bakerstreet | ( picture prompt meme )

and you saw it coming a mile away

[ It's not that Hana doesn't enjoy going to parties. She loves parties. But she doesn't particularly care for fancy parties, except for the excuse to dress up. Everything else about it--acting on her best behavior (which she almost never does), being all official, formal programming, speeches, hor d'oeuvres... she could do away with all of that.

When the invitation was formally extended to Overwatch to attend a fundraising gala of sorts held by an international aid charity organization, Hana groaned. She really hadn't been looking forward to it. Her only consolation at the time had been that, at the very least, Tracer and Lúcio would be there too, so there's no way it could get too boring. She knew they would find a way to have their own fun even if it meant getting scolded by 76 or Pharah or any of the others.

But the real saving grace was that, in complaining about it to Shiro one night over dinner, she'd found out that his team was invited, too.

She hadn't thought to ask if they should go together. But knowing he would be there was enough for her to actually kind of look forward to it.

When the appointed evening arrives, Hana and the rest of the Overwatch attendees arrive all-together. They spend their due time walking on the red carpet. Most of them move as quickly as possible to avoid media attention, but not D.Va. Truthfully, she's probably being used as a distraction tactic for the reporters so the quieter members can scurry away into the actual event, but she doesn't mind. This is the kind of thing she's used to by now--and enjoys, even-- and she fields any and all questions with the same fierce (but charming) brightness and attitude that she handles everything else with. Every now and then her eyes wander as she's talking to reporters, wondering when Shiro and his team are going to arrive. Or maybe they already had?

By the time she gets inside, she's already complaining at Lúcio about the heels she's wearing with her black dress but before long they decide to try and find where the food is. Because even if fancy appetizers that aren't filling at all aren't her favorite, it's still free food. Lúcio gets snatched up by a few famous people who want to talk to him before they get too far, and D.Va doesn't do anything but cast her friend an apologetic look before she waves and carries on without him because this girl is on a mission to get free food.

And, well. She wants to see if Shiro made it. This night is going to suck if it turns out they couldn't come. ]

[He's not an old hand at it but stuffy galas aren't exactly anything new to him either. They used to have them at the Garrison from time to time to help fundraise and Shiro had gotten used to putting on his dress uniform and showing up for the night to shake hands and make encouraging and pretty route 'noble' statements about space and the program. Occasionally he'd even run into someone he could talk shop with and he'd been awed by several of the scientists, heads of their advanced branches of research, he'd been able to meet at some of the events. This wasn't exactly anything new to him.

He couldn't say the same about the rest of his team.

They all cleaned up well and managed to look presentable at least. There had been some debate on whether they should try to dig up some old Altean uniforms to wear since their Paladin gear was a little too warlike for the image they were trying to present, but... well, Koran tried but in the end it was decided that suits would be safer and less awkward looking. So suits it was and if Shiro wasn't used to exactly that outfit, at least he wasn't shrugging his shoulders inward every two minutes the way Keith was. There had been some debate on who to leave at home - half the team had volunteered - but in the end a united front was what was called for and it was what they'd give. Besides, Lance, the only one that had been enthusiastic about going, needed at least two other people to help keep him from getting in trouble with that same enthusiasm. Shiro wasn't surprised when 'human mouthpiece' fell to him though and he let everyone else scuttle inside the event while he stood outside and talked to the press. At least that part was familiar, even if he did have to stop himself fairly regularly from falling into parade rest.

Voltron, and the concept of solid proof of alien life, not to mention galactic travel and giant metal space cats were all hot topics and it was a long time before he finally extracted himself, as conversation turned to crop circles, and managed to make it inside. Not that he wouldn't be getting the same questions inside but at least it was a change in scenery and his eyes would have a chance to recover from all the photo flashes.

The first thing he did while he was inside was locate his team from across the room. They didn't look like they were in too much trouble and at least they were still sticking together so he let them keep going. Then he found the people that had hosted the event and the key backers he'd been informed of and made sure to thank them all and make some idle chat. Another check on his team who were migrating to the food tables and a few more conversations with dignitaries he could mostly do on automatic and then he finally had a breather and time to look for -

Lúcio was easy to spot but he wasn't with anyone Shiro was interested in and he kept his scan of the room going until -

he felt a little like he'd been kicked in the lungs and a little as if he could finally breathe again.

