bakerstreet | MINOR INJURIES MEME

[His voice is a beacon of hope. It means that, yes, she is definitely alive, and so is Shiro, which means those fighters either ran or got destroyed. Pidge lifts her head, still dazed, a smiles a little through her haze. Breathing sucks. Probably all bruised up from the jolt. She's still breathing, though, and that's the good part. Not so much all the little cuts and bruises she's dimly aware she's going to have all over, or the crack (not a break, thankfully) down her visor that makes her view just a little more disconcerting than the blank lion screen or the fact that she's sideways. But the breathing part is good.]

Like crap. [A stronger word came to mind, but...] Are you--are you okay?

[He'll settle for crap. Because that arm looks like it. He doesn't vocalize that yet though. First things first.]

I'm fine. Enemies gone. We're going to be okay.

[He makes it over to her, so that he's directly next to and slightly under her. His arms are more than long enough to reach up and he very lightly touches the side of her helmet first before moving his hands to her straps, careful not to jar her.]

Your arm looks damaged though. I can't check the rest of you this way. I need to get you out of this. Can you release your belts? I'll catch you as you start to drop.

[Bless helmets. They've been protecting skulls and the fragile tissues inside for a long time, and they won't stop now. And bless Shiro for his gentle ways. He's so calm, even in a situation like this. And she knows he must be worried sick, but he never lets that get in the way. She makes a face, part amusement, part pain.] I'll consider myself lucky if that's the only damage. Hold on.

[In an attempt to move both arms, the one flung out of place barely twitches, and she grits her teeth. Okay, one-handed then. A mental count, one, two, three--

The belts slide away, and gravity takes over, tumbling out of her seat with a startled yelp.]

[Pidge is tough. Always has been that Shiro knows of.

It runs in her family.

So his smile is tight at her comment but he doesn't disagree. She's right of course. He is worried. But he's also the team leader and he knows that the others count on him to be strong and steady for them. He leads by example and his example needs to be unshakable. They've seen him human enough when flashbacks freeze him in place.

He catches the way only one of her arms moves and he doesn't let the frown show. She uses her hands for so much of what she does, so much more than piloting the green lion. He's glad he's seen what the healing chambers in the castle can do.

And he's right there to catch her when she tumbles, arms already open to receive her as she falls, legs braced to absorb the slight extra weight and momentum. He won't let her fall. Not now and not ever.]

Got you. [He says it even as he tucks her close and curves a hand to carefully cradle her damaged arm so it doesn't jar again. She's always small but in the moment she seems even smaller and it makes his chest ache.] I've got you, Katie. You're safe now. I'm going to lean down and trigger the hatch.

[Even the bare jostling of falling right into his waiting arms is enough to awaken some of the aches and pains that have been waiting until she moves to flare up. Her eyes shut tight for a long moment, a breath sucked in and held for a count before letting it go.

It's when Shiro uses that name that makes her eyes fly open again, staring up at him wide and surprised. He rarely calls her that, even when they're alone. And even though her gender's out of the bag, and her relation to the Holts, he's still the only one that actually knows her name. She's gotten so used to Pidge now.] Do I look that bad? [It's a joke--it's meant to be a joke, but her expression doesn't change to match. Besides, the answer is probably yes, especially after crash-landing in a beat-up lion.]

I can probably walk if--if you need me to.

[He rarely calls her by her given name. She's chosen a name for herself and he respects that. Pidge is the name she chose for herself and that makes it important. But she's right. If he does call her by something else now, its because he's feeling something deeply.

He's already accepted that the people on his team are going to get hurt. It's their job and its one of the hazards of their job and it would be foolish on his part not to acknowledge it. So he's aware that she's going to get hurt and that this won't be the last time. It doesn't at all change the way seeing her hurt hits him right in the gut.

Her face says she knows his answer and so he just gives her a tight smile and doesn't give it. Instead he cradles her close and squats down carefully to rest her over his legs while he fumbles with his free hand to find the level that will pull and release the escape panel.]

What? You don't think this is riding in style? I could cart you over my shoulder like I had to do to Lance if you think it would be more dignified.

[She won't correct him, of course. Katie is still her name, and he's fully allowed to use it. He's important to her not just for being the head of the team, but for what he means to her family.

Aaaand now she's in his lap and he's making a tense joke of this himself and she can't help but go just a little red in the cheeks. This was not the kind of 'dignified' position she imagined herself in earlier today.] I just don't want to be more of a burden on you than I already am!

[She regrets the words immediately after they come out of her mouth, but she's not about to take it back. It's how she feels, just...maybe that sounds a little worse now that she says it out loud.] I mean...to the left more. The left--now down a little. There, pull that.

