bakerstreet | thursday pic prompt

[ Hana could never even pretend to understand what must be going through Shiro's mind after what he's been through. What she knows that he's been through, which is little compared to what he's actually been through. But she can manage a smile at him as she listens, attention undivided on him, even when her phone has undoubtedly been lighting up with messages all throughout their conversation. She even nods along, because the picture he paints with his words is pretty vivid and she can almost imagine herself being right there, too.

Although... all the stuff about love songs, that widens her smile, almost like she's trying not to laugh. And to give her credit, she does manage to just smile quietly at him with a goofy grin after he finishes talking for about three seconds until she bursts into a giggle. ]

That's super cheesy, Shiro! [ Not that she's complaining. She's merely pointing it out and in fact, her tone is very much a teasing one. ]

[He should have seen it coming from the look on her face but it always takes him just a few extra ticks to shake his head out of space and her giggle has him raising his eyebrows at her. His lips are already starting to curve again though, just from the pure happy sound of her giggle itself and when she says why - ]

ah -

[His own laugh is an exhale and he grins back at her, a little lopsided but unrepentant.]

Looks like you've discovered one of my fatal flaws. I can get super cheesy when I'm talking about something beautiful.

[ Even though Hana's shaking her head, she's still on the tail end of her giggle fit. She doesn't mind how cheesy his description of space was. If she were to put a fine point to it, there's just something romantic about being out in space. Apart from it being super extra awesome cool, anyway.

Once she's calmed a little, or as much as someone like Hana can, she rests her chin on her palms again with her elbows on the table, fingers framing the sides of her face and she sighs wistfully with another slight pout on her lips. Still, she doesn't sound sad--just day-dreamy. ]

I'm kind of jealous. Going to space sounds so awesome, even if you described it really cheesy.

[Poetry is in Shiro's blood, even if the skill with it never made it down to him and when it comes to explaining something that deserves poetry, he can't seem to be analytical. For him being in space has always been about the feeling of it, so much more than anything technical. He can't, and won't, apologize for it. Luckily it doesn't seem to have thrown her so much as pleased her and that -

he can live with that.

He recognizes the shift in her voice though and folds his arms, leaning them both on the table as well. It puts them closer together but - they're talking about dreams now. It's all right to be closer when sharing dreams.]

I've worked my whole life to reach the stars. It was all I ever wanted, from the time I was just a little kid. And the secret I realized when I finally did... it was worth it. It really is awesome. I've never found anything like it. If you get the chance - take it. Your soul will never be entirely yours again.

Whoa, that's deep.

[ again with a teasing tone. When she says what she says next, it's in a way where she's simply telling the truth rather than sounding bitter, but-- ]

I don't think people would like it if I ran off to into space.

[ She chuckles a little, too, as if to diffuse the statement. She's needed here. More than by the military or by Overwatch, people need her here. More than being a gamer-turned-pilot, she's become a symbol of courage and hope for people.

Though if somehow, some way there ever was a chance, she would totally take it. ]

[He doesn't withdraw his statement. It's something you have to experience personally. But - your soul fills up with the vast quiet of space when you're out there and - you really aren't the same after that. She can tease -

but he still hopes one day she gets the chance to feel it herself.

It seems forward, and perhaps a little too much like Lance, to offer to take her himself. Though - Black could do that, easily. Except... they've just met. He'd like to take her but - it's personal. Going into space is personal for him. Almost intimate. Too much for a first meeting, no matter how much he enjoys her company.

Though... if there's a next time... and a time after that...

Impulsive he reaches out and touches her arm, fingers curling for a moment. He refuses to brush it off despite the chuckle and his eyes hold hers.]

If you can't go now - don't dismiss the chance that you won't be able to later. Life never runs in a straight line. If you want the chance, you'll make it. Someone like you doesn't stay static.

[ Her eyes widen when she feels his hand on her arm, and quickly she looks up to find his gazed fixed intently on her. Boy, are the onlookers having a blast with this, but she doesn't even notice them.

Hana would never have thought of the possibility that going into space would be as simple as hitching a ride with Shiro. Right now, it still feels like they're from two completely different worlds. They might as well be.

But... her lips draw into a thin line as he speaks. Serious conversations--especially ones about the future--aren't Hana's forte, so it takes her a bit to respond and to process what he says. ]

... Yeah. You're right. [ The corner of her lips curl in a small smile. ] But you'd better watch out if I do make it to outer space. I'll race you!

[Light and laughing is more than welcome but - he's glad to see it when she shifts gears, even if she does pause over it. He - doesn't want just the light and laughing side of her. Not without the rest. He's not sure he's supposed to be hoping for so much in someone he's just met.

He still feels the need for it when she gives it to him.

So his own smile is slow and growing and reaches up to fill his eyes, something quiet and proud and exactly there with her in the moment.]

Good. [He means it completely and his thumb strokes her arm before his hand retreats back to his own elbow. And the smile shifts back into the bright easiness they had before. Glad for the previous moment but not about to force it to stay past its time.] I'll look forward to it. Just be aware I won't go easy on you!

[ With that same bright easiness, she full-on smirks. ]

Challenge accepted.

[ Maybe someday she'll have a space mecha to pilot, too. Her MEKA unit couldn't be used out there without some modifications, she imagines, but now he's got her imagining the possibilities and--well, they're fun to think about.

She looks down at their bowl of dessert, by now largely done with, before she looks back up at him. ]

Wanna head back to the festival?

[Her grins at her acceptance of the challenge. He wouldn't expect any less from her.

And he expects she'll find her way in to space too, before too long, if that's what she really wants. She's young, probably only a year or two older than some of his paladins, but she's already come so far. That kind of drive will get her even further as she goes.

She really will give him a run for it.

At her question, he looks up, face mild and asks:]

Together?

Duh, together!

[ She wouldn't have asked if she didn't mean it that way. But she huffs, glancing down at her phone for the time. ]

I'm not gonna let you enjoy your first Lotus Lantern Festival by yourself, silly.

thursday pic prompt

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