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Sebastian didn't really listen to the conversation with the drakes. He couldn't understand anyone but Archer, anyway, and he wasn't going to ask for interpretations right now. He continued to get his line ready, attaching a few small weights to it. He also prepared a second line for Archer. He looked up when he heard Archer's stomach growl.
"I take it you're ready to go fishing?" He asked, smiling a little as he handed over the line for Archer.
Archer chuckled. “Yeah… thanks.” He added, taking the line. He stared at it for a moment, then he jerked his head up.
“Oh! Just a moment.” Setting it down, he brought out his notebook and walked a few feet away from the fire, crouching down and gazing at the drakes. The way they pulled the deer’s meat off the bone reminded him of lions, and then they lifted their heads to guzzle it down, their mouths making a jerking, snapping motion that reminded him of an owl eating its food. Archer wrote down his observations. Then he went back to the fire, putting the notebook away.
“Okay, now I’m ready.”
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Sebastian looked up when Archer asked for a moment. He looked at Archer as he studied the drakes, unable to help a small smile. The prince seemed so happy when he was studying the drakes, his eyes lit up with the new information.
Sebastian nodded when Archer came back, standing himself.
"Great. Now is a very good time fishing, too." He started over to the water. He tossed his hook out sitting down as he waited for a bite.
(Hhhggg yes I’m alive)
Silently, Archer joined him. As they waited, he started thinking. Would they need protection while they slept? Maybe not, with an entire clan of drakes nearby. And he hadn’t noticed any sign of a hostile creature, either. They would need protection from the elements, however. Archer usually built a makeshift tent or settled underneath a tree. There were a couple of times he slept in a tree as well. Since they had already made a fire, a tent might be best.
(Idk do you want Archer to catch a fish or Sebastian?)
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(I'm thinking both could. I have a scene for Sebastian that I'd like to do)
Sebastian stayed quiet as they fished, sitting just a foot or two away from Archer. He figured they'd set up a makeshift tent, maybe just something suspended from a tree branch to keep the rain off. Of course, Sebastian didn't really think it would rain tonight, but better safe than sorry. Still, he loved having the stars above him.
As Sebastian mused quietly, there was a small nibble. He snapped back to attention, pulling on the line. He knew he had hooked the fish that had been nibbling, and he gave a small sound of surprise. He started to pull the line back, but the fish was fighting. Eventually, he was able to drag the fish out, to reveal…
A small fry. Barely enough for one person. Sebastian let out a long, disappointed breath, collapsing on the ground. He laughed a little at himself.
"Hopefully, you'll be more successful than me…"
(Me too… sinister chuckle)
Archer gave a small chuckle and shrugged. “Maybe.”
It might’ve been the longest five minutes of his life. It seemed especially long with Sebastian next to him. But eventually, he felt a tug on the line. It must’ve been a bigger catch, because the thing was strong. And Archer wasn’t really known for his strength. He pulled hard, his arms crossing over his body and above his head. Then he looked up, and his hands were empty.
That freaking fish took his line.
He silently collapsed on the ground next to Sebastian.
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Sebastian let out a long breath.
"Well then. It seems we'll be having berries tonight." He laughed lightly, looking over at the prince laying next to him. He chuckled softly, honestly too tired to even care at this point.
"So, shall we head back to camp? Or wallow in defeat here a bit longer?" Sebastian couldn't help a small smile, the small fry still dead on his hook.
“No way,” Archer replied. “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse. Just bread, cheese and berries won’t cut it. Could you try again? If I do it, we might lose our only chance of a good meal.”
He was too tired to smile, but his dark eyes sparkled as they met his companion’s.
(Fyi, I’m in the middle of a vacation, so I might be more spotty for the time being)
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(ayy, me too!)
"Mm, I could try." Sebastian forced himself back up. He pulled the small fish off his hook, already cutting it open and taking the guts out. He put some on the hook, tossing it out again. Waiting.
(Ok, I’m back home)
“If I fall asleep, don’t wake me up until you catch something,” then Archer thought about it for a moment. “Actually, scratch that. If I fall asleep, don’t hesitate to wake me up.“
Despite his exhaustion, he didn’t want to experience the pain of going to sleep, only to be woken up again and be very sluggish for the rest of the time he was awake. Sure, there would be food, but he would be in no shape to be agreeable for Sebastian‘s sake.
He sat up, and tried to keep his heavy eyelids from shutting permanently.
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Sebastian listened, nodding.
"I'll do my best." He smiled a bit, looking back at the river.
"Hopefully, it's not too long. Perhaps there is something we could do to distract us from our exhaustion?" Sebastian looked at Archer, offering his tired smile. He shifted as he fished, doing his best to stay awake as well.
