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He was so tired.
Trashed, really.
Not in a bad way, though. He just felt the aftermath of a whole week of fairly strenuous work. Good work, no problems, great results. But just really physically hard.
And now he and Martin were finally - finally - making their way back down the meandering track of the forested slope.
Chris let his sore and sweaty feet carry him down, his gait lax, resulting in a rather bumpy and inelegant descent as his knees took the blunt force of each step. Some might describe it as a controlled fall down the hill more than anything. He let his arms dangle loosely, swaying to the beat of his strides.
Martin watched in amused silence as his little brother made his, similarly silent, way back down to the safe space of their nomadic lives: The Tortuga.
Chris suddenly stumbled a bit and his body was rapidly propelled forward, with his legs springing helplessly into action to stop him.
"Oh!!"
Before Chris found himself at the rock solid end of his unhappy trajectory, he felt a rough tuck on his arm and backpack as he was brought to a firm stop.
"Woah-woah, I gotcha!" Martin grunted. He had his strong hands wrapped tightly around Chris's left arm, just above his elbow, and around a strap on the back of his backpack.
Chris righted himself a little insecurely with a shaky exhale. He cast a glance at the rocky ditch where he would have landed head-first and automatically stepped closer to Martin, into the safety provided by the other's familiarity and broader form.
"Thanks, bro. Phew, that was a close one ..."
Martin rested his hand on the other's shoulder with a soft look. Even while a little shocked, Chris still looked so stoned.
"You alright there, buddy? You look really tired. Trip over your own feet, did ya?"
Martin couldn't help the slight concern that accompanied his otherwise light question. While he payed his own alarm little mind, the sudden ruckus had caught him off-guard too, which was just as upsetting to him as watching his brother nearly take a nose dive into the ground.
Chris noted the slight tremor in Martin's voice and smiled inwardly at the big softie. He allowed himself to close his eyes for a moment but mustered a crooked, selfconscious smile.
"I'm totally beat, Martin".
He could nearly hear Martin's shoulders drop two inches.
He looked back up at his blue-eyed brother who now looked far more calm. But he too had fatigue written all over his face; dirt and sweat smeared all over his slightly too sunburnt skin, hair plastered to his forehead and eyelids drooping ever so slightly. Insignificant, but still plentifull, cuts, scratches and stings on his always bare forearms, adding to the plethora of near-invisible scars which Chris knew just as well as the back of his own calloused, weather-beaten hands.
At least, on this science mission neither had compiled any mention-worthy injuries.
Man, what a week it had been. They had trekked through the forest, collecting footage from a lot of wildlife cameras they had installed four weeks earlier. How he hoped they had something to show ...
Martin chuckled softly as Chris's gaze went from numbly scanning his face to spacing out again, staring past Martin and into the woods.
"Hello-o, you still with me?" Martin said softly, as he gently shook the younger man's slender, but notably tense shoulder. A weeks worth of carrying heavy equipment around for miles and miles would do that to you.
Chris closed his eyes again and smiled at his own blunder, making Martin tighten his grip a bit and softly rock him back and forth. Chris ignored the pinch in his shoulder in favor of the brotherly teasing.
"You can sleep when we come back, bro, but you gotta get there first! Only a mile left, OK?" Martin chuckled again, endeared by his unusually sleepy and plush-cuddly brother.
The elder Kratt willingly succumbed to the warm tingle that bloomed in him, as Chris's state, however faux vulnerable, reminded him of their 20 years younger selves.
Two small boys, inseparable and fiercely protective of one another. But while Chris had always been just as protective of Martin as the other way around, Martin could express his protectiveness in a way reserved for the elder sibling.
This was less and less true though with every year (though Martin was not ever in a million years not going to be The Older Brother), but when they were just two little boys, Martin's sensitivity, maturity and keen understanding of his baby brother's needs enabled him to provide comfort through both ginger embraces, tight hugs, a pad on the back and every now and then a neatly placed bandaid.
But Martin's favorite thing had always been falling asleep together, huddled up in - usually his - bed, a tent or the flickering shade of a tree.
Needless to say, they shared this favoritism.
Eyes still closed, because his body damn well craved it, (and being rocked lulled him) Chris hummed. "Alright, alright ..." he yawned. "Lead the way, will ya?" He smiled blearily and let the elder walk first this time.
"Now, no falling and knocking me over, you got that?" Martin remarked cheekily.
