The sun shone down on their backs, the light bouncing off the metal paks. Purple no longer walked behind Red but beside him. They had come to the conclusion that it would be less likely that either of them would be taken off guard this way.
For quite a long time the only break in the comfortable silence was the sound of boots crunching soil, rocks, foliage and their respective breathing. Every now and then Red would make the odd remark about a certain plant or a landmark that could be useful later. Purple would mentally catalog it and then it was quiet again.
But even with the foreign planet as a distraction, the violet eyed irken found it rather difficult to stay focused on just the land. The only spot of color being Red's eyes and uniform, it was only natural that his gaze would stray to him once or twice.
There was something rare about the way he stood and walked. Chin held high like any solider that Purple had ever seen, but instead of the cold, calculating scan they also normally sported, Red's eyes danced about, taking in everything he saw with a passion burning in the ruby depths.
It was kind of fascinating. Purple mentally growled when he once again caught himself looking at the other male. It was just—Red was just so—He crossed his arms, forcing his thought on the path ahead.
"So…I've never seen anyone do that before." Unsurprisingly it was the Captain who broke the silence again, never looking at his partner, teeth chewing at the inside of his lip as he said what he'd been thinking since Purple had jumped off that cliff.
Non-existent eyebrows furrowed with confusion before they smoothed over, comprehension lighting his face. "Oh. You mean the jumping—"
"Off the cliff thing, yes." Red interrupted, finishing the other's sentence. Purple uncrossed his arms, looking out of the corner of his eye at the Red.
"I was in Grade i9 when a bunch of upper class morons cornered me on the far side of the Academy's trench in the C-wing. I had two options; jump or get beaten so bad I wouldn't be able to walk the next rotation." He said casually. "I jumped."
Red fought the urge to whistle in amazement. He was familiar with the area that his comrade was speaking of. It was a very high up, very steep, very scary part of the Academy that only hooligans and drop outs went to prove themselves brave. Many had smashed their Pak's in trying to do stupid stuff like that.
"Grade i9? Wow. Still practically a smeet. And you just jumped? How do you land so—"What was the word? "Gracefully?" Was that it? From the surprised but pleased look on the other's face he would just assume it was. Red glowered when a rather large Swami-Swan flew up, startled by their approach, honking obnoxiously before it flew away.
Purple balked at the large bird like creature, pressing closer to the other Irken, which felt unnaturally nice. He shook off the thought as he did so often these days. "I know my math. I can measure the angle of trajectory required for such a jump and how much I need to position my feet. It did hurt a bit though, jumping off the ledge of the Academy because I didn't get a good running start." He shrugged, like it was no big deal.
Distinctly, he remembered a shattered knee and a good old fashioned concussion. He'd gone to class anyway the next day.
"T-that's amazing." Red blinked, thinking about how much concentration it would take to do what Purple had done at such a young age. Perhaps when they got out of this he would get Purple to be on his army.
They walked for many more hours, talking about rather simple things to find that they had quite bit in common even if there was also much they didn't agree on. In example, they both agreed that the latest Tallest wasn't doing all that could be done in conquering the planets surrounding the Empire. With the expanding Empire they needed more room to grow.
They both liked sweets, particularly doughnuts, even if Red preferred the cream filled ones to sprinkle. They also disagreed about what was best to have at parties; smoke machines or lasers? It was a rather brutal argument, filled with light shoving and good natured ribbing.
When the stars covered the sky, Red deemed the place they stood as a acceptable resting spot. Purple quickly dug up some sort of fruit, although they both were reluctant to eat it, they tried it and found it sickeningly sweet which was fine by them. Stomachs full, they laid back on the ground to look up at the stars and Red pointed out several constellations.
Astronomy had been his best subject in the Academy aside from combat strategy. Purple tilted his head to the side, squinting to see what the other had pointed out. "I dunno. Looks kind of like an Ukril's rear end." Ukrils were horrifyingly grotesque creatures with furry bodies, and heads like bees. Their rear ends were certainly not very pretty.
