He shuts the door with a click behind him, winding the chain around the handles and easing his way in the darkness of the mess hall. He handed the canned food to Daniel after opening it and chatted him up for a bit. He bid him goodnight, tied his chain around the bed frame once more and reluctantly left. He finds his spot by the window and feels someone poke him on the arm.

"You're still up?" He asks Gwen as he slides down to sit beside her. The patch of her skin that touches him becomes warm on contact. He has spent so much time with Daniel that he nearly forgot what actual human contact felt like—from someone fully alive, that is.

"I've been worried about you," she mumbles. She nudges his shoulder and he nudges back. It's quiet times like these he misses. They get sentimental and they're able to share in each other's burden. David's got a feeling it'll be on him this time. He finds her hand in the darkness and squeezes it.

"I would be too if I were in your place," he says.

"So why do you continue it?" the sound of her clothes brushing against the floor meant she faced him. "He's special, I get it. But you don't have to be with him 24/7," he can practically hear the frown in her voice. He looks down at their hands.

"I don't have to, but I want to," he confesses. "If I were Daniel, I'd long for human contact too. I'd understand that people are scared of me. I'm only giving him what I would've wanted if I were him," he says. He looks up at her, trying so hard to find her eyes in the dark so that he can understand what she truly felt about this.

"How are you so sure he still feels anything?" she asks. This was like a stab to his heart. Because how could he? How was he sure of it?

"I think...I just know it," it was a pathetic answer and they both knew it. Unable to defend his answer, he settles back on the wall and closes his eyes. This time it's Gwen who squeezes his hand.

"Remember those rules I set up for us?" she whispers when one of the kids turn in their sleep, mumbling incoherently before falling into deep sleep again. Their soft snores fill the silence. The brunette makes a sound of agreement.

"Which one?" he chuckles.

"Never join a group, yet here we are." She says tiredly. "Put up your walls, yet we're here mothering a bunch of children." David nods, seeing where she's going with this.

"Don't go after damsels in distress, yet we still came looking for you." She snickers. David fakes a shock look, batting her hand away. This only elicits more laughter from her. They held each other, giggling quietly until their high has died down.

"Your point?" David asks. She clears her throat and straightens her back.

"I'm not really sure what my point is, after all that," she says. "We've gone this far because we haven't broken the rules, but we've also achieved more by... breaking them," she deadpans.

David laughs at her. "Mhm, go on,"

"I mean, if you never went after that kid, we'd never meet these people. We'd probably be hiding under another car or struggling to climb up another building right now. And I'll be honest, ever since we stayed in this campsite, I've felt happier recently." She says, head lolling onto his shoulder.

"Kids do have that effect, yes," he smiles, content with how Gwen's opening up to him.

"Yeah, and maybe it's the change of environment. Out there, it's concrete buildings, fuel and smoke in the air, large neon signs blinking overhead. It's overwhelming, especially in a situation like this. I find it so surreal that a place usually bustling with busy happy people is now empty, save for the corpses who roam it." She sighs.

"I know what you mean," he says. "I like it here too. The trees provide a natural comfort. No artificial lights to distract us or giant billboards obscuring the sky. I sometimes wonder why I didn't take up a job as a camp counselor," he laughs. "It's refreshing to get a nice view of the trees, the sparkling lake, and the sun dipping in between the clouds. It's a shame we're only able to cherish nature's gifts now with our current situation," a yawn escapes him. He feels Gwen pat his back, urging him forward.

"It is," she murmurs. "Reminds me what I'm missing when I'm locked in my apartment, facing the laptop and chugging down caffeine. But for now, you deserve a nap," she tells him when David opens his mouth to retort. "I'll stay up, don't worry. I don't think it's healthy for you to keep watch three nights in a row." He smiles and nods, heading for the vacant mattress on the floor. A soft goodnight is all he hears before sinking into the bed, letting sleep take him.

. . . . .

