I'm Not Lonely
Sometimes it got lonely on watch-duty. For hours on end Longshot would sit high up in the trees, staring out into the forest. The best part about being on watch was the return back to the tree houses. Whenever he'd walk back into his hut, it wasn't long until Smellerbee also came bounding through the entrance. Usually she would sit on his hammock and complain about whatever was on her mind, but sometimes she would have a funny story or a new joke to tell him. No matter what it was she had to say, Longshot always enjoyed just listening in silence as her gravelly voice floated through the air.
On this hot Monday afternoon, Longshot was on a particularly long shift. His back was aching from sitting up against the trunk of the tree was situated in for so long, and his arms were stiff from clutching his loaded bow. As he wiped a bead of sweat off his brow and adjusted his wide-brimmed straw hat slightly, so that it was shielding his eyes better form the bright sun, Longshot noticed a flash of blue and brown through the treetops. He allowed himself a small smile as Smellerbee landed on the same branch as him.
"OK, I know I've been saying this a lot lately, but The Duke is just too young!" Smellerbee complained. She huffed in annoyance and swung her legs on either side of the branch so that she was facing him.
Longshot nodded his head, signaling for her to continue.
"I mean, the kid still laughs at fart jokes for Spirits' sake! Besides, other than annoying me and getting hog-money-back-rides from the occasional Firenation soldier, what else does he do?!"
Although Smellerbee complained about The Duke frequently, Longshot knew that it was really because she cared about him and wanted to protect him. Despite her best efforts to act masculine, Smellerbee did have a maternal instinct that drove her to want to look after the younger Freedom Fighters, well younger than herself in any case.
For a few minutes Smellerbee just sat and complained about other members of the Freedom Fighters. After she had vented all her frustration, she paused and then looked at him with a small apologetic smile.
"Sorry about all that, you're always so good just listening," she said, shrugging slightly.
Longshot nodded, a smile in his eyes. At least I'm not lonely anymore.