"Pur! That is—Your—it's a historical constellation made out to be one of the most beautiful in this galaxy! How can you say that?" As soon as his brain could catch up to what he'd said, Red winced at the nickname. It had slipped out as if he'd been saying it his whole life.
Indeed, the violet eyed irken turned his head to look at Red, lips parting with shock. No one had called him that in—in—no one had ever called him that before. It was too familiar. Too much like they had known each other for longer than they had. It was very un-solider like.
However, he didn't comment which might've said a lot about Purple right there. "I said it because it's true." The fake confident voice was shaky but his friend grasped at it like a life line.
"No! It's supposed to be a proud Meekrobian leader!" They bickered about this as well, until the tension was swept under the proverbial rug and Red claimed victory even though his mind was scarred when Purple tried to point out the apparent 'cheeks' of said butt.
It was silent again, Purple's antenna twitched with the light sounds that made up the night. Humble cricket like creatures chirped a heady song, a symphony. Wind blew the branches together, and they slid in teasing caresses, leaves shivering, shaking with bliss.
Then there was Red's breathing. It went in—(a slow drag of oxygen through lightly parted lips) and out (making his whole frame move with the effort, billowing into the open night. Purple could almost smell the same fire. The fire that had him wanting to inch closer. Just an inch. He did not move).
Red listened intensely for any noises that might mean danger. Or at least half his mind was doing that, the other half was scanning the Irken next to him. There was something about him that had the captain on edge. Nervous as many things failed to do.
Perhaps it was the intense indigo of his eyes, the faint glow. Whenever their gaze would meet he noticed the inner torment that he'd seen on many soldier's faces. It was secrets. Never had he wanted to unravel a mystery so much. But, it could also be the way Pur smelled. Warm vanilla frosting. Sugar coated skin. Tempting delicacies... There was no real way to even describe the unbearable scent. Red decided that must be it.
His mind gradually roved back around to the secrets. Natural curiosity had him wondering what was so scary to have Purple, the same irken who had jumped off cliffs and tore open Screw-Heads with his bare hands, whimper and cry in his sleep.
"Pur? What do you dream ab—" A soft snore had him turning his head to blink at his comrade. Red's face curled like smoke into a small smile. Cretin. With a sigh, Red scotched closer to the other Irken, cautiously wrapping his arms around him, in preparation of the screaming that would unavoidably happen.
Purple curled into the warm embrace, antenna perking with happiness before they fell against Red's shoulder. Said captain hesitantly fell into a light sleep, and as if on the dot was awoken not a few hours later by the Irken in his arms' squirming and familiar crying.
"No! P-Please! They made me! Let me go!" Purple sobbed, pushing at his restrictions, panicking even more when Red's fingers wrapped around his wrists. "NO! Let me go or-"
"Purple! Purple! Pur! Please wake up. You're fine. I have you. You're safe on a planet filled with Screw-Heads who want us dead."
Perhaps that wasn't the best way of comforting someone but, it worked. Purple jerked awake, those glowing eyes going wide with panic before he clutched Red to him, biting down on his bottom lip to stop any incoherent babbling like the night before. "That's right."
Red hummed, a hesitant hand reaching up to lightly pat the back of the irken's head. "You're okay. It's alright." His suction cup sniffled; nodding as if it somewhat reassured him. Maybe he was getting better at this whole comforting thing.
AN:
One of my fave chapters so far. ^^
Does anyone know where I got Swami-Swans?
...
...
's 'The Lorax'. I dunno. Just wanted to add it.
I love adding canon stuff in. Like the smoke machines and lazers from the 1st episode. It's a long term argument.
I think they are some of my fave characters to write.
I might have to do more with them some time.
This one was fun to write. But, it's 1:30 in the mornin'. I should sleep. Probably won't though.
Hope you like it.