Insufferable Love (Keegan Russ x Reader Short Fic)

Caught Off Guard

Night Three

"Keegan- Keegan wait up-"

You called, clearly out of breath as you slowly came to a stop a few feet behind him. The man stopped his jog, turning to see you hunched over with hands on your knees.

"You're seriously tired?"

He spoke deadpan, maybe a little annoyed. It was more of a statement considering how exaggerated you probably looked.

"Mate, we just ran like hell for five miles, half of that uphill, and through thick snow. How are you not tired?"

The sergeant shrugged, turning round to look in the direction of where your camp should be. But you also had another question.

"What about your leg? Doesn't that hurt?"

Standing up straight, you watched as Keegan pressed on forward without answering your question, only mumbling something in that half-native language of his. You sighed harshly, following him back in silence.

By the time you reached camp, it was already growing darker. The trees concealing your tent and campfire didn't help. At least you had the light of the flames to keep you from succumbing to the darkness for now, courtesy of your old lighter.

You sat on a log, legs loosely crossed together and pressed against the wood. Your eyes trailed over to the tent, watching as Keegan continued to shuffle and grab whatever he said he needed to get. You had already asked what it was and he shut you down real quick, so you remained quiet. Looking at the flames once more, your eyes got lost in the dance of orange and red, maybe a little yellow. You could swear that they made shapes, kind of like how the clouds do sometimes. In one instance there was a rifle, another an animal head of some kind- maybe a wolf, or a fox. Another had the glimpse of a silhouette, feeling familiar but distant somehow. You never realized how lost you were staring into the inferno until there was an object blocking your vision.

You jumped a little, sitting up a little straighter and taking the object, bringing it down so you could read it. And it was a chocolate bar. You raised your eyebrows and looked at Keegan who had already made himself comfortable back on his log with a grunt. You noticed he too had one in his hand, getting ready to open it.

"Who let you sneak these abroad?"

The masked man looked over to you, in which you held a cheeky grin. He rolled his eyes, peeling open the packaging carefully.

"No one. I didn't ask."

You chuckled a little, looking at your bar and opening it up as well. It was rare to find something like this that was still good, and you were thankful that Keegan was willing to share one with you. Breaking off a piece you put it in your mouth to let it melt. You wanted to savor this for as long as possible. Glancing at the man across from you, it was hard to believe what you were witnessing. His mask was pulled up halfway, just to his nose so he could eat. You didn't think about it, but he was always up before you every single day since you got here. This way he could eat without being looked at or asked questions. And you were currently doing the prior, so you looked back at the fire. At least he didn't see you.

"I saw that glance, (L/N)."

Or maybe he did.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to stare if I was."

You didn't look at him again, but you could feel his eyes on you.

"You're fine. Just finish up so we can sleep soon. We've got big plans tomorrow."

You nodded, breaking off another piece to eat.

"Remind me what we're doing?"

"Picking off stragglers. Maybe cause some damage, if you know what I mean."