"LET'S GO HIKING!"

I groan and roll over in my bed as I try to ignore the wizard who just burst into my room. Trying to find the peace of sleep and fall back into my dream I pull the red sheets over my head. It doesn't last long as Scar rips the covers off my bed, giggling, "Nice PJ's G."

Now shivering, I sit up and rub my eyes to remove the sleep from them, "What time is it even? The sun's not even up."

"I don't know! But we need to get ready for our hike. I found a gorgeous lake hidden in the valley of a couple mountains about 2000 blocks away and I want to hike to it! I even collected a couple horses for the trip to the base of the trail!" Scar looked so excited and began to empty his inventory on the floor to show me everything he had brought. A few sticks to act as hiking poles. Two bagged lunches that he said held steak sandwiches and cookies.

Scar was so excited for this hike, I just couldn't turn him down so I quickly collect the items he had brought for me and rush to get ready for the day. I, of course, was wearing my normal red sweater and black jeans with a worn pair of runners and Scar had donned his old leather jacket and cowboy hat. Thankfully he had actually put some pants on, I wasn't surprised, it would be rather painful to ride 2000 blocks in a pair of boxers. I was still confused why he wanted to ride when we could easily fly but when Scar started seeing me strap on my elytra, he ran behind me and undid it, his arms around my body as he undid the front clips. He lingered close to me for a moment longer than necessary then stepped back, placing my wings on their stand.

"You won't be needing those Grian. We are going to have a nice day, on the ground." Scar pointed on the ground then dragged me out of my room before I had a chance to put any armour on. I guess we are going old school. Luckily, Scar hadn't stolen the dagger I always slept with.

I blinked a couple times as we walk outside, the rising sun glaring right in my eyes. I look at the ground as Scar leads to a makeshift horse post where two horses stood. The chestnut stallion with a black mane and tail was already fully tacked up. Scar's saddle matched the colour of the magnificent animal and held a high back and padded seat. I remember helping make it with Cub to the remove as much strain possible and provide Scar the best support for his braced legs.

Scar was jumping from excitement as I retrieved my saddle from where it rested beside my villager breeder. The soft leather worn from years of use, and the small inscription of my name had faded. I toss my saddle pad on the pure black horse. He looked like a mustang and thoroughbred mix. Strong and muscular but appeared to have a gentle attitude. He stood completely still as I placed the saddle on his back and began doing up the straps and adjusting the stirrups as necessary. I glance under my horse's neck to see Scar mumbling excitedly to his horse and brushing its mane.

I smile lightly at his bubbly excitement, "Scar... I'm ready. But I have a question, do these beautiful horses of yours have a name?"

"Oh yes! Mine is named Apollo and yours is Moonshine!" he turned to address Apollo, "doesn't your friend look so handsome in Grian's saddle? I'm almost jealous of it. But don't worry Appy, mine is much comfortable. I will need to ask Grian for his help to get in though..." he turns back to me expectantly as I sigh. I walk around Moonshine to where Scar was and knee down to give Scar that little extra step he needs to place his left foot into the stirrup. Once situated, I grab his hips and stand up, pushing him up into his saddle. He thanks me as I turn to mount my horse.

The ride to the mountain trail was wonderful. Once we had escaped the jungle, Scar and I rode side by side chatting about anything you could think of. I told him about my experiences in Evo and he told me stories about baking and magic. Apparently, he stress bakes. I should pop by his house more often...

After about 1500 blocks, my legs knees were getting sore and I could tell that Scar was shifting uncomfortably in his saddle. At 1700 blocks my butt was actually numb and I suggested he trot the rest of the way to arrive quicker. Scar agreed and nudged Apollo into a smooth trot. Unfortunately, Moonshine's trot was much more jarring and it forced me to post continuously. As Scar slowed back to a walk, I followed suit, Moonshine replying without hesitation. We had arrived a beautifully formed trail head, the tress above us twisted together and drooping just enough that the leaves created a hanging canopy. It looked terraformed, not natural, but I decided to not question it.