[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.

[Her good hand curls against Shiro's armor, doing her small part to brace herself. The smell of fresh air makes her cough out some of the smoke and recycled air that her lungs had gotten used to in the crash. At least this world has a breathable atmosphere, what luck.

When they're safely on the ground, his look also grounds her. She holds his gaze for a long moment before, with a little shame, she glances away.]

Maybe if I was a better pilot, I wouldn't get shot out of the sky and need you to rescue me and carry me out of my own lion. You're always looking out for me. For all of us. And that...must make you really tired sometimes.

[There's probably nothing wrong with her legs and she seems too cognoscente to have a concussion but he doesn't think they need to test her walking. The truth is, he's feeling guilt and it makes his nurturing streak double up hard. He's holding her for his own sake as much as hers and he turns to give the green lion on long look over now that he's not seeing it through the muted panic of worrying about its pilot and then turns and heads for where Black is waiting for them. He also shakes his head and he's about to give her a standard answer, though it wouldn't be any less true - except she puts in that last bit -

and he almost misses a step.

That's - an odd way to look at things and for a minute she shuts him up entirely. He does look out for everyone. They're his team. It's his job. It's who he is. And he needs that. Needs them more than he can explain. Needs to be there for them more than he can explain. It's not a burden. It's a gift. But - its a heavy gift sometimes. He knows the weight of it.

It's never occurred to him that anyone else thinks that way or even knows about it though.

He doesn't answer her until they're in the shadow of his own lion and his answer is slow and thought out.]

No one's a perfect pilot. The only way to get better is to keep at it. We're all learning as we go and its an incredible curve considering. Don't judge yourself harshly. Just - learn. [That's the easy part. The rest... he's never expected to have this conversation with anyone. Never expected anyone to think of it.] It's - tiring. A lot of the most important things are. And I can't think of anything more important than watching out for you and the rest of the team. It - helps me be who I want to be. If I didn't have our group - [he paused before starting up the ramp and then admitted, quieter.] I don't think I'd like who I would turn into.

[It's all been such a whirlwind that sometimes, just sometimes, they forget how easy it would be to die out here. They're all just learning this as they go, even those who are already pilots or learning to be pilots. Lions aren't exactly Garrison shuttles. They don't know what they're doing, and the Galra do. They've only had ten thousand years of a head start, after all.

So incredible learning curve or not, the fact of the matter is she could have died. And then they'd be down a paladin. And the universe would be a little bit screwed.

She'll focus on Shiro talking about himself instead, his quiet but steady voice, her head resting against his shoulder.] You'd still be the Champion. You'd still be a good person trying to protect others. I think that's just what you are inside, no matter what else happens.

We try to look out for you, too.

[Her words have his lips tightening and he doesn't say anything in reply immediately as he walks up the ramp. But before he sets her down in his seat, he says, very low and soft:]

I'm not proud of being Champion.

[That's all. He's not about to elaborate. Sometimes... sometimes he's glad he can't remember so much. Because what he does remember... What he remembers about himself and what he felt, the places his mind went and the ache in his blood and the burning ice feeling in his chest, it should frighten him. And it frightens him that it doesn't.

He kneels next to her once she's sitting, puts one hand under the heel of her foot, and he smiles, a little, when he looks up at her. It's a real smile, something warm and encompassing.]

I know you do. All of you. It means more to me than I'll ever be able to say, the way knowing that, feeling it from all of you, makes me feel. I couldn't ask for more or better. Now - move your feet, then your legs. Lets see what we're dealing with here.

[There are things she says that just get blurted out, things she can't take back. Keith might have impulse control issues, but Pidge doesn't have a whole lot of filter between her brain and her mouth. She can see the pain she's caused, knows what it is she said that caused it.

Wants to argue about it. Maybe being the Champion itself isn't great, but what Shiro did for Matt, and subsequently for a lot of prisoners just for the sake of being good at fighting, that has to count for something. But what she knows of Shiro's life before, that he's spoken of aloud, doesn't paint a pretty picture, and he clearly knows more details than he lets on. She can't truly comprehend his position, even if she sometimes lashes out at him about it.

So at least she doesn't have a concussion to think all this through. Whiplash, probably, but not a concussion.]

You can let us know, though. If you get too tired. [That was going to be her point, right? He can talk, and he can let them know what's going on, and...maybe he feels too much like a leader to want to, but giving the permission won't hurt anything.

