bakerstreet | I don't need another friend. I already have two.

[Sana's eyeing the phone book hesitantly. She gulps and takes it, starting to flip through.]

You just watch, I'm the best at prank calls that there ever was! ...I just. Need to pick somebody out of this phone book to call! That's all. Yeah.

[aw yiss. Come at him! cross-canon/medium welcome as well as canon crew. He is the fluffy bunny king! ~~just don't trust him with s'mores. He'll set those on fire~~]

[It's a strange alien planet of lush blue grass and sweet pastries and kind aliens. Another victory for Voltron destroys six large Galra ships from the planet's land, and the people of the capital took it upon themselves to thank them all with days of celebration and rest. They had their own team of mechanics and assistants working throughout the day to restore the damages, and at night, as the planet managed to throw a giant feast and celebration. Many of the civilians were continuing their celebration, but half of the paladins had turned in.

Well. Sort of. It was still early, so 'turned in' just meant 'not at the party' for some of them. Lance just switched to the new soft pajamas they'd given them all, and grabbed new products from the special alien beauty stash before tiptoeing off to find Shiro. In the end, Shiro was just the best candidate for this. After all, Hunk was busy with Pidge snooping in the technology quarters (boring), and Keith had found a friend to spar with (snoooooore), and Allura was off doing diplomat-y things. Which left only Shiro. Technically Coran too, but... no. Guy was off telling olden day stories with the other older guys on that planet, and Lance was noooot going to get in the middle of that.

Lance heads up to his door, a small box of items and a bag of chips that tasted like lays in one arm, a pillow in the other. It's ambush time.]

Hey, Shiro! Are you busy?

[Shiro doesn't mind all the attention. Really he doesn't. He got used to having to rub shoulders with people at fund raisers back after he'd graduated from the Garrison and been an up and comer in the world of space travel. The month before Kerberos had been packed with them too. So he knows how to nod and smile and say thank you and nod some more and listen to all the people that just want to talk.

That said, he had rarely been as grateful to have an excuse to retreat back to the castle - and his room in the castle - in his entire life. He's got himself a cup of what he can pretend is green tea and a book with a clear translator page thrown over it that can convert Altean to something he can read and he'd pretty much decided he's going to go hermit for at least the rest of the night and possible the next day as much as he can too. He enjoys people, he just... needs down time to recharge. So he's in a pair of what he's going to call sweatpants and a tshirt, pushed up in the corner of his bed that lets him put his back and one side to a wall and pull his knees closer, bare feet under the covers when his door chimes.]

Come in.

[It's automatic. He couldn't ignore it or answer otherwise if he tried. He tells himself its because someone might need him but really... he has a very hard time with the concept that the space he's in -

that he has any right to deny anyone, or thing, entry into it.

It's a feeling he doesn't like - but its one he can deal with sometime later. When the world isn't falling apart. The fact that its Lance's voice though - that's what has the muscles along his shoulders relaxing and the smile that's real, and a little crooked, moving over his lips.]

Not really busy. What's up?

Edited 2016-11-22 09:06 (UTC)

[Of course he'd be in here. Lance is rather glad; he'd be bored out of his mind if he'd gone searching to come back empty-handed, probably enough to even offer Keith beauty treatments--which he's been turned down way too often to keep asking, and yet he still does. But it has Lance grinning as he bumps the pad to open Shiro's door, a little amazed to see Shiro so relaxed and tucked in already.]

Not gonna lie, I was expecting you to be doing hardcore weight-lifting in your spare time here. But this is good.

[And thus begins Lance's quest to invade Shiro's space. He approaches it slowly, just in case Shiro actually is busy, or if 'not really' truly means 'swamped but will make time for you anyway', but Shiro just looks... comfortable. Lance grins; it means he has a shot. He holds up the items in his hands and affixes the older paladin with his laziest attempt at puppy dog eyes.]

Welllllll... I got these cool beauty supply things from the locals and I need a second opinion to test this nail polish on. So? So? Can I paint your nails? I promise I'll be quiet if you're busy! Everyone else is busy... [Which is a flat out lie. He's going to chat Shiro's ear off if he lets him.]

[Lance has a way of relaxing any atmosphere and Shiro snorts an amused sound at the work out assessment. It's not entirely off but - ]

Maybe next time.

[His eyes trace over to follow what Lance is holding in his hands, uncomprehending, but aware that, whatever it is, Lance is pretty happy about it.

The puppy dog eyes just get a raised eyebrow.

And then he blinks. Not really sure what he heard is filtering right through his ears. The raised eyebrow comes down to join its partner lower over Shiro's eyes and a slightly confused but pleased smile peeks out.]

You want to... paint my nails?

[Don't worry, Lance. He's not even going to pretend to take your promise to be quiet about it seriously.]

[Next time, but this is actually pretty good. Lance is glad to know Shiro actually does sit down and breathe, otherwise he and Hunk were probably going to have to go on a Make-Them-Rest mission throughout the team. He waits with bated breath as Shiro tries to understand this, but just grins more when he can't quite get it.

Further invitation to move closer. Lance tosses the pillow on the far end of Shiro's bed--already a sign that he's taking the answer as a 'yes' without quite saying it, and lifts the lid on the box to show the contents. It's a manicure-pedicure home kit, complete with at minimum ten colors of nail polish.]

Sure do. You can even pick what colors you want. And it seems to have a nail pen, so if you want I can draw on them too. I mean, if you want. Could write your name, draw little stars, whatever.

And... [To make matters a little worse, he shuts the lid and reaches into the bag, where there's another small box.] Could even do facials if you wanted them.

[Okay, he somehow missed the pillow when it was tucked under Lance's arm but he very definitely sees it when it thumps up on the foot of his bed and he's suddenly hit with the realization that he's walked right into a trap. Or invited it in. Or something. But the fact this is a long term plan is certainly a lot clearer to him and -

and he doesn't mind. He actually...

it would be nice. It would be nice not to be alone and yet still have his private space and his down time and -

and some company too.

He actually feels the little burst of warmth inside his chest and he exhales a laugh and shakes his head a little, edges of his eyes crinkling.]

You want to paint my nails and do facials?

[Shiro has never in his life - his grin breaks out and he sits up, setting his book aside and folding his legs.]

Sure. Tell me everything you've got.

Edited 2016-11-22 18:09 (UTC)

[The laugh is a hopeful sign. Lance is on the verge of downright begging for Shiro to indulge him when the older paladin agrees, and the widest grin breaks out onto his face. He got lucky, he's sure of it, but now that Shiro agrees, he's not going to let him go that easily.]

Okay! I brought a lot, just in case.

[Setting the bag down, he kneels on the floor and opens the small box. Inside, they've got things for mixing facials, moisturizers, facial scrubbing pads, and tonics. Lance points to them as he explains what one of the girls told him, including one bottle that he lifts out and squints at.]

I don't remember what she said this one is... maaaaybe we'll leave this one.

