@newangle; video; Night of Day 40. Pranking shenanigans backfiring

[baymaxing]

[It's late. Something along the lines of ridiculous o'clock in the morning. But of their group, there are two younger teens that aren't sound asleep. Hiro, judging from the bright blue hoodie he wears as he glances to the other, Jim, who holds the tablet to record their antics, bringing a finger to his lips and whispers to him to stop giggling. His other hand holds a writing utensil of some sort, and he's evidently already had fun with someone's helmet next to him. Which Jim zooms in on to give everyone a good look at Hiro's artistic brilliance of adding Baymax's eyes in black crayon to Kunsel's headgear, the crayon left on the floor in front of it. But right now, he's leaning over a sleeping Zack, a mischievous grin at his lips as he leans in, which the tablet then quickly focuses back to.

And juuuuust as the marker almost touches his forehead, the sleeping form suddenly jolts up, reacting instinctively and ending up swinging his fist to meet Hiro's face, sending the marker flying from his hand as he goes sprawling from the unexpected force. Which Jim still manages to capture, along with that eerie almost glow of the eyes, specifically that of Zack and Kunsel as they start awake.

Yeah, this could have been better thought out than attempting this on the soldier that had previously been on the run, huh? There's the sound of Hiro groaning as Jim just bursts into laughter while the others wake and wonder what the heck those kids did this time, before the spacer recalls the tablet is still recording and turns it off.]

--

[A few minutes later, after checking on the younger teen, Jim turns the tablet back on once more to add:]

Hiro's fine, just so you guys know and don't....freak out. It was a pretty impressive punch though.

Comments

audio; @dreamsnhonor

[heroproceeding]

[ He's sees that look, okay. Come on. He's not clueless.

Of course, after his exasperation with Al, he kinda just... deflates. ] Kain just checked him. He's alright.

...You might as well get it outta your system. [ He isn't going to fight things at this point. ]

audio

[dr_unconscious]

[Clayton does not require the invitation. He sucks in a long breath as he straightens in his seat and lets Zack stew in his own juices.]

Look--it ain't right that the boys're playin' pranks on ya. But that kinda response's plain dangerous. There somethin' goin' on, Zack? You feelin' alright?

Re: audio

[heroproceeding]

[ He doesn't respond at first. Just kinda... stares down at his tablet. Lying's never been something he's ever been good at. But this is one of those things... ]

Fine. ...I'll be fine, Clayton. Just got spooked. Ran into a couple close calls lately. [ There. It doesn't excuse the hit. But perhaps it gives it some perspective. But... Softly: ] ..I wouldn't hit a kid like that on purpose.

[dr_unconscious]

[Almost instantly, Clayton feels very guilty. There's another long pause between them.]

...I know you wouldn't. [There's an apology very clearly spoken behind those words, but not said outright. Clayton's still too anxious to focus on that.] I'm jus' worried 'bout ya is all. You...sure there ain't nothin' you wanna talk about? Might help ya work it out in yer head better.

[heroproceeding]

[ There's something... if things had been different last time they'd spoken, there would have been an appreciation in that trust considering what SOLDIERS are usually thought of back home. But the thing is... even with the apology, he knows now. Clayton doesn't trust him on this. That hard implication had been there last time. He hasn't forgotten it.

And so he just... His voice might be tired, but there's no mistaking from the tone that he's hurting under the surface, even as it draws a small measure of defiance. ]

What? Because otherwise you think I'm gonna hit someone again? Or use someone and get them killed?

[dr_unconscious]

[Those accusations sting like slaps to the face. The pain is twofold; on the one hand, he can hear the hurt in Zack's voice and Clayton feels his sense of betrayal clearly in turn; on the other, he's ashamed of being too stubborn to admit his mistakes the last time they talked and having caused Zack this level of grief. He's well and truly ballsed things up.]

[This is simply unacceptable. He takes a deep, shaky breath and, though Zack can't see it, anxiously fiddles with his nails until he thinks of something appropriate to say.]

...I-I dunno...what's gotten into me lately. I'm jus' so...far away from everybody, y'know? Can't check on 'em 'n make sure...

[There's another long pause, the sound of Clayton stifling his breathing with his hand.]

...I'm sorry. It ain't no excuse, I...I didn't mean it that way.

audio; > private

[heroproceeding]

[ Zack doesn't say anything for a moment... Maybe he won't say anything at all.

