#rust everything

“Uh… What?”

[He blinks once, twice… Hector clearly believes he hasn’t heard you correctly.]

“Not if I… Get you first? Also it’s physically impossible for you to… Do that, love. I do not understand this banter, is this how it’s supposed to go?”

- ✒️

“…I don’t think you’re going to get through to them.”

[Hector gestures behind himself, just to reveal a very… VERY sunburnt Marrow. They practically look like a hot coal…]

“They’ll uh… uuhhhhh… Uhmm..”

[He seems to have no words, but he knows Marrow will be fine.]

“You know what, why don’t we just go back to talking.”

“Hello,”

[Hector greets you warmly and Marrow… Doesn’t greet you at all, but is also extremely warm. You can even smell the faint scent of cooking meat… Oh, wait, that’s just Marrow.]

“I’d say it’s… Nice? I’m enjoying it. The ponytail’d idiot is as well. But I appreciate you asking, pet.”

[He flashes you a short-lived grin as he mentions the “ponytail’d idiot,” clearly meaning Marrow. As he gestures to them, they are both nowhere… And literally everywhere.]

- ✒️

“You may. I think I would quite appreciate that.”

[Hector takes this as an invitation, crouching down to your height. Pulling his cigarette from between his lips, he blows the smoke away from you. As he waves it away, he presses a kiss to your cheek instead.]

“All is forgiven, pretty boy.”

[Bumble holds out the lollipop, looking a little embarrassed. Did she seem childish? Possibly. Though she did hope he would like the gift—even if he doesn't eat it.]

“What’s that? A… Lollipop? Weird thing to have on you.”

[Hector eyes the candy you offer him for a moment, taking the cigarette he just so happened to light a moment ago and putting it out between his index finger and thumb. Ouch. He doesn’t react though, as the tobacco filled stick is no longer burning and instead, he tucks it behind his ear to use later. Soon, the lollipop is hesitantly taken from your hand.]

“Thanks, honeybee… That’s very thoughtful of you.”

[Unwrapping the candy, he shoves the wrapper into his pocket, popping the stick into his mouth as he continues watching the waves. A pleased hum comes from him as he pulls the lollipop from his mouth. He turns his head to look down at you before muttering.]

“Here, try this, it’s not that bad, actually…”

[Before you can refuse, he’s slouching to your height and grabbing your face with one hand. What you thought would be the lollipop suddenly shoved in your face, is actually the complete opposite — Hector’s face comes close to yours as his lips meet with yours, his tongue dragging across your own. The oddest way to share a lollipop, that much is obvious… But he wasn’t lying, the flavor was definitely enjoyable… Aside from the smallest hint of cigarette smoke. Quickly, he pulls away from your face, letting go before staring at the string of spittle connecting the two of you… Only to break it with the lollipop, twirling the sweet as he pops it back into his mouth.]

“Tastes good, right?”

[It’s as if he doesn’t realize how out of pocket his action was.]

"Rusty, Rusty," he shouts up at the taller man, "you look great! Oh my God I feel great! Do you feel great? I feel great!" The words fly out of his mouth as he hops from foot to foot in front of the former HVAC system. His fake eye somehow shows even more joy than his real one, it having a star instead of a typical iris. The clothes he's wearing are very bright compared to what he used to wear, and is his hair short? That's very knew. In general he looks so much brighter than before, like he had life pumped straight into his veins.

"It's so nice being able to talk," he giggles out, "and the bugs are quiet for once! No more headaches or mean comments!" He squeals and then diga through his pocket. Soon enough he pulls out a small bit of blue and orange sea glass. The grin on his face goes all the way up to his eyes, showing off his sharp snaggle teeth with pride.

"I found this for you! I hope you like it!"

[From @duct-bugs]

[Hector lets out a rough laugh, gravelly and genuinely excited sounding. Your excitement seems infectious as the older male offers you a smile. A crooked one, but a smile, nonetheless.]

“Yes, yes, I’d say I feel pretty good. I haven’t felt this good since… Someone turned me purple. You certainly look good.”

[Hector’s grin seems a tad mischievous for a moment as he regards you, his compliment almost seeming as though he’s… flirting? Perhaps he is? You’ll never know. Or will you…? He’s definitely flirting with you. As you present the sea glass to him, Hector also seems to perk up, an odd sense of enjoyment filling him as he takes the glass from your hands.]

“Well, well… Seems my little ‘yote has a good eye for finding things just as pretty as himself.”

[Hector raises the glass to the sun, tilting it in ways so he can watched the colored light filter through. He doesn’t even acknowledge the fact that he’s flat out complimented you, but at least you know he did it? It’s a nice change.]

- ✒️

“No hard feelings, love. I doubt you understood the repercussions of the… Vinegar, anyways.”

[Hector’s previously aggressive demeanor has seemingly disappeared, as the older gentleman now seemed to have mellowed out. He offers you a shrug, fixing his shirt as he shoves his hands into the pockets of his black swim trunks. Truly, he holds no malice towards you in the moment.]

“Besides, I’d be curious about Volt too. Just… Let’s not bring it up again, alright? Please? I’d prefer it that way.”

[Taking one hand out of the pockets, he sets it on your head, ruffling your hair. It’s a gentle display, one you likely didn’t expect, but at least you know he’s willing to be affectionate… Despite what you’ve done.]

[She covered her face, absolutely mortified that she had lost her composure. Bumble squirmed, fidgeting with the ties of her swimsuit as she muttered out some words—though it was pretty much impossible to hear clearly]

“You’re red.”

[Hector points out blankly before slowly turning to look at you. You can almost hear a comical rock turning noise as he does so…]

“I taste good? Thanks, sweetness. I’ve only ever heard that line from potential cannibals.”

[Hector barks out a laugh at both how flustered you are and his own joke, his expression soon falling to a blank one again. He really is amused by this situation and how flustered you are, it just seems as though he’s struggling to show it.]

“Had I known you were this easy to fluster, my love, I think I would have acted bolder in the attic.”