4

"I freaking love you," Ann groans as she passes Fiat to meet the waiting godly man at the other side of the court. Fiat had a proud smirk on his face as he hooks his arms around the racket he had behind his neck. A scoff pulls him from his gaze of his friend, shyly standing next to Leo. She had asked for pointers and was being closely tutored by the man beside her. Tearing his eyes away from the scene he had created, he sees the package deal that came with it. He rolls his eyes and asks her if she knows anything about badminton.

"You'd be surprise what I can and cannot do. Just take care of long, alright?" Her confidence and knowledge about the game had surprised Fiat and he gives a nod. He would not mind if she was terrible at the sport, but only hopes she does not ruin him in a way that interferes with his own plays.

"So, bets?" Fiat asks, interrupting the last minute personal training they had going on at the other side of the court. He can let her have her moments, but a game is still a game. Leo looks over at him and matches the arrogant smirk.

"Thought we'd save those for the morning, but I don't mind starting them now. Loser sets up the morning games and serves the other breakfast? Let's keep it simple and just between us. We shouldn't add them to our little side game," Leo suggests.

"But they are already included. If you feel that way, just take care of Ann when you lose. If you don't want her included, double up and get all three of us breakfast in the morning." Fiat's competitive side was coming out and it surprised a lot of the observers around them. Leo glances between the two girls before turning to Fiat and throwing his hand over the net.

"Deal, but I'm not going to let you win this time," Leo confidently answers. He turns around after they shake hands and whispers something to Ann who was freaking out over the close proximity. Fiat smiles teasingly and turns around to see his partner looking at him with a raised brow. He asks her what her deal was and she just shakes her head as she twirls the racket in her hand. The two teams get in the positions and Tew announces the game, the players and the bet to make sure everyone was clear on the agreed terms. The two teams confirm their readiness before a whistle is blown. Leo serves first. "Ann, let's try and wait until it drops a little before you swing? You don't have to try and get everything okay? I'm right here."

Ann blushes as Leo lays a hand on her shoulder after the first loss. She nods her head and apologizes in which Leo responds with a smile and reassuring words to compliment her tenacity. Fiat on the other side, turns to Fern who was drinking water after playing a game that hardly made her break a sweat. Fiat approaches her as he reaches for his own water bottle. "Why don't you join the club if you know how to play? You're probably better than half the members. A little weak, but you've got strategy to make up for it."

"I didn't want to fall under the shadow of my mom. I was forced into lessons, but was never as good as her, so I wanted to drop it all together. I hated being compared to something I could never be." For once, the two had shared a decent conversation and did not reach for each other's necks.

"I can always help you if you wanted to. No pressure, just an offer for someone who has potential," Fiat says as he puts down his bottle, completely missing the expression on the girl's face. When he looks back over to her, the bored expression was seen again and she rolls her eyes doubting his skill to teach her. He rolls his eyes and scoffs. "Hey, I'm just trying to be nice here. No need to doubt me, Ficus. Just don't hurt yourself trying to match me next round. We just have to win that and our morning is set and we can sleep in."

"It's Fern, you dimwit!" she exclaims, making him give a sarcastic nod and a wave of his hand as he comments about how they're all the same. Before they knew it, the final whistle was called and the results were of no surprise. The teams meet at the center of the court and shake hands respectfully.

"Sorry, Ann. I thought I would be good enough to win for us," Leo gives her a dejected look and it makes Fiat roll his eyes. Leo had never won against him, so even if they doubled with the other members, Fiat still would have won. Ann's quick reply to reassure of how amazing Leo was makes Fiat roll his eyes and walk away to avoid hearing his friend's exaggerated responses.

"You really think Leo would like Ann? Not to put her down, but Leo's never shown interest in anyone. Do you think you can pull it off and help her?" Fiat gets questioned by his fellow winner. He looks down at her as she is shorter and shrugs. The crowd had either dissipated or moved over to Leo to compliment his great plays and reassure him and Ann that it was an unfair game based on skill. "I don't doubt Ann's great personality and looks. I just don't want her hopes to be high, just to get broken."

"Ann's a big girl. I do what I can and if it's not meant to be, it's not meant to be. I think we both know Ann likes to jump to the next big thing when the time comes. She's my best friend and unfortunately for me, if she wants my help to talk her up for some guy, I'll do it. Sure there are chances that Leo won't see her that way, but we won't know until we try. Apparently he already knows of her and they seem to get along well," Fiat responds as he picks up his things. He sees the uncertainty in her face and sighs. "We'll deal with it when we get to it. For now, look at her. She's about to split her face in half with that cheshire smile of hers. Anyway, don't forget to stretch after. We still got activities tomorrow and I don't want you complaining about cramps and ruining our group points."

