❧ 002 [video]

[shadowblends]

[When the TAB first flickers to life, all that's visible is an intricately scarred cheek with just the slightest peek of ivory fangs past blue lips. There's the faint sound of something shifting about and finally, Kurt comes into full view.

He's sitting on the edge of an old stone fountain, his tail swishing back and forth behind him, a grin plastered across his face.] I know very little about this holiday, but I've read a few things in an attempt to try and understand better.

[Meaning that he has forgone all the really romantic and couple-esque things about 'Valentine's Day' or whatever they would be calling it on Thisavrou.]

Giving chocolate to someone you like is traditional and I have more than a few friends and other people that I enjoy being around, so ... [He reaches over to pick up a small black box and pops the lid off of it, revealing the candy inside.]

Who wants some chocolate? [A soft laugh follows shortly after his inquiry as he replaces the lid and clutches the box to his chest, smile somehow broadening.]

I'm more than willing to deliver it, too.


(ooc: cw for anyone that decides to read the thread with kurt and j. [mentions of self-harm, internalized transphobia and ... self-loathing?])

Comments

[shadowblends]

I'd find the source of the electricity and-- [He mimics smashing something by pounding one fist into his palm, an amused chuckle following soon after.

His eyes widen then shut as he turns away, gulping almost painfully to get the remaining bits of cookie down.] You don't have to do that ...

[im_a_leg]

[That earned him a wide grin] That'd totally make you my hero, huh?

And I mean yeah, obviously I dont have to worry, but I'm gonna anyway.

[shadowblends]

[Him, a hero? He seems pretty uncertain about that.] I wouldn't say 'hero,' but ...

[Kurt stares at the cookies for some sort of distraction; how many of these can he eat? Shouldn't some of them be saved for Hunk's housemates?] I appreciate your concern, Hunk.

[im_a_leg]

Dude, if you smash an electric box so you can poof me off to safety, you're definitely my hero.

[He nudges him a little again.] You're a cool guy, Kurt. Just wanna look out for you a little is all.

[shadowblends]

You're an awfully kind person and don't deserve to be hurt.

[The bump recaptures his attention, head lifting so he can meet Hunk's gaze with a smile.] Thank you. Both for thinking I'm 'cool' and for looking out for me.

[im_a_leg]

I feel the same way about you, Kurt.

And hey, thanks for being cool. You're my first friend here.

[shadowblends]

[He bashfully shrugs his shoulders. What can he say? Honestly, Kurt's flattered and so much so, that his cheeks are starting to flush again.]

I ... I am? Oh, you must mean after your housemates, though.

[im_a_leg]

Well yeah, I knew all them before I got here. I haven't been here very long you know.

[Hunks grin widens] By the way, the way you turn purple when you blush? Totally adorable.

[shadowblends]

I haven't been here that long either! Only two months and this is the first place we've actually settled on.

[Oh, no, he's self-conscious now! He quickly looks away once more, raising his hands to cover his cheeks.] My face is purple?

[im_a_leg]

Oh, I've been here like, two weeks? Something like that.

[Oh no it's cute ] Yeah! Probably cause of the blue skin, yeah? Red and blue, you know.

[shadowblends]

That's even less time than me! You need to get out more. [Tease, tease.

He lowers his hands, blinks a few times then rears back in slight alarm.] Ach, how long have I been blushing?

[im_a_leg]

Heh. I'm trying! Got a job already anyway.

Uhh. [He taps his chin thoughtfully] Off and on the whole time since you got here?

[shadowblends]

Oh, wow! I'm still looking for one myself, but how did you do it so quickly?

[Kurt waits anxiously for the response, the length of his tail slinking around, his fingers fidgeting with the spade.] And I didn't even notice, until you mentioned it. You've either kept me thoroughly distracted or you're simply that easy to talk to.

[im_a_leg]

Just got lucky I guess. Found a posting gor a chef position and I got it!

[He grins again.] I'll take either. And it was cute, by the way. And totally flattering.

[shadowblends]

[He makes an excited noise (not quite a squeak, but--) and reaches to rest a hand on Hunk's shoulder, giving a firm squeeze.] Congratulations! I hope you'll be doing something you like.

