[ Slowly, each finger removes itself and then he drops Lance's wrist to let him run if he needs to. ]
You'd know if I were pissed, Lance. [ Maybe that wry tone isn't really helping matters. ] I thought all of -- this was because you were trying to see if I'd be okay if you pursued one of the Paladins.
[ Yeah, he figures that's a lie but he's not about to call Lance on it right now. Instead, he nods and opens the first door he can find to an empty room and ushers Lance in after him, because this isn't the conversation that they need to have in the hallway where anyone could walk past.
Once it's locked Shiro leans back against it, lounging despite the tension in him. If anything, he thinks the desire to run is...understandable, honestly. ]
I-- alright. Walk me through this? [ A beat, realizing it's not exactly a very helpful question: ] I honestly figured you meant Hunk, or Keith. Or even the Princess.
[Lance will find the nearest seat and drop heavily into it, hiding his face in his hands because wow, why doesn't he have any impulse control, what is wrong with him.]
[ He drags the word out a bit, hesitating on what he wants to ask next, if anything. Lance sits on the nearest chair and puts his face in his hands and Shiro grimaces. Great, this is going absolutely swimmingly. Way to not mess this up, Shiro.
Slowly, he comes over and crouches in front of Lance, pressing a hand to his shoulder. ]
It's...not that I'm not flattered, you know.
[ That's. A better way of putting it than I return it but see prior conversation about me leading the team and Bad Ideas. ]
[ God save him. Shiro blows out a breath, mulling over his words and realizes he's probably not going to figure out the right thing to say no matter how badly he wants to. The situation's too complicated for that. ]
We're... in the middle of space. [ It would be easier, he thinks, for Lance to date someone else outside of the Paladins. Where would they even go on a date, the lunch room? Training? They're so far outside the realm of normal that it's crazy. ] I'm not -- saying no. Alright?
But we have a responsibility to everyone else out there in the universe, first and foremost. Give me a few days?
[Lance still has those hopeful, almost-tearful, almost-smiling look on his face, like he wants to believe Shiro but can't quite let himself. Finally, after a long moment, he nods.]
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You'd know if I were pissed, Lance. [ Maybe that wry tone isn't really helping matters. ] I thought all of -- this was because you were trying to see if I'd be okay if you pursued one of the Paladins.
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Well. I mean. Technically it was.
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Oh. Yeah, that - [ W e l p ] We can talk about this when you-- feel comfortable, if you want. It doesn't have to be now.
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Don't think I'm...gonna get more comfortable than I am right now.
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Once it's locked Shiro leans back against it, lounging despite the tension in him. If anything, he thinks the desire to run is...understandable, honestly. ]
I-- alright. Walk me through this? [ A beat, realizing it's not exactly a very helpful question: ] I honestly figured you meant Hunk, or Keith. Or even the Princess.
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Nope. Not this time.
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[ He drags the word out a bit, hesitating on what he wants to ask next, if anything. Lance sits on the nearest chair and puts his face in his hands and Shiro grimaces. Great, this is going absolutely swimmingly. Way to not mess this up, Shiro.
Slowly, he comes over and crouches in front of Lance, pressing a hand to his shoulder. ]
It's...not that I'm not flattered, you know.
[ That's. A better way of putting it than I return it but see prior conversation about me leading the team and Bad Ideas. ]
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That's literally what everyone says right before going "but I don't feel the same way haha you weird little kid".
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What, like the rest of us aren't weird?
[ One shoulder lifts and falls in a lazy shrug. ]
Come on, Lance. We're not the most normal group of Paladins, but that's not a bad thing.
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So are you gonna just...pretend I didn't do anything? And ignore me?
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[ but he's questioning people Lance chose to kiss before, because that's...shitty. ]
If you just want someone to-- make out with, it really isn't good idea. What do you want?
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I know I...talk a lot and flirt a lot or whatever, but I...don't just want, y'know. Physical stuff.
...although physical stuff would be nice.
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We're... in the middle of space. [ It would be easier, he thinks, for Lance to date someone else outside of the Paladins. Where would they even go on a date, the lunch room? Training? They're so far outside the realm of normal that it's crazy. ] I'm not -- saying no. Alright?
But we have a responsibility to everyone else out there in the universe, first and foremost. Give me a few days?
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Not...saying no...to what? [Please confirm or deny, Shiro, he is dying here.]
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What you want. A few days, okay?
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Few days. Okay.
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Hey, listen to me, alright?
[ Shiro pauses, making sure that he's paying attention. ]
Whatever happens, you're still an important member of our team.
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But he can't help adding, in a very soft, resigned voice:] Just not...that kind of important, huh?
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[ Come on, buddy, work with him here. Shiro puts his hand back on Lance's knee and squeezes. ]
A few days. Okay? I promise whatever happens we're still friends, you're still a part of this team.