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Let us help you
"Shulk hasn't come out of his room for a while, has he?" Rex asks A as they both stand in front of the building Shulk has occupied for himself.
"Not for the last thirty-four hours," A confirms.
"And knowing Shulk, he probably hasn't slept in all that time," Rex continues.
"Or eaten," A says. They look at each other.
"I know he's a grown adult and all, but..." Rex says, trailing off.
"But sometimes, even a grown adult needs to be told enough is enough," A finishes for him. They both nod, then enter the building, not bothering to knock.
They find Shulk sitting at his desk, surrounded by paperwork, scrap, and half-finished inventions. He really does look like he hasn't slept or even moved in more than a day. He looks up when he hears them enter.
"A," he says, sounding surprised. "And Rex. Is something wrong?" Trust Shulk to not realize how long he's locked himself inside.
"Yeah," Rex says, crossing his arms. "You." Poor Shulk just looks even more confused.
"Me?" he questions. "I've just been working on a few projects. I'm almost done, I just need to -"
"What you need to do," Rex says, interrupting him "is get some food and sleep." Shulk looks like he might be about to object, but when he sees A nodding in agreement with Rex he shuts up, staring down at his desk.
"You must remember to take care of yourself," A says, placing a hand over Shulk's, slender fingers tracing over the back of his hand. "You are not eighteen anymore."
"Trust me," Shulk says as he straightens in his chair with a quiet groan. "I know."
"Knowing doesn't count if you don't act like it," Rex says, placing his hands on Shulk's shoulders. "You're at least ten years too old to pull all-nighters." He gently squeezes the man's shoulders, immediately noticing the tension in his muscles. "Might need a bit of a massage too," he mutters to himself, digging his fingers into the soft skin at the base of Shulk's neck, pulling another low groan from the man.
"I would suggest starting with the food," A says, studying Shulk's face with a considering look in those keen eyes. "In case he falls asleep."
"Good thinking," Rex says, letting go of Shulk. "I'll go whip up something real quick. Make sure he's still awake when I get back."
As he leaves, he briefly notes A giving him a nod, attention mostly focused on Shulk. As he steps out the door, he thinks he hears Shulk mutter something about not appreciating being talked about like he's not there. Then the door closes behind him and he's on his way to the little restaurant. He's sure Georgie won't mind him using the kitchen, especially if he explains the situation.
In the end, he doesn't even have to explain anything and it all works out. He makes sure to keep the meal something nice and simple, making a mental note to get Shulk to eat at least one proper meal every day.
Slipping into his "cooking mode" as Pyra likes to call it, Rex focuses his attention on the food. Chop and heat the vegetables, sear the meat, season, make the broth, mix, and plate. He makes sure there's some extra, in case he or A want to have a little snack as well. Food ready, he thanks Georgie again for letting him use the kitchen, then heads back to Shulk's place.
Rex knocks on the door before letting himself in, just to let the other two know he's back.
He finds them right where he left them, only now Shulk's shirt has been removed and A is in the process of helping him remove his mechanical arm. Both of them look up when he arrives and give him a nod in greeting. He nods back and puts the plate of food down in front of Shulk.
"There," he says, sitting down in a nearby chair. "Now eat."
Shulk gives him an amused smile, then digs into the food. He takes his time to savour the taste, even though he's clearly hungry, and doesn't seem to mind when Rex swipes a bite here and there.
"This is delicious," Shulk tells Rex, then turns to A. "Here, try a bit," he says, offering a spoonful of the food.
A eyes the food for a moment before accepting it, making an appreciative sound after swallowing.
"It is good," A says thoughtfully, then looks at Rex with a slight smile. "You make an excellent chef, Rex."
"I had the best teachers," Rex says, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms behind his head.
As a child. back in Fonsett, Auntie Corrinne had taught him all the basics, some nice and simple but no less delicious recipes. She also let him help with cooking when she had a lot on her hands with the other children. The things she'd taught him had been invaluable when he'd become a salvager.
Later, Pyra had helped him perfect his cooking skills. What ingredients go well together, how to get the best flavours with seasoning, how to make a meal fit for a queen with only a handful of simple ingredients. The two of them had spent many afternoons in the kitchen together, while Nia had distracted Mythra by pulling her down on the couch for some cuddles. Sometimes all four of them had been working in the kitchen together, with Pyran and Rex doing the actual cooking while Nia and Mythra helped by preparing the ingredients.
