[center][h1]collaboration Part 2[/h1][/center][center][@joker892][/center]

Darric had dropped Lilly back off with her new parental figures and he went up to the falls. He was tired and dirty and he just wanted to get in a swim before dinner. It was getting a little darker out and the water would soon be getting colder.
 
Hector wore a large grin as Lilly arrived and gestured for her to come sit next to him. [color=a0410d]"Hey there little trooper, just in time for dinner,"[/color] he chuckled as he finished preparing their MRE dinner. Lilly happily ran over to Hector and jumped to his side with a smile. She looked to the MREs with confusion and looked up to Hector with a tilted head. 

[color=fff200]"Whats that?"[/color] she asked. Hector smiled as mixed the pork within the MRE packet. 

[color=a0410d]"It's a MRE, meal ready to eat. It's not the best, but it will keep ya going,"[/color] he said and offered her a bite. [color=a0410d]"Try it,"[/color] Lilly was a bit hesitant, but after a violent rumble within her gut she quickly accepted his offer and took a bite from his plastic spoon. She chewed in silence as she tasted the food and after a few seconds smiled with delight. 

[color=fff200]"Its good!" [/color]she exclaimed with joy. Hector chuckled and gave her the packet. 

[color=a0410d]"Then by all mean chow down, I got a beef MRE with my name on it,"[/color] he said as he grabbed the beef meal. He looked to April and grinned.[color=a0410d] "What's your pleasure for the night?" [/color]

[color=ed145b]"Well, I was thinking that the festivities tonight might make a little one happy. Oh and that beef sounds good to me too."[/color] She said biting into her MRE. [color=ed145b]"I think Darric needs some time to sort out his recent Elsa issues."[/color]

Lilly stabbed her food and ate like a starved person. [color=fff200]"Essa was mean to him. She was yelling and she threw something at him. I don't like her."[/color]

April's eyebrows lifted at this news. [color=ed145b]"You don't, Huh. I see why. That wasn't very nice was it?"[/color] She glanced up at Hector and caught his eyes and smiled softly. Lilly shook her head and kept eating.


Darric had washed and he was just swimming around, diving down every so often to bring back up a shell or pretty piece of rock. He figured he could make a necklace for Lilly or something else that she might like. He walked out of the water and pulled on his shorts and sat down and shaking out his hair like a wet dog. He then began inspecting his finds.

Bella crept silently through the camp grounds as she made her way to the falls. She made sure not to run into anyone seeing as how she didnt want anybody knowing what she was up to. She felt her stress getting the better of her and needed to cool down, literaly. Soon enough she reached the falls and grinned happily as she saw the cool looking waters. She stood atop of a rock near the water and stood tall as she took a deep breath. 

[color=f6989d]"Now this is gonna feel good,"[/color] she said as she quickly yanked off her clothing to reveal her bare skin. She shuttered with delight as the cool air washed over and chuckled. With a giddy laugh she leaped off of the rock and cannon balled into the water while yelling, [color=f6989d]"Take me now water!"[/color] she splashed into the water and felt her stress wash away as she remained under water. After a few seconds she rose to the surface and took in a deep breath before laughing with joy. 

Darric was on the other side of the water from Bella and he heard her and slipped his shorts back off and slipped back into the water and he swam up behind her and began to speak with a soft chuckle. [color=92278f]"I've changed my name to water and so now you give yourself to me. How lucky am I to receive such a gift?" [/color] He fully expected to get hit or splashed or something so he figured he would at least get in a quick kiss or something first. He placed his hands on either shoulder and he kissed her neck softly.

As Bella heard a familliar voice she froze stiff and tried to figure out what to do, but before she could she felt someone kiss her neck and let out a yelp before diving into the water and swimming a fair distance away. Soon she came to the surface, but only allowed her head to be shown as she glared towards Darric with puffed up  red cheeks. [color=f6989d]"What the hell!? You creep! Perv!"[/color] she shouted at him as she covered her chest from under water. She didnt know what else to say, things like this never happened. 

Darric laughed, his deep resonating voice carried across the water. The genuine shock in her voice let him know that he had really surprised her. [color=92278f]"Creep? So you say. Perv? Most definitely and as such that is literally the definition of a guy. You forgot a few words though"[/color] He slowly made his way towards her as he spoke. His eyes showed no harm but definite laughter and interest. [color=92278f]"such as honest, protective and sexy."[/color] With the last word he grinned.

