Epic (Nod x Reader)

Nod

I panted a little, waiting for the pain to subside before I grabbed the hem of my shirt and ripped it with as much force as I could. "I got hit by an arrow." I glanced up at Nod, holding out the fabric for him to grab, gritting my teeth as he wrapped it around my arm as gingerly as he could. When he was finished, he sat me down fully on the ground, arm wrapped around my back as a comforting support.

"Finn patched me up as best as he could, but the arrowhead was covered in a diluted toxin, seeing as how it hasn't killed me yet," I quipped with a deprecating amusement that was not as funny to Ronin or Nod as it was to me. "It's been pretty tame until now, I didn't realize it would get irritated this easily.

Ronin was on the verge of fuming now. "And you didn't think to tell me, Cadet? Why did you think it would be smart to come with me if you knew you were injured?" 

I rolled my eyes, "I just said, it was just a normal cut until now, I didn't think it would get any worse than it already was." I turned to Nod, "That being said, we need another rider."

Ronin, while clearly exhausted shook his head, "No we have the others, we don't need his help."

Nod rose an eyebrow, "Alright then, who's with you? Who's the riding point?" Like the question was a cue, Ronin's hummingbird bucked into view behind him, Mub and Grub chuckling as MK was juggled between the two of them, all three of them laughing as she nearly fell off the saddle, hanging upside down with a smile on her face.

Ronin sighed heavily, I just smiled sheepishly. Nod and Ronin looked at each other.

"Get your saddle-"

"I'll get my saddle."

Finally finding the strength to stand up, not without Nod holding me gently, I grabbed the reins of the Hummingbird, pulling the group forward and helping MK off the bird, leaving Mub and Grub where they sat.

"Nod, MK." I turned to face the red-head, "MK, Nod." I clapped my hands together, "Okay, wonderful, introductions are over with." But apparently, introductions were not over with, because as I glanced at the two of them, there was nothing but small smiles and shy demeanor and suddenly a wave of cold washed over my spine, making my chest contract more pain than any arrow could possibly inflict.

They continued to stare at each other for a moment longer before the exhaustion got to the better of me and I grabbed Nod's shoulder shocking him out of his stupor.

"As much as this interaction is invigorating to watch," I started, causing him to roll his eyes, "We're running on a tight schedule, unfortunately." I shoved him towards his hummingbird, gesturing for MK to follow as I trailed behind the two of them to where Ronin was saddling up the newest recruit, and watching as Nod offered his hand to her to help her up before grabbing the reins from where he stood on the ground. I slowly grew annoyed at the hazy, shy, first-meeting kind of gaze that had been shared between the two. Nod turned to glance back at me as if sensing my demure, raising a questioning eyebrow.

The burning in my chest, I blamed on grief.

I crossed my arms petulantly, opting to stand by Mub and Grub, instead of wherever MK and Nod were flirting.

"Hey, baby-"

I grabbed the [arm] reaching much too close to my ass, something scathing coming from my gaze.

"Don't even try it, bub."

"It's Mub. And it's a-okay, I like me a challenge." I guffawed, gesturing to Mub with my thumb as my astounded expression met Ronin's unamused face.

I mouthed towards him, 'Are you serious right now?' But Ronin just glared, which was his way of saying 'deal with it.'

Men, I thought very unkindly.

Speaking of men, I noticed Nod and MK approaching from my peripheral, and I busied myself arbitrarily with adjusting the saddle of Ronin's hummingbird while the proprietor fixed his armor for the trip.

Nod called my name, and I looked up as he eyed the slug and snail in confusion. I stood up to full height. "Nod, this is Grub and Mub." I paused, "They're here to keep the pod m-"

"Moist!" Mub shouted abruptly, eyeing Nod up and down like he was a boggin rather than a leaf-man. Nod leaned back in apprehension, completely unnerved at the sudden aggression. 

I sighed heavily, closing my eyes. "Yes, thank you, Mub, for the clarification, moist--they keep it moist."

"Oh well, that's...good," Nod said, hesitantly. Then he turned to me, holding out a hand to help me up onto the bird. Mub eyed between the two of us in shock, gasping loudly as he tried to smack Nod's hand.

"Hey, I saw her first," The slug declared, shoving Nod's shoulder slightly with an eyeball. Gross.

"Huh? Wait, what?" Nod looked between me and the slug repeatedly, clearly lost and confused at the sudden confrontation.

Mub squared up to him, puffing out his chest as if it would somehow deter Nod and declare dominance in this fight amongst males. 

"Are you hitting on her?" My name was on Nod's lips as he glared at the slug, slightly moving me behind him as if he were trying to hide me from the slug's seductive approaches- as if I would be attracted to Mub's seductive approaches.

I laughed, "Why? Jealous?" Nod glared at me, turning his head away and grumbling before Ronin cleared his throat.

"The princess and...MK, here. You're riding with me." He turned to Nod a hidden smile buried underneath all the hard edges. "Congrats, you get the slugs."

I snorted, jutting out a thumb towards Mub. "How does it feel to be losing to that guy?"

"Shut up."

---

End of chapter.