'"Something's not right," Darla mutters under her breath loud enough only for David to hear. They've taken up residence in a small hardware store that's been ransacked when the virus hit the city. Tonight, they hide and gather their energy for the upcoming days especially since the group just lost another member. Luckily, before they left the scene, another man came up and they were surprised to see Cameron.

They all thought he was dead once they got news of the cluster in the city. Cameron and another man were there, looking for more bottled water. They were almost out.

He came to them, staggering and waving his hand. He warned them of the horde that they encountered and how their friend didn't make it. They shouldered him and found the small store they currently resided in now. Cameron was given a mat to lay on as he caught his breath. David chose that moment to stand outside the room, keeping watch to see if anything suspicious approached. That's when Darla sidled up beside him.

"What do you mean?" David looks at her, a dull ache throbs in his chest. He doesn't fail to notice how they've slowly broken apart from one another. Before being reunited with Gwen, he and Darla had been inseparable. They worked together and got each other's back. David longed to be like that again, hoping for the tension between them to dissipate.

"Cameron's babbling about nonsense. At first he looked traumatized with what happened. That's understandable but... I couldn't make out the words he's been saying. Then he just... stopped," Darla looks around, at the group huddled together at the far end then at the room Cameron stayed in. The door was open, providing them a full view of the sleeping figure on the floor.

"So?" David asked.

"I don't know. He hasn't stirred ever since. I say we watch over him. Who knows what virus he's carrying from being exposed to a horde of them," Darla shifts in place, nervously looking around. Looking back, David realizes she isn't the only one nervous about Cameron's lack of movement. The two guys in their group were whispering amongst themselves. He catches Gwen's eye from far back. She nods, giving him time to talk to his former companion.

"I'm just worried, okay? It's not every day a member of our group comes back to us alive," the weight of her words dig into his skin. She was right. Cameron gave them quite the fright when he emerged from the alleyway.

"As long as we stick together, we don't lose anyone else," David says. He combs his red hair back with his fingers, tired of it getting in his face a lot. He sees Darla follow the motion with her eyes. There were still words she held back from him. He gauges the distance from the closest guy and calculates how much of their conversation can be heard.

"I don't want to lose you," David tells her. He hears a quick intake of breath and curses himself. Did he say the wrong thing?

"I don't either, Davey." She steps closer to him. She looks over his shoulder and without following her line of sight, David knows she's looking at Gwen. She steps back but David's fast to hold onto her arm.

"Darla, what is this?" He exhales. When he's met with silence, he continues. "You can tell me anything, you know that, right? I feel like there's a barrier between us and I don't like that. I know you feel it too," he leads her farther away from the group, away from prying eyes. She looked like she was about to cry.

"I... I don't know what you mean, David." She looks away. Her hands are clammy and she's looking anywhere but him.

"Darla," he says exasperated. He hesitates, knowing it'll come to bite him back in the butt later. "Did that kiss mean anything, back when we were running from those guys?" He hasn't finished his sentence when she pulled away from his grip.

"What kiss?" There was denial in her eyes. So that's what's been bothering her. The brunette drops his hand, unable to say anything that'll fix the situation.

"I thought-"

"Sorry, I have to head back. Kevin's probably waiting on me," and with that, she spins and walks away from him; walks away from them. The damage has been done and David doesn't know if he's the one who pulled them apart. He emerges, seeing Darla sit with one of the guys. Gwen's off the wall and approaching him, but he raises a hand. He needed time to think.

He needed to put up his walls.'

He blinks, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness. A voice called out to him but it was blurry. He blinks once more and feels Gwen's hands on his face. It's her voice he was hearing.

"David?" she asks. He groans and sits up. There's something about her touch that warms his heart. "I woke you up 'cause you were crying. Is everything... are you alright?" She lets go as David rubs his eyes. The sun had just started to peek, bathing them in a pinkish-orange glow.

