Summer: The Woods Bring Forth New Incoming; Bonds PT. 1/4

I barely opened one eye to grab my phone, and through my hazy, half-awake state I saw it was about 1 o'clock in the afternoon. Groaning, I managed to roll myself out of bed, scowling at the light filtering in through the blinds.

I went through my normal morning routine, slowly brushing my teeth before soaking my face with hot water. I shuffled back out of the bathroom and went into the kitchen, where I pulled out a packet of instant oatmeal. I boiled some water on the stove (the microwave was broken) and poured it into the bowl with oatmeal in it. I quietly stirred it up with a spoon while walking the short distance it takes to reach the dining room. I set my bowl down, the spoon laid carefully across the bowl so it wouldn't fall in, and I went to get my preferred drink of the morning: water.

And right when I was about to go eat, I heard loud knocking at the front door. I glared in the general direction it was at, knowing exactly what was about to happen.

I'll just continue to eat, I thought as I started eating my food. I heard even louder knocking, and eventually a voice.

"DEPRA, OPEN UP THE DAMN DOOR!"

Of course it was her. I looked sadly at my one-spoonful eaten of oatmeal before stirring up my resolve to face the onslaught.

I shuffled my way to the door, and I could hear multiple voices from outside, chattering excitedly. I hesitated for a moment, and another round of loud knocking spooked me so bad I almost fell over. I unlocked the top lock, and the voices outside went quiet as I unlocked the second lock and opened the door.

"What took you so long!?"

"…Why is that the first question you ask Lachesis?"

It was Lachesis and her gang of friends, including the ass. Lachesis was wearing a sunhat, a yellow t-shirt along with faded jeans, with tennis shoes to match. She was also carrying a rather large bag over her shoulder, and to top the outfit was her usual annoyed look.

"Whatever, just let us in already." Why is she always so pushy? I consented and walked back towards my breakfast, and I watched as they all went into the living room, all dressed in a similar fashion and carrying large bags. They set their bags next to the wall covering the kitchen from the living room, and sat down on the couch, well almost everybody.

"Why are you just now eating Depra? Don't tell me you just woke up?" Only Lachesis sat in the dining room, and she was scowling at my food. "Didn't we give you a whole bunch of food when you came over?"

"It's too early for questions Lachesis. Please just let me eat already," I answered, yawning as I turned away from her, putting another spoonful of my meager meal into my mouth. Mmm, delicious.

She watched me eat my food and drink my water, silently thinking to herself. She took off her hat and set it on the table, revealing a ponytail.

"It's the afternoon Depra. I worry if you think this is early," she said, sighing to herself.

I finished eating and wiped off all the oatmeal from the spoon with my tongue before tossing it in the sink behind me. I downed the rest of my water and set my cup on the counter before throwing away my paper bowl.

I looked back at Lachesis, and she was staring at me expectantly. I scratched my head before frowning.

"I was eating, I just woke up, yes, and I haven't eaten much of it yet."

She nodded happily before dragging me over to the others. "Alright guys, tell him what we're doing!"

Hemera raised her hand, the excitement in her voice and eyes almost palpable. "Ooh, ooh! Pick me, pick me!" Lachesis chuckled before giving her the go ahead, and Hemera positioned her yellow eyes onto me, giving me a wide grin.

"We're going camping!"

"Huh?" I couldn't help but let that out, my mouth dropping slightly. Everyone laughed at my reaction, and I managed to recompose myself before glaring at the culprit of this mess.

"Lachesis, why don't you tell me these things beforehand?"

"Because if I did, you would just run off somewhere."

I rolled my eyes at her ready response and scratched my head. "Okay, but what makes you think I have camping gear to begin with?"

Erebus gave me a thumbs up, his red eye gleaming. "It's okay King, we've already acquired the necessary tools for you to go on this excursion towards the forest where demons and monsters alike lurk about-!" he was suddenly cut off by his head getting shoved down by Necessitas, who rolled her eyes.

"Stop that already you idiot!" She sighed as she kept his head down, and she met my eyes with her different colored brown ones. "We planned ahead. We got all the stuff for you this morning before we came here. So, no need to worry about that." Yay, lucky me.

I felt a slight push behind me, causing me to stumble down the step required to enter the living room. I let out a heavy sigh, and Lachesis appeared in front of me, her arms crossed under her chest.

"So, that means hurry up and take a shower already! Get dressed, not in pajamas, and pack up two pairs of clothes since we'll be there for three days and nights!"

"Okay mom," I grumbled, and I was rewarded with a swift kick from Lachesis along with a chorus of laughter. Damn it, I really have to spend three days with those nutcases?

I grabbed some actual clothes (grey sweatpants and a well-worn t-shirt that said rollin' with the homies on it, and the picture had a couple bears in a sports car chilling) and hopped into the shower, deciding to wash my hair as my thoughts began to wander away.

I really wish she would have a little bit more faith in me, all things considering. I've known her since we were in diapers, so that should at least elicit some basic level of trust. After all, we're kinda like family in a weird way. Although, maybe not so much now as it was a couple years back…

I shook my head, shaking off the shampoo and the bad thoughts alike. In any case, I highly doubt it was going to be any fun out there. Just the thought of having to put up with her boyfriend alone is enough for me to start a fight with him. Maybe I can just avoid him the entire time.

