Snow stepped out of the tent. She headed straight for her own, ready to go to sleep so she would have enough rest for tomorrow. She needed all the energy she could get, especially if it meant meeting up with Jack. 

The camp was dimming down with activities as it was starting to get late. The moonlight was high up in the sky, bringing with it its own magical warmth. 

She often wondered how the dungeons could have a day and night system, and her personal theory was that they were actually in a different world. When she glanced up, she saw three other moons in the sky, telling her that this was definitely not home. 

Where they only had two moons, which circled around Rosvera. Even the air and magic density was high, making her magic twice more powerful. 

A few of her guildmates shouted an excellent warm night as she entered her tent. Surprised at the unexpected guest, she froze in place. 

“Mike? Dairen?” Snow asked in confusion.

Both Mike and Dairen were sitting down, waiting for her as they played cards. They glanced up, pleased to finally see Snow here. 

“Snow,” Mike was the first one to speak. “Glad you made it.” 

Snow came over. She took off her sweater and shoes to get comfortable as she came over to sit on her sleeping bag, which both of them were playing on. They moved their cards away, allowing her to take a seat. 

“What are you guys doing here in my tent?” Snow asked. “I thought you guys would be sleeping or doing something with the others at this time. 

“Well, we were, but we came to keep you company for the night.” 

“Right…” Snow rolled her eyes at Mike. “What are you really here for.” 

Mike gave her a feigned hurtful look of a beaten dog. “I just wanted to be next to my master.” 

“Oh, god, please don’t.” Snow lightly punched him in the arm. “You look like a fool.” 

“I’m hurt.” 

“She’s right, you know.” Dairen chuckled at his friend's stupidity. 

Mike gave them a fake gasp and an evil eye at Dairen. “I thought you were supposed to be on my side.” 

Dairen shook his head. “Absolutely not. I’m on my side or Snow’s side. Never yours.” 

“You cheater.” 

Snow burst out laughing, and a hint of mischief glimmered in Mike’s eyes. “See, she loves me,” Mike said coyly. 

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“Your definition of love astounds me.” Dairen couldn’t help but crack a small laugh as well. A soft expression was plastered on Dairen’s face that he would not often show around people except those he was close with. The sparkle in his laughter and naive look was gone, and instead, a more battle-hardened demeanor was present in Darien, giving him a darker mood. 

On the other hand, Mike had become much more boisterous and loud, bringing more and more attention to himself in the strange acts that he would play.  

Mike took out a bottle of alcohol, wine, and a few snacks from his storage and laid it out on the ground for them to eat. “We've been dungeon diving through this shit hole for years now. A simple break and relaxation are needed.” 

“Wait, before you do, did Rodney tell you guys anything?” Snow raised up her hands to stop Mike from making this into a full-blown party. She wanted them to be sane to hear this information before they forget the next day. 

“Not yet.” Mike stopped pouring a glass. He glanced up, wondering what she had to say. 

“Jack is heading straight towards our camp.” 

“What?!” Mike almost dropped his bottle, which he miraculously caught without breaking or spilling. “That bastard is still alive?!”

“Yes.” 

“Why….I would rather he stay far away from us than tangle up with him again. It’s like meeting your crazy ex and having to deal with their crap.” 

Snow groaned. His description of Jack was spot on. He was the crazy, arrogant man that nobody would want to work under. 

“How soon?” Dairen slowly asked. He was tapping his fingers on the glass drink that Mike had given to him. 

“Two days at the most. The worst tomorrow night.” 

“That’s too soon.” Mike handed her a glass that she gratefully took. 

“Agreed.” Snow was glad that she was given something to drown out her buzzing headache of a night. She was glad that she was given this chance to let all those bent up stresses to

 be temporarily washed away. Taking a sip, she let the harsh taste of a mixed drink run down her throat and warm up her stomach. 

