Work Text:
Shin picked up one of the many large crates from the floor and watched her step as she walked past the dead aliens scattered across the soil. As she makes her way out of the destroyed hut, she paces towards the opened spaceship and sets the crate loaded with weapons next to the rest of them.
Some were filled with guns as well, and some with other supplies. Shin walks down the ramp of the ship and finally takes a look at the night sky, after not paying much attention to it. It was the first time they'd been to this planet, hence the reason why they found loads of loot untouched.
But also for other reasons as well.
For the past week, they've been raiding alien bases, headquarters, and small huts like these. They had no mercy on these creatures, they slaughtered so many of their allies, and a few were aliens as well, just for the hell of it.
Warning after warning through technology, they didn't quit their rampage. So it was time to show up in person and end this.
Which they have been successful in doing. The planet seemed to be less chaotic every passing day and today stood the one that made a noticeable difference. Usually when they're done exterminating the aliens that started this bloodshed, they get a scan on their database notifying them that more will be arriving soon or a heard of what happened.
Tonight, there was nothing. Maybe for just now but it looked like for the rest of the night, until morning, there was no one coming. They were barely able to get enough sleep during this whole mission due to being attacked over and over again the entire night. It was nearly impossible to sleep without getting killed.
The drowsiness was creeping up on Shin as her eyes rested on the warm colors of the sky. It was a mixture of dark purple and red-orange, with black-blue being the first and main layer of it. The round moon was sliver and light sparks bloomed from it.
It was a breath-taking slight. The soreness and hurt Shin was feeling from all their battles throughout the days started to be forgotten. It was all still there but her brain ignored the feeling for a moment and took in the beauty of the atmosphere as a replacement.
Shin’s eyes wandered below the moon and to the surface. Her gaze stopped on something far more breathtaking that always gave her a feeling of warmth.
There she was, Sabine Wren, staring up at the moon as she sat on the grass. Her right arm was injured during their recent battle and tried to help the others load up the crates but they didn’t let her. After an excessive amount of convincing, she decided to take a break.
Shin stood there for a minute, building up the courage to walk over to the girl and talk to her. She took a shaky inhale and a long exhale before making her way towards Sabine. She stopped a few steps away on Sabine’s right side and looked down at her.
“Hey…”
Sabine’s stare leaves the moon and goes up to Shin.
“Hey.”
The two stare at each other for a few seconds but for Shin, it feels like eternity.
“Come on, sit down for a bit.” She pats the grass next to her, signaling the blonde.
She hesitated for a moment but eventually sat down next to Sabine. Shin nervously plays the grass in her hands and quietly rips out a few. She turns her head to see Sabine looking back at the sky again. Even with her suit beaten up, it still looked colorful and bright.
Sabine’s armor was originally just purple but she decided to add her touch to it. There were red and gray stripes on both sides of her helmet and two white ones on the top. There were two blue dots, one on her right, and the other on the left. They sat above where she could see through the tinted glass of her helmet.
Her chest plate had a strip of orange with red strips on both sides of it and a gray one but with white lines on each side. The thighs were just purple and her right calve had small red and orange splashes on it.
Without realizing she was staring for so long, Sabine notices and turns to look back at her.
She speaks with reassurance, “I’m okay, don’t worry.”
Shin feels the blush on her cheeks from getting caught and knows she looks like a flustered mess right now. Good thing her helmet hides it. She just had to hope and pray that her body language wasn't betraying her.
“A-Are you sure?” The blonde felt like punching herself after hearing her stutter.
“Yeah, I’m sure.”
She didn’t say anything, she just kept staring at Sabine with suspicion. Even though the short girl couldn't see Shin’s face, she could sense she was still worried about her. An image of Shin’s worried face appears in Sabine’s mind effortlessly, which makes her chuckle.
Those puppy eyes get me all the time.
“I promise, I'm okay, Shin.” She tells her trying to sound like there was nothing wrong, which honestly, there really wasn't.
Shin gradually nods and looks away before she does or says anything stupid. With how fast her heart is racing, she can't even think straight. After regaining her composure, she moves her hands away from the grass and rubs her forearm sheepishly.
“I..got you something that might cheer you up a bit.” If Sabine wasn't sitting next to her, she probably wouldn't have heard her.
Sabine rocks side to side in excitement and leans in closer to Shin. “Oh my gosh, what is it?!”
In every mission, Shin always tried to find or make something she knew Sabine would love. She made sure to remember and pay close attention to what the other girl liked and what she didn't like.
Shin’s cheeks turn pink seeing Sabine’s excitement and hoping she doesn't disappoint with her gift. She opens a miniature department in her suit’s forearm that's used for carrying medical supplies or somewhere to place a secondary weapon.
In this case, Shin put a candy bar in there. But it wasn't just any candy bar, it was Sabine’s favorite candy bar. It also happens to be a rare and difficult treat to come across by. She took it out and closed the department.
Before she could hand it to Sabine, she was already pulling her into a hug with her unharmed arm.
A soft smile was put on Shin’s lips as she returned the hug with both her arms. Sabine lets her go and stares at the treat in Shin’s hand, almost not believing her own eyes.
“How the hell did you find one of those?!”
Shin laughed at the girl and shrugged. “I have my ways.”
Sabine took off her helmet with one hand and placed it down on the grass. Her hair was messy, but it still looked darn good. The way her brown eyes had a shade of gold when the moonlight hit them made Shin want to get lost in them. That smile on Sabine’s lips made her swallow thickly and sweat.
