I'll never let you go [Closed]

[spaceforged]

Who: [OU] Takashi Shirogane, [OU] Hunk, the crew signed up to retrieve them.
When: August 15th and 16th
Where: Dream width and then airship
What: Two of Team Voltron got canon updated and now must be retrieved.
Warnings/Notes: Spoilers for season 6, swearing, violence, aaand idefk I'll add more if we need it.



The signal beeps in a steady rhythm like a heart monitor assuring all the patient is still alive. After vanishing a week ago, Takashi Shirogane's mark on the readouts gives no sign what's ahead.

Nor will Hunk's a day later. What does? The memory nebulas swirling with light and color. Just like any other retrieval.

Comments

[balancingedge]

[It may not have been hard, but the tightening in his chest, the thoughts going through his head... He'd pushed them all aside for a moment so they could focus on the more important thing they needed to deal with: helping Shiro just a little more.

He felt his best friend and mentor slip as he sagged into him. "Lance, help me get him to the lounge!" If he had his strength from home, he'd be able to handle it on his own. Yet he knew that Lance also needed to do something or he'd go out of his mind.

Once the lounge is set up, he leads them to laying him on the pillows and blankets. He knew none of them would want to leave his side. Plus, it would give Futaba, Pidge, and anyone else with healing abilities the room to work.

Yet as he soon sits there at his right side, left hand resting on metal shoulder, the thoughts he'd been keeping at bay since they found him came back to him. That memory had been the clone's, right? Then, how did Shiro...? How did he know it? Was it because of what Allura did?

One thing is sure: if they need him, it would be easy to find Keith. He isn't leaving Shiro's side.]

Hang in there, Shiro. [His voice is soft, wishing he'd picked up a job with a healing spell so he could help. Yet even with white mage, he wouldn't have been able to this early. He knows that, and yet... He hasn't felt this powerless in a long time.]

[promiselisting]

[ Well, she can't help with the feeling-helpless part, but Futaba can (and is) helping with healing. Especially since she's halfway to mastering Astrologian by now. She stole a couple pillows but she's sitting on the ground next to the couch, casting a steady stream of Benefics. Or really, just a steady stream of healing magic, it's not like they have to worry about turns here. What is this, an RPG?

She's only got like... so much juice at any given point though. And finally at one point she breaks off with with a slight grunt, looking maybe a shade paler than normal. She'd be winded if you could.... get winded sitting down; she honestly hasn't done a lot of straight healing like this. At the very least though, the sensation of being hunched-over and stiff is familiar. Straightening up, she arches her back a bit, reaching her hands back and mashing them into the base of her spine, feeling vertebrae pop.

And glances over at Keith. ]

How's he looking?

[ She hasn't. Really had the chance to watch, all of her focus going into maintaining the flow of magic. ]

[balancingedge]

[Keith remains silent as she casts her spells, not wanting to break her concentration. He pulls a bottle from his pack with one hand. Sven had been generous enough to buy them some ethers when he finally got out of him that Shiro... likely wouldn't be in the best of shape when he returned. He hates that he's right, but all the same. He's glad one of them can do something to help.

He holds the bottle out to her, gaze not leaving Shiro's face - hoping Shiro would show some signs of awareness - when he notices she's had to stop. Fingertips move to over the carotid artery to check his pulse. This would be so much easier if their suits would work like they were supposed to. He could have his vitals on a holographic screen instead of having to rely on old training he had in the Garrison.]

Breathing is less shallow. Pulse is weak, but steady.

[Yet those would only do so much and he knows it. Right now, it's more up to how much fight Takashi has in him.]

[promiselisting]

[ Futaba makes a quiet, concerned noise. Not BAD bad, she thinks? But... obviously far from ideal. And her limits are being really tested here... ]

I’ll keep trying but... dunno how much more I can do. I’m not even sure what all is wrong. I’ve studied psychology, not... overall human physiology.

[ With a sigh, she takes the bottle and- immediately splutters, thrusting it as far away from her as she can without dropping it.. ]

What is this stuff?!

[balancingedge]

An ether. [He shrugs.] It's supposed to help replenish mana stores, according to Sven. Least it tastes better than nunvill.

[Giving this was all he can do other than remain at Shiro's side. Violet eyes regard her a moment, before his gaze falls once more to his comatose friend. He pauses for a moment, hand moving back to Shiro's shoulder.]

If I'm right, and he's caught up with me, Lance and Pidge... [His grip on the metal shoulder tightens slightly.] He died, not long after where he first remembered. The Black Lion kept his quintessence, his consciousness inside its own for months. We didn't realize what had happened until after it was too late. [He didn't realize. Not until Shiro told him himself.] I fought his clone trying to bring him back. That's where all his physical injuries came from. He was barely living when Allura somehow transplanted Shiro's soul into this body just before I woke up here.

[promiselisting]

Oh right, I think I heard about those.... haven't needed to use 'em yet.