[But they've got the full workings for mud masks or clear masks. Lance kind of wants to do both. He sets that one on the bed, then opens the nail one. Skin scrubbers, hand lotions, deep moisturizers, nail polishes and removers, design tools... It's a mini works.]

Seems like this planet has an entire beauty team that go around to other planets. They said they're the reason earth knows what toners are, which was kind of great. Toners are nice.

[And finally, he pulls out the bag of chips and two drink pouches that taste like fruit punch from the bag. He even brought snacks.] Aren't you lucky, Shiro? You're in for the full pampering works by yours truly!

[Shiro can't help but be fascinated as Lance points out item after item and he leans forward to lift some of them for closer view before putting them back. He... hadn't been aware there was that much available for faces much less fingers. Though he'd always viewed his grandmother's box of beauty products with something akin to the awe most children reserved for magicians. His eyebrows go up a little at the idea of a team going around to other planets

and wonders if that's like Avon?

He has no idea what toners are.

He does recognize the drinks and chips though and his face splits into a wide grin as he shakes his head at the end.]

You really have all the bases covered. [He pats his bed because there's one chair at his desk and that's it for seating and Lance really shouldn't have to spend his time on the floor.] Are you sure this is safe for humans and we're not both going to show up for training tomorrow looking like blueberries?

[Lance doesn't bother explaining everything just yet, pretty certain he'll do so once they get started. After all, there's a lot, and the quick-pick explanation will just drift past anyone's ears--well, Shiro might get it, because it's Shiro, but he opts to not overwhelm him from the start. Grinning, Lance shifts closer and plops himself right on Shiro's bed, setting the boxes down on the space around them.]

I sure do! They gave me stuff for a beauty night and I'm gonna have a beauty night! But yeah, it's safe.

[He pauses to roll up his sleeve, showing the inside edge of his wrist. Another mini-lesson here.] Usually when you try face products and stuff, you check for allergies using a sensitive spot on your skin. I met up with one of the girls the second day we were here, no reaction.

[And then he places his hands on his cheeks.] Then I used it last night and it's amazing. So bam, safe. Stuff's pretty hypoallergenic by human standards so all of us should be okay?

[Once Lance is on the bed Shiro shifts himself so they're pretty much facing each other with the products between and slightly around them. He's aware that its possible he should be more skeptical about all of this but - he really just finds it fascinating. It's a bit like another language or another culture and Shiro has always loved that kind of stuff. He looks when Lance offers his wrist and makes a quiet noise to show he's paying attention. That - makes sense.

And seems pretty practical too considering how many new things he and the other paladins are going to be exposed to the longer they're at this. Even plants are a possible danger. But he trusts Lance. And he really is interesting in finding out what some of the things the other paladin had explained worked. He tucks his bare feet under his folded legs a bit more and touches one of the packets that was a 'clear' mask. There's something just a little bit distant and gentle in his voice was he comments:]

My grandmother was a geisha. She mostly quit when she married my grandfather but I remember there were times when I was a little boy that she'd still take an appointment for a corporate meeting or restaurant opening. She used to let me sit next to her while she put on her makeup. She always looked exactly the same after, except - like pond water. So clear you can see all the way to the bottom and everything was crystal clear there. [There's a small sound and a slightly crooked smile as he looks back up at Lance.] I never understood any of what she did. How'd you learn all this?

[Lance kicks off his slippers and folds his legs across as he gets more comfortable across from Shiro, just watching as Shiro pokes around with looking at the different items. But as he recounts a bit of his past, Lance's eyes widen in awe. He hadn't been expecting that at all, but he's completely amazed.]

Your grandma was a geisha?!

[Just getting to witness that as a small child sounds amazing, and Lance finds himself completely in awe. He grins a little at the mere thought.]

That's really cool, Shiro. Geisha makeup is just so pretty... seems really freaking hard, too. I just learned stuff from my big sister, and youtube. Nothing that cool, way to show me up! [He grins a little.] My sister and I were close, so I used to let her rope me into helping, but... we both got really into it.

[Shiro doesn't talk about his personal life much at all and his family even less but Lance's boxes of 'magic' remind him forcefully, with even a bit homesickness, of his childhood. It feels...

it feels almost like someone else's life. Except for moments like this when something brings back a moment of it so strongly he can almost smell the powder and wax. Lance's response has him chuckling.]

Well, she was geisha by the time I knew her so she didn't wear the white face and red lips by that point. Her makeup was supposed to look like it wasn't makeup. But - yeah. From what I understood it was pretty hard to do. [His smile spreads though. He doesn't know much about most of his team's lives before they came here and he quietly eats up any hints they drop.] I always wanted a sister. Or a brother. It must have been nice having someone to share things with. How'd your sister get into it in the first place?

[Lance is completely drawn in by Shiro's story of his grandmother. He doesn't recall having ever heard him speak of the past, save for anything he recalled from flashbacks or something small he was familiar with. Hearing him talk about family makes it feel like Lance has been let in on a special secret, and he's already holding it dear. And a further lesson on cultural makeup too; he didn't even know that tidbit.

He really wishes they had google. He makes a mental note to write it down somewhere, to look it up for when they're back on Earth.]

Oh wow... It still sounds pretty amazing... I tell you, some people are just too good at this it blows me away.

[When Shiro mentions siblings, though, Lance finds himself chuckling.] You can have one of mine if you'd like. She learned by... [Though he pauses, thinks for a moment. What an odd question to stump him on.] Dang. Girly toys? Teen movies? Mom? I don't know. We were younger, and she roped me into being her guinea pig one day and next thing you know, we're both watching beauty tutorials and she's teaching me how to paint french tips. [His gaze turns down towards the boxes and he smiles a little sheepishly.] It's... nice getting to do this with someone else. Even if I kind of ambushed you into it. So... thanks.

[It feels good. It feels good remembering. He's gotten so used to unpleasant memories that's he's done his best to block down everything but - home... It feels good to remember home. The way the first burst of rain on your face feels or the sound of wind through the pines. It surprises him a little.

His parents and grandmother think he's dead...

Lance has good memories too. Shiro focuses on those. And smiles. He's mostly only heard horror stories from friends that had siblings. Horror stories he's well aware are mostly exaggerated and affectionate - but its nice to hear about a close bond without any disclaimer. He reaches over and finds the juice packs, opening both of them and handing one back to Lance.]

I'm glad you did. [There's nothing but honesty in his answer.] This - isn't something I would have thought of on my own. All right. What would your sister have thought we should do first?

[Lance smiles as he takes the juice, taking a sip. Thinking about his siblings makes him miss them, but he feels closer to his sister even from being this far away. He tries not to wonder what the school has told them, or if they're assuming the worst, if they're all in the same boat as Shiro--not even dead, but presumed--

He likes the idea of focusing more on feeling nice. And bothering Shiro into joining him, always a good alternative. And they're in for a stress-free, fun evening. Glancing between the items, he tries to decide which one comes first.]

...Well... she likes to do nails first, but she's dumb so we're starting with facials. That way you don't risk messing up your nails trying to do your face, you know?

