network; video

[kyley_b]

((Post event. CW: discussions of violence, body horror, injury and loss of limb in comments.))


[The feed shows a skinny redhead who is somehow even paler than usual - his skin is parchment white, with deep dark pouches under his eyes. His curls are matted.

Yeah, he looks like shit.]

Uhm. Hi. Hi, uh. It's Kyle. Uhm.

I. Uh. Is. Is everybody okay? I hope you're all okay. Uhm. I'm...

[His face crumples.] I'm not. I'm not okay, I'm SO not okay.

Comments

[doubled_speed]

[Tommy's trying hard not to look at the stump. He can't make that better.]

I'm sorry it's happening. But I promise to be here and help you all I can. I could be here if you want.

[kyley_b]

I guess I should be happy it's not my dominant hand. [He stops talking, lips pressed together, and he presses his face into Tommy's shoulder.]

Sorry.

You mean stay here with me?

[doubled_speed]

Yeah, if you want. When you can stand me being around.

[He can work harder in the agriculture dome at night, while Kyle sleeps or something. Surely he can manage that while helping the guy out. And managing the diner. And taking care of his brother too.]

[kyley_b]

Tommy, I can always stand you around. Please don't... I needed like, an hour dude, please don't be butthurt because I needed a little time so I w-wouldn't start fucking... fucking b-bawling-- [He stops again, clinging to Tommy and breathing in short, hard gasps.]

[doubled_speed]

[There was nothing wrong with crying. No matter what Tommy might say. No matter what Kyle might thing. So he just hugs his boyfriend tightly to hold it close.]

I'm told it helps. Crying.

[kyley_b]

[Told it helps. Which means he's likely never to see Tommy DO it. So Kyle holds on stubbornly, trying to bury himself in Tommy's arms.]

[doubled_speed]

[Dude, he's in tears right now, just with how Kyle's burying himself he is in a good place to hide it, thanks.]

Shit man, you ain't gotta be stubbornly strong with me. I promise, I don't judge you. Ever.

[kyley_b]

I-it's o-okay... [Every stutter is a watery gasp. Kyle falls quiet, focusing on breathing.]

It's. I'm alive.

[doubled_speed]

[It WILL be okay. But right now Tommy wasn't letting go.]

You are. And that matters.

[kyley_b]

I know.

[He snuffles.] I'm scared, dude.

[doubled_speed]

We both are.

[And he holds onto Kyle, his arms tight. He just had to hope he wasn't squeezing too tightly and hurting Kyle.]

When you're up to it, I'll try talking to Billy or Tony. See if one of them can, you know, make a new hand for you.

[kyley_b]

Okay. Yeah, that's a good idea.

God I'm glad you weren't here.

[doubled_speed]

[Yeah... In a way, Tommy was too. He didn't know people had lost their powers in that, so all he could imagine was going quickly and exploding people and... it horrified him.]

When you're up to it, you let me know. I'll reach out to whoever you want, start the conversation if you don't wanna do it yourself. I'd probably suggest Tony if you want a cool robot thing. Billy or Ronan if you want it to look more human. Though I think Ronan might manage it better.

[Ronan, from what he understood of the guy's powers, could dream something that would work right. Billy might get caught up in how off his powers were here.]

[kyley_b]

Okay. Yeah.

I'm a fucking mess, dude. You'll really stay? It's not gonna be pretty, I'll have to change bandages and I'm probably gonna freak out.

[doubled_speed]

[Why they fuck wouldn't he stay? He almost looked offended to be asked.]

Dude, I took care of Billy after freaky city, until he woke up. Granted the Dog was there too. But still, I'll be here. I've got a pretty good tolerance for shit like that.

[kyley_b]

I wish you wouldn't call her that, it's fucking insulting.

Yeah. Okay. [He's so tired, he just wants to go to sleep and pretend it isn't happening.]

[doubled_speed]

[Yes, it was insulting. But the woman behaved as a dog. So he just ignores the comment and lays a head on Kyle's shoulder.]

Tell me what I can do for you.

[kyley_b]

Tell me I'm gonna be okay.

[doubled_speed]

[Seems like a possible lie, but no, he won't allow that. He needs to believe it.]

It will be okay. Very okay. I promise.

[kyley_b]

[It's a lie Kyle needs right now.]

Okay. Thanks. [Hesitantly, he kisses Tommy's cheek.]

[doubled_speed]

[They both do, so Tommy's gonna give it over and over if he has to.]

Do you need pain stuff? I think Omega made some stuff. Or, uh, I can poke Ronan for help.

[kyley_b]

No, I'm okay. I know you hate sitting still, but just stay put a bit.

You know Ronan pretty well?

[doubled_speed]

For you, I'll stay still.

[Which is a LOT to offer.]

Not exceedingly. But we talk. Dude gets into almost as much trouble as you, and he reminds me of Billy.

[kyley_b]

You think I get into lots of trouble? [He sounds amused]

How does he remind you of Billy?

[doubled_speed]

Yeah, Kyle. You get in shit tons of trouble. It's hot sometimes.

[And sometimes it's worrying. Like this.]

Uh, well... I'm not sure I'm supposed to talk about it? Because of his privacy or something?