Once they finished eating and paid for their food, they continued walking to Cloud Mountain.

“You’re staring Hazel.” Rachel quietly teased as she caught her purple-eyed friend eyeing a certain brunette.

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Hazel stuttered trying to conceal her blushing face.

“Oh, come on Hazel, it’s pretty obvious you have a crush on him.” Rachel whispered smiling at her.

Hazel only looked away at this sentence while busying her hands with adjusting her bag’s strap. Rachel only laughed quietly at this before she gently nudged her in support.

“Don’t worry so much about it Hazel.” Rachel said smiling, “You’ll get him one day.”

It was now Hazel’s turn to laugh and gently nudge the other.

“Rachel.” Hazel said almost in a teasing way as she couldn’t help but smile.

Although unknown to the two girls Gabriel and Ace were watching them rather keenly.

“What do you think they’re talking about?” Ace asked turning to Gabriel.

“I have no idea.” Gabriel said before he turned to look at the fox walking beside him, “Got any ideas Phoenix?”

Phoenix only barked in reply before the boys chuckled.

“Reminds you of the good old days,” Carla said nostalgically before she turned to the older Abernathy sister, “doesn’t it?”

Eliza only chuckled at this before she stared sadly at the ground.

“You miss the old crew, don’t you?” Carla said as she noticed the almost depressive state of the girl walking beside her.

“Sometimes.” Eliza admitted before looking at the sky, “I wonder where he and the other three are.”

The two smiled at each other before they heard the Oliviero twins yell something.

“Everything okay back there!?” Carla called.

“Yeah!” Hazel exclaimed as Gabriel howled with laughter.

“I-I think I’m going to p-pee.” Gabriel struggled to say as literal tears of joy came out.

“What-” Eliza began before the twins interrupted her by saying or rather yelled, “Never speak of it!”

And to this Eliza and Carla couldn’t help but join in on Gabriel and Hazel’s laughing fit.

“Jerks,” Ace retorted glaring at the four, “all of you.”

“I regret nothing whatsoever.” Gabriel said still laughing.

Rachel moaned in protest before she elbowed Hazel in the ribs rather hard.

“Ow.” Hazel said as she tried to soothe the pain, “It was funny though. You got to at least admit that.”

“Admit what?” Carla and Eliza asked curious as to how Hazel and Gabriel’s laughing fit even started.

“Don’t you dare.” Ace warned glaring daggers at Gabriel as Rachel did the same to Hazel.

“Don’t worry you two-” Gabriel began before Hazel finished with, “we’re sworn to secrecy.”

“Come on Hazel.” Carla begged, “Please.”

“Nope.” Hazel said while shaking her head.

“Gabriel?” Eliza asked turning to look at the boy.

“My lips are sealed.” Gabriel said almost in a teasing tone.

Eliza looked at Carla who just shrugged before she smirked and walked up to Gabriel before she whispered in his ear, “I can set up a date with Hazel if you want.”

Gabriel’s eyes widened a bit as he felt butterflies in his stomach and heat rising to his cheeks.

‘Tempting.’ Gabriel thought contemplating his decision as he looked at Hazel who smiled at him, ‘So very tempting.’

Gabriel closed his eyes before taking a deep breath and said, “My lips are sealed.”

Eliza only chuckled softly before she walked back to join Carla upfront.

‘Still loyal even with temptation.’ Eliza thought smiling.

“Were you seriously tempting him?” Carla asked.

“Maybe.” Eliza shrugged.

“I can’t believe you, Eli.” Carla said chuckling a bit.

“Wonder what they’re talking about.” Gabriel whispered to the twins and Hazel.

“Quick question.” Rachel said as they took a right, “Where are we going to be sleeping tonight?”

“We’ll probably be camping.” Hazel answered, “Why’d you ask?”

“…”

“Rachel?” Gabriel called when Rachel didn’t answer her.

Gabriel and Hazel looked at each other with confused expressions before they turned around and saw Rachel’s pale face with Ace gently patting her back.

“Have you never been camping guys?” Gabriel asked.

“I used to go camping with our dad.” Ace answered, “This is Rachel’s first time.”

“Don’t worry Rachel.” Hazel said reassuringly, “You’re sharing a tent with me.”

“Thanks Hazel.” Rachel said smiling a bit, “But I’m still a bit nervous.”

