driftfleet | [Closed]

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Who: Allen, Keith, Shiro
Action: SS Blue Fish
When: End of April
Warning for Shiro's PTSD (panic attack, flashback of being experimented on, needles)

[While life in The Fleet has been mostly quiet so far, Shiro knows better than not being prepared. Especially after Raven told him they've been raided before, and seeing the slave ships in their current system. Things can be calm now... but it won't last forever.

So when he hears about Allen's little blood bank project, he definitely wants to help, even dragging Keith with him, who is wary but accepting to at least take a look. Shiro has to admit he's a little worried about his own blood, considering what happened to him with the Galra, but... the healing pod should've taken care of it, right? Right. And Allen can always check it to see if it's fine. It'd do him some good to know, too.

So here the two pilots arrive to the Blue Fish, Shiro knocking gently on the lab door before peeking in.]

Allen? I hope we arrive at a good time.

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[The lion definitely registers some recognition. He nods and smiles at Keith]

Ah, right. One of the other pilots. Nice to meet you, Keith.

[He doesn't seem at all fazed by Keith's lack of talking. It's a pretty typical reaction. As for the lab itself? It's a pretty standard one. It's full of different medical supplies and equipment, but nothing too out of the ordinary besides a fridge in the corner that is literally covered in different types of crosses and sigils.

What? Gotta keep the demons out of the blood somehow.

He looks back at Shiro and nods.]

Of course. Come on in and have a seat.

[He'll gesture for them to follow to one of the exam areas that's been set up for the blood drive]

[Shiro gives Keith a look before giving his attention back to Allen - play nice, bro!

The crosses and sigils also get a look, and Shiro isn't sure what to think. Usually he's all about security, but right now he's starting to feel a bit nervous, not sure why. He's been to his own ship's lab after all.

He takes the seat Allen offered, pausing before answering to think a good way to explain this without having to say too much.]

I want to donate - but I'm not sure if my blood is, uh. Completely clean from alien substances. [Close enough.] Would you like to take a small sample to test first?

Yeah. Nice to meet you, too.

[He was trying, Shiro, really.

He examined those sigils as well. Weird symbols could mean a lot of things... alien words, logos of domineering empires or secret resistance groups... Keith's had some weird experiences lately.

Shiro's question got his attention, though. Concern!]

Wait. What else do you think they did to you?

...Ah. [Allen meanwhile doesn't seemed at all fazed by the question, in fact he just gives a reassuring nod, and almost...understanding look, but he's not at all going to pry]

Don't worry, we test all the blood that we get for alien substances. [a very polite smile] After all, you never know when someone might pick up...something.

[ There might be a good chance he's thinking Shiro got alien substances in him another way than what Shiro's thinking. ]

[...welp. So much for subtlety. Keith gets Another Look now - Shiro doesn't do glares often, specially at teammates, but damn this one gets close. He's thinking how to save the situation when Allen makes his comment and...

Please don't let it be what he thinks it is.

Shiro squints at Allen, frown included, metal hand closing tightly on the table.]

...something from my battle wounds being exposed.

[It's not a lie! Technically. It isn't what he's worrying about but hey, it did happen! ...please let's get this over with.]

[WHAT? Keith was allowed to worry. Let him have his moment, Shiro.

But, wait... was Allen implying- OMG.

Keith turned red for a second.]

Wait! That's not what I meant!

[Uuugh... but Shiro seemed to handle it in stride. Which was good, because Keith had completely lost his cool. He had a feeling a lecture was coming after this.]

Of course.

[Does Allen believe them? It's hard to say. On the other hand, he doesn't particularly care that much either. Not that he didn't care about Shiro's well being, he did, but after working as a medic for years in places like this? Things really stop fazing you. Weird pathogens from battle wounds, from sex, from walking into a creepy cave, from eating something you really shouldn't ... he's kinda heard it all at this point.]

Well, just don't worry. If there's something in your bloodstream that shouldn't be there, we'll find it.

[Indeed, Keith, a big talk is coming after they're done here.

