Predator: Badlands (Headcanons!)
(I needed to write a little something something for Badlands and after some requests on my asks, here it is š hope you enjoy everyone š„°)
Headcanon! Where Kwei acts like the strict, disciplined older brother, but the truth is heās terrified of Dekās first solo hunt. He keeps delaying him with excuses, checking his gear, adjusting straps that are already perfect,because heās scared something will happen. When Dek finally leaves, Kwei walks him to the ridge and squeezes his shoulder a little too long. When Dek returns alive, Kwei acts calm and silent⦠but the way his pupils widen in relief gives him away.
Headcanon! Where Dek constantly āobserves the environmentā but somehow he is always two steps behind Thia, shadowing her every move. If she stumbles, heās instantly checking her balance, pretending itās no big deal while his mandibles twitch with worry. He leans down to her height without thinking, protective in a way heāll never admit. Thia pretends she doesnāt notice. Dek pretends he isnāt doing it. Both are very bad liars.
Headcanon! Where Thia picks up little things during their travels (bones, stones, shells) and brings them to Dek so he can braid them into her hair. She expects him to dismiss her, but he treats each item like itās something precious. He braids everything in carefully, explaining quietly that trophies tell a story. He wonāt say it out loud, but he loves how her smile widens whenever she finds another small trophy to braid in her hair.
Headcanon! Where Kwei isnāt the type to speak about his feelings, so he shows them in practical ways. He fixes gear, sharpens blades, leaves repaired straps where youāll find them, but never from his own hands and always without a word. He sits near you, never directly beside you, but close enough that his shoulder might touch yours if you lean back. Dek teases him about doting and Kwei gets offended⦠mostly because itās true.
Headcanon! When during a hunt, Thia accidentally shoots Dek and he insists heās fine even while wobbling like branch in the wind.
āIām so sorry.ā She apologises, her voice cracking and Dek simply nods at her, staying as expressionless as he can be. He pulls the bolt out with a muffled scream and tries to keep walking, but she forces him to sit down. When she tends to his wounds, he stays quiet so she doesnāt worry too much. Later, he quietly admits he didnāt roar at her because he never wants her to be afraid of him.
Headcanon! Where Dek limps back from a hunt, claiming he is āvictoriousā even though he is one step away from collapsing. When he finally passes out and Thia patches him up, he grumbles about her worrying too much. But the moment she isnāt looking, he rests his forehead against her shoulder in silent thanks. Itās a soft gesture compared to his usual demeanour and he hopes she doesnāt notice. She definitely does.
Headcanon! Where Kwei adjusts gear when heās worried. Your armor strap is a millimeter off? He adjusts it. Dekās gauntlet sits loose? He tightens it. Thiaās braid slips in front of her face? He tucks it back with the gentlest touch sheās ever felt from him. Heāll mutter something like āSloppy gear gets you killed.ā But really, itās his version of āplease be safe.ā
Headcanon! Where Kwei stands between you and danger automatically, but he will never admit it. Whether itās a storm, a wild creature or even another Yautja training too close, Kwei steps in front of the person he cares about without thinking. He doesnāt make a big show of it, he just shifts his stance so heās blocking the threat with his body. If you confront him about it, heāll say something like āMy position was strategic,ā but you both know thatās not the whole truth.
Headcanon! Where Dek lets you touch his face only when youāre worried. Yautja are protective of their faces, but if you grab his mandible to inspect a bruise or scrape, he doesnāt flinch.
He actually softens, eyes half-lidded, mandibles relaxing.
Heāll grumble something like āYour hands might be small, but be gentle.ā
But itās obvious he trusts you in a way he doesnāt trust others.