Chapter Text
Suddenly he started running, heavy boots crunching against the twigs underneath, leaves flew past due to the strong momentum. A sturdy gun slung heavily on his back, pounding impatiently behind him as he sprinted through the wind. His chest heaved, begging for him to stop. But he refused, he couldn’t afford to stop.
The task was simple, the burly, bearded bloke instructed. Aim at the target and pull the trigger. Then you’d get your reward, tenfold this single bullet cost. He had nodded half heartedly, knowing that whatever the task was, he would commit, no matter how dangerous or obscure, he needed the money.
Not so much now, face to face in front of the quest- a one that would cost his life. A cold shiver sent down his spine. Just keep your eyes on the price, he insisted to himself. Dashing into the gloomy forest where every tree huddled together to touch the sky like a labyrinth. The only sound other than the ominous silence heard was his unsteadily breathing, echo bouncing off each trunk, making himself an easy target (which was the literal opposite of his one job, how ironic). Well aware that a bloodcurdling creature was right behind him ready to pounce any second now. This is the end. He swallowed the tight lump in his throat.
Bracing himself for the bloodshed, he prayed helplessly. A mere rookie hunter, endeavoured to persist in this dreadful world, his naivety betrayed him. A word of convince, a slight push, or perhaps a shove from people that did not matter, he’d put himself on thin ice. Dreaming that it would make him happy: wealth, silly dignity, pride... It didn’t, he was miserable, with the burden of the debts these came with. The price of forging the perfect life he wished for, forlorn. And if, if life has nothing more to offer him now, then sayonara world, it had been truly awful.
He halted, closed his eyes and waited, every single atom in his body trembling.
But he waited.
The impact never came, the agony never landed. Strange.
The sense of something lurking from behind was gone.
His eyes fluttered open out of fear, which was immediately replaced by a surge of butterflies in his stomach. In front of him, stood the most beautiful, nay, irresistibly charming beast he had ever laid eyes on (it’s not like he had ever laid eyes on one before but-). At least seven foot tall, big nose, fascinating ears, smooth pale green skin that was reflecting the only light source in the seeming utter darkness. He was a hefty guy, easily intimidating the hunter, except he didn’t, instead, the mere notion of witnessing such beauty made him swoon.
“Hi.” He purred (accidentally, but can you blame him though). The creature gave him a signature wave. He felt himself blushing, this beast, this SEXY beast just saved his life from whatever that was tracking him down like a prey. He couldn’t care less how his pompous hunter conscience was screaming at him to do better and stop acting like a damsel in distress.
“Shrek.” the creature announced himself. He gulped, God was he aroused. He stepped forward like the impulsive human being he was, closing their distance. Shrek gave a warm smile, wordlessly asking for consent and the human thought that was gorgeous, making Shrek even more sexy. His stomach did a backflip and without further ado, a pillow-y pair of lips crashed against his own. He responded gracefully with volition, sighing into the kiss with contentment. He snaked his hands up to caress Shrek’s silky skin, fingertips dragging themselves along his forearm.
Shrek never felt something like- being adored, or relishing on intimate contact like now before altogether. All his life in the swamp, he enjoyed it but found it somehow meaningless, apathy towards life soon found its way to creep in. Until now, he felt alive. The rebirth of his heart captured by this puny man. But he wanted nothing more than to know him, touch him and spend all the time in the world that he had with him.
Soon, a pair of enormous hands engulfed the hunter’s waist. He felt himself flushing from head to toe.
'Wise men say, only fools rush in'
He knew it was stupid to think so nobly of love at first sight. But at that very moment he couldn’t think of any alternate way that he would not fall in love with Shrek.
It was the serendipity that ceased his way to fortune, yet healed his soul, prevented him from rock-bottom, rescued him from self-destruction.
His knees buckled at the thought of it, dizzy at how a few minutes ago he was ready to end it all . The sudden fatigue from running and hunting restlessly retaliated all at once.
With his mouth still on Shrek’s, he found himself staring into those soft brown orbs, seeking for help while Shrek all but held a worried glance. Lovely, he was ready for the humiliation of being manhandled (not quite a fierce hunter now, eh?) only to be greeted by Shrek slowly and gently scooping him up. Carrying him off to the night in bridal-style. All thoughts left his body, he felt like floating in paradise, light as a feather, drunk and giddy.
Shrek smiled down at him, satisfied. And in the strong arms of the beast, together they left the wondrous night to the trees. Into whatever the future beyond them held.
Later, he would realise that he could afford all the money thrown into the sea as long as he had Shrek. A little more later, he would recall it being unexpected, but as he traced back, he could imagine a thousand ways to meet Shrek, but he’d still fall in love with him every single time.
He could not have it in a more fabulous way.