[Which means... this kit. He pulls it closer to the middle and begins pulling the items out few at a time.] It's got a couple of layers to it. Are you good with looking like a funky alien for fifteen to twenty minutes?

[It's... a little weird. Not being the one in control of things but - it's not bad. And Lance is certainly more of an expert on what they're doing than Shiro is ever going to hope to be. He leans forward just a little to watch as Lance starts taking things out of the box. And then he looks up with a grin.]

Lance. I think we are the aliens here. [The grin relaxes a little and he huffs an amused sound, shaking his head.] But no, I don't mind. I'd hate to rush anything and risk messing up our nails afterward.

[Lance can't help but chuckle at that little quip, nodding. It was true, though--out here, on all of these planets, in this vast expanse of space, their little ship of people and Alteans are really strangely foreign to everyone else. It's a hard concept to get used to.]

You're right, you're right. Mud masks it is, then. They feel better when they're done anyway, I think. Alright, so... the cool stuff about this is, it comes pre-packed. So, first--you washed your face, right? Works best when on a clean slate.

[Honestly, Shiro could probably go a month without washing his face and still look pretty flawless to Lance. But everyone could use a good deep clean, whether it's really necessary or not. It's at least fairly relaxing.]

[If he knew, Shiro would appreciate the faith in his skin tone. His fingers reach up and touch his cheek automatically at the question. He's so far out of his depth here that he's pretty much relying entirely on Lance's lead and if Lance says he needs a clean face, he needs a clean face.]

I did when I got back. Took a shower. [A glance at his clock] About an hour ago? Should I go wash it again?

Nah, that's good. We'll get started with you.

[He holds up one of the bottles, containing a soft lavender cream, opening it so Shiro could smell it. It smells like some sort of floral blend, with a slight chemical edge to it. Overall, not completely unpleasant.]

So basically, I'm just going to smear it on your face, and it'll dry. Once it's on, you just get to relax for a bit.

[Shiro appreciates the chance to smell whatever's being done to him. Obviously because he's apparently going to have it under his nose for a while, so that's important but

but also because certain smells set him off. He hasn't found a pattern to them yet but - certain things just - no. They're just no. This one isn't bad though. Flowers are nice and even the chemical scent underneath doesn't set off any warning bells internally. His smile goes a little crooked and he shifts forward, folding his arms across his bent knees.]

Okay. I just have to sit here?

[He won't lie. He's actually starting to get a little excited about this.]

Yep, all you need to do is sit back and relax.

[It's a little interesting, seeing that Shiro seems so relaxed but somewhat eager about this. Lance enjoys this, knowing that just a casual evening of beauty care can impact even the most stressed of paladins. Lance readies his hand to dip into the liquid, but then remembers--Shiro's tuft of hair.]

Oh, let me uh. Pin this, one sec.

[He rummages into the box again, wondering if he's got a bobby pin or clip or something, and finds a little pack of clips.] Aha! Let me pin this up. [He reaches a hand over to Shiro's tuft of silver hair, and his eyes widen.] Dude, what the hell, what kind of nice shampoo have you been using?!

[His tuft of hair doesn't even occur to him as something important but when Lance reaches up for it he supposes it makes sense and tips his head down a little to make it easier.

And then he's laughing. It's something that's closer to a cough and stays mostly in his throat and chest but it wrinkles the edges of his eyes. There's no shame at all as he says:]

Pretty nice, isn't it? I got it from the princess. Soap always drys my hair out so I asked her after we settled in. It smells a little like limes.

Whaaat?! Lucky!

[Lance is a little amazed, but also a little jealous. It had taken until they'd been on Arus for a little before Lance found something he could dilute into a decent shampoo, and even then it was only just passable. But to learn that Shiro's got that little luxury is just an entertaining fact. What other things can Lance add to the learns-about-his-team list for the night, he wonders.]

Shouldn't wash your hair with soap anyway, that's just primitive. It's good that you have something nice.

[And he actually just takes the time to comb his fingers through it before twisting it gently and flipping it over, pinning it loosely onto the darker locks.]

[Shiro's about to respond - but Lance plays with his hair and so instead there's a very low rumble in his throat while his eyes close for a moment.

Weakness? Found.

He does open his eyes though once its pinned and raises them, trying to catch a glimpse. And, strangely warmed that Lance thinks he deserves something nice. Shiro doesn't really take luxuries for himself. His hair is one of the few things he's picky about.]

All right. Face now?

[That rumble doesn't go unnoticed. He mentally adds to the list that Shiro seems to enjoy people playing with his super nice hair, and fights back a grin as he turns to the supplies, nodding as he lifts the mask cream back up. He may try that again later when they're done.]

Face now. You can close your eyes if you want.

[And with that, Lance just delves right in. He's sure there's a spoon somewhere, but it's going to end up on his hands anyway so he just skips the middle spot. From there, he smears a portion on Shiro's left cheek and slowly works on spreading it.]

[Shiro doesn't close his eyes around most people. He blinks - but there's no prolonged periods where he can't see. Another habit he's not really aware of and one he picked up for survival.

He doesn't have any problem closing his eyes around Lance though and that says a great deal about his levels of trust. So when Lance suggests it, he closes one eye and - after he's been touched so that he knows where things are - he closes the other.

And the smile creeps back to his lips. The attention feels -

well, it feels like he's being spoiled. Shiro doesn't remember the last time anyone spoiled him. It would be easy to feel guilty about but - Lance is so happy about it, it makes it easy to just accept and enjoy.]

Tell me what this is supposed to do?

[Lance can't help but grin to himself once Shiro's eyes close. He knows it's more about Shiro being tense just on the daily rather than trying to be focused on him, and of course his only real and deep knowledge of space trauma stems from (usually comedic) military movies and the whole "sleep with one eye open" deal, but to see him relax is good. For Lance, helping his teammates, his friends, relax and breathe is just as calming to him.

He smooths the mask on slowly but evenly, hands moving in small curves as he massages it onto the surface. He leaves a fairly generous circle around Shiro's eyes, but does not hold back on getting his forehead. After all: Shiro's probably getting frustrated dad lines, and Lance will have absolutely none of that.]

It's a deep cleanser, gets into your pores and all that jazz, also has a slight tightening agent to it to keep you from getting wrinkles. It'll harden for a little bit once it's all on there, but it melts and washes off with water. I'm not really sure why they harden the way they do but I think it means your skin's soaking up everything in it like a sponge.

[Shiro would be touched to know Lance was worried about frustrated dad lines on his forehead. And maybe a little alarmed considering he's only twenty-five. Though... okay, twenty-five or not, he probably is on his way to those dad lines.

He hums to show he hears and understands, not wanting to talk while Lance is working on his face and possibly mess anything up. Cleaning and tightening sounds sensible. And it feels nice - and smells nice. He's always been vaguely aware of his mother and grandmother having nightly routines with beauty products but that was considered a private kind of magic and one that stayed a mystery to him. If it was like this though... this is pretty nice. Though he imagines its not the kind of thing you can do every night.

