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[bigbrained]

[Being core members of the Voltron coalition meant that sometimes the team had to spread their forces thin in order to take care of everything that required their attention. Sure, they had other allies who could hold their own -the Blade of Mamora for example- but it had a little more impact if the paladins themselves saved a colony or planet, as opposed to more Galra.

In other words: politics.]

I mean, I understand what Coran was saying but I still think it's kinda dumb, right Keith? [Undeterred by Keith's noncommital 'uh huh's and 'yeah's, Hunk continues on as he follows Keith's lead and slows down his approach. They're going to have to try and sneak up on this installation or risk the Galra retaliating against the captured techs for calling for help.] They've been around way longer than we have, and fighting for way longer too! It kinda feels like we're shoving them out of the way to get all the glory. Not that that's what we're doing, but it sure feels like that's what we're doing. I guess in the end it doesn't really matter who gets the job done so long as the people are saved, but it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Right? Do you have a bad taste in your mouth too, Keith?

Comments

[bigbrained]

No no no, it's totally fine, did I say bleeding anymore? I meant at all. All the blood's still right where it should be. [no please]

[whatsacactus]

Hunk.

[bigbrained]

Okay fine, it's bleeding a little bit! Just a little bit, I'm sure it's a clean cut- look, just- just be honest with me, how much does that stuff actually hurt?

Because like, I'm pretty sure you could lose an arm and barely even flinch and you were like, really like, I just poured it on and you looked like it was acid. I'm just saying, I've already thrown up once-

[whatsacactus]

[Yeah, less talkie, more worry. He's already trying to pull Hunk down so he can see the spot Hunk touched at a second ago, kinda making sure his hair is out of the way.]

...Huh.

[It's not bad. His helmet did most of the work for him, but there is a bump and it looks like there was a little blood, but not enough to warrant disinfectant.]

...I dunno, you might throw up again in a minute.

[bigbrained]

G-give it to me straight, Keith. [Trying not to cry. HE DOESN'T WANNA GET THE BONE-HURTING JUICE IN HIS BRAIN] Do I need the stuff...?

[whatsacactus]

[Yeah, he's not usually mean but it's been really rough since they got here and well! Maybe it'll help relieve some tension. He makes a show of really looking it over before just settling back, hands still over Hunk's hair.]

I dunno, it might need surgery when we get back. I'm not sure how long you've got.

[bigbrained]

WHAT?! Surgery?! But I don't-

[bigbrained]

[bigbrained]

Oh haha, very funny, Keith. You know, you're not supposed to make a big guy's blood pressure go up like that. [Man if you weren't injured right now.....


......Hunk would still do nothing, because he's a considerate guy who isn't cruel to his teammates, UNLIKE SOME OTHER PEOPLE IN THIS LION. Still packs up that kit all grumpily, wincing when the movement pulls at his side.]

[whatsacactus]

But it was funny, huh?

[He cracks a little grin himself, watching because this is better. Hunk's better when he's not panicked and anxious. But Keith still has eyes so he reaches for his arm.]

Hey- What else is wrong?

[bigbrained]

Aahh, [Hunk sighs, rolling his left shoulder a little and wincing before clipping the kit shut.] It's just my side, I just think I banged it. It's fine, it's not bleeding. [Probably just a bruise, right? And he's overreacting, it can't hurt that much, he's just wired and everything.

Of course, now they gotta figure out what to do. But...with Keith with that leg and him with this concussion, the best thing might actually be rest.] I think...even though the Galra forces are probably gonna come looking for us, I think we should try and close up Yellow and get some rest here.

[whatsacactus]

[He still worries, but he knows Hunk isn't one to downplay problems. He'd know if it was life threatening.

Keith sighs and just. Casually rests a hand over his side trying to get a feel of what happened to his chest; pretty sure that's a cracked or bruised rib. Hunk hasn't caught that yet so he'll keep it to himself until he can get something to support it later. His friend's done enough for him already.

He leans back, closes his eyes.]

...Rest might not be a bad idea. You're right. Do you need help?

[bigbrained]

I got it. [He's already dragged his feet with the important stuff, he can at least get the doors himself. And that he does, straining a little bit to go easy on his side but managing to pull the doors mostly shut and throwing them into darkness, minus the ghostly blue lights on their armor.]

Jeez...who thought a jungle could be so cold? Never missed controlled climate as much as I do now. [Hunk rubs his arms as he comes back over to Keith's side, situating himself so his back is against the wall with his legs open and his knees bent.] Okay, well, you better get over here.

[whatsacactus]

[He hates not being able to do something. Hunk's done so much already.

But he watches him sit there and blinks slowly.]

... What?

[bigbrained]

[what 'what'] Get over here. Can you sit up? [Hunk thumps his chest a couple times with an open hand.] It's cold, you're suffering blood loss and honestly I could use a hug, so get over here.

[whatsacactus]

Oh.

[... Blood loss? Is that why he's always cold after he does something stupid? Huh, go figure.

He keeps his bad leg straight out and shifts over to him to lean against his side. Enough space Hunk can shove him off if he gets tired of it.]

