[ Walking up the ramp feels like coming home in a different way; the connection to the lions is still muted, barely more than a single thread that hasn't snapped yet instead of the rope it used to be but here with Keith it feels stronger.
Standing in there, behind the pilot's chair feels...odd, but not a bad sort of odd. Keith's worthy. He knew it, and now Black did, too. She made the right choice and he can't begrudge her that but he desperately hopes they get better at working together. It'll take time like all things do.
Keith settles and Shiro braces his forearms on the back of the chair, but -- nothing. No whirr of Black powering up, no thrusters, nothing but the hum of machinery and the feeling of something being off. ]
Sometimes it's-- difficult. [ That's fine, but then Keith rises and Shiro gives him an openly dubious look. ] She chose you.
[ Still, sitting there, even if it won't work -- it'll feel good. Shiro settles back into the chair slowly and then glances at Keith, his hands settling loose over the controls. ] We can't force her into it.
[Shiro looks good in that chair. Shiro looks right in that chair, not out of place the way Keith still feels sometimes.
And Black's nudging him toward this feeling of rightness, like a thrum of excitement in his stomach. He stands to Shiro's side, hand resting lightly on the back of the pilot's seat, and he's prepared to wait a moment, to actually exercise patience, but his fingers twitch with a sudden flash of knowing.
Only it's...weird. Maybe not the weirdest thing either one of them has had to do, but the tug is so strong that Keith feels himself flush under the neck of his suit, lips pursed into a frown.]
I think I know what we need to do, but, um. [He watches the screens instead of Shiro, hoping something will change, before finally dragging his gaze back to him.] Only if you're okay with it. And if I'm wrong, don't laugh.
I think she wants me to sit with you. Not in your lap, but--in front of you. [Between your legs, as if that's better.
And it's not that Keith's not comfortable being close to Shiro, but this is different. The pilot's seat may have changed hands but sitting pressed against each other in Black sounds both illicit and natural, like it's obvious she wouldn't move any other way. He wonders if Shiro feels it at all or if it's just him experiencing that pull, fingers clasped around the back of the chair.]
shiro internally; is now a bad time to mention i sometimes get hard with how cool it is piloting vo-
[ Gradually, he feels a sort of itch in the back of his head that grows the more he pays attention to it. It's Black, he realizes belatedly; Black's slowly creeping down their connection, strengthening it. It's not enough to pilot her, but it's enough he gets flickers, flashes of her intent and what she wants them to do.
Keith must be getting it too, the way he's phrasing all of this. In his mind, there's the slow, steady pulse of satisfaction. Keith's right; this is what she wants and she's able to communicate it to both of them.
What are you trying to do? he asks her and doesn't get a response, which isn't a surprise.
Rather than protest, he presses back into the chair and slides it back a little bit so Keith's legs can fit. ]
She let me in enough to tell me the same thing. Uh. I guess just--
[ Please, god, just let his body not betray him right now. ]
Right. [He gives a short nod even though Shiro doesn't actually finish that sentence, nor is Keith sure what he was going to say. There's an anticipatory buzz in the air, like static, like the thrum they all feel when they synch up with the Lions.
Keith clears his throat, ducks his gaze when he realizes he's staring at the spread of Shiro's legs as he comes around to the front of the chair. In any of the other Lions, they wouldn't be able to comfortably make this work. He'd be on Shiro's lap, squeezed tight into those smaller seats, and that--
That's making him go just about as red as his armor. It's a little ridiculous how stiff he is as he moves to sit, given how natural it usually feels for them to touch. Keith's on the edge of the chair, spine rigid and palms resting on his own thighs even as he feels the warmth of Shiro's beside his.
He should scoot back and relax, probably, so he doesn't fall off as soon as Black gets moving.]
Think this is her idea of a team-building thing? [Keith turns his head just slightly to look at him, then settles back a little more comfortably: not quite leaning back against Shiro's chest, but close enough that their bodies are more or less flush.]
[ Okay, so they're doing this, this is happening. Cool, this is...fine. Shiro's not overthinking everything, not at all, he's entirely chill and he's going to handle this the same as he handles everything else. If it gets him a little flustered then that's alright, too; it's not like anyone sits in his lap actively so he supposes it's easy enough to brush that off.
At least Black's big enough for this to sort of work. It's not pretty, necessarily, but Keith settles in and Shiro wonders if it would have been more comfortable for him to sit on top of his thighs or not. They can always adjust, he supposes, and gingerly settles his hands over top both controls. ]
You're pretty much the only one this would work with, I guess. Lance'd wiggle too much, Pidge is too bony and Hunk wouldn't leave Yellow for love or money.
[ He shifts back in return, trying to make it easier for him to settle, his chin near the side of Keith's head. ]
You should've seen Pidge when she tried to pilot Black. She could barely reach the controls.
[Speaking of. Keith places his hands over top of Shiro's, without really thinking about it--he just knows it's the right thing to do. And that's all it takes to get Black to fully wake up, controls whirring and their skin bathed in purple glow.
