Chapter Text
Spar With Me
Getting knocked back so hard during a fight that your mask flies off did wonders for Logan’s focus. If he wasn’t actively trying to recruit the deceptively efficient builder, he would have started sweating knowing he’d need to step it up a notch to take her out. He refused to acknowledge he might not actually be able to defeat her like this.
The precise thrust of her spear shot above his shoulder as he lifted his arm to regrip his knife. The slick move knocked the weapon out of his hand and the cave echoed with the ring of flying metal. Her big golden eyes glinted with impending victory and he grit his teeth before lunging toward the petite woman. He’d have to stop her soon, one way or-
A shockwave of casual strength separated them so suddenly they halted the fight mid-attack. Grace simply smiled at them and shrugged off their growing animosity with…well, aloof grace. “Calm down you two. It’s almost like the air in here is thick for another reason.”
They both balked at that and shrugged off their simmering adrenaline, albeit reluctantly. Grace then wove the tale of how they all got here for the builder, Sabine, he thought he’d heard her called. He tried to pay attention, responding when needed, but she made a heavy sigh once Grace asked her to help the cause.
The builder reached up, yanked off her sandgear hat and out flew a stream of white hair. Her looks were striking, though her attitude and features appeared cold. Not unlike someone from his memories…
He was instantly closing off from her, heart hardening away from her beautiful face and paying attention instead to the warning her striking hair offered. Like a sandsnake rattle, that color spelled danger in his mind. So much like the mother who abandoned both his father and himself at such a young age. The two displayed similar silky white hair proudly, coldly. This Sabine? Was she so calculating and cold as his mother had proven to be? Should they even trust her-
“Logan!”
He blinked and looked at the two women standing in front of himself. Sabine raised a cool eyebrow at him and smirked.
“He’s clearly addled.” She said, “I did hit him pretty hard.”
Logan sputtered to reply but she interrupted. “I’m in. You convinced me.” she said with finality and her eyes slid away from him.
“Perfect. Let us know if you have any questions.”
The builder nodded and promptly hauled Grace away for questions, leaving himself and Haru standing alone. Shit, he completely forgot about his friend. Glancing over, he regretted his melancholy thoughts. His buddy clearly enjoyed watching Logan get his ass handed to him again and again.
“What?”
“Weird seeing you at a loss for words, Logan. Are you okay?” Haru was usually mild mannered, but he did hide a sharp sense of humor. Apparently seeing Logan look like a sandfish outta sand was hilarious. Haru’s little smirk said plenty.
“Yea.” the bandit snapped and walked off to a spot to be alone with his thoughts.
Before long he heard a step and looked over his shoulder. Mistake. Her hair shone like snow in the sunny light, which trickled into the cave. She set his guard up, though he knew it was ridiculous of him.
“So. I guess I should ask you more about the situation with your father and the temple… but it seems pretty clear to me from what you said earlier.”
Logan didn’t reply, just watched her look at anything but him. She kicked a rock and continued. “I’m…sorry about your pa.” She looked up finally, eyes sincere. “I don’t know what I’d do if my pa was held captive like that and I was out there, free. Blowing up a temple seems reasonable enough.”
He couldn’t help the smirk at her try for humor. The attempt helped him relax a bit. “Well. It did more than that.”
“I don’t believe that was you or Haru’s fault.” Her eyes grew cold again but he didn’t feel the need to back away. She looked pissed. “Those bastards at the temple…they’re slimy and I wouldn’t put it past them to be behind all this. You got my support. Like I said.”
“I’m…grateful you believe us. And glad to have you in the gang. You slap that spear around like a Scorpster tail. Gonna help in the fight to come.”
She smirked and looked toward the exit. “Oh you know, joining the gang was just a bonus. I totally fell in love with you at first sight.” She said casually and sauntered away.
Stunned, he realized quickly she was just messing with him. Well two could play that game he thought.
“Alright, little lady. Take care on those bumpers now. Don’t wanna have to save you from a fall.”
Predictably, she tossed an annoyed frown over her shoulder at him and made her exit as quickly as possible, but dignity was questionable on those bouncy bumpers. Hell, he fell like a complete goof whenever he had to leave the hideout. Took any level of badass down a couple levels.