I quickly dismount Moonshine, taking a couple unsteady steps as my knees try to remember how to work after being wrapped around the wide back of the black stallion. I slip moonshines bit out of his mouth and wrap a halter, tied to a nearby tree, around his head. It was loose enough that Moonshine could wander and eat comfortable. Once Moonshine was tied up, I rush towards Scar and Apollo just as Scar begins to slide gently off Apollo's back. I caught him just before he hit the ground, helping him set down gently. I take Apollo's reins from Scar and begin to move towards the second halter when Scar collapses into me.

"Ugh. I haven't ridden for that long before. My legs feel like jello." Scar was pretty much clutched onto me at this point.

"It'll probably take you a moment longer to recover than me. Why don't you sit down while I deal with Apollo... Are your braces done up completely?" I gently help Scar to the ground and rush to tie Apollo up while Scar checks the metal wrapping around his legs. I don't bother double checking Apollo's halter as I'm worried about Scar. It's going to be a long day for him, "Why don't we just taken a bit of time to recover then head back? I don't think you should be hiking right now..."

I trail off as Scar glares at me. It actually hurts more to see him angry at me than seeing him hurting. "No Grian, we are going hiking. Just help me up."

Knowing that I won't be able to change his mind, I gently lift him to his feet and allow him to lean on me a couple steps as he gains his ability to walk again. He leans away from me, pulling his sticks out of his inventory and begins marching forward, a slight limp in his right leg. I sigh and follow quickly behind him.

It didn't take me long to confirm my suspicion that this hike wasn't natural. We pasted through dense forests of terraformed land. The path was decorated with soft grass, dirt and cobble. We use carefully laid bridges to pass over a couple rivers with gravel banks instead of the normal sand. I spent most of the hike trying to figure who's style this terraforming was.

Scar and I barely talked while I was lost in my thoughts. We just listened to the forest sounds and the sounds of each other's heavy breathing. I was so lost in thought that I literally ran into Scar when he stopped in front of me. He stumbled slightly and I instinctively reach forward. Wrapping my arms around his waist. He turned towards me and smiled, "We made it."

Relief flooded my body. We had been walking for a couple hours, combine that with the horse back ride, and I as starving. Then my eyes were flooded with straight beauty. Scar had stepped out of my grasp and over to the side so I could see the lake. A small gravel beach led up the large lake, blue water so clear I could see the cod swimming within it. A couple fallen logs made up a fairly obviously place to sit. They were set in the shade of a soaring mountain side. The rock wrapped about 3 of the sides of the lake. Each ledge of the cliff was terraformed perfectly, hosting a variety of greenery such as small saplings clinging to the rock and moss draping down.

I'm sure Scar could see stars in my eyes, then it hit me. This was Scar's work. No one else had the skill to make such a breath-taking scene. I turn to him to see him staring at me. "Do you make this all for me?"

He appeared breathless as he nodded, "Ah. Yah. You noticed? Huh. I just wanted to make something, well, as beautiful as... as... you." He barely whispered the last word as he wrung his hand, but with the silence of the surrounding world, I heard him perfectly. I honestly had never noticed my attraction to Scar until this moment, right here. It wasn't love. Not yet. But I knew that it could be. Scar just stood there, close to me. I could hear his breathing as he looked away shyly.

"Why wouldn't I notice?" I was whispering now, matching his last sentence. He looked back to me and straight into my eyes. I didn't have to move my head to look back; it was nice to be the same height as someone.

"Do you... you know? Love me?" His breath was soft against my face as his eyes pleaded me to answer honesty.

I step even closer, completely closing the gap between us, "I can't say that I love you, not yet. But I know I like you Scar and I'd love to give this a try. Give us a try."

He's small style was all I needed. I knew that he loved me, but was willing to let me learn to love him. A feeling of peace settled into my bones as I kissed him gently in the sunlight streaming into the valley.