bakerstreet | thursday pic prompt

[He blinks - and doesn't correct her on her assumption that he recognized her. Apparently its something she's used to though and his mind kicks into overdrive trying to figure out where he should know her from. Movie actress?

The wink is utterly charming and utterly distracting and it pulls up a crowed smile of his own. But she's already spinning off and back on her mission and he stretches his long legs to keep his spot at her back.

Pop culture icon?

Inventor?

Animal activist...?

Because he spots a bunny logo on her shirt as he follows her down the narrow alley and -

he blinks again. Oh. Oh wow. He recognizes that bunny. That agile pink mecha he's seen in the news reports. Overwatch. The pilot of that mecha wears that bunny logo and -

okay. That answers that. He remembers the pilot now. Mostly because he'd been trying to memorize all the players in the new situation that had gone down since he'd disappeared. The pink cheek marks should have registered to him faster. She didn't go by Hana as her handle though... It had been - ]

D. Va. With the mech. I should have recognized you sooner. I've seen you pull off some amazing moves in your machine.

[ If there's one thing that Hana isn't, it's lacking in self-confidence. Because she knows she's good at what she does; she never would have thought that being in the top ranks of pro-gaming would translate into being a key player in South Korea's military defense against the omnics, but she's risen to the occasion rather well and grown into it.

The nightmares from seeing death and destruction in real life and not in a game are something belied by her fearless, chipper attitude, but also not something a stranger needs to know. As far as Hana is concerned, Shiro only needs--and is interested in--the persona of D.Va. Not Hana Song. Especially now that he's recognized her. Without looking back at him and continuing to walk on, she chuckles and puts on a confident air. ]

Oh, you have, huh? I've been working on some new ones lately, so you'd better stay tuned, okay?

[If Shiro was asked, he'd clearly state that, until a moment ago, he wasn't aware she had a persona and what had intrigued him enough to invent an ice cream date had nothing to do with fame or a kill count, imaginary or otherwise.

If asked at the right time and in the right way, he might even admit that he's acutely aware of what killing, in his case with his bare hands and bladed weapons over and over and over again feels like...

His hand lifts and his thumb rubs at the scar across the bridge of his nose. Because the second he realized she was the mecha pilot - he also realized that he was dealing with a soldier. And that did mean kill count. And she - hasn't struck him as hard enough to not feel that. It's a realization that softens him, because she's still so young he's been thinking she must be in college or training at a job somewhere with problems that -

that didn't involve regularly putting your life on the line. Or the lives of your team.

But soldiers didn't talk about that kind of thing. Especially not to strangers and he brushes the hair hair away from his forehead and lets his hand fall. Knowing who she is doesn't change anything about the fact he's enjoyed his brief time with her so far but it does make it more - precious. Lives shouldn't be as fragile as this.]

I can try. [As if he'd suddenly enjoy realizing someone he knew was out there getting shot at while he wasn't there to help. But she was the one that broadcast her fights, he remembered that now that he was thinking about the mech.

It wasn't as if the Galaxy Garrison was really being completely relaxed and unarmed around his team and their orbiting castle...

He leans forward, just a little bit, to watch the side of her face. His voice is soft when he asks:]

What's your mech's name, Hana?

[ She gives him a curious look when he leans forward, and positioned as they are she studies his profile just for a split second--but then she stops in her tracks at his question. Her expression takes on a more thoughtful look as she shifts her gaze to look ahead. Much to her own surprise, the mech hasn't been given a name. Hana's been calling it what it is--a MEKA unit, short for a Mobile Exo-Force of the Korean Army unit. ]

You know, I haven't given it a name... Maybe I should?

[ It was painted pink, after all, per her wishes. By all measures the MEKA unit is pretty much hers, even if technically it still belongs to the military. And since it seems like Hana's in this for the long haul... maybe it wouldn't hurt to give it a name. They're going to be stuck together for a while.

[He almost bumps into her, following more closely than he usually does and his hand comes up and cups the back of her elbow automatically, to steady her in case his body does make contact. It doesn't but its a barely thing.

