Ah yes. A duel meaning title!
Another fluffy af chapter with some spice peppered in because who I am as a writer. That is all I shall say.
Also, this will be the last chapter until March. I planned to keep on going but
A) The next chapter is a great cut point for a break
B ) It's the end of the month so I'm not breaking in the middle of one
C ) If I keep going I WILL crash and crash hard
D ) I want to draft some for the To the Far Reaches/ Fallen Not Forgotten
E ) I need to get back into writing to write, not writing to post
Plus
With this chapter, OtRaTtW will be 67527 words
The REVISED OtaGS was only 65,586 :' D
March, April, May, June, and the first week of July was how long it took for OtaGS
Back half of July, September, October, Nov, Dec, and the first two weeks in Jan was OtRaTtW up until Ch 22
I need a break dgkajdsbkjwdh
Hopefully though when I come back I can have a nice schedule of Friday uploads. In the mean time, I'll be occasionally posting things and such on ShadowsStoryStuff tumblr, although I will probably be taking a small break from tumblr too. Nevertheless, come say hi if you'd like!
I also have a tumblr RP account where you can ask Shadow questions about the boys/life on the Marauder/mission/ect! It's Shadow-Stalker99!
With that, onto the chapter!
Also, y'all I am SO sorry for the horrible pov shift breaks in the past few chapters. I keep forgetting hate my usual chapter break symbols sjqwgjfverfw
Content Warning: Sexual references (more intense than usual)
Hunter paced outside, growing more impatient by the minute. What was taking Tech so karking long?! What could he possibly be doing?
He swore at least thirty minutes had passed before the barn door finally opened and Tech walked out with his armor on.
Catching Hunter's eye, he frowned. "What? I hurried like you so adamantly insisted."
"Don't sass me," Hunter growled.
"Sass? I merely stated a fact. Three minutes and thirty five seconds was all it took."
What? No, had to be longer.
"You're awake, right?"
"Clearly," Tech retorted, crossing his arms. "Or I would not be talking to you. Also, what offer was Shadow referring to?"
"None of your business," Hunter barked.
"I rather think it is. Your decisions affect us all," Tech countered. "What did she propose to you?"
When you say it like that it sounds bad! "She... said she wouldn't mind me sleeping beside her."
Tech blinked. "Oh. That's all?"
"All? Tech I have a crush on this woman and it's reciprocated."
"Yes. And? She is just asking if you want to sleep beside her. She said she doesn't view it sexually. I personally would recommend it. She's warm and smells nice, and sleeping next to a person is good for building trust."
Go on, rub it in that you've cuddled her and I haven't! "How did you get her permission to cuddle her as you slept?" he demanded.
"I merely asked if I could and she said yes." Tech pondered for a moment. "She is quite bizarre."
That she was. But she was his bizarre little mountain guide. That made all the difference.
At least... she was mostly his. Wrecker shared a crush and after seeing Tech and her curled up with each other...
Hunter looked over his younger brother and accepted defeat. "I can see I'm not the only one with a crush on her."
Tech stiffened. "Crush? I do not have a crush! She... she merely... I just wish to get to know her more and be close to her and she makes me feel happy and..." He trailed off. "Oh those are the symptoms of a 'crush' aren't they..."
His brother's cluelessness could be downright adorable at times. "Yeah. But I think we all have a crush on her. She's quite a woman." Hunter couldn't help but chuckle despite his worn nerves. "She's even got Crosshair's attention. He won't admit it, but I'll eat my bucket if he doesn't have feelings for her."
"That's problematic," Tech stated. "It isn't going to be easy to say goodbye once this mission is over."
Hunter tugged uneasily on the hair at the back of his neck. "About that..."
Tech stared at him. "You aren't thinking of desertion are you?"
Only every day. But that's not what's on my mind now.
The current idea had been bouncing in his head since the night before and had only grown more appealing throughout the day. Especially after learning of Shadow's crush...
"Not us staying here..." Hunter faltered, took a deep breath, strengthened his voice, and confessed, "Her coming with us."
