A/N: Wow, I'm actually shocked with how quickly people saw this and followed or favourited it! I'm glad you people are liking it!
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Guest: Thanks, mate! I'm glad you're enjoying it!
Chapter Genre: General
Chapter Rating: T
Rating Content: Brief Mentions of Blood, Breif Mild Innuendo, Brief Mild Language
It was probably one of their more cleaner assignments, but at the same time it was one of the dirtiest. Between the constant bloodshed and the rain, it was either blood or mud that they were covered in.
Shredder was covered in a mix of both, although the blood was slowly washing off whatever part of her wasn't covered with clothing or armour. However, blood was hard to wash off of leather.
With a growl of frustration she struck one of her blades against a rock. A single flash of a spark was seen, but that was it. "You'd think the bloody things would work..." She muttered, sheathing her blades.
They both looked to see the Iron Bull talking with an elf. Krem had mentioned how they were possibly getting hired, so that elf might be their new boss if things go good.
Shredder wiped back her hair and spat at the rain that flowed over her lips. "You don't seem to be too bothered by this, Grim."
"Mm." Was his immediate response, accompanied with a shrug.
She tsked and shook her head. "I get you don't talk much, but could at least say something that's more than one syllable?"
He raised an eyebrow.
She then sighed. "Why do I even bother?" She muttered. She then walked away to do her job of throat cutting; checking the bodies, giving one swift slit of the throat, making sure that they really were dead.
Grim couldn't help but watch as she left. The way her hips swayed, how her muscles could be seen rippling underneath her clothes. She looked lanky, but she was extremely well-built. Her bangs would fall in front of her eyes and give her an almost wild look, with the way the rain dripped from it.
He mentally slapped himself and reminded himself not to stare.
"Oy, Grim!" Krem called. "We're opening up the casks, we need some help!"
Thankful for the distraction, Grim was quick to respond and walked over to where most of their supplies were stored. The rain had made them slippery so Grim made short work of them by using an axe.
Dumb idea, of course, because almost immediately after, the Chief had said they had just been hired.
"What about the casks, Chief?" Krem practically whined. "We just opened them up. With axes."
"Find some way to seal them." Bull replied.
/ / /
Haven was somewhat smaller than what Grim was expecting, but it was a very beautiful place. Calm, too. It was a nice change, knowing that they didn't have to move around for a while. For the most part, they'd be able to relax.
By the time they had arrived, it was almost dusk and they were all in a rush to get the tents set up. Of course, oddly enough, Shredder wasn't getting one set up for herself at all.
"Are you going to sleep in a tree with this cold?" Krem had asked her.
"Trust me, Cremisius." She said. "This is nothing compared to what I've experienced. All I need is a blanket or two."
Krem made a face. "Why do you sleep in a tree, anyways? I doubt you find it comfortable."
"It's not. But it's better than sleeping in a tent. It's harder to be found or eaten in a tree. Or for your stuff to be stolen."
Krem snorted and a small smirk spread on his lips. "What, that happened to you before?"
She didn't respond.
Stitches didn't fail to overhear their conversation. "I wouldn't sleep in a tree this time, Shredder." He told her. "It isn't cold now, but wait until the sun is gone; blankets won't help against the cold. I don't want you getting sick."
"I'm well aware, Stitches!" She snapped at the healer. "But for one, I don't have a tent. And secondly, a tree is safer."
Stitches made a face. "Tents are large enough for two."
"Two's a crowd for me."
Krem and Grim watched as the two argued, one more amused than the other. Either the Chief would come and solve the issue, or Krem would have to issue some sort of order as Lieutenant, something he wasn't too keen to do to an elf that looked like she could murder you in your sleep.
"As the company healer, I am ordering you to sleep in a tent while we're here at Haven!"
Well, it looked like he didn't have to, then.
Shredder's venomous green eyes seemed to glow with an almost murderous intent, then. Her eyes narrowed and the corner of her lip curled slightly in a snarl. Did her ears flatten slightly? Grim never really took the time to notice if elves could show emotions with their ears. Or maybe it was just the way that elf ears were that made them look expressive. Either way, she looked ready to stab someone.
The elf sighed heavily (which really sounded more like a growl) and readjusted the bag on her shoulder. "Fine. Is there anyone willing to share a tent, though? Or is there even space?"
Grim looked around and saw that most of the Chargers had already set up and gone into their tents. Some were around a fire, but he already knew who shared a tent with who. Dalish and Skinner shared a tent, Rocky was with Stitches, and Krem was with the Chief. That left only one person.
"Yeah. Me."
