[He looks down at her at her answer and his face changes - but before he can say anything she's giving him instructions. She's smart enough to realize what he's searching for and he's smart enough to follow her directions. Sure enough, his fingers close over the lever and he braces her against him with his other arm as he gives it a hard jerk.

There's a groan and a rush of escaping air pressure and a panel bursts away from the ceiling, letting in air that smells like torn grass and turf and sunlight. Shiro shifts on his heels to look out of it, old habit before exiting a room.]

You're not a burden. [His voice is soft and level and he shifts and swings one long leg out the makeshift 'door' before moving the other to follow suit.] You're a vital part of the team. Absolutely necessary and capable of doing things that no one else can. Your size and age have nothing to do with it. This team would not be able function without you.

[It's only a short drop to the ground, considering the 'roof' was sideways so that the opening was more a door than a hatch and he pushes himself out of it and lands easily, knees bending to absorb the shock as he moves her more securely into his arms. And he looks down at her, eyebrows down over his eyes, face serious.]

You have never been a burden. Not to the team. And not to me.