Work Text:
Shin had fought particularly hard this battle. At the time, he hadn’t remembered why.
At the crack of dawn, the Strike Package had marshalled to intercept a Legion force that had strayed far too close for comfort. They did just that. A textbook formation he’d seen a million times over... it wasn't even a challenge… None of those things were worth the extra sweat.
Yet, there Shin was, his Reginleif was, tossing and flinging about as if it was his last stand. Gunsmoke rose into the sky and bright sparks flew at every junction as the sound of shrieking blades cut his enemies into nothing. He shot into Ameise, battered against Grauwolfs, ripped apart the Löwe – until all that remained of their chrome corpses lay scattered in fragments across the city, never to be noticed again.
Victory had been there’s that early morning. But as the dozen pale skeletons twisted their hulls toward the base, ready to ride back, Shin crawled forth, pounced and brought his pile driver crashing down on an Ameise’s head, shredding it in two.
“Woah,” Raiden’s voice came over the resonance, his Wehrwolf watching from the corner. “You alright there, Shin?”
“Yeah...” responded Shin as he took in a breath. “I thought I saw it twitch.”
No I didn't.
It had been dead from the beginning, among the first to crumple over when they sprung their trap. Amidst the field of mechanical gore, there was no life to be seen, no struggle to be heard. They had all fallen silent.
Later that afternoon, Shin was writing the after-action report when he heard a light tap against his bedroom door. The sudden disturbance roused him from his quiet thoughts and he shook his head, before standing from his desk.
He strolled towards the door and opened it slowly, only to be greeted by a beautiful face standing just on the other side. Her troubled silver eyes locked onto his with intent, and she spoke out in her strikingly soft, silver-bell tone.
“Shin?” Lena said, holding together her fingertips. “May I come in? Or… is this a bad time?”
Shin shot a glance down the hall, only for a second, mulling over his answer. But… how could he possibly refuse? He stared down at Lena’s sparkling face, barely reaching above his chin. He stood there in her regular blue uniform, head tilting to the side as she patiently awaited an answer. Her skin was smooth, and fairly rosy at the cheeks. Her argent eyes glimmered bright, capturing his awe. And her hair flowed gently down her shoulders, sleek and silver like a gift from the heavens. She was as stunning as ever…
“…No, now is fine,” Shin stepped aside, his bloodred eyes piercing the floor as he pulled the door in wider. He turned his head, hoping to stop the blush from being any more noticeable. “I’m almost finished with the report anyways… It won't take long.”
It wasn’t easy, especially after seeing her smile so… warmly, at his words.
In any case, Lena made herself comfy on Shin’s bed whilst he finished whatever remained of his task. He could hear his mattress creak as she sat there, fidgeting about on the dishevelled sheets he hadn't properly made. The call to battle had come so quick he never had a chance to make them and even now, he’d been procrastinating the most basic of chores.
Shin felt his stomach churn, a little ashamed of this fact. And having her here, with his room in such a sorry state… It only worsened the feeling… this feeling that he usually never felt. She didn't seem to mind all that much though, which came as a relief. Raiden would have given him a thrashing if he’d even caught so much as a glimpse of the mess.
Finishing the report and handing it to her, Shin took another breath of air as he watched Lena’s eyes scan through the paper. Towards the end, her eyes lidded, flicking up and casting yet another wary glance. Shin’s body tensed at the look in her pearly eyes, as if they were gazing deep into his heart. Lena set the paper aside, brought her leg up against the edge of the bed and wrapped her arms around her shin. She then smiled.
“Did you sleep well last night?” Lena asked, her tone of voice carrying across the room like a beautiful song.
“Yeah,” Shin nodded, tilting in his chair. He kept his head tilted downward, aimed at the red carpet. “Better than my usual.”
But the question she asked… It struck a chord with Shin, whose brow knitted tightly as his memory jogged back to when he first woke up.
“Shin?” Lena spoke, the worry in her voice ever more prominent to his ears. “Did you, by any chance… feel ‘worked up’ during battle today?”
Shin’s body tensed again, but at the same time, he… almost felt relieved. She said it outright.
“Raiden mentioned it to me, soon after you all returned…” she went on, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “And… it concerned me, so… I wanted to speak with you in person about it.”
Per usual, he’d been made known of Legion’s intrusion long before they called him up. He would have taken his time, and yet he was out the door in an instant, his groggy eyes ablaze… for an uncertain reason. It wasn't like he had never been eager to fight, but the aura he had given as he stepped into the hangar made even the mechanics tense. His eyes were dark and he almost seemed to have gone mad. He barely spoke a word as he loaded into his machine, as grim as a reaper could be.
“Frustration,” Shin said.
That’s what I felt that morning.
“I woke up frustrated… and I'm not sure why,” He muttered, laying a palm on his forehead, trying to look back as far as his head would let him. “It may have been about this dream I had…”
And it may have been about you.
Lena hummed, letting her leg fall back onto the carpet as she adjusted her sitting position. She brought her other leg up and rested her chin on her knee, her eyes still fixed on his. He met her gaze with his eyes furrowed in dismay, desperate for an answer. But Lena had learned her lesson long ago, she wasn't going to pretend to know everything this boy had been through.
Frustrated over a dream. Shin thought it sounded stupid, especially since he hardly even remembered what the dream was about. He couldn't bear to look Lena in the eye with such a sorry excuse for his temper.
