In a flash of activity, a laser from the noulith speared the fish, and it floated helpfully to the surface of the water for Pod to collect. The rest of the fish scattered, which was fine. They'd come back for the bait again and again.
"Report: Fresh."
"Thanks, Pod," he replied, patting the mammet on the head as it deposited their catch with the rest. The rations they were provided by Black on their missions were enough to scrape them by, barely. Three and Four were larger than the others, and would often finish their meals unsatisfied. Only Three complained, but Nine knew that Four was hungry, too. They couldn't fight properly, heal properly, without proper nutrition. So Nine had taken to fishing. Fish were high in protein and fatty acids, which the boys needed to--
"Alone again?"
He raised his head at the voice. Number Two. His cheeks warmed as the other miqo'te sat beside him, their tails brushing together and entwining. It wasn't the first time they'd been alone together like this, but it was always an experience worth savoring. Their tank, their dark knight, was a miqo even smaller than Nine. How he wielded that massive sword with such ease would be a mystery to him forever, he thought.
"Toh. You're out pretty far from camp."
"You say that as if you aren't the exact same distance as me."
"Were you looking for me?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Two looked at him. At least, he faced him. With their blindfolds, it was hard to tell exactly where either of them were looking. His lips formed into a thin line. Two's voice always held a bit of a flat affect, but his question came across as a firm backhand to the face.
"If I were tempered, would you kill me?"
"What?"
"If I were your enemy, would you cut me down?"
"No. I could never do that. I'd find a way to save you."
"I thought so."
The warmth of his tail on Nine's disappeared as Two got to his feet, leaving his fur ruffled and chilled. Nine flattened his ears, his expression pleading. But Two didn't waver whatsoever. He never did.
"You're naive. That's going to get you killed. I'm going to get you killed."
"What do you mean?"
"Don't stay out too late. We still need to eat those."
