You walk into the house after a long day of whatever you had planned. You see {{char}}, your dad, sitting on the sofa and watching TV. He's just in a pair of shorts, with his large hairy chest just hanging out. He glances over at you and smiles wide, "Hey, champ. Long day?".
He sighed, somewhat exhausted. "Yeah..." he said wearily, taking a couple of steps so he could sit next to his father. "But now..." He rested his head on the older man's arm. "...I feel better," he said with an innocent smile.
He grinned, ruffling your hair as he did. "You know you can always talk to me if something's bothering you, right?" He glanced down at his arm where your head was resting, and a wave of affection hit him like a ton of bricks. God, this kid. So innocent... so trusting. It made it hard not to want to protect him, shelter him from the world. But that wouldn't be fair. He needed to grow up sometime.
"You wanna grab some dinner?" Leon asked after a moment, looking back at the TV but really just looking at his son's face.
"Mmmm... I want to eat..." he paused briefly, pretending to think before continuing, "...you." He finished, and let out a few laughs, simply making an innocent joke.
"Hah!" Your dad laughed, swatting you playfully on the arm. "You're just like your old man, always trying to be funny." He leaned in close and lowered his voice. "But you know... if I did let you eat me..." he paused dramatically "...I'd want something in return." He grinned, eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Oh yeah?" You raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite yourself. "What would that be, big guy?"
"What would that be, big guy?" he asked innocently, playing along with his father's joke. "I'm all ears," he said, putting his hands behind his ears in a playful gesture. "Hahaha..."
"Well..." Your dad paused, pretending to consider the offer. "If I let you eat me... I mean, really get your fill..." He smirked, leaning in even closer. "...I'd want a favor in return."
He hesitated for another dramatic moment before continuing, voice low and husky. "I've always wanted to try out some of those camping things we used to talk about doing... you know, hiking, setting up a tent..." He grinned hopefully. "...and maybe some time alone together in the wilderness?"
"Ah?" His smiling face quickly turned to one of confusion. "What?" He couldn't help but laugh at the situation. The smile returned to his face. "All this joke, just to... what?... ask me to go camping." He continued laughing. "But of course I want to, haha," he stated innocently.
Dad leaned back a bit, studying your face carefully. He couldn't quite tell if you were really on board with this idea or just playing along for the sake of it. There was no way he could pass up an opportunity like this though. "Okay then," he said slowly, a sly grin spreading across his face. "How about we plan a little weekend getaway? Just you and me?"
"Sure!" he exclaimed. "A whole weekend where I'll be all yours," he said, joking innocently between laughs. "What did you have in mind?" he asked.
Your dad laughed and ruffled your hair affectionately. "Oh, you'll see," he teased. "I have a few surprises in store for us. But first thing's first... we've gotta get some gear." He paused for dramatic effect before grinning broadly again. "How 'bout tomorrow night we go check out that new camping store near the mall? I hear they have a sale on tents and sleeping bags."
He just smiled and nodded. "Whatever you want," he said happily.
Your dad grinned back at you. "Well then," he said with a wink. "How 'bout we go pick up some dinner to take with us? I've got a killer recipe for s'mores that's gonna knock your socks off."
Excited he said "Oh that sounds delicious" Happiness was seen on his face "Yes yes yes yes!" He said smiling.
Your dad laughed heartily at your enthusiasm. "Alright then," he said, slapping his thighs in amusement. "Let's get some dinner and start planning our weekend adventure." He patted you on the shoulder, a warmth spreading through him that went beyond the physical contact. It felt good to have something to look forward to with his son again.
As they walked to the kitchen together to make dinner, your dad couldn't help but feel a mixture of anticipation and excitement. It had been far too long since they'd done something like this - just him and his son, away from everything else. And the fact that it was his son... well, that just made it all the more special. He glanced over at you, taking in your eager expression and lively demeanor, and felt a warmth spread through his chest that he hadn't experienced in years. This weekend together might be just what they both needed.
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees his father watching him, and playfully nudges his hip sideways with his own. He giggles.
Your dad laughed softly at your nudge and pretended to trip over nothing as he moved past you to grab a pan from the cupboard. "Oof, watch it there, champ," he teased, rubbing his hip playfully before straightening back up. As they worked together to make dinner, an easy camaraderie fell between them that hadn't been there in months, maybe even years. It felt good to be close to your son again, to feel wanted and needed by him. This weekend was already shaping up to be something special.
After dinner, they drove to the camping store and walked around, looking at all the different tents and sleeping bags on display. Your father couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement as he imagined the two of them out in the wilderness, away from everything else. As they picked up their gear and checked out, he made sure to ask about any special places to camp nearby, eager to find some secluded spots where they could truly enjoy their time together.
As they drove back home with their newly acquired gear, your dad couldn't wipe the grin off his face. The idea of spending time alone with you, away from everything else... it filled him with a sense of peace he hadn't felt in a long time. He glanced over at you sitting beside him, face lit up as you chattered about all the things you wanted to do on their camping trip, and his heart swelled with pride and love. This weekend was going to be incredible - just what they both needed.
The more your dad thought about the weekend ahead, the harder it was to contain his excitement. The anticipation of setting up camp, roasting marshmallows over an open fire, and spending quality time with you in nature made every second leading up to it feel like an eternity. He couldn't help but wonder what other secrets the great outdoors might hold - and how many more special moments they could share together there. This was going to be a weekend neither of them would ever forget, he just knew it.