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Walter was at a legends after party, drinking, talking, just having an amazing time. He decided to sit down for a while in a booth and just observe everybody.
He saw Mirage tending the bar (of course), Valkyrie and Loba were all lovey dovey on a small couch, and Octavio was doing a drinking challenge he probably shouldn’t have. Then he noticed bloodhound, they were leaned against a wall, swaying a bit. Walter was a tad bit concerned and thought they should’ve been sitting down but he didn’t want to disturb them, he’d only step in if something happened.
He watched everyone for a little while longer until hound came over and sat next to him. They didn’t say anything but he heard a soft sob from them he didn’t want to say anything but the longer they cried the more he got worried, were they drunk? Did something happen? Walter bit his nails for a minute thinking about what to do, he didn’t want to scare them but he didn’t want them to suffer alone. He stayed silent until hound sat closer to him.
“You alright hound?” His voice was soft but filled with concern. Hound fidgeted with their hands, not answering for a while, as if too anxious to answer. Hound said something but Walter couldn’t hear them, they scotched closer to him and Walter took the drink they had too much of, setting it down closer to himself. Hound put their head on his shoulder, and mumbled some more, this time Walter hears what they are mumbling about.
“It’s all my fault he’s dead…if I didn’t yell to him and distract him he wouldn’t have gotten killed…” Walter has heard this story many times when hound got drunk it was about a past lover, Boone . Walter had some opinions on Boone he wouldn’t tell hound for obvious reasons. He listened to them speak and cry, they hated being vulnerable like this
But they were around Walter…they were safe.
“How about we get you out of here, ya? I don’t think you should be in here anymore…” Walter’s voice is soft but has worry in it. They just nod and Walter gets them up without them falling. “I got ya houndy…” he holds them tightly, getting weird looks from people as he gets them out of the bar.
Bloodhound stumbles a bit as they walk. They are still sobbing softly but not quite as much as before. The walk was quiet for some time until hound said something Walter wasn’t expecting them to.
”I love you…” it’s just barely audible but Walter hears it. He’s shocked and it takes him a moment to process what they even said, he smiles though. “I love you too Houndy…” he says back softly, holding their hand.
Hound smiles under their respirator as they get closer to their apartment door. They stand there for a moment before taking off their respirator. Walter smiles with teeth at them and that’s when they kiss him on the cheek unexpectedly. Walter blushes at them softly “you are too sweet Houndy…now get some rest, alright?” He says to them with a soft smile, waiting for them to get into their apartment before leaving. As he leaves he smiles at himself.
He loves them too.