Hazel smiled reassuringly before Phoenix nuzzled his snout on the back of Rachel’s hand.

Gabriel chuckled at this before he said, “I think that’s his way of reassuring you.”

The four chuckled as Phoenix barked almost as if agreeing before they continued their journey in almost silence.

“It’s getting late.” Eliza said as the sun’s orange glow graced their features.

Rachel was about to say something before they heard a loud growling sound. They all blinked in confusion before Hazel looked at the blue-eyed blonde standing beside her.

“I think it’s safe to say that we need to set up camp and get some food.” Eliza said as Hazel and Rachel giggled at the now blushing Carla.

“Gabriel, Phoenix, and I could go hunting for a wild boar if you want.” Ace offered.

“You know how to hunt?” Hazel asked turning to look at Gabriel as she folded her arms, “Since when? And why am I only learning about this now?”

“Because as much as you like to eat meat you hate hearing about them being killed.” Gabriel explained.

“Since when did you-” Hazel began with a confused face.

“You shake whenever you even see ANY form of taxidermy.”

“Oh.”

Gabriel laughed at the face Hazel was making causing her to unnoticeably blush a bit.

“Let’s go, guys!” Ace said as he gave his backpack to Rachel who was sitting on a nearby rock.

“Be careful guys.” Hazel said kneeling down to pet Phoenix.

“You’re one to talk.” Gabriel said chuckling as Hazel stood up before he saw Hazel’s worried face and said, “Don’t worry Hazel, I’ll keep everyone safe. I promise.”

Hazel chuckled quietly before smiling slightly, “I know you will.”

Gabriel returned the smile before he along with Ace and Phoenix ran to the woods before completely disappearing.

“You’re blushing Hazel.” Rachel said finally noticing Hazel’s faint blush.

Hazel only froze for a bit before she made the excuse of teaching her how to set up a tent. Rachel only laughed a bit before agreeing. They were halfway through building the tent when they heard the faint sound of Gabriel’s Claist.

“God, I hate that sound.” Hazel muttered loud enough for Rachel to hear.

Rachel chuckled before she smirked and said, “And yet you don’t hate Gabriel.”

Hazel blushed lightly at that comment as Rachel chuckled before she asked, “So what was it like?”

“What was what like?” Hazel asked although already knowing the answer.

“What was kissing Gabriel like?” Rachel asked catching Carla and Eliza’s attention.

“Yeah, Hazel.” Carla said smiling as she folded her arms, “Tell us.”

Hazel cleared her throat for a bit before she folded her arms and kicked a loose pebble before saying, “It was nice.”

Though unknown to the four girls the boys were having the same conversation…while dragging the corpse of a boar on a tarp that Gabriel packed.

“Do be honest I’m still trying to register the fact that I even KISSED a girl.” Gabriel said as he stared at the corpse behind them.

“Really?” Ace asked, “Why?”

Gabriel sighed before letting go of his tarp corner and stretched his back a bit with Ace following suit as Phoenix sat beside Gabriel’s feet.

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Gabriel sighed again before he took out his survival knife before he began to gut the boar, “It’s because of my big brother.”

“You have a brother?” Ace asked.

Gabriel groaned as he began to remove the intestines.

“Difficult subject?” Ace said as Gabriel stood up with his now bloodied hands and knife.

“You have no idea.” Gabriel sighed as they took the tarp corners again, “I’ll explain it to you another time.”

“Alright then.” Ace said his curiosity bubbling inside him, ‘As much as I want to know Gabriel seems to be acting a bit different from his normal self.’

The two made their way back to the campsite in comfortable silence.

“There’s the campsite.” Ace said as Phoenix ran forward.

Hazel giggled lightly as Phoenix ran up to her and licked her face gleefully.

“Somebody cover Hazel’s eyes!” Gabriel exclaimed before Eliza quickly shielded her sister’s eyes, “Thank you!”

“That thing is huge.” Rachel commented as Gabriel readied the boar for the fire spit the girls had made.

“And up we go.” Gabriel said as he and ace finished.

(A/N: I didn’t want to write the procedure because of two reasons. One because I didn’t want to write anything that sounded like too much gore and two because I didn’t know the steps… -_-)

“Can you get your hands off me now?” Hazel asked.