Once Lance is done he cracks first one eye open and then the other. And then gets up to slide off the bed and walk over to the mirror to look at himself. It makes him chuckle and its still in his eyes when he comes back, trying not to grin so he doesn't mess up the mask. He takes his spot again and asks:]

Do I put yours on now?

[Shiro is definitely on his way to dad lines, and Lance is certain. He's seen these frustrations before on people, and he's heard about it from his mom, how she was sure she had wrinkles before she hit thirty because of her kids. And Shiro... has been sentenced to spend more time in space surrounded by a chunk of them.

When he finishes, he watches as Shiro moves to inspect his handiwork, smiling. So it meets the captain's approval, but it's also... really amusing to see, if Lance is honest. It never stops being amusing, doubly so if anyone needs his attention and walks in without prior warning. Lance almost wishes that happens. Only almost; he likes the idea of things being calm and settled with no interruptions just a bit more.]

Huh? Oh-- [What a saint. Lance grins. He'd just figured he'd do it himself, but if Shiro's offering, who is he to say no? Lance picks up the jar again, holding it out.] If you think you're up to it, I won't stop you.

[Shiro's grown up in a society where, if you want a refill, you fill up everyone else's glass. It's just the logical next step that if Lance is doing his face, it's his part to do Lance's. So he takes the jar and looks at the writing he can't read on the side of it and hums, dipping his human fingers in to get a decent amount that mimics the amount he'd seen Lance collect just before he'd closed his eyes. Fairly aware of how its supposed to go by simply repeating what he felt being done to him, he starts with the circular smears.]

How thick should I lay it on?

[Lance smiles, but tries to force it back when he feels Shiro sliding the cream onto his face. He's quick to close his eyes, more than used to leaving his completely blind and devoted trust in their leader's hands. He tries not to move his mouth too much when he speaks, which has him making almost a kissy face as he talks through his teeth. His sister taught him tricks--like how to still be his loud, obnoxious self.]

Uh... Enough so it covers completely without any cracks, really? It doesn't need to be thick, but it's better thick than too thin, that way there's full coverage.

Got it.

[Watching Lance talk without moving his face is - well, all right. It's kind of funny. And admirable. Nothing is really going to keep him quiet. Shiro doesn't mind. As much as he needs his quiet time to recharge and get his energy back... it can be lonely too. Having someone he trusts, that he enjoys time with... it helps. A lot. So he concentrates as he applies the cream to Lance's face, brows unconsciously down in a way that's sure to hurry the arrival of those dad lines Lance is concerned with and makes sure he uses a good amount to coat Lance's whole face, making sure he doesn't miss the jaw line or the spot between the eyebrows. Once he's done he gives his work a critical look but doesn't see anywhere that looks thin or as if he missed it. He adds a dab to the tip of Lance's nose and settles back, rubbing the extra cream off by curling his fingers into his palm.]

There. Pretty sure that's right. How often did you and your sister do this kind of thing?

[Lance is quiet for most of it, but every once in a while he'll hum happily or murmur out that Shiro's doing a pretty good job. It isn't exactly difficult, but it's nice, especially when he can tell Shiro's hitting what he considers his own critical spots. Once finished, Lance opens his eyes and tries not to grin too widely.

He's having a blast.] You're just great, Shiro. Thanks.

[At the question though, he has to think. They've gotten bigger, and with the Garrison he hadn't even seen her in a while...] Together? We used to try and do it once a month, but then school kind of got in the way for both of us. It just got harder to find time so it was like... any time we had a free evening together, which was kinda rare. I think she still keeps it up, but I've been pretty bad about the full works. We still watched videos like every day though, she always found some weird tutorial to try and she'd send it to me.

[It's nice hearing about Lance's family and Shiro hopes he's not prodding too much by asking the other paladin to bring them up. Shiro loved his parents, and he'd been able to grow up with his grandparents too and he didn't want to change that. But... he'd always envied people that had siblings and Lance and his sister sounded like they had the kind of bond he'd always imagined. It's a bit vicarious, the pleasure he gets in hearing Lance reaccount stories. Shiro reaches across to turn his clock so Lance can keep an eye on the time.]

She sounds like a really good sister And like you're a really good brother. So do we do we do now?

[As Shiro turns the clock, Lance glances at it immediately and the mental countdown begins. Around the time he's done, Shiro would have gotten an extra few minutes, which just means more relaxing. He already knows what comes next in the kit, so he sets it aside for now. Now for the fun part: waiting.]

First time I've heard I'm a good one. All of them just call me a pain. [And he chuckles a little. He's used to it, which is what also makes him probably the family jokester.] But uh... now we really just wait. This is the part where my sis and I would find a video to time it, but since we don't really have cool eyeliner tip tutorials out here in space...

Uh... I spy? Twenty questions? Lance what did you steal from the planet this time? Joke on that last one, and the answer is totally nothing. Or we could just chat.

[Shiro's eyebrows do go up at the 'what have you stolen' but he exhales amusement at Lance's answer and shakes his head. If anyone is taking things, he suspects its Pidge and its tech things that she's not really realizing she's walking off with so much as too engrossed by to think about boundaries.]

There might be some really interesting make-up tip shows out this far. [He grins before he remembers he's trying to keep his face still and stops, but the curve of his eyes says its still there.] Chatting is fine. Unless you want to twenty questions me.

[Lance is pointedly ignoring that look--even restricted in movement, he can tell that's what Shiro's doing, and he's going to deflect it. Shiro doesn't need to know about his slowly growing collection. He's not terrible about it, but small things.]

Oh yeah. I'm going to be in for a world of confusion when we go back. All I know is glitter is forever sequins never die. [Because... it's probably a fact by now that even the sixties couldn't kill sequins and glitter is probably a permanent fixture.]

Hmm... I could just bug you about stuff in general? I don't even know if I could think up twenty questions. I got one, though--what were you reading?

[Glitter certainly seems to have staying power. Shiro will agree to that. He was still finding the stuff in his hair and clothes days after they made Hunk his crown and sash. He decides to save that knowledge however and hums a sound at Lance's question. Reaching out he picks up the book he'd set aside and offers it. It's old and battered, some kind of hard cover that feels a great deal like wood.]

A book of old Altean poetry. Coran found it for me. Even with the translator its slow going but - I've got time. Turns out the Alteans like to talk about flowers. A lot. [He offers a small smile.] I just missed having a book nearby. I never went on missions without one before. Sometimes I wonder what the Galra did with my vintage copy of the Martian Chronicles.

[Lance wouldn't be surprised at all about the glitter. It still rains from a corner in his room since that day, and he's not sure how it keeps finding him but he's pretty sure he's cursed. But he's more interested in this book, all nice and glitter free, and opens it to a page. Already, he recognizes a few symbols, but it has him smiling a little.]

Not too surprised about the flowers. They seem kinda like they would. [From what he's heard, Altea seemed to thrive off of nature.]