At least Allen isn't pushing the subject any farther, so Shiro nods, rollin up his left sleeve to get started. Thankfully he only has two gashes that he can deal with showing for the sake of helping and answers.]

Thank you. It'll be good to know. [Look how quickly he pulls back the poker face.] Let's get started then.

[Having been circling the lab up to this point, Keith was behind Allen. He didn't react to Shiro's scars because Allen's statement about finding things that shouldn't be in the bloodstream had hit him in a weird way. He crossed his arms, almost zoning out a little, as his thoughts immediately steered towards some recent discoveries about his family. He knew he looked human, but Allen's statement made him wonder just how much and with whom he should probably considering sharing his situation with... especially after talking to Mon-El about alien species that look a lot like each other.]

All right.

[Allen meanwhile doesn't pay any attention to Keith as he starts getting to work. The gashes on Shiro's arm gets a mental note, but not much of a reaction out of him. He's seen a lot of scars in his day. Instead, he'll focus on looking at the skin for a good vein spot, the cleaning it up with some rubbing alcohol.

The IV and the needles aren't too far away. ]

[It's not just the needle, it's the combo of the whole deal. Maybe seeing a needle wouldn't be a big deal. His arm being touched either. But Allen is searching for a vein, a very particular movement, and the needles come after that, his brain provides, bringing blurry memories of someone else grabbing his arm, intensified by that universal lab smell.

There's pain. So much pain.

He's out of it in a second, pushing Allen away from him before falling to the floor on his knees, hands grabbing the back of his head. His breathing is broken, and his eyes are out of focus, as if he wasn't really there with them.

Because in his mind? He isn't.]

[Keith was peripherally paying attention to Allen's movements. He wasn't going to completely ignore the process, but he was also interested in the rest of the lab as well. But, the sudden movement and noise of Shiro shoving Allen away snapped him right back into the moment.]

Shiro?!

[He didn't even hesitate to jump in, moving quickly to get between Allen and Shiro, and he crouched next to him. He had seen Shiro freak out before, though not necessarily this intensely, and having been sort of watching, he was pretty sure Allen hadn't done anything out of the ordinary for a blood drive situation.]

Shiro! Hey... can you hear me?

[Come on, Shiro... time to come back to the present...]

[The reaction catches him by surprise enough to get him to stumble back, narrowly stopping himself before he slams into a nearby counter. Jeez, that guy is strong.

But when he recovers, he immediately goes to look at what the hell happened and- yeah. that's a definite panic attack going on. Allen's had enough of those to know what they look like. Shit.

He directs his words at Keith as he waves off Blue Fish's security. Nothing to worry about here.]

Tell him to take deep breaths! Reassure him he's okay!

[There's a familiar voice trying to break in, to reach him... but there's also an unfamiliar one, a voice that now his brain associates with a lab and needles. Shiro tries to look in front of him, trying to find the familiar voice, but his eyes are still out of focus.

Suddenly he cries out in pain and his body bends until his forehead is touching the floor. His whole body is shivering and sweaty, and he's still not breathing well.]

[Keith tried to stay with him, but he didn't want to touch him, yet. Not until there was some sort of recognition and Shiro made eye contact. He got himself down on his elbows.]

Shiro... it's okay. It's me, Keith. Come on. You know me. Listen to me.

[He waved Allen back. No offense.]

Just focus. You can get through this.

[Keith had seen Shiro pull out of this before. He knew he could do it.]

[None taken, Allen's standing back, just observing the situation in case it gets even worse. He knows a familiar presence like Keith is much more likely to make it better than he does, so he doesn't say anything more]

K-keith...

[That name. He knows that name - it's an important name. Shiro raises his head and looks around, eyes trying to focus, to separate the images in his head from what is actually real.

The shape in front of him is real. And familiar. Safe.

Trembling, his human hand reaches out for the person in front of him, looking for an anchor to keep him in the here and now.]

Yeah. Keith. Stay with me, Shiro.

[He took the outstretched hand.]

You're on the Blue Fish. Remember? Do you remember who we were meeting? Why we came here?

[He clings to that hand with a little too much force, not fully aware of what he's doing yet. He'll have to apologize to Keith later if he bruises him, but right now, his mind is a blur.

