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“Do you want some help, Azul?”
Azul, who was covered in sweat and out of breath, declined your help swiftly. Although it was obvious that he was struggling to put up his tent.
“I got it; don’t worry too much about me.”
Camp Vargas was in full swing. And unfortunately, the art clubs had to participate this time around. You didn’t mind in the slightest, though, as you were part of the Mountain Lovers Club. It was only you and Jade, but the two of you had fun, hiking, discovering, and taking photos of new plants and animals.
While Jade was in a group with the rest of the Pop Music Club, you were with the Film Research Club. It seemed that Vargas had split the two of you up since both of you were skilled campers, to make it fair on both sides. You were able to put up your tent in a blink of an eye and offered to help any others that were struggling.
“You sure?” You chuckled.
Azul looked at you with an unamused expression.
“You laugh now, but you will see that my efforts will not be in vain,” he says as a grin appears on his face.
“Uh-huh. Well, you have fun with that.”
You pat his shoulder and walk off in the direction of the other side of camp, a smile plastered on your face.
Both you and Azul have been dating for a couple of months now, though no one outside of the two of you and the twins, as Azul told you it would be best to keep the relationship a secret, purely because of the trouble it could bring your way.
Although you knew he was just trying to look after you, it made you sad not to be able to touch or kiss him in public. Though you two aren’t a big fan of PDA in the first place.
As you strolled around the camp looking for anyone else who needed help, you couldn’t help but get pumped up by the lively energy. It seemed that a majority of students were enjoying themselves, despite their original hatred for being forced to participate. Tents were scattered across the grounds, with groups of campers chatting and setting up for activities.
Despite being split up from Azul, you relished the welcoming atmosphere and the chance to gossip and talk with Cater and Lilia.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
Hours passed in a whirlwind of activities, from fishing at the lake, to mining in the caves. Coach Vargas had everyone working themselves to the bone. After all of that nonsense, Lilia suggested hanging out by the campfire, roasting some s'mores, and telling some scary stories.
Amidst the screams and laughter, you found yourself stealing glances in Azul's direction, where he was now engrossed in conversation. You thought that he was arguing with Idia about not helping much, but it seemed that wasn’t the case as a smile appeared on his face paired with laughter.
You decided to tease him a bit, taking out your phone and texting him.
You’re cute when you laugh.
Hearing him excuse himself when his phone buzzed gave you the chance to look over at him. His face was a bit flushed as he read your text. He was always like that. He seems always composed and proper, but the slightest praise or flirtatious compliment gets him tomato red. It was so cute.
You sent another message.
You’re more red than the campfire right now, lol (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)
You heard Idia’s voice across the campfire talking to Azul.
"Azul, you good man? Your face is brighter than Knuckle’s fur LOL.”
“I’m fine; I just need to take care of something.”
Looking back at your phone, there was a new message left by the tomato himself.
Is that supposed to be me? (≖､≖╬)
Mhm! (o･ω･o)
You look so cute right now, all red.
It suits you well, lol.
…
(ﾉ´ з `)ノ ♡
Stop looking over here; you’re being too obvious.
You’re the one turing red over one text message of me calling you cute
That’s more obvious than anything.
Whatever
What do you want?
I miss you :(
I’m literally across the crampfire from you right now.
Idk, I just miss you a bit.
It’s not like I can just walk over there and start kissing you or smth
Yeah, no. (¬_¬)
But you can still come over here. Me and Idia are looking at this map right now trying to figure out a hiking plan. Nothing too crazy.
Like he would go on a hike LMAO
How about we meet up by the lake later tonight?
I’m not about to get in trouble with Coach Vargas right after I just got all this gear.
All that sweat would be for nothing.
You seriously think we will be caught? That man sleeps like a brick.
…
True
Plus, I know that you just want to kiss me so badly. I can sense it all the way from here.
(-_-;)・・・
(｡•̀ᴗ-)✧
It seems like you’re projecting, to be honest.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
You smile a bit, feeling some warmth on your cheeks from all of the back and forth.
"Hey, you've been on your phone this whole time. Who are you texting?" Kalim asks with a curious grin.
You glance up from your phone, slightly surprised by Kalim's sudden interest. "Oh, I'm just chatting with someone."
Kalim's grin widens. "Someone special, huh?"
