The good part about having friends was that Wylan was never alone in public. The bad part was that they forced him to go to somewhat social activities. What even was the point of going to the middle of the woods and sleeping in a tent?

He growled as he continued packing and let out a surprised shout as arms wrapped around his waist.

"Jes, let go!"

Jesper just laughed and ruffled his hair. "You must be jumping with joy."

"Can't you tell?"

Jesper snorted and flopped down on the bed, watching Wylan fold his clothes extra neatly. "C'mon, Wy. It'll be fun."

"I'm sure it will be."

Wylan finished packing and slung his bag over his shoulder, reaching for his phone.

"You won't need that. There's no service or internet where we're going."

"No internet?!?!?!" Wylan shouted, whirling around to glare at Jesper. "You're kidding me."

"Nope. A week without internet. Can you survive, merchling?"

"No, I can't!" Wylan tossed his phone back onto the dresser. "This is... this is... infuriating!"

Jesper grabbed his own bag and they made their way downstairs. "Oh, calm down. Nina isn't too happy about it either."

"Hmph," Wylan growled as they locked the door and sat down on the stoop of their house, waiting for Matthias to pick them up.

Matthias was the only one who would drive. Well, Kaz would, but nobody wanted to get arrested. Inej usually got frustrated and started shouting at pedestrians, while Nina couldn't focus on the road and the radio at the same time. Jesper refused to drive and Wylan simply didn't want to. Plus, he couldn't really read the signs.

Matthias parked in their driveway, an angry looking Nina in the passenger seat. As Kaz opened the door for Jesper and Wylan, Nina hissed, "You guys are dragging me out to some dreary forest and beach with no internet? You guys are horrible friends!"

Wylan nodded his agreement and flopped into the seat beside Kaz. The black-haired boy shot him a tiny smile. Wylan would have been surprised, had Kaz not retired from being a gang leader.

Wylan smiled back and pulled out his sketchbook and some pencils. For most of the car ride, he doodled, trying to block out the shouts. A few hours in, it got ugly.

"How much longer?" Nina groaned, changing to another horribly annoying radio stations.

Matthias's knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists on the steering wheel. "A while to go."

Nina let out a loud sigh. "Can we have a snack break?"

Inej, who was sitting on the floor in front of Kaz, pulled a bag of chips out of her bag. "I'll give you the chips if you'll be quiet."

"Deal."

About ten minutes later, Jesper complained about something that was presumably dumb, so Wylan put his earbuds in and listened to music. Might as well listen to music while I still can.

When they finally got to the tiny clearing in the woods, they all set to different jobs. Matthias went to gather firewood, Jesper set up the tents with Inej, Nina went to get a shower in the river, and Kaz disappeared to who-knows-where.

Wylan sat there awkwardly until he decided to go for a walk. He reached a cliff with a beautiful view of the sunset above the trees and the distant ocean. Glad that he brought his bag, Wylan sat down and pulled out his sketchbook.

After the light was gone from the sky, Wylan started to make his way back towards the camp, but he became hopelessly lost. When he heard a voice that sounded like Inej, he made his way in that direction.

He stumbled into a clearing and glanced up to see Inej and Kaz half-naked next to a silver pool of water. Wylan coughed and Inej swung around, her eyes wide and terrified.

"Wylan! Hi! What's up, do you need something?"

Kaz glanced at Wylan, his eyes disinterested.

"I got lost and heard you saying something."

Inej smiled slightly. "Alright, the camp is in that direction."

"Why would he go back?"

Wylan turned around, surprised to see Jesper emerge from the shadows.

"If you guys are having fun in the woods, so will we."

Wylan rubbed his temples. "Jes, no."

"Jes, yes." Jesper grinned, already stripping down to his underpants.

Wylan didn't miss the faint blush that coated Kaz's cheeks, but he ignored it, leaning against a tree. "I'm not going swimming."

Jesper waded into the pool, followed by Inej. "Wy, come on. It'll be fun."

"Yeah, Wylan," Inej called, ducking underwater. "The water feels great."

Wylan sighed in irritation, ungracefully pulling off his clothes and tripping into the pool. Jesper steadied him and splashed water over his head. "Isn't it nice?"

Wylan snorted and splashed Jesper. "Not when you're holding me captive."