The voice guides him through the blur at least, and his eyes finally focus. Breathing is still a bit hard, he's pretty much panting, but he's here.]

Keith, what... [He follows the clues. Blue Fish. Right, they aren't home.] ...the lab. We came to Allen's lab.

That's right.

[Keith could take a lot. He wasn't going to mention it if his hand did end up bruised after this. He'd deal with it.]

You're safe. It's okay.

[He knew he needed to keep Shiro in the present, but he wanted to steer his mind away from what might have set him off.]

Do you know what ship you're assigned to? What you do there?

[Shiro tries to look around, but the few glimpses he gets plus that unique lab smell aren't exactly welcomed right now, so he keeps his eyes on Keith. Ships, jobs, concentrate on those, Shiro.]

...pilot for the SS Blameless. [His mind is clearing up, and his breathing is stabilizing, so his hold on Keith looses up a little bit. But he doesn't let go.] Atrom must've liked the irony to put me there.

[Oh, hey, look who is trying his awful "lighten up the mood" tactic now.]

Yeah. Real ironic.

[Keith was just glad the humor was there. It meant Shiro was back with him. He gave his hand a small squeeze, but didn't let go.]

Can you stand?

[He nods and does exactly that, returning the squeeze before holding onto a nearby chair to stand up, not wanting to put his weight on Keith. Usually he needs no help, but he's not gonna risk it now.

And by standing up and looking back at his surroundings, he finally remembers Allen's presence there. His eyes look at him filled with guilt.]

Allen. Did I hurt you? I'm sorry.

[Allen had been standing nearby watching, relieved that Keith was able to calm him down. He just gives a sympathetic smile]

I'm fine, don't worry about it.

How about you head to the cargo bay? You can get some air there. [And away from whatever might trigger another episode]

[Keith hovered close, his arm under Shiro's just in case. He nodded at Allen's suggestion.]

That's not a bad idea. [Getting Shiro out of the lab seemed like a good route to take for the moment. Keith wasn't sure if the whole setting had triggered it or what, but getting him out seemed like a good idea for now to at east give him a break from everything.]

Come on.

[He didn't release his hold on Shiro's arm just yet.]

[That sympathy... he can't take it, he looks away. He feels ashamed, weak, pathetic - this whole deal over some needles. Is this what it's come to? He can't even donate blood?

The suggestion gets a nod, though he still can't meet their eyes.]

I will, thanks. And... sorry for the trouble. I hope the other donors have brought you enough.

[Keith may not release his hold, but Shiro does. It's not that he doesn't appreciate the support - he does. But right now he feels like failure, and he doesn't want Keith to see that. So he tries to leave the lab by his own, needing a moment.]

[He shakes his head, smiling]

Don't worry, really. We'll get enough.

[Though he knows that look, the feeling of shame and disappointment. Shiro was a good guy, who wanted to help...Allen could respect that]

If you'd like, maybe when you're feeling better you can help me assemble first aid kits?

[He pauses his walking at that, considering it for a second before looking around the lab. He does want to help but the flashes of the memory he got... He frowns.]

Where do you usually do that?

The lab, but I can bring the supplies you'd need to wherever you'd like.

[It'd be no trouble really]

[It does sound like extra trouble to Shiro, but he doesn't want to spend much time in the labs from now on. So after considering his options... mmh.]

Maybe I can come to your seating area later, work there, if that's fine with you.

[He gives a single nod]

All right, that'd work perfectly. Thank you.

[And still with a smile]

You should go get some rest now. I'll bring you out some cookies and juice soon.

[He shakes his head.] No, thank you for understanding. Save those for the donors, I'm fine.

[And by fine he means, his head is dizzy and he's not sure eating anything right now would be a good idea. Aka, he's not fine. But boy is he gonna act like it.]

Let's go, Keith.

[Keith gave Allen a small smile.]

Thanks.

[He nodded to Shiro and stayed with him.]

[Yeah no you're getting cookies, DEAL WITH IT.

But he'll just give a smile and wave, before he turns his attention back to the clinic]

It's no trouble.

Feel better!

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