"Hey, I'm gonna go see what Joan is doing." Daniel said as we made it back to Away. "Go fo it. We have to bring back the telescope to Stanely and Arthur." Sean said to Daniel as he runs off to Joan's house. I smiled then walked up to Karen's trailer and see a note on the window. "Went to town for weekly supplies. Some pancakes left in the kitchen. Back soon." I read and Sean smiles as I open the door and we put out bags in the trailer. 

"Daniel, you copy?" Sean asked after picking up a walkie-talkie. "Yes, I read you! 10-4." Daniel replied and I giggled and shake my head at this. "I have a pancake alert in the kitchen. Repeat: pancake alert." Sean said to him. "Uh, actually, I was gonna eat breakfast with Joan. Over and out." Daniel said and Sean chuckles. "10-4. No flying pancakes today." Sean said as he puts the walkie-talkie away.

"Looks like more pancakes for us." I said to him as I pull out the telescope from the bag. "And we have the place to ourselves...for awhile." Sean said, giving me a knowing look. "Down, wolf boy." I teased as I walked backed in the trailer. 

Suddenly, I felt Sean's fingers starting tickling my side. I let out a surprised yelp then started to laugh as he continued to tickle me. "Sean, stop!" I said, in between my laughs. "That's not what you said to me the other night." He whispers to me; referring to the night he and I had when we went out into the canyons and we were left alone there, just the two of us. My jaw dropped at this and I turned to him. "Sean Diaz!" I exclaimed, in shock, then I playfully slapped his chest as he laughs then wraps his arms around me.

We chuckled together then leaned our foreheads together and look at each other in the eyes. "I love you." Sean said to me. "I love you too." I said then I lean up and kiss him, softly and slowly. "But I love pancakes more." I said, teasingly, as I go over to the table and see the pancakes. Sean then gives me a fake shocked look. "Ouch! That hurt!" He said, pretending to be hurt. I let out a giggle and said. "You know I'm just teasing, right?" 

"Uh huh, yeah, sure." He said, sarcastically, but he smiled at me, letting me know that he knew I was. I smiled then handed a pancake to him as I grab the other. "Here you go, wolf boy." I said and we ate up the pancakes until we were full.

"Okay, I'm sure Arthur and Stanely want their telescope back." I said and I start to walk out when Sean grabs my arm and pulls me towards him. "What are you--?" I started to ask until he leans down and kisses me, I smiled into the kiss and kiss him back. We had a little make-out session until I break the kiss then we look at each other, lovingly, for a few moments. 

"Come on, let's take the telescope back." I said and he nods. "Okay, okay." He said and we pick up the telescope and make our way out.

We walked down the little road and passed Joan's place to see Daniel was helping Joan with her sculptures. "What's up, Joan?" Sean asked her as we walk up to her. "See for yourself." She said as she nods over to the float metal piece that Daniel aas working on. "Man, check this out!" Daniel said and he moves the piece around the air. "Okay, Daniel, let's take a little break." Joan said as she placed her hand on his shoulder. "Got it." He said and he brought the piece down back to Earth. 

Joan walks over to Sean and I and said. "That child is...something special." I chuckle as Sean nods. "Yeah, I hear this one a lot, don't worry..." he said. "Yeah, I bet! But you have your own talent, Sean." Joan said and Sean looks over at her. "I'm dead serious!" She said. "It's nothing special, compared to what he has..." Sean replied. 

"Well...what he has some next level sci-fi shit, Sean. You can't compare yourself to him. None of us can. But you have is a precious gift, that will guide you through this cosmogonic mess. If you let it." She said to him and he chuckles and smiles a bit.

"So why are you all the way out here now?" I asked her and she chuckles. "Easy. I started selling my work for good money...and as soon as I did, everyone turned into smiling sharks." She replied then she looks back at Sean. "Listen, if you wanna be an artist, you will be. It's not always easy, but in the end it's pretty fucking cool." She said as she places her hands on his shoulder and patted them. 

"Speaking of, do you guys mind giving me a hand here?" She asked us. "Oh, uh..." Sean and I said at the same time, nervously. "I don't know if we can." I said, scratching the back of my head. "Yes, you can. I just need your input, okay?" She said. Sean and I share a look then nodded. "Okay, sure." Sean said as I shrug. "Why not?" I said and Joan smiled. "Ah there ya go! Now go stand over there." She tells us as she points at the tall makeshift tower she had next to her trailer.