"I think so," he lies. He bites his lip, feeling tears well up. "No," he sobs. Gwen's arms are around him immediately. He rests his head on her shoulder and sobs quietly. He tells her the dream and the memory altogether. She holds him tighter, knowing those days haunted them. They should've examined Cameron closer. Should've noted the signs and took more precautions.

Once he's all dried out, Gwen stands up and offers a hand to pull him up. "Come on. What you need is some fresh water," she tosses him his old shirt and the brunette can't help but grin.

They exit the mess hall and shut the door behind them. The forest was clear and the sun painted the sky with beautiful peach colors. He stared in awe and took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air. The buzzing of insects and the chirping of birds put a jump to David's steps. He passes by Daniel's cabin and stops. Gwen walked ahead. I can see him later, he tells himself.

He undresses while Gwen's back is to him, keeping guard with her machete. He takes a dip and smiles wider. He can't help it as he splashes into the water. He hears Gwen laugh.

"Make it quick," she shook her head.

"Let me have my me time," he sighs. He goes to work, rubbing his scalp and dipping his hair in the water. It was a bit chilly for him but it woke his spirits up. He scrubbed the days' worth of sweat and grime off him and wipes his face clean. He shakes his head, splashing water droplets everywhere and sits on the dock near the lake and shivers from the wind rushing past him.

"I kinda wish we had towels," he reaches for his shirt, being careful to not get it too soaked.

Gwen scoffs. "We're lucky enough as it is. Though towels sound nice," she says.

Certain that Gwen's still standing with her back to him, he dresses up and wipes himself dry with the green shirt. He bounces up to Gwen and flicks some of the water droplets at her. She swats him away, smiling. He fusses with his wet hair as they walk back, but something makes David stop. He hears a soft clanging from the cabin.

"I'll see you later?" David offers, pleading she'll let him off this early in the morning. She gives him a stern look but nods.

"Be back for breakfast. Don't want him making breakfast out of you," she mumbled. He shakes his head and tosses his dirty shirt at her. She almost throws it back but David's already on the threshold of the cabin. He opens it and sees Daniel standing, tugging on the chain experimentally.

The blonde looks up sharply when David's presence is known. "Daniel," David manages a smile. He feels blood rush to his face when Daniel's eyes travel from his damp hair and down his body. A chill courses through him. It wasn't the wind alone that emitted such a reaction from him. He closes the door and leans on it, hyperaware of the water droplets from his hair rolling down his back.

"You're up early," he smiles when Daniel lets go of the chain. The other man takes a step forward, then another. One foot in front of the other. He stands in front of David, face unreadable. The collar strains against his neck as the chain pulls taut. The brunette gulps, a bit intimidated by Daniel wanting to get closer to him.

"Yes?" he asks.

The man reaches out for his hand. David obliges, feeling electricity shoot through him from where his skin makes contact with Daniel's hand. The cold digits swirl on his palm. David almost doesn't comprehend the letters, too lost in his touch—more so when Daniel's eyes don't leave his face.

'I missed you'

He did a double take. Did he really say that? The brunette's eyes go wide. Daniel still hasn't let go of his hand. He doesn't dare remove it. His piercing gaze overwhelms David so he looks away. He manages a small laugh.

"It's okay, I'm here now," he says. He feels Daniel's grip on his hand tighten. He looks back up. There's something electric about his eyes. It shocks you when it takes a hold of you, David thinks. He's completely under Daniel's spell. He's writing again and the brunette's trying to keep up.

'Stay'

He's certain of the blush spreading across his face. He stumbles over his words, unsure of what to say first. He swallows his words when the man curls his fingers around David's. He's holding his hand. He's holding his hand. David's heart skips a beat. He nods and fully closes his fingers around him.

"Sure," he breathes out almost dreamily. The edge of Daniel's lips lift into a smirk. He knows what he's doing to him. Oh god, David can't stop the hammering of his heart against his ribcage. This is definitely not okay! He warns himself. But then Daniel's tugging him toward him. He doesn't resist.

