With his face still buried in the palms of his hands, Brent managed a smile. No matter how exhausted he felt, his girl was here, and that always made him feel much better. He stood and reached over for her hands...both of them. "Thank you. That means a lot," he said. He'd literally risked his life four times in one school year, but yet he still couldn't get the sight of her shivering body slowly dying for him out in that arctic. In the end, she had done it for him, because she'd been asked about it and signed off on it, and she'd been a part of everything he'd done to pass that round of the challenge. "I'm proud of you, too. You risked your life for me, and yet here you are, still supporting me." He'd honestly thought their relationship would be a goner after that third challenge.

He sighed and closed his eyes. "I need some water," he mumbled. He hated to break up their conversation for one of his personal needs, but he just couldn't help it. The heat of the African forest alone had nearly done him in, never mind the addition of a runespoor. He caught glances from people like Levi, Daisy, and a few others, and he nodded at them in return. They were all schoolmates, but everybody seemed to be huddled around their own little group of friends. A few seconds later, the Healer had appeared, offering his congratulations and an ice pack. "Thanks, Healer," he said, happily accepting the ice pack and plastering it to the back of his neck. He wondered how cold the lake was right now, because if it was freezing, he was definitely up for a swim later on.

He missed Kyle joining them, because a commotion erupted a little ways down, and he looked over to see Valerie collapse. "Valerie!" he exclaimed, and no matter how tired he was, he rushed down to check on her. They weren't the greatest of friends, but he'd be an absolute horrible example of a guy if he ignored the fact that she was in trouble. He didn't offer his help, though, because the Healer had also arrived, and it was probably best he tend to her anyway.