Bella simply continued to glare at him as she kept her distance from him by circling him. She scoffed. [color=f6989d]"Sexy? I saw walkers better looking than you,"[/color] she said before feeling her bare back make contact with a rock within the falls. She looked around her surroundings with wide eyes as she saw that she was now trapped. She shrunk a little and began to shake as Darric grew closer. She was actually starting to feel a hint of fear now. 

Darric laughed and as soon as he could see that she was afraid of him his entire demeanor changed. He stopped moving towards her and said, [color=92278f]"Bella why do you look like you are afraid of me? You needn't be. I won't hurt you. I'm just teasing you."[/color] Darric could tell something had happened either to her or someone close to her.

Bella still felt a small bit of fear, but she forced herself to relax and looked away from Darric with guilty eyes. [color=f6989d]"S-sorry, just please stay over there for now,"[/color] she said as she slightly sunk deeper into the water. Her face was red with embarassment and she only snuck a few glances towards him. He wasnt a bad looker, but she shook her head and sighed. [color=f6989d]"Ya know sneaking up on a naked women is the least attractive thing a man can do,"[/color] she said in attempts to break the ice she had created. 

Darric looked at her a minute and decided not to tell her it usually got him a lot of laughs. [color=92278f]"I'm sorry if I scared you. I thought you could tell what kind of person I was by this afternoon. I would never hurt a woman. I've killed men for less than that. I'm going to get dressed. I don't want you to be afraid that I will jump on you at any second. You can meet me over there when you are ready."[/color] He pointed and then turned towards the shoreline.

Bella nodded and watched him walk towards the shore. She closed her eyes and dunked her head into the water as guilt began to fill her heart. She knew he wasnt that kind of person, but it was an old instinct of hers that made her act like that. She peeked out from the water and saw that he had gotten dressed and sighed as she made her way towards the shore. She climbed onto the rock she had jumped from and quickly snatched up her clothes. She hastily put her clothing back on and peeked around the rock to see Darric waiting on her. She sighed, rubbed her face and walked out. She avoided eye contact and rubbed her arm with unease as the guilt was still there. She sat down on a log near the water and stared at the ground with shame. She didnt know what to say, so she just simply stayed silent. 

Darric watched her for a second and then he walked over to her and he sat down with the stones and shells he had found. [color=92278f]"I found these and I was thinking that I might make Lilly a necklace from them. What do you think?"[/color]

She glanced at the stones and shells and felt a small smile come to her face. [color=f6989d]"I think she will love them, they are very pretty,"[/color] she said. She thought it was cute he was making her a necklace and chuckled.

Darric smiled. Wrapping the stones back up he set them aside carefully and looked at her a little perplexed as to how to begin. [color=92278f]"I was hoping your reaction would be to turn laughing and smack me playfully or to splash me or something  along those lines. It never occurred to me that you would be afraid when you realized who it was. I have been interested in you since the second I saw you today and I would like to get to know you and spend time with you but -" [/color]He sighed then continued [color=92278f]"-if that isn't something you would like, just tell me now. I won't hold it against you and I'll make sure not to bother you or scare you anymore."[/color]

He wouldn't usually be so blunt but after his breakup with Elsa and then scaring Bella he wasn't in the mood to tiptoe anymore than he already had. He really didn't see what he did as so terrible. No one else had ever reacted like she did and he wasn't sure if he wanted to find out she was totally broken.

Bella cuffed her hands together tightly and stared towards the ground. Her cheeks had become warm as he told her of his interest and only cursed herself for reacting like that. She looked to him and shook her head. [color=f6989d]"Darric I really didnt mean to react like that, it was just..."[/color] she couldn't finish and sighed. [color=f6989d]"Look, I think your a good guy and to be honest I would like to see you more as well, but i dont think Im up for anything too fast. You think we could just start things off slow?" [/color]she finished with a small smile. 