[ The ethers, not the nunvill. NO IDEA what that is. She'll take your word for it though, Keith. Epecially because all the rest of that is uh. It's a lot to swallow? Like. She didn't even get half of that. Well no, she thinks she gets most of it but still. ]

Wow. And I thought my own world got crazy sometimes.

[ She sighs and takes a swig of the ether. Ugh that tasted weird. ]

[balancingedge]

Guess there's a first time for everything. [Be very glad, Futaba. Be very glad they don't have any of that.] Lance once said it tastes like hot dog water and feet. I'd say he's not wrong, but I also have no idea how feet taste...?

[Which makes him wonder how Lance does, other than him constantly sticking his own in his mouth (ayyyy).]

We've seen a lot of crazy and breathtaking things as a team. And Shiro was there guiding us every step of the way. [He smiles faintly, so soft as though he's thinking of something else.] You can't imagine all he's done for me. For all of us.

[promiselisting]

Well if you guys have time travel we could go back and ask baby me. Apparently they were a favorite target back then.

[ They're still a favorite target now, but for fidgeting, not like... putting in her mouth. Teething toy. Whatever.

She glances over towards Shiro, still asleep. Takes another swig of the ether, so maybe she can get back to work soon. ]

He sounds like your guys' key item.

[ Which, from their own actions.... He did kind of give off that kind of vibe, didn't he? Even if he did convince her to exercise (maybe even because he convinced her to exercise....) ]

[balancingedge]

[He tries, really hard, not to laugh. Yet because of how sleep deprived he is, it starts off as a chortle... and develops into a full-blown laugh.]

Not so much, but I know a place where time collapses altogether. I spent two years there with my mom.

[The warmth is still there in his eyes, but at the same time... He looks at Futaba, confused.]

A...key item? [He's played video games before, but all the same... wat.]

[promiselisting]

[ That's.... actually really nice to see. They've all been so stressed and tense lately. Futaba herself included. ]

You know, a key item! They're always super-important in games and help like... unlock things. New places or abilities or... just parts of the story! Like... Ren's my key item. I couldn't really go out by myself, so he would go with me to places and help me work on my promise list until I felt better about doing it on my own.

[ Ren Amamiya is very, very important! Also, after downing a bit more of the ether - it's probably two thirds gone by now? - she jabs a finger at him. ]

Also that's very rude you know! Laughing at me revealing my deep, dark secrets. Baby stories are like baby pictures, nobody likes their own!

[ Her mock-pouting is ruined when she starts to laugh too, and it wasn't even very good mock pouting to begin with. ]

[balancingedge]

Sorry, I don't get references very well out of context. [He awkwardly admits. Sure, he's gotten better at it now, but... He's still working on it.] But how you put it... yeah. I guess he is like that.

[Now that he thinks about it, it was Shiro going on the mission that started the really messed up chain of events that brought them together in the first place. Huh.]

If it wasn't for Shiro, my life would have been a lot different. Never would have met the others, become a pilot... [Or met his mom. For some reason, that thought stings almost as much as the thought of possibly losing Shiro a second time.]

Well, if it makes you feel better... apparently I really liked chewing on my hands?

[Okay, he knows he did. He was just so fascinated by them in the brief glimpses he got to see from his and his mom's memories. He doesn't laugh again, but the warmth is still there in the way he looks at Shiro.]

[promiselisting]

Right, right! Exactly like that!

[ You understand the key item concept well. Also she appreciates your baby story offering.

Although man she's not blind and you are fuckin' obvious, Keith. She plants an elbow on one of her knees, her cheek resting on her closed fist. And just. Looks at him. Eyebrows raised to the damn ceiling. ]

Mmm-hmmmmm....

[balancingedge]

[Well, that's one thing he understands at least. Because he sees the movement out of the corner of his eye. He blinks, looking back up when he hears her humming.]

What is it?

[thegoofball]

[Helping to carry Shiro to the lounge is the least Lance can do - seeing Shiro like this, it just brings back all the guilt. It brings back every piece of blame Lance placed on himself, every terrible thing he thought about himself because of how he had failed Shiro.

Shiro had called out to him for help. Allura had sensed something was wrong, that he was acting odd, and Lance had brushed it aside. There had been so many signs, so many things that should have helped Lance realized he had to do something, that he had just willfully ignored.

He had hoped he could be over it again, but it's just coming back all over again, and he hates it. After leaving Shiro in the lounge - he should give Keith space, he should - he goes and stalks the airship. But the ship's not big enough, there's nowhere for him to run, and Hunk-

Lance ends up back in the lounge, stomach tangled into knots. His eyes are bloodshot and puffy, the tip of his nose red, but he bites his lip as he comes up to Shiro.]

How's he doing?

[Is there anything they can do for him? Anything at all?]

[balancingedge]

[Keith hasn't budged other than to check Shiro's pulse once in a while. It's remained the same ever since Futaba did all she could to heal him. He frowns, trying not to go over everything in his head as he sits there on his knees; all the signs he had just shrugged off as Shiro's illness. Yet it doesn't stop his eyes from stinging as he hears Lance approach, but he doesn't let himself slip. Not yet. One of them has to remain strong for them.]

