So, kind of a slow and shaky start. I apologize for the long lull in updating. I have other stories currently up on the PJO fandom that are not finished (and those guys will skin you alive if you leave a story sit for too long without an update). But I've done them in a rapid session, and I want them to sit and gather the reviews, so I'll update this in the meantime. Oh, won't that be fun.

…

Hal did the worst possible thing he could think to do over the next week; he avoided Stig. When it came to mock combat, Hal volunteered to spar with Jesper every time, which Stephan looked vexed about. He traded sleeping spots with Edvin, so he was as far away from his best friend as possible. In the morning, during breakfast, Hal found excuses to just not be there. Even during sail trimming and ship maintenance, if Hal needed help, he'd call on Jesper rather than Stig. Of course, the crew noticed the growing tension between their skirl and their helmsman, but they said nothing. What could they say? It was obvious something was going on between the two of them. And while Stig looked miserable, Hal did not. Not outwardly anyway. But inside, his heart was breaking. So of course, he got little sleep all week. And that in turn made him irritable and short-tempered.

And there is nothing scarier than a grumpy Skandian.

"Er, Hal," Jesper asked on one of the rare days the other boy decided to join them for breakfast. Though upon his arrival Stig politely excused himself, saying he was wanted anywhere but there. The rest of the crew watched him leave, dismayed. But none were as dismayed as Hal. The young skirl sat down moodily and took the offered plate of food. Edvin looked at him quickly before going back to poking the coals. Finally, it was Jesper who broke the awkward silence. "Hal," he asked again. "Is there something going on between you and Stig." Just for a moment, fear made Hal's blue eyes bluer, but then the fear subsided and he shrugged.

"No, there's nothing going on between us," he replied shortly. The rest of the crew glanced at each other. Of course, it was one of the twins who asked the next unfortunate question.

"Are you sure?" Wulf, or quite possibly Ulf, asked. "After all, I've never seen you guys…"

"I SAID THERE'S NOTING GOING ON, ALRIGHT?" Hal exploded, and the unfortunate twin actually scrambled backwards. Hal sighed and abandoned his plate of untouched food, stumbling blindly through the small patch of woods next to the Heron campsite. He found himself at the training ground, with the practice dummies newly replenished. He sank against one and smacked the back of his head against the wood. He never meant to actually yell at his crew like that. They were supposed to be a team. That wasn't what a good team leader did. He boosted moral, not tore it down. But he rather felt like a trapped wolf; afraid, alone, and very snappish. It wasn't as if Wulf, or Ulf (and at this point he could honestly care less who was who), had meant anything bad by the comment. But Hal's heart twisted painfully every time he thought about Stig. That still didn't excuse his behavior.

"Hal!" someone, most likely Jesper, called. "It's almost time for another assessment. Sighing, Hal heaved himself to his feet and retraced his steps to the campsite. He found the rest of the crew clustered around the fire, awaiting orders. Stig was back from wherever he'd been, and Hal focused his attention elsewhere, once again feeling his heart twist painfully.

"Alright guys," he said to the assembled team. "Two lines. I'll lead one, and Stig will lead the other. Four to a side. March right in." Hal took his place in front of Jesper, and Stig slid in front of Stephan. Hal nearly leaped out of his boots when Stig brushed his hand lightly across his own, without so much as one glance at Hal. The young skirl took a couple deep breaths, then ordered them to begin marching. They soon reached the training ground, the last to do so, but they looked the most organized. Tursgud and Rollond glanced at their own crews, crowded behind them without any rhyme or reason. The Herons certainly looked professional enough.

"Alright ladies," Gort said, once again taking the reins. "Today's assessment is wrestling. Pick the best person for the job and meet us back here in about ten minutes." Each brotherband moved off in different directions, talking earnestly. The Herons moved off so they were in front of the woods between their campsite and the training ground. They watched with interest as the wooden posts were removed and a circle about four meters across was sketched out in the grass.

"I think we all know who should do the wrestling," Stig boasted. Hal rolled his eyes dramatically.

"Igvar?" Wulf joked. The rest of the Herons fell back laughing while Stig reddened considerably. He began to sputter, which caused the rest of the crew to laugh harder. Hal was the first to recover and he slapped Stig on the back, fighting back to urge to shiver at the close contact.

"Now Stig, we all know you're the best for the job," he told his best friend, who actually beamed at him. Hal's broken heart gave a little flutter when Stig smiled at him, as it usually did. Stig patted Hal's hand, then removed it from his back. "Don't let them bait you," Hal added. "They'll try and get you to attack first by taunting you, but don't let that bother you. Here's what you do so that doesn't happen…"

…

The wrestling ended in a tie between the Wolves and the Herons, and Tursgud and his crew didn't get any points, which made Hal as happy as could be. There was much celebration around the fire that night, and there were laughs and jokes about Tursgud's final knockout, done by Stig himself. Hal and Stig sat side by side as if nothing had happened over the last week, and it seemed to put the team at ease. Every now and then, hidden from view, Stig would occasional brush his hand against Hal's, sending shivers up and down the young skirl's body. Finally, his best friend rested his hand on top of his, and kept it there. Hal shot up suddenly, starling the team.

"I, uh, need to go for a walk," he stammered, turning on his heel and practically running away. Never before had Hal been so lost for words. And he'd spent a lot of time with Stig before brotherband training. Why was he starting to have feelings for his best friend now? "By Gorlog's fist, I don't love him. I don't love him!" Hal stumbled to a halt and sank against the nearest tree, burying his head in his hands. "I don't love him," he told himself softly. "I can't love him. He's my best friend, and I his. That's all I'm ever going to be. I'll just be his best friend." Hal sat there, trying to beat away the emotions he was feelings, long after the sun set. There was a decided chill in the air, and the young skirl shuddered, pulling his sheepskin vest tighter around himself. He thought longingly of his sleeping spot in the warmth of the Heron quarters.

Hal slowly made his way to the campsite, slipping into the small hut silently. Everyone was already asleep. Or almost everyone. Stig was leaned against the far wall, eyes closed. He opened them like he could sense his best friend's presence now in the hut. Hal wordlessly strode passed him and stripped down to his inner clothing, climbing into his sleeping sack, pulling it tightly around himself. Stig sank down beside him and silently watched as he got ready. Sighing, Hal turned over to face him.

"What is it Stig?" he asked irritably. Stig gave him a crooked smile and took his hand out of the sleeping sack, massaging the palm gently. Hal couldn't suppress a shudder, and this time Stig's smile was more genuine.

"Whatever has been happening the last week, I'm sorry," Stig said softly, and Hal was taken aback. Stig never apologized for anything. "I don't know what I've done to upset you, but I hope you can forgive me. You're my best friend Hal; I don't want to lose you like this." Hal felt a lump in his throat and he nodded slowly.

"I forgive you Stig," he replied. "Though you needn't apologize. It was all my fault." Stig shook his head.

"Thinking too much again Hal?" he asked. "That's always dangerous. Get some sleep Hal. Jesper told me you haven't slept properly in days." Stig released the young skirl's hand and moved to his own spot, on the opposite side of the hut. Hal propped himself up and watched as Stig settled down for the night. "Night Hal," Stig called softly. "See you in the morning." Stig's slightly massive build was just visible, and he appeared to be facing away from Hal. The young skirl sighed and rolled onto the side facing away from Stig.

"I don't love him," he repeated, over and over, until sleep claimed him.

…

I really hope this is longer than the last chapter. And slightly better.