There's just something about cooking for others and getting to see them enjoy it. Watching Shulk and A finish off the meal he'd made, gives him a sense of satisfaction curling in his chest.
Rex watches as A takes up a napkin and wipes some stain from Shulk's cheek, then cups his face in those slender hands and presses their lips together in a gentle, slow kiss. Shulk's hand comes up to cover one of A's.
When A and Shulk separate, Rex tilts Shulk's head back by lightly tugging at his hair, then kisses him too. After what happened at Outlook Park, he's pretty sure neither Shulk or A will object, though he is rather curious about the reactions his action will receive. It's just a quick kiss, short and sweet. Shulk makes a pleased little noise before leaning into it eagerly, as eagerly as when A kissed him.
When Rex lets go of Shulk he looks over at A, who's looking at them with something like curiosity, or interest. Rex briefly considers kissing A as well, but ultimately decides against it. He doesn't think they're there quite yet.
"All right," Rex says instead, deciding it's better to just move on, rolling his shoulders and flexing his fingers. "Let's move on, shall we?" He places his hands on Shulk's bare shoulders, running his fingers over the soft skin and the occasional scar.
"Wait, you were serious about that?" Shulk asks, twisting in his chair to look at Rex over his shoulder.
"About you needing a massage?" Rex says, brushing a stray lock of hair behind Shulk's ear. "Definitely."
He looks up and asks A to grab a bottle of lotion from the drawer where Shulk keeps it. He accepts it with a quiet thanks, mind already elsewhere. Like putting his hands all over Shulk's naked back. It's just going to be a massage and not go any further than that, but it doesn't mean he can't enjoy getting to feel up this beautiful man.
Rex pours some lotion on his hands, rubbing them together to warm it up. Meanwhile, he watches A gather Shulk's hair and drape it over his left shoulder, leaving his back and right side exposed. He looks a bit lopsided with one arm missing. Then A grabs the discarded lotion from where Rex put it, studies it for a moment before holding it up in front of Shulk.
"Do you use this on your arm?"
It takes a few moments for Shulk to answer. Rex can't see his expression since he's standing behind him and wonders if exhaustion is finally getting to Shulk or if he's just a bit bewildered about what's going on.
"Yes," he says slowly after a few moments and A proceeds to pour some of it on those slender hands and starts rubbing it into Shulk's right shoulder. Shulk's response to this is a little, startled oh, but he allows A to continue, relaxing into the touch. A gently rubs the lotion in, slowly and carefully working with the scar tissue, up to his shoulder, around the point where the mechanical arm attaches to the rest of him.
Rex is so fixated on the sight, he forgets what he's supposed to be doing for a moment. He carefully places his hands on Shulk's back. Starting at the base of his neck, Rex slowly works his way down, then back up, feeling the scarred yet unexpectedly soft expanse of Shulk's back, sides and waist.
He takes in every old scar he finds. Cuts, slashes, burns, and one that looks like it might have been caused by a gun or rifle of some kind. All while he's prodding and kneading at the muscles, trying to find the most sore and tense spots, taking his cues from the little noises Shulk makes. Sharp hisses and grunts when he hits a particularly sore spot, low groans and sighs when he hits more sensitive and pleasurable ones.
A has finished with Shulk's arm and has moved on to his hair, clever fingers working out knots and tangles. While working, A is also keeping a close eye on Shulk's face, taking cues from his expressions that Rex can't see, and is able to give him some tips.
"Try a little lower and further to the left," A instructs Rex, and when he follows the suggestion, he comes across a large spot of densely knotted, tense muscles. Shulk lets out a groan when he digs his fingers into it. It barely budges. Rex frowns, then tries a bit harder. This results in another groan from Shulk, louder this time. A is observing Shulk with a steady gaze through it all.
Rex changes tactics, digging his elbow into the knotted muscles of Shulk's back, moving in small circles. Shulk nearly yowls, hand scrabbling at the surface of the table- A reacts quickly, taking Shulk's hand and lets his fingers close tightly around a slender wrist. Something to ground him, and to prevent him from scratching his hand bloody on the table.
Shulk is now panting in shallow breaths, occasionally punctuated by a groan or a cut-off swear. His fingers tighten around A's wrist every time Rex passes over the centre of the large knot of muscle.