But then... finally: ] Yeah? Well, it sure sounded like it. [ There's an edge there yet. A moment where Zack sorely debates on whether to really let him have it or let it go. A frustrated back and forth. But he hasn't missed that shaky breath. Hasn't missed the way there's something... He might not be able to see Clayton, but those words... Coupled with the situation, he... can't entirely blame him. And considering what he, himself, had just accidentally done...

Zack... sighs and hassles with his tablet a moment. ]

When I first got here, you told me that part of what would help us get through this was trusting others to keep each other safe. But now, you're acting like no one's safe unless you can check up on everyone in person and make sure they are. So, which is it, Clayton? You tell me.

[ Yes, he may or may not be recognizing the hypocrisy here right about then. Zack's exhausted, he just punched a kid on accident, and he's been feeling like shit ever since. ...But that doesn't mean he's going to make this entirely easy on Clayton. Especially after all the poking and prodding. ]

[dr_unconscious]

[Usually Clayton feels more comfortable in private environments; they allow for more personal interactions, they instill casualness and ease in people that wouldn't normally open up for him, and being ushered into one is generally a good indicator that the relationship he has with that person is about to grow somehow. In this instance, he feels a growing sense of dread. It's not like Zack is cornering him or anything--he doubts he'll say anything here he wouldn't have said in a public conversation (or so he tells himself). But that doesn't mean Zack won't. And Zack's on the offensive this time. No need to hold back. This could get unpleasant.]

[As predicted, Zack almost immediately turns on him with accusations. They are very accurate accusations. Clayton pauses; he's full of these long breaks where he just sits back, thinks, and quietly removes himself from the conversation in the meanwhile. Situations like this call for this sort of effort.]

[For example: If he hadn't given his response a good think, he would have just stewed in his own self-pity instead of noticing the hypocrisy in what Zack just told him. He comes back, though no less reluctant.]

...Yer right. I wanna trust everybody--Lord knows I do. I go in trustin' everybody I meet, I tell 'em everything about me, all they wanna know--I know it gets me into trouble, but I do it anyhow, 'cause I wanna show that's where I stand, y'know? But I ain't hardly get nothin' back from folks 'round here, 'cause they're smarter 'n me an' they don't wanna get themselves into that kinda hot water. An' I get it, but it's just--

[Clayton chokes on his words as a very carefully controlled bout of anger makes his voice rise in volume.]

--gosh-darned frustratin' sometimes. I dunno if I should keep pourin' in what I got an' hope fer the best, 'r if I need t' go behind folks 'n check on 'em myself. I dunno. [Zack can't see Clayton throw his hands up in a flustered shrug, but he can probably hear his palms smack back down on his thighs on the return.] I'm at a full loss.

[heroproceeding]

[ Casualness and ease in people would be great right about then. In fact, he would much prefer that over any kind of weighty conversation he's had over the tablets in private. The last long, private conversations he'd had had involved Al and mako, after all. And he kinda doubts this one's going to be any better. But he's tired of it. Tired of walking on eggshells and acting like he doesn't notice when Clayton prods. It's a bandaid that needs ripped off now. No more games.

And apparently Clayton gets the picture if that quiet's any indication. Zack just waits... The other man probably could have heard some creaking in the background from the way his leg's shaking as he sits there, but other than that, he forces himself to give the other man what time he needs to piece his words together.

And when they finally do come together, well... In some ways, he can't really entirely fault him for it. Is it foolhardy? No doubt. He could get himself into a ton of trouble over it. But it's... definitely honorable. He'll give him that. He'll definitely give him that. Honorable... and understandable and... reminds him of...

There's... a soft hiss of breath as Zack inhales through clenched teeth. Exhales slowly and there's another creak as he stands and more that follow as he starts to pace. ]

Look... I get what you're saying. You just wanna help everyone. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Hope for the best. And I'm not saying that's wrong or that you shouldn't worry about the people around here either. [ The soft touch his voice takes on to those thoughts may suffice as much to say he wholeheartedly gets it. Still... ]

But what I am saying is what I have to share and what anyone else you talk to around here wants to share is for them to decide. And some things...

[ Zack... stops mid-stride there, standing still with shoulders slumped on the other end. His voice comes off quiet but earnest... Maybe apologetic, himself. ] Clayton, I know I can't speak for everyone you've talked to, but for me, it's not...

