FierroChase – A Camping Trip

***SPOILERS: This entire story contains spoilers from all of the Magnus Chase series. Just a fair warning.

***Disclaimer: Rick Riordan and his affiliation own the rights to the Magnus Chase series and its characters. I just write this for fun. Muwahaha!

Chapter 1

Wow, Magnus thought, listening to Alex complain. Alex really isn't having a swell time. That kind of surprises me considering what quests we've had to go through.

"They will just not stay off of me. And why does it have to be one hundred degrees out here?"

They were making their way up the steep trail of the mountain, Magnus some feet ahead of Alex. Alex was swatting at his arms to get the mosquitos off, sweat stains forming at the armpits of his light pink short-sleeve, button-up shirt. What made the outfit complete were the lime green golf shorts, the hiking boots with matching green laces, and pink-and-green checkered sunglasses. He had his normal green hair, except it had been recently trimmed and dyed since they got back from their quest. Now it was a bit shorter with bangs not quite reaching his eyes and only an inch of his natural dark hair could be seen at the roots.

Yep, I've really never heard him complain this much, Magnus thought again before replying. He stopped to let Alex catch up. He examined the trail ahead and looked at the time on his watch, 4:26 p.m. His outfit was made up of khaki cargo shorts, a dark green plaid shirt with rolled up sleeves, a white undershirt, and regular-colored hiking boots. He had done the opposite with his hair, letting it grow out instead of having Alex cut it. It was just long enough to be pulled back with a hair tie, which is how it was now because it was hot outside. Magnus could just endure it more, being the son of the summer-god and all.

"Sorry," he replied. "We could have come when it was still cool in the morning, but I really had to catch up with Blitz and Hearth at the manor."

Alex walked up to stand next to Magnus, noticing his dry forehead. What? He hasn't even broken a sweat yet?! Regardless of his dad, we've been at this for two hours now, and you'd think he would be somewhat perspired.

Ignoring his thoughts, Alex asked, "What was that about anyway? It's not like they don't know what they're doing. I mean, they helped to open the place, and that was weeks ago."

"Uh... I-It was nothing. Well, it was obviously important to do today. Just had to sort out some bills and paper work. Nothing fun," Magnus rattled out quickly, seemingly embarrassed. "Ah-hem, anyway. We are almost there. It's just about a third of a mile ahead."

"Oh-kay. If ya' say so, Maggie."

Magnus let the nickname slide. They continued up the path until they reached a viewing area of the mountains and forest around them.

"Wow. Now that is something I'll never get used to," Magnus exclaimed, letting out a small, content sigh. They both watched the nature ahead of them, standing next to each other in silence for a few minutes.

Alex looked over at Magnus, smiling along with his smile and his content, grey-eyed gaze. "You know you're glowing, right?"

"What, really?" Magnus jerked out of his stare to check the back of his hands and arms.

"Ha, not like that. I mean you just look so relaxed and happy. It's a different look for you than what I'm used to."

"Uh, thanks?"

"I get it, though. After all we've been through, all that stress and anxiety that was built up. It's nice to live without it, even just for a moment. I almost feel… not dead. Not normal, though. Yuck." Alex stuck his tongue out, making a sour expression. "I wouldn't want to be that."

This made Magnus chuckle. "Yeah, this is really nice. I haven't been on a non-life-threatening hike like this since before I died. Actually…" His grin faded, his gaze now lost in memories.

Alex looked at Magnus, concerned about what he was thinking. Alex knew all about not wanting to share personal information, so he didn't prompt Magnus. After a few seconds, though, he broke the silence.

"Same here. But we should probably continue on before it gets dark so we can set up the tent."

"Yeah," Magnus said zoning back into reality, "the site is just a few more feet ahead. And it's only 5:07. We have plenty of time. The only thing to slow us down would be your complaining." Magnus smirked, proud of his joke and out of his daze.

"Hey! You've seen me on two different, heroic quests. We both know I can hold my own on a simple hike, Maggie."

"Enough with the Maggie!" He replied light-heartedly. "That brings up a good question, though. Which would you prefer? This hot, nice, supposedly one-hundred-degree summer weather, or the Niflheim cold?"

"That's like asking if I prefer just to suffer over actually dying."

"So, you admit it! You are suffering."

"Wha-, no. I'm fine! Geez." Alex jokingly huffed as he stomped ahead of Magnus, both of them baring smiles.

A/N: I don't want to leave too many of these here. But, please, if anything seems weird about my wording or story, I'll accept the criticism!

( side note: cookiecreations picture of Alex and Magnus hiking inspired me to write this)

I'm really excited to get this story out! It helped me a lot with my emotions. So much more good stuff is to come in the next chapters! Disfruten!