"Star, wh—" Rictor had expected the enthusiastic greeting, but usually Star was a little gentler about using his full strength on him. The arms squeezing him had knocked the breath out of his lungs, long enough that it took a moment for Rictor to recognize the furious tension in his entire body. Rictor's hands flattened against Star's waist, then bunched in the soft cotton of his hoodie. It was an odd look for Star — made him look strikingly younger, almost younger than he'd looked as a teenager.

The lights in the dank tunnel had suddenly blazed to life the moment Star had grabbed him, and Rictor was struck with the sickening reminder of the hidden cameras broadcasting their activities to some faceless audience. His touch grew firmer as he pulled away enough to see Star's face, the rage naked in his expression.

"Hey." Rictor's eyes softened, just a little. "Do you know what's going on here? Are you..." He looked past Star down the hallway, but there was no sign of anyone else. Still, he had to ask. "Alone?"