Then, slowly, under the persistence of Rex' hands, the knotted-up muscles and tendons start to uncoil, turning into something softer and more like how they're supposed to be. That's when Rex switches back to working with his hands and spends a few more minutes on that spot before continuing with the rest of Shulk's back. It goes considerably smoother, as Rex pushes, pulls, and prods at the sore muscles.
Shulk is also more relaxed, almost melting under his touch, sometimes arching back into his hands but otherwise staying still. His hand has relaxed its death grip on A's wrist, and A seems to be alternating between slowly running soft fingers through Shulk's hair, and massaging his hand and arm.
Shulk is still making sounds, though. Amidst the heavy panting, there's also a fair share of groans, sighs, and moans. Rex is pretty sure Shulk doesn't even realize he's making the sounds, because some of them are downright indecent.
"He's quite loud, isn't he," A muses quietly, with a little glint in the deep eyes, almost as if reading Rex' mind.
"Yeah," Rex agrees with a grin, pressing down on another spot that pulls a loud groan from Shulk. "It's good the walls are so thick, or people might get a pretty different idea of just what we're up to." His grin widens at the almost-eye roll his response gets from A.
"You can't say I'm wrong!" he says when A keeps a steady gaze on him, fingers absently playing with Shulk's hair.
"No," comes the admission after a few moments. "You are not wrong." A glint appears in A's eyes when adding "But it does make me wonder just what kind of sounds he might be making in that kind of situation."
This time Rex laughs out loud. He hadn't expected A to be the one to say it out loud. He finds he rather likes this side of A.
"Definitely something we should find out," he says, meeting A's eyes as he winks. A's mouth twitches up in what he interprets as agreement. "But that will have to wait 'til another day," he continues, gesturing to Shulk, who has practically fallen asleep thanks to their joint efforts. "It wouldn't be very interesting if he was just falling asleep during all the fun. Besides," he adds with a grin "I want to take my time with him."
A nods in agreement, looking more serious than Rex, but with a definitive undertone of amusement. Barely noticeable, but still there.
"Then we are in agreement," A says, then looks back at Shulk. "Time for bed, I believe."
"I think it's best if we carry him," Rex decides with a look at Shulk's sleeping form.
"I got him," A says, walks around the table and lifts Shulk with seemingly no effort. Apparently A's slim frame hides more strength than Rex expected. He had briefly seen A fight when they'd first met, but can't wait to get a better look at A's fighting style as he'd been a little too occupied by other things at the time.
While Rex has been lost in thought, A has deposited Shulk on the bed, and is now tugging off his boots. Rex stretches and yawns. He's getting pretty tired himself, it seems.
"Damn," he says to no one in particular. "Gonna have to wash up and go to bed too."
A nods, then gets up, putting Shulk's boots to the side.
"I will take the dishes back," A says, before grabbing the plate and leaving.
"Thanks!" Rex yells, unsure if A even heard him. Probably did.
With the dishes handled and Shulk in bed, Rex makes short work of his bedtime routine. Go to the bathroom, undress, wash, and pull on some more comfortable pants to sleep in. When he returns to the main room, A is already back, sitting at the table.
Rex walks past A, gets in the bed, squeezing himself between Shulk and the wall. Putting his back to the wall, Rex pulls Shulk to himself, so the other man's head is resting on his chest. He can feel the soft, warm breaths against his skin. Rex looks up at A, grins and pats Shulk's back.
"Come on, join us," he says, gesturing from A to the sliver of empty bedspace behind Shulk. "There's still room for you." If A doesn't mind getting a bit cuddle, that is. The bed really isn't made for two people, let alone three.
"You don't mind?" A asks him, and Rex shakes his head.
"Nah," he says. "I'm used to sharing." Of course, the bed he had shared with Pyra, Nia, and Mythra had been considerably larger than this one, with more wiggle room. But still, sharing has never been a problem for him.
A looks at the two of them and nods, then disappears into the bathroom.
Shulk makes a small sound against Rex' neck, tossing one arm over his waist. He doesn't wake up, though. Rex grins. The massage must have worked pretty well for Shulk to be this fast asleep.
Moments later, the bathroom door opens and A joins them, dressed in a sleeveless undershirt and shorts, feet bare. Rex watches as A climbs into the bed, slides under the blanket and presses up against Shulk's back, nearly getting a face full of hair.
