Chapter 293: Water Run
When Elmo woke up, he felt like his body was getting ready to fall apart. It ached all over, even though he knew he hadn't engaged in anything remotely extraneous. All he could think of was that dealing with the massive earthquake had taken more out of him than he had expected.
As he looked around, he could see Patrick finishing his watch, the embers of the fire from the night before smoking, letting Elmo know that it hadn't quite died out, though he wasn't sure if anyone had added any wood onto it through the night for any of the watches.
Which he knew Elwin would complain about if someone had. Something about ruining their night vision or something. He didn't really care to learn as much about this sort of thing as Elwin seemed to know. Primarily because he really didn't care to deal with this more than he had to, since he really didn't expect to once this whole competition was over. Regardless of whether or not he was able to return to his own world.
Getting up, Elmo looked around for a stream. Mostly so he could rinse off the dirt he could feel on his hands and face. While he'd like a bath, he doubted he'd be able to get a hot one out here. Not to mention the lack pf privacy these mountains gave. While he wouldn't mind Jonas seeing him bathe, he couldn't say the same for anyone else present.
Although, thinking about Jonas merely made Elmo's heart ache. He felt like Jonas should be more willing to at least give him a chance, but it felt like Jonas had merely let him have that one night and wasn't actually letting him into his heart. Even though Elmo appreciated the consideration of that one night, he wasn't interested in a one night stand. He would rather have a real relationship rather than... whatever that was supposed to be.
He couldn't be sure if it was a pity lay or what, but it didn't help him sort out what his feelings were over the matter. He also couldn't be sure if he should really give up on Jonas or not. He felt like he should, but at the same time, he couldn't stop that night from popping in his mind whenever he thought about doing just that.
Naturally, before he was able to really come up with anything on the matter, others started to wake up. Which meant he needed to stop thinking about it, since he really didn't want others to know about his troubles on the subject. If nothing else, he really didn't want it to become a matter just like Kim and Elin dealt with in regards to their fight.
"So, steak again fro breakfast?" Bart asked, sounding more resigned than eager.
"We could make a stew with it, instead," Kim replied.
Elmo didn't hear what Bart replied to that with, but couldn't help but reject the idea in his own mind. He really didn't care for either. He didn't know what else there was, but he would at least like a little variety in what was prepared. Even though stew and steak were rather simple to make, he would like something else. Almost anything else.
Yet, he doubted it would change anything if he say something about it. At least other than potentially getting on the bad side of everyone present. Or at least everyone present who really liked one of the dishes or the other.