She does as instructed, flexing her feet, her ankles, her body's starting to feel like one giant bruise but so far so good. One leg is fine, the other--same side as her busted arm--gives her more pause and pain around the knee. Can still move it, though, so that's a sign.] I think my lion still got the worse deal by a long shot.

[Sometimes, most times, its hard for Shiro to see 'Champion' from outside. It makes it hard to focus on any positive about what he was once.

...what he's always just a little afraid he'll become again.

So when he sees Champion, he doesn't see the good the role might have done most days. Most days he just remembers the blood and the heat and the fear and the swallowing rage he was always fighting to control. Like the Garla tech that's a parasite in his arm - its something he tries not to think about.

Instead he focuses on his teammate and watching her do as he's asked, nodding a little as she moves each part and noting when things cause winces or don't move exactly right. And a part of him breathes relief because it looks like her back might just be all right. Her chiding gets a hum and a smile and he raises his eyes to her face.]

I'd never get too tired of you guys. Even when you're exhausting, you're my energy. [His smile says he understands her though, appreciates what she's really telling him. That they want to take care of him too. He's all right with that. And he stands up to gently rest a hand on her helmet for a moment, careful not to let any pressure from the contact come before looking out the eye screens of Black to the crumpled green lion beyond.]

I think so too. Which is what our lions want anyway. We'll get Green up and back to full power in no time. It'll be ready probably faster than you will. [Starting to move around the cocpit and open hatches to pull down packs, he adds:] I already contacted the castle. They should be here soon. Can you take off your helmet?

I think some people might be too much energy. [She starts to laugh but winces. Ehhh it wasn't that funny anyway. Pulling off the helmet would be easier with both hands, but she isn't going to ask for help for it. A lot of what he's doing is assessing her, and with help on the way, she doesn't have to worry. She'll heal up, and they'll fix the lion.

With a little effort, she tugs the helmet off, letting it drop from her fingers. The temptation to shake out her helmet hair is there, but for the sake of her neck and her head, she'll refrain.] You'll just have to get out a ticker and see which of us recovers first. I'm not going down without a fight.

[He's being careful not to coddle her. Much. She's a teammate and worth taking care of, someone he personally cares for - but she's also a soldier now. He's not going to do every little thing for her because she deserves to be treated like a teammate just as much as she deserved to be treated like a precious friend. So he lets her handle the helmet herself, because she can, and she's right because he also watches from the corners of his eyes while she does it one handed. She gets it off just fine on her own though and he catches it one handed when she lets it drop, eyes narrowing just a little as he catches sight of the crack in the visor again. Gentle he sets the helmet on the console and drops down to rest on his heels to open the first pack.

It's a relief not to see any blood when the helmet is off even if he realizes that not all damage comes with blood. The first thing he offers her is a packet of water and some pain pills. Not the strong ones but something to help with the ache.

And he offers her a distraction.]

Think you can beat Green in healing up, huh? Is that before or after Coran feeds you full of his 'extra super duper special made nutritious' goo?

[She would probably take a concussion over any open head wounds. Even the minor ones bleed in a way that look like someone's dying. Sure, a concussion is more serious, but it's also way less dramatic.

Hunk had concerns about Altean medicine and Human biology the first time they had some pains that a hop in the healing pod wasn't meant for, especially after Lance had taken something to treat a headache and ended up hilariously loopy for several hours. She's pretty sure Coran worked everything they needed to treat minor aches and pains to more major ones, along with other remedies, but she still hesitates for a moment before popping the pills and taking the water gratefully. It's room temp, but it still gets some of the grit and dryness out of her mouth.

Knows better than to laugh this time at his distraction, but she huffs out an amused sound.] I think if I have some of that, I'll be laid up for even longer. He's better off being a 'coranic'. I'll take anything Hunk whips up in the kitchen any day.

[He watches her take the water and down the pills and then he goes back to his pack and pulling out items. The small smile stays though as she cracks her jokes.

She's going to be okay. Nothing wrong that can't be fixed. It's what he's been telling himself since he saw the green lion go down but its starting to settle down a bit from the frantic mantra into something that sounds more real. More true. He comes out of his crouch with several rolls of bandages in his hands.]

I'll tell Hunk to sneak you something special. It'll make him feel better. I kind of think that green goo is starting to grow on me though. Doesn't taste nearly as terrible as it used to. I think its killing off my tastebuds.

[He shifts over to her other side.]

All right. I'm just going to bind your arm to you to keep it from jarring around until we can get back to the castle. It's going to hurt but I'm going to make it as fast and gentle as I can. You ready?

[It's the sort of thing Lance does all the time, joke around a situation. Pidge doesn't mind it now, when she could otherwise be focused on her arm and her leg and her pained chest and all else. That she's coherent enough to joke is good enough in her book.