Chris just creaked and groaned in part mock disapproval and part dismissal.
Martin huffed in amusement and shook his blond head. But whenever he thought Chris wasn't looking, he sneaked a peek to check if the younger man was still alright.
Even though the youngest Kratt was fairly insistent upon them being equal (and to be fair, he was in many respects at least as mature and more levelheaded than Martin), Chris was still no stranger to finding comfort in his role as the little brother. Right now, he endulged himself in it because he was genuinly wasted. And a mere touch and caring words from Martin was a sure road to feeling better. And he felt his siblings attentive eyes on him now and then, watching out for him.
And so, the sensitive young man sometimes also let himself fall into this role because he knew how much it meant to Martin to be allowed to protect and care for him. Being the big- and little brother respectibely was as inseparable a part of their identities as being the Wild Kratt brothers was.
Trotting along in silence, the two weary men finally cleared the trees and found themselves in a highland field.
"There she is" Martin sighed happily as the Tortuga towered a few hundred feet away.
Chris let out a heavy, happy sigh, and felt his shoulders drop a bit. The heavy backpack gnawed at his shoulders and he felt like he had 10 blisters on each foot. No amount of top-notch gear could prevent some wear and tear on their bodies.
"I damn well hope we caught some good footage," Chris breathed out. "I really hope there are some big cats!"
"Sure there will be, you'll see" Martin stated.
"I hope so," Chris pouted, making Martin chuckle dismissively at the sceptic tone in the other's voice.
"You need to eat, little bro. You're being grumpy."
"Hm."
"Come on now, I can smell Jimmy's cooking! Uuhm! How I've missed that!"
Chris's mouth started watering as soon as he smelled the food. The tantalizing smell of pasta bolognese spurred him on the last few feet.
He treasured eating bagged, freezedried, high-calorie outdoor rations by the fire or burner stove, but a homecooked meal made with fresh ingredients (not to mention love) nearly had him steer towards the kitchen right away.
To top off the prospect of a fulfulling meal, Aviva and Koki came out to greet them, arms open and big smiles on their faces after a week of separation.
"Boys! We missed you so much!" Aviva cried out.
"Yeah, I almost don't wanna say it, but it's been so darn boring and quiet without you!" Koki blurted.
Both brothers received their hugs, almost too exhausted to return them, though Martin more or less melted into Aviva's hug and had her giggle and squeal in protest as he weighed her down with a sated smile.
Koki chortled while she released Chris and put an arm around his backpack to guide him along.
"Did it go well?"
"Yeah ..." Chris sighed contently, before being abruptly interrupted by a jaw-breaking yawn.
"Sheesh, hun', you better get inside and sit down!" Koki huffed in amusement. "Here, let me get that backpack."
The backdrop dropped to the floor, eliciting an outright groan of relief. Man, how his shoulders and back ached! But now they were home. And he just wanted food, and a very long shower and sleep. Lots of it.
He felt himself stall, just standing in the middle of the common room unable to take another step. And to his utter dislike, he felt himself sway ever so slightly. Not from dizziness, but from his body telling him that it had no more tolerance for staying awake, regardless of his previously mentioned plan.
His eyes closed on their own, and he breathed deeply. "Oh, that feels good ... good grief I'm tired ... just 5 seconds ... ow, my feet ... can't even begin to think of removing my boots, feels like they're glued to my feet ... but, but I have toooo ... maybe I should just lie down for a beat ... but nooo I wanna see the cats ..."
Martin was by now planted on his ass on the floor, and was in a slow but determined, near-desperate proces of removing his sweat-drenched pullover. He paused, as he noticed his green counterpart hovering a few feet ahead in a weird, ever-so-slightly swaying stance.
He chortled a bit and pulled a crooked grin.
"Uhm, bro? Are you sleepin' or somethin'?" Martin merrily piped up.
Swaying Chris kept swaying, head tipping a bit forward.
"Heh, Chris?"
Martin, Aviva and Koki looked at each other, smiles cracking even further in giddy silence.
Aviva eventually had mercy. She went up to Chris and touched his arm with a caring, albeit quite amused smile.
"CK?"
The poor man jumped to a start and was for a moment confused as to where he was. "Hn? What??"
"Why don't you lie down?" she suggested, tugging his sleeve a bit.
Chris looked around and realized what he had been doing. "Oh! Oh, no not yet, I wanna see the footage."
