#I can't draw hands anymore help 🫠

[izzyviol3t]

Lots and lots of attempts to finish a birthday/anniversary fanart 😭😭

I'm sleepy, gonna redraw this tomorrow and see if it comes out better (a late birthday gift! How lame!)

[kybercrystals94]

Exposure

Read here on Ao3!

Whumptober 2024 - Day 10 - Prompts: Blow to the Head / Slurred Words / "I can't think straight."

Rated: T | Words: 1566

A/N: I am not a medical profession. Do with that as you will 🫠

Fear takes root when Hunter stops shivering. 

The temperature in the shallow cave has not improved, Tech knows that much. He has been monitoring the weather conditions closely, hoping that the storm will pass, that the interference preventing their distress signal will clear. Unfortunately, the concept of hope has little effect on natural events. Hope, however, does prevent panic, so Tech clings to the fragile abstraction, metaphorically, with both hands. His actual hands are numb, even under his gloves, knuckles swollen and sore. His fingers struggle to do what should be the simple function of unclasping his armor. 

“What are you doing?” Hunter asks, syllables slurring together almost incomprehensibly. 

“Removing my armor,” Tech states simply. It is far too cold to elaborate further. 

The Sergeant glares up at him blearily, mismatched pupils blown wide with concussion. “Why?” 

Tech does not explain. It is taking all his focus just to remove pieces of plastoid with clumsy, uncooperative fingers. If Hunter would simply be patient, he would be able to see soon enough. Tech liberates himself from his cuirass and backplate and moves to the challenging bits of armor clinging to his arms, silently cursing their smaller latches. 

“Tech,” Hunter growls. If he is aiming for authoritative, it is undermined by the weak breathlessness of his voice. However, it does renew the fervor with which Tech fights with his armor pieces. 

At last, Tech drops the last segment of armor from his upper portion, leaving him in just his thermal blacks from the waist up. He kneels next to Hunter and begins to repeat the process on his barely conscious brother. 

“What are you doing?” Hunter demands again, trying to pull away. 

“We need to get your body temperature back up,” Tech explains. His voice trembles, teeth clacking together. At least he is still shivering. That is a bright side. 

Hunter makes an indignant sound, as though it is Tech who lost his helmet and received a blow to the head rappelling down the cliff face in ice and snow. “By taking off our armor?” 

“We must lend one another our warmth,” Tech continues patiently, “which cannot be achieved through amor. Please hold still. 

Hunter slumps back against the cave wall obediently. He watches Tech work, blinking slowly. “I’m not cold,” he says. “Not anymore.” 

“I understand you feel that way,” Tech says. “That is a sign of moderate hypothermia. We must work to raise your internal temperature as soon as possible.” 

“Not safe,” Hunter mumbles. 

“It is our only choice at this juncture. Unfortunately, we lost our emergency packs in the fall. They will be buried in the snowfall dozens of meters below us by now.” 

Hunter’s brow furrows. “’s my fault.” 

“It was an unfortunate accident,” Tech corrects him. 

Tech finds some small sense of triumph as Hunter’s upper armor is more easily removed. He stacks their cuirasses and backplates near where Hunter is situated, retrieves his data pad, then sits down next to his brother. He draws the wounded man to his side. Hunter does not produce any warmth to share, merely absorbing Tech’s limited supply. With his free hand, Tech haphazardly arranges the larger armor pieces in what he hopes will be a small barrier from the elements. 

It will not last long. They will die of exposure if help does not arrive soon. 

If the storm does not let up soon. 

If their brothers do not find them soon. 

Soon. 

Soon is not on their side. 

“You’re shaking,” Hunter mutters drowsily. 

Tech wants to explain that shivering is a preferable state to Hunter’s; however, he merely jostles the man a little too roughly. “You have to stay awake,” he orders. 

Hunter utters something that Tech cannot make out. 

Tech answers nonetheless. “No. I need to rest. You’ve got the watch. Do you understand? You need to keep watch for the others to find us.”

Hunter becomes heavier against his side, deadweight. 

Tech shakes him again. “You must stay awake, Hunter.” His voice breaks, only partially from the intense cold plaguing him. “Please. Stay awake. Help is coming.” 

Hunter doesn’t respond. 

Time slips by. 

Tech isn’t shivering anymore. 

**

The landscape is white, clean, and dangerous. Crosshair’s sharp eyes slice across it, searching for imperfections, disturbances. Signs that their missing brothers are out there. Waiting for Echo to pinpoint their location is taking too long. Every lost second carries a heavy cost they can’t afford. 

