So, interesting review. And holy balls it's been a loooooong time. Like, ridiculously long. Yes, I've read Scorpion Mountain. Like, back in December when it became available. I've just been… There's no excuse for this. I apologize.

…

Stig wasn't necessarily happy. At least, not with the distance Hal was putting between them. It seemed like his best friend was trying to avoid him. Best friend. The two words left a bitter taste in his mouth. Not because they weren't true. Stig would gladly move mountains if Hal asked him to. No, it was because Stig had begun to think they'd transition into something more than friends. But nothing. Hal was just as unreachable as ever.

It didn't help that he seemed to favor Jesper for everything lately. Sure, he'd called for Stig's company a couple times. But more often than not, if you found the skirl, you found his loyal shadow. And it was beginning to rub Stig the wrong way. It should've been him that Hal called on. Not Jesper. There was something incredibly wrong about this picture.

Stig smiled. He wasn't the only one who was getting mad. Stephan scowled every time Hal called the former thief away. And if he were to admit it, it was interesting to watch the mimic squirm, even just a little. The other night, around the fire, it seemed to be the first time everyone was genuinely happy.

"Stig!" He was pulled roughly from his daydreaming by his skirl. He blinked a couple times. Hal was standing a few feet away, arms crossed. "Didn't you hear me?" he asked. Mutely, Stig shook his head. He didn't have the heart to tell him he'd been spacing off thinking of him. "We have to get going. They have a new challenge for us." Stig looked around guiltily. Everyone was gathering weapons and making last minute repairs. He heaved himself to his feet.

"Of course Hal," he mumbled, shuffling off. "Sorry." A hand on his shoulder stopped him. He looked up. Hal was close. Temptingly close. Stig refrained. He felt like they were on eggshells right now. One false move, and everything would break. No matter how bad he wanted to kiss his best friend, he just couldn't.

"Whatever's in your head," Hal said. "Get it out. We need everyone in top shape for the challenge." He turned on his heel and walked away, checking everyone's equipment. Stig followed him with his eyes. How was he supposed to get whatever was on his mind out when Hal was what was on his mind? How could he just totally ignore his best friend? Best friend. Those two awful words again. Stig was beginning to hate them, no matter how accurate they were. "Ready?" Hal called out. "Formations." Everyone formed their two lines. Stig wasn't sure where he should be placed. He almost thought that Jesper would lead one line, since Hal seemed to like him better than Stig himself these days. But Jesper motioned in front of himself.

"Aren't you going to take your place?" he asked. Now the whole brotherband, Hal included, was staring at him. Stig felt heat rise to his cheeks as he took his place at the head of one of the lines. Wordlessly, Hal slid into place next to him. He glanced over at his friend. He wanted to reach out and take his hand, but he held back. Now was not the time. They marched briskly to the training grounds, coming to a neat halt. They'd been practicing.

"Alright Herons, gather round," Gort said. The Herons did so, with barely a sound. The only real noise from them was the sound of practice weapons rattling in scabbards. The Wolves and Sharks mumbled amongst themselves. The Herons certainly acted more professional than they did. "Today's challenge is simple, and won't be played until later." We're just telling you slightly ahead of time. Stig glanced up. The sun was sinking below the horizon.

"What is it?" Stephan asked. The other members muttered agreements. Everyone was just as curious. Then Hal seemed to have a flash of brilliance.

"It's the night game," he said. "That's what it is, isn't it? After all, the sun is setting." Gort nodded. That boy sure had a good head on his shoulders. And a good brain in that head. Stig looked at his friend, impressed. He probably wouldn't have guessed that even if they'd told him at breakfast.

"That's right," Gort answered, and now the buzz of conversation was exited. They'd been waiting for this particular challenge with anticipation. "The rules are simple; put your teams' token into the shed without getting caught. If you get caught, you're out. You have a few minutes to prepare. Get to it." Hal led his crew away. Stig watched him with interest. He wondered what their skirl had in mind.

"Does anyone know what shed he means?" Hal asked the assembled crew. Nobody said anything. Finally, Jesper raised a tentative hand.

"There's a run-down shed on the top of the hill over there," he said, pointing. Seven pairs of eyes turned to look in the direction he'd been pointing. They could just make out a dark shape. Hal nodded.

