[Open] Back in Black

[padadin]

Who: Shiro and you
Broadcast: Yes!
Action: Also yes (Blameless)
When: Saturday morning

1. Friday night - closed to Kate - action

[He leaves the same way he showed up in the Marsiva: with the blink of an eye, a poof. Time passes at home - a long time in fact, long and awful, and his memories of the fleet never visit him there. So when he finally returns (again, in the same way, just a poof) those two set of memories collapse, leaving him a bit shaken, and with a chill running through his body under his armor (which he's wearing right now, helmet included).

He doesn't realize where he is at first - doesn't notice that the place he's landed on it's too soft, doesn't notice the presence of a woman and a dog next to him. At first he just sits up on the bed and cries out--]

Guys! Keith!

[And it's then, sitting up and letting his eyes meet something else than a ceiling, that he realizes he's not in Voltron anymore.]

What-- [He takes his helmet off, showing his new haircut, and looks around, giving his mind a moment to put the memories together. Hard to do when he finally turns and sees her, though. His eyes widen and his heart skips a beat.] ...Kate?

2. Saturday morning - open - video (or action if you want)

[Ah yes, a video broadcast, which is... not what Shiro intended. He's trying for just voice here, but we all know Atroma. If someone is getting glitched, then that's getting recorded. Gotta take care of those ratings! So when the video starts, Shiro isn't looking at the screen of the communicator resting on the sink, he's looking at himself in the mirror, a little frown on his face. He's only wearing a white tanktop, which shows some of the scars and gashes on his shoulders and muscled arms (or more like arm), and his hair is... well. Different, to say the least.]

Good morning, fleet. This is Shiro. Me and my team came back last night. I wanted to rest before talking to everyone but-- [A sigh.] I don't think Atroma likes it when I take breaks. [To be fair, the universe doesn't like it when Shiro takes breaks. He looks down at the strands of hair in his hand (it seems he's tried to cut it with no luck) and throws them in a bin before picking up the communicator and leaving the bathroom. Sorry for the awkward angle there!] Has anyone ever tried to counter or stop an augment glitch before? Can it be done?

[He doubts it, but can't hurt to ask. Back in the hallway, there's something waiting for him - or more like someone. A someone that barks, and Shiro's expression finally softens before he crouches to pick up certain ball of black and purple fur.]

I suppose not all gifts are that bad if-- [Just like that, the feed is suddenly off. Guess who thinks the communicator is a chewing toy?]

Comments

[the_tailor]

I am. That's my main goal now. But you know as well as I do that he needs a little him time, too... As much as I want to smother him to pieces, he's probably going to want to shove me out of an airlock eventually.

[padadin]

So you want to come over and smother me instead.

[It's said in a teasing tone! ...maybe. More like, 50-50. It's not like you can judge the nature of his comment through his facial expression, because the entire screen is now taken over by the puppy's nose.]

[the_tailor]

Something like that. Also, that pupper you have there, because holy quiznak you got a puppy..

[And Lance is gleeful at that.]

[padadin]

[It's hard to deny, the puppy helps a lot his mood. He's not happy about the hair - if this had happened before the past week, he would've just thought it was silly. Now though, it's a reminder of what happened to him.

So yeah, purple furball makes a good distraction. Shiro is smiling when he arrives to his bedroom and sits on the bed, puppy between his legs as they both look at the communicator.]

He was waiting for me in the cargo bay - a gift from Atroma. I named him Procyon. [You know, after the dog star. NEEEEEERD!] Say hi to Lance, buddy.

[The puppy barks. It isn't impressive yet, but he tries his best!]

[the_tailor]

Procyon. [It takes him a moment, but he grins.] You are such a nerd. A total nerd. I'll be over in a bit. I think I might pack some clothes so I can stay with Keith here for a few days, anyway. See you soon, you two.

[He blows the camera a kiss--for the dog, thank you very much, who will nonetheless be getting tons of kissies and cuddles when he gets there, before cutting the feed.

It's about half an hour later that Shiro gets knocking on his door.]

[padadin]

[He rolls his eyes, both at the comment and the kiss.] Every member of the Garrison should know the names of the constellations, Lance.

[If Lance recognized the name, doesn't that make him a nerd too? Come in, Shiro says when he hears the knock on the door. He's sitting on his bed, trying to tie his hair with a strip of clothe he cut from an old t-shirt. And next to him is Procyon, chewing on said old t-shirt.]

[the_tailor]

[Yes. Lance is a nerd too. He's known the constellations way before he ever entered the Garrison, even.

As excited as he is by the dog, it's Shiro he goes to first, all but throwing himself at him and pulling him into a tight embrace. It's been a rough time for all of them, but he knows Shiro's had the worst of it. And back home, the two of them hadn't the same connection they do here, so Lance hadn't been able to reach out the same way he can now.

But now he can, and now he will.]

Hey, bossman.

[padadin]

[That sure is unexpected. They did all their bonding last night after all - though he supposes it's not the same when lots of it were about Keith and his damn ideas. Shiro lets go of his hair, which comes loose again, to put an arm around Lance.]

