Work Text:
About 20 minutes before the challenge, Ice Cube and Book from Team BLEH were sitting on some swings. Everyone else was in the cabins getting ready.
Ice Cube said: “Book… the weather is perfect, don’t you think?”
It really was — sunny, about 19°C, with a nice breeze.
Book looked up, say
– Objectively speaking, yes. Statistically, days like this are rare during challenge season.
She paused, then added
–Which is exactly why we should skip
Ice Cube raised an eyebrow
–Skip? Four would notice immediately. You remember when Pin and Coiny tried to run?”
*a month ago*
Pin and Coiny bolted during headcount. Four noticed, yelled, and they were caught within seconds. It was embarrassing.
Book nodded
–I remember. But they didn’t think it through. We’ll forge a note - with X’s signature. Four won’t question it if it looks official.
Ice Cube grinned
–Book, I didn’t know you had that in you.
---
Five minutes later, they met up and headed toward the leaders’ cabin. On the way, they passed the Team iance cabin — and heard pure chaos.
Match, Bubble, and Pencil were screaming at the top of their lungs, betting on who could yell “DICK!” the loudest.
Meanwhile, Ruby and Flower were making suspicious noises, and Flower hissed: “Keep it down! Someone will hear!”
Book just sighed
– iance is statistically the most chaotic team. This confirms it.”
---
They reached Four.
Book spoke first, calm and formal
– Four, we have a note from X excusing us from today’s challenge.”
Four took the note, read it, squinted, and finally grunted
–Fine, but
He suddenly turned toward the iance house
–MATCH, WHY ARE YOU THROWING FLOWER OUT THE WINDOW?!”
Then back to them
–You two can go. Just be back by the time we return.
The friends nodded and walked away.
---
Once they were past the gates, they ran.
Ice Cube:Where are we going?
Book: Anywhere but here. I calculated that this path leads to a lake.Possibly a cliff , possibly both.
They ran for about five minutes — and emerged onto a green field overlooking a cliff with a lake below. It was gorgeous.
Ice Cube: We’ve never been here before.
Book closed her cover softly:
– That’s what makes it special. A place not assigned to us.
They sat on the edge. The water shimmered, clouds drifted, grass whispered.
---
Then Book said softly
– I… missed you, Ice Cube.
Ice Cube blinked
–Wait, you did? That’s — actually really sweet.
Book: I don’t express it often. But you’re not just a teammate. You’re a friend and statistically, that’s rare.
Ice Cube smiled
- Wanna sing about it?
Book tilted her cover:
- I don’t sing.
Ice Cube: You don’t have to. Just listen.
And she stood up, took a breath, and sang:
Outside the window, tall grass sways
My head spins with joy these days
This autumn will drive us both insane
Storms and rain are left behind
Don’t be sad, just come and find
I have so much to tell you, oh
Book joined in quietly:
“I miss you
La-la-la-la
Stars and moon dance above
But you’re still waiting alone
Let’s go where it’s always warm
Just us, no storms
They hugged for a long moment, wind blowing around them.
---
Later, they found stairs down to the lake. Almost got caught by Balloony — but made it.
Book even swam. Ice Cube was hesitant to melt, but Book said:
“Ice melts at 0°C. The water is approximately 18°C. You’re safe.”
Ice Cube laughed
– Only you would calculate that.”
They splashed and swam and laughed — and for a few hours, they forgot about challenges, contests, and “engagement.”
It was just them.