Shiro, you're so classy. I didn't know you liked poetry.

[Shiro has to laugh at being called 'classy'.]

The usual term is nerd or dork but I'll take classy. [His grin says he really doesn't mind any of the titles and then he remembers he's not supposed to be cracking his mask and tamps down on the grin so its just a smile.] But I like poetry. My grandfather was a poet. I didn't inherit his way with words but he did teach me to love them.

Summer night:
and in my eyes starlight
hundreds of years old.

[Lance laughs, but he catches himself and tries not to laugh too widely. He couldn't consider Shiro that dorky unless he started walking around in heavy frames trying to turn everything into a math problem. But they went to a school of dorks where the engineering program was a competitive field, and now they fly giant robot cats in space. Lance isn't sure there's anything dorkier than that.]

That's actually pretty cool, y'know. Is that one from your grandfather? Sounds like a haiku... or kind of?

[He kind of paid attention to that unit in English class. Poems were always just easy tricks on flirting with people but he rarely memorized any outside of 'roses are red' ones.]

[Yeah. They qualify as dorks all right. Shiro smiles before remembering to tamp it down.]

Got it in one. It's one of my grandfather's haiku. The syllables are right if you say it in Japanese. [He reaches back mentally, digs through his memories. Smiles.] This one isn't my grandfather's but -

Goes out,
comes back—
the love life of a cat.

Ah... Haikus are the ones with the weird syllable pattern, right?

[Lance takes a moment, but ends up pursing his lips together to stop himself from laughing at that one.]

That's pretty perfect for a cat.

Five, seven, five.

[If someone had told him he'd be doing a beauty routine and quoting poetry tonight, Shiro would have probably taken them to the infirmary to have their head's checked for bumps. But... this is better than an old Altean book and silence. Who knew coming into space would include new skin care routines?]

All right. Last one. Not a haiku.

Come see the thing that dad has caught!
oh, yuck! don't even bother.
It is not dead as dad had thought
and we are minus a father.

Five, seven, five... I'm gonna remember that.

[He might not, but now he knows he'll probably think of Shiro when he thinks of haikus. Or just poetry in general. It's a weird little thing to know, but it's also pretty cool. Lance is in a pretty good mood from all of this.

But that last one has Lance cracking up, face mask be damned. Might nod hold back those laugh lines to smooth back to perfection, but he's alright with that. He's having a world of fun just having their offbeat poetry night, even if it doesn't save his cheeks.]

That's a good one!

[Shiro would consider the crack in tightened pores a worth sacrifice if Lance is laughing and enjoying himself. Shiro knows he's not the comedian of the group and it always gives him a kind of quiet pride and satisfaction when he can make one of them laugh and forget things for a tick or two. It's nice to be able to give Lance back some of what he so easily gives the rest of them. So his smile is proud and pleased.]

Well, half the fun of playing with words is seeing how you can rearrange them into something different. Not every single poem has to be sad and longing. Just - most of them.

[Rearranging words... That a new take on poetry. Lance finally calms down from his fit, still grinning as he looks up at Shiro.]

So I guess there's more to poetry than love sonnets and sad stuff, huh! You're gonna have to write that one down for me. [Animal jokes. Even better.] Do you write poetry too? Or is that, like... some dark, hidden secret you'll never tell? Do you have some sort of locked diary stashed away?

[Shiro gives a shrug and a nod, still smiling loosely, willing to write down poems for Lance if the other paladin wants them. Thanks to his grandfather Shiro has more than is probably normal, or sane, memorized and ready to go at the drop of a hat. While Lance never struck him as a poetry jam kind of person - Shiro's more than willing to admit his teammate surprises him on a regular basis with things hidden in the depths of him. And then he snorts a laugh and only just remember not to rub his nose at the last second.]

Not a chance. I know nothing's safe from you lot. All my deepest, darkest secrets would be painted across the outside of the castle in a day if I did. [His shoulders relax a little and he reaches for his drink, eyes laughing. Shakes his head a little.] Besides, my grandfather was the poet. I can appreciate words but I can paint with them. You've got more talent with them than I do.

That's cruel, Shiro. We wouldn't paint them on the outside of the castle of the ship! ....We'd paint it on the inside, of course.

[But now Lance feels like there's a new mission brewing on the sideline there--find this secret journal and see if it does exist. Or just bothering Shiro into giving him poems.]

Painting with them? I dunno, Shiro, I think you'd be a pretty awesome poet. You want a cheesy roses is red poem? Sign me up. But that's all I've got. [So if you hear him quoting any limericks to any cute alien he meets on the next planet, it'll be obvious where his skill for poetry lies.] You should write some. It'd be a hit with the ladies.

[Shiro considers himself proficient with words and that hasn't been a bad thing in the military. But with the grandparents he had, he knows what real word play sounds like and he knows he'll never come close to that kind of verbal art. It doesn't bother him, no more than realizing he'll never be able to ink paint masterpieces or write a song, but he does appreciate it when other people can. And Lance can.

Not necessarily with poetry. Shiro's not sure he wants to hear what Lance considers an acceptable roses are red poem. Mostly because he suspects it ends with a cheesy pick up line. But that's not the only way to have a talent with words and Lance knows just the right ones to change a mood, to lift someone's spirits, to make someone laugh. That's a verbal talent too. The rest though -

Shiro chuckles and shakes his head.]

I'll leave the romancing to you. I think you're enthusiastic enough about it for both of us.

[Lance just rolls his eyes with a soft laugh. What he has in enthusiasm and backwards charm, Shiro pulls off naturally. Lance will be the first to point out how picturesque his leader is, and how with just a bit of pushing, he'd probably be slicker than butter.

More new missions for Lance. He shakes his head.] Well, I'll make sure some of it rubs off on you. You just gotta test your skills, try out a good line or two, see how it works. I'll teach ya. I'm a pro, but you seem like you'd be a natural. Trust me.

[Don't trust him, Shiro. Well, at least not on that. But Lance's eyes spot the clock again, and he looks over.] Oh! Guess we can wash our faces now and keep going. You first. Feeling a little stiff? It looks like it's getting a little stiff on ya.

[There is just a little spark of warning but Shiro's relaxed enough that he doesn't pay it the attention it probably deserves at the idea of Lance deciding Shiro needs romance lessons. Because that sounds like a really bad idea. Not the romance lessons themselves, though Shiro would suspect that his style wouldn't match Lance's at all in that particular area but more that Lance seems to think romance lessons are necessary.

Which indicates he thinks Shiro needs romance.

Which indicates he might think he needed to help find someone.

And that - that just doesn't sound safe at all.

Besides... that would imply that Shiro was healthy enough for that kind of thing and... Shiro doesn't really think so. He's glad for the distraction with the mask and he reaches up to tap it lightly with a human finger. Moves his nose a little.]