Yeah, that wasn't gonna happen, I thought as I began to wash myself. She probably has some plan to try to make me get along with him. Get along with Hiro first you hypocrite. Ah, if only the Hidden Club came too. Hell, even if it was just Hiro, I could probably at least deal with it a little better.

I finished up in the shower, letting out a toothy yawn as I dried myself off. It was when I was getting dressed that I noticed something odd. There was a loud argument outside the bathroom that seemed to have been going on for a while. After getting dressed, I slowly opened the bathroom door, and I could finally hear their voices properly.

"You still haven't told me how you two even found out about this!"

"It's three, since my sister is with us, but that's besides the point. What's wrong with us coming?"

"Yeah Lachesis, what's up? Were you trying to pounce on Depra during this excursion of yours?"

"Oi, please refrain from saying such disgusting terms in front of my sister please Prez."

"You still haven't answered my damn question!"

"Do we really have too though? I mean, we're already here, so what's the point of answering?"

"Ooh, a solid argument! As expected from number 1!"

"G-go big bro!"

"Ah, hearing Luna's words of encouragement is enough for me to accomplish any task, no matter how arduous it may seem!"

"…Sister lover."

"Hey, I take great offense to that!"

I peaked my head out of the bathroom, and I could see Lachesis with a cross look plastered on her face, tapping her foot angrily at the sudden intruders. Although, if it was who I thought it was, then maybe…

"Hiro, is that you?" I asked, getting out the bathroom and peaking my head around the corner.

And sure enough, it was him, along with Prez and his sister Luna. He grinned when he saw me. "Hey Depra, we're going camping with you too! Nice surprise yeah?"

Before I could answer, Lachesis appeared before me, blocking my vision of the trio. "They're not coming."

"Ugh, I'm so hurt Hiro! Why is she so cruel!?" I chuckled at Prez's over exaggeration, and Lachesis' face only grew angrier.

"I don't mind if they come Lachesis. What's the harm?" I asked, scratching my damp hair.

She couldn't respond to that, only getting an expression filled with anger, confusion, and sadness. "Damn it, it just had to be you, didn't it?"

She moved out of the way, and I was met with the trio once more. "So, I guess you're good to go?"

Prez and Hiro posed together, and Luna followed, lagging behind.

"The Trio has arrived!" Prez and Hiro said confidently, and Luna said it as well, albeit in a really cute way.

I let out another chuckle, and Lachesis let out a sigh in response before twirling her ponytail. "So, why exactly are you guys here anyway?"

"Oh, that. I was planning on surprising you today along with Luna, since she wanted to see you as well, and I bumped into Prez trying to stalk me along the way, so she's here because she's a stalker." Hiro avoided a punch from Prez as he walked up to me. "Still though, I didn't know you guys were going camping! I've been a couple times, but Luna hasn't, so treat her well, yeah?"

"Why did you explain it to him but not to me?" Lachesis asked as we all moved towards the living room.

"Because he asked nicely. You know, without all the hysterics." He said casually, and it looked like she wanted to punch him.

"Hey, it's Mr. Hiro in the house!" Hemera exclaimed, rushing up to him in her usual peppy manner. She gave off a radiant smile, and Hiro met it with one of his own.

"Nice to see you again Merry! Glad to see you're as peppy as usual," He said, rubbing her golden-yellow hair. She almost purred in happiness when he did as a look of pure bliss appeared on her cheerful face.

"Ah, I really do love your head pats!"

"Well, Luna does gives me plenty of practice," he said, glancing over at his sister, who was staring at Hemera.

"Big bro, who are these people?" She asked from behind him, hesitant from meeting a splurge of new people.

"Oh, they're pretty harmless; well, maybe except for those two," he said reassuringly, pointing at Erebus and Eros. "Oh, and that guy too. Don't even come near him." He then pointed at the ass, who had been on his phone the entire time.

Lachesis' group of friends each introduced themselves to the shy girl, and she quickly warmed up to them, much to Hiro's relief.

"Okay, now can we go?" Lachesis asked, impatiently tapping her foot.

"Actually, I didn't know we were gonna go camping, so we have to go out and buy some things. Sorry about that." He said, raising up one hand in apology.

"Ooh, let me take them! We might be a little late, but that'll be fine though," Hemera said excitedly, and Lachesis nodded in response.

"That works. You do know where it is, right?"

"Of course I do!" Lachesis stared at Hemera before she turned away. "Okay, maaaybe I was just gonna wing it, but what's wrong with that?"

"I'll send you the details, so Hiro, make sure she doesn't get lost okay?"

"Why do I have to do it?"

"Would you rather have Prez do it?"

"I'll do it!" Wow, he sure changed his tune.

"Alright, the rest of us will ride out! Depra, you're with Necessitas, alright?" I nodded, and everybody got geared up to go, grabbing their bags as we all headed for the door.

I at least pray that it's rather nice where we're camping out…