Hunk's eyes went wide as he realized he struck a nerve, and the laughter stopped dead as he listened. "Not something I enjoyed." "One of the only things I had to keep me going." The words almost knocked the wind out of him, because wow could he relate.

So he held his tongue, letting his heart's words sketch a blueprint that showed some more tact as he closed the box of Hot Pockets and slid it into his backpack that was then unceremoniously dropped on the floor. He leaned forward into the rail, and then looked Hope square in the eyes.

"I... I'm sorry. The warriors and magic and summoning made it sound exciting. But war is terrifying." He looked away, shifting his gaze to the window as he spoke, his tone less offended and more... tired.

"I got roped into other people's choices, ripped away from my home, and forced to fight in a war I couldn't comprehend and wanted nothing to do with." His hands grip the rail. Hard, even by his standards. "I've almost died more times than I can count, and if a friend hadn't happened to me when she did..." He thinks of Shay, and how he inspired her, and how much helping her helped him. "...I might've given up."

He looks back over to Hope, realizing how heavy the conversation had gotten... and gives him an uncomfortable, awkward smile. Oops.