to make a bracelet for themselves or for someone else. Art helped the art instructor set everyone up, getting different colors of string and cutting them to the right length, and typing the starter knot. Once everyone was settled in, beginnings of their bracelets taped to the table, the instructor carried on with his instructions.

Usually after the instructions are given Art would walk around make sure no one needs help, ask the instructor if there’s anything he can help with, but today everyone seemed to be getting along fine.

A while later, one of kids, Mason, asks Art, “Have you ever made a friendship bracelet before?”

Art shakes his head, “No I’ve actually never made one of these before. Have you?”

“What? Why not? They’re so fun to make. Do you not have a best friend or something,” Mason gasps as if Art has just committed a major crime.

Art chuckles, “No I do have a best friend but I never learned how to make a friendship bracelet before.”

“Who’s your best friend?” Mason questions looking up at Art.

“Well do you know Patrick? He’s one of the other counselors. He’s my best friend.”

“Wow that’s so cool! You should make him a friendship bracelet so he knows that he’s really your best friend.”

“Is that so?” Art chuckles.

“I think so.” Mason shrugs returning back to working on his bracelet.

Art thinks Mason may have a point. He wouldn’t mind actually doing something during the kids arts and crafts time. They would be working on these bracelets during their designated craft time over the next couple of days so he might as well join them.

He picks up a few different colors, purple, yellow, black, and white. Everyone knows adding black wand white to any friendship bracelet color combo is necessary. Art take a seat at one of the tables and ties his strings into a knot. He then tapes it to the table and begins tying small knots, this makes each color form into its own row. Wow this really was going to take a few days

…

Friday 12:30pm

It was finally lunch time. Patrick was starving. It was friday it’s pizza day, Patrick’s personal favorite. He was able to sweet the lunch lady into giving him an extra slice of pepperoni pizza and maybe some extra fries too. He walks over to his usual lunch table spotting Olivia and Art and someone else? Oh it’s Taylor. He doesn’t usually sit with them at lunch but it’s whatev- oh Taylor’s sitting in Patrick’s seat next to Art. Kind of annoying but whatever.

The group is laughing as Patrick approaches and takes a seat next to Olivia.

“What’s so funny?” Patrick asks. To anyone else it sounds like Patrick is genuinely asking about what everyone was laughing about. But Art could hear the irritation in Patrick’s voice, hell he could even feel it when Patrick was walking over to them.

“Taylor was just telling us about one of his blackout drunk stories where he ran 10 miles all the way back home.” Olivia smiles as her laughter comes to an end.

Taylor adds on smiling, “The only reason I even found out I ran home in the first place was because the health app on my phone recorded the run.”

Patrick nodded, taking a bite of his pizza. He could care a lot less about Taylor’s drunk run home, he just wants his seat back. But he doesn’t want to see like a big baby either. It just sucks because he only sees Art in glimpses during the day so lunch time is the only time they can really be close.

Art looks over to Patrick, he doesn’t want to ask why Patrick is upset in front of everyone so instead he opts for, “How’s your day going so far?”

“It’s fine. How’s everyone else’s day going?” Patrick doesn’t even really feeling talking anymore so he turns the conversation back to them while he finishes his pizza.

Art opens his mouth like he’s about to speak before Taylor swings his arm to fall around Art’s shoulders pulling him closer to Taylor, “Art almost got drowned by his campers today.” Taylor has that stupid smille on his face where his dimples are showing and he thinks he just said something so funny. But Patrick is not laughing. If anything he feels like he wants to throw up and punch someone (Taylor) all at the same time. Thankfully he had already finished his lunch.

Art laughs before he elaborates, “We were at the water playground and everyone thought it’d be a good idea to jump on me even though we’re literally in a lake, but it’s fine I’m obviously fine.”

“Oh my gosh Art that’s so funny. But I feel like it’s a right of passage. I’m glad you’re okay though.” Olivia says before she takes a sip of her water.

Art could feel that Patrick was angry about something but not sure what. Maybe because he didn’t get to sit in his normal spot next to Art but Art also wasn’t going to tell Taylor, You can’t sit here that’s Patrick’s seat. That would’ve been…weird? Taylor can sit where he wants, even though Art would’ve preferred Patrick sitting next to him.

Was it because Taylor has his arm around Art’s shoulder?Was it because there was someone else invading Art’s personal space that wasn’t Patrick? So Patrick was…jealous? Art wasn’t sure how to feel about his discovery, but his body definitely did. He could feel butterflies in his stomach. Did he like Patrick being jealous? Either way, now Art’s focus is on making Patrick feel better. He slides out from under Taylor’s arm and makes sure to keep that distance between them.

“I got you an extra slice of pizza.” Art takes the plate from his tray placing it onto Patrick’s empty one.

A small smile makes its way to Patrick’s face, “Thanks babe.” That did make him a feel a little better, maybe his appetite wasn’t all the way gone.

“Damn Zweig, four slices of pizza?” Taylor exclaims.

Patrick shrugs happily eating his fourth slice. He doesn’t really care what Taylor has to say, Art got him an extra slice, not Taylor.

“That is nothing, I’ve seen Patrick eat an entire pie by himself” Art says crossing his arms and leaning his elbows on the table.

Patrick finishes up his slice, mouth still semi full as he says, “In my defense, I was crossed. We had like- a lot of beers and then we smoked afterwards. I think that was the first time Art ever got high too.”

“Art’s first time getting high?! Please tell us more” Olivia responds fully invested now.

Art start to turn red as he also remembers the first time he got high with Patrick.

It was late on a saturday night. Art and Patrick had already shared more than a handful of lukewarm beers that Patrick had stashed. Patrick pulled out two joints in a little ziplock bag.