Darric nodded and got up and pulled her to her feet. [color=f6989d]"Sure we can." [/color]He put an arm around her waist and made sure she didn't slip on the rocks as they made their way to the grassy area a few feet away. He stopped and picked up his things. He shoved all of his things into the bag he carried and walked back to camp in his shorts barefoot with her at his side. He had slipped his hand over hers and held onto it in case she slipped and just because he liked holding her hand.He figured if she yanked it away from him then she was too damaged for him to handle right now.

Bella wasn't sure what to do next, she had never held hands with a guy before. She had always tried her best to stay out of a relationship, but something about Darric pushed her towards it. She tightened her grip on his hand and felt a small smile come to her face as her cheeks turned slightly red. This was actually nice. 

Darric lead her down to the camp where they had music blaring and there were lots of people dancing and he turned her in his arms and began dancing with her and a group of others to Chemical Infatuation by Like A Storm. He danced off for a moment and came back with a beer for each of them.Darric was having a great time now.

Bella laughed as the music filled the air. She was a horrible dancer, but she lost herself in the music and simply tried to keep up with Darric. After a bit of dancing she went to the side, panting and smiling with joy. After clearing a bit of hair from her face she looked around and saw Darric approaching with two drinks for the two. She chuckled and nodded in thanks as she took the beer from his hand. [color=f6989d]"Thanks, I could use a cold one after that embarrassing work out,"[/color] she laughed before taking a sip. 

Darric grinned. [color=92278f]"No worries, no one cares how silly we look none of us was ever taught to dance. We just move the way it feels good to move with the music."[/color] He was caught off guard by a short person running up and knocking him over.

[color=fff200]"Darric!"[/color] Lilly yelled gleefully. Darric was left on his back with one arm in the air holding his beer upright. 

[color=92278f]"Bella rescue my beer please!"[/color] The instant she took it he laughed and he leapt up child in tow under his arm and carried her out onto the makeshift dance floor and started dancing with her. Soon he was swinging her and playing with her like she was a wild monkey and Lilly was screaming with laughter.

April and Hector sat down next to Bella and laughed at Darric's shenanigans with the child. April snuggled into Hector's chest and whispered something that made himm blush. [color=ed145b]"So Lilly was telling us that she met you earlier with Darric. He is crazy right?"[/color] She said grinning.

Bella chuckled sheepishly as she scratched her cheek. [color=f6989d]"Yeah, he is a bit strange, but he really is nice,"[/color] she said and looked at Darric dancing with Lilly. She smiled and felt her cheeks warm up slightly. Hector saw her look and grinned before letting out a howl of laughter. Bella jumped as Hector laughed. [color=a0410d]"W-what!?"[/color] Hector shook his head and looked to April.

[color=a0410d]"I swear your brother is always on the hunt. He just broke up with one chick just to get together with another. Someone needs to put a leash on that dog!"[/color] he laughed as Bella's cheeks grew even redder. 

[color=f6989d]"W-we didn't hook up yet!"[/color] she shouted with puffed up cheeks. Hector pointed her with a grin and a raised eyebrow. 

[color=a0410d]"Yet?"[/color] Bella lowered her head in embarrassment and sighed. Her team leader is a real ass.

A few minutes later Darric ran off of the dance floor and dove onto the ground next to Bella and April. Lilly was on his heels laughing all the way. [color=92278f]"April a little help? "[/color] Lilly had jumped onto his back and was trying to get him to give her a horsey ride. [color=92278f]"Lilly you've worn me out. Get Hector to give you a ride around the camp."[/color] Lilly jumped off of him and wrapped her arms around Hector's neck and April giggled at his expression.

Darric with a look of mischevious exhaustion crawled over to Bella and lay down in front of her and lay his head in her lap and grinned up at her. [color=92278f]"I am totally at your mercy. The child sucked the energy out of me! Do with me what you will." [/color]

Bellas eyes widened in surprise as her already red cheeks felt like they would burst into flames any second. [color=f6989d]"W-w-what!? I-I, uhhh..."[/color] she wasn't use to this kind of affection yet. She hesitated for a second and gulped before she gently stroked his hair with her hand. She avoided eye contact and chuckled nervously.[color=f6989d] "I really got to get used to this," [/color]she mumbled, not knowing if Darric heard her. She looked to April. [color=f6989d]"Is he always like this?"[/color] she asked as she glanced down towards his exposed torso. She felt her heart skip a beat to see his well built figure, she snapped her eyes away from the lovely scene. She really needed to get used to this. 