His body's awash with pleased relief and the warm thrill that always comes with piloting, fingers flexing over Shiro's. He's forgotten any awkwardness, for the moment; they've piloted Voltron as one, so it's not like working together in one Lion will be any harder.
It's nice, actually, in a way. Shiro's here. He's with him, he's not going anywhere.]
[ He can almost feel Black's -- what is that, approval? It's strange, but he doesn't focus on that too long. When Black rumbles to life underneath him, no, them, he's endlessly relieved. He'd hoped that the lion would react, that Keith would be enough to offset how wrong he was sitting here again and he was right. ]
To go flying? Always.
[ Keith's hands are warm on top of his but instead of flustering him, he's more shocked at how content he is. They've flown tight together before, they've flown a ton of times together, but nothing quite like this. None of the other vessels were anything like a lion. Though, they had an unfair advantage being 10,000+ year old. ]
Did all of you try in here?
[ He's wanted to know for a while now - wondered if they let any of the Blade try, too. ]
[It's not like danger's ever stopped Keith from doing something he needed--or really wanted--to do, but there was something frenetic about flying without Shiro, when half of them were adjusting to new Lions and to each other.
So this, having Shiro at his back, broad hands beneath his palms...it feels safe. It feels like home, somehow.
Keith doesn't answer Shiro's question until they press the controls forward and launch out of the Castle and into the stars, lets the lights and noise of take-off swallow any attempt at conversation before they're just left with the quiet of space around them. This still doesn't feel real, sometimes--the vastness of it all.
And Shiro was almost lost to it.]
Yeah. Us and Allura. [Tough to avoid a question when you're basically on top of the guy who asked it. Keith's shoulders go taut for a moment, tense when he continues.]
I didn't want it, you know. I thought I could deal with it being anyone but me, but I really just--
[The tension releases on a quiet sigh and he tips his chin down, gaze falling on their hands.]
[ Does it make things better or worse that all of them tried? He tries to imagine it but promptly stops because it's bad enough imagining all of them trying to step up into Black but worse to imagine Keith realizing that it's him, even if Shiro always knew it.
You deserve better than this he thinks, but he means it for all of them. All of them should be home, not dealing with this but that's not the hand the universe dealt them and there's nothing they can do but keep pushing forward.
He doesn't quite sigh, but it's a close thing, shifting his hands over Black's controls to push her faster. Underneath him, she rumbles in response and this time, he does. It's just a quick, soft exhale near Keith's ear but it's almost content. ]
I know.
[ It's hard, not seeing his face. ]
You're the best choice. I wish you could believe that.
You never gave yourself enough credit, Keith. Even back then.
[ It's hard to chastise someone when they're in your lap and your best friend, but that's not quite what he's going for, either. Instead, he's gentle about it; he doesn't flinch when Keith digs his fingers in, doesn't react past sighing quietly and lifting his hands to settle Keith's down first and rest his on top. ]
Of course I do.
[ How could he not? Flying the Kerberos mission, that was-- well, it was everything, back then, but this is something else. ]
But I have to - we all have to do what's necessary to keep moving forward. And I can make myself useful on the bridge.
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[ Walking up the ramp feels like coming home in a different way; the connection to the lions is still muted, barely more than a single thread that hasn't snapped yet instead of the rope it used to be but here with Keith it feels stronger.
Standing in there, behind the pilot's chair feels...odd, but not a bad sort of odd. Keith's worthy. He knew it, and now Black did, too. She made the right choice and he can't begrudge her that but he desperately hopes they get better at working together. It'll take time like all things do.
Keith settles and Shiro braces his forearms on the back of the chair, but -- nothing. No whirr of Black powering up, no thrusters, nothing but the hum of machinery and the feeling of something being off. ]
Sometimes it's-- difficult. [ That's fine, but then Keith rises and Shiro gives him an openly dubious look. ] She chose you.
[ Still, sitting there, even if it won't work -- it'll feel good. Shiro settles back into the chair slowly and then glances at Keith, his hands settling loose over the controls. ] We can't force her into it.
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And Black's nudging him toward this feeling of rightness, like a thrum of excitement in his stomach. He stands to Shiro's side, hand resting lightly on the back of the pilot's seat, and he's prepared to wait a moment, to actually exercise patience, but his fingers twitch with a sudden flash of knowing.
Only it's...weird. Maybe not the weirdest thing either one of them has had to do, but the tug is so strong that Keith feels himself flush under the neck of his suit, lips pursed into a frown.]
I think I know what we need to do, but, um. [He watches the screens instead of Shiro, hoping something will change, before finally dragging his gaze back to him.] Only if you're okay with it. And if I'm wrong, don't laugh.
I think she wants me to sit with you. Not in your lap, but--in front of you. [Between your legs, as if that's better.