It's his mech hand.

He realizes it once they're both stopped and she's looking ahead and asking his question and he lets his hand fall from her. But he keeps his eyes on her face, watching the expression out of curiosity. Shiro's always named his vehicles. And - granted, his current one already had a name before he came to it and... he's not really sure calling Black a 'vehicle' isn't both inaccurate and strangely insulting but all the same -

His lips soften and so do his eyes.]

Wouldn't hurt. I've seen you move in it. It's a part of you in a way, isn't it? A teammate? Giving it a name makes the bond tighter. Let's it belong.

[ A couple of things add up for Hana in these few moments. There's something different about the sensation of his hand on her elbow--she can feel that it's his hand, but it's not quite the same. Before she can turn her head to get a look, he's already pulled away. And then there's the scar across his face, and that tuft of white hair, both nagging away at Hana because these are two distinct features about a person that she's pretty sure she's seen before.

And then the mech talk--teammate, making a tighter bond. Belonging. He knows what he's talking about.

Hana steps forward and then spins on her heel once more, this time to face him fully. ]

...You're a pilot too, aren't you? I've seen you somewhere before.

[It feels surprisingly intimate to him, talking to her when her back is almost against his chest and he has to lean forward just the smallest bit to watch her face. It seems like a funny thing to find feels close but - he likes it.

It's nice to have her full concentration too though, which he gets when she puts a step between them so she can face him and the look he gives her is calmly open, waiting. It's not as if he really cares about the ice cream or thinks its going to run away if they stop. And then she asks and -

ah.

His lips form it on an exhale but there's no sound to it and for just a second there's something wistful in the way his lips curve into a small smile afterward. Except its gone a second later and the smile's a little bit more full.]

Probably. [Modesty has its place and, honestly, if he pretends she hasn't heard of the first manned attempt to the edge of the solar system in what was classified as a historic mission tragedy or the pilot of said mission coming back with flying space lions and aliens over a year later - that wasn't modesty so much as assuming she lived under a rock with no wi-fi. Which he knew she didn't. One of his shoulders roll.] I'm a space pilot.

[Of a giant mechanical cognizant alien space robot lion that can form part of an even bigger giant alien space person... thing. But he leaves that part out just in case there's the smallest chance he really is going to get away without being recognized.]

[ Hana doesn't know as much by way of details as she probably would like, being kept busy between MEKA operations, Overwatch, and keeping her gaming career as afloat as she can under the circumstances, but she does at least know that being a space pilot equals being a badass. Maybe if her memory's jostled enough she'll remember reading about the mission going wrong but for now, it doesn't quite register to her that Shiro is that Shiro.

She squints her eyes, giving him a measuring glance up and down and placing her hands on her hips. ]

...Alright. You and I are gonna have to have a talk over ice cream.

[ And then, with a smile, ] Space pilot. That's so cool!

[His eyebrows go up slightly, watching her take that stance and he's not sure if she's about to lecture him or sass him. One edge of his lips twitch upward at it though.

He hadn't realized until this moment that he could take someone completely seriously - and yet find them utterly cute at the same time.

Her smile afterward doesn't help him think of her as any less adorable and it pulls out his own smile again.]

Super cool. [He agrees it with a chuckle because - it really is. He's seen parts of the galaxy that no one else has ever seen and he's touched the emptiness between the stars. All the horror, all the pieces of himself he'd had stolen away, all the tragedy and hurt and terror and triumph and hope and determination and bonds that had come... and he still thought there was nothing at all that could match the call of the stars between the stars and the needy black of space. It was a cool job. That had nothing to do with him personally and everything to do with a desire to reach into the sky and find more that had been with humanity since the very beginning.

He stepped up to nudge her lightly with his elbow.]

So show me this ice cream shop of yours, driver. Then I'm all yours.

[ Her smile brightens and she holds up a hand to flash a peace sign at him before taking a few steps backwards, in the direction they had been walking towards. It won't take them much more to get to the ice cream shop.

