bakerstreet | ( picture prompt meme )

[ 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.

[ Oh, thank goodness. If he hadn't agreed she might have just excused herself to sneak off because--

It's less that she's shy and doesn't want people watching them, because for the most part D.Va isn't shy about her relationships with people and how others might interpret them, but-- she really just needs to cool off. It doesn't occur to her, of course, that inviting the very reason she'd started to feel like mush in the first place is probably ineffective. Details.

She gives him a more certain nod as she switches plates with him, handing over the one she'd been using like a shield. Directions, at least, are easier for her to respond to, especially if it involved food. ]

Gotcha. I'll meet you by the stairs, okay?

[ Then she's spinning on her heel again, pulling the exact same move that got them into this situation in the first place, but this time there's no winkyface being tossed over her shoulder at him--she just walks to the drinks. And no matter how badly she thinks she might need a real drink at the moment, she still defaults to whatever soda selection the caterers have on hand and grabs a second one for Shiro before making her way over to the stairs leading up. The bystanders seem content with the spectacle they'd seen, at least, and seem convinced that there's not much more to see now that Hana's walked off. A cursory glance around the hall has her spotting some of her team, though, and she wonders if any of them had seen. Symmetra surely hasn't, given that Lance still seems to be trying to chat her up. The others are in their own conversations. Doing what they actually came here to do.

And Hana's about to run off and be alone with Shiro instead of that. ]

[She twirls away - and he bites back a sigh. She really is going to kill him one of these days but at least there's no flirty wink over her shoulder this time and he turns back to blindly fill up a second plate. He had thought that giving her easy instructions to follow might help her get her keel back and when he glances over, she's already headed for the stairs and -

did her hips always sway like that or is it just the heels?

He's going to have to pay attention to how much time they spend holed up in an empty room together here. He doesn't mind rumors about them as a couple. He can admit that the possessive side of him thinks those are actually a good idea if it will warn everyone else away from her. But he doesn't want any rumors but that circulating.

He gives another sigh and a head shake at himself. As if he's ever been good at keeping track of time around her.

Hunk is watching with a slightly dopey, slightly concerned look on his face from across the room and - Shiro's not at all surprised. He gives the other paladin a half salute, leaves him in charge of the group, something he's aware Hunk is suddenly aware of as the panicked look replaces the dopey one, and heads over to the staircase with his plate of food. Once he's even with her he gives an easy smile and starts up the stairs.]

Shouldn't be too hard to find a star room. What kind of soda did you grab?

[ She easily falls into step as they ascend the stairs, looking down at the hall below them now and then to take stock one more time of where everyone is and--maybe to make sure no one is following them, too. Her attention perks back up at him when he asks his question, and she's a bit more like herself when she answers in a chipper manner. ]

Nano Cola! If you haven't had it before, well--prepare to get hooked. It's the best.

[ It was the easy choice. And also it's the soda she actively advertises, so clearly there's no bias here. ]

By the way--is your team gonna be okay without you down there?

[ Not that she's sorry at all about stealing their fearless leader away in some fashion. ]

Oh, and you might wanna let your blue guy know--he doesn't stand a chance with Sym. She's way too cool.

[The soda name rings a vague bell. He thinks he saw his grandmother with a can the last time he was home but he can't say he's tasted it before. He'll take her word on the best part. Her question has him glancing back one last time at the room below before the stairwell hooks and takes them out of sight and his brows come down for a moment. But he's not lying when he answers.]

They'll be fine. They've kept their heads through worse and they're together. They'll look out for each other for a while.

[Keith was moving into a leadership role, sometimes despite himself and Lance was surprisingly supportive as the right hand man to that even if neither of them seemed aware of it. Hunk and Pidge were the real ones Shiro had faith in when it came to talking to people. Mostly because both of them would tangent so fast into mechanical gobbledygook that there was no way they would say anything that could get anyone in trouble. He cocks an eye at her over his shoulder though and grins.]

Lance? He'll survive. He's really not himself unless there's a pretty girl to flirt with nearby. It's harmless. I don't think I've met Sym yet. She's not a fan of cheesy pick up lines?

[ She can't help the small smile that forms on her lips when she looks at him talking about his team. Jack sometimes gets that same look on his face when talking about the younger and newer Overwatch operatives like Hana.

