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Part 5

Anna had texted you all early in the morning to propose going for a hike in Stanley Park. Everyone readily agreed, wanting to take advantage of the good weather that had come to Vancouver.

You had a pair of black leggings and a tank top on with your sweater tightly wrapped around your legs. A pair of sensible shoes on your feet and you were ready to go.

The four of you were picked up by Anna and the drive to Stanley Park consisted of loud singing and laughter. Anna's dog even barked along to some of the tunes, feeling the pure excitement in the car.

"We're here!" Anna cheered as she pulled into a parking spot. The four of you grabbed some bottles of water and soon you were on your way into the trees.

A comfortable silence fell over you, only the sounds of your walking and the dog breathing heard. The trees stood tall over you, their green leaves letting some sunrays down. It looked like a fairytale forest and walking through it brought back memories of your childhood, playing in the forest with your dog, walking on the obstacle course that had been set up, and finally spending time with your loved ones.

You looked around at the three people you were grateful to be able to call your friends. Anna and Mark were walking slightly ahead of you, being pulled forward by an overexcited dog that wanted to explore everything it could while still being on a leash. They also had the advantage of having incredibly long legs.

Sebastian was only a few steps in front of you, a serene look on his face as he took in his surroundings.

"You alright?" he questioned once he noticed your steps slowing down.

"Yeah," you smiled at him, picking up your speed so you could match his and grab his outreaching hand.

"Good, don't forget to drink some water," he reminded you as he saw your still full bottle, "don't want you to get dehydrated."

You hadn't noticed how thirsty you were and nearly devoured half of the content in the bottle, mentally thanking Sebastian for keeping an eye out for you.

"We should do this more often," you commented, "It's so peaceful out here."

He hummed in agreement, tightening his grip on your hand in response. This is what serenity felt like. Surrounded by nature and being with some of your closest friends.

By the time you finished the hike, you were all sweating and drained of energy. Anna's dog wasn't pulling the leash as it had been before, also tired out from all the walking.

"Let's get some ice cream," Mark pointed to an ice cream stand on the other end of the parking lot. It was a cute little yellow stand that sold simple flavours in tasty looking cones. "Yes, please!"

After being handed your cones, you took a seat on the bench located nearby.

"This is just what I needed," you sighed as the coldness hit your tongue.

"Me too," Mark agreed. "We should take advantage of the good weather, maybe grill tonight?"

"That sounds good to me," Sebastian said as he ruffled the dog's ears. "We can do it at mine?"

"Perfect, we can meet up later tonight then, I need a long shower before I go anywhere," Anna said gathering up her things. "I'll drop you guys off on the way."

It was a few hours later when you arrived at Sebastian's place. After getting home you had taken a long shower like Anna and fiddled with your guitar trying to get back in the groove of writing songs until it was time to go.

It wasn't too long until you had time booked for the studio and you knew your agent would want you to bring some ideas for new songs. After filming you would be getting back to your music and writing, something you had missed. The album had to be finished at a certain time and although you worked best under time pressure it would be nice to relax into it and not spend the first few days worrying if you were going to be able to make the deadline.

But that worry was for another day as Sebastian opened the door.

"Hi," you said walking into his open arms and only when he let go you kept talking, "I brought rosé."

"You didn't have to, sweetheart," he closed the door behind before accepting the bottle.

"I wanted to," you smiled.

"Anna and Mark are already here, just out on the patio," he pointed to an open door where you could hear Anna and Mark's voices pouring through.

"I'll be out in a second," he said taking the bottle with him into the kitchen.

"Hey babes," you sauntered out onto the patio finding Mark and Anna sitting on an outdoor lounge sofa.

"Uh, you look amazing!" Anna said as she noticed the black sunflower dress you wore.

"Thanks, babe!" you twirled for her one time before taking a seat next to them.

"How's it going?"

"Still fucking tired from the hike this morning," Mark complained stretching his legs.

"Tell me about it, I can already tell I'll be sore in places I didn't know I had tomorrow," Anna agreed.

"Stop complaining guys, it was a nice walk," Sebastian said as he walked outside, opening the grill and placing a few pieces of meat on it.

"Yeah, yeah. We aren't all as athletic and freaking built like you, Stan," Anna said.

He only flexed an arm in response, a smug grin on his face as he dodged the pillow Anna threw.

As Sebastian continued to cook your dinner, which you had offered to help him with but only received a push towards your seat, the three of you engaged in a game of UNO.

"Don't cheat like last time, Anna," Mark warned her holding his card close to his chest.

"Oh, come off it," she waved him off laying down a card.

"You know, you two nearly bicker more than Seb and I do..." you casually mentioned as you watched their faces fill with disgust.

"Ew!" "I don't like what you're insinuating" They both exclaimed their revulsion to which Sebastian and you only laughed at.

"Yeah, yeah, by the way, UNO," you said setting down a card so you were left with only one.

Anna squinted at you, "Is this your strategy? Making us bicker so you can win while we are occupied otherwise? Oh, I see you!"

"You're clever," Mark commented as he noticed your little smirk.

"That she is," Sebastian said ruffling the top of your hair, "Dinner's ready when you are."

"Yes! I'm starving! You win, Y/N," Anna practically scrambled out of her seat, the rest of you following her to the outdoor table set up with tasty-looking food.

Sebastian was a wonderful cook and dinner was devoured quickly. The rest of the afternoon was spent telling stories, playing games and drinking wine. It was nice to spend time with your friends, especially now that the last day of shooting was coming up.