Lost in Time

Kabbu smiled in reassurance. Leif was safe, Chompy was safe, even Zasp was safe. No harm done then, but goodness, did it give him a scare at the time. He did give Vi another look, a quiet sigh coming from him. While it had been more than frustrating back then, there was no need to bring it up now.

"Vi..."

"No, I get it. Sorry for being stupid, okay?"

It came out a little more hostile than Zasp intended, but it couldn't be helped. He couldn't blame any of them for holding it against him, but it wasn't like he didn't regret it. He gave Leif a glance, his antennae lowering a little, before his gaze turned to the side. Kabbu, while not as perceptive, could even feel the tense air that had settled, and hummed quietly in thought. He was coming to realize that the wasp seemed very...on edge. He wondered if he could alter the unsteady terms they were on. Zasp was a good bug, of course he was. If he weren't, he wouldn't have saved Leif, and Leif wouldn't be friends with him now.

After a brief pondering, Kabbu stepped closer and held a hand out to the wasp with a far too friendly smile. The initial flinch he gets in return doesn't go unnoticed.

"All is forgiven, Zasp. It's in the past. Besides, any friend of Leif's is a friend of our's."

Vi for her own part immediately felt bad and regretted her choice of words, "hey... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to word it that way. But it's in the past now and if Leif thinks you're a good friend then I'll forgive too. Want to start over fresh?"

Leif is surprised by how the bee apologized and offered to just begin anew. That was a big deal for the stubborn bug to do after all and he could appreciate that. Deciding to not put too much attention on that he instead notices how his friend had moved towards him when Kabbu outstretches his hand in friendship. It both saddened and honored the moth in equal measures since while he felt a bit threatened, Zasp felt safe enough with him to seek protection from him.

"I see. I am sorry if we disturbed that. But...if you can, please leave a note of where you're off to next time."

He offers a nervous smile, because of course he can't help but worry. He does shoot Vi a look when she speaks, though at the same time it's something he's curious about as well. While even he had a firm dislike for Mothiva, he never saw a reason to feel the same for Zasp, aside from pure association. Something he didn't see as fair.

"Didn't think I ever expressed that. Mothiva's feelings ain't mine."

The wasp says it bluntly and despite his cold gaze, he's more than a little uncomfortable. His wings and antennae twitch nervously, but he's doing his best to hide it. The last thing he wants is for these two to see him that vulnerable. Which was why he gave Leif an appreciative glance when he didn't mention the state he'd been found in. Kabbu, thankfully, wasn't one to press and he seemed pleased with that answer.

"Oh, that's wonderful! I'm glad you two get along so well."

"It is fine, we suppose it is our fault for neglecting to leave a note saying we would be out. We're sorry for concerning you both."

The moth then turns to Vi with a disapproving look at her rather blunt assumption. That was incredibly rude to lump the wasp in with the diva when they were very separate bugs. Vi to her own credit does look a bit guilty when she gets those looks from her teammates and that answer from Zasp. Okay so she was in the wrong here.

"Sorry, it's just, ya did kind of attack us for no good reason when we were trying to save the kingdom. Makes it hard to guess what's going on you know?"

Leif merely sighs at the bluntness of the bee before catching those nervous ticks of Zasp and he can't quite help the feeling of irritation that flared up. He'd spent so long calming the wasp down and while he loved his teammates he was upset that they'd ruined all that hard work. It was something that he didn't quite understand or expect to feel actually. However he decides to ponder on this strangeness later.

"Indeed, we are glad that we could become friends. We have quite a bit in common."

The wasp nearly jumped out of his shell at the sudden shout, immediately snapping into awareness and sitting upright as a jolt of anxiety shot through him. He guessed he wouldn't have been allowed to relax for long. Seeing Vi come into view, he only shoots her a glare. If anything it's to cover up the sudden nervousness gripping at him. And of course, Kabbu was not far behind.

"Leif?!"

The beetle was panting when he caught up to Vi, and a look of panic became relief when he saw Leif seeming just fine. While he breathes a sigh, the clear worry is certainly still there.

"Thank Venus, are you alright, Leif? You gave me a scare when I couldn't find you and Chompy. I thought..."

He trails off once his tunnel vision clears and he finally takes notice of Zasp, who appeared to be looking less than pleased at him.

"O-oh, my apologies. Are you alright too, Zasp?"

The wasp in question merely stared shortly, before huffing and looking away. Hesitantly, he slips his hand away from Leif's and instead holds onto his notebook.

"Yes, we are here and we are fine... Sorry to have concerned you both. We thought it would be nice to enjoy the day in the only quiet spot we knew of."

