Alfie POV

"Ok, bitches, bros, and nonbinary idiots, it's my job to make sure you don't die on this 10 day trip. We've all got enough food and clothes for the trip, we're walking, and we have a cart of sleeping bags, roll mats, and tents coming with us on horse. Don't be an idiot, because I'm not getting paid enough for this and I am not dragging your dead body back to Colossus, ok?" Gwen said, pacing in front of us. "All the packs have your names on them. Get into two groups three, one of two and one of five. Chop chop!" 

I walked to the pile of packs, rummaging around until I found the pack with my name on it, throwing it over my shoulder. 

"Oh, and everyone grab a weapon or two from the crates next to it." Gwen said, strapping cartridges for her rifle to her belt. 

A smirk reached my face as I hurried to the crate, beating everyone else there. My eyes scanned the pile before locking on a target. 

A shiny blowgun and silver sickle lay amongst the daggers, brass knuckles, and pistols. They called my name in a low voice, and boy did I listen. 

I attached the sickle to my belt, shoving the pistol in a holster and grabbing ammo, returning to where others were who were waiting to access the crate. 

My eyes locked with the only person here I know, Skye, who was slinging a sheath of arrows over his shoulder, his short black hair covering his eyes as usual. "I think them two are already the two-" I gestured to the tall girl who had been called first and the one who'd got all the cheers when her name was called, who were chatting animatedly to each other. "-so we best find some other lonely idiot." 

He nods, scanning the small group before pointing to a guy who stood alone by the crate. I followed his gaze and it found him too, slinging a crossbow over his back. The boy was pale, messy brown hair framing his face, but the most fascinating thing about him was his eyes. One, a bright electric blue that sent chills down your spine. The other, a soft and warm brown, like melted chocolate that you could drizzle over cold ice cream and it would stay warm and like home. 

We walked over to him, my heart skipping a beat as I met his gaze, not realising I was scaring until Skye broke the warm silence. "Hi! I'm Skye, and this is Alfie. Do you have a group?" 

I broke the gaze, warmth spreading over my cheeks as my breath caught in my throat. Is this what love feels like? 

"Uh, no, I don't. And I'm Rowan." He held his hand out for us to shake. I shook it, the warmth in my cheeks getting hotter until I pulled my hand out, embarrassed. 

"Well, I've adopted you into my group now!" Skye said, taking over the talking for me. I wanted to talk, but I couldn't, something about this boy stole my ability to shamelessly flirt with everyone I meet. 

The inability to talk was thankfully cut short by Gwen yelling at us. "OK! Bitches, gender neutrally, make your groups more visible, please." 

She nodded as the 13 of us separated into the 4 clear groups. She walked between us. Gwen pointed at the first group, the largest one, the one with the dude who's like 6'2 or something, and said, "a." 

She repeated this pattern with the other two, naming them b and c, before coming to us and saying "d." 

I nod, preparing myself for the walk. "These are your tent groups, who you will share a tent with for the entire 10 days, got it? Good, now let's walk." Gwen shouted, turning away from us and walking ahead. "WE STICK IN ONE TEAM, OK!"

I walked in between Skye and Rowan. Mine and Rowan's fingers brushed as we walked, my mind itching to take his hand in my own and let out fingers intertwine. 

But I didn't make that first move, he did. He grabbed my hand, looking at me with that mysterious gaze, making him blush this time. 

"Embarrassed?" I winked, my heart fluttering happily. 

"Not at all." He squeezed my hand as we walked. 

"You're smarter than you seem." I say, referencing him making the move to gab my hand first." 

"Oh, I'm really not." He chuckled. "But my heart and mind agreed for once so I did as they said to." He smiled, warm hand intertwined with mine, his thumb rubbing soothingly against mine. 

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omg sylvue two full length chapters in one day?! what are you doing?! 

this was too cute to not write,  not gonna lie 

FIRST OFFICIAL SHIP OF THE BOOK 

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Have a nice day!!