Watercolour Dreams

»»------(Chapter 6)------»»

   "Who-" Lance stuttered, hands fumbling with Hunk's jacket as his sleepy mind fumbled with the newest appearance. I could see the gears turning in his head, his hands still working at the fabric as Keith shifted awkwardly under his fearful gaze.
   Hunk had a hand resting lightly on his shoulder now, lightly shaking Lance from stupor. His breath hitched quietly when I stood up, most the eyes around the camp dragging their way towards me. Lance almost automatically stood as I did. The air seemed to buzz with the waves of confusion rolling off Lance, setting everyone on edge. Finally, Hunk spoke up.
   "Lance, this is Keith-" he began, slowly hauling himself to his feet as Lance simply nodded, his eyes never leaving Keith's figure.
   "Do you want to give him the same choice as Shiro and Allura?" Pidge spoke up this time, his wild hair bobbing with the nod of his head. "We didn't know what you'd want to do-" Lance continued to stare at Keith before turning to Pidge, starting to finally wake up properly.
   "It's his decision; if he's gonna kill us though, he can't stay."
   "What makes you assume I'd kill you?"
   "You got that look to ya'!" Withing moments they were at each other's neck, snarlish grunts and growls rumbling in their throats. It took me a moment to process the brutish manner the seeming leader of this group suddenly took up; throwing his weight at the other and using the inch of extra height he had to his advantage. It was like watching a coyote challenge a weaker stray dog for dominance, without the biting.
   Keith snapped back with full force, Lance's shoulder shoved into the crook of his neck as another snarl broke though his barred teeth.
   I couldn't help but wonder how other boys acted now that the world was crumbling- did they challenge each other? Was it done like this, or did they bite and scratch with tooth and nail like a wild animal? Was this normal now? Before I could finish my thoughts, the thick tension in the air snapped as Keith backed away, his face twisted into disgust.
   "I'll stay." He then growled out moments later, a viscious glare on his face as he sent Lance another challenging look. If it weren't for Hunk stepping in, Lance probably would have socked him right in the face.

»»------««

   "Pidge, look at this!" Hunk cried joyfully, hands running over our find. His excitement rang through the air as he popped the hood, hands already spilling into the contents of the truck as he fiddled with certain parts.
   "Ohmygod Hunk yes!" There was an excited squeal from Pidge as he literally threw himself against the exterior. Lance and Keith followed, both standing a fair distance while Lance watched carefully. It was almost like a primal display as they skitted around each other constantly, careful not to cross the line they had set.
   "You think you can start it?" Lance's question sent Hunk into a lengthy and detailed explanation on all the problems, leaving me- someone who didn't know a thing about cars- quite dazed with all the information. Obviously it had been good news though, since Lance laughed and clapped him on the back, slinging his rifle over his back. "Let's give this lass a go then!" Lance was already pulling the door open before Hunk had a chance to shut the hood, hands fiddling through the glovebox.
   "Any keys?" Pidge said, hands still brushing over the rusted shell of the truck.
   "Nah. Pidge, come hotwire this thing." Lance sat back and kicked his feet up over the steering wheel, forcing his seat to lean back as Pidge slid into the passenger seat. There was a moment of silence as he worked at the wires, and then the engine stuttered to life. It only lasted a moment though; the engine made a noise akin to a harsh coughing fit, before a cloud of smoke bellowed out through the trucks vents. Lance coughed and lept from the car, starting as soon as four mice lept out, squealing in terror. They disappeared into a pipe before Lance could properly react.
   "Oops, my bad. I should have mentioned that I saw what looked like a mouse nest in the hood." Hunk chuckled sheepishly as he scratched the nape of his neck. "I'll start working on this now- there's a tool box in the back so- and there's also some empty gas cans if you wanna go and see if the gas station hasn't run dry yet."
   Lance laughed and agreed, grabbing two gas cans. He then gave Keith a pointed glare, the latter hesitantly following after a moment. He grabbed a gas can as well, his shoulders rigid as he followed in close step behind Lance; a dog trailing after his master's heels.