[His other hand raises, the first digit thoughtfully trailing down his cheek.] Flattering ... [After a momentary lapse in concentration--] Oh, erm, what about both? Distracting and easy to talk to?

[im_a_leg]

[He quirks a smile, putting a hand over the one on his shoulder] Thanks. I am! Cooking and engineering are my two passions. I love em.

[Though that last comment has him flushing a bit] That'd be, like, doubly flattering.

[shadowblends]

[His eyes flick to where Hunk's hand settles over his own, that indigo flush they'd mentioned only moments ago starting to spread across his cheeks. Why? Why?] You are very welcome. So, that's two things you excel in, hm?

[Thank goodness, he isn't the only one.] Well, consider yourself doubly flattered, then. I can't remember the last time I had a conversation go this smoothly.

[im_a_leg]

[ Hunk was pretty sure that for better or worse he was starting to be able to answer that why for himself, though it didn't stop him from smiling. He also hadn't removed his hand, though his grip was loose enough that Kurt could easily remove it if he wanted to. ] Heh. Not to brag, but I'm also really good at napping. So that's at least three things.

Seriously? But you're so easy to spend time with!

[shadowblends]

[The free hand quickly scrubs across his face, sliding over to push aside his bangs to reveal the entirety of his face for the first time since they'd met. He snickers at Hunk's admittance, absently tucking some loose strands behind his ear.] Now, I'm curious: how is one better at napping than someone else?

[They're certainly touching an awful lot and offhandedly, Kurt wonders why it's so easy as he gently grips Hunk's shoulder again then begins to withdraw the hand.] I'm not sure how many people would agree with you, but it's kind of you to say.

[im_a_leg]

[ He puffs out his chest a bit, proudly. ] Once I fell asleep in the cockpit of the castle for a whole hour. Sitting up, right in the middle of chaos! I also have it on the authority of my best friend that I'm awesome to nap on.

[ Hunk let his hand slide out from his, immediately noting how cold his shoulder felt. He shoved his hand in his pocket. ] No, seriously though. I mean I met you while you were handing out free chocolates. Free chocolates. Who doesn't like a guy handing out free chocolate?

[shadowblends]

[Okay, Kurt wouldn't normally think of 'napping' as something to be proud of, but the way Hunk swells with gratification is too adorable; he can't resist the urge to give an airy laugh of amusement.] All right, I'll give you that one. Falling asleep while sitting up and during a mess of things going on is a great feat. Which of your friends says you make a good pillow?

[He doesn't want to come off as ungrateful or awkward, but the fact that he's being so forth-coming with physical contact is even a little surprising to him. Oh, pockets would be convenient, but since he's currently wearing his X-Man uniform, he is lacking in that department.] Someone that's wary about accepting things from strangers? There's nothing wrong with the chocolates, though, I swear!

[im_a_leg]

Lance! [He perks up again.] My best buddy. We were in the Galaxy Garrison together and now we're both Voltron pilots. He's a really great guy, the kind that always has your back, you know?

[Hunk has pockets! He has pouches! He can store so many things!] Well we aren't strangers now, are we?

[shadowblends]

Has Lance fallen asleep on you? [Perfectly normal question.] The Galaxy Garrison is the school you were speaking of, right? He sounds like someone that I'm going to have to meet one of these days.

[That's great! ... except, Kurt's not going to ask to stick his hands in Hunk's pockets.] No, we've exchanged names, so we've gotten past that part.

[im_a_leg]

Oh yeah, lots. Something about me being a great pillow. [He shrugs and grins.] Yep, that's the one! You should totally meet the team, they're all here. Lance, Keith, Pidge, Shiro, Allura Coran.

[He nods solemnly.] Yep, and we fed each other too. Which makes us officially friends.

[shadowblends]

You know, I'm sure he isn't wrong about that. [He smiles in return and tucks his arms behind his back, fingers lacing together at the base of his tail.] I would love to meet the rest of your teammates.

[A snicker.] If that's all it takes to make friends with people, I should start handing out free food more often.