Two Seasons Later
The sandstorm came out of nowhere. He was busy tracking down some extra rutabagas for Rambo when the wind kicked up and the temperature dropped. He knew without looking the sand was racing toward his location. He only had a moment to snap “Fuck!” when he was nearly mowed down with the force of the sand and wind.
One of the worst storms in a long time, this one. He was getting his bearings, remembering caves in the area, when he heard a shout and growling. Logan dashed up the wall of the walkway near the mine and looked up toward the hill near his old hideout. Sabine, no doubt it was her, pulled a new titanium spear off her back and flung it in an arc toward a small pack of Rockyenarolls.
She expertly took one to the ground with a twirling attack, then spun toward the oncoming hound. Using her hips to thrust forward with the spear at her back, she took out the pooch with one blow before scrambling to put on her sandgear. He didn’t know why he watched, she was clearly capable and able to get out of there unharmed. He should probably check to make sure she was-
A shaggy blur of long hair appeared behind, too fast for her to react. An enraged Alpha Rockyenaroll slapped the spear away and the builder rolled at the last moment before claws could fully knock her down. Out came the woman’s pistol but he heard a familiar empty click from his vantage point and her audible“Shit!” He had to intervene, shocking himself to realize he was already moving.
The dog looped back fast as lightning and Logan barely made it between them, breaking the alpha monster’s guard and sending it back. A few well placed shots managed to take it out fast, but he was surprised how strong it was for the area. This storm was especially dangerous.
“Well…you only barely ended up saving me.”
He chuckled at that, remembering how they goaded each other every chance they interacted, and held out a hand to pull her up. “You looked like you were good for a minute there.” She got to her feet and yelped, dropping suddenly to the sand, only his strong grip on her arm stopping her from landing on the ground.
“Shit, woman, you’re hurt!”
He couldn’t see blood but knew it was an ankle injury by the way she was holding herself.
“Come on, we gotta get to shelter.” He snapped as the gusts grew even stronger, lashing at his back as he pulled the petite builder closer. He wished once again that those trees Trudy and the others were working on were ready and able to stop these destructive storms.He hoped they would make it through this, both those trees and themselves.
“I can make it back, I gotta get Merle!”
“She’s gonna be fine, ‘Bine, but we gotta get outta this storm.” Another blast of wind sent him to his knees and she gripped his cape, pulling close. He chanced a look down and she was looking up at him with concern. He simply winked and she immediately glared with a cute little pout. If he was sure of anything, it was that this evening waiting out the storm was gonna be very different than any other.
By the time he got them into the old hideout, he was damn near fully exhausted. Logan didn’t even take them down the pathway. Luckily there was an old couch near the entrance. He didn’t want to embarrass himself by trying to haul them both down those damn bumpers right away. Instead, he set her down on the cushions and crouched before her.
“Light, that was actually really scary.” she said.
He looked up from the floor and she was looking at him with a frown. “You got sand all over your hat.”
“Better ‘n my hair.” he said and pulled the old yakboy hat off to rustle his ponytail. Some sand fell over his back and she laughed quietly.
“I just hate it.” She pulled her bun loose and a whole sandbox seemed to escape. “As soon as Rosie came around I hired her to clean off my machines for me.” Sabine groaned at the amount she got out of her hair.
“And you choose a place called Sand rock to call home.” he said with a grin.
“Never said I was smart.” Once freed of some of the sand and dust she tied it back up and he felt a little kernel of disappointment seeing the long mane put away. She rarely had her hair out of a hat or coiled bun.
Over the past few months, he’d come to terms with his mama issues. The woman who abandoned him had absolutely nothing in common with this builder. Sabine had more in common with the sun. She was bright and warm despite her dry humor and was quick to smile at their fellow Sandrockers. She also had one helluva mean streak when it came to Pen. They fought like they’d been partners for years when they went up against that Duvos peacock, practically dancing as a unit knocking that bastard down off his high horse.
He once asked her why she hated that guy so much and she’d said the knight was calling her Skinny Arms since she first got there. Only just before the big water reveal did she kick Pen’s ass for all to see in the fighting tournament. Finally he showed some respect for her, but she didn’t give a damn. His ass was grass, she’d told Logan with a devious smirk.
