The weekend had been long and busy, even if it felt like they’d done nothing in the end. At least everyone was more or less, on the same page after getting together on Friday and talking through their plans. Things were still... tense for everyone, honestly.

Sebastian’s grandmother and the four members of her court (ex-court?) kept mostly to themselves. Obsidian acted with cold hostility to anyone who wasn’t Nick, and that had Lydia and Luke anxious most of the time. Nick, Emily and Garret seemed to be trying to make the best of a tense situation, but it just felt... awkward.

Hayden also did her best to act civil with everyone, but she had to spend most of her time wrangling Persephone, who was the complete contrast to her kind-hearted soft-spoken wife when it came to interacting with certain people – cough Sid cough. Lydia had trouble maintaining her solid form while around such a tense atmosphere and Luke was still hiding away whenever he could since he didn’t feel all that safe with the others.

They had all gathered to talk about what they should do though. How they were going to move forward in dealing with the territory and the rogue situation. Everyone seemed to have an opinion but at most they were all passive aggressively debating the topic instead of really talking through things.

So, yeah, Sebastian felt as if they were getting nowhere. It was Sunday now, the night of the full moon, and he was more than relieved to go camping for the night with Edmund and Luke. Perhaps though, they should have listened to what Garret said as they were leaving...

“Perhaps you boys should stay nearby the house for tonight.”

“We’ll be fine, dad. Luke helped me check the territory earlier and the other pack isn’t likely to attack us so soon.”

“What about that rebel thing?”

“Rogue. It hasn’t attacked before and doing so on a full moon seems kind of stupid since that’s when Luke and I would be at full strength.”

“Doesn’t that mean they’re also at full strength.”

“Yeah, but there’s two of us.” Edmund pointed out, but Garret’s worried frown remained.

Sebastian stepped forward with a reassuring smile. “Luke and Ed have the advantage if anything happens since this is their home territory, but it shouldn’t come to that. You’ll see. We’ll be back by morning to help you air out the kitchen after attempting breakfast.”

Garret laughed at that. “Maybe I should just get bagels tomorrow. Does that sound good to you, Luke?”

Luke straightened his posture and nodded. He still wasn’t used to people asking his opinion on things, let alone authority figures like Garret. But Sebastian took it as a win that he wasn’t tensing up whenever the adults addressed him.

“Now I’m hungry.” Edmund declared.

Sebastian chuckled. “You’ll have to wait until we make camp. I’m not letting you touch the food until then.”

“But I was the one who packed it.”

Stolen story; please report.

“And then you gave it to me to watch. So maybe quit complaining and let’s get going!”

The boys said their goodbyes to Garret and began hiking to the spot that Sebastian had decided on. It was a good distance to walk, but completely worth it. The area was a small clearing beside a stream, with tall trees all around for as far as you could see. It felt like the rest of the world didn’t exist when you were there. As if it existed in its own little pocket.

But, again, since it was far away, there was a lot of walking to get there. Almost too much in Seb’s opinion.

“My lower body really hates me right now.” He muttered as they came to a slightly upward inclined area.

“I still feel like I want to run.” Ed replied.

Luke giggled. “That’s your wolf. Since it’s a full moon day, you’ve got tons of extra energy.”

“Ah, so that’s why you were acting like a restless puppy last time.” Sebastian grinned, even as Edmund pouted at him.

“I didn’t act like a puppy.”

“You did zoomies around the track in PE!” Sebastian laughed.

“You did what during PE?”

“That was not zoomies!”

“That was totally you doing zoomies.”

Sebastian was practically breathless with laughter at this point. He began to sober from his amusement however when he noticed Ed’s pout had been replaced with a mischievous smirk.

“I have an idea.”

“I am concerned.”

“You haven’t even heard my idea yet.”

“Your eyes are telling me I won’t like this.”

“You’ll love it.” Sebastian frowned doubtfully, but Ed then turned his attention to Luke. “How about having a race to the camp site?”

“I don’t know where the camp site is though.”

“Can you hear the water up ahead?”

Luke titled his head to listen and nodded.

“We’ll say the bank of the stream is the end point. First one there wins.”

“Okay, but what about Seb.”

“I’ll carry him.”

Sebastian froze and frowned. “No.”

“Whoever wins gets first pick of the snacks,” Edmund added.

Luke considered the offer then grinned. “Alright. You’re on.”

“Guys, I don’t ag– ah!” Seb shrieked as he was swiftly pulled off his feet into Edmund’s arms bridal style.

“On your marks, get set, go!” Ed yelled and they were off.

The gold, brown and green colours of the forest around them became nothing more than a blue. Sebastian could feel the wind against his face as if he were racing down a highway, which gave him a feeling of simultaneous horror and ecstasy. When they finally came to a stop, Seb’s body nearly launched forward into the stream from the built-up momentum, but Edmund held him back and laughed loudly.

“Guess you get first pick then Luke. Well done!” Ed praised and Luke grinned.

“Yes, congratulations. You two can set up, while I go back and look for my stomach.” Sebastian grumbled as he was set back down on his own feet.

Edmund laughed louder at that and even Luke joined in with hysterical giggling. Sebastian glared at them for all of thirty seconds before he smiled too and laughed. After their amusement had subsided, the trio split work between themselves: Edmund gathered firewood and kindling, Sebastian set up the tent, and Luke cleared an area for the campfire.

They got themselves fully set up just as the sun began to set, painting the western sky with hues of orange, gold and rose, while the eastern sky began to allow stars to shine through the atmosphere. Sebastian could already see the moon overhead, shining as bright and beautiful as ever. With dusk fast approaching, he noticed his friends grown more and more restless.

Okay, we should eat dinner before you two go off running. I’ll get started on the meat. Seb declared.

“I thought you didn’t like cooking.” Luke inquired as he watched Sebastian take out the things they needed for grilling.

“Grilling is different from cooking. The same way Ed’s good at baking, but both of us are still disasters in the kitchen, I’m good at grilling meat.”

“Yep. We could barely boil an egg between us-”

“To be fair, we didn’t know water could rise like that.”

“-but he cooks sausage to perfection and I’m an ace with pastries.”

“Wait, what happened with you guy’s and the boiled egg?” Luke asked.

Sebastian grinned. “Like I said, we’re disasters.”

The pair proceeded to tell Luke about their attempts in cooking while Sebastian grilled dinner for them. With the world being so peaceful and bright, they allowed themselves to let their guard down as they talked. So, as a nearby nose caught onto the smell of sizzling meat, the trio were completely unaware. Until it was too late...