Wrecker crashes through the fresh snow, pacing. “Where are they?” he demands. 

Crosshair tips his head, expression shielded by his helmet. “If we knew, we wouldn’t be looking, would we?” he snarls. 

“Not helping,” Echo tells him through comms. He’s on the ship, trying to boost the signal. 

Crosshair bites out, “Neither is he. Neither are you. They’re probably already dead.” 

“Don’t say that!” Wrecker stops his pacing and looms over Crosshair. He looks like he might lash out physically. 

Crosshair shifts, squaring up, wordlessly daring Wrecker to try.

“Both of you, knock it off!” Echo orders, ARC voice bladed. 

Wrecker deflates immediately, but Crosshair holds his ground a moment longer, claiming a weak and idle victory. He can’t see Wrecker’s face, but his body language, like his voice, is loud. The drop of his shoulders, the angle of his helmet. Wrecker is scared, like the rest of them. They all know the likelihood of Hunter and Tech surviving the elements without proper gear. Crosshair voicing it doesn’t change the terrible facts. 

He cannot bring himself to apologize in so many words, so Crosshair bumps against Wrecker’s arm, hard, with his shoulder. “If anyone could figure out how to survive, it’d be those two.” 

Wrecker’s posture lifts. “I know they did.” 

“I got something!” Echo calls out, making their in-helmet comms hiss in protest. “Putting in coordinates now.” 

Crosshair and Wrecker clamber on board, and the ship is already off the ground before Crosshair punches the button to close the hatch. 

**

Hunter wakes feeling trapped. 

He can’t move his arms or legs, bound by a strange, encompassing weight. His first, mind-addled reaction is to panic, writhing frantically to free himself from the swaddling confines of whatever is holding him.

“Hey! They’re just blankets, di’kut, kriff,” Crosshair’s voice snaps at him. 

The familiar, waspish tone of his youngest brother makes Hunter stop, and Crosshair helps him disentangle enough fabric to free his arms. “How many blankets are there?” Hunter asks, voice rough from disuse, throat sore and parched. 

“Too many,” Crosshair admits. “I don’t know where Wrecker keeps finding them. Thirsty?” 

Hunter nods, and Crosshair hauls him up into a sitting position and hands him an open canteen. Hunter takes a sip of the tepid liquid, the taste of added electrolytes bitter on his tongue. He makes a face. “How long was I out?” 

“Two standard days,” Crosshair says. “Really did a number on yourself. Concussion and hypothermia. What’s the last thing you remember?”

Hunter frowns. “The last thing I remember clearly was checking my cables before rappelling down the cliff face. We were going to hike to the rendezvous point.” 

Crosshair scoffs. “That’s it?” 

“I remember my head feeling like it got split open,” Hunter grumbles. 

“Not quite, but not for lack of trying,” Crosshair says. “Lost your helmet and your emergency packs. Tech is still annoyed about losing his favorite med scanner.” 

“Is Tech alright?” Hunter asks, turning to look at where the other cot is empty across the aisle. A faint recollection of panicked words filters into his muddled memories. Please. Stay awake. Help is coming.

“Hypothermia and exposure, but he’s recovering,” Crosshair says with a smirk. “He’s supposed to be resting still; however, he claims he heard a rattle in the ship’s console before the mission, and insisted he had to repair it now. Weak excuse, but Echo let him get away with it.”

Hunter chuckles, the remnants of his concussion protesting with a throb of his skull. 

Crosshair’s expression turns solemn. “We almost didn’t make it in time. When Wrecker and I got into that cave...we thought we were recovering corpses.” 

Another painful throb pulses, this time in Hunter’s throat as he imagines what that must have been like. He doesn’t want to imagine, doesn’t want to think of any two of his brothers lying so still that he thought they were dead. So, he pushes the horrifying thought away, reaching out and grabbing hold of Crosshair’s arm. “But you weren’t.” 

Crosshair scowls at the durasteel floor and gives one, tight nod. 

Tech comes into the hold, Wrecker right behind him. 

“Ah, you’re awake,” Tech says, something akin to warm smile touching his lips. 

Hunter smiles. “Thanks to you, sounds like.” 

Tech waves away the comment, taking a seat on the opposite cot. “How are you feeling?” 

“Smothered with all these blankets,” Hunter says, tossing a good-natured glare in Wrecker’s direction. 

The giant gasps. “You should have seen yourself before the blankets! Have you ever seen blue clones before? ‘Cause it’s something I never want to see again.” 