They looked at Grim, who remained expressionless. He shrugged slightly. Although she was a rookie, she wasn't the biggest favourite of anyone in the Chargers. She always looked angry and on edge. He knew better, though, and he also felt a bit empathetic as well. When he first joined the Chargers, nobody had wanted to share a tent with him either because of his lack of voice and expression.
Krem looked hesitant but Stitches was satisfied. "There you have it."
Shredder gave Grim a look and he stared right back. She wasn't going to intimidate him. Well, he wasn't going to show it, at least.
She finally looked away and shrugged. "Fine, Stitches. Whatever makes you feel better."
/ / /
She was a restless sleeper. It didn't surprise him, considering how much she couldn't hardly sit still whenever they were taking a break from travel. She always needed something to do.
It could also be that Shredder wasn't used to sleeping in a tent.
She was constantly tossing and turning and he would occasionally hear her say some things in Elven. At least, it sounded like it. Grim was never very good with languages other than English.
He sighed and turned around so he was facing her. "Relax." He hissed. Normally he wouldn't lose his patience with anyone, but he also needed to sleep.
Shredder didn't respond and only curled up, muttering more words in Elven.
He sat up. "Hey, calm down."
Once again, she ignored him. Thinking she was just trying to anger him, Grim turned on the lamp that hung in the tent and glared. "Shredder-"
Her eyes were closed. It didn't mean a thing, she could've been pretending, but her expression, the way her body twitched and shifted, those were signs of sleep as well as dreaming. From the looks of things, it wasn't a very good dream.
Brows furrowed, her lips set in a small frown, body curled in on itself, hands clenching at the pillow and the sheets.
She was having a nightmare.
At first, he wanted to wake her, to try and spare her from the bad dream. But if it was something that really scared her, Grim didn't want to end up with his throat being cut (she had put a knife under her pillow) or being punched in the face.
Turning off the lamp, he pulled the covers back over himself and turned so his back was facing hers. He would talk to her about it in the morning.
/ / /
Her awakening was a lot more peaceful than most. Despite the dream she had experienced, waking up wasn't quite as violent or sudden that morning.
Was it even morning?
From what she could see (considering that things were still blurry) it looked like it was still dark outside. It couldn't be the evening still, but it must've just been the early morning. Really early.
Shredder sighed tiredly and yawned. Well, if she was already awake, then there was no point in trying to go back to sleep.
She had attempted to sit up, but something that wrapped around her waist stopped her from moving. Thinking it could've been some sort of intruder, she whipped around and gave a good elbow into the intruders ribs, making him groan loudly in response.
"Shit, sorry Grim!"
Grim rolled around onto his back and held a hand to his side, which was most likely going to bruise within the next few hours. "Why...?" He groaned.
"You were holding me down, you idiot!" She hissed at him. "You scared me!"
He sat up and turned on the lamp, his eyes wincing at the sudden brightness. "You don't need to hit!"
"It's reflex!" She snapped.
Grim sighed and rubbed at his ribs. "I'm fine."
Despite herself, Shredder couldn't help but be a bit snarky. Tilting her head to the side, she asked, "Do you snuggle with your pillow or something?"
"Mm?"
"You were just snuggling with me, so do you snuggle with your pillow when you sleep?" A small smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "Or do you have someone to snuggle with?"
He instantly glared daggers at her. "No." Was his curt response.
"'No' to what? The pillow or having someone?" She raised an eyebrow at him. "Considering how pent up you are, I wouldn't be surprised if it was just a pillow."
Grim grunted in response and shook his head, clearly not amused with her sudden change in attitude. Just when he was about to turn the lamp back off, she said to him,
"Don't think I don't notice the way you look at me."
He looked back at her, his eyes looking between hers. Was she being serious?
Her eyebrows raised slightly. "Yeah, I notice a lot more things than you think. Like back at the Coast, I didn't fail to see how you stared at me."
"So?"
"So, I think we can both benefit each other..."
The implement in her tone wasn't missed by him. For the briefest of moments, he had considered her offer. Although he himself wouldn't admit it, they both wanted the same thing. But the catch was, there was almost no privacy where they were. They could be heard or someone could walk in on them. It was also cold.
"Not here."
"Then where?"
He shook his head. "Not here."
Shredder nodded, then. Not the right place or the right time. "My offer still stands, Grim. Whenever you're willing to take it."
She stood then and grabbed her bag, most likely heading out to change into her armour. She most likely wasn't one to go back to sleep after waking so close to dawn. "Can't go far, so you know where I can be found."
With that, she left the tent.
Grim sighed and brushed a hand through his messy hair. He was definitely tempted, no doubt about that, but the lack of privacy wasn't too welcome. Public sex wasn't something he was too keen to explore, or explore at all really.
It didn't mean he wouldn't take up on her offer, but just not right now.