If Hana were to put a fine point to it, she's envious. To be out in space, soaring in the stars where there's nothing like omnics and daily destruction seems like it would be great, not that she doesn't think being out there comes without its own set of troubles. If she were to put a finer point to it, maybe she just needs a break from everything.

But then again, would she be able to play and stream from space? That could be a deal breaker. None of it is important though, not right now, because right now she's apparently hanging out with a space pilot and she's got so many questions for him. The first of which she poses as they approach a quaint little shop with cute decorations and a clear ice cream motif: ]

What are you doing down here on Earth? Are you on shore leave?

[Her question earns a quick glance and the crooked smile slips back over his lips. That answers his question as to whether she's recognized him or not. And he's torn, between giving it away or enjoying being nothing but a typical space jock.

She's proven she's pretty quick on the uptake so it won't take her long to figure him out but in the interim...]

My team's got some downtime. [Probably an understatement and the world is still trying to figure out what to do with the entirely new intel about life beyond their solar system and the state its in that his team's arrival has given them. He doesn't know how much of that has leaked to the public yet. Just - giant robot lions (and Lance's mouth) are hard to hide from the public. He stretches out a long arm and holds the door open for her and for just a second he thinks how... normal this all feels. For just a second, its jarring. He inhales and lets the mental vertigo pass. Flashes her a smile.]

I've always wanted to visit a Lantern Festival. Everyone else was busy so I jumped ship for a little while and came myself.

[ She gives him a quick nod of thanks as she steps through the doorway and into the shop, and though the way he seems to pause himself for a second doesn't escape her, she only observes it for now. They're greeted by the people working there from the other side of the counter, and while there are a few other patrons inside cooling off with some ice cream, it's still significantly quieter than the main street where all the booths and the parades were taking place. At his response, Hana offers a bit of a conspiratorial look, grinning at him. ]

Oh? So you snuck away too, huh? Don't worry, I'll keep your secret if you keep mine.

[ Which... isn't really much of a secret, at this point, seeing as the people inside the shop definitely recognize her, and they seem to recognize him, too. And of course, recognizing them together is more than enough reason for whispers and some curious staring. ]

[He automatically scans the interior of the shop before he steps in behind her. It's a habit he picked up in his year as a prisoner, looking for potential secondary exits and threats but the habit also lets him catch the recognition, for both of them, that's happening. And, honestly, up until this point it hasn't occurred to him what the two of them together will add up to in the public eye. Mostly because until a few minutes ago he wasn't aware she was anyone people would recognize. Questionable vanished deep space pilot and Overwatch mecha star pilot...

that was something the gossip columns would have a hey day with.

She seemed capable of handling the media attention if it came though and he - didn't know that he'd still be around. He didn't have to feel guilty and he could focus on her teasing instead. Which brought a long slow grin to his face and he leaned in just enough to tease back.]

I won't say a word. Just don't live stream us, okay?

[ Sure enough, Hana doesn't seem the least bit bothered by the attention; she's gotten used to it. In fact, before they inevitably part ways she'll likely ask to take a selfie with him to post on social media. But for now she giggles, sparing a moment to think that he wears his smile pretty well, and nods in agreement. ]

Deal. D.Va's on a day off today, anyway. Come on!

[ So, hey, there will be an attempt to grab him by the non-mech arm to pull him over to the ice cream counter. ]

Have you ever had patbingsu before? 'Cause if not, we totally have to get that.

[He hears that giggle and it makes him feel - proud. As if he's done something worthwhile to earn it. He could understand someone going out of their way to make sure she did that often.

The catch at his arm is a surprise but more than welcome and he follows her without any resistance. His mecha arm does feel things, the same way the metal has its only heat that still isn't as warm as his body temperature and the metal has a slight softness to it but - he's glad its his human arm she grabs. Her fingers make the fabric of his shirt slide against his skin there and the pressure of her hand is a nice reminder of his humanity.

She has no idea how badly he craves simple human touch.

So he comes to a stop next to her, making no move to get his arm back, grinning, perhaps a little too goofily at the couple on the other side of the counter. He hasn't been dragged around like a teenager in years. It's nice.]