Darric grinned and watched Hector playing pony and laughed. April nodded. [color=ed145b]"Almost all of the time. At work he is mostly all business but goofing off is his chosen behavior most of the time. He is only serious when he feels the need to be."[/color] April offered her some prized cookies that she was saving for the trip by hiding them from Hector who typically devoured them quickly. [color=ed145b]"Have one while you can. The horsey and rider will be back any moment and then you won't get a chance."[/color]

Lilly was shrieking at something and Darric raised up to his knees kissed Bella's cheek and said, [color=92278f]"Be right back!"[/color] Before running after Hector who was running with Lilly on his shoulders.

Bella stiffened as Darric kissed her cheek and watched him run towards Hector and Lilly playing. Once he was far enough she let out a heavy sigh and rubbed the cheek he had kissed. She looked to April and clutched her hands together as she rested them on her lap. [color=f6989d]"Um, April, do you mind if I ask you a few questions about your brother?"[/color] she asked. [color=f6989d]"What, um, what kind of girls does he like?"[/color]

April smiled as she watched the boys playing with Lilly. [color=ed145b]"Nice ones, pretty ones. I have no idea how he ended up with Elsa so many times. Actually I do. She begged him to go back to her. Elsa is ...hmm how can I put this? She is a bitch who used any means she could to keep him with her."[/color] April chewed on her cookies and said. [color=ed145b]"I think he is getting ready to settle down. He is 25 and he seems bored with bedhopping and all that entails. He is looking for Miss Right I think."[/color]

Bella let April words float in her head and looked towards Darric. [color=f6989d]"Settle down?"[/color] she muttered to herself as the thought came to her. It sounded nice, but could people really just settle down in today's world? With death of all types around every corner it seemed impossible for people to have a real relationship, but as she watched Hector and April she saw no problem. They both seemed so happy and full of life. They were in love. She looked down the ground and smiled. [color=f6989d]"Maybe, I could be Miss Right?"[/color] she said, but shook her head. They just met today and they barely know anything about each other. Why was she thinking about settling down now? She sighed and looked back to April with a sad frown. [color=f6989d]"Why is this crap so confusing?"[/color] she mumbled. 

April looked up at her and looked at her brother as he was chasing Hector and Lilly around a tree. [color=ed145b]"Don't you know? All good things require work and will come in time to you when you need them most. That is what my mom used to say all the time. Darric remembers her better than I do but he doesn't like to talk about them. I think it hurts him too deeply to remember. He was not even 7 when we ended up on our own and he had to save me, a lot. He took care of me and he got us here. He deserves someone who really loves him like I have in Hector."[/color] She grinned looking at them as Hector was now on the ground with Lilly standing over him shaking her finger at him. Darric was laughing bent over double.

[color=ed145b]"If he is your mister right don't let him go. You couldn't do better than him. Ever wonder why he and Hector are best buds? They have the same heart."[/color] April touched her shoulder and went towards the small group and lifted Lilly into the air and the child wrapped her arms around April's neck. The boys gravitated back to where Bella was sitting. Darric grabbed the cookies first. [color=92278f]"Nahhh, uh uh you always eat them all I'm taking mine first!"[/color]

Hector reeled back his head with a fake offended gasp. [color=a0410d]"Me? Eat all of those amazing ass cookies? How dare you sir!"[/color] he looked to Lilly with a quivering lip and pointed to Darric. [color=a0410d]"See how mean he is?"[/color] he said. Lilly pointed to Darric with puffed up cheeks. 

[color=fff200]"Give daddy a cookie!"[/color] she shouted. Hector froze for a second and looked to April with wide eyes. He wanted to make sure he heard that right. 

April smirked and Darric stopped and looked at Lilly and asked her, [color=92278f]"Him? Hector is your daddy?" [/color]

Lilly suddenly worried that Darric would be mad at her said, [color=fff200]"Yes, because he comes with my mama so he is my daddy."[/color] Darric grinned and looked at April with a smile.

[color=92278f]"You know what Lilly that makes perfect sense. If you want April and Hector to be your Mommy and Daddy you should get to choose that. Can I be your fun and protective uncle Darric?"[/color] Lilly nodded and gave him a kiss on his cheek and proceeded to nearly strangle him in a hug.