You laugh softly. “Nope, just a friend,”
"Oh, come on," Cater interrupted. “You’ve been on your phone for ages now texting. Who is it?”
“It’s no one, guys, I swear!”
"Yeah, sure,” he teases further.
Cater looks over at Lilia and Kalim, but only the two 3rd years had a goofy grin plastered on their faces. Kalim looked a bit confused until Cater whispered something to him, making him chuckle under his breath.
You playfully roll your eyes. "Y’all are too nosy. I’m going to see what the others are up to."
Kalim chuckles. "Alright, more s’mores for us!”
You pocket your phone and start making your way toward Azul, who's engaged in conversation with Idia. As you approach, Azul notices you, and his expression shifts subtly, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Hey," you greet him warmly. "Mind if I join in?"
Idia gives you a mischievous grin. "Oh, it’s the SSR adventurer, come to help us noobs?"
You laugh, shaking your head. “Just wanted to see what you guys were doing.”
Azul's smile grows. "We were just discussing the logistics of tomorrow's hike."
"Sounds interesting," you reply, glancing between Azul and Idia. "Anything I can help with?"
Azul raises an eyebrow teasingly. "Depends. Are you good with maps?"
You smirk. "I can navigate pretty well, as a SSR adventurer.”
Azul looks impressed. "Good to know. We could use your skills."
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
Walking out of the cabin, the cold night air hits your face, sending a chill down your spine.
“So hot in the morning, but now this?” You mumble to yourself.
Walking through the woods allowed you to take in the peacefulness of the night. The humming of the crickets, the crunching of fallen leaves beneath your feet, and the sound of the wind as it swished past your ears. The simplicity of it all made it wonderful. It was the whole point of why you liked hiking. It was the reason you joined the Mountain Lovers Club.
However, your solitude was interrupted by the sound of your phone buzzing. The bright screen made you squint, bringing you abruptly back to reality. It was a text message.
Shrimpyyyyyy
Floyd? It’s already 2; what is he doing up?
Floyddddd
What’s up?
I’m bored (￣ヘ￣)
everyone is already asleep
Why aren’t you asleep? Didn’t you have practice today and everything?? Aren’t you tired? (ㆀ˘･з･˘)
Practice was boring asf
Just drill after drill
Crowley has no clue what tf he is doing
Not much fun without Coach
(`ε´ )
I thought it was boring with him. LMAO
Idk it’s not fair that I’m all by myself until Azul and Jade come back
I would want to go back to camp again (´ε｀ )
Especially with flapjack octopus there
He’s funnnn
Why are u up anyway
U and Azul doing smth?
Gross
(°ㅂ°╬ )
U a hater fr
Lucky that you’re so tall, or I would punch you.
Sureeeeeeeee
btw
Hm?
You waited a couple of minutes for him to respond, but it seems that he wasn’t going to finish.
You suck ٩(╬ʘ益ʘ╬)۶
Continuing your walk, you could finally see the lake. Making your way out of the forest revealed an outstanding view of the lake. The water sparkled with the reflections of the stars and the moon. You could see the familiar sight of catfish swimming in the water. Though these seemed smaller than the one Trey captured earlier.
“The view is nice.”
You turned around to see Azul, though not in his gear but in shorts and a big hoodie.
“Is that what you were going to wear if you didn’t get anything else?” you snickered.
“I thought it was quite appropriate for the wilderness.“
“You better be joking.”
Azul laughed at your comment. “I’m not that idiotic.”
“At least you look cute.”
The same blush from earlier reappeared on his face. But it seemed he was trying to hide it by covering his face with his arm.
“Thank you for the compliment,”
“You really going to pull that on me right now?”
He sighs. “I didn’t come here just to be teased; I’m going back to the camp.”
"Awww, come on, you know I only call you cute to get a reaction out of you. Plus, I wanted to see you for a bit. Don’t be a stick in the mud.”
Azul gives you a look—a mixture of annoyance and fondness. Something that you were used to at this point.
"Let's sit by the shore for a while. The stars are amazing tonight."
A small smile creeps onto his lips, shaking his head as you lead him closer to shore. The both of you settle down on a large rock overlooking the water. The night was tranquil, with the only sounds coming from the rustling leaves and small creatures.