"Hun' that can wait," Koki supplied, "and it will take at least 30 min for me to download the data anyway, so go take five. Or shower ... sorry boys, but you smell pretty bad."
Both girls glanced down at Martin with frowns of disgust. The blond paused halfways through relieving his stinky feet of their even stinkier socks. His blank stare swiftly turned into an apologetic grimace.
"I think you should just throw those out, MK ..." Aviva commented.
The blank blond scrutinized his socks. "No, these? They're fine, just a good wash and they're all good!"
"Martin, get them out of here, or I'll burn them" Koki warned while clenching her sensitive nose, only making Martin laugh. He was too tired to go anywhere fast.
"Look," Aviva said to get things going, "go shower, food's ready in 30 minutes. We can go through the footage after, alright?"
"Alright, that sounds great," Martin said as he got himself off the floor with no small amount of effort. He put a heavy hand on Chris's neck and shoulder and nudged the - once again - stoned out young man to start moving his feet.
"Come on, you Groundhog, before you go into full-on hibernation. You'll feel better after a shower."
"Hnn ..." Chris mumbled as he sleepwalked to the first-up bathroom. "Now, get in - no, seriously, bro! Hey - are you even looking?! Open your damn eyes and, oh hell, I'll get the door for you. Sheesh, take a shower already or I'm throwing you in bed with no cat video!"
Eyes barely open, Chris smiled to himself at Martin's parental admonishment - he wasn't even being fun about it anymore. But even in his sleepy state, Chris found it hilarious to hear Martin sounding so grown-up and, well, grouchy. Spurred on by this sudden leverage (forget pride, obstinate children can gain a tremenduous lot by just being stubborn and drive their parents - or selfrightrous elder siblings - mad), he pushed the nail all the way in:
"Noo, I don't wanna go to bed without cat video-o-o" he creaked, though unable to halt a teasing smile.
Martin puffed himself up, playing along, giving his last energy as he was genuinly sapped too. He enforced his will though by placing a firm hand around the back of Chris's neck and practically shoving him through the door.
"You, mister," he teased, "will get your sorry ass in there and take a shower, or there will be no dinner and no cat video." He closed the door behind Chris - still in sleep mode - "and don't forget to scrub behind your ears!"
Chris chuckled as he heard Martin sigh deeply and dramatically before shuffling off to the other bathroom.
Now, alone for the first time in a whole week, he was overwhelmed by the silence and solitude. It was like someone draped him in a big, fluffy duvet.
He immediately felt the irresistible pull of sleep; that alluring sensation of one's mind descending beneath the surface. Into that space where you're still conscious and aware, but all the tangled and fragmented bits of your racing thoughts are wiped away, and all that's left is dark, soft clarity. But you're inside a blurry wall of glass, leaving everything from the outside muffled and irrelevant.
You're just in a quiet place of your own mind.You feel the naked, pure readiness to sleep. You're ready to reboot. And you want so badly to give in - all you need is to allow yourself to sink further, you just gotta stay calm and let it happen.
Chris was jolted out of his near-sleep, as his head tipped too far ahead and he reflexively caught it again.
Hands braced on the edge of the sink, the worn-ragged naturalist was met with his own face in the mirror.
"Woah, guess I really do need that shower ... hnn, come on, just a few more minutes and *yaaawn*, I'll be outta here ..."
He didn't exactly spring into action, but he forced himself in motion:
Boots off.
Socks off, whoah damn maybe truly for the trash bin more than the laundry bin ...!
Clothes off, geez the smell ...!
A brush through his unruly mane and into the shower.
He got under the shower head as he turned on the water and relished the cold stream running down his hair, face and sweaty, filthy, sticky skin.
The revitalization only lasted the few moments though until the warm water came.
The cold water on his heated skin had elicited a surge of serious goosebumps, and as the water turned warm, it elicited another round on his now cooled skin.
His sleepy state left him very temperature sensitive, which had his skin erupt like this, just making him want more to bunker up in his bed and give in. For the moment though, he forgot time and nearly place too, as he savored the warm water on his naked skin.
He honestly couldn't tell how many minutes he lingered there, but he was brought back to the world of the living when he heard a faint knock on the door.
"CK? Dinner's just about ready - you comin'?'"
"Yeah, Aviva, be right there. Just go ahead," he called back.
