“Uh huh.”

Hunter’s emerald eyes reflected the flickering bonfire in front of him.

Dark thicket closed in on them, hiding the night sky from view. The wind danced through the leaves, making them rustle over head.

"If we start at dawn, first thing tomorrow, we’ll make it in time." Natt swiped her tablet screen.

"Uh huh.”

Hunter was sat on a log, resting his chin over Natt’s head who had wedged herself between Hunter’s legs. The leaves crinkled as she crossed her legs. The light from her tab tinted her face neon blue.

Meanwhile across them, Liam sat gripping his elbows, shivering from the cold. He wondered if the poor guy was used to being her personal couch.

If it hadn’t been for him knowing these two personally, he’d have a hard time understanding them. Just today they were in a heated argument on which ice cream flavor was better: Strawberry or Chocolate

Now, they were devising plans in perfect sync and coordination. As if doing it for years. Which in fact, they had. Ever since they were ten.

They had come a long way from bunking school together to trekking on expeditions. Of cursed artifacts no less. The two were a living example that family wasn’t always through shared blood.

Natt groaned as she fell back into Hunter. He waved his arms around exasperatedly, defending his point.

Hunter’s elbow hit her forehead. His hands froze mid-flailing.

“Oww!” She slapped his knee.

Liam didn’t need subtitles. He literally watched Hunter’s expressions go from _“I’m right!”_ To _“I’mSorryYou’reOkayJustDon’tTellMom”_

The friends erupted in a wildfire of insults. The trees shifted behind them, knowing better than to take sides.

Liam caught a few words like _idiot_ and _bozo_. He almost swore he even heard the ice cream debate nearly come up again.

A puff of cold white fog escaped his mouth as he exhaled. He rubbed his hands together. The fire crackled, filling in the silence. He slid his feet. A twig snapped.

He couldn’t help but feel jealous of Natt. At least she was warm— and had a human backrest. With custom features of course.

Him? He was left in the company of occasionally singing crickets, hooting owls and possibly hungry wolves.

“That pretty much sums it all.” Natt said.

“Mmhmm.”

“Would you stop doing that!”

“_Mmhmm._” He grinned.

“Do that again and I’ll tell mum how you _really_ lost her ring once we get back.”

“Oh give me a break. She loves me! I’m probably the Golden Child of your family.”

“_Puh-leez_”