'Stay'

He writes again. David doesn't process their proximity until he's nodding into his shoulder. If it was possible, his whole face is painted red like a tomato. He pulls back a bit, aware of the dark stain on his shirt and reminding himself why this won't work out.

"I should untie you from the bed," he smiles weakly. "Um, you probably don't like being caged here but it's Gwen's rules." He leaves the comfort of Daniel a bit reluctantly to untie the chain. "It's the only way I get to keep you around too," he mutters under his breath. David drops the chain and turns around to find the blonde's examining him but it isn't the lustful kind of gaze. He steps closer to David and asks for his palm.

'There is another way'

David's eyes are quick to find Daniel's when he finishes writing. Mischief gleamed in them but also hope. His mouth drops in astonishment. There is? Came his curiosity.

Take it. His traitorous thoughts painted a scene of him leaving everything he knew and trusted to be with Daniel. It didn't last longer than a second, but it sent him into a spiral of guilt.

Before he could ask, another voice interrupted him. "David, food's ready!" Gwen. He lets go of Daniel's hand, realizing he started gripping onto him. He looks away flustered and tells him he'll be back. His heart breaks when he sees Daniel's crestfallen look when he exits the cabin. He goes out to find Gwen and the others huddled around a small fire. They heated up the cans and the food inside it boiled. A warm breakfast, something new.

Usually, he'd be against making fires scared the light and smoke will attract attention. It's morning, so he doubt the light will do anything. And after bathing in cold water, he started to appreciate the warmth of the flames. It helps wash away the ghost of Daniel's hands on him. As they clean up and wash their faces by the lake, David asks Gwen if he can bring Daniel out of the cabin. She looks at him for a moment and nods, telling him not to stray too far and not to near them. They'll be working on the ropes again after Neil presented one of his other theories. Saying they could gather rocks and boulders for the meanwhile and build a small wall. Again, it'll only help keep things out but it won't be sturdy enough to hold them back.

The kids soon leave the lake to surround Gwen. Seeing the lake empty, an idea goes off in his head. It was stupid, but the blood stain really was getting to him. He goes back to the mess hall and digs out another shirt, glad that the camp provided uniforms for their staff and extras for their campers. He grabs his parka and slips it on, appreciative of the warmth and heads back to Daniel's cabin.

The whole morning, the brunette persuaded his friend to...change his attire. Even Gwen gave him a baffled look when she saw him carrying another shirt. In the end, his charms ruled out and he's cleaned him up pretty good. David's certain of the thankful look on Daniel's face when he scrubs his white shirt clean. That'll rid it of the metallic scent and have it spick and span once more. He couldn't help himself inspect the injury done to Daniel when he puts the shirt over him. He tries not to stare at the horrendous bite marks done by human teeth, aware of Daniel's eyes on him. He coughs and steps back to admire him. It's all worth it when he sees the blonde wear the green shirt with the pine tree logo. Such a contrast to his colorless attire. Daniel's looking at him exasperatedly but he won't have any of that.

"Shut up, you look great," he grins. Admittedly, it was hilarious to see him so put off by the shirt like Max was when he was forced to wear it.

Daniel doesn't stop glaring at him. It bore no actual heat and David laughs again. He's tempted to go check on Gwen and the others but knows he's forbidden to, not unless he chains Daniel back up again. He grimaces at that. He doesn't want to treat him like an animal. Besides, Daniel's proven himself to him already. There was no reason for the chain but Daniel insisted he holds onto it.

There was a moment where they stood at the edge of camp, near the lake hidden from the others' view. He and Daniel were about to go back when a noise in the forest catches his attention. He snaps his head to the direction, blood draining from his face when he sees the walking corpse. He was alone but the realization that he was unarmed crashed down on him.

The figure stopped. And looked at them. His milky white eyes trained on David. He can hear a low rumble come from Daniel's throat. The infected looked as if he sensed the threat, then miraculously he just... turned and left. David stared after the figure limping away. The heck? He can feel Daniel's presence looming behind him. He jumps when his arms circle around him.

