Rex is pretty certain he and Shulk have been flirting for a while now, and finally decides to confront him about it.
Takes place during Future Redeemed, sometime after reaching Colony 9.
Main pairing is Rex/Shulk, with a very brief moment of A/Shulk, implied Alvis/Shulk, and briefly mentioned Rex/Pyra/Mythra/Nia a couple of times
Enjoy, and do let me know what you think!
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A Tomorrow with You
It's a warm afternoon in Colony 9, even with the cloud covered sky. Rex is wandering through the place, trying to locate Shulk. They had only come back a few hours ago, kids and A in tow, and just gotten the four newcomers settled in. Somehow, Shulk has already managed to disappear. Right when Rex had decided he wants to talk to him, of course.
Really, this is a conversation he should have had with Shulk quite a while ago. He's just been a bit of a coward, delaying it for no real good reason. He'd just wanted to be sure. He doesn't think he's imagined the looks he and Shulk share on occasion, the lingering glances, the closeness, the tension between them.
He thinks about it every time they sit up late at night pondering over some plans or problems. Whenever he helps Shulk manage his wild mane of tangled hair. Whenever Shulk pats him on the shoulder and smiles at him after a job well done. Whenever they share a drink and a good story after a long day. Whenever – well, he thinks about it a lot, is the point.
What it would be like to run his hair through those golden locks without having to pretend he's just helping untangle it. What it would be like to lean into the man's side and let those clever fingers run through his hair. What it would be like to hold Shulk close, feel the warmth from his body, to kiss him...
He should have approached Shulk about this a while ago. To put an end to the tiptoeing around the subject. But he had told himself to wait for the right moment. Or maybe he had been waiting for Shulk to come to him. Either way, he has finally made up his mind. He's not some awkward teenager anymore. He's going to talk to Shulk about this, they're going to figure things out properly, and he's not going to talk himself out of it like the last few times he told himself to just talk to Shulk.
Rex can easily imagine what his wives would think about his hesitation, about his worries and doubts. He can practically hear them, all trying to encourage him to get on with it, in their own ways, of course.
Pyra would be giving him gentle advice over tea, telling him to not worry, that Shulk is a good man, that things will surely work out in the end. She would give him a kiss and a gently nudge, sending him on his way.
Mythra would roll her eyes and tell him to get on with it already, that he's already done this three times, how he has nothing to be worried about. All while giving him that fond look she does when she thinks he's being silly and how much she loves him for it.
Nia would tease him relentlessly, telling him he's being silly, that he's probably the most likable man in the world and Shulk would be an idiot to turn him down. Then she'd give him a wink and a pat on the back and shove him out the door, telling him to bag himself a husband.
He misses them.
He also knows they would hate to see him moping around, denying himself the chance to be happy. To have someone there for him. To be there for someone. So, he walks on. To find Shulk.
He passes by where they had arranged for the newcomers' tents to be set up. Matthew seems to be animatedly talking about something to Nikol and Glimmer, the former listening attentively, while the latter seems more focused on admiring the surrounding buildings. A is nowhere to be seen.
Looking around the Colony, maybe? Rex thinks as he lets his feet guide him to where he knows Shulk likes to go when he needs to think and get some time for himself. It's a bit of a walk, but not too far.
Rex eventually reaches Outlook Park. He has to take a few moments to catch his breath because that sure was a lot of stairs. When he looks around, he finds his guess turns out to be correct because Shulk is indeed here.
With A.
Standing close together, talking. His head is tilted down as he's listening to A, a small smile on his lips. He has a hand on A's upper arm, and A has a hand placed over his. They're very close, heads nearly touching, the situation almost intimate.
Rex stops in his tracks, heart hammering in his chest, wondering if he should wait for them to finish, or leave and give them some privacy. Maybe he had read everything wrong. Maybe the glances and looks and tension had all been in his mind. Maybe he's just been getting too lonely and seeing things that aren't there. Maybe he should leave the two of them alone and go sulk somewhere else.
Luckily, he doesn't have to wonder for long, as A seems to make the decision for him. Saying a few more words to Shulk, A leans over to press a soft kiss to his jaw, then leaves, brushing past Rex without even glancing at him.
Slowly, he approaches Shulk, who's still standing in the same spot, unmoving. When he gets closer Shulk looks up and nods at him in greeting, wordlessly asking him to come closer.
"You and A...?" Rex trails of without finishing the question, but knowing Shulk still understands his meaning. The blond shakes his head slowly, still with that small smile on his lips.
"It's... complicated," is all he says. His smile is not really sad, just kind of... accepting. Maybe just the smallest bit hopeful. Then it's gone, and he's looking at Rex with that calm and collected expression he's so used to seeing.
"Right," Rex says, not sure what's going on between them but eventually deciding it's probably not his business anyway. Especially if it's complicated, as Shulk claims.
"Wanted to talk to you about something," Rex admits, after a moment of silence. "Before I talk myself out of it again."
