#bitterbug

bonus! Popinjay's design

Evening sun was shining onto the beautiful Perennial Pass, illuminating with its orangish-pink light a row of majestic cherry trees that were filling the air with the sweet aroma of their blossoms. 

On this perfect evening Gordon and Benny were heading back to Gildegaran after dealing with a pack of genprey and an enraged Gendrom that was causing the ruckus in this little zone of peace. It was so peaceful in fact that even a pink rathian, who was the 'queen' of this little patch of land, never caused any troubles for anyone who wanted to pass by and was respectful. But instead of enjoying this perfect evening both of them were in deep discussion of something that was more important for them right now. 

"I don't think you would be a Seregios if you were a monstie. Seregios is agile and quick when you are strong but not that dexterous. " playfully said Benny while gesturing to the wyvern that was stomping beside Gordon, "Look at him. This fine specimen was everywhere while we were dealing with that pack when you slowly did your sidesteps and big swings. Even I am better suited for that role than you."

Gordon looked mildly offended by it. He knew that he built himself to be more strong to carry a big greatsword but he fully thought that his skills were on the same level as Benny's. 

"I don't remember if I ever saw you doing anything dexterous. That role usually was put on me." Benny continued.

"If you didn't see what i can do, it's not the argument that I can't do it." Gordon mumbled. "I think I'm no worse than you."

Benny stopped in his place. "You wanna compete with ME in Dexterity?" He began laughing. After a long laugh that almost turned into a cough Benny composed himself "Gordie, my sweet big boy, It's me who lived in the wild for a better half of a DECADE. Don't try me and just accept that you aren't as agile as me." 

Gordon felt like he was taunted by that reaction. He turned back to look at Benny only to see the short man being all red from the laugh that he had. 

Gordon needed to say one word that will turn this silly discussion into a small competition. 

"Bet?"

Benny instantly changed his face. He fully expected Gordon to be silent about the matter and just accept his loss. But this changed everything.

"Bet." He replied. 

Benny loved competing with Gordon about small things, especially when he knows that he is 100% better but Gordon's ego isn't allowing him to accept it. 

He looked around while putting away his hunting horn into the holder on his monstie's saddle. 

"What we will do. I can see two different trees where I spot a bitterbug on the high branch. Who can do it quicker wins. And because you are so going to lose, I'm letting you choose which one you'd be climbing."

Benny pointed onto two similar looking trees. Indeed Gordon spotted a few bitterbugs on both of them. 

While he was putting his weapon away and Benny looking for a pocket clock Gordon chose one of them. 

Small rider gave Gordon the clock and told him that he was ready to go first. 

Benny rushed atop of that tree without hesitation. His moves were honed to perfection. He quickly moved from one branch to another, skipping some of them in the process. Even the clunky armor of his wasn't an obstacle. Gordon didn't even begin to get amused as Benny was already down with a few bitterbugs in his hands.

That was quick. 

It did make Gordon worry when he looked at the clock. No way he would beat this time, but competition is a competition afterall. His ego wouldn't survive the blow of he would back up right now. 

Time has come for him to climb. As soon as Benny gave him the signal he began his ascent. It was harder than he thought. Big shoulder guards were desperately trying to get stuck on smaller branches and even spikes on his shoes, which Gordon thought were useful in his endeavor, were a complete nunsense. 

All things quickly turned against him. Gordon understood why Benny was skipping some branches when one of them broke under his foot with a loud crack. That sounds scary to the majority of the bugs that he was trying to catch. 

Gordon slowed down, he already understood that in the time that he got to this point Benny was already finished. Right now the big priority was to prove that he was a dexterous person and not fall down. 

Gordon carefully stretched out his hand forward to grab the bug. With some miracle he сaught it. Pweh. Half of the job is done, now he needs to get down. That should be easier because he already knew where to step. He slowly but surely began trying to get down. But this evening decided to do things it's way. 

With an audible and loud crack the thick branch that Gordon was holding on to snapped, making the big man lose his footing and fall backwards from that tree. Gordon was preparing for an impact from meeting the ground back first he closed his eyes and somewhat but something caught him. 

He opened his eyes only to see the scared face of Benny right beside him. After a couple seconds of letting the fear let go and both of them catching up to their breath Benny's face changed from worried to smug.

"Wouldya look at that. I caught a Seregios with my own hands,"Benny said loudly. "And it's a good specimen too. Interesting if The Guild let me keep him." 

"Well, at least i Caught that Bug." Gordon smiled shyly and lifted his arm to show that, indeed, the bug was still moving in his hands. He was shooketh from the experience, not because the smaller rider was quicker and more agile than him but because he Caught him and was holding on in his arms.

It gave Gordon time to finally notice how beautiful this evening is and how nicely Benny get's illuminated by the evening sun. Pink petals from the cherry blossoms were adding a very nice touch to the already perfect view of the smaller man's face. 

Benny continued to look incredibly smug while observing Gordon's face turn more red with every second of the tiny man holding him. 

Even his "If I let you go, will you behave like a good monstie and not try to bite my face off?" The joke couldn't break this moment too much.

Gordon just nodded and Benny carefully let him go and helped the man regain his footing.

After a few seconds the both began to laugh at how stupid and childish all this situation was. Gordon admitted how wrong he was and gushed about how it's so cool that Benny has such a high dexterity. Even Benny admitted that he is pleasantly surprised that Gordon, indeed, could do this in his full set nonetheless.

"So with this in mind, yes, you would be a Seregios." Said Benny after snatching a bitterbug from Gordon's hands, "A very clumsy one but still Seregios, HA!" 

Gordon didn't get that to bother him. He still was somewhat in the moment, just admiring his partner on the gorgeous evening. He was amused that Benny not only was able to do all of the shenanigans but also catch him and hold him steadily. That was something. Not a bad experience from any means. It was a pleasant amusement.

bonus! rehauled Mayura~