[ the laugh isn't cruel in that he doesn't mean to be- that the sound only cracks the air like a lightning strike because he hasn't used it in so long. his vocal chords are warped, and his mouth doesn't remember how to move around it. the bark is brief all the same and there's a lingering warmth in the pit of his stomach (it reminds him of shame, or anger, or guilt- something he's lost the words for) as chuck shakes his head. waves it off. ]
( x i : d 3 )
I got work t'do.