Does feel a little stiff. [He unfolds from the bed and stands up leaning a little to catch a look at the mask in the mirror before giving Lance a smile.] You just want me out of the room so you can look for that journal. [But he grins when he says it and then steps through the small door that leads to his bathroom, not bothering close it behind him. There is no journal. Or not a personal one at least. Like hell would Shiro ever right down what goes through his head where it could be found. But there are several notebooks full of star charts and calculations and notes on planets, people and species they've seen as well as the lions and the castle. He doesn't honestly expect Lance to invade his privacy like that but if he does he's going to be bored out of his mind in short order.

The mask comes off fairly easily with water and Shiro pats his face dry with a hand towel, vaguely remembering something about patting things dry from his mother and grandmother. His skin does feel - strange. Not bad strange. Kind of nice strange and he looks in the mirror over the skin. Well - he's not glowing yet but maybe his face doesn't look quite as tired as it had before. He leaves the towel over his shoulder and pulls down another one to leave on the sink for Lance before he steps out and back into the room.]

Feels better. [A gesture over his shoulder at the bathroom.] All yours.

[To Lance, everyone could use a good romance, but that was in his M.O. He doesn't think Shiro's incapable of finding someone, but that he just isn't trying--after all, Lance has heard some of the inhabitants of the planets they've arrived on, and from what he knows about Shiro, and his own thoughts, Shiro is a bombshell. But to have someone this amazing not even try?! It feels almost like wasted potential to him.

But he doesn't push it. He never does, especially when it comes to Shiro. So instead he laughs, lifting both hands up in peace. He'll let you out of it this time, Shiro.]

Hey now, I was at least gonna wait until you left the room before snooping through your stuff! Give me some credit here!

[Lance just watches Shiro go, but even when the older paladin leaves the room, he makes no move to dig through anything. After all, part of his utmost respect for his other paladins, especially his hero, also includes not digging through their room for something so personal as a journal. He opts instead stretching his back, lifting his arms into the air until he can hear his back muscles pop in relief. Lowering them, he then pokes through the items in the kit again and looks at the labeling until Shiro returns.]

It's nice, right?

[And with that, he slides from the bed and hops off to the bathroom, where it takes him a considerable time longer to wash his face. And even so, once the mask is off and his face is dry, he spends an extra minute or so longer just examining his pores in curiosity. He has A Process when it comes to face care.]

[Lance isn't wrong in the fact that Shiro's not even trying. In fact, in a very subtle, most subconscious way, Shiro is probably actively avoiding. He's pretty sure he missed that boat already and by 'boat' he doesn't think of a person so much as mental stability. He can get his social fulfillment from his interactions with his paladins and the Alteans and, in no small part, to his bond with Black as far as he's concerned. And when Lance goes trundling off to the bathroom, Shiro reaches over to open a drawer on the desk next to his bed and pull out a notebook and pen, shutting it again to settle in, legs crossed, back propped against the wall to write down a few of the poems he remembers and that he thinks Lance might like. His eyes do drift up a few times though, just to make sure Lance hasn't fallen in the sink or anything. He's taking a bit but as long as he doesn't start screaming Shiro figures its part of the beauty routine he's got and far be it from Shiro to interrupt something like that.]

[Lance appreciates that Shiro doesn't seem to have a problem with Lance micro-examining his face in the light. He finally towels off, heading out of the room with a new observation to express, rubbing the towel still gently across his cheek. The material is soft, he appreciates it.]

Hey Shiro, did you notice these things had pore minimizers--

[And that's when he spots the notebook, and his eyes widen a little. He glances at Shiro, then the notebook, then squints towards him.]

The elusive diary... so it does exist!

[Shiro glances up as Lance strolls back in, aware of what 'pore' and 'minimizer' would be and making what he hopes is an educated guess on why those two words together is a good thing when Lance cuts off and gives him the squinty eye. Which - has one of Shiro's eyebrows going up, pen pausing halfway through writing out the 'A Wolf is at the Laundromat' poem he remembers.

He blinks. And then one side of his lips hook upward and he suddenly looks down, eyebrows low over his eyes, at the paper to start quickly scratching out - and reading outloud - ]

oh my gawd! Coran wore his hair the same way I did today. As if! Everyone knows spiked bangs are my thing. He's just doing it to get Lance's attention since Lance said he liked my hair that way last Tuesday when he asked me to borrow my abso-favorite Hello Kitty pencil for the pop quiz on saving the galaxy from Zarkon that Professor Allure gave us. If I hadn't been tall enough to look over the top of her head and read Pidge's answers I'm pretty sure I would have failed.

[Lance has to clamp a hand over his own mouth to stop from laughing too loudly as Shiro did his best impersonation of a teenage girl. There's just something absolutely amazing of the jokes coming from their superior, especially with how into it he seems, but it's just wonderful to witness. He drops back on the bed, holding a hand up to stop Shiro while he just cackles.]

Stop, stop, I can't--I'm gonna explode!

[Shiro pauses as he looks at Lance - and then goes back to the notebook and scribbles in:]

Shiro + Black

[And draws a few little hearts around it for good measure. Then he finishes up the last lines of the 'wash and wear wolf' poem with a slightly neater hand and closes up the notebook. Grinning. Because its not often Shiro gets to be anything but the straight man and getting Lance of all people to crack up is a huge feather in his cap.

He... hasn't felt this good - and this relaxed and happy in a really long time. And Lance busting up on him feels like an accomplishment he can be unreservedly proud of. He waits until Lance can breathe and holds out the notebook.]

I'd hate to disappoint.

[Lance barely calms down as he catches his breath, still grinning from ear to ear. Shiro is the actual best, like the actual best he's ever met. He's glad for the breather though. It's been a while since he's laughed that hard, and it feels great every time he gets to.

Sitting up properly, he watches as Shiro finishes up his note, then opens it. Poems, he'd asked, and there's a moment of surprise on his face--until he flips to that note, and he drops back, laughing as he holds the book to his chest.]

Shiro! You're just--I can't--! [He'll be coherent in a few, just give him a few moments.]

[They don't get to laugh nearly as much as they should and Lance provides most of the reasons for laughter when they do. It's a talent of his and one he uses well but - it doesn't Shiro's heart good to see the other paladin able to cut loose and laugh himself.

It also feels really good to be able to be the source of that laughter and his smile is wide and crooked, happy himself on many levels at Lance's laughter. He shifts a bit, letting his back relax against the wall at the head of his bed.

A much better evening than just a cup of tea and a book.]

Well, if word about my super secret crush gets out, I'll known who to blame it on.

Your super--

[Lance stays lost to his fit of hysterics for a little, trying to force himself to calm down by pressing a hand to his chest. He takes a dramatic breath in, but releases it with a chuckle as he brings a hand to his eyes. Actual crying from laughter?]

Shiro, you're the actual best. Your secret's--[And he actually has to bite his bottom lip to stop from laughing again; this will probably always be funny]--it's safe, I swear!

I knew I could trust you.

[His grin says it all. He hasn't felt this relaxed in ages and, for the first time in a very long time, there's no niggling feeling at the back of his head that he's missing something or isn't doing something he should be. It's - nice. It's really nice. And he sits forward to slap his hands lightly on his knees and ask eagerly:]

So what's next?