He braced for Tech's immediate rejection of such a proposal, but surprisingly Tech looked to be giving it serious thought. "Is that even possible?" the engineer finally asked. "There are no doubt regulations preventing such a thing. She's not a contracted officer commissioned by the GAR."
"It'd be unofficial as far as the suits are concerned." Hunter shrugged. "Not like we follow rules anyways."
Tech pondered that. "What about her sailor friends?"
Ah. Right. Should probably address that... "They... they won't come back."
Tech straightened in surprise. "What? How do you know? With the fondness in her tone whenever she speaks of them, they wouldn't just walk out of her life and never return. Shadow said they had to separate temporarily due to legal issues."
What? Oh, of course. Not only did I fall for a Realm Walker, it's a criminal Realm Walker.
Tech was still chattering. "-thus it's entirely improbable that they would never again return to see her again."
"Tech..." Hunter began slowly. "There is a very good chance those sailors are from a different reality."
"A different reality?" Tech demanded. "How would that even be possible?"
"Because Shadow is a Realm Walker."
Tech froze, eyes flying wide. "Realm Walker?!" he exclaimed, voice far too loud for Hunter's liking.
"Sshhh! Not so loud! She's got superhuman hearing!" Hunter hissed, frantically gesturing for Tech to lower his voice.
"Sorry, just..." Tech, for once, seemed at a loss for words. "Are you certain?"
"Enough to place a bet on it. Sarah thinks she is too. Think about it, Tech. She's showing many of the rumored signs. Spotty memory on some things, incredibly detailed knowledge of others even when she shouldn't know it, weird memory flashes, immense power levels, and there's that thing she's always mentioning. Plot Armor."
"But Realm Walkers aren't real!"
"Maybe. Maybe not. The longer we're in the galaxy away from Kamino the more things I question," Hunter said tiredly, running a hand through his loose hair.
"Should I ask her about it?" Tech chirped, immediately walking back towards the barn.
"No!" Hunter said quickly, pulling Tech back by the arm. "Not yet. Some are proud. Others skittish. They're a major advantage to any side they're on thanks to borderline prophetic abilities, so people often try to use them for selfish reasons which causes some to be wary. That's why they're so powerful too, so they can avoid exploitation."
Tech tipped his head to the side. "Isn't that your goal?"
"My desire to have her join us has nothing to do with her Realm Walker status," Hunter corrected. "Besides, you don't want to say goodbye any more than me and you and I both know Wrecker doesn't."
"But we're soldiers," Tech pointed out. "How would she keep up?"
"She's got a good background foundation to become a soldier. She just needs more training and she'd fit right in." He hadn't planned to just throw her into combat!
"What about her anxiety?"
An obstacle, but not one that couldn't be worn down over time. "It's more social than anything. She doesn't hesitate to play rough if she needs to." Hunter sighed. "And it was her idea for the sailors to hit her with a truck."
Tech's eyes widened again. "That... oh she's insane. I have a crush on a crazy dare devil..."
"We have a crush on a crazy dare devil," Hunter corrected. "But I won't ask her about it now. Nor will I ask her about Realm Walkers now. I just needed to get your opinion."
"My opinions are based on sound reasoning and scientific findings backed by extensive research," Tech huffed, stiffening.
"You know what I meant," Hunter groaned.
Tech still looked disgruntled but Hunter was already heading back inside.
"Switch with Crosshair when you finish," the sergeant called behind him before heading up the stairs once more.
Carefully slipping off what little armor he'd put on, Hunter stood uncertainty in the middle of the room.
Should he take her offer? Would that cause problems? Was it too soon? What if he wanted to cuddle and she said no? He couldn't think of why she wouldn't want to, but he just never could tell with that woman.
While her enigmatic personality could be intriguing and kept him on his toes, it could also result in a frustrating guessing game.
"Just going to stand there," Crosshair taunted, "Or will you grow a pair and take her offer?"
Real mature. "How did you hear her offer?"
"That voice of hers carries."
"It's a nice voice," Wrecker mumbled.
Crosshair huffed at his Batchmate's comment then stared at Hunter. "Well?"
Staring down his brother, Hunter finally made his decision and headed for Shadow's room. He crept inside and softly shut the door before setting his knife on the nightstand.