His physical injuries are healed for the most part. [He starts, motioning for Lance to join them.] Pidge and Futaba have done what they can. Now it's just waiting to see when he wakes up.

[When, not if. Even now he refuses to give up on him. He can't. Shiro's done so much for him, that he can't imagine him not opening his eyes again.

Just like it is back home. He wants to punch a wall, and yet... he can't bring himself to move.]

[thegoofball]

[When. It's the when that sticks out, because it might not be a when. It might be that if.

But Lance isn't going to be the one who points that out, even if it's all he can think about. It would crush him - crush Keith, crush all of them - if they went through so much to bring Shiro back and then it just...didn't matter.

His eyes sting at the thought, but he pushes it aside. Now is not the time to think about that. He has to be there for Keith. For Pidge, for the people that came along with them.]

Okay. [He keeps his voice soft, and he lowers himself down next to Keith. Lance feels...useless.] He'll...

[He swallows. He wants to be positive, but. It's so fucking hard.]

Man, when he wakes up I'm going to have to give him an earful for worrying all of us like this.

[balancingedge]

[He'd thank him for not doing so. Later, when worry and concern didn't keep him rooted to the spot.

They'd lost him once already. Keith can't bear the thought so he refuses to entertain the notion that he won't. Because if they came this far, and he did... If they lost him here and now again- He tries to ignore the bead of sweat falling down the side of his face; the way his chest tightens.]

Yeah. [Welcome to the useless corner, Lance; population of two.] You and me both.

[He really, really needs to stop making this a trend. Keith smiles faintly at Lance before his gaze falls back. It didn't meet his eyes.]

Fight. We won't give up on you.

[thegoofball]

[Lance reaches out, not to Keith, but to Shiro. He brushes back his hair, frowning. He's reminded of checking for fevers the one time he watched over his niece and nephew when they were sick, and that feels like it was a lifetime ago.

Shiro seems...He seems okay. He can't feel a fever, or anything like that. But that doesn't mean anything. He doesn't know what's going on with Shiro. All he knows is that this is all terrible.]

Bad cop, good cop?

[It's not much of a joke, but...he's trying.]

[balancingedge]

[It is terrible. It's terrible and he really wishes that Shiro would just wake up already.

He checks Shiro's pulse again. Still there, but hard to tell through his gloves. His eyes sting a little more as he tries to remind himself that at least he doesn't feel cold. Come back to them. Please.

He blinks though, looking up at Lance with an eyebrow raised. He's too tired to do anything else.]

Lance, you've watched too many movies.

[And yet... from the look in his eyes, he's totally down for this.]

[thegoofball]

You haven't watched enough.

[The reply comes back without thinking about, and it's... It's been too long since they did this - this back and forth. Their familiar song and dance.

With Keith gone, showing back up here, and then Shiro and Hunk disappearing...It hasn't felt like themselves. Now, at least for this moment, they're good. It's familiar.]

I'll be the good cop. I'm the cute, sweet one, and you're the edgy one.

[Seems fair to him. He turns his attention back to Shiro, slowly petting his hair. It feels...like a closeness, an intimacy, he shouldn't be allowed, but he doesn't want to let this go while he can.]

[balancingedge]

I watched plenty! [He doth protest too much, he knows.] ...Just not the same kinds you have.

[God just end him now. He's too tired for this. Yet it's also kind of nice? Finally having a familiar little verbatim dance like this.]

No. Just, no.

[Lance. Das creepy af.]

[thegoofball]

I watch all kinds of movies!

[At least Lance is a gestural talker, because he feels like he's definitely overstepping boundaries.]

So that means you haven't watched anything.

[He's sorry!!!!!! He's been having a shitty month!!]

[spaceforged]

[Fight.

How many times has he fought? Every time he can. When it mattered he rose and rose again, pushing his way through the obstacles to achieve what mattered.

He sucks in a breath and turns his head to the side, coughing hard as his lungs remember they need to work. His eyes open slowly,]

Keith... [He looks at him and relaxes. Slowly becoming aware of the warm hand on his neck.] I was dreaming. You...I felt...

[There's something in his face. He looks up at Lance's hands and blinks. He's too tired to process this.]

...what are you two doing.

[balancingedge]

[Keith is this close to saying 'action movies' when he feels more than hears the cough and the words die on his lips. His eyes light up as a relieved smile crosses his lips.

Sorry Lance, you have five seconds to move your hands before he just, gently pulls Shiro up into a hug.]

Arguing about movies. Don't worry about it. [It's just them being them.]

[thegoofball]

[He goes still as soon as Shiro stirs - it's what they've been waiting for, but it's still unexpected.

He does, at least, pull his hands back before they get crushed between Shiro and Keith.]

It's not arguing if I'm right!

[He hesitates, wondering if...if he should leave, now. Shiro's awake, and that's...

He's...

He should go, he knows, give Shiro and Keith some privacy, but he can't make himself get up.]