Last spark from the ashes

Bryn looks up to shoot him a grin. "Had to make our own field repairs back in the army. Before that- my dad works for the local theater back home. The two of us used to help with staging and props after school - well, I was on props, Gil used to be holed up in back fixing the sound and lights."

"It was safer back there," Gil half-grumbles. Steve's smile is really cute and he can't help noticing. "Um. We've been getting back into hiking, too. I suppose I'm more of the type to curl up by the fire with a good book - Bryn's usually the one who rousts me out to get some fresh air.

"Don't listen to him," his friend advises Steve. "He loves exploring new places, you just have to get the laptop out of his hands first."