With that, Fiat leaves and walks back to the cabin to shower and freshen up before getting called out for the night activities. He pulls the hood over his head as he steps closer to the flickering flames and falls into one of the few vacant spots in one of the circles as it was saved for him by Ann. He glances around and recognizes a few of the faces. Across from him was Earth, Leo and Tew. Ann hands him a stick with marshmallows and he realizes he was in charge of roasting them for both her and her friend. He leans forward to get closer to the fire and slowly rotates the skewer in front of him. "Hey, Fiat."

Ann calls for him in a soft voice and he turns his head while his eyes linger on the marshmallows before following his head to look at her. A rare humble expression sits on her face and it makes him confused. "You alright there, Pipsqueak? Did you have fun earlier?"

"I just wanted to thank you for earlier. I really did have fun. Leo was really nice to me and helped me with my form. Honestly, even if Leo doesn't like me back, I'm just really happy he knows I exist." Ann's behavior surprises Fiat and he pats her head affectionately.

"What's gotten into you? I thought you wanted to really have a relationship with him," Fiat pulls the marshmallows away from the fire and hands it to Fern to deal with while he tends to Ann. Ann shares how she had a really nice conversation with him and it made her really happy. "Don't sell yourself short, Ann. Leo knew you even before all this. You never know what the future has in store."

"Ugh, I'm so lucky to have you, Fiat. You find someone that catches your eye just let me know and I'll easily talk them up for you," Ann nudges her shoulder against his and he chuckles as he wraps an arm around her shoulders. "Anyone would be lucky to have you as their boyfriend."

"You're okay, right? I'm not use to this serious kind of conversation about him when it comes to you. Did he say anything to you?" Fiat takes the offered s'more from Fern and holds it out for Ann before taking the other. He gives a small word of thanks before turning his attention back to Ann.

"Yeah, perfectly fine. I don't know, today has been the most and the closest I've been to him and I'm already so satisfied with it all. Is that crazy?" Ann asks as she peaks across the flames. Fiat follows her gaze just in time for Leo to look up and smile at them. Ann holds onto his arm and Fiat gives an acknowledging nod. "He's like the perfect package, you know. Good looks, great personality and smart. I know we're still young, but he seems like the perfect person to settle down with and I hardly know him personally."

"You really do like him, don't you?" Fiat asks looking back at his best friend as she stares across with a fond expression. Ann's lips turn up into a faint smile and she gives an affirming nod. A sigh escapes from the other side of her and Fiat looks over to see a bored looking girl who was picking at her campfire snack. It makes his head tilt a bit, but he wouldn't ask what was wrong.

The campfire was solely for socializing and every so often people switched and moved around to spend time with other people. People talked in smaller groups or took it upon themselves to share stories with the everyone willing to listen. Fiat learned that there were a lot of eccentric people in his department and he could not help but laugh along with some of the crazy events that he could not even imagine happening. Leaders came around as the night breeze started to fill the air and passed out hot chocolate to everyone. Fiat had started to feel his eyes burn from the smoke of the campfire and excuses himself to go wash them out. He bends over the sink and flushes out the pollutants from his eyes. "Smoke get in your eyes?"

Fiat lifts his head startled to find Leo at the sinks beside him and slipping on his glasses before closing up his contacts container. Fiat did not know who came first, but figures the universe is playing games with him. "You wear glasses?"

The two occupants in the restroom were surprised by the blurted question. Fiat curses to himself for unknowingly speaking his thoughts and silently curses at Leo as he looks back at him with amusement. "Yeah, I'm nearsighted."

"Me too, but I rarely wear my lens," Fiat responds. He was not sure why he shared his own eyesight and had no idea where he was going with the conversation. Fiat still squints as his eyes still have a slight burn from before and Leo approaches him to check on him. "I guess I was the wind was not on my side with the fire tonight."

"They probably got some eye drops. Want me to grab some for you?" Leo asks as he pinches Fiats chin to check the slightly irritated eyes. Fiat shakes his head and pulls away from his grasp. "Well, don't ruin your eyes."

Fiat nods and Leo leaves first. Fiat looks back at the mirror to find not only his eyes red, but his cheeks and ears as well. He shakes his head to clear his thoughts and washes his face and eyes once more before walking out. The air seems to be perfect for a late night stroll and Fiat sends a quick message to Ann, so she would not wait or expect him. As much as it was nice to sit and get to know the people from his department, Fiat takes advantage of the time he can have for himself. Since starting, Fiat has devoted his time to school and work. Being part of the club and having a few meals with Ann were what he considered 'me time'. As he walks further away from their accommodation, there is less lighting for the path, but he hardly minded as it was easier to see the stars. Fiat looks around for an open area and grins upon finding one that was far enough to be lit only by the moon and stars. The moon was at its later cycle, but was still bright against the dark sky. Fiat finds a flat enough spot, clear from twigs and rocks and falls onto his back. He hooks his arm behind his head and sighs as he stares up. The topic of the stars and space is always a hidden interest of Fiat and he slowly raises his other hand to trace over the constellations he has found.