Leif withholds his sigh and instead gives the anxious beetle a smile that barely faltered when he felt Zasp stop holding his hand. Well, that was more disappointing than he thought it would be. Vi, sometimes more perceptive than she appeared did notice the pair holding hands before they separated though for once she kept quiet on that observation. "So why're you here with Zasp then? Thought you guys could stand our team?"

The moth maintains his neutral facial expression but he does twitch an antenna at that. It wasn't like Zasp ever really disliked their team... It was mostly just Mothiva and him going along with her until recently.

At least, not to him. Hearing the other say that only brings a new bout of confusion, because he can't understand why he's this important to Leif. Leif, of all bugs. His antennae lower a little and he hums in uncertainty as he takes one more scan over his notes, before closing the book again.

"I'm not... I mean... I'm fine now, really. You don't gotta stay here just for me."

Then he hears that and his metaphorical heart hurts at hearing that. It was kind of obvious that the wasp wanted him to stay there with him and he found himself wanting to stay. Of course he knew that he would eventually have to leave but he wanted to stay as long as he could.

"Zasp, we promise that we do not mind staying here with you. Besides, it is nice to spend time with you here in the quiet... It's refreshing."

It was only for a moment that he let his eyes close, just so he could focus and calm down. He hated it, how easily he could worry about just about everything. It was an exhausting thing. He couldn't even pin why he wanted to work so hard. He didn't, but he felt like he had to. To prove something, perhaps. But what was he really proving by tearing himself apart? The problem was that he didn't know how to stop. Because he simply felt like he had to do all this, even if it never benefitted him.

Another nagging thought came into his head, and he opened his eyes again, somehow looking more exhausted than before. He's going to blame the cold. And maybe the lack of sleep. He tore his attention from his thoughts and the notebook resting in his hand to look over at Leif with a tired concern.

Leif was about to ask about that when he noticed that Zasp had his eyes closed. Not wanting to spoil the bug's potential nap or even just resting. Nope that was immediately more important than his question. He held no desire to interrupt that so he kept huming quetly to show that nothing was wrong or different. That was until the wasp opens his eyes to mention something and Venus does he look exhausted.

At the question though the moth has pause a moment in order to blink and consider his current situation. He had sort of dropped everything else to come here with his friend in need. And with Chompy... Sure, he's run off randomly before but ever to this secret location.

"I guess I wouldn't be surprised, with how much that guy works."

Now, that was a hypocritical comment, and he's aware of that. He can't possibly work as much as Maki did though. He still felt he didn't work enough, actually. He can't stop the urge to grab the notebook at his side again with his free hand and open it to check what he needed to do within the coming weeks. Mainly, it was the performance at the Termite Kingdom that bothered him, far more than he wishes it did. At least he would be there with Mothiva, but it was getting harder to tolerate the termites' open disdain.

The moth nods in return to was Zasp says, pondering whether or not it should help him out or not. Maki did seem to have a lot going on in his life just based off his ranking and sister's nagging. Leif also decided to not poke fun at the fact that Zasp also had a habit of working far too much. In fact, he doesn't even comment on how the wasp grabs the notebook to check it again. Surely he had that thing memorized but he didn't want the other to feel insecure about the habit. Hopefully the other wouldn't mind that he would be accompanying him to the Termite Kingdom coming up soon.

He's tired though, too tired to properly obsess over all those thoughts right now, and he's starting to think Leif is getting closer with that idea in mind. It wasn't any secret that wasps grew tired with the cold, the moth knew that especially. Even so, he doesn't find it in him to move. That's not to say Leif is going to get him to sleep that easily.

The wasp simply shrugs, his tired gaze drifting across the surroundings just to have something to focus on.

The moth hums softly in thought before giving a little chuckle, "that doesn't surprise us actually. We wonder if he does this to test our resolve but also to release pent up stress... Either way, we are glad to have missed this event."

He might be tired, but he does take notice of Leif moving just a bit closer, and he can't help but glance away somewhat shyly. He does not, however, object or move away. He doesn't think he's ever, comfortably, been this close to another bug that wasn't Mothiva. Confusing as all this was, it was nice. Despite the chill.

The moth notices that shy glance and it just makes him smile more. It was so cute how the other bug could be just so shy and sweet. He mentally shakes his head at how he was subconsciously trying to draw conclusions on their relationship. They were friends. Good friends but friends none the less. He needed to keep this in mind so he wouldn't accidentally scare the other bug off.