“Just a bit longer Hazel.” Gabriel said as he tended to the boar.

Hazel groaned quietly as she leaned into his sister. Eliza quietly chuckled at her little sister as their other companions tried to stifle their laughter. After about thirty or so minutes the boar was cooked and Hazel could finally see again.

As Ace was eating his food, he glanced at Gabriel who seemed to be thinking about something, ‘Wonder what’s gotten him so quiet. He’s usually talking up a storm with Hazel whenever we eat together.’

“You okay Gab?” Hazel asked noticing the boy’s silence, “You seem to be awfully quiet lately.”

Gabriel lightly chuckled at Hazel’s slightly worried state.

“Don’t worry too much Hazel.” Gabriel said smiling softly as he patted her head.

“If you say so.” Hazel mumbled as she averted her face from him.

Gabriel lightly chuckled again as both he and Hazel gave a faint blush at the other’s antics. Though unknown to both of them that the twins and their superiors gave them knowing looks.

“Ten Novas says they confess to each other after this whole trip is over.” Rachel whispered to the other three.

“I’m siding with you on this one Rachel.” Eliza whispered back.

“Sadly, they’re both too dense to see it.” Ace said folding his arms, “And they’re both too scared to even confess to each other.”

“Looks like it’s the two of us against you and Carla, Ace.” Rachel said folding her arms as a competitive smirk appeared on her face.

“Game on then Rach.” Ace said matching his sister’s smirk before they shook hands, “By the ancient rules the bet is set.”

‘Is this what a sibling rivalry looks like.’ Carla thought as Eliza chuckled.

Phoenix silently listened to this conversation as he contently devoured his food, he gave something similar to a yawn before he walked up to Hazel and laid down beside her feet.

‘This is just too precious.’ Gabriel thought as Hazel smiled and gently patted the fox’s fur-covered head.

After they all had eaten their fill, they all retreated to their tents until only the boys were left with only the night, the nocturnal animals, forest, each other, and the small fire to keep them company. The two talked for a bit before they fell into a comfortable silence.

“Hey Gab.” Ace said quietly as to not disturb anybody.

Gabriel only hummed in response to show that he was indeed listening.

“About what we were talking about in the forest.” Ace said slowly, “About your brother.”

“Oh.” Gabriel said quietly.

“…You want to talk about it?”

“I guess it would be nice to finally tell somebody.”

“Well go ahead.”

“I don’t exactly know how to put this.”

Gabriel sighed for a bit before he shifted to a more comfortable position on the log he was sitting on.

“Guess it really is a touchy subject.” Ace said tilting his head a bit.

“You have no idea.” Gabriel said tiredly before he sighed and began to explain, “Before my mother and father became Monster Hunters, they were two of the most skilled hunters in-”

“You do mean animal hunting, right?” Ace asked in curiosity.

“Yep.” Gabriel said chuckling a bit, “Would you like me to continue?”

“Sure.” Ace replied smiling, glad that Gabriel was easing up a bit.

“As I said.” Gabriel said continuing, “They were two of the most skilled hunters in the entire village. My older brother Ambrose was supposed to inherit their place among the hunter ranks but,” Gabriel stopped mid-sentence as he tried to find the right word to use to describe his older sibling, “he didn’t really seem that dedicated to the role.”

“What do you mean by that?” Ace asked.

“What I mean is while my parents were showing me how to throw a spear at the age of six my so-called brother was doing the Devil’s Tango with a random girl from the pub.” Gabriel said almost growling at the memory.

“Sounds like you two don’t get along much.” Ace commented.

“Let’s just say we weren’t really as close as you and Rachel are.” Gabriel said before adding, “I doubt we even had a relationship at all.”

“Must’ve been tough.” Ace said giving his friend an apologetic look.

‘You don’t know the half of it.’ Gabriel thought folding his arms a bit.

After a few minutes of peaceful silence, the two made their way to the tent they would be sleeping in. Once they bid each other goodnight they both fell into a dreamless sleep.

∞

‘What in the world is that noise?’ Gabriel thought as he woke up a good thirty or forty minutes later.

Gabriel rubbed the remaining sleep from his eyes while sitting up he was however jolted to his senses when he heard someone crying outside. He gave a confused look at the entrance to the tent before peeking outside only to see Hazel sitting on a boulder trying to muffle her sobs.

