thirdwcy
kyle’s breath leaves him all in one go when hassan hugs him, clings to the other like his life depends on it for a second. there’s nothing half so soft in kyle’s hold; he just holds in for a long few seconds. there’s something in the gentle wash of hassan’s rosey light that makes kyle’s breath come a little easier.
the last few days have been – unbearable, a waking nightmare. and kyle hadn’t had time to so much as…even think of calling hassan, but his presence is so immediately soothing that kyle wishes he had.
it’s a quick thing, when kyle kisses hassan this time. none of the budding excitement and discovery as the first. just a quick thing, a thank you that kyle can’t find the words for quite yet. “ don’t be sorry, i – thank you for coming. right now i’m trying to help people who were just outside the worst of it. there’s lot of injuries, they’re displaced. just extra hands right now would help. ”
he’s grateful, actually. feeling kyle press his lips to his, even for a brief moment, is only another reminder that kyle’s very much alive. even with the white lantern in front of him, in hassan’s own arms, it’s difficult to separate the pile of ash in metropolis from someone he’s grown to care for to such an extent. the hand around kyle’s wrist grips just a bit tighter.
“ i can help with that. ” he assures quickly, quietly. there’s a pause and he almost feels guilty for asking, but -- “ where will you head ?? do you need me somewhere specific ?? ” if kyle needs him anywhere else, hassan will do it. not just for kyle, but for the people who now have to suffer the terrible consequences of one man’s actions; but he can’t help the part of him that very much doesn’t want to stray too far from kyle again.
the ring on his hand pulses gently and hassan silently reminds himself to recharge it before they leave anywhere. he uses the brief silence to gather his own thoughts, prepare himself for the worst of the damage done. he’s seen enough as a lantern, as they all have, but it doesn’t get easier. already, he can feel the heartbreak from all over, like a thorn pressing into him from all sides. “ kyle -- ” he doesn’t quite know what he wants to say right now, but the problem with being a star sapphire is that he FEELS it quite prominently, so much so that the words he can’t piece together instead overwhelm him in their sheer emotion. “ no. not now. but later. after this, we can talk. we should talk. ”









