Work Text:
“Why do you do that?” Wifies' voice broke the amicable silence that fell between them as he and Parrot packed up their temporary campsite.
“Do what?” The bedroll Parrot was currently rolling had started to get spots of mildew where it had rested against some particularly damp ground the night previous. A simple mistake but one that Parrot should have seen.
Simple mistakes could cost them more than just a few gold or an extra bedroll if he wasn't careful.
“You rush into danger.” His companion answered, “You always do, without a single care for your own life.”
“I care about my life,” Parrot argued, “of course I do. I care about my life, I care about your life, I care about everyone's life.”
“Then why throw yourself in harm's way?” Wifies sighed, his dark boots came into Parrot's vision as he offered a hand to help the other man stand. “I'm not trying to argue with you here Parrot, I just don't understand.”
“Mmm.” The soft glow of the morning sun crept in on their clearing. “We should keep heading West, a few days maybe before we hit another town.”
“Parrot.”
“What?” The god turned to see his friend staring at him blankly, expectantly. “I don't know Wifies. It's something I've noticed over the years, when an animal is put in a perilous situation they either attack or they run, offensive or defensive, fight or flight.”
“But we aren't fighting animals out here.” Wifies tone shifted, “a meteor could fall out of the sky at any moment and you would try to step in front of it.”
“Oh,” Parrot glanced towards the calm blue sky, the dotting of fluffy white clouds hundreds of miles away. “Do you see any meteors?”
Wifies laughed, it was nice to still see it, even now traveling so far from any kind of familiarity, that Wifies could still laugh, that he didn't regret joining him.
Though, his eyes when they returned to Parrot remained distant. “You know what I mean though. Why would you choose to fight in that situation? It seems illogical.”
“Hmm…” Parrot hummed, “It just seems kind of selfish doesn't it? To run is to put everyone around you at risk.”
“How is that selfish? You're protecting yourself. It isn't selfish to trust others to do the same.” Wifies grimaced, “you win 100% of the battles you don't fight.”
“But how can I trust everyone else to save themselves? What happens if I'm the one to go and someone else stays behind?” he asked “If I can help even one person-”
“But that's just it, Parrot. You aren't just one person.” Parrot's mouth clicked shut at the interruption, “you're a god. Your existence alone can save hundreds of people's lives. You can't keep putting yourself at risk when your life is the entire reason we're going on this quest in the first place.”
With their last provisions safely packed up and stored away Parrot and Wifies resumed their traveling. With the rising sun planted firmly behind them as roots and vines crunched under their feet.
Sometimes Parrot forgot that it was just as important to treasure these small moments. The quiet hours between dawn and dusk where nothing happened at all.
“You aren't one to talk though.” Parrot said after they had walked long enough that the sun creeped its way over the trees.
“What?” Wifies asked.
“If there was a situation where I was the one in danger.” Parrot turned to look at the other man but Wifies was staring straight ahead. His mouth was tugged into a firm line. “You're telling me you wouldn't try to put yourself in danger to save me?”
“Of course I would.” Wifies responded without hesitation. “I would sacrifice the world to keep you safe.”
“Then you can't begrudge me for doing the same.” Parrot's tone was firm.
“You can't expect me to sit idly by while you risk your life.” Wifies argued.
“I'm not.” Parrot reassured, Wifies looked away from the horizon to meet Parrot's gaze head on. “I don't expect anything from you, but if you want to protect me so badly you can do so with me. There's always going to be a spot by my side for you Wifies. Whenever you want to take it.”
“Just-” Wifies sighed, a long drawn out sound. He raised one of his hands, it hovered uselessly in the space between them. “I obviously can't change your mind. But don't make it a habit okay? You're more important than anything else.”
“Mmmm,” ahead Parrot could see the start of a dirt path, they must have been closer to a settlement than he had realized. “Agree to disagree then.”
“You know what?” Wifies' hand dropped to rest listlessly back by his side. “Sure.”
Parrot felt his mouth twitch into a smile, and thankfully Wifies returned it. Albeit reluctantly.
“I think we're near the border to the badlands, hopefully soon we can get out of these jungles.” He noted, “and maybe find an actual bed to sleep in for a bit.”
Wifies did smile at that, much more genuinely, “lead the way.”