The first 7 months went really well. They were happy together, very minimal arguing, and even the campers could tell Chris was happier. But, then something changed. For nearly 3 months, Chris hasn't been anywhere near has happy as before. No one still knew of Chris' new found relationship- though 'new found' is used lightly- he started to be harder on the campers than ever before. He was pushing limits that could very well get him fired. After yelling at the campers once more, he stormed back to his trailer, expecting to see his partner somewhere inside but it was empty. The lights were off and the trailer was silent. Chris started to panic. He threw open the door to their shared bedroom, hoping they were just napping. There was no one in sight. He noticed something, left on the neatly made bed and approached it slowly. He unfolded the paper, finding a letter, in their perfect handwriting.
Chris,
I don't know what happened. Something...changed. You aren't the same, and we are constantly fighting. I cannot handle the arguments, and the comments...I cant handle the hateful tone and the glares. I want to be happy. I wanted to be happy with you, but it seems as though that isn't going to happen...not anymore. It's not your fault, though. Honestly, maybe it is me. Maybe I'm just not good enough.
I'm sorry, but I had Chef take me home. I know it isn't something you have said, and maybe you didn't even feel it- but I love you. Don't blame yourself for me leaving, please. Honestly, it probably is my fault and you deserve better. Go easy on the campers, okay?
Goodbye, Chris.
(Y/N)
Chris read over the letter multiple times. He moved to sit on the bed, silently as he stared at the page, the words running through his mind repeatedly.
"(Y/N)...left?" He felt the words leave his mouth before he could even process them. His arm fell to his side, resting on the bed as he stared at the floor where the paper previously filled his vision. Tears filled his eyes as he jumped up, looking through the drawers and checking the bathroom. Anything to show this was just some cruel, sick joke. But he found nothing. He wasn't aware of the tears falling down his face until Chef mentioned something. He turned to the doorway of the room. Chef was leaning on the doorway.
"They left, Chris. They're gone." His voice was quiet. Chris froze, the words finally registering in his brain.
"(Y/N) really...left me?" Chef gave a sympathetic smile before turning to leave. "Wait....Chef...why?" Chef froze mid step, debating on answering his question.
"They were miserable...(Y/N) cried, the entire way to shore. They told me how horrible they felt...after all the arguments and the fighting. They couldn't take it anymore. You know...they really do blame themselves. They think they weren't good enough for you. But...with how you treated (Y/N)? I think it was the other way around." Chef sighed, walking out of the trailer, leaving Chris to his thoughts. He thought back to all the arguments and how he blamed them for everything. How it was (Y/N)'s fault every time- he never took the blame. He thought about how they just sat there and took it, how after a few times, they didn't argue back. He should have realized he was breaking them.
"It's my fault. All of it. I am so sorry, (Y/N)..." Chris walked out of the bedroom, slowly, noticing the dishes had been washed- the last thing he complained about. And how the trailer was spotless- another complaint.
"I never did anything to help them. They left me and STILL did everything I complained about before leaving...I really fucked up." He sighed, running his hands through his hair. "I have to get them back..." He stared at the small coffee table in front of him, remembering the way (Y/N) used to sit there and paint their nails. He remembered they would stick their tongue out in concentration and when he would get caught staring, they'd give him a big smile, light pink dusting their face. He sighed again. He just found out they left, not even a half hour ago and he already misses them, terribly. Instead of wallowing in his pity, he began to think of a plan.
Chef would take over the next challenge. It started in 3 days, but he had to find (Y/N). He doesn't even know where they could have gone. He knows their hometown, and where they lived before coming to join him at Camp Wawanakwa but he isn't familiar with the addresses. Chris climbed into his helicopter, headed to the first place he wanted to look: the place they met. They met at the Adamo Estate Winery- (Y/N) worked as a greeter. The helicopter landed nearby in Mono, Ontario. He climbed out and walked the city towards Adamo Estate Winery. Hoping, maybe, he'd see them on the street. Chris approached the doors and sighed hopefully.
"Welcome to Adamo Est- oh. Its you." A familiar voice hit his ears and he found (Y/N)'s best friend standing in front of him with a scowl on his face. Chris laughed nervously.