No. [He shakes his head, scattering white hair across his forehead. Japan loves its 'foreign' food and he's had several Korean dishes growing up there but patbingsu isn't one of them and he looks curiously at the ingredients on the other side of the counter. He gives her his trust to abuse if she wants to.] You'd better order for both of us.

[ Luckily for Shiro, Hana would probably act like a teenager even once she's well into her early twenties. For now, at least, she has the excuse of being nineteen. Still, her demeanor belies all of the burdens that have been placed upon her. But--well, not having to think about those burdens has been pleasant, even if only for today. And having Shiro for company helps; he didn't recognize her at first, but even after he did, he didn't change how he treated her. Hana likes that. And it's probably why her hand remains on his arm even after they've gotten to the counter. ]

Even better--we'll share! Their specialty's this huge bowl. There's no way I can finish it all by myself before it melts.

[ She gives him another one of her winks and a thumbs up with her free hand before she turns to the person at the register, ordering the patbingsu in her native tongue and despite her earlier excitement at getting treated to free ice cream, she tries to pay for it herself. He is, after all, a space pilot. Hana feels like this is her way of welcoming him back to Earth. ]

[He notices the continued contact and, sure, it feels good because she's pretty and friendly and he likes her personality but it feeds something so much deeper inside of him too. Maybe they're both escaping from their usual lives for the day and if they can escape together -

having someone along for the ride makes things seem even more warm and welcoming.

The sound he makes is a coughed laugh at both her enthusiasm and her decision to share and that's not a protest of any kind. His head cocks, just the slightest bit, listening to her talk and if he doesn't understand a word of it, he likes the way it sounds and the flow back and forth between her and the couple behind the counter. As cheat at it 'dates' go, he thinks his is going really well and he watches without even trying to hide his curiousity as the meal is put together in what is, she wasn't exaggerating, a huge bowl of - things. Ice and fruit and what looks like bean paste and - maybe ice cream and by the time they're done he's not really sure what's in it anymore, just that its going to be impressive.

She beats him to the draw with paying for it too and his mouth opens to protest - before he shuts it again and picks up the bowl with his free hand instead. He doesn't want to argue with her, not if it means he'd lose her touch. He doesn't think he's off in his guess that she can afford a bowl of ice cream. He can treat next time. He'd like to think he might get a chance at a next time. So he just gives her hand a light squeeze, pressing it between his own arm and his side and heads them both for a booth that lets him sit with his back to a wall and a good view of the doors.]

Next time, I treat, Hana.

[ Hana's sure to swipe two spoons at the counter for them as Shiro leads them away to a table, where Hana is happy to take the seat facing the wall instead, completely oblivious as to why Shiro might prefer being able to keep an eye on the doors. She's pretty excited to dig in and it being Shiro's first time eating patbingsu makes this even more fun as she sticks the two spoons in, one on his side and one on hers. ]

Deal! I'll even let you pick what we get next time.

[ So, yeah, there's a pretty good chance of there being a next time. Hana is just a friendly person by nature, but she's been having a nice time so far and doesn't see why there shouldn't be a next time, apart from her schedule being a little hectic and the yet-unmade realization that Shiro could be gone from Earth for some time after this. As if it's second nature to her, she pulls out her phone and takes a picture of the treat on the table before she puts it down on the table and looks back up at Shiro, now with her chin resting on her hands. ]

You get the first taste since it's your first time.

[His eyebrows go up a little at the sudden phone picture but he supposes if she livestreams so much else of her life, why not the food, especially when its as good looking as what's in front of them. The important thing is she puts the phone down afterward and he appreciates what that says.

He prefers her attention on them.

And its cute the way she sets up the spoons and then settles in to watch. He shoots her a smile under his bangs and picks up his spoon.]

I'm going to hold you to that. [The spoon points at her for a moment.] Next time, Hana.

[And then, because she's waiting, and because he honestly is curious, he takes a good sized scoop of the concoction in front of him, trying to get as many of the different ingredients in the mix as possible.