She looked - incredible.

And those long legs of hers were going to drive him crazy all night long.

At least she'd worn her hair down. He could always distract himself with that. Single minded he cut his way across the room until he was standing behind her and all that came out was an honest:]

You look amazing.

[ Hana had been receiving greetings left and right from other attendees, most of which she responds to with an acknowledging nod and a smile and a wave as she keeps on walking, but--

When she hears Shiro's voice, she stops in her tracks. Before he even finishes his sentence her lips have already spread into a smile and she whirls on her heels to face him. Hana has a feisty response on the tip of her tongue, something along the lines of of course I do, but it's lost to the wind that gets knocked out of her lungs and the skip of her heartbeat.

She can't help but give him a very obvious once-over. He-- looks really handsome and for some reason she can't stop smiling about it. Wow. Is it getting hot in here? The suit fits him well, and-- ]

Hey, you styled your hair!

[ Which is already more effort than the pink headband on Hana's head. With her heels on, at least, it's easier for her to reach up and curiously run her fingers atop the white of Shiro's hair. ]

[He'd be lying through his teeth if he didn't say he didn't enjoy the way her eyes moved over them and the way they changed when they did.

It was certainly feeling a little on the warm side suddenly.

But then she's reaching for him and there's no response to give her but to lean down to make it easier - and to put them closer - head bowing, eyes shutting so she could make an utter mess of her hair if she wanted to, one hand going out to curl light against the small of her back even if she didn't necessarily need the support.]

That would be Lance. [He admits it without shame.] He said slicked back was the way to go so I let him.

[The fingers on her back shift just enough to catch strands of her own hair in them, giving the softest of tugs.]

What do you think? Should I make it a habit?

[ She doesn't mind the way his fingers curl into her hair so slightly. Not at all. She even reciprocates by giving him a pat or two on his head, and she has to chuckle at the thought of Shiro's teammate sitting him down and doing his hair for him.

Note to self: give Lance a thumbs-up for that.

Her answer is easy and confident and she has no problem admitting, ]

I like the way your hair is usually! Though this is nice. You look pretty good too, Shiro.

[ A beat, then: ] I'm so glad you're here. Lúcio already got caught by people wanting to talk about stuff and the others are all over the place. What about your team?

[Lance was a small force of nature when he wanted to be and he'd been very determined to make sure Shiro looked 'fine'. 'Fine' apparently extended to his hair and he hadn't been willing to put up enough resistance to stop it when Lance had come in with the hair gel.

He didn't regret it and he certainly doesn't regret it now that its lured Hana into touching him. He straightens a little when her hands leave his hair but he doesn't step back and his hand doesn't leave her back either.]

Good. I don't think I've got the talent or patience to do that every morning. [And his smile goes a little crooked as he adds:] Thanks.

[A quick turn of his head has his team located and he gently nudges Hana around as he turns his own body slightly to point, keeping her in the curve of his body.]

That's them. The one hitting on the lady in the red sari is Lance. That's Keith at his shoulder glaring at him. And the two standing next to the food table with their mouths open staring at us are Hunk and Pidge.

[ Hana leans so she can see better, head tilted with another curious look on her face.

A look that briefly turns into something of mild disbelief as she realizes that Lance is hitting on Symmetra. Good luck with that.

But she tempers her look back into something more neutral as she glances at Keith, then at Hunk and Pidge and--yep, they sure are looking right back at her and Shiro. She chuckles, and lifts a hand to wave at them even as she's asking Shiro, ]

Are those two okay? They kinda look like they've got the blue screen of death.

[He smiles, watches a stunned looking yellow and green paladin wave jerkily back at Hana on autopilot and then looks down at her and his smile softens. She really does look nice tonight.]

They're fine. I think they're both fans. I know Pidge is. They both helped set up the array that let me talk to you while I was gone. I'll introduce you later. After they've had time to recover.

[And giggle like school girls at catching their leader utterly head over heels for someone. Well - Pidge would chortle evilly but the idea is the same. His teammates get a quick wave and then he leaves them to their new gossip. His fingers give Hana's waist a gentle brush and his voice dips, just a little.]