‘Oh, Hazel.’ Gabriel thought a slight pang in his heart before he grabbed his bow.

As Hazel was wiping away the tears that were continuously pouring out of her eyes as Gabriel silently made his way to her.

“You okay Amore?” Gabriel asked taking Hazel by surprise.

Hazel only gave a light chuckle after she calmed down before she brought her knees closer to her head and placed her arms there.

“Another nightmare?” Gabriel asked worriedly as he sat down beside her.

Hazel only chuckled quietly before Gabriel sighed worriedly at her.

“You know you could just talk to me.” Gabriel said sincerely.

“I don’t want to burden you.” Hazel said quietly as she buried her face into her arms.

Gabriel sighed before he rested his hand on her shoulder, “Hazel look at me please.”

Hazel only lifted her head and looked at Gabriel, the fear from her nightmare evident in her eyes before the boy shifted his position.

“You poor thing.” Gabriel said softly as he opened his arms, “Come here.”

Hazel sniffled a bit as she wiped a few more tears before she choked out a sob before she hurriedly nestled herself in Gabriel’s chest. The boy smiled gently before he wrapped his arms around the silently weeping girl. As he started to stroke her hair Gabriel had gotten a sudden flashback of when they first did this.

*Flashback*

It was a week before the New Year when Gabriel woke up to a certain someone sobbing from above him. He groaned before sitting up and noticed a sobbing shadow illuminated from the top bunk. He quietly got out of bed and saw Hazel in a fetal position with her facing the wall. He gave a slightly confused look before he quietly climbed the ladder and sat down at the top.

“You okay Amore?” Gabriel asked quietly before Hazel tensed up at the sound of his voice.

“W-what are you doing up this late?” Hazel croaked.

“Hazel,” Gabriel said gently as he got into a more comfortable sitting position, “what happened?”

Hazel wiped away a few tears before she sat up and crossed her legs.

“It's just a stupid nightmare.” Hazel replied before Gabriel saw her red puffed eyes, “Just get back to sleep Gab.”

“Hazel the last time I did that you had hallucinations about Isabella freaking Dark.” Gabriel said resting a hand on her shoulder, “I’m not letting you go through that again.”

Hazel chuckled before Gabriel gently pulled her into his chest.

“G-Gab?” Hazel stuttered blushing a bit.

“Just let it out, Hazel.” Gabriel said as he began to stroke her hair.

It only took Hazel a couple of seconds before she quietly began to sob.

“Just let it out, Amore.” Gabriel whispered in her ear, “We can stay like this for as long as you need.”

He felt Hazel smile a bit before they fell into a comfortable silence.

*Flashback Ends*

Gabriel smiled as he felt Hazel finally ease up before they separated a bit.

“All better?” Gabriel asked smiling a bit.

“Definitely.” Hazel replied giving a tired smile, “Thanks, Gabriel.”

Gabriel chuckled quietly before he wiped away the few remaining tears from her cheeks.

“Don’t mention it.” Gabriel said as both he and Hazel blushed faintly, “So what did you dream about?”

“It’s just the same old nightmare.” Hazel said quietly, “Just darkness.”

Gabriel sighed before hugging her again.

“You could just wake me up, you know?” Gabriel whispered softly.

Hazel chuckled quietly before they separated and something in the sky caught their attention.

“Shooting star.” Gabriel said smiling.

“So did you make a wish?” Hazel asked.

“You believe in stuff like that?”

“And you don’t?”

“Yep.”

Why?”

“Because it sounds ridiculous.”

“I can tell you’re lying Gab.”

“I’m not though.”

“Gab you do know that you’re a lousy liar, right?”

“And you not?”

“You just admitted to being a liar, a lousy one too.”

“Doesn’t mean I was lying.”

“You were though.”

“No, I wasn’t.”

“Yes, you were.”

Gabriel blinked for a moment before he gave a deadpanned expression before he asked, “Are we really going to do one of those weird clichés where we just say the same thing over and over again until we both just give up?”

Hazel stayed silent for a moment before laughing and said, “I think so yeah.”

The two laughed before they silently stared at the starry sky.

“…I did.” Gabriel said quietly as he propped himself on his arms, “Once a few years ago.”

“Did what?” Hazel asked looking at him as she shifted to a more comfortable position.