(Aaaah I’m so sorry for my absence! I have a lot going on rn, I might only be active on Notebook for a couple hours tomorrow. Hopefully I can reply later today!)
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(Ah, okay!! Don't feel rushed to answer. If you don't manage to, don't worry!)
“Hmm,” Archer thought for a moment. He quickly went back to the fire and grabbed his notebook. He flipped through it until he came to a blank page, next to the one where he’d sketched a diagram of a drake’s foot. As he held his charcoal pencil to the parchment, he took a glance at Sebastian. His cool grey eyes shone in the moonlight.
Archer’s pencil met the paper, and he began sketching.
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Sebastian glanced over, glad Archer had found something to do. He was fishing for a while, but eventually he had another bite. He fought to bring the fish in, eventually revealing a decently sized fish.
"Yes!!" Sebastian getting in exhausted joy.
“Thank the gods above,” Archer exhaled. His stomach had rumbled a few minutes before.
He put a few more strokes to the paper and then he was done sketching. An eye looked back at him from the page, an eye that reminded him very much of Sebastian’s…
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Sebastian killed the fish, starting to gut it and clean. He was grinning tiredly, forcing himself up when he finished.
"I'm ready to get this cooked," he said.
“Excellent,” Archer said, a yawn accidentally escaping him as he said the word. “Excuse me. Anyway, here’s the result of me trying to stay awake for ten minutes.” He chuckled, and handed the notebook over to Sebastian so he could see.
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Sebastian's mouth opened a bit.
"Wow… That's really good!" He looked up at Archer, smiling. Sebastian stood, humming faintly to keep awake.
“Thanks.” Archer managed a smile. Standing, he said, “Okay, let’s get to the fire and cook this thing.” He began walking toward it.
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Sebastian's head went up and down a bit in agreeance. He made his way back over to the fire, nearly collapsing by it as he sat down. He set the fish cooking over the fire, the smell of it the only reason he didn't pass out.
Archer suppressed another yawn. He tried bringing his mind to important matters- that is, ones that didn’t relate to food. Still standing, he muttered, “Do I need to make a tent…? Or maybe we could sleep closer to the drakes.”
An interesting thought. They have to be close enough to have their scent be masked by them and keep other animals or people away, but not too close so as to disturb them. He tried to analyze the idea further, but tiredness and the smell of cooked fish made it hard to think.
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"I don't think either of us have the energy left to put a tent up," Sebastian said. He finally pulled the fish off, offering half to Archer. Sebastian tried to wait a moment, but he just couldn't. He started eating, coding his eyes a moment. The fish tasted really, really good, but if it was due to how he cooked it or his tiredness, Sebastian didn't know. He let out a soft sound, opening his eyes again.
Archer chuckled. “Yeah, you’re right.” He took his half, wolfing it down. Oh, if his parents could see him now.
He went though his pack, bringing out the bread and cheese. To his dismay, the cheese had begun to mold. He cut off the mold with his knife and cut it in half as well, then did the same to the bread. He offered the halves to Sebastian, silent.
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Sebastian had figured his fish, a bit of the juices on his cheek.
"Thank you," he said, accepting the bread and cheese. He wasn't as hungry now, but he still ate the food quickly. He sat back after a moment. With the warmth of the fire and his fill stomach, Sebastian was barely able to stay awake anymore, eyes slowly blinking as he tried to stay awake.
(Ok now I want a scene where they accidentally sleep next to each other XD)
After he was finished with the fish, Archer realized how hungry he’d actually been. He ate his bread and cheese as well, sitting down at this point.
The bonfire danced between them. “Do you want to…“ he yawned again. “… do you want to move closer to the drakes then?”
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(yesssssss)
Sebastian nodded a bit.
"If… If we manage to get up long enough to move," Sebastian said, momentary interrupted by a yawn. He chuckled softly, head nodding occasionally as he kept himself awake.
“We can just sleep on the side nearest to the drakes, so we’re still close to the fire, if that works for you.” Archer slowly stood, taking his bag and adjusting his position. He got out his mat and blanket, then sat down, taking off his shawl, shirt, and shoes, so his chest was bare for a few moments. He didn’t really didn’t think of this much, instead groggily wondering if he should put on his night clothes.
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Sebastian nodded a bit, standing up. He shuffled after Archer, only blushing slightly when he saw Archer shirtless. He set out his own sleep items, changing his shirt before laying down. He laid down completely, facing Archer with half-closed eyes.
His desire for comfort won. He turned to Sebastian, checking to see if he was asleep already. Archer was mildly struck be how vulnerable he seemed, laying there with his eyes glazed with tiredness. But then he paused for another reason. He wanted privacy to change, but he couldn’t summon the strength to express that to Sebastian. Unfortunately, that resulted in Archer staring blankly at him for a few seconds before he decided to stand up, go around him and out of his line of vision to change.