Feeling like a half-melted marshmellow by now, Chris hurried with the actual washing. He turned off the water, reached through the curtain and pulled his towel in. He buried his face in the soft, bundled up material, remaining in the steamy stall for just another few moments.
The indulgent softness of the towel felt heavenly against his skin, and it provided the extra comfort of shutting out the light. Not to mention that it felt like a pillow.
Through the door he picked up the sounds of trusty ol' Jimmy bringing out their delicious dinner, and Martin was already there too, cheering hungrily for food. The faint clinking of plates and cutlery came next, and then merry chatter.
"Come on now ..." he muttered to himself, and his growling stomach forced him through drying up.
He wrapped the towel around his waist and shuffled back to his and Martin's shared bedroom, dug out a pair of sweatpants (dark green of course) and a t-shirt, and headed barefoot back to the common room.
"Chris! Welcome home, man! Just you get yourself seated, then I'll pour you a good portion!" Jimmy cheered.
"Aww, man, that smells so good, thanks a mill, JZ," Chris replied slowly.
Aviva and Martin exchanged a quick glance of fondness as Chris slouched in his seat, rubbing an eye and yawning. He hadn't even taken care of his precious bangs, which were still hanging damp over his eyes.
"So, tell us about your trip!" Koki demanded, "I know we kept in touch all along, but you must have a lot to tell still!"
Chris happily ignored the question as Martin began relaying the headlines of their trip. Instead, he focused his entire attention on the massive serving of spaghetti bolognese which was placed in front of him.
"There you go, bon appetit!"
Chris just breathed in the savory scent and sighed. After this, he barely lifted his gaze, nor listened very much to the conversation around him. Enjoying the exuberant meal was all he could muster. He felt so sated, as yet another need was gradually fulfilled.
Ah, a belly full of warm, tasty, rich food.
When every last bite was gone, he felt even more baked.
His chin found his hands and he once again closed his eyes - practically unable to keep them open - and blissfully listened in on the still ongoing chatter around him.
Home.
He was startled, when he felt Martin's hand on his shoulder. He blearily looked up, finding his brother's fond face right in front of him. The table was already cleared and the others gone to do different things.
"Don't you think you should hit the sack? Hm?"
"Wha'? No, I - uhm, can we see the footage now?"
"Oho, bro, forget it, that's not happening today. You need to sleep. Badly!" Martin chuckled a bit and repeated his earlier motion of gripping his shoulder and rocking ham softly back and forth.
"Hhrrnnnn ... how are you so awake, Martin?" Chris mumbled resignedly.
"I'm really not, I'm beat too. You're just a little ahead of me for once," he said affectionately. "What happened? Couldn't sleep last night? Did you go stargazing after all?
"Mhrrn ... maybe a little. And woke up just as early as normal. And then just ... damn I don't think I've ever climbed so many trees in such a short time before ... and I ... actually had trouble sleeping the past few nights too ... got excited about what would be on the cameras ..."
Martin's face had gradually morphed from fondness to slight concern and exasperation.
"Baby bro, you poor thing. You should have told me."
Chris let his head drop while groaning in dismissive defence. Martin sighed heavily.
"Come on, off to bed ..."
Koki came up to them and almost whispered:
"Guys? I actually hurried up and downloaded the footage, so, uhm..."
Chris's head flew up with a smile, though the rest of him still had all the hallmarks of a sleepwalker. "Really??"
"Mhm!" she replied with a big smile.
"Well okay then," Martin chirped, "let's go see some big cats!"
Chris almost tripped over his chair legs on the way out, earning him a brotherly support as Martin grabbed him around the back. "Dude, you're unbelievable ..." he laughed.
The brother's settled in on a brought-in mattress in front of Koki's big screen, and leaned up against the center console.
Aviva came back in with hot drinks and Jimmy brought popcorn and cookies. Maybe not the usual kind of movie night, but for this team there was no better type of movie.
The young man melted into his seat, finally able to rest his wornout body and with his prize in sight.
Every breath slowed, and a sense of utter comfort washed over him. He felt Aviva's body heat as she settled in up against him, adding on to the sheltered sensation as he was now snug between his brother and her.
He relished the familiar scents around him (he had always been keen on smell and he wondered how much - if at all - using their power suits had amplified his reliance on this particular sense).
Aviva's scent of fruit, her almond shampoo and just a hint of whatever materials and chemicals she had been around in her lab that day.