“Let’s just save that conversation for another day.” Dairen tried to change the subject. “It’s going to ruin the good night.” Dairen said with seriousness. “Instead, let’s just enjoy our night for the day. We cleared out the nearest nest, so another attack won’t come anytime soon. Instead, we should be present more than worry about the future. It would only just make us insane worrying about tomorrow. Plus, we wouldn’t go anywhere if we keep living in the future like that.” 

For once, Snow was impressed with Mike’s wisdom. “You’re right.” She raised up her glass of drink. For the future of the Gold Phoenix and destroying the dungeon core.” 

“To the future.” Both of them raised their glass drinks. 

For the next few hours, all three of them chatted, laughed, and played games. They joked around and even had a great time just enjoying each other’s presence. 

Snow’s cheek was warm, her head slightly tipsy. Dairen was out cold, laying down close by. She grabbed a blanket, placing it on his shoulder. He was the first to tap out as he was a bit weak on his alcohol tolerance. 

Mike was still drinking a few more before he spoke, “I think I should head back and sleep.” He got up, hiccuping. Stumbling from his quick movement, he caught himself before he could fall down. 

“Are you sure?” Snow’s hand was halfway out, trying to catch him if he fell. Out of the three, she had the least amount of drinks. She was too preoccupied with eating the delicious snacks that Mike had brought out that drinking had become a second priority.  “You know both of you guys can just stay the night. I got extra blankets. You can just cuddle up next to Dairen.” She joked. 

Mike gasped; he looked like an innocent damsel that would get her first night taken away. 

“Please be gentle with me.” Mike blushed. 

Snow couldn’t help but flinch at him, giving her such a look. Mike wasn’t a bad looking guy. He was quite good looking. Many women would fling themselves at him because of his charming smile, his random sporadic jokes, and even his powerful personality that they were attracted too. 

Her face blushed, trying to play it off as if it was nothing, she smacked him in the shoulder. 

“Just get out of here.” Snow pushed him out of the tent, shaking her head at his brave words. She stepped out with her hand on her hips. 

“What?” Mike asked, aghast at being thrown out of her tent. “I am a gentle lover.” 

“Right…” Snow didn’t believe him. The number of hearts that she had personally seen him crush was more to count, and it wouldn’t even fit on all her hand and even both her toes combined. 

“You don’t believe me?” 

“If you say so.”

Mike pouted, his face blushing red. He reached out and hugged Snow. 

Surprised by his sudden action, she froze. This wasn’t like him at all. 

“You know Snow. We are here for you.” Mike patted her slowly, even patting her head a few times. “Don’t carry the burden all by yourself.”

“What are you talking about?” Snow asked, confused. 

Mike's head flopped on her shoulder. He breathed in deeply and let out a sigh that was disappointed in her words. “You’re an idiot.” 

Snow went silent. Her mind was still whirling from the drinks she had that she couldn’t put two and two together. Sometimes even wondering if she heard Mike correctly. 

“I’m saying, we are family.” His words were a whisper in her ear that tickled her. “We got your back, Snow.” 

A warm burst of energy tingled in her heart. She patted Mike, “Thank you.” 

Mike gave her another strong hug that made it hard to breathe. She had to peel him away since he wouldn’t let her go. 

“Mike, you need to go to bed.” 

Mike groaned and hiccuped. He nodded. His tent wasn’t far away. Snow helped him over, even putting him in his sleeping bag as he threw off most of his clothes, showing off his exquisite body. 

For someone so tall, he had quite a bit of muscle on him. He wasn’t gangly thin but lean and muscular, where fat was cut away. 

Already, she was quickly coming awake, enjoying the eye candy for a brief moment. Until finally, he flopped onto his sleeping rag like a wet rag. With a sigh, she came over and put the cover over his body.  

Snow let out a deep breath pleased that she was able to help him to bed. She opened up the flap that led outside, looking back at him. She whispered, “Thanks.” Stepping out, she headed back at her own tent. 

Mike’s words jumbled in her mind, bringing a calming peace that she had not expected. She smiled, strolling to enjoy the calming night that she had forgotten. 

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