...they showed the footage for months. My mom wanted to pull me out of pilot training, but my tia talked her out of it. Said accidents happen all the time, and that if I wasn't flying, I'd be doing dumb stuff like all the other guys in town, like...base jumping from the water tower.
[There's a sad, wistful fondness in Lance's voice, like there always is whenever he mentions his family. Which isn't too often, these days.]
Me neither. I mean, if Pidge's mom is anything like Pidge, they won't. [Have a vague frown.] Hey, uh...tell me to shut up if this is too personal, but, uh...do you have family, Shiro?
[ Shiro flinches but doesn't say anything else. Some part of him wonders if it'd be better if none of them were involved, but no. Either the Lions would find someone else, or worse- they wouldn't, and Earth would have been attacked so much quicker, easier. ]
I don't see her giving up easily, no. [ Just like Pidge. Just like Matt. Shiro drapes his arm back over Lance's legs, fingers tapping idly against the line of his boot once more. ] It's not too personal. I do. They -- probably think I'm dead. If that was broadcast all over, it's -
[ God, they probably had a funeral and his family had to deal with that. It's nauseating. ]
It's a little different than you guys being whisked away in the night. Don't worry, okay?
[Lance is momentarily considering a taller, more-experienced Pidge. A MegaPidge. It's a sobering thought. He's glad Pidge's mom is on their side. Also he's never moving again because this is sort of...comforting? Nice? Like when he'd watch telenovelas on the TV at home with a sibling on one side and five of his little cousins draped all over him. It wasn't until they got into space that Lance realized how much he misses casual touchiness.]
...well, it's gonna be pretty awesome for them when we blast into Earth's atmosphere and shoot the Galra out of the sky and then the collected world leaders give us all medals and parties!
[This is said with a triumphant laugh and quite a few sound effects for the "shooting the Galra" part.]
[ Maybe if he says it enough, it'll start to feel like it. Thus far, it's been a lot less conquering heroes and a lot more like they're flying from issue to issue just trying to stop what they can. Putting bandaids on wounds rather than calling a doctor, but in this case they are the doctor. ]
What do you want to do after this?
[ Is there an after this? Do they stay with this forever, until they die and someone else is chosen? He doesn't know and the realization is vaguely terrifying. ]
[Lance whistles a lively sort of fanfare, stretching and crossing his arms behind his head, feet wiggling around in tune to his made-up theme music.] Think they'll name a high school after us? Or maybe a sports stadium?
[The question gets a momentary blank look.] Uh. Probably lunch? It's almost time for lunch, isn't it? [Bless the lack of long-term plans in teenagers.]
[ because Shiro is the benevolent sort of leader, he allows the squirming and doesn't make an effort to grab his legs again so long as he doesn't kick up too far. ]
I'm sure you'll get a very shiny medal to show everyone.
[ You know, probably. Shiro glances at the clock and shrugs a shoulder. True enough, it is close to food time. ]
I meant after...all of this, but we can go to lunch, too.
Hell yeah I will! [Cue the triumphant fistpumping the air. Lance loves shiny medals.
The question makes him pause, though, thinking.] Uhh...I dunno. I mean, piloting is all I've ever wanted to do and...I mean, I'm doing that. With some, uh, pretty cool people.
[Awkward shrugging.] I mean, I've never really wanted anything more.
[ You're totally getting a shiny medal for your birthday okay he's sure he can make one. ]
They're a good team to be with.
[ It's not perfect, but given what they started with and what they've been shoved into, they're doing the best that can be expected. Shiro's proud of that. ]
Piloting was all I wanted when- [ ...Oh god, he's not going to say 'when I was your age' he's not that bad of a dad okay. ] When I was in the Garrison. Couldn't imagine anything else. Couldn't imagine this, that's for sure.
Edited (tenses are harrrdd) 2016-07-12 07:59 (UTC)
[Lance will legitimately cry okay. It will be the happiest tears ever.]
Yeah, most of them are pretty cool. [Have a grin, and a nudge from one of those wiggly boots.] Never thought you'd be piloting a giant sort-of-intelligent lion robot thing, huh? Where's your imagination, dude?
[Have the least subtle snort/snicker ever. Lance is terrible at playing along, but...he tries, okay.]
Eh, but now you have a cool spacesuit and a cool space robot and lots of cool space adventures and stuff. [A moment of hesitation:] You, uh...ever regret it?