"Daniel? What just happened?" He asks, turning around to meet his eyes. There was a frown on his face. He goes still as the other man buries his nose in his auburn locks. "Uh..." David mumbles, unsure of what to do in their situation. He feels his arms go slack and soon, Daniel's retreating and tugging on the chain.

"Uh, right. We're not supposed to stray far," David lets out a shaky breath and leads him back to camp. His skin burns from Daniel's contact a few minutes ago. He's quiet but his mind isn't, going crazy with speculations and what made Daniel do that.

He doesn't tell Gwen. He doesn't tell the kids. As the day ends, he ties Daniel back up and leaves. Before closing the door, he spares a glance back at him. He was watching him go. He offers a smile as he finally closes the door and heads back to the mess hall. The kids were playing a game when he entered, His heart leaps at the sight of them having fun. He settles beside Gwen and takes off his parka. She was watching them too.

"How'd the date go?" She says.

David learned not to take everything she says seriously, but it still made him flustered to think about him and Daniel being a thing. Which they absolutely will never because it's impossible, taunted the voices in his head. They've been going back and forth throughout the day, teasing him and scolding him whenever he looked at Daniel the wrong way.

"I hope you're not ignoring me now," Gwen's lips lift a little. "Is he going to steal you from me?"

"Gwen!" He yelps. His face goes pink, guilty of how his heart flips. "You should know that there is nothing going on between us! Geez, it is not...physically possible," he rubs his face and picks at his jeans to avoid her stare.

"I do know," she hums. She leans forward, capturing his twitching hands. "Don't let him get to you," she says. She lets go and stands up, walking to the window where she gazes out. He inhales and counts to ten before following her. The idea's been plaguing him since that morning and he knows he should approach the topic as gentle as he could.

"Um, Gwen," he starts. He blows out the breath he's been holding. "I think I should sleep in the cabin tonight. With Daniel," she studies him carefully. He calms his nerves, ready to spill what he's been thinking.

"What did I say about him not getting to you?" she mumbles.

"I think the more I spend time with him, he's becoming human." He blurts out. He ignores her skeptical look. "It's a long shot but...I think I'm discovering something here. If I manage to change him—well, he's not exactly doing any harm but, maybe we can turn this tide around," he turns to her.

"What are you suggesting?" she crosses her arms, hesitant in indulging him.

"Daniel saved me, remember? He's also strong and he's capable of killing—" he halts. "Killing in a way that's protective. He did it to save my life," he mumbles. "Imagine if we found more of them. They could be fighting with us."

"What you're suggesting is insane. Daniel's a miracle by himself." Gwen frowns.

"He can't be the only one out there," David pushes.

"He protects you because he cares about you," Gwen's sharp tone makes him speechless. "I didn't want to face the facts either but god, can you be any more oblivious? That thing—that man's acting like your guard dog because he feels attached to you." She pokes his chest.

"I wouldn't be surprised if you wanted to sleep there only to fulfill your weird fantasies with him," Gwen sighs, rubbing the bridge of her nose.

"Hold on, I never gave any indication I would," David grimaces, knowing he's making half-assed remarks. He wills the blush threatening to spill across his face away. Gwen's handing him a bat before he knows it.

"Fine. I'm letting you do this 'cause I don't wanna get in the way like last time with..." they both freeze. He knew exactly who she was pertaining to. "I don't condone this, just so you know." She clears her throat. "Maybe once you see him for the true monster he really is, it'll bring you back to your senses." She looks away and David knows the conversation between them is done.

Another block wedged between them. David's shoulders sag. He doesn't know how he'll ever convince her otherwise. Daniel's been nothing but good to him. It breaks his heart that his best friend doesn't believe in him.

"I guess I'll just have to show her," he says from the other side of the door as he's out of the mess hall. He walks away from his dilemma and heads into a new kind of trouble. Daniel.