Hey, buddy. How are you feeling?

[Procyon is all over them soon, too, sniffing the hell out of Lance. Hi new friend now give me attention, please!]

[the_tailor]

[There's never enough bonding. Plus, he does need some one on one time with his space dad. Older bro-in-law. Whatever.]

I'm okay. More importantly, how are you--

[Oh hai doggie. Lance grins as he starts to pet the dog, giving him the attention he desires.]

You're a cutie, aren't ya?

[padadin]

I'm fine. Better now that I got to talk to everyone.

[His team is all here again too. Which isn't something he should wish on them, he knows, but he can't help finding their presence comforting. Meanwhile, Procyon starts wagging his tail like crazy, soon getting on his back and offering Lance his belly to rub.

Shiro chuckles.] He's young, he has lots of energy. I need to get him some toys to chew on soon before he goes for my own things.

[The destroyed shirt on the bed is something Shiro has given him himself because... old thing.]

[the_tailor]

Good. I'm just...really happy we're all here. I mean, aside from the whole being stuck in a different world thing.

[He feels selfish thinking so, but he's glad for it in a way. Going back to war was hard, even if he didn't remember having a break from it to begin with.]

I'll help with keeping him busy! You know I love playing with animals.

[padadin]

I admit I am too. It's not ideal... but it wouldn't be the same without you around, guys.

[It does feel selfish, doesn't it? Shiro picks Procyon and puts him on his lap, laughing when the puppy tries to lick both their faces.]

Do you now? I'll take him running with me, that'll be good exercise for him. I'm just happy to have a dog again. Don't you have a cat to take care of? [Just teasing! Sorry not sorry, bro.]

[the_tailor]

Does that mean I don't have to be woken up at like, 6am for running? He can be your running partner! Bam.

[He nudges Shiro, laughing a bit, then even more when Procyon all but jumps on Lance to lick his face more.]

Okay, yeah, I do have adorable hissy cat. And you know more than anyone that said cat's a heck of a handful. But, y'know.

[padadin]

If you want to train with us, then yes, you have. I can have more than one running partner, it's not an one person position.

[A chuckle. Oh yes, he knows what a handful that cat can be, Lance deserves the break. Still...]

You told him you were coming, right? He isn't going to wake up and not find you there?

[the_tailor]

The things I do for the people I love...

[He gives a dramatic sigh, moving to hug Procyon some more. You'd never wake him up at butt o clock in the morning, doggo, would you?]

'course I did. What kind of bedmate do you think I am?

[padadin]

I don't know what kind of bedmate you are, and I don't need the details either.

[Let's establish that rule already. Just in case. Lance's choice of words though... Shiro grins a little.]

The people you love, huh?

[the_tailor]

Good, because you're not getting any.

[Pause. Paaaaaause. And he goes bright red.]

Wha--I didn't mean it like that, you...you...person!

[padadin]

It's nothing to be ashamed of, Lance. [Grinning! But also speaking softly as he pets Procyon.] I love my team.

[the_tailor]

Well. Yeah. I love my team too. That's what I meant.

[Stupid Shiro. He goes to pet Procyon as well, because he won't tease him, right?]

[padadin]

I'm sure Keith loves the team too.

[Procyon's only answer is to offer his belly for scratches. More attention, please.]

Since you're here, then you can help. What should I do with all the hair?

[the_tailor]

[He may or may not stretch out his foot to give Shiro's leg a little kick at that statement. Hmph. Procyon gets lots of belly scratches, though!]

You'll probably want it tied back, since you don't really seem like the kind of person who's used to having so much hair. Sure, you can just pull it up into a ponytail, but if you really want to look good, I can braid it for you.

[padadin]

[And Shiro returns that little kick, foot nudge included. Is this really the man you want to fight, Lance? Speaking of kicks, there goes Procyon's paw. Aww yeah, belly rubs.]

I do want it out of my face, and not for it to be an annoyance. If the braid is the best way to do it, go for it.

[the_tailor]

Good thing you're going to have your own personal hairdresser aboard the ship, huh? I mean, I don't know if I'm gonna be on the Blameless every morning, but you can always come get me. And you have no idea how much I miss braiding hair. This is a present.

[He laughs, giving Procyon one last rub and scratch before looking around.]

Do you have anything you can use as a hair tie laying around?

[padadin]

Come get you? So when I wake up and I want to start my day comfortably, I should go and wake you up too?

[6am hairdressing! He's just teasing. Maybe. Probably. He shows Lance the bit of cloth he torn off his old shirt.]

You can use this.

[the_tailor]

Wake me up at dawn to do your hair and you're gonna regret it. I will go into excruciating detail about my most recent make-out session with your little brother. Don't test me, boss man.

[Lance gives another huff of amusement, taking the bit of cloth and placing it next to him. He'll have to get a proper brush for Shiro, but for now he'll work with this, combing through long hair with his fingers just to make sure there's no knots in it. Once he's satisfied, he gets to work, deciding on a simple braid for the moment. He'll get fancier next time when he has a brush to work with.]