“I agree,” Crosshair mutters. 

“I assure you; such is an event I hope none of us experience a second time. On either side of the equation,” Tech says firmly.

There is a haunted expression in his brothers’ eyes, a lingering look of hope snuffed out. 

That nearly transparent memory returns. Please. Stay awake. Help is coming.

Hunter thanks the maker Tech was right. 

For all their sakes. 

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[mountsmase]

First time in the car with him🤭

Like I'll say third date he decides to do something more adventurous than a simple dinner at his so he comes to pick you up, and he had warned you that he isn't the type of person who is always is perfect time so when the ring of your apartment bells you thought it was one of your neighbours bhut it's him🤭

So you tell him you need to grab your purse and coat and you're ready to go but he tells you to not worry and take your time.

So once you're ready he gets you to his car opens the door for you 🤭 and when he starts driving you can't stop looking at him🫠 so he is all blishy asking you if something is wrong or or if you don't want to go anymore, bur you immediately blushed too and tell him that you were just admiring him🤭

He’d be such a sexy driver 🫠 I never thought driving could be attractive but here we are

You’d probably expect him to just text you when he’s down stairs so that you can go and meet him so you’re surprised when he shows up at your front door, looking handsome as ever with that pretty little smile on his face

You’re taken off guard, obviously not expecting it to be him and you’re not completely ready yet because he’s a little early which he apologises for, but you really don’t mind at all, inviting him in so that he’s not awkwardly stood waiting for you in the hallway and he sits in your living room whilst you finish getting your stuff together, you’re a little nervous because he’s never been to your apartment before and it’s not even that tidy because you didn’t expect visitors but he loves how you’ve decorated it and the way it’s so you.

Once you’re ready he’s showering you in compliments 🤭 telling you how beautiful you look and you’re blushing constantly as you lock up and follow him out to his car.

He leads you around the passenger side and holds the door open for you, helping you climb in because his car is bloody massive and once you’re in he leans forward, placing a kiss to your temple before closing the door and rounding the car to get into the passenger seat

He starts driving and you just chat about your days and what’s happened since you last saw each other but you’re so distracted, unable to pull your gaze away from his arms that are on perfect display for you where he’s holding the steering wheel, his tattoos peaking out from under the sleeve of his t-shirt and when he notices you’re staring he’d be such a tease 😭 asking if you’re okay and jokingly flexing his arms and you’re cheeks would be on fire, knowing that he’s only messing about but you’d still feel so embarrassed that he caught you practically drooling over him 😭

and imagine him reaching over to hold your hand or resting his hand against your thigh 🤭 placing it at a respectable height and drawing little patterns with his finger tips 🫠

[sparklywatercolors]

ZORI. THIS IS A HOLD UP. TELL ME HOW YOU MET IVAN.

Fun fact I'm actually writing a story on that too but here's some little bits and pieces of said fic explained in the dumbest way possible. Enjoy 😏✨

Blame Alfred (/America)

Literally blame him right now, don't even think about it, just do it.

He decided to host a huge party during the week Zorya had to present their senior thesis.

And no the party wasn't for them it was a hell yeah it's summer time party

What a goof I love Alfred so much ☹️ (fun fact him and Lovino are Zorya's best pals)

Of course Zorya and Lovino and all their friends get dragged along. Zorya's (outside of the trio) friends rejected bc they were like are you insane it's thesis and finals weeks absolutely not 🗿

Zorya would say no but they share an apartment with their best friends and they don't want to be a jerk alright

Anyways party time. Zorya is literally stuck to Lovino like glue. Like holy shit I don't know anyone let me join u and ur other friends

Alfred is being too social for Zorya, he introduced them to like 40 new people in the span of 5 minutes so Zorya went fuck that and found Lovino and went okay YOU ARE STUCK W ME NOW

Zorya would much rather be sleeping but it's fine Lovino's friends are rly nice, and they don't get to meet up with these people that often so it's nice to see some sorta fresh faces but not awkward meeting for the first time conversations

But holy shit there are so many people here

So stressful

Zorya doesn't do parties (I also don't rly do parties unless it's like my closest friends or if I'm at a family party, I have a friend with me or I can sneak out and go draw 🫡)

Zorya decides to excuse themself from the fun banter they've gotten involved in and they go take a walk around and maybe fight off random strangers for some apple juice

Yes Alfred got them to be on board bc he bought them fancy apple juice. Zorya likes striking a deal when they can

Juice

They drink the juice life is great

But NOW THEY CAN'T FIND LOVINO OR ANTONIO OR ANYONE THEY ACTUALLY KNOW OH GOD IT IS THE END OF THE WORLD!!!!!!!