Jesper released him and Wylan ducked underwater, letting the liquid coat his face and ease his pain. When he resurfaced, Kaz and Inej had continued where they left off, seemingly uncaring that Jesper and Wylan were so close to them.

Jesper grinned a demonic grin and dove underwater.

Wylan had one of the best nights of his life in that pool, underneath the stars, and in the serenity of the forest.

****

Kaz awoke after very few hours of sleep, Inej tucked into his side. Their night had been wonderful, filled with bliss and love and... so much more. His face heated as he shoved the memories away.

Inej slowly came to, brushing hair out of her face. "Good morning."

He kissed her forehead. "Sleep well?"

She laughed quietly. "Did you?"

"I'd say."

She snorted, reaching up to run her hands through his damp hair. "Enjoying the road trip?"

He rested his head against hers. "Are you?"

She smiled, her face turning into a beautiful symbol of happiness and hope. "I love you."

"I love you more."

Inej flicked his nose. "Cutie."

Kaz let out a breathy laugh and rolled atop her. "Darling."

She giggled as he kissed her neck.

****

When Matthias said they were going on a hike, Wylan didn't expect it to be a difficult one. But there he was, clinging to the side of a cliff. The wind whistled past him, threatening to wipe him out of existence with one wrong step.

"Are you alright?" Kaz asked, placing a hand on Wylan's shoulder.

"No," he responded bluntly, his voice cracking.

Kaz sighed. "Do you want me to carry you?"

"No."

"Too bad."

Wylan yelped as Kaz hefted him over one shoulder. He dug his fingernails in, squeezing his eyes shut as queasiness blurred his vision. "Please, put me down."

"Wy, you look like you're about to faint. I'm going to carry you."

Wylan squirmed, trying desperately to escape Kaz's grip. "Please."

Kaz tightened his grasp until Wylan gasped, his ribs aching from the pressure. "Fine. I'll stop trying to escape."

"Good."

They continued on, Kaz carrying Wylan, the latter whining about his situation.

Once they were finished with the hike, they went to the beach. Wylan sat in the sand, relishing the warmth of the grains.

Inej sat beside him, a large sun hat resting over her wavy hair. "You look a bit shaken up after that hike."

"I don't like heights."

She smiled. "The Wraith doesn't get that luxury."

He sighed. "So how are things with you and Kaz?"

Her dark skin did little to conceal the red that coated her cheeks. "Things are... great. Amazing, actually."

"Do you have plans after we're done with this vacation? Since you've been traveling and all, I didn't know what you would do."

She shrugged. "I don't really know yet."

"Kaz would murder everyone in Ketterdam if something happened to you, I reckon."

"He'd do the same for you. You mean a lot to him."

Wylan shrugged. "But he's Dirtyhands. Why would he care about a mere demolitions expert?"

"You're more than your talents, Wylan. And Kaz cares about all of us. I think he feels guilty about what your father did to you."

"I suppose."

Inej ruffled his hair. "Let's go get him to come swimming."

"That'll be a challenge."

"I'll get down on my knees and beg."

Wylan smirked. "Don't do that. He might collapse and die."

Inej shoved him and he slipped on loose sand. She offered him a hand, which he refused.

When Kaz refused to go into the ocean, Inej started pulling him off towards the water. Wylan hid a laugh behind his hand but gasped as he was lifted by strong arms.

"Jes! Put me down!"

Jesper grinned. "Not a chance, Merchling." Then he started to run towards the ocean.

"Jesper, I swear to Ghezen, put me down right now!"

Jesper cackled as he splashed into the water, the waves sloshing over Wylan's head. He escaped from Jesper's grip and resurfaced just as Inej and Kaz swam up beside them.

Jesper flashed Wylan a handsome grin and splashed him. Wylan growled, splashing to where he could stand.

"Remind me why I married you."

Jesper kissed Wylan's cheek. "Because you love me."

Kaz scoffed. "Does he?"

Wylan kicked away from Jesper. "Of course, I love him."

They smiled at each other, and Wylan stared into Jesper's loving eyes, drowning in their silvery depths.

"Hey, sorry to interrupt this beautiful moment, but we're gonna have a volleyball tournament and you're needed."

Jesper glared at Nina but started sloshing out of the ocean.

The Crows stayed out until the sunset, laughing and chasing each other around the beach. It was a wonderful day, filled with fun and happiness and family.

They returned home and agreed that they should go on trips together more frequently. As a family. Not just for heists.