[color=fff200]"I thought you were gonna be my boyfriend Darric."[/color] Darric chuckled at that. [color=92278f]"Lilly I can't. I'm Bella's boyfriend. You don't want her to cry do you? Besides, if I'm your uncle then I can beat up mean boys for you. How about that?"[/color]

Lilly liked that idea and raised her hands above her head and yelled yippee. Darric turned to Bella and whispered to her. [color=92278f]"I hope you can stand being my girlfriend because if not I have to play the age card on a 4year old."[/color]

Bella thought for a moment and felt a smile come to her lips. She held his hand gently and nodded. [color=f6989d]"I think I can handle it for now,"[/color] she said and pulled him down so she could give a quick kiss on his cheek. [color=f6989d]"Besides, it looks like there is never a dull moment with you. Could be fun,"[/color] she chuckled. 

April chuckled as her brother blushed just a little. She reached over and stole a cookie from Hector and tossed it to Darric. Darric ate the cookie in one bite and rose to his feet and pulled Bella to the dance floor for a slow song. Pulling her into his arms he held her close and took in the scent of flowers in her hair. [color=92278f]"So you think you can handle me? I'm a bit crazy I admit that but only in a fun kind of way. I'd never hurt you on purpose. I might step on your toes while we dance but that doesn't count."[/color] He gave her a lopsided grin.

Bella chuckled and shook her head as she laid her head into his chest. [color=f6989d]"God, my first boyfriend and he is the weirdest guy in the camp,"[/color] she laughed and looked up to him with a smile. [color=f6989d]"I couldn't have picked anyone better."[/color]

Darric blushed in the darkness and leaned forwards and kissed her lips tenderly. Darric looked at Bella's eyes and saw something in them. He whispered to her. [color=92278f]"Let's get a little further away from all these people."[/color] He took her hand and pointed up a path where he knew they could look down on the festivities but they could talk in private.

His sister watched from the sidelines as Lilly was tying her boot in knots on her lap. April's grin was proud as she watched her brother and Bella. 
 
Hector chuckled and crossed his arms as he watched Bella and Darric break away from the party. He looked to April and wrapped his arm around her. [color=a0410d]"Think they will make a good couple?" [/color]he asked with amusement. 

She nodded, [color=ed145b]"I think so. She is nothing like Elsa so that is a plus. The way he looks at her ...I think she could be the one he picks to settle down with. She doesn't even realize how she looks at him. It's cute how oblivious to it she is."[/color] April moved onto Hector's lap when Lilly got up and was trying to capture a grasshopper.

Darric took Bella up to a grassy area that overlooked the main area of the camp. Sitting down he patted the ground next to him. [color=92278f]"I don't bite unless you want me to."[/color] He said giving her a mischievous grin.

Bella rolled her eyes and took a seat next to him. She hugged her knees to her chest and smiled as she looked down at the camp grounds. All of the lights and people having fun really brought a smile to her face. She looked to Darric, took a deep breath and rested her head onto his shoulder as they looked down at the camp. [color=f6989d]"As long as you're biting I don't mind,"[/color] she whispered loud enough for him to hear.

Darric chuckled and looked into her eyes. [color=92278f]"What do you want? Bites or kisses?"[/color]

She blushed slightly and avoided eye contact. [color=f6989d]"Well, maybe a bit of both?" [/color]she said. 

Darric wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled them both further back from the slope downhill and he lay on his back with her atop him and he kissed her deeply. He had purposely given her the control so if she got freaked out she wouldn't be trapped. It was in her power to stop anything she didn't want to happen. Darric was more intrigued by her than he knew how to say. 

Bella giggled slightly as she sat atop of him and stared down at him with a smile. She ran her hands up his body slowly and blushed even harder as she felt his toned body. She shook her head and chuckled. [color=f6989d]"This is so weird," [/color]she laughed and lowered herself down to his face to kiss him again. [color=f6989d]"Im not really sure what to do next,"[/color] she smiled sheepishly. 