“Wished upon a falling star.” Gabriel said almost poetically.

“So did it come true?” Hazel asked quietly.

Gabriel sighed as he shrugged, “If I’m being honest, I have no idea.”

Hazel only put her hand on his and gave it a gentle squeeze in response.

“We should get some sleep.” Gabriel said blushing a bit.

“Alright.” Hazel said as she and Gabriel stood up, “So goodnight?”

Gabriel laughed lightly before he gently kissed her forehead and said, “Night Amore.”

Hazel only stood rooted to her spot flustered as Gabriel chuckled and walked back into his tent. Hazel only came back to her senses a couple of seconds later before she almost speed-walked to her tent where she saw Phoenix and Rachel still sleeping soundly. As she laid down on her sleeping bag, she remembered what she and Rachel were talking about a few minutes ago.

*Flashback*

“You think wild animals attack humans?” Rachel asked nervously.

“Rachel, I promise you,” Hazel said as she zipped the entrance close, “the only thing you have to worry about are monsters, storms, and Phoenix either pooping, peeing, or farting on you.”

Phoenix only gave a look of “I would never” at Hazel as she sat down on her sleeping bag.

‘Oh, yes you would Phoenix.’ Hazel thought biting back a smile as Rachel laughed a bit, ‘Yes, you would.’

“So, when was your camping trip?” Rachel asked.

“Probably thirteen years ago.” Hazel said laying down on her stomach near the lit lamp.

“You were three the first time you went camping?” Rachel asked in awe, “That’s so cool!”

“Yep.” Hazel said chuckling a bit, “Eliza and I were jumping nonstop when we were walking to the campsite.”

“Seems like your family’s pretty close.” Rachel said quietly as she looked at the ground.

“Rachel are you okay?” Hazel asked noticing Rachel’s almost depressing look.

Rachel only stayed quiet which made Hazel a bit anxious.

“Family issues?” Hazel asked sitting up and giving a gentle smile.

Rachel chuckled a bit before she shifted to a more comfortable position and asked, “What gave it away?”

“You’re not the only one with family problems.” Hazel said chuckling.

The two girls lightly laughed before Hazel asked almost hesitantly, “You want to talk about it?”

Rachel gratefully smiled at her before she pulled out a rose gold locket from her pocket and sighed, “I guess it would be nice to tell somebody.”

Rachel beckoned for Hazel to sit closer to her after she had put the small locket back in her pocket. Hazel gave a reassuring smile as she sat next to the black-haired girl who only gave her an anxious smile before sighing again.

“Hazel, what do you do if someone you’ve known for years controls you every single chance they get?” Rachel asked.

Hazel’s eyes widened as Rachel asked her this question before quickly hugging her.

“I’m so sorry you had to go through that Rachel.” Hazel whispered as Rachel hugged her in response.

“It felt like I was suffocating every day.” Rachel said as she gently started to cry.

After about five minutes Rachel finally calmed down to continue talking.

“I’m surprised I even lasted ten years of it.” Rachel said trying to clean up her tear-stained face.

“So, what made you and Ace leave?” Hazel asked.

“They wanted me to marry a stranger that was ten years older than me.” Rachel replied.

Hazel stayed quiet for a few moments before whisper shouting, “They wanted you to do what!?”

“Yep.” Rachel said sighing before falling silent.

Hazel glanced at her before chuckling and said, “So who’s the lucky girl…or guy if that makes you feel better.”

Rachel eyes widened before she looked at Hazel with a surprised expression, “How did you-”

“My sister’s lesbian Rachel.” Hazel explained in a matter-of-fact tone, “And I’ll support you just as much as I do her.”

“Really?” Rachel asked in almost disbelief.

“Of course, I am.” Hazel replied propping herself with her arms, “Besides you’ve seen MY family problems so…”

Rachel laughed a bit before she tackled the older girl into a hug, “Thanks, Hazel.”

*Flashback Ends*

‘Sometimes you amaze me, Rachel Oliviero.’ Hazel said smiling at the black-haired girl, ‘No matter what happens I will do everything I can to make sure you never go through that again Rachel. I promise.’

Hazel yawn quietly before she turned to her side and slowly fell asleep. Though unknown to the six hunters and fox there was a hooded figure watching over their campsite. The figure stayed there for a few moments before disappearing into the night.