Drawing A Blank🖌️

"What are all these doing here?" Your stomach sank at Tech's sudden acknowledgment of your day's long endeavors. You've spent the last few hours practicing your anatomy drawings and sketching out various creatures and objects for linework practice. You didn't realize that you had made a pretty massive mess of your artistic display. Half-finished leaflets were everywhere, your coloring utensils were strewn about all across the floor of the Marauder, there wasn't a speck of surface area in your little corner that wasn't completely engulfed by you. You are certain Tech was about to get onto you for your clutter and lack of cleanliness. He was really one to talk! You would certainly have an argument or two to say in return if that was the case.

"I-I'm sorry... I was just in the zone and I couldn't stop. I'll clean this up as soon as possible, don't worry." You nervously try to explain yourself.

"I don't think they're an eyesore. I happen to appreciate her artwork." Hunter chimes in, unsolicited, and trying to make Tech appear to be insensitive.

"You horrendously misunderstand. Allow me to reiterate. What I mean is, these would look much better hanging above my work space and not laying about the floor where your masterpieces are susceptible to dingy foot falls. I would feel terribly guilty if I were to mark up any of your precious drawings with my boots." Tech gestures to his scuffed footwear, a mere inches away from your leaflets. Meanwhile, Hunter is standing atop a hefty congregation of your previously finished illustrations. "I see some people aren't as careful about your creations as I." Did Tech actually say that? You saw a completely different side of him that you would have never expected. All in humble defense of your hobby.

"Ah- forgive me... There were just so many I- I didn't notice where I-" Hunter couldn't even find the words to accurately articulate his unintentional transgressions. These were only practiced doodles and you could honestly cut them out and display stencils of the figures if you were to be so particular. The way his feet were planted, it didn't cause any obstruction to the art itself. There was no harm done. Tech's deadpan declaration certainly had an effect on Hunter that was unfavorable, in retrospect. The funny thing about it was, he didn't even realize that what he was saying could be taken in way of offense. He would simply state that the same practice would be in complete preservation of his own personal notes. You weren't as oblivious to Hunter's subtle discomforts and took note that he felt terrible for having anything to do with dirtying your doodles. His courage on the battlefield left something to be desired when dealing with you.

"Let me uhh- just get out of your way. There's work that needs tending. I should probably go check on Omega..." And just as awkwardly as he entered the room, he staggered and stepped as if the floor was littered with landmines and he didn't want to trip one, in fear of causing a massive destructive explosion. Delicately wafting himself out of the ambience, he left to go join the others along with Omega to enjoy the favorable twilight weather. Though, you had an idea that fresh air wasn't the only thing on Hunter's mind. You follow after him at the same time that Tech takes it upon himself to collect your work and stack it into a neatly stored cache, clutching it closely to his chest. The gesture made you smile, but you had to check on the condition of your leader.

"Hunter!" You call his name loudly as he steps off the platform from the Marauder and into the dusty soil. It clouds around his feet with the slight disruption. It appears to be a much more compelling view to look at than your eyes as they remain locked, downcast. "I know you didn't mean any harm. They're just practice anyway! If I really wanted to, I could cut them out and hang them like little adhesive decals!" Your constant reassurance couldn't get through to him, no matter how hard you tried. He was an immovable force, extremely stubborn and wrought with his own hypothetical sins. Though, it didn't help that Tech had no idea his speech had such an impact on his brother. You were giving Hunter a chance to reveal at something, anything bothering him.