He hardly means it, but he looks smug while he says it regardless. It does remind him though that yes, he did promise he'd protect Leif. He was Mothiva's bodyguard, of course, but that didn't mean he couldn't be Leif's too. The thought of the other getting hurt again just made his chest hurt. He wouldn't allow that again.

A softer chuckle leaves him, he seems like he's relaxing easier. Maybe that's just the chill traveling up his arm, but he didn't mind much. He was tired even without the lower temperature from the moth, but he'd much rather not just up and take a nap. Not when he...had work to do.

Naturally he didn't mean it either and it's apparent when he chuckles shortly after he finishes his quip. He knew that the wasp wouldn't dare let him get hurt actually. Zasp was a kind and protective bug after all and it was apparent that he still had quite a strong guilt over when he'd been shanked by that scorpion. It was sad really because it wasn't his fault that he'd been hurt, it was his own for not being diligent.

Thankfully Zasp's chuckle draws him back from those thoughts and he smiles in turn. It was apparent that the poor wasp was exhausted but he knew that the other bug wouldn't sleep give in to a nap so easily. Perhaps he could convince him to take a bit of a nap, just long enough to recover a bit of energy. Though that plan is put on pause when he hears about Kabbu from before they met.

Zasp huffs at that and leans back against the flowers behind them, shifting his wings to be more comfortable as he gave Leif a half-hearted glare.

"After all I've done for you? You just wanna see me get mauled by a half pint."

"Well we certainly don't want to be mauled alone. Vi can be very scary when she wants to be."

It was only a half lie, he doubted the bee could ever actually intimidate him now that he's so used to her antics. Perhaps once upon a time when they were first getting used to one another as a team but even then the chances were slim. She was simply too small and cute to him. Though thinking about his team causes him to worry quietly. They would eventually be back at the house and likely wondering where he went. After all, he never told them about this spot and he normally wasn't one to vanish with no warning but at the same time he didn't want to leave. Zasp still needed this time to calm down and rest and by Venus he would make sure he did.

"We could always attempt to give the shock candy to Kabbu as well, though that would likely end in being lectured to. Hm... No, Vi would be the better victim."

It's not said to be rude, of course. He doesn't know Kabbu the way Leif does, so he can do no more than take his word for it. He's hardly even spoken to the beetle after everything settled down, and that felt so long ago now that he thought about it. But...he wasn't sure if Kabbu even would want to speak to him.

Then again, he never thought Leif would ever even want to look at him, and here they were. It was more surprising how comfortable he's gotten with the moth, to be so close. Leif was cold, sure, but it wasn't much of a bother. Though it was starting to make his exhaustion just a little more obvious, ignore it as he may. He did smile at how the other lit up at his idea. He couldn't help but think it was cute.

Putting that aside Leif did seem to notice how the wasp was looking more tired than before. Ah, likely a result of his cool temperature affecting the other bug. Most wasps tended to get more drowsy in the cold and he recalled that happening to Zasp in the winter. At least he didn't look that tired yet but he wouldn't be surprised if the wasp did drift off eventually. Nor would he be offended since it was obvious that Zasp needed the rest. However that wasn't what he focused on for long as he chuckles at what the other bug says.

The beetle was one to be very avoident of conflict, but that never did stop Zasp. It was harmless fun anyway. His antennae lift a little as he watches Leif think, something he can't help but do right then. It's still hard to believe, that this moth cared so much as to actually stay with him like this when he needed someone. It was odd, to feel wanted. The only other bug that had ever enjoyed his presence was Mothiva, and at this point it felt like it was because there was something wrong with him. Perhaps just because he was a wasp, or maybe he was just...unlikable.

Hearing the moth's ideas, he has to chuckle. Maybe just slightly, he leans a little closer to Leif as he turns his gaze to flicker around the area.

For now though he focuses on how he got the wasp to chuckle and that little bit closer proximity and smiles. He was glad that Zasp felt comfortable enough to be this close to him, especially given that they were still holding hands. He was glad that his cold temperature wasn't too much of a deterrent. Then Zasp mentions the shock candy idea and he lights up at the thought.

He's not a bitter wasp though and he's not known to hold grudges, not when he's the one at fault, which is why it's easy to joke about now. He's only glad Leif doesn't hold anything against him either.

"Vi? All I have to do to annoy her is exist in front of her. But making fun of how short she is helps."

Thankfully for everyone Zasp had proven himself better than those acts had portrayed him before. Venus knows he was glad for that too.

"Oh we would do just that but Kabbu has forbidden us from mentioning such a thing around her. You aren't not under such a ban though."

Leif hums once more in thought, antenna and head cocked to one side as well. How to tease the little bee. Oh!