Have you eaten yet?

[ Hana gives a little "oh," at realizing it was those two that Shiro mentioned over their... calls or whatever you would call interstellar video calls. Some autographs are probably in order for those two later, though she's not sure that'll be enough thanks for what they did. But to that, she smiles at them a little bigger, flashes them a peace sign before her attention is back on Shiro.

Her gaze lingers on his lips a little as he's looking down at her. For reasons unbeknownst to her... But it snaps back up to meet his own gaze when she shakes her head, answering: ]

Nope, but I was on my way to try and find food just now! Good timing. We've been eating together a lot lately, huh?

People know you need to eat so they don't intrude at meals. If I take you hanami they wouldn't see it as necessary and they might.

[When he takes Hana out, he likes to have her undivided attention and while an occasional fan is fine, he doesn't want their time out together to turn into a signing tour. People respect meal time. Besides, meals are what he promised his payment in for being reckless and he still hasn't paid them off all the way. He gives her a smile and offers his arm.] But since you're up for it, ready to wreck a buffet line or two?

[ It's true that they've rarely been interrupted while going out for meals together, but it hadn't occurred to Hana that it was a more calculated decision on Shiro's part until he says that, besides the fact that he owed her meals for being a space dummy. A thoughtful look appears across her face at how thoughtful he is. Which really shouldn't be surprising at this point given the presents and everything else but--

It's... nice. He's nice.

She looks down at his arm as he offers it, but only briefly as she's looking back up at his face when she lifts her own arm to link with his with an enthusiastic, ]

Heck yeah, I'm ready!

[ Then with her hand resting in the crook of his arm, she gives him a light tug and immediately starts walking forward. Presumably in the direction of food but she doesn't actually know. ]

Man, when was the last time you even went to hanami? Maybe we should go if the timing works out. The cherry blossoms are really pretty in Hanamura.

[He lets her take the lead - and subtly redirects them in the direction of one of the actual food tables. The set up here is expensive and its obvious there's a lot of money involved. He's grateful for all the advice his grandmother ever gave him about navigating this kind of event - but he's also glad that Hana's there to both be a distraction and be someone he can focus on so the amount of people that will feel like they should approach him will go down. Which probably isn't the way a diplomat should be thinking but if anyone seriously wanted to talk to him, they wouldn't wait until a fancy meal to do it. He does raise his head from time to time though to check on his team. So far - so good, and he doesn't know if he finds that reassuring or the calm before the storm. Her question though has him bowing his head toward her with a smile and he forgets to worry for a minute.

He'd like to see her with cherry blossoms in her hair...]

I haven't seen the cherry blossoms since I was twelve. I went away to school the next year. It was the last time my family all went out together for a day while my grandfather was still alive. Petals drifting by, float through my woman's hands, as she remembers me...

[ His response has her looking up at him as they walk; the poetry has her grinning at its cheesiness. Although it would have been a more surprising revelation to her that he hadn't been to hanami for such a long time, if not for-- ]

Your grandma showed me a picture from that time.

[ She smiles a little to herself, remembering that photograph vividly and fondly. Shiro was so tiny, but even then his eyes held that quiet determination that they do to this day. She thought so, anyway. ]

You were so cute when you were little!

[The poetry isn't his. Shiro knows he hasn't got the creativity to paint words. It's his grandfather's, composed on the spot that day for his grandmother, and, like every one of his grandfather's works, one Shiro had immediately memorized.

Sentimentality was a cultivated trait in the Shirogane household.

His eyebrows do go up a bit at the confession though and - he supposes he shouldn't be at all surprised. Sending her to his family had entailed the risk of them oversharing about him.

He doesn't regret it. Just - feels a little trepidation at what else she might have been shown or told.

He'll take cute though. He seems to remember feeling more awkward than cute at that age. He has to let go of her to hand her a plate once they reach the table but he still stands as close as if he hadn't as they go down the line.

'Cute' is probably generous but - thanks. [A pause but - no. He really does need to know.] How many embarrassing pictures of me did they show you?

[ Someday Hana will have an appreciation for the finer arts of poetry.