We start to make our way towards the tower as Joan turns to Daniel. "Daniel, you ready to start again?" She asked him. "Oh yes! Hold on!" He said as he used his power to move another piece of metal while Sean and I get up on top of the tower.

We then helped make a larger version of the small model she had, with Daniel's help of course. Once we were done, we got down and walked over to Joan and Daniel. "Feel like we're almost done!" She said, happily. "Well, I think this is it?" Sean said and I nodded. "Yeah, looks good to me." I said. "Only if the muse approves..." Joan said as she looks over at Daniel. "Oh yeah! It's super cool!" Daniel exclaims. "You did a great job, munchkin." I said and he smiles up at me.

"Well, boys, I think art might be in your family DNA...there's no escape." Joan said to Sean and Daniel and they nodded. "And don't think I forgot about you, (y/n). You've got a keen eye for this stuff too. Were your parents ever into art?" She asked me and I shake my head. "No, my foster parents were never like that and my real parents, from what I've gathered, they were more into sporty stuff." I replied and she nods. "Well, thank you guys for your help." She said.
We nod at her then I turn to Sean. "We better take that telescope back." I said and Sean nods and we head over to Arthur and Stanely's place, which was right across from us.

"Morning, young lovebirds!" Stanley greets us as we get closer to them. "Hey, guys!" Sean and I greeted back as we walk up to them. "Join us!" Arthur said as he gestures towards the chairs and we take them. "Hey, just in time for our special Desert Brew and dust-free." Stanley said as he pours a couple of cups of his brew then hands them to us.

"Thanks!" We said, in unison, and we take a cup and began to drink from it. "Kids, it's too early to be so awake." Arthur said as Stanley nods. "No kidding...how was your sleepover in the canyon?" He asked us. "Amazing!" I said, in awe. "Yeah, we watched the sunrise....Daniel loved it too." Sean said. "That's my favorite view out here. It's like ancient times, but it never gets old." Stanley said. 

"Unlike us, darling..." Arthur said to Stan then he turns to us. "That canyon will be here long after we're gone. Hope you looked up." He said. "We did! Thanks for hooking us up!" I said as I hand them the telescope. "Anytime! Even my daughter Becky loves to stargaze when she visits us..." Arthur said. "That's the only way to get Arthur to camp now. Becky's the real astronomer in the family." Stanley said then he turns to look at Arthur. "Wonder where she got this." He teased. "From her mom, probably." Arthur said.

"Hope you guys get to meet Becky!" Stanley said to us. "Does she come visiting often?" I asked them. "Not as much as I'd want." Arthur said, sadly. "Can't really blame her...but you know, some parts of the year, is full of friends and family. Christmas, for example." He said.

"So, why did you come out here?" Sean asked him. "Because we got tired of people's bullshit. Things change...but being gay is still dangerous. The end." Stanley said and I felt bad for them, no telling what crap they go through just because they love each other.

"Kids, I'm almost sixty and I was a happily married man for twenty years until I came out. I don't blame my family for being in shock...but I didn't think they'd disown me...my other daughters won't even talk to me anymore...so, why stay?" Arthur said as he takes a sip of his coffee. Stanley let's out a heavy sigh then turns to us. "After we got together, we both had serious breakdowns. Then we got the hell out of the Bay Area for the better." Stanley said. 

"I hear that..." Sean said and I nod. "Yeah, same here. I'm just so fucking tired of running..." I said and Sean nods and he takes my hand in his. "Yeah, me too. I hope that the two of us and Daniel find our own...away." he said. "You will. People come here to reset their life...become the person they wanna be...or used to be. You two are smart, both of you will figure out your next direction." Stanely assured us then he turns to Arthur. "Right, gramps?" He asked, teasingly. "Speak for yourself, grandpa. My body might be fifty-nine, but I'm twenty-five." Arthur chuckles and I let out a small giggle at this.

"Uh huh. I'll remember that on the next hike...." Stanley teased and I smiled. "Well, we better go. Thanks for the Desert Brew!" Sean said as he gets up. "Yeah, thanks! It was awesome!" I said and I stand up from the chair and we waved goodbye to them as we walked away.