[ Cool space suits and robots and adventures, sure. Mostly, he's just glad he's still alive so he can go after Pidge's family, so he can go after the Galra and stop them from doing this to anyone else. ]
[ oh MY GOD Lance how are you real. Shiro waits a beat and then grabs his feet, tugging his boots off because if he's going to get kicked in the face at least he won't have boots on. ]
How is that a dad thing?
[ ONE BOOT GONE, can he make it to the other--!! ]
It's the truth. What happened, happened. The only thing I can do now is try to fix it.
[JOKES ON YOU cause Lance has the stinkiest feet known to man, so he's going to wiggle his toes and let the stench fly free! Freedom!!!]
Cause, y'know. Dads say stuff that doesn't make much sense but it's supposed to teach you something? I guess? I mean, I didn't know my dad that well, but it's what I've heard.
[Have a cheeky grin.] Gonna give me a foot massage, Mr. "What happened, happened"?
[ Oh god why. Shiro can't lean back any further so he settles for a dubious look down Lance's leg and debates sitting on top of them again. Instead, he clasps his ankle with one hand and leans away, eyebrows raised incredulously.
Of course it leads to getting a foot in his mouth, because why wouldn't it. ]
Lance.
[ He snags a pillow and drops it heavily over Lance's legs, putting both arms over it. He gets to suffer having one boot on and one boot off, thanks. ]
[Lance squirms pathetically for a moment, then woefully wiggles around his still-booted foot, arms stretched out above his head, looking extremely offended and pathetic.]
My foot's all sweaty now. And the other one's all spitty.
[ OH my god you LITERAL CHILD. Shiro grabs the other boot and pulls it off, tossing it across the room. He looks rather pleased when it lands boot side down, wobbling briefly before standing upright. When he tosses the other discarded boot and it does the same, he's downright smug. ]
You probably shouldn't have jammed your toes in my mouth.
[Lance looks thoroughly contented now, offering his fist for Shiro to bump in triumph, as bros do.] Nice aim, man. You should try out for space basketball.
[Have a moment of indignant sputtering, before this eloquent comeback:] Well, you probably shouldn't have had your mouth near my toes.
[ For a second it doesn't register and then it does and he knocks their knuckles together, his arms resting back on the pillow he's using to subdue wayward feet. ]
[There we go, you aren't totally a hopeless dad, Shiro. You can do cool things. Also apparently Lance is unconcerned by the pillow, because it's squishy and comfy.]
Glad to see you taking responsibility. [Is that a yawn, yes, he's going to take a nap with his feet in your lap, Shiro, because he's Lance. That's why.]
[ His tone is so dry it's almost laughable but he's clearly amused judging by the edge of a smile tugging at his lips. ]
I thought you wanted lunch.
[ He's not opposed to Lance sleeping there for a while; he's been a human pillow for most of the team at one point or another and he's got work he can do on one of the touchpads. ]
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[There's a sad, wistful fondness in Lance's voice, like there always is whenever he mentions his family. Which isn't too often, these days.]
Me neither. I mean, if Pidge's mom is anything like Pidge, they won't. [Have a vague frown.] Hey, uh...tell me to shut up if this is too personal, but, uh...do you have family, Shiro?
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I don't see her giving up easily, no. [ Just like Pidge. Just like Matt. Shiro drapes his arm back over Lance's legs, fingers tapping idly against the line of his boot once more. ] It's not too personal. I do. They -- probably think I'm dead. If that was broadcast all over, it's -
[ God, they probably had a funeral and his family had to deal with that. It's nauseating. ]
It's a little different than you guys being whisked away in the night. Don't worry, okay?
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...well, it's gonna be pretty awesome for them when we blast into Earth's atmosphere and shoot the Galra out of the sky and then the collected world leaders give us all medals and parties!
[This is said with a triumphant laugh and quite a few sound effects for the "shooting the Galra" part.]
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[ Maybe if he says it enough, it'll start to feel like it. Thus far, it's been a lot less conquering heroes and a lot more like they're flying from issue to issue just trying to stop what they can. Putting bandaids on wounds rather than calling a doctor, but in this case they are the doctor. ]
What do you want to do after this?
[ Is there an after this? Do they stay with this forever, until they die and someone else is chosen? He doesn't know and the realization is vaguely terrifying. ]
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[The question gets a momentary blank look.] Uh. Probably lunch? It's almost time for lunch, isn't it? [Bless the lack of long-term plans in teenagers.]
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I'm sure you'll get a very shiny medal to show everyone.
[ You know, probably. Shiro glances at the clock and shrugs a shoulder. True enough, it is close to food time. ]
I meant after...all of this, but we can go to lunch, too.