He paused, watching Shadow's side rise and fall as she slept and trying not to focus on the way the covers outlined her body. That was hardly his only attraction to her, but it was definitely there. Not that he would dare make a comment about her figure like Wrecker had yesterday...
Banishing those thoughts once more before it got too much to control, Hunter pondered his next move.
Should he? She had offered... and he did really want to sleep next to her...
Hardly daring to breathe, Hunter laid down on top of the covers as quietly as he could to avoid waking Shadow.
She muttered and shifted, but didn't comment.
A faint smile playing across his features, Hunter looked over at her. How did he manage to gain the approval of such a woman? How did he gain the affection of such a woman? He wished he could interact with her with Wrecker's ease, or snuggle up to her like Tech had.
Then again, if he got too close, the urge to sleep curled around her may overwhelm him. She probably wouldn't like that.
Then again she hadn't minded with Tech...
"Shaggs... I can feel ya lookin' at me," she chuckled.
"Just... feel lucky." Why did his words suddenly tangle themselves whenever he spoke to her? He wasn't this flustered before he confessed!
Get it together. You're acting like you've never talked to a woman.
Then again, he hadn't talked to a woman like Shadow. She was just so...
Unpredictable.
"Well feel lucky under the covers, I'm cold," she snorted, arm twisting around at an odd angle to poke him. "Tech took his warmth with him."
Pausing, Hunter took the offer and wiggled under, careful to keep a slight distance as he laid on his back.
Shadow, apparently, had other plans. "Ooo, warm boy," she chuckled, wriggling back into his arm, tail brushing his shin, before setting her head down again.
"May regret this in the morning, Ice." Because we will end up tangled together if you stay close to me.
"Problem for future me." She hesitated. "Certainly ain't gonna complain if I wake up in your arms."
His heart leapt as warmth flooded his chest. "So you're a romantic now?" he asked, trying to downplay the affection rising within him.
"I am many things. Chief among them an idiot."
He nudged her. "But an adorable idiot."
Test the waters. See how she'd respond to a bit of lighthearted flirting.
To his delight, she responded with that characteristic dryness he'd come to love, lightly kicking his shin. "Mister, I will kick you out of this bed with no remorse."
Hunter chuckled. "You wouldn't do that. You're cold, remember?"
"You really wanna play games, Sarge?" Shadow asked slowly, voice full of mischief. "You have no idea what I'll pull."
"I'm curious, Ice," he teased. What did she have planned?
"One more chance to back down, Shaggy..."
"You know we don't back down."
"Have it your way. Gonna regret this."
Hunter expected to be kicked off the bed, not pinned down to it. Staring up at glowing blue eyes, he swallowed against the razor sharp claws Shadow held to his throat. While she, thankfully, hadn't straddled him, the hand at his throat and on his chest holding him down weren't exactly weak and kept him pinned.
Sharp teeth flashed in the moonlight streaming through the window, bared in a smug yet sleepy grin. "Warned ya."
In one fluid motion, his blade lightly rested against her own throat.
He trusted her. Had a reciprocated crush on her even.
But he couldn't be too careful. Letting your guard down could get you killed.
Sleeping next to someone was a pretty large step as far as trust went. He just hoped this risk wouldn't end up with him bleeding out.
Shadow glanced down. "Always ready, huh?"
"Better safe than sorry."
The claws at his throat disappeared, much to Hunter's relief. "Got that right. Sleep with one eye open."
"Should hope I don't need to do that with you." While playful, his voice held a hint of warning. He didn't want her to think that just because they now knew feelings were reciprocated that she had free reign. There were still limits.
The seriousness in her next words reassured him. "Not at all. Even if we weren't crushin' on each other, or even on good terms, I'm not about to attack an armed and lethal commando while half asleep and while the commando's lethal brethren are just beyond that door. I'm smarter than that."
"You're smart, that's for sure," Hunter replied, setting the knife down. He'd made his point, no need to press the matter. Especially since she'd proven she knew when to back down.
He now fought down a smile as he gazed up at the woman hovering over him. Sheer willpower kept his hand from straying to her cheek. She looked amazing from this angle, eyes and hair catching the moonlight.