“I wouldn’t say you’re not smart,” he said. “Opposite. Yer stubborn.”
“You’re one to talk.” she said, meeting his eyes with a sly look.
They sat there smirking at one another for a moment, warmth growing in his chest before he cleared his throat. “Enough chattin’. We gotta check your ankle.”
“Don’t worry about it, I’ll head to Fang when we get back.”
“Not gonna hear that.” he said and started unlacing her tall boot. She sputtered with indignation and tried to pull her foot back, but she instantly jerked in pain. “Calm down, this could be really bad. I need ta check. Could be a couple days out here ‘fore we can get back.”
“Days?” she said and flopped back against the cushion with her arms crossed.
Gingerly, Logan managed to get her boot off, then socks with ducks, but beneath those she had the tightest dang jeans he’d ever seen. “Girl, are these even practical?” he said, voice filled with frustration as he gave up trying to get the fabric up without any success. She sat there with a frustrated face and glared at him.
“They stop sand from getting up my leg, of course!” Sabine snapped and then frowned at her ankle. “Vivi made these ones for me.” Whatever she’d done to it hurt to high heaven and she was getting too overwhelmed. “I gotta get these jeans off…”
Logan nodded solemnly, despite the blush blooming up his neck at her words and he desperately hoped she wouldn’t see. He was about to suggest cutting up the pant leg, but he very much appreciated following her around in ruins while she wore them. Besides, grandma Vi made them. Wouldn’t do to ruin them, right?
“I, uh…think I got a long t-shirt you can change into.” She currently wore a form fitting long sleeve shirt with a wrap around her waist. Which, normally he loved seeing on her but ain't no way she would stay decent without her jeans on.
Sabine nodded and he hopped to his feet, some energy returned. “I think I can manage to get us down there.”
“These things are so ridiculous.” she said as he lifted her back up bridal-style and carefully bounced them down to the bottom floor. He heard her “oof” noise and could tell she was fully in pain by that point. Stubborn gal, he thought. He set her on his alpha yakmel-horn chair and left to find extra things he’d left behind. Habit of being on the run. He managed to find some jerky, water canteen and the longest shirt he had. Not that it was an issue. The little woman only made it up to his chest.
By the time he made it out she’d removed the wrap from her waist and was removing the outer layer of her top. She was still decent, so he walked up and set the shirt on the arm of his chair.
“I’ll be back, darlin’, I just gotta check the perimeter in case some monsters found their way here.”
“Mkay.” she said quietly and continued undressing.
By the time he got back it was getting dark and cold in the cave. He also noticed that Merle and Rambo found their way back in and were munching on some leftover feed. He stopped to pat their heads and turned toward Sabine.
Even though it was dark he nearly tripped when he spotted her in the dim light. The shirt, his shirt, covered her to mid thigh so she was clothed enough but the unexpected intimacy of seeing her in his own clothes had his heart solidly pounding in his chest. She was petite in height and her general size, but she had long, soft looking legs. Then he saw her ankle.
Any lingering embarrassment flew out the window and he stomped over to crouch before her. She made a breathy gasp when his rough hands gently grabbed hold of her calf and cupped her small foot. That sound nearly broke his concentration but he remained focused on the injury. Purple bloomed up her ankle and the joint was swollen. Logan was worried she may have broken it, but after gently pressing here and there, he didn’t feel anything. Small blessing he supposed.
He whistled out a breath and took his hat off. “This looks bad, Sabine.”
“Oh, well, I’ve had worse.” she said and he frowned.
“I got some bandages, but I don’t know if we got any medicine for this.”
“I sh-should have something in my pack.” she said, holding her arms around her chest. Shit, she’s cold, you idiot!
“Damnit, let me get that fire going. I’m sorry ‘bout that.” He leapt to his feet to light the fire barrel near the chair and then turned back. He should have known he’d be screwed once he did that. Now he could see just how cold she really was as she searched through the bag. Sabine looked soft and sweet sitting there, her hair down in a single braid. He swallowed.
“Ha,” she barked and held up a pack of herbs, which she then held aloft with a small grin of triumph. Woman sat there so comfortably in his shirt, looking like she just rolled out of bed, with her nipples hard under the fabric. The final nail in his coffin was the moment she set the pack down again and casually scooted back once on the cushion, practically forcing his full attention to those perky, bouncing breasts. He just knew she would fit perfectly into his waiting hands.