But she never looked away. If anything, Lena knew she wasn't going to leave this room without comforting him in some shape or form. Thus, she began to think – and think hard, she did…
Her argent eyes widened at the idea, her cheeks flushing pink to the ears. Lena cast a quick glance down at the bed, her face fuming as she crossed her legs and pressed the crook of her finger to her mouth. No words were exchanged and silence set in between them. After a few seconds, her argent eyes fell half-lidded, casting a subtle look in Shin’s direction, who hadn't turned to face her in a while.
Absolutely not… I-I can't possibly do… something like that.
That is what she kept trying to say. But as her eyes trailed up to meet the boy’s face, her words came to be as hollow as a drum.
I…
Lena’s posture stiffened, cheeks still red, but her expression showed courage.
I want to try.
She put her foot down. The tap of her socks finally alerted the solemn Processor, who cast a hesitant, side-long gaze. Lena’s eyes were earnest as she raised her palm and lightly tapped the spot next to her on the bed.
“Shin. Would you please sit beside me?”
The boy blinked, unsure of what she was going through her head, but nevertheless obeyed the request of his commanding officer. Shin sat up from his chair and gingerly crossed the room before taking a seat on said spot, his hands curling over his lap as they were so… close. The bed creaked under their weight, and he looked at her. She looked at him. Her cheeks were still red, and he could see it clearly, quirking his brow in wonder.
Hands touching the sheets, Lena swallowed, then spoke softly.
“Would you please… lay your head down on my lap?”
…
Shin blinked.
For whatever reason, what she’d just said didn't properly register with him. He sat there still, a dumbfounded look struck on his face.
Lena’s lips pursed and pouted, letting out an embarrassed squeal. Her hands trembled and she averted her eyes. Only after another second did she gaze back, still full of hope.
“...Please?”
Shin blinked. But this time, he heard her.
Although he appeared to remain firm, a subtle shade of red enveloped his face. His body felt hotter. His chest tightened. His fingers trembled. Now they were shuddering, and it wasn't going to get any better if he just sat there. So, Shin obeyed.
Lena moved to the side a little, sliding herself a few inches apart as Shin turned his cheek and slowly, so very slowly, lowered it. The closer his face got, the more her warmth held him. It was surreal. He wasn't sure what to think, what to do, other than obey her simple wish.
Shin laid his head down on her thighs and his eyes broadened, wider than ever.
…
…What am I thinking?
Shin’s cheek grazed the surface of her lap. Lena’s head spun, her heart beating. He let out a sigh. The hot air of his breath weaved through her skin sending a spontaneous shiver up her body. Shin took the time to adjust himself, finding the right headspace on her cushiony legs. From the noises he made, however small and silent, Lena knew he at least found himself relaxed.
Nevertheless, a shameful blush prevailed, marking her pale face.
“Is it… comfortable?”
Shin offered no response other than a faint, husky “mhm” and an embarrassed feeling began to bubble up within her. As an uneasy silence set in, she began to have regrets. Had this been too much? Had she made a mistake? Either way, she couldn't backpedal now… she kept her composure, and her breathing steady. Deep breaths were all it took to muster the Bloody Reina’s courage.
With delicate hands, Lena touched the top of Shin’s head. Shin blinked, churning his head with a curious look about him. And with such an innocent gaze in the Processor’s bloodred eyes, Lena knew – she wouldn't stop now.
“Shin…” Lena caressed his scalp, fingers threading through his dark hair. “You’ve… seen a lot.”
Shin’s eyes fell half-lidded, his hands twitching. Lena took her other hand off his shoulder, and held them; letting them lie closely together.
“If you are still feeling tired… please, rest here, for as long as you would like to.”
He said nothing, but Lena flinched as she felt the surprising, ticklish motion of Shin’s face nestling further into her thighs.
Her heart skipped a beat. Her mind spiralled. Simply by instinct, she had pulled her hand away.
Shin parted his lips, exhaling gently again. He dragged his legs flat onto the bed, turning himself off his side. His eyes opened steadily, his stoic expression faltering, taking in the dreamlike scene. He watched as her chest rose and fell with each soft breath and how the light glimmered in her eyes, her hair and reddened cheeks… reminiscent of an angel cradling him.
Between those two souls crossed a single thought – a shared realization.
This hadn't been a mistake.
The light in Lena’s eyes changed, no longer hesitant. No longer timid, nor embarrassed. Her lips curled into an unapologetic smile.
Oh, Shin…
Now, Lena knew what she truly wished for. She laid her hand on his head once more, trailing her fingers through his hair, pushing up his bangs to touch his forehead. She stroked up as if patting a kitten’s fur, with pleasant, soft precision. Shin opposed nothing, closing his eyes solemnly… to bask in the feeling.
There, the bloodstained queen stayed, soothing the young reaper with her warm, innocent touch.
They were away from it… Everything… the battlefield, the deaths, the memories, the nightmares. Lena held Shin in her embrace, for a while… a good while.
She could tell he was more than a little restful, cozying up in her lap just as she’d asked him to… His breaths fell steady, silent and peaceful.
Lena was glad.
She was glad… to see him fall asleep like this. He had fought so hard, on so many fronts.
Maybe now, he would get some sleep.
…
…
…
He awoke in his bed not long after. Lena had since left.
Shin’s body lay still, almost frozen, his bloodred eyes peering broad into the walls in front of him.
They weren't what he was looking at.
He remembered now.
Lena…
And he saw it as plain as day.
…And I.
The shining view of a sandy floor, the sounds of an ocean wave crashing against the seaside, the flocks of birds soaring toward the light… feeling only the heat of the sun… and the soft hand that held his.
Together.
He could hardly hear them anymore.