“How was collecting in the mines today?”
“They were something, that’s for sure.”
You laugh. “Did Idia even end up helping you guys in there? I know that he hasn’t been doing anything these past few days. Vil has been complaining too.”
“Nope. You know how he is when it comes to sports and the outdoors,” he sighs. "Idia's more of a ‘digital adventurer’ than a physical one. I don't think we'll ever get him into the mines willingly, unless there’s a free DLC in there.”
You smirked, recalling Idia complaining about having to relinquish his electronics and “touch grass," plus accusing Vargas of child labor. He could be so funny some times.
“At least you tried. Maybe next time you can lure him out with promises of a coupon or something."
“Yeah, no. I don’t give out discounts for cheap manual labor. He would have to do something more... impactful.”
“Oh! Maybe he could make you a waffle iron or something like he did for the festival at the port! Or maybe an enhanced mixer?”
“Either way, it would have to be something of value. These newer recipe ingredients aren’t cheap, you know, but they do sell well.” he smiles.
“I still have yet to try the blueberry cheesecake,” you whine.
“Because you haven’t paid for one,” he mocks.
“You know, this is going to be the cause of our breakup.”
“You wouldn’t,”
“How do you know?” you tease.
“Because, who else would help you pass history?”
“Yeah, I guess that’s the only reason I keep you around,” you laugh.
"You know," Azul began, "I did have a backup plan for tonight."
"Oh really?" You raised an eyebrow, curious. “I thought you didn’t want to get in trouble with Vargas.” You say mockingly.
"Oh, be quiet,” he sighs. “I wanted us to go to this spot I saw on the map. It was on a ledge that seemed to overlook the rest of the woods. But the way up there would take forever.”
“That sounds nice; I can only imagine how beautiful the view from up there would have been, looking over the trees.” You paused. “But I think I like this more.”
“How come?”
“The lake reminds me of you. Same color as your eyes. Also has the same twinkle that yours has when you talk about the cafe.” you chuckle.
You look over to Azul, his face redder than before with a conflicted look.
“You okay?”
Azul hesitated for a moment. “That was so cheesy, oh my lord.”
“I WAS TRYING TO BE CUTE!” you yell.
“Be quiet! Someone might hear you.” He whispers
The two of you wait a minute in silence before talking again.
"Well, obviously, my cheesy line worked on you.” you smirk.
Azul playfully rolls his eyes. “Whatever you say.”
A silence washed over you two. A comfortable silence. You inch closer to him, and without a word, he moves closer to you. He grabbed your hand, his cold touch and your warm touch making for the perfect pair as your fingers intertwined. All you could do was smile.
"You're incorrigible, you know that?"
You smiled warmly, your heart fluttering at the sight of his playful yet tender expression. "And yet, you can't seem to stay away."
"I think," Azul began, "I think I could get used to this."
"Being with me?" You teased gently, though your heart skipped a beat at his words.
He chuckled softly, his thumb gently caressing the back of your hand. "Yeah, being with you."
You paused for a moment. “That was way more cheesy than what I said earlier.”
"Oh, be quiet,” he said as his face turned red.
The two of you laughed for a bit, the sound echoing softly in the tranquil night.
"You started it with your sappiness," he teased.
“I guess I can’t deny that. Now how about that kiss you have been wanting?”
“Like I said, you’re projecting,” he chuckles. “But I’ll admit, I wouldn’t mind.”
You lean in and kiss him softly, the light flavor of chocolate still lingering from when he ate some s’mores earlier. You smile as you pull back, but Azul leans in again, this time pressing his lips against yours with a bit more urgency, his hand gently cupping your face. Pulling away was harder this time.
"See, I knew you wanted to.”
Azul smirks. “Maybe you were right,”
Before you two could continue, your phone buzzed. You take it out, and the bright screen blinds you again. It was a message from Floyd.
Don’t care ♪(´ε｀ )
Sea Bream posted a picture of you two on Magicam yesterday
I think the others know by now lol
You’re kidding
That explains the snickering coming from him earlier
Sucks
WHY DIDNT U SAY SMTH EARLIER??
I didn’t care that much at the time
Kinda funny tbh
“I hate Floyd.”
Azul glanced at the screen with a mixture of irritation and bemusement. “I hate him too.”