"Okay, so I'm guessing another brotherband is going to be guarding, since it seems to be a sort of game. Here's what I suggest we do…"

…

Hal's strategy had been simple; use Stephan and Jesper to their advantage. Jesper was a thief; he could sneak anywhere without a sound. Stephan could mimic any voice, including Tursgud. Which they'd done. They'd created a diversion while Jesper slipped silently by, winning them the necessary points. There was much to celebrate about back at the camp, but everyone was beyond exhausted. Lights out was supposed to be hours ago. But with the night game going on, they'd skipped it. The only good thing was breakfast was pushed back.

"Good job everyone," Hal praised as the members got ready for sleep. Stephan and Jesper were already laying down, facing each other and talking quietly. Ingvar was gathering things at one end of the makeshift hut. Hal was seated on his spot, staring at everyone. Stig sat beside him.

"Good job to you," he said, and Hal felt unexpectedly warmed by his friends praise. Then he beat himself up about liking it. He had to stop letting Stig affect him like that. Maybe if he just ignored his feelings, they'd go away. He could only hope. Stig simply stared at him, a smile on his face. Not that sort of smile he gave Tursgud and the other Sharks, or Rolland and the Wolves. No, it seemed to be a smile for Hal and only Hal.

"Lights out," Hal said softly, as if he needed to. His crew was either already laying down, or already passed out. Hal noticed that Stephan and Jesper were sleeping awfully close together. But he didn't say anything. Stig followed his gaze. He was smiling at them now, and Hal felt his stomach twist. He wanted that smile on him. Quickly, he rose. Stig looked up curiously. "I'm going on a walk," he said shortly. He went to leave, but Stig wrapped a hand around his wrist and held him tight. Hal glanced at him. "Stig…" he said warningly.

"Stay Hal, please," Stig said quietly. Hal jerked his hand away. But he didn't move. He just stared down at his best friend, who in turn was looking up at him. His expression was decidedly neutral now. No smile, no frown, no anything. Finally, Hal sighed and sat back down. Stig smiled at him. "That's better," he said. "How come you always run away? There's nothing to worry about you know." Hal looked down at his hands. There wasn't anything to worry about. You know, other than being in love with his best friend. Who would never be anything more than that.

"I know," Hal said. "And I'm not running. I'm just…" What was he doing? He didn't even know anymore. It certainly didn't look good. Stig watched his skirl, his friend, struggling an internal battle. He reached out and took Hal's hand in his. Hal flinched.

"Easy," Stig whispered. "Easy Hal, it's alright." He'd just wanted to see how his friend reacted. Hal looked up at his friend's solemn face. Stig waited for Hal to say something, anything. Hal didn't know what to say, so he simply applied pressure to Stig's hand. He yawned. Now that he was settled down, he was tired. "Let's rest," Stig said, laying down. Hal laid down beside him, then seemed to notice that Stig was still holding his hand.

"Um," Hal said. Stig looked at him for a moment. "Are you going to let go of my hand?" Hal asked, flaring red. Stig shrugged and let go of his hand. He hadn't been. But if it would make his best friend happy. So be it. "Goodnight Stig," Hal said, turning over to face away from him. He didn't want his friend to see the tears in his eyes.

…

Stig couldn't sleep, which was weird because they'd been busy all day long. But watching Hal sleep defeated had been the worst thing he'd seen. He'd listened carefully to Hal as he slept. And he could hear his crying. Or rather, crying himself to sleep. He was heartbroken because he didn't know what to do. He didn't know how he could help. He reached out like he wanted to touch him, but at the last moment he decided not to.

Stig sat up and scrubbed at his face. Sleep wasn't going to happen. Not right now. He looked over at Hal, who appeared to be sleeping soundly enough. He reached out and gently touched his friend's shoulder. Hal mumbled in his sleep and rolled to face him. Stig smiled softly. He was glad that Hal could have some peace now. I hoped he wouldn't have to hear his best friend cry himself to sleep again.

He lay down next to Hal and simply listened to him for awhile. It was nice to be able to hear his own thoughts, sure, but he'd much rather observe his best friend. He gently brushed Hal's hair out of his face. He smiled some more. He couldn't help it. Hal made him happy, whether he knew it or not. He frowned. Hal was asleep. He could… He scooted closer, so close that he could feel his friend's breath on his face. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. It was now or never. He leaned in close, so close that their lips were just centimeters apart.

…

I feel like leaving it on a cliffhanger. With luck, maybe the better part of a year won't pass this time before I update again. I hope so.