Chapter Text
It never stopped unsettling him. Gerik and his massive sword made him feel small, weak, and vulnerable despite the more than fair number of men much like him he'd run through with a blade. Man or monster, his size was merely a piece of the mangled puzzle Joshua had when it came to working with other mercenaries. Most hand him some coins and promise more if he kills a certain number of men. No one got close.
Not since Caellach.
Tiger Eye.
Desert Tiger.
Both made his skin crawl when he sat down and thought about it. It wasn't fair, but Joshua doesn't think that he'd fault him. If anyone would understand, it'd be Gerik. That's what he tells himself, over and over, as they get closer and begin to share stories and drinks by the fire. When the warm hues of the flame cast themselves onto him, though, Joshua's heart pounds away in his chest. Red, short hair, an overconfident attitude, and built like a human fortress. He offers Joshua his flask but he makes an excuse, scurrying away from the echo of familiarity.
If he take hold of the reins, perhaps, but never as equals.
Never like Caellach.