Bdubs sighed as Scar pulled up to the next checkpoint, where team one had arrived a good fifteen minutes before them. Once the vehicle was at rest, the tanned brunet unbuckled and patted Scar on the shoulder. "We'll get 'em next time, 'Kay?"

"Yeah!" Scar smiled, "As a wise, handsome man once told me, 'You'll get them next time baby, and we can pet Jellie in the meantime.'!"

"Who said that-?"

"Cub."

"Ohh." Bdubs giggled, "Not quite sure if that can apply to our current situation but whatever floats your boat!"

The friends laughed, and Bdubs and Scar made their way to the portable fire pit, where Ren, Doc and Xisuma were setting up to roast some smokies.

Xisuma looked up. "Hey guys! Either of you want a smokey?"

"I'd love one!" Scar grinned, plopping down next to Xisuma. He patted the ground next to him. "Bdubs come sit!"

Bdubs settled down next to Scar and Xisuma, hugging his knees. The brunet glanced at the setting sun and frowned. "It's getting dark soon, hey?"

From across the fire, Ren nodded. "We were on the road for a while."

"We were." Doc agreed. He smirked at Bdubs. "We weren't on the road as long as team two, thou- OW-"

Ren elbowed his friend, "But that doesn't matter because this is all in good fun, right Doc?"

"Yeah, whatever." Doc glanced back at Bdubs, who stuck his tongue out at the german.

---

The conversation soon floated elsewhere as everyone roasted and ate their smokies, the energy among the group dimming with the sun. As the moon started rising and the last beams of sunlight were fading, Bdubs got up and told everyone he was getting tired.

"Sun's gone, I might as well sleep." He shrugged, "I don't- uh.. have much interest in being out in the dark. And I gotta set up our tent."

"Double0's done tanning for the day," Scar joked, making Bdubs chuckle. "D'you need help with the tent Bdubs?"

"I'm good, thanks though!" The brunet waved, then disappeared into the growing darkness.

"I get that it's probably an inside joke but-" Doc scratched his neck, "What do mean 'Double0's done tanning for the day'?"

"Oh its not much of an inside joke," Scar smiled, "Just a little quip about how much time Bdubs spends in the sun. We joke he's tanni--"

"I FORGOT A FLASHLIGHT AND I CANNoT SEE SHIT-" Bdubs ran into the light of their fire. He smiled sheepishly. "Haha.. A-anyone have a flashlight?"

In the light of the fire, as Xisuma handed Bdubs a lantern, Doc noticed that he did look like he spent quite a bit of time in the sun. Bdubs' face was peppered with freckles and he was quite tanned. He was like a--

A cute tanned boy with a temper. Doc's cheeks flushed, staring at Bdubs as it dawned on him. I am going to kill Ren and Iskall I swear to-

"Hey, Doctor Weirdo!" Bdubs was scowling at him now, clutching his lantern. "Stop gawking at me."

"I- sorry- I was j-just-" Doc stumbled over his words. Doc never stumbles over his words. "I just re-ealized-"

Bdubs smirked, "You just realized how unbelievably hot I am, hey? Understandable."

And without giving Doc a second to respond, Bdubs left again, (this time with a light).

Those who were left around the dimming ashes of the fire were silent.

Scar spoke up, "I can't tell if that was fighting or flirting."

---

"I haven't even called him cute! Why would you assume I think Bdubs is cute??" Doc and Ren were walking to their tent, which had been set up by Keralis while they were having smokies.

"Why would you assume that's Bdubs' contact info? I haven't told you who it is, it could be anyone." Ren countered, trying to hide his grin. "So you're basically admitting you think Bdubs is attractive."

"No I- ugh." Doc huffed, "So it's not Bdubs?"

"No it is Bdubs."

"GAHh-!" Doc bit back some choice words, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "You're insufferable."

"Yeah, love you too dude." Ren laughed, "Oh look, that's Iskall's tent, ours is probably just beside it."

"Cool." Doc grumbled. The german unzipped their tent and shoved Ren inside, trying not to let any mosquitos in.

Ren and Doc assembled their sleeping arrangements in silence. The only noise was the bugs, frogs, and whatever conversation was going on in their teammates tents.

"You going to sleep right now?" Doc asked as Ren curled up in a little nest he had constructed out of blankets.

"Mmhm," The brunet nodded, plugging in his phone to a portable charger. "I'm wanna drive the van tomorrow, and I shouldn't be too tired."

"Fair enough." Doc got himself comfortable too, "Have a good sleep Ren."

Ren smiled, "You t-"

"GRIAN I'M NOT TRYING TO STEAL ANYTHING- WHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH YOU-"

"STOP YELLING ISKALL PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SLEEP!!"

"YOU'RE YELLING TOO DUMBASS- YOU STOP YELLING FIRST!"

Doc and Ren looked at eachother. Doc pulled a dual-headphone connecter from his backpack.

"MAYBE I WILL!"

"Wanna listen to music-?"

"YOU BETTER YOU- GREMLIN"

"That would be lovely."

"OH YOU----"

"🎵..Everything you do it sends me....🎵"

---

*5 minutes ago in Architent*

"So, you and Ren pranked Doc while he was asleep today?"

Iskall looked over at his shorter friend. "Yes we did, Grian, you were there."

Grian rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, "It's a social cue for you to go more into depth, Iskall."

"Oh-" Iskall pursed his lips, thinking for a moment. "I almost got his number."

Grian's eyebrows raised. He rested his head on his fist and smirked, "Do tell."

"There's not much to tell, I guess.." Iskall shrugged, "We were putting Bdubs into Doc's contacts and I used it as an excuse to ask for his number."

Iskall frowned, "I didn't get it though, and I don't know how to bring it up again without being awkward.."

Grian sighed. "Okay hear me out."

"Yes?"

"You simply," The blond spread his arms and did jazz hands. "Ask for it!"

Iskall groaned, "But how?"

"Bro you just ask for his number. It's that easy."

The swede ran a hand through his hair, leaving it slightly askew. He laid back, picking up his phone. "Whatever."

Grian let it go, and started pulling his sleeping arrangements out of his duffle bag, something he had procrastinated doing earlier. Then it dawned on him. "Y'know, Doc and Ren are best friends."

Iskall sighed, "Yes?"

"You probably could've stolen Ren's number from Doc's phone."

"Yeah I guess, but that's just-" Iskall froze, "uh- 'stolen'-?"

Grian shrugged.

"Why is everything a heist to you."

Grian smirked. "Technically this is your heist."

"Grian I'm noT TRYING TO STEAL ANYTHING- WHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH YOU-"

Mumbo, who had been asleep throughout the whole conversation, stirred. Grian frowned. "STOP YELLING ISKALL PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SLEEP!!"

"YOU'RE YELLING TOO DUMBASS- YOU STOP YELLING FIRST!"

"MAYBE I WILL!"

"YOU BETTER YOU- GREMLIN"

"OH YOU-"

---

Oop-

You will never know what Grian said in response.

Anyways!

REMEMBER TO HYDRATE AND STAY HEALTHY *MAKES IT RAIN WATER BOTTLES AND LOVE <3*

I'm a god now haha /j

Speaking of gods, thank you so so so so so much again to sixth_constellation (hope you don't mind me @ing you-) for promoting this book you're an absolute legend :')

Buh bye o/