Darric was not sure how much more he could take as she moved innocently over his body. Her torso was moving over his with her hands and her derriere was pleasantly teasing his manhood. [color=92278f]"Do whatever you want to do. You can be in charge. But I'm telling you that you are teasing me something fierce."[/color] He said huskily as he rubbed her thigh with his hand.

Bella raised an eyebrow and smiled.[color=f6989d] "Teasing?"[/color] she asked and rubbed her rear against him a little more. She chuckled and began to kiss his chest and neck softly as she rubbed his toned body. [color=f6989d]"I have no idea what your talking about,"[/color] she said innocently before nibbling on his earlobe. She really didnt have a clue what she was doing, but she just went with it. Plus it was fun.

Darric laughed and grabbed her by the waist and sat up so he was holding her on his lap and her nose was less than an inch from his. [color=92278f]"Innocent you may be but that was intentional teasing."[/color] He chuckled again and kissed her up and down her neck and ran his hands over her body til she was breathing as heavily as he was. He nibbled on her earlobe and the side of her neck and he moved her shirt, just a little and started kissing her shoulder. 

Bella did her best to control herself, but feeling Darric explore her body was nearly maddening for her. She let one hand travel over him while she used her other hand to pull his head into her chest. 

Darric was so caught up in the moment he literally stopped the moment she touched him intimately. His voice was barely controlled. [color=92278f]"Bella,"[/color] He took a couple of deep breaths and his voice was little more than a whisper.[color=92278f] "If you don't want to lose your innocence you should get up off of me right now. If you stay where you are I don't know how much longer I can-" [/color]

Bella cut him off as she locked her lips with his in a passionate kiss. After holding it for a few seconds she broke the kiss and smiled softly at him. [color=f6989d]"It's okay, I want to lose my innocence to Mr. Right,"[/color] she chuckled and slid her shirt off. 

Hearing her words and seeing her lift her shirt off he picked her up and stood up in one movement and carried her the back way to her tent. Once they were in her tent he went about kissing her properly and he began caressing her as he slowly removed her clothing. He wanted her to feel the heat he was feeling and that might kill him but he was going to make it enjoyable for her.

Bella was nervous, but excited at the same time. She didn't know how, but she didn't pay much attention to it all as she lost herself within Darrics warm and comforting presence. She kissed him several times around the neck as she pulled herself closer to him, their bare skin now gently rubbing against one another. She looked up at him with a grin and wrapped her arms around his waist.[color=f6989d] "Lead the way."[/color]

Darric picked her up and laid her on the makeshift bedding and lay with her. When he was at the point of no return he looked her in the eye through glazed eyes and asked her clearly. He didn't want to be accused of anything wrong in the morning light. [color=92278f]"Are you sure, after this I would rather die than stop."[/color]

Bella smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck as she pulled him in closer to her face. [color=f6989d]"I'm sure,"[/color] she whispered and kissed him deeply as she let her nails gently travel down his spine. 

After quite a long session of lovemaking Darric finally collapsed over her and rolled onto his back pulling her into his side and kissing her tenderly. He was so out of breath he couldn't speak right away. He just lay there kissing her tenderly. 

Bella held onto Darric tightly and buried her head into his chest as she panted heavily. She looked up to her lover and smiled. [color=f6989d]"Great first date huh?"[/color] she chuckled. 

Her question made Darric laugh out loud as he cradled her to him. [color=92278f]"Oddly it sounds similar to April and Hector's first date. They ended up in bed too."[/color] Kissing her neck softly he asked her, [color=92278f] "Did I hurt you too much?"[/color]

Bella smiled and shook her head. [color=f6989d]"No, it was like crashing waves of pleasure,"[/color] she said and chuckled. [color=f6989d]"Though the faces you made were a bit cute, it was hard not to laugh."  [/color]

Darric reared back and feigned offense. [color=92278f]"What? I thought your expressions were endearing. So you thought I looked like what? A monkey?"[/color] With that he began to tickle her and eek like a monkey making her laugh out loud. 

A passerby the tent heard the animal noises and started laughing catching Darric and Bella's attention. Darric started laughing into her shoulder and cuddled her against him yanking the covers over their entwined bodies. 


[@Rumikoohara][@Polaris North][@Deaddrop][@poi][@Dnafein][@fortunesfaded][@Narcissisticpotato][@reusablesword]