❧ 003 [video]

[shadowblends]

[The video feed flickers to life, although there is currently nothing that is recognizable. Everything looks shadowed and tinted gray, like something is covering the TAB up.

A faint sound of footsteps, some other shuffling noises, then the camera shifts as the darkness is lifted away, revealing Kurt staring down at the device. Honestly, he looks a mess, clothes and hair disheveled, eyes rimmed red and bloodshot for some reason.

For the longest time, the cobalt-tinted mutant says nothing, simply stares blearily at the TAB, one hand still holding the blanket that'd been blocking the view before. Kurt opens his mouth, hesitates then sighs heavily, head dipping forward in defeat.] He's gone, [he whispers, barely audible, despite the fact it's eerily quiet, wherever he's at.

He releases the blanket without much care as to if the video is still going or not and the lightest footsteps can be heard retreating, but they don't disappear. Alternatively, there's a rather loud thud before the feed finally clicks off.

That was just Kurt, hitting the floor. Everything is totally fine. (No, it's not.)]

Comments

[shadowblends]

[With his friend also inside the fort, the slope of his shoulders relaxes with a comfortable weight, eyes becoming half-lidded as he reaches out and up to gingerly rub the sleeve of his hoodie across Hunk's brow.]

My siblings and I would do the same thing sometimes. More candy than popcorn though, since we would hide out and try to eat all of it before our mutter found out.

[Kurt blinks languidly up at Hunk, a small smile curving his lips as he leans to elbow him back. Although, instead of pulling away like he'd usually do, he slumps against Hunk's side, cheek propped up on his arm, golden irises peeking up at him through the thick of his eyelashes.] Tell me some of your stories - best voice imitations included.

[im_a_leg]

[ Those eyes were like a sledgehammer to his chest. He felt the whump against his chest, rattling his ribs with something that had never been there before but felt right at home. This was the same guy who had been awkward about hugs when they first met, the same guy who'd been deslote and inconsolable over his device just moments ago.

And here he was, slouched against Hunk's arm in their makeshift hideaway, a smile curling one side of his mouth in a way that made Hunk's palms sweat. He could still feel the heat of his hand through his hoodie sleeve against his forehead and it made him dizzy. Dizzy. Over a hand on his forehead.

It was the trust he saw in those eyes that brought it all home. The fact that Hunk wanted to see it, again and again. He wanted to cheer Kurt up, sure, but he also wanted to make him feel safe. He wanted to make him feel loved. He wanted to kiss him.

Oh quiznak.

Whump, whump, whump.

He cleared his throat and tore his eyes away from Kurt's, scratching at his chin under the guise of thinking up a story. If he sounded a little nervous he hoped Kurt was too out of it to notice. ] Alright, do you know how Samoans think the world was made?

[shadowblends]

[Yes, he had been stricken with grief and absolutely distraught only a short amount of time ago, but having people to talk to, friends that worried about him and insisted on coming to see him to make sure he was okay ... That had been what'd initially calmed his distressed state.

And Hunk had been one of those people; someone that truly cared about his well-being, despite it having no actual benefit to them. True friends were selfless and he'd experienced that here today, like a page from his own book. The thought almost makes tears spring to his eyes again, but he squeezes them shut, shakes his head and drops back against Hunk's shoulder.

He's a little bewildered at Hunk's abrupt turn of the head, though he isn't all there mentally and he's nowhere near as observant as he normally is. Of course, that doesn't mean his curiosity is entirely sated.]

Are you okay? [he inquires under his breath, trying to keep his gaze focused on Hunk's face, but he can't keep himself from yawning, which makes him briefly twist away so he can cover his mouth.

Once his tiredness had been forced back down, he returns his attention to the other male, that half-smile creasing his features once more. He's exhausted, but he wants to hear this and any other stories that Hunk's willing to tell him.] I don't. Please, tell me.