I hope this isn't too difficult to handle but could you do Beehive x reader in a one shot, whereas the reader is an outsider taken in by the wranglers and Bee is at first disdainful, but eventually warms up after a long time?
if you'd rather not do this, feel free to ignore or delete this. Take care of yerself!:D
There's No Such Thing As Sweeter a Sting
Internet Findings: I actually really loved writing this, Beehive is super sick [END SEARCH]
The Redcliff camp was buzzing with excitement.
It wasn't the type of buzz that surrounded great hauls of food, water being harvested in large enough quantities to at least hold back a couple of searching missions, nor was it the type of buzz that called for an Oziphrage being brought into the camp for a new rider to be geared up with. Those were honestly better possibilities than this was actually, Beehive even considered the rush of her own hive more entertaining whenever the newest batch of honey could be collected.
"I just don't understand why we're pickin' up a new recruit, when we don't even know if they're affiliated with the likes of them." Beehive practically hissed the words out, hiding in one of the tents that housed what could be a meeting room. Grappling Hook could only laugh at that, the sound only a touch grating to Bee's ears as she pursed her lips. It wasn't new information that somebody was passing through the encampment today, the blazing sun giving away your position before you eventually collapsed down on the coarse sand from the heat.
You were resting in the only place that could be a medbay for the sick and weary, but already you were stirring up "trouble" in Bee's own words. She almost couldn't believe that Grappling Hook would broach the subject of recruiting you into the team, saying how another hand to help out with missions or look outs could be beneficial to the rest of the Redcliff Wranglers in the long-term. Sure, there's a bit of truth to that Beehive could always do for somebody else calling attention to a flash of teal on the horizon, but you're...
Well, you're just not trustworthy enough for Bee's own sake.
That was worsened when you accepted it, the condition set out that you would help the moment you didn't feel so off balance. It was natural, in fact the rest of the Wranglers didn't expect you to be put to work so quickly after the sun beat down enough to leave you wobbly. "Now now, c'mon Bee. We got ourselves some time to let them prove that they're a fine person to the crew." Grappling Hook leaned on the only table present, but they couldn't hide the risk that was poised. Beehive could see through them, but the matter was already made up now and this little chat was just an avoidance of the inevitable.
"If this ends up bein' a bad idea Grappling Hook, I ain't letting this one go."
"It won't be, I'll make sure of it."
Grappling Hook gave a nod to Beehive to try and quell the budding nerves that threatened to overtake the situation. It didn't do much, the gesture was truly there for the need of it and less so for the abikity to help in some way. A sigh, Bee could only steel herself for the days to come as she fastened her goggles over her eyes and headed out of the tent at last.
She couldn't be debating all day even if she wished, she had work to do.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You're gettin' it, just try and go slower unless you wanna frighten the poor creature."
The warm voice of Tarantula flooded the ears, her own smile giving you the courage to grab the pike again and hold up another piece of whatever-this-was, smell rotten and so very delectable to the Oziphrage before you. It stared at you for a long time, feathers bristled out until it pecked at the hunk of meat in hunger. You whispered about how the bird was staring to warm up on you, even if you were still slightly terrified of it.
"That's to be expected, it can kill ya pretty quickly..." You shot Tarantula a glare, prompting her to chuckle over the biting tease. It's only been a week since you were brought into the Wranglers' hideout, and already you were trying your best to make yourself useful for the rest. Reservations were made, and although you didn't deny how awkward it could be with the looks sent your way, you were determined to make yourself a friend to these people.
Grappling Hook was at least more amicable over a mess up or two at the beginning, even if you couldn't stop yourself from apologizing in a rush of words that could only be heard as "I'm so sorry I'm so sorry pleasedon'tkickmeout-" from the others. They seemed to hold promise for you, which you did appreciate immensely whenever it felt like the day was weighing on you more than usual. Tarantula was one of the others that warmed up quick to you as well, but to be fair it is Tarantula, she could probably get along with the most vicious animal in the Inpherno if she wanted to.
A screech, bringing you back to the now as you pulled the pike away from the very expectant bird, wings flapping in joy over another round of fresh (dubiously fresh more like it) food that was brought up to its beak, with more encouragement being spoken from Tarantula about how much of the hang of things you've been catching on for this. You'll be on your way to becoming a fully fledged wrangler in no time, at least you hoped it was true.
Further on and watching your progress with the eyes of a hawk, Beehive still was ever vigilant against this. The rational side of her brain told her this was all but a ploy to get you in the midst of the camp before it all blew up on the people who welcomed you in. She rustled in her very gear namesake to check up on the little insects, trying to keep busy before her own head gave way to the pressure and accused you of something that had the notion of blowing up in her face.
It still felt so unnatural to keep you inside the camp of Redcliff, the way your presence was getting accustomed to was borderline suspicious. Even if reserve was held, you're still an outsider to the rest of them and Beehive couldn't just let that go so quickly, especially with the very threat of those on the outside trying to worm their way in the other factions of the Inpherno itself.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sweltering days turned into chilly nights, time being less of a hindrance and more so something you've started to look forward to now.
It's been weeks since you last arrived, and you've been treated as a fledgling in the roost of birds of prey instead of the worm easily available for a feast. It was comforting to know that the outlook on you has changed to the point where most of them have decided you were harmless. Most of them being the key word here, you watched in displaced hope as you were set up with Beehive for the day. While she could certainly handle the problem herself, her own hive was getting a bit agitated as of late to the point where she asked if one of the wranglers would be available for a checkup.