Oh he was so fucked.
“Lemme, uh, see those. You try’n relax.”
“Uh huh,” she said, but was completely distracted by his hands on her again. His palm and pads of his fingers were rough, in a very alluring way. As a builder she had to take care not to hurt her hands so she always had gloves on and dutifully used those lotions Pablo sent her each week. She’d never felt like this before, like her skin was uneasy and she was too hot. In her life, any boyfriends she’d had were few and fleeting and time spent with them very lacking and completely forgettable. Her work was her passion.
As his hands soothed over her skin, she felt that builder’s passion falling away for something else entirely.
“You should, uh, elevate that leg.” He said once the bandages were set.
“Huh?” Her face was so red.
“To, uh, make sure the swellin’ goes down.” She watched as it was his turn for his face to go beet red right in front of her. If she was not mistaken, his mind was heading directly towards where her’s was already stuck in the gutter.
Sabine had occasionally expressed bits of interest towards Logan, like when he rescued her from being a Duvos builder. “You came for me!” She had been halfway joking, but really could barely ignore her heart pounding in her chest just seeing him arrive. Like some hero from tales ready to save the damsel. She was no damsel but he sure made her feel like she could be one, just for him.
More embarrassingly, when she toyed with him about being her boyfriend for the day. That got him flustered and her regretting that declaration, since he was so sincere in his wish to help.
It was then that the most insane idea she could conjure up hit her. It was unhinged, potentially devastating. She should know by all her fumbles with this man that it would likely fail and leave her rejected again. But it refused to leave her mind and he was not wrong.
She was extremely stubborn to a fault.
“You’re…” she started, licking her lips and shifting in her seat. “You’re not wrong.” He looked up from her wrapped ankle, watching her. As if he could glean an impending threat. He was a hunter, his instincts were strong.
But instead of calling her out, he simply said, “I’m…not?”
“Yeah.” she said breathlessly, “I really should elevate my leg.” With his wide eyes on her face, she slowly lifted her leg, momentarily resting the ball of her foot on the cushion. Once his eyes snapped to her leg, she slowly ran her heel up along the arm of the seat and gently rested it over the top. Her face was on fire, but it seemed to match his own from the look of it. Logan was barely breathing.
With a sigh so wanton she surprised herself, Sabine removed her arms from her chest, unwrapping them deliberately revealing her chilly nipples under the shirt. Beneath her messy bangs she caught Logan’s eyes and nearly pulled the plug on her plan, but his intensity pushed her on. With her eyes on his, she slowly stretched out, hands skirting the cool leather until finally reaching the arms of the chair and leaning back, lifting her chest ever so slightly in a challenge. She’d effectively opened herself up for an attack and knowing Logan, he never missed an opportunity to do just that.
He only looked an instant longer before he lunged for her, his long body pressing into hers, chest to her chest, before capturing her lips with his own in a heated kiss. His hands held her head and she moaned as one of them rode down to her lifted thigh, squeezing gently but firmly. She loved how he expressed his strength, wide hands rough and warm as they stroked up and down. They seemed to fight for dominance in the kiss until his hand wandered down to her open hip and his thumb rubbed down, brushing her underwear hem.
They both stopped and he pulled back a little. “Sabine! I-
“Don’t you dare apologize, yakboy.” she said breathlessly, not sounding at all demanding like she wanted. “Kiss me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” he grunted and leaned in, recapturing her red mouth.
They kissed for a long while, working one another up. His hands reached around to her ass and held her up tight against him. Under his pants she could feel an iron hard erection against her panties and gasped. Spurred on, she attacked the layers around his neck, managing to get his cape off and her hand inside his shirt, marveling at how warm and hard his chest was.
“Darlin’, I gotta…I want to do somethin’ for ya.” His accent grew thicker when he was this wound up, she noticed. “For me too, but-” he said with a gruff, pained voice. She wiggled beneath him and he groaned as she pressed insistently against his cock. “Not just yet, honey.”
His voice alone could make her into putty, she decided. “What do you need?” she purred and kissed him sweetly, teasing him.