"Hey, Sean, what were you and (y/n) doing at Arthur and Stanely's place?" Daniel asked Sean through the walkie-talkie. Sean pulls it out of his pocket and laugh. "You're alittle too young to be stalking us, dude." Sean jokes.

"Uh...you know what, I saw them kissing the other day! Kinda weird..." Daniel said. "You know it's actually normal for people in love to kiss. Right?" Sean asked. "Yeah, you've seen Sean and I kiss before." I said in the walkie. "I know...I just mean...they're really cute together. I hope somebody cares about me like that when I get old..." Daniel replied. "Aw, you will, munchkin! Just give it time!" I said. "Thanks, (y/n)." Daniel said.

"I think I'm spotting mom's truck coming back! Um...yes! One hundred percent her!" Daniel said and I chuckle. "Okay, we'll help her out with the groceries." Sean said and we go to sit down for a bit when her truck comes up and parks near Stan's and Arthur's place. 

Sean and I run over to the truck as Karen and David get out of the truck and head to the trunk. "Hey, what's up?" Sean greets them as we walk up to them. "Hey, morning!" David greets as he goes to hug Sean then he hugs me. "Howdy kids!" Karen said to us. "How was the town trip?" I asked them, which made David laugh. "Hate these trips. People look at us as if we're aliens. Here comes the Sand People!" David said then he goes to open thr trunk.

"The deserters have returned with offerings from Das Kapital!" Joan jokes as she comes over. "Jolie!" Karen exclaims and she goes to hug her. "I missed you. Next time, you're coming with us." Karen said to her. "Ha! We'll see." Joan said as the pull back from the embrace. "Looking good! What's your secret?" She asked her. "Defying death on a daily basis. And hydrating." Joan joked and Sean and I smiled at this. 

"Oh, right! Can't forget your goodies!" Karen said as she goes to the trunk and pulls out a bag of groceries and hands it to Joan. "Hey, thanks, angel. You're the man, Karen!" Joan said as she takes the bag. "Catch ya, later!" She said and she walks back to her trailer. "Take care!" Karen called out after her then she turns to Sean and I.

"Hey! So how did you guys like your night in the canyon?" Karen asked us. "It was amazing...so many stars...and so quiet. Good call, Karen." Sean said as I nodded in agreement. "I knew you guys would like it, stargazers...glad you got to see that." She said as Daniel runs over to us.

"Hi Mom!" Daniel said as he hugs Karen and she hugs him back. "How was the town?" Daniel asked once he and Karen pull out of their embrace. "Townlife always sucks, but we got something for ya." David said then he pulls out a baseball and tosses it to Daniel. "Think fast!" He said as he throws it and Daniel uses his power to catch it. "Whoa! Thanks, David!" Daniel said, appreciatevly.

"You wanna play catch, Danny Boy?" Karen asked him. "Totally! Me and Dad always used to play! But I'm way better now!" Daniel said as he and Karen walk away a few feet from us and started to play while David walked up next to us.

"No matter what he's been through...he just wants to be a kid and play..." David said and we chuckled. "Yep...Daniel hasn't been like this in forever...you've all been a good influence on him..." Sean said to him. "About time you kids went camping...hope Daniel did get scared by all the critters..." David said. "Yeah, not anymore. He's seen alot worse and that made him tougher." Sean said. "And he can defend himself." I added. "You're right. And he does like to show off...maybe too much. The three of you have been here for over a month and I still can't get over Daniel's...skills." David said.

"Me niether." I said. "Me too. But we never figured it out, so...we don't try anymore." Sean said. "Well, take it from an old soldier...but you two trained him well. He's a good kid." David said and we smiled at David. "Thanks." Sean and I said in unison. "We tried our best." I said.

"I guess it's reassuring...but what do I know? Never met someone with a superpower before..." David said. "(Y/n) and I try to be a good influence. Not always easy, but he listens to us. I don't know if we did right. Guess you never really know." said Sean. 

"Listen, raising a kid is the toughest job in the world. Trust me, combat was easier." David said and my eyes widen at this. "Oh, you didn't tell us you were married." I said. "Used to be...we're divorced now. Her daughter's death left her heartbroken. Same for me. We just couldn't put our pieces back together after what happened." David said, sadly. "We're sorry, David." Sean said and I nod. "Yeah, that sucks!" I said.