As a matter of fact, they were. Just not who she was expecting for the job. You went to her own tent as quick as your legs could carry you, hearing her familiar tone chirp out in the midst of her work. "Come on over! 'Bout time one of ya showed up, I was getting- oh." You could hear her deflate the moment she saw you, goggles concealing her gaze but not hiding the way she slumped for but a moment. She policed her posture up, before giving you a curt motion to come over and take a seat in her tent. At least at the front of it anyway, you wanted to make yourself accessible in case she called.
Not like she was, you gave a small sigh underneath your breath as you let yourself hit the sand.
You watched her fiddle around with her pack for a few moments, her hat concealing the fixed expression you guessed she had, readjusting her gloves to get a better grip out of desperation. Did she need help? You asked her if everything was alright, or if she needed somebody else to hold onto her backpack for her to make some configurations or anything else. Beehive snapped out of her trance, looking up to you with a purse of her lips and the very words on her tongue.
It wouldn't hurt to let you help for a one time deal, besides it could check off Grappling Hook being questioning if she's ever really given you a chance or if her little one-sided displeasure of you was still going on. Humming in thought, unfortunately for her the answer was already out in front of her: Beehive needed the help no matter who she called upon for it, even if it was you (who she's not entirely certain is a soon to be traitor or not). "Ya gonna sit there or make yourself useful? That's what you've been on about as of late right..." You could barely hear the rest of her sentence, but you rushed over to hold up her pack anyhow.
Hands on its sides, you already spoke about minding her precious colony while keeping it in a secure enough grasp. Another side effect of this was that while you are being a great help, totally, you're now right up to her face, and could very much look past the glare of the goggles to see her eyes staring down in concentration. Hey- when did she get so quiet? You would've sworn she was gonna chomp at the bit to maybe find a way to throw some sort of dig your way, but the hit never came.
Actually, now that you mention it... Beehive looked a bit too focused now. The crease in her brow, the only afforded looks coming your way was quick to the point where it felt purposeful. She could hardly understand it herself, but the moment you jumped at the mere idea of providing a service she might not even accept was admirable at best, or quite alarming at worst. Either way, she was thankful at the very least for you coming out now for her.
Ahem. "All good, guess it wasn't so much of a problem after all. I appreciate the help here." You told her anytime, and in the swiftly approaching train wreck of thoughts that followed you as you went on your way with a small wave was almost criminal. Maybe there was more to you... No, no she couldn't be won over that easily now could she?
She had to wait longer, even if in her heart the urge of wavering was strong enough to just let her cave and say you're not half bad.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The twinkling of stars highlighted the spark of deep orange and yellow, campfire providing warmth to the steady chill of night.
Laughter and merriment was in full bloom, each of those that you met in the months that passed now as much of friends as they were closely woven to you. You breathed in deep, the very air providing you a steady hand to let your worries lay waste. The crackle of the open flames blending with voices of the desert itself, everything felt right, peaceful even if the circumstances for you to find these people as a mere traveler turned Redcliff Wrangler was a bit more dire.
"You need a moment? I came to talk to ya if it's h'alright."
Beehive. You snapped your head a bit too quickly to see their hunched form acting more awkward than the normal strength you've grown accustomed with. Of course she could talk to you, you scooted a bit aside even if there wasn't a real "chair" that was in between your way and hers. All symbolic, all for the approval of somebody you never stopped feeling the gaze of the moment your feet landed in the sand she occupied. She still took the seat in the sand anyway, the inches apart from each other more confusing to you then the solid feet she started to keep less and less.
"I wanted t' say somethin'.. I… Well you know how it is out here, guard gots to be up if you don't wanna be the next one in the fire." Dry laughter, her hands outstretched before her to try and keep her own story coherent before it fell away just like that. Beehive didn't even have her goggles down either, the hexagonal pattern glimmering in the low light. She's stalling and it's almost funny to watch, you let out your own chuckle that just wouldn't be kept down no matter how hard you tried for it. Cute.
Bee rubbed the back of her neck with an off kilter grin, trying to pull all of her thoughts together before trying again. How long has it been now? A month or so, maybe three at this point. She couldn't keep track after the second week of you being here, your presence was already accounted for longer than she wanted to admit it. "What I'm trying to say is that, well I think yer a pretty damn good member for the wranglers."
Leaning in a bit, you couldn't help but do the same as you both looked at the other. You told her you appreciated it, and that you're glad you're at least on better terms with her? Hopefully? Maybeee??? "Don't get too cocky 'bout that." Ha, was she seriously joking around now? The tone in her voice hinted the same stern way with words she always had, but maybe just a touch more playful on the side. A bit closer, the light of the fire danced on her face and could almost let you trace the very angles of her jaw.
Your hand and hers met, fingers barely together.
"BEEHIVE! Ain't it our favorite keeper!" TNT roped you both out of the dreamlike quality that was coming over the desert, the stars sparkling in mock against your flustered face. You glanced over way too many times at TNT, seeing them saunter over and place a hand on Beehive's shoulder with a grin, "Wanted to ask ya something quick, you can go back to chattin' after alright?" A few words whispered that made Bee almost punch him in the face, before the two of them walked off to continue the conversation.
Now you're on the opposite end of the wave goodbye, but this time it was with a smile that almost spoke of affection. Dear Swords was this bad.
