It seemed that five minutes was all that the world was willing to give them. Dozy silence replaced by high pitched alarms and the fumbling of sheets, both of them disturbed from their reverie as Skyler reaches over him, their protective barrier slipping enough to let reality in.

Suddenly his bones feel heavy, hesitance clinging to every edge of himself as his companion slips back into place behind him, Angelo feeling for the first time in a while reluctance to get back on the road. Not even his wanderlust motivating him to swing his legs over the side of the bed. Skyler was right though; duty always calls. As did an empty wallet. Still, Angelo decides he doesn’t quite like it when she tells him they need to go, not when it leads to never-ending responsibilities and a parting of ways.

“You’re right,” he concedes on a sigh, his hand reaching up to the arm that had curled around him, holding her in place for a beat longer. Clinging to the warmth for as long as he could. There’s a tickle against the back of his neck, soft and fleeting enough for him to confuse it between a brush of lips or a caress of a golden curl. It makes that regrettable feeling of separation pang a little more than it had any right to. “I hate it when you’re right.” He doesn’t really, his laced words a sombre sort of playfulness, although there’s certainly a hint of distaste for the end of their morning leaking through tired edges.

“Did you forget?” Blue eyes follow her as she moves away, the faint smirk on Skyler’s lips smoothing over the bittersweetness just a little and Angelo goes to move after her, pulled along by his regrettable sense of responsibility and a much more agreeable ultimatum. “You made me your cook when I’m here. And as the cook, I’ve already decided you’re banned from my kitchen.”

Angelo doesn’t dawdle in making breakfast for them, aware that they both need to get on the road and to the sea respectfully, having already received a couple of messages about his first pickups of the day. It isn’t long before he’s standing on the pier, backpack over his shoulders and bicycle propped up, everything ready and waiting for him. All he needed to do was say goodbye to his adventure buddy...

“It’s been fun, Sunshine.” He opens his arms and envelops her in a hug, squeezing her close to himself and wondering whether she knew just how fun it had been. All of it. From the Carvanah infested river to the first drunken night singing and dancing around the campfire. To last night and all of its twists and turns. Even looking at that pot of plastic gold was enjoyable when he had Skyler by his side to share in his disappointment and frustrations. Something twists in his gut as he’s struck with a sad realisation that their adventure really was over. At least for the time being, they had the cave tours to look forward to now. “If you get lonely, you can always put in a delivery for me.” He grins into her hair as he plants an affectionate, quiet parting kiss onto golden curls. 

skyler dross