The Stars Between -- (VLD)

[55] Did I say something wrong?

"So time dilation?" Pidge said, leaning forwards in her seat. Hunk couldn't help but note the glimmer in her eyes.

Allura nodded. "It seems so obvious, when you take everything into account."

"I could run some diagnostics, see if I can find any tell-tale signs of wormholes in this quadrant," Coran offered. "After all, if it works on Pitoai flaxirs, it may just work on the Blue Lion."

After seeing Pidge and Hunk's confused looks, he elaborated. "We alteans used to hunt flaxirs for the pure crystals they could create from their saliva."

"That clears everything up," Hunk mumbled sarcastically.

"I'm glad it does!" Coran said cheerfully, twirling his moustache. "But it will take a while to set up, so perhaps we should take a break for food first."

"Good idea, Coran," Allura smiled "I'm starving."

Pidge nodded. "Same. But Coran - you've got to tell me more about time dilation. I have so many questions!"

"I'll be happy to answer whatever I can!"

The two continued to chatter as they left the room, door sliding shut behind them.

Hunk let out a sigh, sinking backwards in his seat.

"Are you alright, Hunk?"

He started, having already forgotten Allura was still in the room . "Oh- y-yeah. I'm fine. It's just..." he trailed off uncertainly.

"A lot to take in?" She mused. Hunk nodded.

"With the Black Lion, and now this- I'm just- a little overwhelmed, y'know?"

Allura hummed sympathetically. "I think we all need a rest." She said. "Start afresh with clear minds so we can focus on reforming our team."

"I hear ya." Hunk let out another hefty sigh, somehow sinking further in his seat. "It's just... hard, y'know? Everything's been happening at once, with no chance for a breather, and when we do have time for that, none of us can ease up because we're missing the member of our team who specialised in that."

Hunk let out a groan, running a hand over his face. "I'm just... tired. I miss Lance. And Shiro, of course, but I've known Lance for years and I- I-" he paused. "I've never gone this long without him." Hunk admitted in a small voice.

Allura didn't respond out loud, simply smoothing her dress over her thighs in a slow, deliberate motion.

"A-and it's hard." Hunk continued. "He always knows how to keep me calm and what to say at the right time. It- I- we- I don't know..."

"We'll find him." Allura said, determination lilting her tone. "I have no doubts that you will find out how."

Hunk let out a short, bitter laugh.

"W-what?" Allura stammered, "did I say something wrong?"

"No, no, you didn't-" Hunk started, shifting so he was leaning forwards in his seat, resting his forearms on his knees. "It's just- you keep saying that you believe in me- and the whole team, really - and like, I appreciate it, I really do—" he let out another short laugh, head dropping down.

"But...?" Allura pressed gently.

"But why do you keep trying with me?"

"I- I'm afraid I do not understand."

"Allura, we both know Pidge is the smartest member of this team. She'll have it handled, as usual, and all I will be good for is double-checking her code for any missing brackets because all the integrating it into the Altean tech will already be handled by Coran!"

"So you're feeling inadequate?" Allura tilted her head to the side, frown on her lips.

"I'm feeling useless!" Hunk burst out, hands making their way into his hair. "The rest of you have your tasks to keep you busy and they actually help! All I can do about it is cook, and I hate it!"

"You hate cooking?"

"Wh- no, no, I— I - it's just- that it's all I can do. I'm an engineer. Why is it that I turned into the team chef and Pidge ended up the tech expert? She's just a comms officer!"

Hunk's eyes widened, and he dropped his hands into his lap, staring at them.

"That was really shitty of me to say."

Allura didn't respond, and Hunk looked up after a moment's hesitation, scared of what expression he would find on Allura's face. He was only met with a carefully neutral look, eyes tinged only a small amount with sorrow.

"I'm sorry we've been making you feel that way," Allura began, reaching out to grasp Hunk's hand with her own. It was smooth, unblemished and small in Hunk's, his own dwarfing hers and covered in old scars and callouses. "I didn't realise."

"Nobody ever really does," Hunk muttered, eyes still fixed on their joined hands. "Eventually people get sick of my anxiety-induced rambles and leave."

Allura crouched down so she could make eye contact with him, tucking her skirts behind her knees with her free hand. "Hunk, it may not mean much, but I promise we will remain at your side through it all. As long as I have your word you will do the same."

Hunk didn't answer, looking away from Allura's rainbow-flecked eyes.

"Pardon?"

He flinched, a moment too late realising he'd said his thoughts out loud.

"Nothing." He replied hastily, pulling his hand from Allura's and getting to his feet. "I'm going to go analyse the Lion's data. Figure out if that might gather where- when- Blue is."

He didn't care if Allura opened her mouth to protest, or that he'd said Blue instead of Lance. He didn't care if it seemed like he flipped between hopelessness and determination too fast. He didn't care that—

He cared too much.