You groaned softly, sitting defeated on the damp ground, eyeing your broken tent support like it had personally wronged you. Around you, the others were busy assembling their shelters with ease, their laughter filling the crisp air. Next to you, Carlos was finishing up his tent, his movements smooth and practiced — of course he made it look effortless.

“Crap!” you muttered under your breath, the frustration evident as you threw the offending piece of the tent aside. Crossing your arms, you sighed heavily, resigning yourself to the thought of sleeping under the stars with no cover at all.

Carlos glanced your way, his lips twitching with the hint of a smile as he zipped up the final flap of his tent. “Want help with that?” he asked casually, his tone warm but teasing as he crouched next to you, already inspecting the problem before you could answer. His presence felt reassuring, as if he had been waiting for an excuse to step in.