"Aahhh~ finally some peace," James stretched with a loud groan, flopping back onto the soft grass, arms spread wide like he owned the whole damn world.
Derek leaned against the tree trunk nearby, arms crossed, a lazy grin on his lips.
"Yeah, don't jinx it, idiot. You say that and next thing you know, a slime invasion starts out of nowhere."
"Hah! If that happens, I'm throwing you at it first!" James grinned, then turned his head toward the silver-haired boy sitting a few feet away.
"Aestreaaa~ come on, you never lie down with us. What, too cool for grass now?"
"No. I just don't want ants crawling up my back." Aestrea gave a half-smile, his crimson eyes looking lazily toward James.
James blinked.
"...Okay fair."
Derek chuckled lowly, pulling a small canteen from his pouch and tossing it over. "Here, drink. You've been zoning out too much these days. Something on your mind?"
Aestrea caught the canteen with one hand, unscrewed the cap, and took a sip before replying:
