ironchef | Victory Road Inbox

Sometime after the festival, Hunk will be visited by a delivery Pidgey, bearing an envelope and friendship bracelet woven in yellow and and a pale pink not unlike the markings on Allura's cheekbones.

Dear Hunk,

I woke up with this under my pillow last night. Keith tells me it’s a “friendship bracelet,” and I have a feeling this one belongs to you. I've always said you were the heart of Voltron, and having you here has felt like our family is complete again. You always know how to support us, so never hesitate to ask us to support you as well.

Love,
Allura

Edited 2022-07-01 19:17 (UTC)

[Not really knowing who else to turn to other than Lucius but also figuring that asking a married man from a thousand years in the past probably isn't the best person to turn to for this, this particular problem gets to fall on Hunk's shoulders.

Marik swallows, visibly uncomfortable with the subject that's been eating at his mind and how to properly word a question he never thought he'd be asking.

Because what is being a normal teenage asking normal teenage things.]

Hey, Hunk... Would you mind... giving me advice on something sort of... personal?

[Normal teenagers with abnormal lives still trying to do normal teenage lives counts for something.]

Sure! I'm here.

[He's currently in Goldenrod, so the background is a cafe in the area. He gets up to go outside so he's not going to be heard or anything.] What's up?

[Marik shifts a bit - but then it seems he's gotten lucky today because he recognizes the background of the feed. His eyes widen.]

... Wait, are you in Goldenrod right now?

[His own backdrop is a room at one of the hotels in the city. He, Kaiba, and Atem have been hanging about after Marik took on the gym Wednesday.

He really hopes he isn't mistakened about Hunk's current location because this would feel a lot less awkward in person. No digital footprint. It'd be nice to spend time with the guy too so it's a win-win.]

Yeah, actually! I've been in the city looking up recipes. Finally.

Why, are you around?

[He perks up a little. For the most part he's been here on his own, mostly just getting used to being on his own, and had warned his friends that he'd be in Goldenrod for a little bit. That doesn't mean he doesn't call for a ride back when he gets homesick but... you know...]

[He's got a big cushy soft heart like that.]

It's just me and Shay out here with me. She's my Nidorina.

[This is good luck indeed. Any uncertainty he was feeling earlier is now replaced with excitement. He'll go back to being awkward when he actually needs to ask the question but for now...]

Yes! I just got my third badge the other day so my friends and I have been taking a bit of a break since then.

I remember you mentioning her before. It'll be nice to finally get to meet both of you in person! I'll bring Chenzira with me. He's grown up a lot these past couple of months. Ah-

[He's getting ahead of himself. Probably should confirm Hunk's location first.]

That's [idk some name of a café] you're at, right? I can be there in about five minutes if that works for you!

Yeah! I'll just go in and wait for you! They have an awesome cheesecake.

[And with that, Hunk heads back into Cafe [REDACTED] to wait on his new buddy. And he is excited 'cause... well, he's had his Voltron friends for forever. It's pretty great to make new friends.]

[He gets a brand new nice frothy warm coffee while he waits.]

Cheesecake sounds perfect. I'll see you in a bit!

[Time challenges are a thing with him. Even if Marik doesn't have his bike, when he sets up a limit he always tries to beat it. He gets to the café in four minutes flat. Although he's a bit winded from it.

And it's nice enough out for him to rock his ridiculously boujie furcoat for a change due to the weather clearing up. Marik is a boy with too much money, lived in a cult all his life, and no one to tell him no so his fashion sense is a strange one.

Once the tomb keeper has caught his breath, he pushes the door open and enters the café with Chen riding on top of his head (because the coat tickles his nose too much), then looks around for his friend. Marik finally spots Hunk and putters on over, a big grin on his face.]

H-Hey. Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long.

[Hunk looks pretty standard to his usual self. Khaki pants, a blue long-sleeved shirt with a circle that's reminiscent of a Snorlax belly (that's intentional), and a letterman jacket that doesn't really hide the fact that despite being a big guy? He's got the muscle to lift a car engine under that padding.]

[Not to mention he's tall. Just a big giant guy with a little coffee cup and swole arms. And do you know what those arms are good for? Hugging.]

Hi! It's great to finally meet you. You mind a hug? Because if you don't? You're getting a hug.

[Shay is sitting on a seat at the table he just left, looking contented with herself because dad has already spoiled her.]

[He knew Hunk was big but seeing him in person makes him look even bigger somehow.]

Mmn! I'm glad to finally meet you too.

[The question throws him off completely. Affection of any type is not something he's experienced much of since he was a child and even then, it was only from his siblings. He's hugged his pokémon and Kaiba a few times since coming here but that's about it.

Still... a hug does sound nice. And Hunk looks like the perfect person to give it. Chen floats down from his spot to sit across from Shay, introducing himself as their trainers talk.]

Ah... Sure!

[Marik laughs nervously.]

I don't mind.

[Yup! Big squishy hug incoming. Even picks him up for a brief second, but only briefly, but puts him back down.]

This is great! And way better to have a personal conversation in... person... I guess. That felt repetitive to say.

[Hunk is an awkward boy. Shay, in the meantime, picks up one of her leftover poffins to offer Chen with a little squawked 'Ni!' because she's polite like that.]

I'll order us some deserts. I really wanted to try this cheesecake out.

[Marik's light enough to lift with ease. He awkwardly hugs back, a gentle patpat to Hunk's shoulder with one hand, followed by a nervous little chuckle.

Oh.

... Right.

That was the reason he contacted him in the first place. Once he's set down, the teen sits down across from his friend and nods.]

Y-yeah. That's... what my mindset was. I wasn't expecting you to be in the area but I'm really thankful you are.

And you've got me curious too. You know I'm up for trying all kinds of different foods.

[Chen bows his head with a soft "oouh" sound and accepts the poffin, slowly nibbling away at it. He's got better manners than his trainer, that's for sure.

Marik folds his hands in front of him on the table, going over the lines he's rehearsed in his head. He's used to playing a part, being one step ahead. Talking from the heart is tough even with practiced dialog.

But... he trusts Hunk. Although it's their first time meeting in person, he feels safe around the guy since their initial chat. It's... nice to have someone like that. He just hopes he isn't being too clingy or something, or projecting too much.

Marik bites his bottom lip, feeling his face turning hot. This is embarrassing. Unfamiliar. He hates not being prepared for something - and that something being as simple as forming a relationship with someone.]

Hnn... So... er... what... what do you know about... dating?

[He doesn't really have a skin tone given to blushing, but he's not great at hiding expressions. But then again-]

I actually haven't dated- but I've had crushes. And I helped a couple of buddies get their dates. And my mom and dad were great examples of how to treat each other. [Hunk's got one of those remarkably tight knit, warm hearted, disgustingly kind families.]

So I think I have a pretty good view from the outside.

[Dating's always been a little strange for him. Being in military school and then going to space meant that he hasn't really had a chance to sit down with someone and say, 'Oh, I tend to like people based on personality. I don't find anyone hot, then I start liking them personally and suddenly I start seeing things physically attractive about them. What is that called?' That stuff? He's never managed for himself.]

[But he's seen how other people are.]

Are you thinking of dating someone? [He does take a quick moment to order their food so there's at least that moment to think about it.]

[Both of them have that problem so Hunk can probably tell just by the blonde's expression and how he's somewhat trying to hide his face under that poofy mane of his.

... He hasn't dated anyone either? Oh jeez. Now he feels even more foolish for having asked him. At least until Hunk gives him that explanation. That's what Marik is lacking. No actual reference to base what modern day relationships are like outside of what he's seen in 90s media once he came to the surface and people watching. Which isn't exactly good to mimic. He could just ignore what he's feeling and not bother at all but...]

I'm sorry to... spring this on you. I just... I didn't know who else to turn to.

[He moves to steeple his fingers and drum them together, trying to get out the nervous energy he's experiencing. (Chen is lowkey eavesdropping. He's been aware of the situation for a bit now.)]

Y-Yes. There's a girl... She's so kind, gentle... It's like she's made of light, she shines so brightly.

[Marik shifts again. Why did he wear a furcoat? It's getting uncomfortably warm in the café.]

I've never felt... anything like this before... but.. my only knowledge on relationships are arranged marriages and what I've seen in outside media. W-which... I imagine aren't good examples... I don't want to mess this up.

Delivery, June 26

video; current date

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

video > action;

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

forward-dated to 12/25!

Re: forward-dated to 12/25!

text | after that anon post (this is not anon however)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Sorry for the big delay

you're good!!