"Oh?" Shulk inquires, looking at Rex with his head tilted slightly to one side. Waiting for him to continue, to clarify. Despite the cloudy weather, his blue eyes are nearly sparkling, and Rex has to take a few calming breaths, so he doesn't just blurt something out without thinking. Gods, this man is beautiful.
"Wanted to actually find out if there actually is something going on between us, or if I'm just imagining things," he blurts out without thinking. Holds his breath as Shulk seems to consider what he just said. Desperately hoping he hasn't just completely messed up. Almost feeling like a teenager again, waiting for a response after confessing to Pyra and Mythra, and Nia not long after.
"Well," Shulk finally says. Slowly, deliberately. The corner of his mouth curling into what might be the beginning of a smile. Before he knows what he's doing, Rex has taken a few staps forward, towards Shulk. "Maybe you should try your luck and find out?"
"Maybe I should," Rex agrees, closing the distance a little bit more. This is flirting, right? Like, Shulk is definitely flirting with him and he's not imagining it, right? A little bit closer. A light breeze ruffles his hair and makes Shulk's fan out behind him for a moment. His hands are tucked behind his back and he's watching Rex, head tilted to one side, that small beginning of a smile still playing on his lips. Beautiful, his brain unhelpfully reminds him.
Rex is now nearly as close to Shulk as A had been only moments ago. He keeps his one good eye on Shulk's blue ones, trying to read his expression. Make sure he's not overstepping anything as he lifts one hand and places it on the other man's upper arm, much like Shulk had with A. Then, getting no objections, slowly moves it up to his shoulder, and finally cups Shulk's jaw in one hand, softly, carefully.
Shulk's response is letting out a small sight as he leans into the touch with a slow blink. Rex is now convinced he's definitely not misinterpreting the spark between them, not with the way Shulk is looking at him.
Rex moves the hand on Shulk's jaw to slightly tilt his head back. He slowly closes the distance between them, giving Shulk plenty of time to pull away. He doesn't.
"Is this okay?" Rex has to ask. Their lips are nearly brushing against each other, Shulk is showing no signs of not wanting this, but he needs verbal confirmation.
"Yes," Shulk whispers, his warm breath tickling Rex' lips. His fingers curling around Rex' upper arms, one hand warm and soft, the other one cold and metallic. "Please."
Well, he definitely doesn't need more of an invitation than that. He closes the distance between them, and they're kissing.
Rex almost groans out loud in pleasure. This was definitely worth the wait. Shulk's lips are softer than he expected, and he tastes a little like the curry they'd eaten earlier that day. He lets his hand curl itself in Shulk's hair, tilting his head for a better angle to deepen the kiss. Shulk does make a soft sound in the back of his throat, pressing their bodies closer, one arm going around Rex' shoulders while the other hand buries itself in his short hair. Rex thinks he could do this for hours.
Eventually, much to Rex' regret, they have to pull apart in order to breathe. They're both panting, foreheads pressed together and noses brushing, staring into each other's eyes. Shulk's cheeks are flushed, mouth slightly open as he gasps for breath. He looks absolutely delicious and Rex wants to kiss him again. So he does.
Shulk lets out a soft moan, arching against him, which in turn makes Rex let out an appreciative groan. He lets both his hands run through Shulk's hair, noticing the several knots and tangles along the way as his hands wander down the man's back. He makes a mental note to handle that later. His hands find Shulk's waist, which he gives a squeeze just to hear Shulk let out another little moan, then moves them a bit lower...
Shulk lets out a startles yelp as Rex lifts him clean off his feet, instinctively wrapping his legs around Rex' waist, arms going around his shoulders to keep his balance. Unfortunately this new position means they're not able to keep kissing. On the other hand, it puts Shulk at the perfect height for Rex to press his lips against his jaw and neck, peppering kisses everywhere, finding the spots that give him the best reactions, letting his teeth graze over Shulk's soft skin...
"Rex... Please... Rex..." Shulk gasps amidst the whimpering and panting, tilting his head back to give Rex better access to his throat, trying to press their bodies even closer than they already are.
While Shulk isn't very heavy, the constant shifting makes it a bit difficult to both hold him up and concentrate on what he's doing, so Rex takes a few steps back until he finds the nearest bench. He sits down on it, Shulk straddling his lap. A warm and comfortable weight, pleasant and welcome. They're both panting, Shulk with his eyes closed, Rex unable to tear his gaze from his face. He moves his hands to Shulk's lower back, pulling him closer, as close as they can be without removing anything they're wearing. Or getting horizontal.
"I really hope you're not going to be complaining about your back tomorrow," Shulk says so suddenly, Rex barks out a surprised laugh.
"Don't worry about that," he chuckles, "you're light as a feather!"
Shulk hums in response, then slowly moves a hand from Rex' shoulders and runs it along his jaw, feeling the beard under his fingers with soft touches, almost curiously. Rex leans into the gentle touch, the feel of Shulk's warm hand against his skin.