[ There's an awkward pause. ] Yeah, okay, so I didn't trust you at first. But I... I trust you now. [ It's why he'd been hurt in the first place, after all. But... apparently, he hadn't been the only one hurting in this and... And that's where his volume descends into something more of a hushed plea. ] I just... I've got my reasons. known as fuck my keyboard

[dr_unconscious]

[Clayton feels himself relaxing in stages. It seems he's successfully taken Zack off the offensive--better yet, he seems to be breaking up a bit, making it easier to see what details he's choosing to leave out. This is much more than just snowhell-related stress. Whatever is ailing Zack is deeply ingrained; he almost sounds afraid of it. Somehow, Clayton isn't surprised.]

Zack... [On instinct he reaches out his hand towards the tablet, like he's trying to grab Zack's shoulder, but obviously this isn't going to work.] ...I appreciate it. I know you don't trust easy. It means a lot to me t' know that you've let me in that close. I hope I ain't squandered that already.

[There's another long, pensive pause. How to approach this...]

...It ain't much of a secret, y'know. The details, sure, but...yer hurtin'. It's real obvious. I know it's up t' you to ask fer help, an' if it means keepin' the peace with ya, I'll respect that, I'll keep my distance. [From Zack in particular, anyways.] But man, is it painful t' watch sometimes--'specially knowin' that yer even willin' t' have this conversation with me instead a jus' shuttin' me out completely. All I wanna do is show ya how much I care.

I sat on this forever deciding how to approach it. HERE GOES.

[heroproceeding]

[ Even if Clayton can't catch his shoulder like he wants to, Zack doesn't miss that ache in Clayton's voice. That he would if he could. He would be there right then and there. And Zack... Part of him appreciates it despite the way it also makes his insides twist. Sure... Clayton really screwed up with what he said before, but he's trying to make amends now. He hadn't meant it. He was just scared. For him. For the people around him. And for not being able to do anything about it, himself. He just cares too damned much. And he knows it. Just admitted it.

Sounds like someone all too familiar...

Zack takes in a slow breath. Breathes it right back out with a soft hum. Then he's staring down at his tablet... fist at his side clenching. And then it's open again and he's running a hand through his messy hair. Lets out a small, humorless laugh. ] That obvious, huh. ...but I know you do. You wouldn't be talking to me right now if you didn't. [ Wouldn't have been so insistent despite the way Zack had kept right on dodging for a solid month. Never outright asking about this or that... but being a presence in his life here time and again. But... ]

It's just... not something I wanna talk about. [ Time can only heal this.... Maybe. He doesn't know. But he doesn't know what else to do but move forward. Zack shakes his head again more avidly as he lets his free arm drop and swing. ] But if you still want a way to help me, work with me. Help get us all out of here.

GODSPEED

[dr_unconscious]

[...Swing and a miss. Well it's hardly like Zack was going to open up immediately after just a little bit of prodding, Clayton reminds himself; this is still progress, even if it isn't the direct sort of progress he was hoping for. At the very least, now Zack is aware that Clayton's paying attention--so if he slips up again, he'll have a reason to press him further.]

[Until then, it's probably best to back down. Clayton breathes a reluctant sigh.]

...Did say I'd respect it. Alright, Zack. Don't take much convincin' fer me t' help gettin' out a here, but you got my word that I'll keep it up.

[There! Simple, painless, and totally means Clayton will never subtly but persistently pursue the subject ever again.]

AND THEN CLAYTON DUN FUCKS UP LATER

[heroproceeding]

[ When Clayton seems to back down, Zack can't hide the audible sigh from this end. It hasn't really been simple. Or painless, for that matter. Not to him. But at least it seems like the other man's finally taking the hint. ...Hopefully. It's hard to say, but for now, he'll take his word. There's already too much to be worried about in snow hell. Concerning himself with Clayton's prodding on top of that is something he doesn't really need in his life.

So, he utters a soft: ] Thanks. [ Genuine if not tired. He's so tired. And maybe that's part of why he lets it sit at this, too. ] Anyway, I've got a long day ahead of me tomorrow. We're planning on checking out the wall, so... should probably get some shuteye.

[ The later, too real truth to those words will be sickly uncanny... Alas, poor Tadashi. We knew thee well. ]