He's a long way from the suspicious green glop he's been stuck eating the past however many months.

-

and he lets his face speak for him. Because - ]

This really is good.

[ Hana just watches him with a smirk on her face when he points the spoon at her, but it turns into a smile that just brightens when he tries the treat and she sees the look on his face even before he verbally says it's really good. Shiro may be unofficially a giant, but he's... pretty cute. ]

Well, you can't go wrong with a recommendation from me! Especially for food.

[ Then, with a confident nod, she picks up her own spoon and proceeds to dig in, too. She's a little less careful than Shiro was with her side of the dessert, but the look on her face once the spoon is in her mouth is just-- pure delight. ]

No argument.

[Because it really is good and he doesn't hesitate to dig in for his next bite. He always ate fast, thanks to his time in the military but after his year with the Galra he had the habit of inhaling his food. He makes it a point now to slow down and really enjoy the meal though.

He does stop, just to watch her take her first bite because the way her face changes is -

is something he'd really like to see again.

Getting another spoonful, he asks:]

How often do you get to sneak away?

[ She has to make sure mouth isn't full of ice and ice cream and red bean paste and whatever else she got a chunk of in her spoonful before she purses her lips with a thoughtful look and she answers, ]

I dunno, once every couple of weeks?

[ Frankly, she's lost track. When it's not going on missions with her MEKA unit to defend her home country against omnics, it's being shipped off somewhere for an Overwatch operation, and when it's not either of those things she has responsibilities to make appearances as someone who's become a public figure, too. Surely, she has days that are freer than others, but days like this when her schedule had been completely clear are few and far between. She's digging in for another scoop as she gives him a curious look. Her turn to ask a question. ]

What about you? How often do you get to come back to Earth? What's that like?

[He absorbs the information, chewing his next mouthful while he lets it ride. Once every couple of weeks. That's not bad. It's not great but - he can wait a few weeks. It would give him something to look forward to.

As long as he could stick around that long.

Her question is only fair but he takes his time with a second mouthful. Because - that's the kicker. The second he answers that she's either going to realize exactly who he is or -

well, she really would have to live under a rock. Which is possible if she's busy with what amount to crisis all the time but she seems too hooked into media flow to miss it entirely.

Somehow, it doesn't bother him as much as it did before though. So he answers straightforward and with a slightly crooked smile because it isn't going to be the answer she expects. But his eyes watch her and he doesn't take a next immediate bite.]

This is my first time back in the solar system in over a year. So - not very if we're going by my recent track record. It's amazing what you realize you miss once you're gone and can't come back.

[ over a year... what you miss once you're gone and can't come back

His words give Hana pause, certainly, because she does not live underneath a rock. She may have been slow on the uptake today because she thought that by space pilot he meant he was with the Garrison, but over a year doesn't add up when the only mission she's aware of that'd gone on for that long hadn't ended well for anyone involved and--

oh.

He's that Shiro.

The realization is enough to stun Hana mid-chewing into a terribly unladylike and uncute display of ice cream almost falling out of her mouth from the way she stares at him, dumbstruck and slack-jawed. It's only after a second or three that she catches herself (and the ice cream about to fall), and she covers her mouth with her hand. She would almost be embarrassed if she was capable of feeling that way. Instead, she's just. In awe. ]

Oh my god. [ she says, quietly, and with her voice muffled by her own hand. ] It's you. I didn't even realize!

[It may be unladylike but its honest and its her and that's more important to him. She certainly doesn't think to hide her reaction and - that's reassuring too.

He is tempted to reach over and gently push her chin up to close her mouth for her - but she recovers and does it herself. His smile stays crooked - but his eyes don't stop watching her and they're very quiet despite the way the rest of his face is relaxed. His free hand reaches up and he lightly taps the side of his nose, and the scar that runs there.]

It's me. [His voice matches his eyes.] Surprise.

super cute!

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i started watching voltron bc of this just fyi

>:Db I hope you enjoy it! (and I miiight be watching Overwatch vignettes and playthroughs too)