caughtinanetwork | accidental video; open

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accidental video; open

[The sound of clattering begins at the start of the feed and after a bit of static and frantic chirping in the background there's a grunt and a thump when Axel suddenly hits the ground.

He's gotten a bit dizzy and disoriented thanks to how cold his body has gotten, so it's so surprise he's found himself more or less sitting and slumped up against a tree somewhere in the dome. Having dropped his SFC somewhere on the pavement, he can't get up and reach it right away, so it's up to three frantic chocobo chicks to alert anyone nearby.

All together now they flock to the communicator and peck and bat their little wings.

Halp.]

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It's not being cocky if it's true. I've been cooking for more than half my life. I've got lots of practice.

[He notices the shiver and moves to go sit next to Axel, shoulder to shoulder.]

Have you?

[That actually impresses him a bit.]

Heh. When'd you ever get the permission or time to do that sort of thing?

[... Shoulder nudge. Yes. More warmth.]

Yeah.

[He looks down at his mug of hot cocoa and takes a sip before going back to staring at it.]

It was a survival skill. And it's not like you have anyone to ask for permission when you're running away from foster homes and living on the street.

[... Oh. Did he just touch on a topic he shouldn't have? He considers not saying anything further about it, but-]

Do you wanna talk about it?

[That's probably a better thing to ask.]

[He sighs. It's not something he likes talking about but better to tell his fire bro than to have Dr Stein be the only one (aside from his friends back home) who knows about it.]

It's fine. I'll tell you. My mom died in a fire when I was 8. The authorites all believed I caused the fire because I was in the building with her and survived. I wasn't the one but I thought I was until recently. Long story short I got put into foster care and ran away six times before they sent me to this school for delinquents. That's where I met Piper and Jason and we found out we were demigods.

[Axel listens closely, looking down towards the ground as he does, but every so often he looks over to Leo just to see if he's doing ok. He understands what it's like to talk about backstories and things, especially ones that he's not particularly ok with.]

Mm.

[He takes another sip of cocoa.]

... So do you know who caused the fire?

[Leo nods.]

Yeah. It was Gaea. She told me she did it to break my spirit. I wish I could say it wasn't at least somewhat effective.

[He doesn't know who that is and something still tells him that he shouldn't ask, so he doesn't. Instead, Axel nudges Leo with his shoulder.]

If it did, I can't even tell.

[He knows its meant to be reassuring, but it doesn't really feel that way. Mainly because Leo works really hard at not letting that side of him show.]

Thanks.

[He focuses on his cocoa and goes silent. He really shouldn't have talked about any of that because it was like tearing a bandaid off when it sticks to the wound. He doesn't cry but he can feel the need to rising in him.]

[Hmm... doesn't look like he's doing much good, is he? Axel turns silent and still as well for a long while, just staring down at his cup, but then the three chocobos who have just been quietly keeping to themselves this whole time notice the sad feels going all around and start to hop up into Leo's lap. At first the head tilt up at them but then they start to nuzzle into his shirt. Don't be sad, little guy.]

[The chocobos brighten his mood some. But not nearly enough to make the pain loosen its grip completely. However, it is enough for him to put his mask back on. To pretend like he's fine. He laughs, but it sounds off from his usual laugh.]

Your birds always this snuggly?

[Axel takes notice of that, but doesn't point it out.]

They just know when something's up. They're smarter than they look, really.

[Popcorn, the yellow one, peeps and chirps as she beats her wings and flies up to meet Leo eye to eye. Hello.]

Yeah, I guess so.

[He takes a drink from his cocoa, finishing it off. He pours some more from the pot into his mug and takes another drink.]

[Here, let Popcorn nuzzle your cheek for a second, Leo. DON'T BE SAD.]

[Leo lets the chocobo nuzzle him. He's starting to feel cold though so he leans a little more closely against Axel. It has nothing to do with the fact that it might be emotionally comforting.]

[Axel glances down at Leo then just sort of... drapes an arm around his shoulders to give him a reassuring shake.]

[He leans into the touch. This really wasn't what he'd expected to happen once he found Axel. Not the cuddling part. He expected that much. But the divulging of some of his past.]

I slept in some strange places over the years. Sewers, public bathrooms, train and bus stations, up in trees and in bushes. Makes you really appreciate a warm bed and a roof over your head.

[Oh, Leo, darling. ... Motherly instincts have been activated. Axel still listens then when the chocobos start to coo and nuzzle in between them he gives Leo another small shake with his hand.]

Hey, come on. You're here now... and you've got loads of friends who've got your back, right?

Yeah, I know.

[He smiles. It's genuine, but not entirely happy.]

[And here Axel will try to ruffle up his hair a bit.]

So what're you gettin' all glum about, sunshine?

[Leo doesn't pull away from the hair ruffling, though it really makes him feel like a little kid.]

It's not like I can just forget about those things once I start thinking about them again.

[Axel stops ruffling to give Leo a bit of a break at least.]

... Does it help if you remind yourself that it's in the past?

Not really. But thanks.

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accidental video; open

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[action] wow. I thought I hit send on this ages ago. shit.

[action] /pets nuzzles and burrows into your bosom

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