Her smile smooths out into a serious, steadying look when Shiro comes over to her side, explaining what he's going to do. It already hurts quite a bit, especially when she tries to move what her misplaced shoulder joint and whatever else might've gotten beat up tells her she can't. Takes one deep breath, two, and nods.] Yeah, do it.

[He hates to think he's about to cause her more pain - but he knows that its for her good. Binding her arm down will keep it locked in place which will keep it from being jostled.

He hasn't said it but he's hoping that the ships they took out didn't send out a beacon to bring in more of their kind. Or, if they did, that the castle gets here first. If things don't go their way though... the more stable she is the better.]

Good. Just settle it against you in whatever way feels most comfortable. I'm not going to tie this down too tight but it's going to be enough to keep it from moving around. [He's trying not to cause her to move her back or neck or head too much. So far she's moving stiffly but not badly and he isn't about to risk doing anything that would jar that balance. Having to cart her out of the acrid air of her cockpit was enough already. Once she's settled, he leans in and gets to work, movement steady and efficient, careful not to jostle her any more than he has to.]

You're doing great. Just a little bit more and we'll be done.

[She uses her good hand to settle the bunk arm as best she can, in a way that isn't a constant stream of unholy pain. It still hurts, but slightly less. At least until Shiro goes at it. And he's good, knows what he's doing, very effective, efficient, as he is in everything he does.

But she still has to bite her lip, inhale as sharply as she dares. Tries not to squirm away. He wouldn't do this if he had another, better option. Just breathe through it. Just keep breathing. The ache lingers even after he's through, and she waits for the bout to subside before trying anything else.

Distraction? Distraction.] Did you learn a lot of field medicine in the Garrison...?

[Like he's said before, she's tough. She takes the pain like a champ and he appreciates it. She even holds still for him until he's finished and he stops the second he is, taking his hands away so she can have some time to recover. He'll work on her knee in a minute but - one thing at a time.]

Hm? [Her question has him looking up and for a minute it feels like she's asking him about someone else's life. But then he exhales and no, its his life and he nods.] What I could. They had extra courses you could take, outside of the required ones. I thought, if I was going to be a long range pilot, than I should learn everything I could. Out there - its just your small group to rely on if anything goes wrong and I thought the more positions I could help with, the safer our group would be. [It's skirting close to mentioning the mission itself, and her brother and father, and he's not sure she wants to go there. So he shrugs.] Took some courses in food prep too. But trust me, I'm a better nurse.

Can't go wrong with genetically engineered peas. [Her laugh is strained and quiet, through the ebbing pain.] Hunk's probably better in the kitchen than all of us combined anyway. ...No offense, Shiro, but I just can't imagine you cooking. Maybe you should give it a go. I'd suck at it.

[Just keep breathing. Breathing is good. Breathing is nice. And hearing Shiro breathe nearby in the cockpit is nice, too. His calm voice keeping her grounded.] I'm glad I finally get to be a pilot. I didn't even have to take any extra courses. I just needed an alien mecha to like me.

[He hums a sound, both amusement at her joke and affection. Because he remembers her father claiming to love those as well and it both hurts and feels reassuring to be reminded of it.

They'd find her dad and her brother. It was a silent promise he'd made right from the beginning. Giving her a chance to catch her breath, he sits back on his heels for a moment.]

Hey, any food you can eat afterward is cooking. I don't burn water or anything. [His smile goes a little crooked.] But yeah. We'll keep Hunk in charge of making the food. You and I can be useful in other ways.

[After a moments pause, he shifts over.] Okay, going to wrap up your knee now. Mostly just to keep anything for jarring. This shouldn't hurt as bad at all. [He raises his eyes to look at her and his smile softens.] The alien mecha not only likes you - it trusts you. I think you should give yourself some credit for that. To hear the princess talk, that's no small thing.

Yeah, well. [She breathes out slowly, knowing that the hard part is over as far as wrapping parts of her up is concerned.] They only had a couple of us to choose from, right? They could've just been picking and choosing from what there was to pick and choose from.

But we get along really well. Allura had us pegged from the start. Could you imagine anyone else being in Black? Because I sure can't. [She stretches her leg out, ready for a wrap, the rest of her sagging back in the seat.] And that's no small thing, either.

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headspacedad - 2016-08-14 04:09 (UTC) - Expand

MINOR INJURIES MEME

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oh I'll ride shiro in style all right

gasp! Young lady! You've got at least four more years before you're allow to understand innuendo

somehow blame this on lance

blaming Lance does seem like a sound call. or wait four years

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