[bigbrained]

[keith omfg]

That's- no. We're sharing body heat, not a park bench. You gotta have more contact than that. [First of all his side hurts, second of all no, that's worthless. So Hunk just sighs and manhandles Keith until he's between his knees and leaning back against his chest. Maybe if he weren't so tired he would be more embarrassed about this- no actually, he wouldn't. It's all his friends that get weird about hugs and cuddles like it's proposing or something.

Hunk wraps an arm around his shoulders and pulls him back until he's leaning back against Keith's chest.]

[whatsacactus]

Wha- [And now he's being manhandled! Is this how the Red Paladin, Pilot of the Black Lion falls in battle? Being...cuddled to death.

Actually it's not bad. Keith is only ever weird because other people make it weird, Lance, and honestly? It is comfortable. And it's a lot warmer than sitting over by himself. So good on Hunk, getting through that thick head of his by not using words. At least someone on the team besides Shiro was learning.

He only readjusts a little for his ribs but beyond that? Yeah, it's. Nice.]

... I didn't get a good look at outside, but it probably won't take them long to find us. [He just assumes Yellow left a nice big neon sign of "this is where we crashed" through the debris.]

[bigbrained]

Yeah... [Hunk sniffs a bit as he settles down; he definitely doesn't get cold easily, and he can feel Keith warming up against him so he wraps his arms loosely around Keith's shoulders to make sure he's getting maximum contact.

Keith's not wrong, they're probably searching them out right now, but something's bothering him...] Hey, what kind of soldiers did you find inside the facility? Was it all foot soldiers?

[whatsacactus]

[While Hunk settles in, Keith carefully works to get his helmet off and set it next to them. His hair's a nasty mess underneath it but in this shitty lighting, who could tell, really.]

Hm? Uh. Drones, those big robots. [He doesn't immediately see the problem with that. They've fought a lot of them before.]

[bigbrained]

So nobody actually alive. [That confirms it.] That pulse was definitely a trap, but at least I don't think anybody'll come after us for a while. They must've been unsure about whether or not that generator thingy would blow up the whole facility and didn't want to risk losing any soldiers. I think we'll be okay until they come nosing around the system to see if it worked, and hopefully by that time Allura and everybody will be on their way without our check-in.

[whatsacactus]

Hopefully.

[With the combination of no check in and Yellow falling off the radar, that's sure to send up red flags and bring them down. Hopefully not by that generator.]

We gotta find a way to let them know not to get near that thing. If it could take out a Lion, it can definitely do damage to the castle too.

[He's slowly losing track of the conversation; Hunk is almost too warm and not having his helmet blocking him from what is probably the best pillow he's ever rest his head on, it's hard staying awake now. He didn't realize how tired he'd gotten until this second.]

...If we'd had some dry wood I could've built a fire...

[bigbrained]

[Yeah that's it, lean back and sleep.] Let's work on that tomorrow, Davy Crockett. I'm so tired I don't think I could get back up even if we had to. [And now that he's stationary, it's true; his head is heavy, and he's ninety percent sure that the thing about people with concussions having to stay awake is a Hollywood trope and not actually true, and his side aches but thankfully not enough to keep him up. And Keith is warm and his hair is soft under Hunk's chin and even with a busted leg, Hunk's confident that Keith can take care of anything that would try to come after them.

Hey, if they're lucky, when they wake up Yellow will be back.

-

It's still pitch dark when Hunk finally wakes up, and as he sits still and listens for the sound of intruders and comes up with nothing. Looks like they're still in the clear.

Keith is thankfully breathing, still against him (and that was part of the reason why Hunk wanted him right there anyway, just to make sure he didn't stop during the night), so Hunk doesn't move much, just letting his head fall back against the wall as he closes his eyes and dozes.

-

When he wakes again it's because he'd shifted and the movement sent a stab of pain through his side so blinding that he jolts awake with a gasp, jostling Keith as he grabs for his side.] OW ow ow ow, ow, ow-

[whatsacactus]

[He sleeps easy, heavy. Probably some of the best sleep he's had in a long time, though whether that's from the sheer exhaustion or sleeping against Hunk, he can't guess. Keith only rouses a little when Hunk shifts the first time, not even fully waking and settling again. He mostly just has those same dreams where he's looking for Shiro, risks losing the family he's found. Fun stuff. Things he's never going to bother the others with.

It's not until his foundation is moving and there's noise and--]

Wha? [God, he slept hard. He doesn't remember where he is for a minute, reaching to stand and immediately regretting it in his leg but he hears Hunk and that's the first solid thought that breaks through the jolt of pain.]

Hunk- hey, what is it! [Shit shit shit did Hunk get hurt worse than they thought, did something else happen, did he do something and doesn't know it yet, what what]

[bigbrained]

I'm fine, [Hunk wheezes, sounding anything but fine, half-doubled over and clutching his side. Geez, who knew a bruise could hurt so bad?] Just...p-pulled my side. Must've gotten stiff. [See look he can get u- oh owowowowow no he can't, he cannot get up right now,] Okay so maybe a little less fine than previously anticipated...