And to that comment about Lance, that smile parts for a genuine laugh, and she feels herself calming down quite a bit. ]

Symmetra? Don't get me wrong, she's super awesome at what she does and she's so pretty--

[ Hana doesn't want to say the woman has a stick up her butt, but-- ]

But she kinda has a stick up her butt. We're working on that, though! We even got her to party with us one night. It was amazing.

[As far as Shiro is concerned his team is the best. He's aware each of them have flaws but their strengths far outweigh those. He can honestly use the word 'honored' when he gets to be a part of them each growing into their own potential. And watching them work together... yeah, he couldn't be prouder.

His eyes slip sideways and his smile grows a bit as they round the curve in the stairs and the noise of the room below fades. He never has to worry about Hana not telling things exactly the way they are and he appreciates that about her. Even more so in a building surrounded by diplomats.]

Sounds like exactly the kind of girl Lance would zero in on. [He pauses for a moment as they reach the next floor and he looks around, heading down the main hallway. You don't put a star room in a room off in a corner.]

Actually, he'll hit on just about anything. His heart's in the right place. Does Symmetra dance?

[ Hana's mind is totally preoccupied with going over all of the reasons why Symmetra is awesome but also in serious need of Letting Loose, so she lets Shiro take the lead on finding the star room. She gives a shrug of her shoulders at his question with a thoughtful look on her face. ]

She does! She's really graceful, too. But I'm pretty sure he's way too young for her.

[ And casually, she adds: ] She could also light-bend him into another dimension if she felt like it, I think. Symmetra's OP.

Anyway, it's not gonna happen. That's all I'm saying! But I'm not worried. Blue guy's got a lot of pretty girls he can talk to at this party.

[ Well, except for one Hana Song. ]

[Shiro's brows lift slightly at the new fact and he briefly wonders if he should warn Keith to make sure Lance doesn't get light bent before deciding throwing someone into another dimension is probably off-limits in a place like this. Besides, if she really wanted to blow Lance off, Lance would move on. As Hana said, there are plenty of other pretty people he can talk to here and Lance, for all his confidence, isn't the kind to ignore a hard 'no'.

God knows, Shiro has to tell him no often enough for things that don't involve flirting.

He grins over at Hana walking next to him.]

Well, I ran off with the prettiest one. Lance will have to make due with whoever's left.

[ The look that crosses over her face is equal parts surprised, flattered, and amused. But that only lasts briefly as she lifts the hand that's holding the two bottles of sodas and gives him a light jab at the arm.

Jeez. Even his human arm feels like it's made out of steel. ]

Aww, Shiro, you're being way too nice.

[There's a short chuckle at her tease and he shakes his head, coming to a stop in front of what look like pretty official doors with a 'no guests beyond this point' sign on them. The doorknob is unlocked though and he gives it a turn and a light push so they can look inside.]

I'm just calling it like I see it. Lance can keep track of all the second place runners. I've got the number one with me.

[ Hana leans forward as the door opens to peer into the room, and her hair tumbles over her shoulder as she does so, although she's careful not to let it fall onto the plate full of food. Even in its darkness she can see what a wide expanse of a room it is and then she casts another glance over her shoulder, looking past Shiro and back down the hallway they'd come from to make sure they're not being followed.

But at his words, her gaze lifts up to meet his again, and she smiles a big, confident smile. Definitely feeling more like herself from the compliment. She can do compliments. She's very used to getting those. ]

That's right, I'm number one! [ it's said like a catchphrase. Mostly because it is a catchphrase for her. ] Come on, let's go in before someone notices us sneaking in.

[ Then, with a quiet conspiratorial giggle, she straightens up her posture and goes on in. ]

[Her hair falls forward over her bare shoulders and he locks his teeth together and lets the exhale out slow through his nose.

And then he's going to sit in a dark room with her - and talk because his family raised him right.

He intentionally used the phrase though, knowing it would bolster her. Her shy vulnerability had tugged hard at him and he'd be lying if he didn't admit it had felt good, to realize that she was aware enough of him to be flustered - but he didn't want her to feel uncomfortable or out of balance internally to the point it bothered her. Little moments of it - he'd admit he enjoyed but not long lengths of it. She'd earned her right to be confident, he loved it about her. It wasn't something he wanted damaged, even if a shake in it every now and then was gratifying if it was for him.

Her giggle helps re-center him and he follows her into the room, shutting the door quietly behind them.