But today is not that day. Because today is a day for teasing Shiro about tiny Shiro. Her expression takes a quick turn into downright mischievous as he's letting go of her and handing her a plate, which she promptly holds up to cover her mouth. Then with a wink, she says, ]

I can't tell you. I promised your grandma it'd be a secret.

[ They are basically best friends now, Shiro. This is what you've done. ]

[If the look wasn't warning enough, the wink is downright terrifying and his eyes go wide even before she dead-ends him. Behind his wide eyes there's a quick mental scramble to try to remember all the horrifying pictures his family might or might not have of him. It occurs, belatedly, that he really should have thought about that a bit more before sending the woman he was smitten with in the direction of his family.

And as proud of him as he knows his mother is - it is his grandmother that's the one that likes mischief.

He rubs absently at the scar over his nose and narrows his eyes at the food on the table in front of them.]

Just - how many secrets did you promise my grandmother you'd keep?

[ Still winking, and still hiding her wild grin behind the plate, ]

That's a secret too!

[ Before she just spins on her heel and makes for the food, her hair swaying behind her and the skirt of her black dress whirling. She's reaching for the first thing on the table that doesn't look like fancy vegetables as she tosses a glance back at him over her shoulder. ]

Don't worry! Obviously my opinion of you hasn't changed.

[ Well. It's definitely changed, but not for the worse like he might be thinking due to embarrassing childhood photos. ]

[God.

She's going to kill him.

He thinks it as he watches her twirl away, all long hair and long legs and suddenly short skirt. The wink she throws him over her shoulder is just tossing the can of lighter fluid on the fire.

He's going to have dreams tonight about that twirling skirt and that swaying hair.

And just like that, she's managed to make him forget about his team and the gala and the fact there's a world somewhere outside that. Because his throat goes dry and he's going after her without even thinking. His arm snakes around her before he can decide if that's a good idea or not and his plate is forgotten on the table as he pulls her around and close into the shelter of his own body, trapped somewhere between laughter, teasing, bemusement and arousal.]

All right. I'll bite. What's your opinion of me?

[ The finger food she had been in the middle of picking up is inevitably dropped back onto the pile from which it came; she gasps, and her feet almost lose their ground in sudden movement but any fall she might have taken is stopped by the press of Shiro's body to her back.

Fortunately, she doesn't also drop the plate. Because that would have grabbed more attention than they already have from the other attendees which-- is something Hana is very aware of, all of a sudden. She is also very aware that it has definitely gotten warmer in here and she is very aware that Shiro's touch leaves a trail of heat on her skin, even through fabric, and that his physique is very good for falling against. She's almost bewildered when he says "I'll bite," but then she realizes what he's asking--

God. What the hell has gotten into her?

Hana blinks in surprised silence for a moment, both at Shiro's move and at her own reaction to it. But at length, her fingers tighten on the plate, and suddenly she's hiding her expression behind it for an entirely different reason, even knowing that hiding behind a plate doesn't do much when Shiro's behind her, not in front.

D.Va is a fearless fighter. She's fierce, competitive, and never backs down. She plays to win.

Hana Song, on the other hand, is actually, legitimately embarrassed right now, and her voice comes out quiet and small. ]

... It's a secret.

[ Because lately she can't stop thinking about him but no matter what, the only word she can come up with to describe what she thinks of is confusing. ]

[She disappears behind the plate again and he feels a surge of amusement, wondering if she's going to start carrying plates with her from this point on just so that she can hide behind them to talk to him.

But he also picks up on the fact her voice and stance have changed and the last thing he wants to do is make her uncomfortable. Reaching out with his free hand he hooks his plate and puts it on the table in front of her, reaching out to collect the food she'd dropped to put it back on his plate instead. And his hold turns cradling. Apologetic. He bows forward just a little, lowers his head to rest next to hers, randomly collecting food he thinks she'd probably go for from the spread in front of them for his own plate. His voice is soft against her.]

Is it at least a good secret, Hana?

[ It's not that she was uncomfortable, per se, but--

If they were anywhere else other than where they are right now, things might have gone differently. How, exactly, she doesn't know, but at least she's lowering the plate covering her face slowly. On her cheeks are her signature pink marks, and tonight some blush was added to her makeup, but--the shade of pink that they are right now isn't something one can achieve with makeup.

And it's seriously really warm in here. Is the AC even running? Jeez.

Without really thinking, her own hand lifts, rests on the arm of Shiro's that's wrapped around her. Her brow furrows as she watches him fill his plate with food and she's trying to focus on that rather than how close he is and how quickly her heart is beating.

It doesn't get any better when he leans down and the side of his face brushes against hers. And when his voice is in her ear.

God. Get it together, Hana! ]

-- You're being unfair, Shiro. [ About what, she doesn't even really know. But this just feels unfair. A beat, then, ] Of course it's a good secret.

[He watches the plate slowly lower from his peripheral, even if, for all intents and purposes, he's still looking at the food he's slowly collecting for his plate. And he hums out something soft and low when her other hand comes to rest on his arm. That's his human arm and he can feel the soft pressure of her touch through the jacket and shirt against his skin there and he's sure he's imagining the heat of it.

He's still trying to get over her flirt of moments before, telling himself to relax when all he really wants to do is drag her off and kiss her as senseless as that little tease and wink had made him want to. Holding her helps and her touch has him giving her waist a little squeeze. His eyebrows do go up though at her accusation and even if he hears the spark coming back in her reply, he also still feels the vulnerability in her that's lingering. It makes him feel protective and it makes him feel like taking care of her and so he points to the next item he would have picked up for her instead of picking it up, waiting for her nod or head shake. She does have him genuinely curious though and his voice is still a low rumble as he says:]

Good then. [A pause and then:] How am I being unfair, Hana?

[ Her face feels so warm right now. It's pretty lame.

She gives a nod to the food he was pointing to, almost automatically, because there's a part of her mind that apparently hasn't turned into mush at all of this and it still knows what kind of food it wants. But the rest of it? A mess. A complete KO. All because-- she looks down, briefly, at his arm on her waist when he asks her to clarify. She doesn't want to. She couldn't provide a coherent answer even if she wanted to. But still, she attempts, ]

Asking me that after you pulled this move. That's like casting a debuff before you go in for the kill.

[ Which, honestly, is a sound strategy, but--

She casts a glance quickly around the room before her own voice drops into a whisper. ]

Do you wanna sneak away to eat? All the staring is getting really annoying.

[ Mostly because she can't stand being this vulnerable around so many people. ]

[When she nods, he adds the food and goes on to the next thing, waiting for her nod or head shake. By now he thinks he has a fairly good idea of what kinds of foods she likes but the small control over something harmless can only help her get her feet under her again.

Because... he's starting to get the impression he's actually managed to rattle her. And while, usually, that would be the last thing he would want to do to her in any circumstance... there's something very ego boosting to think that his Hana Song finds him unsettling enough in a good way to shake her usual completely in control attitude. At least, that's what he hopes happened. It would only be fair play after the number of times she manages to do it to him.]

Didn't understand a word of that. [He murmurs it, still going through the offerings of food at her nod or head shake but her whisper has him dropping his head even closer. And - that's a bad idea.

It's a bad idea because they're here to be seen and talked to and sneaking away kills that. And its a bad idea because he's just clicking into the fact again that people might actually be paying attention to them and the things they do while they're here. For the first time he also belatedly realizes there are cameras present.

She narrows his world down alarmingly sometimes.

But its not in him to tell her no when she asks him for something and he can hear real need in her voice no matter how much its hidden.

He can't really say he minds if the gossip rags link them as a couple either. He lifts his head, spots his team. They seem to be doing well. Nothing too alarming going at least. Keith seems to be riding pretty tight rein on Keith and Hunk and Pidge haven't entirely crawled under a table to hook up a laptop or rewire the lighting on anything yet...]

Sure. [He hands her the mostly full plate and, reluctant, his arm leaves her waist even if his fingers trail over a hip on the way past.] Grab us some drinks while I fill up a plate. I think someone mentioned a star dome that was under repair upstairs. We can head there.

you know what this is

bless

<3

"giant metal space cats"

they're already a trending meme on the interwebs

these two are also probably already a trending topic

I would say so - especially now that she's been photographed playing with his hair

rip in pieces

Shiro's not complaining

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this was too good to leave

well her flirting really really REALLY works

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