video ;; action for Lion House

[shiro2hero]

So... what'd I miss?

[What's up TAB network, it's your friendly neighborhood spaceman out of hospital after a disaster mission to that hellscape planet. Looking halfway decent -- surely those circles under his eyes are normal and, you know, right arm in a sling is fine. Totally okay.]

[Managing the TAB is a little difficult since he's got a bag full of armor slung over his good shoulder but oops. Oh well.]

Anything I need to get updated on? New faces or issues?

[On his feet and already trying to leap back into work. Good going buddy.]

For anyone I've missed, I'm Shiro -- and if anyone out there knows the name "Voltron", let me know.

[Because if Hunk showed up while he was out, others might have too.]

[After making that little announcement, he'all continue on to the Lion House in the 5th district. And probably stand in the front walk for a minute to brace himself before marching on inside.]

Comments

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Holy crow no wonder she's like the crankiest person in space!

[shiro2hero]

... did you just say--

[No, that's less important.]

She's not the crankiest person in space. Weren't you just saying you wanted to start treating her like a normal person?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Yeah but then I found out she was a fossil.

All joking aside though? I'll bet you a thousand sencs that just thanking her would go far.

I kind of...get how she feels. Like I said, we talked. And I know maybe I'm not everyone's go-to guy for advice? But I think maybe you should trust me on this.

[shiro2hero]

I swear, if I find out you said that to her face, I will ground you.

[Somehow. Don't ask him how.]

[He blows out a breath, ruffling that dumb puff of white hair.]

Glad to hear she was taking my advice... I told her to talk to people. Get some things out.

I'll think about it.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Actually, she joined me on a tanglesnake hunting job. At first I was just antagonizing her to get me to leave me the hell alone but...

...In the end, I kind of liked having her around. It was...different.

...Nice.

...And if I find out you told her that I will make my personal mission to drive you to drink.

[shiro2hero]

...



She changed shape, didn't she.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...


How'd you know.

[shiro2hero]

Because. It's...



It's nice. When she does that.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...




I agree.

Subject change?

[shiro2hero]

Sure.



You want to talk about baseball?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I don't know what that is but I'm suddenly very interested in it because it sounds like it's several thousand miles away from our previous topic.

All ears.

Actually, you know what you and I should do? You ever been fishing?

[shiro2hero]

It's a sport. You hit things with sticks, basically.

Not that I can remember.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

What really? That's a sport? Where I come from I'm pretty sure that's called 'vandalism.'

I used to fish back home all the time. One of the perks of growing up in a port town. We should go. That other planet they opened up to visitors sounds like a nice place.

Maybe...get the whole house together. Spend a day just...relaxing on the beach. I think we could all use it.

Nothing's better than just lounging a bit waiting for a bite on your line.

[shiro2hero]

Well, you... hit a ball, specifically. But yeah.

The ocean one? Might not be a bad idea... we do need some team building exercises here.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Team build--what? No. That sounds like the polar opposite of "relaxing day spent fishing with my bestest best bud."

[shiro2hero]

I hear you guys fought over a washing machine, this is what happens.

... we'll still fish. But we're going to bond.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

We fought over who got to fix it.

Pidge won by ripping my hair out.

And yes, I broke it, but only because I was trying to do laundry and nowhere did it say how much detergent I should use. More soap should have equaled more clean. This is what happens when your hubris and laziness gets the better of you. Seriously, give me a bin, a washboard and some soap. Same result.

...So, really, it's your fault for evolving a need to rely on gadgets to do chores.

...Also I really wanted to fix the machine.

[shiro2hero]

And that's why we're doing a bonding exercise. Because you guys fought to settle things, instead of talking about it.

[He goes to fold his arms, and then winces -- moving a heavy metal arm with a still-healing collarbone is stupid.]

You know you don't have to use the machine.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin raises a finger to argue but then shuts up because dammit Shiro had a point.]

Oh come on. You really think I'm going to shy away from learning how to use your fancy gadgets?

It was a learning experience.

I learned that Pidge always gets her way because if she doesn't she will tear your hair out.

[shiro2hero]

Then don't get mad at us for having them.

...

She doesn't always get her way.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Don't oppress me, Future Man.

[Shiro you've been friends with this man for months when will you learn to disengage. He does this because you're his best friend and he loves giving you shit.]

Honestly, when the choices are 'let Pidge have it' or 'be permanently bald' I'm kind of inclined to just let Pidge have what she wants. I'm too good looking to be bald. You don't see this shade of blue anywhere else. It's one of my charm points.

[shiro2hero]

Uh huh.

[This is where he'd drink coffee if he had any. So instead, he's just arching an eyebrow.]

I hear white is decent. That's what you get when your hair gets ripped out too hard, by the way.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Yeah but I'd look terrible with white hair. I'm pretty sure people with a lot of character can pull that look off. I hear it looks distinguished.

...You know, it's good to have you back.

To talk to you.

[Darin sort of...rocks in place.]

I'm just...you know.

I'm glad you're home.

[shiro2hero]

Yours must have grown back then. Normally.

[And then the teasing sort of falls flat. Remembering what Lucio said...]

Lucio told me you took this really badly. Are you going to be all right?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I guess that's one of the perks of being a monster. I don't have to worry about losing my boyish good looks when nothing can actually hurt me.

[He shifts a bit.]

...I blamed myself. I thought...you know, it figures, right? You finally find someone who accepts you for who and what you are and you go and get him killed. Then you have to go back to his team, his family, and tell them why you're perfectly fine but he's in surgery to save his life.

[His voice cracks.]

You were there. You saw me snap. When I saw you broken and hurt, I was ready to tear Eosoros apart. And now? Now I don't know what I'm more terrified of: losing you or anyone else here, or what I'll do if that ever happens.