Art scrunched his eyebrows together, “Where did you get that?”

“From one of the guys in my history class, you want one?” Patrick already knew Art was goody two shoes and would say no. But he also had a feeling he’d be able to convince Art, just like he did with cigarettes.

Art shakes his head no before Patrick even finished his sentence. “Isn’t that bad for you?”

Patrick lights the first joint, putting it between his lips, “No it’s just a plant, just like tobacco. C’mon just try it, it won’t hurt you I promise.”

Patrick could see that Art was still unsure. He wanted to introduce it to Art in way that’s less intimidating so he comes up with an idea. He pats his lap and says, “C’mere, I’ll show you.”

Maybe Art blamed it on how tipsy he was, no inhibitions and all that jazz, but he scooted over until he was sitting in Patrick’s lap. They were making direct eye contact. Patrick takes a big inhale and pulls the joint out of his mouth. He takes Art’s face in both hands and blows the smoke directly into Art’s mouth. Art sputters and coughs a little bit, he wasn’t expecting that and now his heart is racing. Patrick laughs, “You were supposed to inhale it. Do you want to try again?”

Art nods. He wants to be good and do this right. He went from being unsure to being determined that he would get this right. “Okay I’m ready.” He whispers.

Patrick tries again, taking a long drag from the joint. He takes Art’s face into his hands again, closing his eyes as he lightly blows the smoke into Art’s mouth. This time Art was waiting with his mouth slightly open and he inhaled it.

Patrick has a smirk on his face because he knew Art would eventually give in. “See I told you you’d get it, good job babe.”

Art suddenly feels a wave wash over him, he feels so turned on right now. He’s trying to will away the semi that currently forming in boxers. Art locks eyes with Patrick and for a moment they’re just looking each other. Art watches as Patrick’s eyes drift down to his lips. Patrick looks back up. Art looks like an absolute vision when he’s high. His cheeks are flushed and his eyes are glazed over. He’s always been so pretty. Blonde curly hair and blue eyes, well one of his eyes has a patch of brown and that just made him ever prettier. Patrick thinks he would care more about the tent growing in his boxers if he couldn’t already feel Art’s boner pressing against his stomach.

Patrick looked back to Art’s lips about to lean i- RINGGGGGGG, Patrick’s phone starts to ring.

They pull apart quickly and Art tumbles off of Patrick’s lap. Patrick clears his throat and says, “I think that’s the pizza we ordered.” He stands up tucking his boner under his waist band.

Art nods pulling his knees to his chest as he sits on the floor. Patrick throws on some shorts and slides and says, “I’m gonna go get it,” walking out their room.

When Patrick comes back later they don’t talk about what transpired beforehand, instead focusing on eating their pizza and playing video games. Patrick did eat an entire pie of pepperoni pizza that night.

Art recounts that story to the table making sure to leave out the shotgunning parts. He does leave in the parts where he demolished Patrick in Super Smash Bros.

…

Friday 9:14pm

Patrick steps out of the shower and dries himself off. He goes the towel around his waist before he walks back into their room to get ready for bed.

“What was wrong at lunch?” Art asks from his place in their bed. He had his glasses on since he was a reading a book he had brought with him. He actually looked really fucking cute.

“What do you mean?” Patrick questions back. He’s dressed in some boxer briefs and socks while he towels his hair dry.

Art puts down the book and looks over at Patrick, “You know exactly what I mean, don’t give me that.”

Patrick sighs hanging his towel up and going towards their bed. “I dunno I was just pissed off that Taylor was sitting in my seat.”

Art scrunches his eyebrows “You could’ve said something I’m sure he would’ve moved.”

Patrick goes to lie on their bed with his head in Art’s lap, looking up at him. “Well 1. That would’ve looked really fucking childish and 2. He just wouldn’t of moved”

Art subconsciously starts to play with Patrick’s curls, “What do you mean he wouldn’t have moved? You never asked?”

Patrick rolls his eyes. In his mind it was so obvious that Taylor liked Art. Sexuality and self-discovery aside, Art wouldn’t even know if someone was into him unless they yelled it in his face, clearly. Patrick’s been getting away with it. But from Patrick’s point of view, the way that Taylor has started to integrate himself into their friend group little by little, sit with them at lunch, and even just started trying to hang out with Art more during the day whenever they’d cross paths. It all just pointed to Taylor liking Art.

“He likes you Art.”

“What do you mean? He likes everyone”

“He wants to fuck you Art, it’s so fucking obvious” And maybe Patrick was overreacting, maybe he assessed the situation wrong. But he thinks he hit the nail on the head.

“Oh…why do you think everyone wants to fuck me?”

“Because- because- who wouldn’t want to fuck you?”

Art scrunched his face up and looked down at Patrick in his lap. What did he mean by that? Does that mean that Patrick…also…wants to fuck him? Art doesn’t even know how to process that information so he keeps his thoughts to himself.

“I- I don’t think Taylor wants to fuck me I think he just wanted to make some new friends maybe.”

“‘Make new friends’, but he only seems to be making an effort with you.”

Art pauses, he stops playing with Patrick’s hair, “Is that a problem? I’m allowed to have other friends Patrick”

“Other friends that want to fuck you? Okay sure, do whatever the fuck you want but when he tries to get in your pants don’t say I didn’t tell you” Patrick rolls off of Art’s lap, making his way to his side of their bed. He lays down facing away from Art, going on his phone.

Art sighs. He didn’t know how this conversation went so wrong, he wanted to make Patrick feel better but clearly that didn’t work. So he takes his glasses off and goes to lay down facing away from Patrick.

~