Thinking of how Kevin got to Palmetto.
Thinking about Kevin Day showing up at Wymack’s room, his gear only half on because Riko hadn’t even given him the chance to figure out which of them was better before breaking his hand, blood seeping into the cloth until the dark red accents had become even darker.
(There’s a reason their colors are black and red, after all.)
Thinking of him not having anything else with him, because he didn’t plan on leaving. Thinking of him grabbing a few things from his room, whatever he got carry in just one hand and a bag without looking suspicious. Of him flinching at every footstep or shut door he heard on his way to and from his room.
Thinking of him showing up at Wymack’s hoping to god that he’d let him in. Because if he didn’t, he’d have to go back, and Riko would be even angrier if Kevin came back now that he’d packed to leave. Because if he didn’t, Kevin was even deader than he already was.
Thinking of Wymack seeing this boy, Kayleigh’s boy, who’s still three months away from being twenty, holding his arm, his hand bent in a way it should NOT be bent, begging him to let him in.
Thinking of Wymack looking that same boy in the eyes and seeing nothing except Kayleigh.
Thinking of Wymack trying to figure out what’s wrong. Of him going to call EAU’s nurse, or the hospital or SOMETHING. And Kevin nearly sobbing, choking on every word as he asks him not to tell anyone. As he begs him to get him out.
Thinking of Kevin wearing Wymack’s spare clothes because his were too covered in blood to get him out in. Clothes that didn’t quite fit him. Thinking of Wymack averting his eyes every time he looked over at him because the sight just reminded him that this was still a kid, regardless of how good he was at some sport.
Thinking of Kevin nursing a bottle of vodka in his non-dominant hand while Wymack drives him somewhere, anywhere, other than the Nest. The rest of the team will get on the bus with Abby later that night, Kevin couldn’t.
Thinking of Wymack finally convincing this kid to let Abby come and try to help with his arm so that it didn’t get worse on the drive to Palmetto. Thinking of Kevin sitting there, expecting her to just… deal with it. No pain meds, no nothing. Because that’s how it was done in the Nest unless Riko said otherwise.
Thinking of Abby giving him whatever she had on her and him reacting weird because he’s not used to it.
Thinking of Kevin passing out in Wymack’s car and waking up in his apartment at PSU and being so confused about where he was. Being so worried that Riko was going to kill him for running.
Thinking of Wymack physically restraining him so that he didn’t try to run back before he’d calmed down.
Thinking of Wymack almost accidentally calling him Kayleigh and him freezing.
Thinking of Andrew showing up. Of him breaking into Wymack’s apartment because that’s what he did and he wanted answers as to why he wasn’t on the bus with them. He was always trying to get answers, after all.
Thinking of him seeing Kevin drunk on Wymack’s couch, arm still messed up but at least in a sling until they could take him to an actual doctor and get a cast put on it. Thinking of Kevin, in his inebriation from the alcohol and the pain meds, mistaking him for someone else. Of him freaking out and babbling about not bring him back because Riko would kill him. Of him repeating that word, over and over and over again. Please, please, please.
Thinking of Andrew’s expression going blank for just a moment.
Thinking of Wymack coming back and seeing Andrew there and forcing him away from Kevin while he tried to calm him down again. Of him trying and struggling to explain what happened because even he didn’t know the whole story, just bits and pieces from what Kevin had said over the last two or three days.
Thinking of Andrew and Wymack trying so hard to keep Kevin safe from his past and himself. Of them caring so much, even when they didn’t know him. Of them realizing that something was so so wrong and wanting to do something, even if there wasn’t a whole lot they could do.
Thinking of how Kevin got to Palmetto.