"And the worst thing is.. I never had the chance to do the right thing for my step-daughter before she died. We were like oil and water. And she was always starting shit..." David said. "Trust me, David. It's hard for a kid to get a new father, or in my case new parents." I said. "Especially one like me...I just had no clue how to deal with her. Wish I did." He said as he looks down then let's out a sigh.

"Anyway...you can't go back...." he said. "Nope. Thanks for talking, David." Sean said and I smiled towards David. "Better start my delivery!" He said and he turns to the trunk of the truck. "Found some weird snacks in town. ArthurAr gonna a freak." David said as he picks up a couple bags of groceries. "Catch ya later, kids." He said and he walks away.

"Okay, time out!" Karen said, breathless, as her and Daniel walk back towards the truck. "Oh my God! I'm gonna melt!" She said. "That was awesome, mom!" Daniel said, happily. "Now I know what they don't play baseball in the desert." She said. "You throw way better than Sean." Daniel said, making Karen laugh. 

"We're not done out here yet! Let's get this food inside before it melts." She said as she grabs a bag. "No problem!" Daniel said and she walks away with a bag then Sean and I grab a couple of bags and carry them to them to ge trailer as Daniel uses his powers on his bag. "She is so cool, ya think?" Daniel asked and Sean scoffs.

"Joan is so cool. Stanley's so cool. The heat is so cool." Sean mimics. "You're way too easy, bro..." he said. "Whatever. Can't help it if I like Karen." Daniel said, which made Sean and I laugh. "Just be you, munchkin." I said. "Yeah, I'm just sayin'. Don't get too cozy here. This is a...rest stop." Sean said to him. "I know." Daniel said as we go inside the trailer and set the bags of groceries on the table in the trailer while Daniel ran off, probably back to Joan's.

Sean and I walk out of the trailer then over to the little table and sit across from Karen. "You know...I have to admit...I do miss that Pacific Northwest weather...sometimes..." Karen said after Sean and I take a sip from our soda. "Yeah..." he and I said, together. "You kids been here for over a month now. What do you guys think of our little oasis?" She asked us. 

"This place is like another world..." Sean said. "Agreed. I don't even know how to describe it." I said and Karen chuckles. "I think you two just did. It has a...unique atmosphere. That's why people come here form all over the country...for their own reasons. Not perfect but it works." She said.

"Hope it's worth it. It's not easy living as outcasts....of the grid." Sean said. "Clearly not. We gotta be almost self-sufficient. And it's a very lonely life." said Karen. "It's cool you found your safe space." I said to her. "You can't escape reality, even here...we just live slightly apart from it." She said.

"So...how did you end up here? This place is not on the map..." Sean asked her. "Like most of us, I was first brought here by someone. Maggie. After I failed to make it in New York, I was lucky enough to meet her down in Florida. She's...had a tough life. This place was her getaway...she's long gone now, but...her name is still written all over this place." She explained.

"Well, thanks for bringing us here." Sean said. "Yeah, I can't thank you enough, Karen." I said to her. "Oh, kids. I'm glad I was able to help you." She said then she looks over at Sean. "By the way, can you grab your brother, so we can all talk?" She asked him and she looked a bit sad at this. 

"Is everything okay?" Sean asked her. "Yeah...I just thought we could spend this day together. Just the four of us." She said and I widen my eyes at her. "You sure you don't want to just spend time with your sons?" I asked her and she smiles. "(Y/n), you helped my sons out as much as you could and you watched over them. You have earned your spot in this family." She said and I smiled at her. "Plus, I think Sean would kick my ass if I didn't ask you to come along." She said, smiling, and we laugh at this.

Sean pulls out the radio and pushes the button. "Big brother to Superwolf. We need you at Karen's trailer. Copy?" He said. "Sure. I mean, 10-4." Daniel said and Karen chuckles as we sit there for a few moments until Daniel runs up to us.

"Hola!" He greets. "Hola, compadre...How about a trek around the canyon today? You guys in?" Karen asked. "Totally!" Daniel exclaims as Sean and I nod. "Let's pack then." She said and we get up and go into the trailer and started to get ready for the day.