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The question makes him pause, though, thinking.] Uhh...I dunno. I mean, piloting is all I've ever wanted to do and...I mean, I'm doing that. With some, uh, pretty cool people.
[Awkward shrugging.] I mean, I've never really wanted anything more.
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They're a good team to be with.
[ It's not perfect, but given what they started with and what they've been shoved into, they're doing the best that can be expected. Shiro's proud of that. ]
Piloting was all I wanted when- [ ...Oh god, he's not going to say 'when I was your age' he's not that bad of a dad okay. ] When I was in the Garrison. Couldn't imagine anything else. Couldn't imagine this, that's for sure.
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Yeah, most of them are pretty cool. [Have a grin, and a nudge from one of those wiggly boots.] Never thought you'd be piloting a giant sort-of-intelligent lion robot thing, huh? Where's your imagination, dude?
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[ Another squeeze to his boot, this time playful, not to stop him from squirming around like some sort of fish on land. ]
Somehow, yeah, that's not really where I saw my life going.
[ Despite everything, though, he wouldn't change it. ]
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[Have the least subtle snort/snicker ever. Lance is terrible at playing along, but...he tries, okay.]
Eh, but now you have a cool spacesuit and a cool space robot and lots of cool space adventures and stuff. [A moment of hesitation:] You, uh...ever regret it?
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[ Cool space suits and robots and adventures, sure. Mostly, he's just glad he's still alive so he can go after Pidge's family, so he can go after the Galra and stop them from doing this to anyone else. ]
Regret wouldn't change anything.
[ What a good non answer. ]
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That's such a non-answer, you're like a dad, you never give a straight answer, there's always a moral involved!!
I DON'T KNOW WHAT KEYBOARD SHORTCUT THAT WAS BUT :|
How is that a dad thing?
[ ONE BOOT GONE, can he make it to the other--!! ]
It's the truth. What happened, happened. The only thing I can do now is try to fix it.
IT WAS A DAD SHORTCUT.
Cause, y'know. Dads say stuff that doesn't make much sense but it's supposed to teach you something? I guess? I mean, I didn't know my dad that well, but it's what I've heard.
[Have a cheeky grin.] Gonna give me a foot massage, Mr. "What happened, happened"?
APPARENTLY
Sometimes, I guess? I don't know if that's specifically a dad thing.
[ He eyes those sock-clad toes dubiously. ]
Not likely. I'm just trying to avoid getting kicked in the head.
[ PAUSE ]
Again.
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[Lance scowls for a moment, then lifts up his socked foot and pokes at Shiro's cheek with his toes.]
Look at this precision and control, bro. Nobody's gettin' kicked with these bad boys. I'm too exact and careful and--
[This is Lance poking too aggressively and accidentally getting his foot in Shiro's mouth instead.] Whoops.
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[ Oh god why. Shiro can't lean back any further so he settles for a dubious look down Lance's leg and debates sitting on top of them again. Instead, he clasps his ankle with one hand and leans away, eyebrows raised incredulously.
Of course it leads to getting a foot in his mouth, because why wouldn't it. ]
Lance.
[ He snags a pillow and drops it heavily over Lance's legs, putting both arms over it. He gets to suffer having one boot on and one boot off, thanks. ]
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[Lance squirms pathetically for a moment, then woefully wiggles around his still-booted foot, arms stretched out above his head, looking extremely offended and pathetic.]
My foot's all sweaty now. And the other one's all spitty.
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I'll take it.
[ OH my god you LITERAL CHILD. Shiro grabs the other boot and pulls it off, tossing it across the room. He looks rather pleased when it lands boot side down, wobbling briefly before standing upright. When he tosses the other discarded boot and it does the same, he's downright smug. ]
You probably shouldn't have jammed your toes in my mouth.
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[Have a moment of indignant sputtering, before this eloquent comeback:] Well, you probably shouldn't have had your mouth near my toes.
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Ah, it's my fault.
[ Uh-huh. ]
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Glad to see you taking responsibility. [Is that a yawn, yes, he's going to take a nap with his feet in your lap, Shiro, because he's Lance. That's why.]
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[ His tone is so dry it's almost laughable but he's clearly amused judging by the edge of a smile tugging at his lips. ]
I thought you wanted lunch.
[ He's not opposed to Lance sleeping there for a while; he's been a human pillow for most of the team at one point or another and he's got work he can do on one of the touchpads. ]
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[Another yawn and some wiggling around to get comfy.] Unless it's a cheeseburger and strawberry shake, I can hold off for a bit, I think.
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