"I've never kissed someone with a beard before," Shulk finally says thoughtfully, still touching Rex' face. Running his fingers up his cheek, over the scar covering his eye, down his nose, brushing over his lips, dipping under his chin, and going back to his jaw.
"I hope it's not a problem for you," he says. "Because the beard's not going anywhere."
"Not a problem," Shulk says with a small smile. "Just different."
The sun is peeking from behind the clouds, making his hair shimmer like gold where it's falling around him. It's been a long time since Rex has seen something so beautiful.
"I've never kissed a man before," Rex says, still gazing at Shulk with what he knows just might be the sappiest expression in the world.
"I'd say I hope that's not a problem," Shulk says with a chuckle, "but somehow I don't think so," he finishes, gesturing to the two of them, with him sitting on Rex' lap with Rex' arms around him, keeping him close.
"There won't be any problems from your side, right?" Rex asks, and they both know he's not talking about Shulk's preferences. Shulk shakes his head, arms going around Rex' shoulders again as he presses their foreheads together.
"No," he says with a small smile, then chuckles. "It's actually what we were just talking about, right before you showed up."
"You and A?" Rex asks. He'd known Shulk and A knew each other from before all this happened, but not that they'd know each other... like that. Then again, he doesn't know all that much about Shulk's previous life overall.
"Mmmm... thinks we'd be good for each other," Shulk hums, still smiling. Happy memories there, then. "There won't be any problems from your side either, I hope? Or should I be worried about a Queen showing up to beat me up for making out with her man?"
Rex laughs at the thought, raising a hand to cup Shulk's face, running a finger over his cheek.
"Nah," he says, shaking his head, smiling. "They'd love you. In fact," he adds with a laugh, "if you ever get to meet them, you might have to fight them off, because they just won't leave you alone!" Now it's Shulk's turn to laugh.
"I'll be looking forward to it, then!"
After that, there is very little talking as they take the time to explore each other as well as they can with the restriction of keeping their clothes on, though sometimes fingertips slip under someone's shirt or dip under the waistband of the other's pants. They also keep kissing, a lot. Some quick and sweet, some long and passionate that leave them both breathless.
Rex lets his hands wander over Shulk's back and sides, through his hair, up his chest, trailing his fingers along his jaw and cheeks while pressing kisses and little bites at his throat and jaw, nuzzling into the soft curve of his neck, making Shulk shiver and arch into every touch, and make those little delightful noises, sighs and moans and whimpers.
Shulk, for his part, doesn't remain passive throughout the whole thing. Not even remotely. He lets his hands roam over Rex' body, paying special attention to his arms and chest, squeezing his thighs, once or twice complaining about only having one good hand while Rex has two. He seems to find Rex' beard endlessly fascinating as he keeps touching his jaw with his fingers, as well as pressing his lips to it and even nuzzling into his neck, one hand in Rex' hair to tilt his head back for better access.
They end up staying at Outlook Park considerably longer than Rex had expected, so wrapped up in each other they don't even notice how long it's been until it starts turning dark and the ether light turn on. Only then do they properly break apart and take in their surroundings. Rex should probably be happy none of the people from the Colony have wandered up here to see their leaders making out like a pair of teenagers.
"Maybe we should head back," Shulk says quietly. "It's getting late."
"Yes," Rex agrees. "Get some sleep and all. Will be a long day tomorrow."
Neither of them moves for a while, simply sitting there staring into each other's eyes. Rex's grip around Shulk tightens for a moment, before relaxing again. The moment feels somehow fragile, like if he makes the wrong move, it will all break apart and he will never have this again.
"We could... continue this at my place?" Shulk suggests, fingers playing with Rex' hair, almost shyly. That sounds like a nice idea. A very nice idea, in fact.
Unlike most people who live in tents, including Rex, Shulk has managed to find a semi-stable building and made his home on the ground floor. It's decently spacious for his experiments and machines he keeps tinkering with, and with the added bonus of proper walls that do a far better job at keeping out noises than a flimsy tent canvas.
"I like the way you think," Rex answers, playfully nipping at Shulk's jaw. "Knew there's a reason you're the smart one."
"Remember we have work to do tomorrow," Shulk says, sounding only a little bit convincing as he leans into the touch with a pleased noise.
"Right," Rex mumbles, hiding a smirk against Shulk's neck, knowing the other man will still feel it. "You'll need to be able to walk properly. Don't worry, I'll be gentle."
"Shut up," Shulk almost yelps, definitely more amused than anything, though his face is almost completely red now. He quickly gets up from Rex' lap, then holds out a hand to pull him up as well. Choosing not to comment on how Rex groans as his back cracks, despite how easy it would have been to say something about maybe needing to be gentle with Rex instead.
He doesn't let go of his hand as they walk back to the Colony. Together, and ready to face whatever the future holds. But the future can wait. Right now, though, they're content just holding each other.
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This was supposed to be short! Originally the idea was to just have Shulk and Rex in Outlook Park, then they'd kiss, and that would be the whole fic. But then the rest of it happened, and this is the result.