"Hey, Jordan...uh...have you seen-"
"Yes. And no, I won't tell you where they are." Chris sighed.
"Can I at least talk to you, maybe...change your mind?" Jordan raised an eyebrow, before nodding once.
"Alright, I get a break in 15 minutes. I'll meet you out front." Chris nodded, and left the building, finding a place to wait until Jordan could meet with him.
Chris waited patiently outside the building, noticing Jordan exit later. Jordan crossed his arms as he approached Chris. He could feel Jordan eyeing him and smiled sheepishly.
"Alright, talk." Jordan said, leaning on a pole nearby.
"W-well... its my fault."
"Obviously." Chris cleared his throat, a little uncomfortable.
"(Y/N) was the greatest thing to ever happen to me. I hadn't been that happy in a long time. They always knew the best way to keep a smile on my face. I messed up. I was struggling with work things and the producers were on my ass about ratings...and I took it out on (Y/N). I shouldn't have. I know. But, I didn't mean to, and I didn't realize I had been...They just...accepted it. When I came back to the trailer and they were gone, I panicked. It took me a long time to realize it was true; they really had left me." He ran his hands through his hair again. Jordan noticed how disheveled Chris looked and sighed.
"Chris, dude, they really care about you. You were together a year, and they did everything they could to make you happy. (Y/N) loves you, you know."
"Yeah. I know..." He pulled the note from his pocket, staring it down in utter sadness. "A-and I love them, too! I just...I hadn't said it and I regret it. Because I should have. They deserve to know it isn't their fault and they deserve so much more. Can you...can you tell (Y/N) for me?" Jordan was silent for a moment.
"Tell her yourself. I'll send you the address...they are staying at my place for the time being." Chris thanked him multiple times while giving him his number. "Yeah, whatever, but if you hurt them anymore-"
"I won't, I promise. I love them, so much." Jordan smiled slightly before heading back into his job and Chris turned to head to Jordan's house, in order to find (Y/N).
It took some time getting lost in Mono before he approached a little house in the middle of a bunch of land. It was small, compared to the others in the area. He walked up the steps of the white porch and stopped himself from knocking. He expected this to be difficult, but not this level of difficulty. Chris let out a nervous sigh and knocked on the door. It was silent. No footsteps were heard inside and he was about to just walk away when he heard some quiet steps approaching the door. He heard a lock turn and then the door opened. (Y/N) was there, some light purple bags under their eyes and their hair a mess. They had on pajamas, as if they had been sleeping, and their hair could verify that thought. His eyes scanned them over, taking in their face.
"God you're so beautiful." He mumbled, as they rubbed the sleep from their eyes.
"C-Chris? What are you doing here?" The sleep was erased from their voice as the sentence finished and they crinkled their eyebrows in concern and confusion. He was silent and took the note from his pocket holding it out to them.
"I... I'm sorry...I really messed up. You were...are the greatest thing to ever happen to me. I shouldn't have taken that for granted, and I wanted to let you know- please, please understand its not your fault. You are good enough- more than good enough. You are...you're perfect. I'm the one who messed up. I shouldn't have been taking my anger out on you, and I shouldn't have expected you to do everything...and I should have told people about you. I should have said something, not hidden you from the world because- because you probably think I don't want to be seen with you..but that's not it at all. And, I should have told you..." He trailed off, refusing to look at them.
"Told me what...?" The shock was clear on their face from the information spewing from his lips. He looked at them, stepping closer, resting his forehead against their own.
"I should have told you... I love you." He pressed his lips to theirs all of his emotions having come out at one time. (Y/N) felt the wet tears touching their cheeks, as their own began to collect in their eyes.
"Chris-" They pulled from the kiss, and looked him in the eye.
"Please. Take me back." Chris grabbed their hands and held them tightly in his own, a pleading look on his face.
"Chris-"
"Please. I love you. I promise, I will never mess up like this again. I...I cant bare to lose you again." (Y/N) smiled softly.
"Chris, I love you, too. And honestly, the idea you came and found me just to say all of that...it means so much to me." Chris pulled them close and hugged them tightly, not wanting to let go.
"Come back to camp with me? I'll introduce you to everyone. And you can be on the show-"
"How about we start with helping me pack?" He grinned and they took his hand pulling him inside.