There was complete silence in the van as Barley kept driving. [Y/n] looked between the two brothers in concern.

“Barley, I don't know what happened back there. But I don't think you're a screw-up.” Ian said.

Barley kept his stoic face on.

“Maybe the magic just got it wrong, you know.”

“Yeah.” Barley said, then turned on the radio.

“I don't know what happened.” Barley turned up the volume.

“Barley! Barley!” Ian yelled over the music.

Barley swerved the van, and brought it to a roadside, parking it in front of a shed.

Barley came down from the van, ripping open the bag of chips in his hand, furiously shoving them in his mouth.

“Where are you going?” Ian asked.

Both he and [Y/n] came down from the van, as Barley walked towards the soda machine.

“Barley, come on. This is all just...”

“I'm not a screw-up.”

“I didn't say you were.”

“The magic said it for you.”

“Guys come on, cut it out.” [Y/n] said, trying to settle them.

“Well, the magic got it wrong.”

“Magic doesn't get it wrong! The cop asked a question, you answered, and magic revealed the truth. Right?”

Ian hesitated.

“Right?”

“I don't know how any of this stuff works. All I know is that everything we've done tonight has gone wrong.”

“Yeah, it's gone wrong because you won't listen to me.”

“Are you kidding? Because everything we've done has been your idea.”

“But you didn't do it my way. You didn't let me handle the Manticore. You freaked out when I talked to the sprites. Cause you don't think I have good ideas.”

“What? Of course I do.”

“Great! Then I think we should take the Path of Peril.”

“And I also think that would be good, normally...”

“See?”

“But, I told you, this isn't a game. And I do listen to your suggestions. [Y/n], tell him.”

“Well, actually Ian you’ve never really listened to Barley’s suggestions ever since.” [Y/n] answered nervously.

“What? Which side are you on?” Ian asked.

“No one really, I’m just calling it as it is.”

“Yeah well no one asked for your opinion.”

“You literally just……”

“Well you’re not helping. In fact, you’ve really not been helping this whole trip. All you care about is finishing your story for your blog.”

“Now wait just a minute. I came on this trip because I care about both of you, and want to help you meet your Dad, but it seems my efforts are unappreciated.”

“Oh please, all you’ve been is a burden to us.”

[Y/n] gasped, hurt.
“Burden?” She asked, with a hand over her heart

“Oh wow Ian, take it out on the lady.” Barley said, placing an arm round [Y/n]'s shoulder, bringing her closer to him.

“All that matters today is Dad, and right now he's sitting in that van, and he's confused...…” Barley and [Y/n] looked behind Ian.

“What?” He turned to see what they were looking at.

Will was dancing to the music playing on Guinevere’s stereo.

“What is he doing?” Ian asked.

“I think he can feel the vibrations of the music, and he's dancing.”

Will danced down from the vehicle.

“Wow. No offense, but your Dad is
terrible.” [Y/n] said, as they watched him.

Will danced to a small patch of grass, his top part falling off.

“Yeah. He's really, really bad.” Barley said, agreeing with [Y/n].

Will’s foot started dancing towards them.

“Oh, no. Here he comes.”

Will laced his foot round Barley’s, pulling him over to the patch of grass.

“No, no, no. Thanks, Dad. Dad, thank you. I'm good. Stop. Okay. Okay.” Barley protested, but then stood as his Dad went back for Ian.

“No, no, no! I'm not really a big dancer.” Ian said, as his Dad pulled him over to where Barley was.

Will came back for [Y/n] who laughed nervously.

“No really………Mr Lightfoot I……”

He pulled her next to Barley, and started dancing.

The teens laughed at his dancing, and slowly joined in.

“Uh...…Just imagine what the top half of this dance looks like.” Ian said.

“I bet it goes something like this.”

Barley went behind his Dad’s legs, doing funny dance moves, making [Y/n] and Ian laugh.

Suddenly, the song changed to a slower one.

Will walked over to [Y/n], and pulled her closer to Ian.

“Oh no………Mr Lightfoot…………really I………”

She paused when she was in Ian’s arms.

Both teens blushed, when their eyes met.

“Oh Dad, I see what you’re doing.” Barley said, making both teens turn to him. “Oh don’t mind me, just enjoy your moment.”

[Y/n] blushed looking down.

Ian took a deep breath, wrapping his arms round her waist, and pulling her closer to him.

[Y/n] looked up at him, and blushed when he gave her a small smile.

She smiled back, and the two start dancing to the rhythm of the music.

Barley stared at the two lovingly, as he swayed to the music.

“Ian I……”

“I’m sorry.” Ian said, cutting her off. “I don’t think you’re a burden, it just came out. If anything, I’m really glad you came with us.”

“It’s okay. I’m glad I came too. I mean who would want to miss the opportunity to go on a life threatening adventure?”

Ian let out a small laugh at that.

[Y/n]'s eye widened when she caught Ian’s eyes flicker to her lips.

Her breath hitched as Ian drew closer.

She fluttered her eyes close, feeling Ian’s breath on her nose.

Slowly, their lips brushed each other.

“Ow.”

The teens pulled back when they heard the sound.

Barley laughed nervously, as Will fell back on to the floor.

“Ah, you danced your shoelaces loose there, Pop.” Barley said, bending down to tie his Dad’s shoe.

“Sorry for interrupting your moment lovebirds.”

Ian cleared his throat, fully pulling back from [Y/n], who averted her eyes, trying to look anywhere but her bestfriend, trying to calm her red face.

Barley laughed at the two, before putting on a solemn look.

“You know, I wanna see him, too.”

“Yeah, I know.” Ian answered.

“It's not fair for you to call me a screw-up if you don't give me a chance to get something right.” Ian looked down guilty.

“Just do one thing my way.”

Ian turned to look at [Y/n] who gave him a small nod.

“You really think this Path of Peril is the best way to go to the mountain?”
Barley nodded.

“Okay.”

The adventurers were back in their van, eyes furrowed in determination as they took the treacherous Path Of Peril.

Leaving behind nothing but Guinevere’s bumper.