"Alright there?" Rex asks as A slightly arranges Shulk's hair to get it out of the way.
"Yes," A says. Then, head resting comfortable on Shulk's shoulder, adds "Next time you sleep behind him."
"Sure," Rex agrees with a quiet chuckle, tossing the blanket over all three of them. "We'll take turns."
"And maybe also ask for Shulk's preference," A adds. "When he's awake." A's arm comes to rest on Shulk's waist, almost touching Rex'.
"Probably," Rex says, squeezing Shulk a bit tighter. "But I don't think he'll mind either way. Seems to enjoy being a bit squished."
"Yes," A says. "He does." There's an unmistakable fondness in A's voice, and the hand on Shulk's waist moves to his stomach, trailing small patterns on his skin. Rex is pretty sure there's at least something in their past that goes beyond simple friendship, something more than the "complicated" Shulk had refused to elaborate on when Rex had asked about him and A.
"Say, A," Rex starts before stopping himself, suddenly uncertain. "Or, do you prefer -"
"There is no preference," A interrupts him mid question, those sharp eyes focusing on him. "A or Alvis. They're both me."
"And Shulk -" Rex is once again interrupted before he gets to finish his question.
"Shulk calls me Alvis, because it is how he has known me for a long time. You may call me what you like." A studies him for a moment, then adds, "Though I will have to insist you keep calling me A when we are not in private."
"Right, got it," Rex says. "Guess I'll stick with A, then, so I don't get mixed up."
"Yes," A says, a teasing tone in the voice. "That's probably best."
"Right, so," he starts, deciding to ignore the teasing for now, wondering if this is a good idea to ask what's on his mind. "You and Shulk had a thing going on, before?" It's half a statement, half a question.
"Shulk didn't say anything?" A asks, cool blue eyes meeting his. He gets the feeling A is seeing far more in his one eye than he'd prefer.
"He said it's complicated," he says. "Didn't elaborate. I didn't pry."
"Hmmm..." A's eyes close for a moment, and Rex wonders if maybe he's being too nosy, getting into stuff that's really none of his business.
"It's not really that complicated," A finally says with what might be a shrug. "We had entered a relationship, or the beginning of one, but didn't have enough time to develop it much beyond getting to know each other. Most of the time we were either travelling, otherwise engaged, or separated."
"I see," Rex says thoughtfully. He doesn't know how much of what had been going on in Shulk's world, before Aionios, just what little Shulk has told him and mentioned in passing. But he can draw some conclusions based on what he knows.
Shulk had once told him about how he'd once thought Fiora had been killed and set out to avenge her, only to eventually find she was still alive. Rex supposes things could be a bit "complicated", as Shulk put it, if he'd started getting together with A – or rather, Alvis – during the revenge-quest. Then things had happened, and Shulk hadn't seen A – Alvis – again until now, countless years later in a different world. He wonders what A – what Alvis – had been doing all that time.
"You've been alone for a long time, haven't you?" he says quietly to A, who looks back at him with something like surprise in those silvery-blue eyes.
"Yes," A says softly, eyes lowering for a moment or two. There isn't much more to be said.
The three of them lay in silence after that. Rex can feel Shulk's soft breaths, occasionally interrupted by some mumbling, as well as A's deep and even breaths. He feels Shulk's body pressed against his own, and he's pretty sure that's A's hand brushing against his arm. He's close to falling asleep when A speaks up again, breaking the silence.
"Could you tell me about them sometime?"
"Wh- huh?" Rex makes a questioning sound, meeting A's eyes over Shulk's head.
"Pneuma and Logos," A clarifies. "I never got to know them as people, since we were separated."
"Uh..." Rex blinks a couple of times. "Yeah, sure," he says. A surely deserves to know more about the others. Siblings, one could almost call them. And it will be nice to talk about Pyra and Mythra to someone other than Shulk and Linka.
"But later," Rex adds with a yawn. "Let's just sleep now." He reaches over Shulk's body to pat A on the shoulder, or somewhere in that general area, then lets his hand rest over A's on Shulk's waist.
"Later," A agrees, burrowing closer to Shulk and further under the covers, seemingly satisfied. "Good night."
"Good night," Rex replies, watching as A seems to just fall asleep on the spot. Then he closes his eye and follows the example, slipping into unconsciousness.
Things sure are never boring with these two around, is his last conscious thought.