Contemplating Crushes(?)

It was a rather calm afternoon. The baby dinosaurs were playing with each other, the campers chatting amongst themselves, and Darius was left to watch. He didn't mind though. It was nice to have nothing to worry about for a while, and without the pressures as the leader of the group, he felt like he could finally relax.

It was some time after Daniel had left the kids there but they would find a way of this island, they always do. Darius watched the new couple Yaz and Sammy interact. It was nice seeing them finally together. He hadn't known they had liked each other, unlike the other campers, but he was happy for them nonetheless.

His eyes drifted to Kenji and Brooklyn. Though Kenji had betrayed them, he seemed to make it up to everyone, even if it took some longer than others. It didn't take long for Brooklyn to forgive Kenji and after the vociferous fight from not so long ago, the two made up.

Darius was glad to see everyone had been forgiven and everything went back to normal, well as normal as it could be while being stuck on another island full of dinosaurs. His eyes made their way to see Ben chasing down Firecracker, seeing as she had stole his makeshift headband. Bumpy was almost relaxed behind them not really caring but trying to rest from the day's events.

Darius watched everyone. He wasn't too worried about anything at the moment but then he began to realize, aside from Ben, he was the only one without a significant other.

Of course Ben didn't have one either but he had told everyone, after his misassumption with Yaz, that he wasn't looking for anyone to date at the moment. He had said that he was still figuring himself out.

They all were figuring themselves out but it seemed like everyone but Darius had done that. He was the leader, he was responsible for getting them all home, but what was after that? The others had seamlessly figured out themselves, with a few struggles along the way, and with that they had decided what their romantic life was like, but why hadn't Darius?

He wasn't going to ask around for help. Darius wouldn't want to weigh anyone down like that with his problems when they already have their own to deal with.

Far from the other campers but visible, Darius sat on the same rock he'd been sitting on since the end of the battle, and while zoning out, his contemplating face caught the attention of one of the other campers.

Walking away from the other campers, Ben cautiously walked up to Darius. Not wanting to disturb his thoughts and, he softly but loud enough for the other boy to hear.

"Can I sit here, or do you need to think a bit longer?"

Darius' head shot up from the ground he was staring at as he fixed his posture to look at the boy.

"Hm," he explained, surprised by the sudden voice.

"Oh! Yes, you can. Sorry, just kinda lost in thought."

Darius shifted over to his right a little to make room for the other, and Ben sat down close to him but far enough to give him space, well enough space you could get on a one person-sized rock.

"So watcha thinkin' about? You looked pretty lost in thought. I didn't wanna disturb you but I wanted to make sure that you were okay."

Darius stared at the him, now understanding why he came over he responded,

"Oh y'know, just thinking."

Darius laughed a little, realizing that's just what Ben had said. Ben joined in too not too long after. Soon their laughter died down and Darius continued to speak. He sighed,

"I was just thinking about how you and I are the only two that are not dating anyone, I mean I remember what you said a while ago but, y'know just an observation."

He shrugged.

Ben's gaze on the younger boy softened. He thought about what to say before finally responding,

"Yeah I know what you mean, but if you want to rant, that's perfectly fine. I'm all ears."

He lifted his hands up to his ears and smiled before finishing, suggesting that he was, in fact, all ears.

Darius laughed with him. Out of the entire group, Darius was known for his constant ranting, many would brush him off but Ben would listen. He wasn't oblivious to this, so he listened, he knew.

The younger boy sighed again. He looked down, avoiding eye contact with the other, his eyes glued to his fidgeting thumbs.

"It's just that.."

He paused trying to gather the right words.

"Seeing the people we've been closest with date each other just has me thinking. What if I don't want to date anyone?"

Ben's face softened seeing the boy open up to him like this. He let out a small sound of affirmation to let him know to continue.

"I mean, I obviously haven't exactly thought about dating, due to our current situation, but now seeing everyone. I just couldn't help but think about it. Being in a romantic relationship with someone doesn't sound bad but I don't know if that's something I want. I'm happy for everyone and I'm all for being friends with someone but, dating? It just doesn't feel right for me."

Ben listened he completely understood what Darius meant, he too didn't feel like dating was right for him but with Darius' pressure as leader he probably hadn't had a lot of time to think about things like that.

"I know what you mean. It took me sometime too but I eventually decided I didn't want to date anyone. The decision came with some tough decisions but I'm okay with it."

Darius finally looked back at Ben. He smiled happy that there's someone who understands his difficulty.

Ben continued in hopes of comforting the other, "But hey, take your time with these things. Nobody's rushing you."

He smiled as he brought a hand up to Darius' shoulder, a constant thing the two share.

"And I'm always here if you need to talk about things like this, I understand."

Ben smiled at him and with that Darius' gaze softened. He was glad to have a friend that understood what he was going through.

"Thanks Ben"

Before he could respond Ben was caught in a sudden tight hug, much similar to their shared hugs on Nublar.

Taken aback he looked at the younger fondly before reciprocating the hug. Not long after, they pulled away sitting there as they watched the scene in front of them.

Darius knew he didn't have it all figured out. This life-changing experience he and the others have faced would change them but he was okay with that. Whether or not he decided to date someone like the majority of the six, was up to him and he was okay with that too. He doesn't know what's in the future but he's content with his current situation, even if that situation is being stuck on an island full of dinosaurs.