Of course ya can! I'm taking this to my grave!

[Lance can't help but feel grateful for the evening. As he sets the notebook aside and finally sits up properly, the grin doesn't leave his face when he realizes it seems like Shiro's enjoying himself too. He's an absolute dork. This day is going down in history for Lance as one of the best days in the history of space. What's next?]

Toner, then moisturizer. And then hands! [He picks up the next item, a small bottle, then glances over to Shiro and smirks.] Gotta keep you all nice and handsome for Black, huh. But uh, toner here is supposed to help keep up your pH balance. [He holds out the bottle for Shiro.] I'm not even sure what that means, but it seems healthy?

[Shiro really is enjoying himself.

And he's also an absolute dork.

Neither one of which bring him shame. So he takes the bottle curiously from Lance even as he chuckles about 'looking good for Black' and takes off the cap so he can look inside and then smell it before replacing the lid. He can't read the writing on the label but the four eyed face on the front looks happy about things at least. Absent, some old vestige of his time as a guest instructor at the Garrison kicks in and he answers:]

pH is how we measure something's acidic and alkaline levels. 0 to 14, 7 being true neutral. Anything above 7 is alkaline, anything below is acidic. Human skin is usually about a 5.5, so slightly acidic. That keeps in moisture and helps kill off germs. Human blood is about a 7.4. Alkaline. Water is a 7. [He hands the bottle back to Lance with a smile.] So as long as alien pH levels are close to our own we should be fine. Too much alkaline and it would just give us really dry faces.

[That was too smooth. Lance listens carefully, nodding with interest as he explains it. Chemistry was also never one of Lance's strongest suits, but he's also sure they hadn't gotten into that before getting whisked into space. It's interesting to know, and Lance actually reaches for the pen and writes down a little note at the bottom of one of the pages in the notebook before setting it aside again.

Lance, being studious? Weird.]

So I guess it's good, then! They didn't give any specifics on it but I'm guessing if it's balanced then it's probably near that 7, I guess? It feels nice, though. You just wipe it on your face.

[Weird maybe but Shiro was always under the impression that if Lance was interested in something, he'd pick it up quickly. The key word there was interested. It was hard to pay attention to something you never thought you'd apply to your life. Something that you could? It was much easier to pick that up. And right now they're talking about skin care and Lance obviously has an interest in that and pH is applicable. So while Shiro might be a little surprised Lance is taking notes - its gratifying as well. He really had enjoyed his times as an instructor at the Garrison, even if he's just been there as a guest lecturer.

And he can take instruction too. Lance is pretty much the teacher currently.]

With our fingers and palms?

[Perhaps later, Lance might ask more about scientific things related to face care. He has a fondness for it, but Shiro's also very easy to understand. But probably later, when he goes through the notebook again and finds himself with a hundred questions to ask. For now, though, this part is easy.

Lance just shrugs. That's the answer.] Yeah. Or these cotton pad things in here. Whatever you prefer really. I usually just use my hands. [He holds the pads out too, in case Shiro does opt to use one.]

Hand is fine.

[No cotton pads, they put on their toner with their hands like men. Or... something like that. Shiro holds out his human hand, cupped, not sure how much he should be expecting but willing to let Lance call the shots.]

So tight pores are a good thing?

Alright! And yeah. Pores help your skin breathe, but if they're too big then they take in dirt and gross things from the air and clog them up. Tighter and smaller pores mean they can still breathe without all that extra junk. Keeps ya nice and blemish free.

[Lance sets the pad down, then opens the bottle and begins trying to shake the liquid out. Nothing comes out... Frowning at it, Lance holds it up, checking to make sure he's opened it, and it seems fine.]

...huh.

[Turning it around, he shakes at it, then gives it a harsher squeeze. And out pops... a round, solid orb, squishy but approximately the diameter of a dime lands right into Shiro's palm. Lance stares at it.] Well, that's new. [When he pokes at it, though, the bubble disappears, leaving a small handful of toner. It's creamier here, but... a very decently-sized amount. Lance stares.]

...huh.

[blemish free huh? Shiro could have appreciated that when he was younger. He knew that he'd gotten off pretty light in the acne department as a teen but he'd still had his share of break-outs and the ones that had stayed deep under his skin, refusing to rise to the surface to relieve the pressure had been a real problem for quite some time. He'd gotten one in his ear once! And twenty-five was not far enough away from his teenage years to have forgotten that kind of pain.

He could have used a Lance in his life back then apparently. Now he watches curiously as Lance messes with the bottle and the number of huh indicate something unusual. He looks down at the liquid in his palm once Lance has popped the bubble, feeling a little on the leery side -

but still game. Still...]

Can you - put it on my face for me? Otherwise I think I'm just going to waste it by accidentally putting it all on one cheek or something.

[Lance got lucky. Being a little vain on his own, and his sister, spared him for quite a few pimple problems, but it didn't spare his allowance for trying out and buying products. Skincare was a costly investment, that was for certain. But it's been long enough for him to be devoted to it, even if it comes off as excessive sometimes.

At Shiro's request, Lance nods, although he takes a moment to just squint at the liquid. Seeing as it seems just fine in the palm of Shiro's hand and hasn't tried to eat through his flesh in any way, he figures it's fine. Shrugging, he just goes for it.] Well, it's not destroying your hand, so you should be okay. Doesn't seem particularly cold either. You'd probably end up with more of it on your clothes than your face if you tried to slam it all on one side though.

[Dipping his fingers into the liquid, Lance uses his hands to gently smear it on, using longer strokes and going more slowly to cover without missing any spots in his face. He smiles as he does so.] Smells a little fruity. How's it feel?

[Shiro's eyebrows have time to go up at the idea that, unaware, he might have ended up with a handful of acid - and while he's aware of Lance's sense of humor... apparently that is also a possibility. Still, nothing eats through his skin and he closes his eyes obediently as Lance starts to put the stuff on him. Lance is right, its not a bad smell, no underlying chemicals to set off his alarms. Lance has got a nice touch too and... and its just nice to be touched in a way that didn't involve pain...]

Lighter than the mask. Like... tacky water. A little. How often did you and your sister do this whole routine?

[As much as Lance would like to admit that he didn't actually consider the fact that there could be a handful of acid in Shiro's hand... it's still a possibility. Maybe like a one in thousandth chance, though. The ones he'd been dealing with hadn't really steered him wrong, but the toner was weird--he'd begun thinking of things with that possibility of it ending up badly given how many bad encounters he's had.

But it's good, works the same, feels the same to his hands too. Lance smiles. Still a success. He just continues to apply it as Shiro questions him, actually a little jealous of Shiro's skin. He still looks so dang great.]

Well, toner's usually a once- or twice-a-day thing, but I usually just do it at nights. No idea on my sister though. Toner, then moisturizers, then your face is usually pretty good, or night masks.