Poor Zorya *sad kazoo noises*

Zorya tries to look like they fit in just smiling at strangers, but it looks more like 😬😬😬😬😬 LMAOOOO they're trying okay don't judge them

Again blame Alfred (just in case you forgot)

But the juice is so worth it

Anyways Zorya is sipping their apple juice, and ready to sneak into their bedroom (that they locked up-yes this is happening at their apartment BTW Alfred is..... I don't even know anymore), and climb out to the fire escape and go get bubble tea 🧋(mmm bubble tea mmm) and just stay away

But they can't get PAST THIS TALL ASS RUSSIAN DUDE

yes it's Ivan but they don't know that

He's talking to some people, some look comfortable some look afraid that he will snap them in half if they don't laugh at his jokes

Zorya is afraid to ask him to move

So Zorya is just awkwardly there gawking at him and these people that he probably already knew cause of course Alfred is so popular that he can get strangers to bring their friends to this chaotic shit

Zorya is over thinking everything as usual ™

Alfred can be heard screaming the cha cha slide in the distance now BTW

Anyways Zorya feels a hand on their shoulder, it's this girl asking if they're alright

They zoned out and was staring at tall Russian man while in the process of zoning out

Good job Zorya we're proud of u

Zorya is like oh no he's hot AND I WAS STARING AT HIM OH GOOD GOD 🧍🧍🧍🧍🧍🧍🧍🧍🧍🧍🧍🧍🧍

Zorya awkwardly waves it off and goes oopsies sorry ah I was looking for my friends there's so many people here ah shit I'm sorry 😅... 🫠

And Russian dude that Zorya doesn't know the name of (it's Ivan) is like I'm pretty tall I can help you look

Zorya is like *NEARLY CHOKES AND DIES * SURE?????

So they go on a fucking hunt to find Lovino and gang

Zorya notices some of Russian guy's friends look low key relieved, Zorya wants to ask but is like nah I don't wanna know I just want to find Lovino

So they're walking around and talking

They exchange names

Hi Ivan

Hello Zoryana (fun fact it takes him months even when they start dating,, to just call them Zorya)

Zorya is genuinely having a great time talking to Ivan

And it seems the same way for Ivan!! 🥺

They're talking for a good hour that's how fucking crowded this party is and they're rly distracted just talking to each other about random shit and making jokes about stupid things happening

Alfred and Lovino are low key watching this btw, Alfred is like Zorya is gonna be simping and Lovino is like oh dear God no not again

Eventually they find Lovino and his gang

Zorya introduces Ivan to them

Seems like everyone knows everyone, Zorya is basically the new guy here 🧍🫡 good job Zorya

Before Zorya could thank Ivan he's getting dragged off

Zorya is BLUSHING BTW and was like damn he was rly cute I'd love to talk to him again.... Maybe ask him to coffee or something

Lovino notices and goes oh here we go again 🧍

Alfred overhears and WINGMAN MODE ACTIVATES

ALFRED IS SO EXCITED TO BE A WINGMAN PLS

HE'S BEEN WANTING THIS HIS WHOLE LIFE TO BE A WINGMAN

Zorya is like no don't 🗿

Fuck you this is America I'll do what I want biatch Alfred yells and disappears into the crowd

Bye Alfred

Zorya and Lovino are face palming 🤦🤦

Anyways

Party goes on until like the last stragglers leave at like 3 am

This party started at noon the previous day btw

Zorya is EXHAUSTED AND LAYING ON THE FLOOR

Lovino is like go the fuck to bed

Zorya is like no I miss my calmer apartment pls 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

The trio goes to sleep will clean when they wake up bc fuck that

How many fucking people were over anyway holy shit??? 😭

In the afternoon Zorya wakes up and Alfred is swiveling around the barstool and cackling

Lovino is on his 5th cup of coffee and telling Zorya go back to bed

...

So you remember Alfred wanting to be the wingman

Well he

He set up a little date to the zoo for Zorya and Ivan next weekend

Zorya goes back to their room

Closes the door

SCREAMS

... Zorya is both happy and terrified BC HOMIE WHAT WHY

The end 😌

That's basically the whole story but in condensed (...some would beg to differ) notes form!! I hope i have pleased you with this lore 👀

Tldr: blame Alfred.