And it's not that Keith's not comfortable being close to Shiro, but this is different. The pilot's seat may have changed hands but sitting pressed against each other in Black sounds both illicit and natural, like it's obvious she wouldn't move any other way. He wonders if Shiro feels it at all or if it's just him experiencing that pull, fingers clasped around the back of the chair.]
shiro internally; is now a bad time to mention i sometimes get hard with how cool it is piloting vo-
Keith must be getting it too, the way he's phrasing all of this. In his mind, there's the slow, steady pulse of satisfaction. Keith's right; this is what she wants and she's able to communicate it to both of them.
What are you trying to do? he asks her and doesn't get a response, which isn't a surprise.
Rather than protest, he presses back into the chair and slides it back a little bit so Keith's legs can fit. ]
She let me in enough to tell me the same thing. Uh. I guess just--
[ Please, god, just let his body not betray him right now. ]
whispers cover your eyes black
Keith clears his throat, ducks his gaze when he realizes he's staring at the spread of Shiro's legs as he comes around to the front of the chair. In any of the other Lions, they wouldn't be able to comfortably make this work. He'd be on Shiro's lap, squeezed tight into those smaller seats, and that--
That's making him go just about as red as his armor. It's a little ridiculous how stiff he is as he moves to sit, given how natural it usually feels for them to touch. Keith's on the edge of the chair, spine rigid and palms resting on his own thighs even as he feels the warmth of Shiro's beside his.
He should scoot back and relax, probably, so he doesn't fall off as soon as Black gets moving.]
Think this is her idea of a team-building thing? [Keith turns his head just slightly to look at him, then settles back a little more comfortably: not quite leaning back against Shiro's chest, but close enough that their bodies are more or less flush.]
won't someone think of the children
At least Black's big enough for this to sort of work. It's not pretty, necessarily, but Keith settles in and Shiro wonders if it would have been more comfortable for him to sit on top of his thighs or not. They can always adjust, he supposes, and gingerly settles his hands over top both controls. ]
You're pretty much the only one this would work with, I guess. Lance'd wiggle too much, Pidge is too bony and Hunk wouldn't leave Yellow for love or money.
[ He shifts back in return, trying to make it easier for him to settle, his chin near the side of Keith's head. ]
I-- okay.
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[Speaking of. Keith places his hands over top of Shiro's, without really thinking about it--he just knows it's the right thing to do. And that's all it takes to get Black to fully wake up, controls whirring and their skin bathed in purple glow.
His body's awash with pleased relief and the warm thrill that always comes with piloting, fingers flexing over Shiro's. He's forgotten any awkwardness, for the moment; they've piloted Voltron as one, so it's not like working together in one Lion will be any harder.
It's nice, actually, in a way. Shiro's here. He's with him, he's not going anywhere.]
You ready?
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To go flying? Always.
[ Keith's hands are warm on top of his but instead of flustering him, he's more shocked at how content he is. They've flown tight together before, they've flown a ton of times together, but nothing quite like this. None of the other vessels were anything like a lion. Though, they had an unfair advantage being 10,000+ year old. ]
Did all of you try in here?
[ He's wanted to know for a while now - wondered if they let any of the Blade try, too. ]
no subject
So this, having Shiro at his back, broad hands beneath his palms...it feels safe. It feels like home, somehow.
Keith doesn't answer Shiro's question until they press the controls forward and launch out of the Castle and into the stars, lets the lights and noise of take-off swallow any attempt at conversation before they're just left with the quiet of space around them. This still doesn't feel real, sometimes--the vastness of it all.
And Shiro was almost lost to it.]
Yeah. Us and Allura. [Tough to avoid a question when you're basically on top of the guy who asked it. Keith's shoulders go taut for a moment, tense when he continues.]
I didn't want it, you know. I thought I could deal with it being anyone but me, but I really just--
[The tension releases on a quiet sigh and he tips his chin down, gaze falling on their hands.]
I just wanted it to be you.
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You deserve better than this he thinks, but he means it for all of them. All of them should be home, not dealing with this but that's not the hand the universe dealt them and there's nothing they can do but keep pushing forward.
He doesn't quite sigh, but it's a close thing, shifting his hands over Black's controls to push her faster. Underneath him, she rumbles in response and this time, he does. It's just a quick, soft exhale near Keith's ear but it's almost content. ]
I know.
[ It's hard, not seeing his face. ]
You're the best choice. I wish you could believe that.
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[His own vehemence surprises him. Keith realizes he's twined his fingers tight with Shiro's and loosens his grip, skin flushed.]
I don't understand why she didn't take you back. I'm trying, but...
[He feels simultaneously tired and restless, leans back against Shiro's chest without thinking about it, quiet for a moment.]
Do you miss it?
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[ It's hard to chastise someone when they're in your lap and your best friend, but that's not quite what he's going for, either. Instead, he's gentle about it; he doesn't flinch when Keith digs his fingers in, doesn't react past sighing quietly and lifting his hands to settle Keith's down first and rest his on top. ]
Of course I do.
[ How could he not? Flying the Kerberos mission, that was-- well, it was everything, back then, but this is something else. ]
But I have to - we all have to do what's necessary to keep moving forward. And I can make myself useful on the bridge.