Work Text:
Never without my precious hound
“Ready to go then, Grizzer?”
The hound was wagging her tail eagerly, panting heavily with the long tongue hanging out. Of course she was ready! The two were scheduled, or without too much of a schedule planned, to take a long hike on another planet close by. It was barely inhabited with lush nature all around. Just a kind of a place Grizzer and Hound both loved to spend time on when they had some time off. Just the two of them out in the wilderness enjoying the silence all around.
Total and utter perfection.
“Yesh ya are girl, aren’t ya!” Hound patted Grizzer, rewarding her a quick treat before they were headed to the shuttle.
“Have fun out there you two!”
“Oh, trust me, we will!”
And with that, the two were off.
With some much deserved R and R spent just for the two of them in some lush bushes might not have been everyone’s cup of tea, but Hound and Grizzer always found it calming and relaxing, even with the hiking and camping in some very rough terrain planned.
It was their way of spending time off.
*
The camp was set, the fire crackling and the stars were out.
Hound and Grizzer having found the most perfect spot in the middle of nowhere after a long several hours of hiking and observing the nature around them. Even having snapped a few holo-images to show the others when back again as promised.
“You ready for some din-din then, girl?”
Grizzer barked, having smelled the cooking, which despite the content was still so good when out in nature.
The two settling then for some grub, while watching the show up in the nightly skies.
Shooting stars it was for tonight.
“Make a wish, eh girl!” Hound laughed, the two sitting in silence as the star flew passed them.
There were a few more, but the show for the evening was over as the duo settled for the night.
“Sleep tight, my girl.” Hound wished Grizzer, as the two cuddled into the sleeping bag specially made for the duo. “We have a long day of exploring ahead tomorrow.”
The wilderness around them certainly worth the excursion, with plenty of steps to take and scenery to see.
Falling asleep soon enough, both of them snoring loudly.
*
It was a howl, then a crash. Then, silence.
Nothing unusual there, the wildlife usually up after sunset. But it had woken the duo up.
“It’s just some animals, Grizzer, nuttin’ to worry about.”
They both listed for a moment more, then cuddled back to sleep.
Alas, a few moments later, another loud crash broke the perfect silence.
“What the???”
Hound was up as quick as that, his instincts kicking in with Grizzer by his side, growling, sensing something in there with them.
They could both hear them, footfalls, closing in.
“Shh… let’s wait and see what it is.”
Hound had his vibroknife handy, his torch prepped to shine at whatever was approaching them. The idea to blind the arrival first, in case it was hostile, as it was pitch-black at this time of night. Grizzer seeing better of course even in the darkness.
Just then, the footfalls stopped. Both Hound and Grizzer standing perfectly still, neither of them even daring a breath. Grizzer always following Hound’s example no matter her nature.
There was no movement for a longest while, the whatever or whomever it was, not moving either.
Hound’s hand found Grizzer’s head in the darkness. Signalling her to act on Hound’s movement.
“Who’s there?” Hound then asked, his light flashing onto the direction of the arrival, a low growl escaping her as a warning.
“Ouch! My eyes!”
“What the… Stone?”
“Yeah… buddy, is me. Don’t shoot!”
The light was directed downward, seeing the familiar figure now there near their camp.
“Almost did! What are you doing here?”
“Well, I thought… I could join you two, but then, I got lost and well, I’ve been waking all night to get here.”
“Idiot!” It wasn’t out of malice Hound stated it, but sometimes, Stone was an idiot.
“Heh, yeah, don’t remind me!”
They hugged, Grizzer jumping all over Stone, clearly pleased to see his second favourite person.
“Well, since you’re already here, please join our camp!” Hound wasn’t about to tell Stone off.
It was actually rather nice to have some company even if Hound preferred the solitude with Grizzer, but Stone was his best friend, usually not for the outdoors, so this was special in many ways.
“Thanks!”
“Yeh, better get some shut-eye. We have a long day of hiking planned for us tomorrow.” Hound laughed.
“Hiking?!?”
“Yup, that’s the ticket laddie!”
Oh well, guess, Stone could still manage it. Even if he had hiked half the night already to get to his friend!