Work Text:
Ravens aren't meant to be alone.
Kevin stands in a crowd of people he doesn't know, at an award ceremony that his current professional team was required to attend. He's announcing the award for MVP, which means he didn't win it this year.
He's alone, in a tux, in this crowd of people because he's been too fucked in the head to make normal, lasting connections with people.
It's without thinking that he finds his phone out of his pocket, to his ear, and ringing. Heart racing; chest tight.
"Kevin."
A balm to his rising panic attack.
"Has the ceremony already bored you half to death?"
"No." If only Jean knew the truth. Except…
"What is wrong? I will crash the party, do you need me to come?"
Yes. "No. I just"— the words get caught in his throat, too tight, but he forces them out —"talk to me. That is all I need."
"Hm. Fine, but I am tired of English." and he switches to French. He knows that calms Kevin down the fastest. Kevin doesn't call him out on it, only listens while Jean tells him about the latest idiocy on his own team. They're set to play against each other next week, and Kevin commits all of it to memory in case it'll give him an edge in the game.
It feels safe here, with Jean talking in his ear. Like they used to be; each others rock, the only stable thing in a world of chaos and agony. Piece by piece, Kevin's body relaxes with each judgmental, mocking French word.
Like before, when it was only them against everyone else in the Nest.
"Thank you," Kevin says, once the stories slow down.
"I will always answer when you call."
Kevin's too selfish to give him up.