Shin would proudly die for Sabine’s smile.
“Mhm, you sure do.” The short girl chirps and grabs the chocolate bar from Shin’s hand.
Sabine’s hand barely brushed against hers but it was enough to make Shin blush.
She watches the brown-eyed girl unwrap the sweet treat eagerly and her soft smile widens at the sight.
“Also, how did you know these were my favorite?” Sabine cocks her head at her curiously.
Cute…..
Shin hums nonchalantly, “Must’ve been a good guess.”
The short girl's eyes narrow with a smirk and chuckles. “Hm, I don't know. You've gotten your guesses right every time.”
Shin fidgets with her fingers and turns her head away, embarrassed that Sabine is starting to catch onto her. She clears her throat before talking because she knows if she doesn't her voice will probably crack under pressure.
“Could be a coincidence?” The taller girl lies terribly.
“Maybe…But, I really do enjoy it, everything you give me. All of it has so much thought and care into it, don’t think it goes unnoticed. You truly understand me. To the small things and deeper things, you get me..so well.”
Shin feels her heart flutter and her mind starts to race too fast for her to keep up with. She looks at Sabine, speechless of what to say next. The only way she wants to respond to that is to pull her into a kiss…But, Shin can’t do that. She wouldn't. Sabine didn't feel the same.
Doing that would just ruin their friendship.
Sabine…I..
“I…”
I love you.
“It’s the least I can do. After what you've done for me, I can’t thank you enough for that. You were there when no one else was. I don't know where I would've been if it weren't for you, Sabine…”
It’s been a little over two years since they’ve known each other. The blonde didn't know when she started to develop feelings for her close friend but it took her several months to acknowledge them. A little more after that to stop denying those feelings.
Tonight was the first night Shin ever told those words to Sabine, to anyone in a romantic way. Even if it was said in her head, it still stunned her. But, it felt so right to say, and that scared her. She knew she was loving hard and it was too late to stop, not like her heart would listen if Shin used all her strength to do so.
This time it was Sabine’s turn to be speechless. She just stared back in awe at Shin and her face softened. It looked like Sabine was blushing too. Maybe her mind was playing tricks on her.
After all, it's been a rough week with short hours of sleep.
Shin snapped back into reality and saw that Sabine was just smiling at her, nothing more. What she saw was all in her head. An illusion that she always fell for, not because it looked so real, but because Shin desperately wished it actually was. That maybe this time, it wasn't an illusion created in her mind.
She would do anything for Sabine to look at her and only her that way. Maybe one day Sabine will. Not today though.
“I would do it all over again, because, kriff, I wouldn't have you right now. You’re the only close friend I have and honestly, the only one I need…I wouldn't have it any other way.”
Being considered Sabine’s close friend was enough for Shin. The hurt was still there. But, if only being friends made Sabine this happy, that's all Shin cared about. No matter how strong her feelings were, she wouldn't dare to ruin the captivating platonic bond they shared.
“Yeah, me too…Even if you can be a handful sometimes.” Shin teases with a smirk.
Sabine shakes her head with a chuckle, “Says you…”
She breaks the candy bar in half and hands the bigger piece to the blonde. “Here, take it.”
Shin puts her hand up, declining the offer, “I’m good.”
“Aw, come on, I want you to try it, please?” Sabine gives her a look she knows Shin can’t say no to.
She acts like she’s thinking about it for a moment before giving in with a sigh. “Okay, I'll give it a try.”
Shin takes off her helmet with both hands and sees Sabine already beaming with excitement to see her eat the treat. A giggle comes out of the older girl, probably because Shin’s hair was a mess and all over the place.
She takes the piece of chocolate from the shorter woman and inspects it, a little too long for Sabine’s liking.
“Hati, eat it before I feed it to you.” She warns teasingly.
The thought of Sabine feeding her makes Shin smile like an idiot, which makes the other woman raise a brow suspiciously at the reaction. That immediately takes the smile off her lips, not wanting Sabine to catch onto her.
Way too close…I really need to stop being so obvious.
She takes a bite of the treat and chews on it with Sabine staring the entire time. When there's nothing left to chew on, Shin says, with a plain expression and a shrug “Not bad.”
This reply makes Sabine roll her eyes and scoff. “Not bad, huh? Well, gimme the rest if you don't like it.” She tries to grab the piece in Shin’s hand but she moves her hand away before Sabine can grab it.
“Woah, hey, hey, I didn't say I didn't like it.” Shin laughs as she takes another bite, this time a bigger one.
Sabine laughs along with her. “That's what I thought, I knew you loved it.” The girl takes a bite of her own and smiles at the sweet taste.
The two girls enjoy the snack and take in the moment with silence, appreciating each other's presence as they admire the sky view. After some minutes, Sabine starts to feel drowsy from how relaxing and peaceful the night is. No more chaos, blasting noises, fear of getting attacked at any moment, and having the feeling to defend and fight.
None of that was there.
It was just the calm glow the moon and stars had to offer and Shin. A night like this was rare, especially on a mission. Letting your guard down was the last thing you should do, but that's exactly what Sabine was doing. She moved closer to Shin and rested her head on the taller girl’s shoulder.
A comfortable sigh comes out at the connection and Sabine weakly says “I’m tired,” before taking Shin’s arm to hold close using her only good arm.
Strain from the mission leaves Shin’s body as she eases into the touch and naturally nestles her face in Sabine’s hair. “We’ll go home soon.” The blonde whispers, feeling her eyes start to get heavy.