"Never thought you'd be a romantic." Fiat head shoots up from the intruder and rolls his eyes upon seeing who it was. He expected her to leave, but she surprises him by walking over and settling onto the ground. He asks her why she was here and she leans back against her hands behind her and looks up at the sky. "The leaders decided to turn in early to give us a chance to have fun. That means a lot of crazy games and flirting. Everything I do not want to get involved in."

"Would have thought you'd be a party type," Fiat scoffs. He receives a glare and he smirks with a nonchalant shrug. The girl rolls her eyes and gives him the finger and he laughs. "Hey, you can't blame me with the way you act. You're always there when Ann wants to go out and party. I would have thought it was your kind of scene."

"I'm there for Ann, but I doubt anything crazy would happen tonight, so she can handle herself here. If your worried, Leo is with her." This is the most civil conversation the two shared and it goes quiet soon after. Fiat returns to his previous position and stares up at the night sky, letting out another sigh. He is happy for his best friend and really hopes she succeeds. She deserves happiness and if Leo can give her that then he should be happy for her too. Yet here he was feeling a bit weird. He reasoned it was because once Ann is in a relationship he will not have anyone bugging him all the time. As much as it annoys him, it was the bit of noise that livened up the monotony of his life. "So, if Ann and Leo become a thing, what'll happen to you? You gonna live?"

"Why wouldn't I? I'm a living person. Not some plant-"

"Goddammit! I should have known you were going to pull that on me," Fern growls. Fiat glances over at her with a smirk and they meet eyes before bursting out into laughter. "Hey, teasing aside, you should still make sure your present in Ann's life. She talks highly of you to everyone. If you weren't so annoying we could have been friends."

"We still could be. As much as we are at each other's necks with the teasing and competitiveness, we can still be friends. Also, I'll be wherever Ann wants me to be. He could be her boyfriend, but I'm the best friend. I'll take on the role of that one friend that needs to be appeased." Fiat stretches along the floor and Fern laughs. The two of them end up talking about what each of them could do to annoy Leo and were found laughing by their mutual friend who approached them with confusion. "The woman of the hour arrives! What's up, Pipsqueak? Did you have fun?"

"Since when we're you guys close enough to share a laugh? Have you guys been together all this time?" Ann approaches them questionably and falls down beside Fiat and lays her head onto his stomach. The two exchange glances before smirking and saying they were just making fun of her. Ann whacks Fiat's chest and he groans while they all burst into laughter. Fiat runs his hand through her hair comfortingly and asks why she left the others. "Well my two best friends were gone! What kind of fun could I have without them?"

"You were with Leo, why would you look for us?" Fern asks this time as both of their attention turns to their best friend. "Did you finally realize that he wasn't cool enough for you?"

"No, he's as amazing as always. I'm not gonna be one of those people who forget about her friends. Who do you think I am?" Ann questions their friendship and the two laugh saying that she was the type. "I never thought I would see the day you guys would gang up on me. What the hell happened during the passed hour?"

"I guess the plant isn't that bad," Fiat smirks at the girl at the other side and receives a glare.

"Pretty boy's not that bad I guess," Fern rolls her eyes with a dejected sigh. The three of them burst into laughter and it seemed the three of them was having more fun than what was going on in the main area. After another half hour, Fiat walks the two back to their cabin and could not shake the fit of giggles he was in as he quietly creeps back into his own. There were a few who were still partying outside, but a majority have already turned in to rest up for the next day's activities. Fiat's eyes barely adjusts to the darker room as he makes his way to his bed. He carefully grabs onto the steps up to his and winces as the wood creaks.

"I'm awake. You can go up." Fiat jumps and a small chuckle escapes the bottom bunk. Fiat lifts his foot and lightly kicks his leg. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. You have fun tonight? I didn't see you come back to the campfire."

"Went for a walk and stargazed. If you're into that kind of stuff, there's a nice spot just far enough from here." Fiat did not know why he was sharing what he did instead of simply answering his question, but he did and he receives a smile from the man who is to be sleeping below him. "Err, did you have fun? Heard everyone played games once the leaders left."

"It was alright. Missed yo-"

"Shut it! People are trying to sleep! Either take it outside or stop talking." Fiat and Leo look at each other with wide eyes before Fiat rushes up to his bunk. He gulps, frightened to move about and finally settled himself before there was a knock at the bottom of his bed. He peeks over the edge to find the other lit up by the moonlight peeking through the window.

"Good night, Fiat."

"Good night, Leo."

*******

ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ

thoughts??