It's obvious the room is in the process of being renovated. What he assumes are stacks of chairs are covered with cloth in one corner and it's just wide stairs in a circle leading down to a circular center. The floors are all marble though and so clean he's sure they cleared up all the loose plaster and detritus for the gala. It's not the room itself though that's the focus on the entire thing. It's the ceiling. Because the ceiling is a dome of utterly translucent glass and through that the stars look like he's usually only seen them from space, myriad and sharp and forever.]

Here. [He goes down a few steps and sets his plate down before unbuttoning his jacket and putting it on one of the stairs, lining down in case there's anything left on the polished steps they can't see in just the starlight. He's well aware how quickly anything black picks up. His jacket can handle some in the lining but her black dress would pick it up and advertise it in a heartbeat. Then he sits down on the step above it, long legs on the step below and picks up his plate again. With his other hand he pats the jacket.] Sit down and lean your back up against one of my legs. We can try your soda and watch the stars for a little while.

[ While Shiro forges on and prepares a spot for them, Hana is-- paused. Enraptured. In awe as she looks up at the glass canopy above them and the stars beyond that. She spends most of her time in cities where the stars are hidden from view or on battlefields where there isn't much of an opportunity for stargazing between trying to survive. Even when she's posted at Watchpoint Gibraltar with Overwatch, there's hardly time to sit outside and look up at the sky.

Which--really sucks, she thinks, because the sight she's greeted with at this moment is amazing, and certainly a pleasant surprise. Space has always fascinated her. She even remembers doing a livestream of watching the Kerberos mission launch years ago, because it was exciting to her and something she wanted to share with her fans. That space is probably second nature to Shiro is something she admires and, admittedly, is a little jealous of. But Hana also knows that she's got responsibilities that tie her down to Earth and intelligent and capable and confident she may be, astronaut she is not.

It's not until he speaks up with instructions that she peels her eyes away from the stars. It takes her a moment to register what exactly he means, to notice something on the steps and then another moment to register that it's his suit jacket.

Have his shoulders always been so broad? ]

You set your jacket down just for me? [ She chuckles again. ] Wow.

[ Then gingerly, she walks over, but before she starts down the steps she kicks her heels off to the side, and steps past Shiro so she can settle down on the step below him, putting her plate and the two bottles of soda down beside her. As instructed, she leans and presses her back to his leg and rests the back of her head to his knee, but not before she brings a hand under her hair and brushes it to the side so it spills over the front of her shoulder. After that, she's lifting a hand with a bottle of soda for him to take. ]

This was a super good idea, Shiro. The stars are so pretty.

[He likes her with bare feet. There's something sweet and sexy about it at the same time and it emphasizes just how long her amazing legs are. He lets himself appreciate that as she strolls over and settles down between his legs. There. That's where she belongs. Safely encircled by him. She can have his legs for now because its too early to offer her a spot in arms.

And because he doesn't know that he'd be able to resist kissing her if she was.

He watches the fall of her hair and hums a low sound.

She is, easily, the most beautiful woman he's ever seen and, caught under starlight in the darkness of the room, she casually takes his breath away. It takes him a second to realize when she offers the bottle of soda and to tear his eyes away from her.]

Beautiful.

[He agrees it. And knows he should open his bottle of soda and take his first drink and say - whatever he needs to say. Except he finds himself reaching down instead and touching her cheek in a gentle stroke with the back of his finger.]

Those eyes of yours could swallow stars, galaxies - universes. What hope did I ever have?

[ Hana, in the meantime, has already popped her bottle of Nano Cola open and is taking a swig of it when she hears Shiro mutter "Beautiful," and naturally she draws the conclusion that he's talking about the night sky and nothing, or no one else.

That is, until she feels the touch of his hand once more.

Gradually, she pulls the lip of the bottle away from her own lips and her attention from the stars. Her gaze lifts, fixates briefly on his lips, then on the scar across the bridge of his nose, the newer scar along the side of his face, until it meets his eyes again. For a few moments she's quiet again; her eyelids are brushed with a shimmering shadow and they glisten in the moonlight just as her eyes do as she blinks at him slowly. Her cheeks feel warm again.

What hope did I ever have?

Of what...? ]

Shiro...?

[ She trails off, but before long her lips curl into another small smile and her eyes close when she huffs a light, airy laugh. ]

You're being cheesy again.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

this was too good to leave

well her flirting really really REALLY works

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject