Work Text:
“Do you have any idea how reckless that was?!”
“Yeah, you’ve been lecturing me for like, twenty minutes! I think I get it!”
“You’re not acting like it.”
“Because it’s bullshit and you know it! I thought it through, I made it work, I
know what I was doing!”
Warriors bit back a groan as Wind glared at him in defiance. He didn’t know how Wind couldn’t see how his actions could have resulted in even more casualties.
“What were you thinking?!” Warriors couldn’t help how his voice raised. “Using a paraglider you’ve never flown before and dropping bombs? It’s a miracle you didn’t get blown up with the rest of those monsters!”
“It worked, didn’t it?!”
“You nearly fell- you did fall! You lost your grip! You could have died- you almost died!”
“But I didn’t! I fucking did it, and we’re fine!”
“It is a goddess-damned miracle you are standing here right now!”
Wind scowled. “Well, I am! And this doesn’t take away from the fact I’ve had two adventures, which is more than you have, so I’d fucking appreciate it if you could stop acting like you know so much better than me!”
Warriors clenched his jaw, trying his best to push down the boiling anger deep within his chest. Every breath felt measured, every action feeling sharp and tense as he raised a hand to his face, pressing the bridge of his nose as he exhaled-
Out of the very corner of his peripheral, he saw the moment that Wind flinched away from him, his arms twitching as though to shield himself and the scowl wiped from his face, replaced by a look of instinctual terror. Warriors froze, as did Wind.
Wind was scared. He could tell the sailor was trying to hide it, but he could see it so clearly; Wind was scared of him.
Warriors took a breath, lowering his hand once more and closing his eyes for a brief moment. Any rage from the day’s arguments and battles was forgotten as he simply breathed.
“…That wasn’t- anything,” Wind tried lamely after a beat too long of silence. “It’s fine, captain, I’m- I’m fine.” Wind’s hands came up to his chest, playing with the joy pendant wrapped around his neck.
“Sailor, it’s important to me that you know that I would never lay a hand on you,” Warriors said, firmly. “Never.”
Wind nodded. “I know. I promise, I- I believe you.”
“Do you?” Warriors asked gently.
“…I want to.”
“I know. It’s okay - it’s… easier said than done sometimes. To believe people when they say things like that. But I do mean it, with my whole heart. And I want to prove it to you.”
“I- I know, I- I promise it’s not because I don’t trust you. I…”
“Sailor- Sailor, it’s okay. You’re okay. I’m not upset.”
Wind opened his mouth for a second, like he wanted to say more. Then he closed it, frowning.
“My… It's not… you, it’s just- my… my…”
“You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to,” Warriors said softly. If Wind truly wanted to tell him where this came from, Warriors would be glad to hold that space. He just didn’t want it to come from a place of self-preservation. “You owe me no explanation.”
Wind opened his mouth again, but closed it, shaking his head. “…Not now,” he said quietly, looking at Warriors. The captain could see the disbelief in his eyes - Wind was many things, and an open book was one of them. Wind didn’t think Warriors meant it.
“Okay,” Warriors nodded. “We can talk about this later, if you’d like. For now… what would you say about heading back to camp? The cook should be finishing dinner soon. Besides, if we take much longer Wolfie will come looking for us.”
For a moment, Wind didn’t move. Then the boy reached out a hand, slow and tentative, towards Warriors’ own hand. With a smile, Warriors took Wind’s hand in his own, squeezing gently.
They could talk about it when Wind was ready. For now, Warriors was more concerned about getting back to camp and getting a warm meal in both of their systems.