“I want to kiss you somewhere…else.” His voice cracked in the sexiest way imaginable as he rubbed the hem of her underwear again. She would never deny him.
At her shy nod, he grinned and slid down her body to crouch at the base of the couch. Nervous and self conscious- she did not expect this when dressing today- she pulled the shirt up slowly and his eyes locked onto her undies with a damn cat on them. “A kitty kinda day, huh?” he teased and she rolled her eyes with a huge blush.
Without another word Logan pulled the fabric to the side, glanced appreciatively at her ‘kitty’ and dove right in, firmly licking up her pussy. She cried out from the sudden pleasure of his hot tongue, running flat against her wetness. She was unable to pull away from the sensation as his weight was on her lower leg. He was exploratory at first, tongue dipping in teasingly, but he quickly focused in and one long lick later, his lips closed over her clit and sucked. Sabine cried out loud, screaming his name as she pulled her injured leg up, over his back and held him close.
“Touch me, Logan.”
At her demand, he snaked a hand up under the shirt, over her taut stomach and skirted her ribs until reaching the underside of her breast. They each gasped, which was silly since he had his mouth and tongue on her pussy. Such a touch shouldn’t be the most shocking thing they’d done so far. She felt him groan as his rough fingers moved over her bouncy flesh and lightly pinched her nipple. It was too much.
Sabine whined, thrusting her hands into his hair and bucking into his mouth. That must have really affected him, because he groaned loudly into her and squeezed her breast possessively.
He was completely overwhelmed by the feel of her, her reaction, and he dove into tasting her more. He moved to his knees, arms scooping her whole lower half up, tighter to him and lifted. She was held so closely and with such strength it made her head spin with desire.
“Wanted you.” He growled out and his spare hand pawed at her other breast. She could feel him grinding into the sofa below her and she found herself jealous for an instant. How hot could one man be? “Come for me, baby.” he demanded, pressing her back down into the couch and biting her inner thigh before attacking her clit. In no time flat, she was climaxing. Spare tears escaped her closed eyes as her hips rolled out her orgasm over his tongue for so long she worried he would be annoyed. He lapped at her, both hands now massaging and tweaking her breasts until she could barely breathe.
When she finally regained control of herself, she leaned up and he was on top of her again, fiercely kissing her lips once more. Logan scooped her up and sat in his chair, carefully setting her over him and then demanding more from her. He was getting so worked up, he groaned like he was in pain as his hands squeezed her ass. He used her, holding her to him and rocking her over his hard cock, using her ass as a generous handful to control her hips. So much for the nickname Skinny she thought triumphantly. He practically had her riding him as she dove her tongue into his mouth. He bucked extra enthusiastically up into her, and they tossed their heads back in bliss with that move.
Chasing that high, Sabine leaned up, holding his waist and caught his blue eyes. They were blown wide with lust, watching her begin to grind over him. She was going to fuck her bandit tonight, she thought.
But just like that, she had to stop. Searing pain shot up her leg and though she tried to contain her yelp, it managed to escape. She’d tried once again to readjust herself over his now very obvious erection but it was useless. “Shit, shit,” she whimpered and tried to pull him back for another kiss.
“Wait, baby, Light…” He took a deep breath, holding Sabine still, and let it out in a whoosh before pulling her close, just holding her. “I can’t believe I forgot about your leg, Darlin’, I’m so sorry. I can go find a blanket and-”
“Logan?”
“Y-yea?”
“I’m fine.” She said, surrendering to his logic before kissing him under his chin, the scruff against her lips quite appealing. He blushed harder than she’d seen all night and that was saying something. “More than fine. I just…I just want you to feel as good as I do right now.” she said, leaning back to see his face.
Those blue eyes of his darkened and made her want to curl her toes. “Oh, I am doin’ just fine, Honey.”
“Hm.” she said with a pout and wiggled into his lap. His hiss told her that was probably a lie, but her own sudden yawn caught her off guard.
“You need rest.”
“Na uh.”
Logan sighed, but pulled her closer to himself after snagging his nearby cape and draping it over her. “G’ night, Sabine.” he said with a mile-long smile, knowing she was already asleep. He kissed the top of her head and, were it not for her leg, he would have hoped for the sandstorm to still be going in the morning.