Martin's natural, unobscured odour of warm skin, a slight musk and a hint of his deodorant.
Hot cocoa, Koki's herbal tea and mildly scented hand lotion, Jimmy's chocolate cookies and warm spices.
"OK everybody," Koki announced, "I've got a total of 3 hours of footage from the 10 cameras. Lots and lots of videos! We can do the stats starting tomorrow, but right now we're just gonna go through it and enjoy it, OK?"
Broad hooting and cheering. Chris merely pulled a blissful smile, droopy-eyed and feeling very heavy.
Koki pushed the Play-button with fanfare and the video compilation began.
The first video revealed a small clearing in a lush, mountainside forest. It was daytime, late morning from the timestamp.
At first everything was still and silent, not the faintest hint of what had triggered the camera trap in the first place.
Chris scanned the scene. He slowly realized that the video was from just around the time they installed it weeks ago, and wondered if maybe it had just been triggered by their own departure.
How utterly disappointing.
He pouted and sank back down.
"There!" Jimmy cried out, his keen eyes spotting the slightest bit of careful movement in the understory. Everybody rose up a bit, trying to identify what they were seeing, as the movement became more noticable.
And then, suddenly, a furry little head with curious eyes and rounded ears poked out. Everybody gasped and went silent.
The little Mountain lion cub ventured out, and began sniffing around, apprehensively, but insatiably curious.
"Oh my ..." Martin began in awe.
"Ooh que lindo!" (Aviva, obviously)
Jimmy chimed in: "Pinch my arm if that ain't the sweetest kitty I ever saw!"
"Damn that is one cute kitten!" Koki finished.
Chris was speechless.
This was everything he had hoped for and more. They had spent so long, trekking through the forest, tracking the Mountain lions in particular, but also lots of other animals in this particular ecosystem. They had seen a lot of animals and tracks, make no mistake, but not the elusive cats themselves. But this proved that they were here - and they had been so close!
Everybody giggled and cooed as the little fluffy adventurer began scratching at the camera and staring into the lense.
"Ooh my goodness, look at that!" Aviva suddenly gasped. From the bushes emerged a second cub, clearly the shyer one of the litter, now daring to come out.
"Uuh, wonder where Mommy iiis ..." Martin cooed, tapping his fingertips together in anticipation.
And just like that, mommy Mountain lion emerged from the thicket. Proud, alert and breathtakingly beautiful.
Chris realized that he had been holding his breath. His heart was pounding. And he was smiling wide. As the little family of healthy-looking, beautiful cats eventually moved along and disappeared from view.
The video ended and another began.
Happy to have already seen confirmation that there were Mountain lions in the area, the young man's body surrendered to the overwhelming fatigue he had battled all afternoon.
He didn't even notice how his body slumped against Martin's and his head rested on the other's shoulder.
He watched the next video reveal some playful squirrels, eliciting laughs from the others.
He blinked slowly. Oh, this felt so good. So safe and home. Warm and soft. He chose to listen with his eyes closed for a second.
He would just take a small break until the next cats were on the recording. Maybe more cubs ... or a young adult in search of it's own territory ... or ...
Moments later, Martin noted the faint snoring by his shoulder. He squinted down, careful not to move. Chris was fast asleep, breath gradually slowing and going deeper.
Martin caught Aviva's eye and she smiled and tutted. She carefully got up and returned moments later with a blanket.
She covered both brothers in a deliberate motherly fashion, to which Martin playfully rolled his eyes, before rewarding her a grateful smile.
She smiled to herself as she saw how sleepy the elder Kratt looked himself. It was clear that having his dear little brother sleeping next to him was the final push for him.
Aviva said nothing but divided her attention between the videos and Martin's increasingly heavy breathing. Eventually his head sank back, his eyes closed and his breathing morphed into quiet snoring.
Both Koki and Jimmy turned to see the endearing sight of the two young men.
They had - once again - given all they had. And now they could finally get some much-needed, well-earned rest.
The trio watched the videos to an end, accompanied by the faint, synchronized snoring of their two valiant troopers. By that time, Jimmy fell asleep in his gaming chair.
Koki got another mattress out for the brothers and Aviva ever so gently roused them enough to get them to lie down. They barely blinked but more or less rolled over in a snoring heap, earning certain chuckles from the girls.
Minutes later, all five members of the Wild Kratts were asleep, safe and sound in the home they shared - and not least the home they were for each other.