Work Text:
The sun was getting lower in the sky when everyone else was starting to turn in. Shulk was left tending to the low rising fire, making sure it would go out by the time he left it. He got lost in thought staring into the embers, ignoring the approaching footsteps from behind him.
Hearing a sudden twig snap, Shulk suddenly stood up, guard on high alert. He reached for his weapon only to remember he hadn't brought it with him when everyone got called for dinner.
A cold chill ran down his spine as he took a breath in, trying to calm his nerves at the potential threat behind him.
“Woah, mate! No need to brandish the sword!”
Oh. He knew that voice, it was a little weird hearing how deep it had gotten from before they met, but he knew it all the same.
“Rex…I’m terribly sorry, I–” Turning around, he began apologizing.
“Nah, think nothin’ of it. I know how it is.” Rex offered him a gentle smile.
Shulk returned it, shaking his head, “No I didn’t mean it that way,” He took a deep breath and sat down, gesturing to Rex that he should sit as well. Rex took his seat right by him, he could feel the warmth radiating off of him.
Shulk continued, “It’s just, I trust you enough to not act like that around you, I’m sorry.” He lowered his head a bit in apology.
“C’mon, man, it’s really nothing, you were just thinking of…other things, yeah?” Rex shrugged, still smiling.
Shulk breathed out a sigh, “Yes…yes you could say that.”
Both of their gazes went to the dying embers. Shulk still felt a little guilty about it, getting startled by someone he trusted.
Especially after he had realized Rex always stands to Shulk’s left, where he would be in Rex’s blind spot. Rex trusted him enough to cover for him always, but here he went getting spooked by a twig snapping.
Shulk felt something jostle his shoulder, “Aye, I bet you're thinking of some unnecessary stuff right now.”
The blond man chuckled, “Perhaps.”
Rex pouted, “Come, the fire’s out now, we should rest.”
Rex got up from his seat and offered his hand, Shulk stared at it a bit, lingering negative thoughts on his mind, but took his hand readily, “Yes, let's.”