Keep it together. She can smell hormones, do not let your thoughts go crazy.
A smile returning to her face as the serious moment passed, Shadow chuckled. "Besides, I'm no prayin' mantis."
"What's that?"
"Predatory bug. The female eats her mate."
Hunter quickly forced his thoughts away as that last word sparked an inferno in his chest. "Glad you aren't one of those," he snorted.
"Shockin'." Shadow moved off him, but the moment she turned away Hunter quickly wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her down beside him.
"Dropped your guard," he growled in her ear, tightening his grip and further drawing her back to his chest. He crossed a knee over his groin just in case she pulled some trick. She was a dirty fighter after all, and while he loved that quality he'd rather not be on the receiving end of a crude strike below the belt. Getting brushed there would also not be helpful, but for a completely different reason.
It was a leap to grab her like this and pull her against him. A big leap. Would she react negatively? Or be playful?
He got the standard response.
Shadow flopped her weight onto him, provoking a grunt from Hunter as she pushed him onto his back and laid sideways across his chest.
This woman is heavier than she looks... In this form, she was nearly as big as he was. Adjusting his breathing as Shadow's weight bore down on him, he smiled. Playful, as always.
"Course my guard is low, I'm half asleep cause someone woke me up," she retorted before a yawn overtook her.
Hunter stifled a laugh at the squeak punctuating the end. "So you only talk a big game?" he teased. "Can't carry it through?"
"You ticklish, Sarge?" she asked mischievously, grinning at him.
Her voice gets higher pitched when she's playful... He hummed. "Are you?"
Ears twitched backwards as her heart rate jumped and her back muscles tensed against his chest. "Mmmm... I yield."
Hunter now knew exactly how to get the upper hand. But it was late, they both needed sleep. This battle would continue another day. "Surrender accepted."
"Good, now lemme go."
"How come Tech got to cuddle you?" he asked, only half joking.
"Cause he's adorable."
Ouch. "Thought you said I was apeallin'," he said, once again only half joking as he frowned.
"Maker, shut up!" Crosshair yelled.
A repressing wheezing came from Shadow as her body shook from laughter. "Angered the twig."
"We should get to sleep," Hunter said, resigned. He paused and squeezed ever so slightly with his arms, drawing her closer to him before he let her go. "But should you decide to wake up in my arms, I won't complain either."
Shadow laughed softly and rolled out of his grip to her spot. "If I wake up like that it's fine, but better not start like that this early on."
"But Tech could sleep tucked around you?" he asked, propping himself up on one elbow.
"He's not doin' it on a romantic level."
You really haven't noticed? "Are you sure?"
"Hell, man, let me sleep without worryin' about another crush to figure out," she said with mock exasperation.
Crosshair's angry rasp came through the door. "Yes, please shut up and let the rest of us get some shut eye."
Jealous bastard, Hunter thought.
All Cross had told him about when him and Shadow were alone was that they reached an understanding. A truce.
But Hunter wasn't blind.
He saw how Crosshair trusted Shadow to hold his helmet, which Hunter caught the sniper smelling after Shadow took her shirt out. He saw how Crosshair brushed past her after accidentally triggering a mild depressive or anxiety episode, making sure she was ok the same way he made sure Hunter was alright. He saw how the sniper had let Shadow into his personal space. He saw how he'd begun to tease her more, or at least show that signature smirk that counted as his smile. A smile that often appeared when Crosshair looked at Shadow while he thought no one was watching.
Crosshair had begun to fall for Shadow as well.
"Sorry, Twiggs!" Shadow called, receiving grumbling in return. Rolling her eyes, she wiggled down into the cover, wallowing out a small nest area of sorts. She then paused and hesitantly looked up at him. "Mind if I sleep against you? I can't... my brain stays on high alert otherwise."
I would not mind if you slept with your head on my chest. "Not at all, c'mere."
She twisted around and Hunter shifted so she could press her back against his. Bolts of electricity shot up his spine and throughout his body, but he forced the tension from his muscles.
Shadow's tail brushed his leg, the tip curling over his ankle. "Goodnight, Hunter. And thanks."
