Differences (Voltron Angst)
(Before I start, there are spoilers for season 6 in this so if you haven't watched it yet be warned!)
Occasionally Hunk would lie in bed, eyes open, wide awake. Those nights were some of the worst he’d have out in space; whether it was reflecting on the war or those he couldn’t save. Tonight, however, he was reflecting on how much they had changed.
When they had left Earth they’d all been so hopeful, almost everyone had a spark in their eye as they looked into the discovery they had just made. Everyone bar Shiro, who looked particularly pale, curious but terrified. That spark, that hope, had led them to an intergalactic war filled with devastated planets, enslavement and death. That war changed them from the bright faced children to the young adults they now were.
When Pidge had left she was so young, so bright. She hadn’t given up on the possibility of finding her family even though they’d been lost in space for year. That Pidge got what she wanted. She found her family but not without major sacrifice. The people she killed, though on the opposing side, playing on her mind. Every other night from where he was in his room, Hunk could here painful thrashing that generally ended in a panic scream. Nightmares. It pained him to listen to but Pidge had refused help, he just wished she could stop envisioning the war and spend time with her family without flinching at loud noises or freezing at bright flashes. It was different and he didn't know if he could help.
Lance was his best mate before they left, all wide smiles and bad pick up lines. He used to take so much pride in his appearance, saying that “Mama gave me her good looks, can’t waste them now can I?” Now he’d attempted to distance himself from everyone, ashamed of the scars littering his body though they all had them. The giant burn scar on his back made him refuse to go swimming. The scar on his jaw causing him to wear scarves whenever he was in public. The spider web of burns that littered his skin from when he was electrocuted making him refuse to leave his room unless it was around only the team. Hunk hated how he couldn’t go up to Lance and hug him like he used to, how he couldn’t just reassure him that he was beautiful without the other boy breaking into tears. It was different and he didn’t know how to help.
Keith was angry when they left Earth, angry yet determined. The war almost acted like an outlet for him, yet the aftermath left him broken. He could hardly look at the man who he viewed as a brother after the event that almost killed him even though he knew that the thing that tried to kill him wasn’t Shiro. Vocal cues would cause him to recluse, lapsing into memories that he couldn’t escape. The scar on his face a permanent reminder on what had happened and the words Shiro couldn’t take back, even though it hadn’t been him. The two had been so close and both would still die for one another but they couldn’t be in the same room for more then an hour without Keith seeing the twisted smirk of the clone. Hunk would walk Keith through his panic attacks but his heart broke when he saw Keith sob so harshly he couldn’t breath. It was different and he didn’t know if what he was doing was really helping.
Shiro was already a victim of war when Hunk had first met him but it was different now. The man had died, lost everything and everyone whilst only retaining his life. Shiro had opted to stay on Earth after their first visit there but remained as a communicator to the team. Sometimes, however, the man who’s motto was ‘patience yields focus’ would go into violent outbreaks, unable to control the emotions that he was constantly faced with and unaccustomed to such a calm environment. He’d break inanimate objects and curse other people which Hunk could deal with but Hunk was left speechless the first time Shiro couldn’t cover up the scratches that he’d caused in one of his outbursts. Hunk had tears glazing his eyes as he looked through the screen at his leader, usually calm and collected, looked distracted. It was different and Hunk couldn’t help.
Hunk had been a giant softie before they'd left. Always open, always finding ways to help others. The war had left him hardened, he’d seen things most his age couldn’t stomach but the thing that got to him was that he seemed to lose his ability to help people. Sure he fought in the war and saved lives but what good did it do if he couldn’t comfort his friends? What good was it if he couldn’t look past his own problems to help his friends with their’s? Another sleepless night because of the phantom pains lacing his leg or from the metal biting at his stump wasn't too much of an issue and the hours he wasted laying there could be spent better by helping others yet he couldn’t. The pain of moving was too much and he’d just end up lying on the floor out of breath. Hunk felt broken and it inhibited him. It was different and it didn't help.
-Kae
(Hello everyone! Okay so Ana’s favourite Voltron character might be Hunk so I maaay have written some angsty Voltron content from Hunk’s perspective because it was her birthday today! Cool, hope you all enjoy!)