Hunter adjusted himself. "Goodnight, Shadow. You're welcome."
Shadow's tail curled tighter over his shin briefly before falling slack as she drifted back off.
At least he thought she had.
"Fuck it," she grumbled suddenly, shifting away from him. "Yolo."
Before Hunter could ask what she was doing or what 'Yolo' meant, Shadow grabbed his shoulder, pulled him onto his back, and tucked herself against his side with her head on his shoulder.
Hunter froze, not believing what was happening.
Was... was Shadow actually cuddling him? Was this really happening? The warmth and weight from her on his chest and shoulder certainly felt real, knocking all of his senses out of alignment, but maybe he was just having a very vivid dream.
When he didn't respond, Shadow grew tense. "Sorry," she muttered, shifting away.
Hunter's arm quickly encircled her back and pulled her to him. "No, you can stay," he said quickly. "Just... didn't know if I was dreaming."
"Dreamy, maybe," Shadow mumbled, tail twitching furiously against his leg after the remark. "Oof, that was so damn mushy..." she groaned, covering her face with a hand.
"No, no. It's alright," he chuckled uncertainly, not sure how to respond to the compliment. "Was just wondering if I fell asleep- youch!"
Shadow snickered as she let go of his arm from where she'd pinched him. "Wanted to know if you were awake?"
Hunter locked his arm around her and held her tightly against him. "I know your weakness, remember," he warned, taking a risk and poking her nose.
Shadow playfully snapped her teeth at his finger. "Tickle me and no more cuddles."
Well that wouldn't do.
"Fine," Hunter relented, relaxing.
Shadow snickered, sounding very much like a wheezy jackal, before snuggling against him. Her legs shifted away, but her upper half remained close. "Ya make a good pillow, Sarge," she mumbled. "Kinda squishy but firm. Strong boy."
He couldn't help but smile as her head briefly pressed against his cheek. "You're welcome, Ice," he replied, leaning his head against hers for a moment as he breathed in deeply. Her in his arms just... right. It felt so right.
Despite taking a shower, she still smelled like leaf litter and pine sap. A calming, soothing scent to him, especially combined with the woodsmoke smell she always had. While on the trail she'd mentioned to Tech that each Alphian clan had a certain scent, and without the interference of other smells he could definitely see what she meant.
Closer. He wanted her closer, a need driven not by sexual desire but an unyielding surge of affection setting his entire body on fire. Cautiously taking her arm, first making sure she didn't mind, he pulled it across his chest.
Shadow hugged him with the one arm before sighing, a purr buried within the sound, and falling still against him.
"Good night." He paused and let his thumb stroke her back. "Cyar'ika."
"My heart ain't sweet," she mumbled, only half coherent now. Her breath tickled his neck, sending a chill racing down his spine. "It's a black hole in the pit of despair."
"Sure, Icy. Sure," he chuckled, receiving a poke in the ribs.
Shadow hesitated, took a breath, then ventured, "This isn't gonna cause... problems for you is it? I know a guy's third leg has a mind of its own."
Shadow please don't turn my thoughts there. Also did you just refer to my dick as a third leg?
"I'll be fine."
"M'kay, just push me away if it starts to bother you."
Hunter had no such intentions. If there was one thing he prided himself over, it was his internal control. Since Shadow wasn't doing anything to explicitly cause trouble for him, he was sure he could keep himself in check.
"Don't worry about it, alright?" he whispered.
"Say no more," she snorted before she dozed off. "Sorry in advance if I start twitchin', I'm told I fight in my sleep."
"I'm excellent at subduing opponents."
Shadow chuckled, already half asleep. "Boy careful what you say or I'm gonna be the one having trouble," she murmured.
Hunter made a mental note of that information and quickly filed it away for later before he dwelled on it too much.
Smiling again to himself, the feel of Shadow sleeping against him gave him the sensation of floating.
The war was far away. His brothers were safe. His responsibilities would not return until morning. All that currently mattered was here, now, and the woman sleeping on his chest.
Hunter closed his eyes and drifted off as well, feeling happier than he had in a long time.
If this was civilian life, he couldn't wait to get out.