[Good skin runs in the family. It's a crime that Shiro's not appreciative enough of that fact. His skin will appreciate Lance's efforts on its behalf though, even if, to Shiro, this is more about simply spending time and unwinding with the other pilot, with the very nice, and the unadmitted to secret, that he craved human touch after his year without it in space and Lance playing with his face feeds it in a very safe, very nice kind of way.

Eyes closed, his eyebrows still do go up at that.]

That - sounds like a lot of work. Every day?

[Although Shiro hasn't said anything, Lance is pretty tuned into his body language and the fact that Shiro looks the most relaxed that he's ever seen him in one go. They're definitely going to have to do this again.

Sure, toner really doesn't require that much effort, but Lance takes his time with it. After all, Shiro seems to be enjoying it, and it'll make his face not age drastically before he reaches the big 3-0. He has to chuckle at that response though.]

Yep. You don't always have to get too into it, but... yep. It takes time to be this flawless. Usually it just takes maybe ten, fifteen minutes max? Face wash, toner, moisturizer, move on with the day.

[If asked Shiro won't even pretend he's not up for doing this again. Regularly in fact. Though... every night seems extreme.

And Shiro listens too. He's aware that both his mother and grandmother have nightly routines that they hold to religiously but those are mysteries he's never been invited to share in beyond his grandmother dabbing some of her lotion on his sunburned nose as a child or the occasional dusting of scent across him when he'd be late getting to bed as a kid and his good night kiss would end up smelling sweeter. Ten or fifteen minutes every night seems -

seems just about as sensible as any of his waking up routines he supposes, thinking of the pushups and the stretches and the breathing exercises. And... it does feel nice... His smile comes again.]

Flawless, huh? So whos prettier, your sister or you?

[When Lance finishes with the toner, he merely sets it down and opens the moisturizer. It's got a creamier feel to it, but still the same soft scent, and he dabs it on in small bits before smoothing it in just as gently. If Lance had to drop out of the Garrison for any reason other than terrible grades or Voltron, he'd take the Grease method and go straight to beauty school.

But Shiro's question has him choking, and he pauses, sulking for a moment.]

What an awful question! If I don't pick her, she'll actually murder me. She will find whatever space quadrant we're in with her sister genes and she'll throw the closest heel straight to my head! You never come between Sophia and beauty. She's like... reigning beauty champ unless you're under five.

[Shiro's unaware that they've moved on to something beyond the toner but it feels so nice to be touched and taken care of that his mind doesn't even register whether the same parts of his face are getting attention more than once. He does pick up the moment it stops though, one eye cracking open to -

he coughs.

and then he coughs again but this time he hunches his shoulders forward slightly and the next sound that comes out of him, behind the fist he has raised to his lips, is the rusty sound of Shiro laughing. It's quiet and obvious he's both not used to it and trying not to be too obvious about it but -

yeah, that's Shiro laughing.]

[What was that? Lance's eyes widen at that cough, wondering if maybe the scent hit him, or if he choked--but it doesn't even take that second to know that it's Shiro laughing right at him. The older paladin is doing his best to hide it, but it doesn't fool Lance at all.

There's another pout, but there's absolutely no bite to it as he huffs dramatically. Getting Shiro to laugh always makes him feel better, even if it's at his expense a little. He'll take it this time, blame it on Sophia.]

Har har, laugh it on up, Shiro. You'll be glad we don't have her throwing her pumps right at us from across the galaxy. Those shoes could take an eye out!

[Shiro thinks he might be a little in love. Because he's pretty sure that anyone that can throw shoes with even half the accuracy Lance describes must be a very impressive woman. But really, it's the way Lance talks about his sister, and his family by extension, that's so good feeling to hear. Shiro's an only child and as much as he loves his family and is completely content in their love for him - they were never an expressive group and he was always just a little lonely without any siblings to share his childhood with. Listening to Lance talk about his sister - its almost as if Shiro is allowed to enjoy it himself in a through the mirror kind of way and

it's nice. It's really nice.

He holds up his hands in surrender though, palms outward. Smiling.]

I'll take your word for it. She sounds like we should have just let her take on Zarkon and saved us the time.

[Lance could honestly praise his sister all day. Even though he considers her a pain, as he does with all of his siblings, he loves them to pieces. And just thinking of the day she actually nailed him from down the hall from tossing at a weird angle out of her bedroom, he can only shudder to think about how good of an aim she'd have as a Paladin.

He actually chuckles about it a little. Tilting his hand inward, he taps one of Shiro's palms with his knuckles, then dips his fingers back into the moisturizer. There, forgiven.]

Could we! She'd probably be bored out here, but we'd be done fighting Zarkon in, what? A month? Dad says she's just like mom, and mom is horrifying. She's like... Horrifying Jr. If she got a bayard that turned into a shoe we're solid.

[Shiro takes the forgiveness with a smile. It's been a long time since he's been loose enough to just relax and joke around the way he used to at the Garrison. Most of the time he's busy being the team leader/big brother/mentor/whatever they needed and he doesn't mind that at all. He's aware he's still a little bit of that even now. But - it's just nice to have casual conversation and goof around a little without any weight or responsibility on him.

He honestly has no idea what drove Lance to ambush him with facial care in the first place but - he's glad. And he hopes Lance realizes it because saying it outright seems as if it would break the magic. So instead he just closes his eyes and leans forward a little again so Lance can go back to work on his face. Grinning.]

I don't know. Maybe after she defeated the Galra Empire in under a month's time she could get her own beauty show. Travel around, test out new products and show everyone how to make the most of them. Kind of like that Travel Planet Food show but with beauty products.

[Lance definitely realized it, but he's enjoying himself enough to not say anything. He feels better, even lighter, and he can tell from Shiro's laughter that the older paladin does too. It shoves away the nostalgia of missing home and replaces it with just more fond, silly memories and a good evening even so far out into space. Lance is glad he made the jump; he had been hoping Shiro would find some sort of relaxation out of it, but the results ended up a lot nicer than he thought.

As Shiro leans forward, he returns to smoothing in the moisturizer on his face. He can't help but smile himself at Shiro's grin. This sneak.]

And give her the credit of saving the universe and being an inter-galeactic beauty vlogger? Hell no! I'll do it. She can have Galra, I'm doing that vlog.

[His grin relaxes into a smile when Lance starts on his face again and Shiro won't admit to it but the throaty hum he makes might be on the edge of a purr. Just for a moment before he stops. His eyebrows do lift a little at Lance's protest though and then -

the laugh slips out of him despite himself and he cracks one eye open, grinning again.]

I'm glad to see where your priorities are.

[That noise makes him smile more. It's almost cute, really cat-like in the good, non-furry way. He's glad Shiro's enjoying it. Maybe next time he'll try to add in a back massage or something too.

But the laugh makes him smirk, and he reaches up to lightly flick Shiro's nose. Ya jerk!]

Hey, Galra's only temporary if we've got anything to say about it, but I've gotta live with this face. My beauty must be protected and shared with the world!

[The nose flick has both of Shiro's eyes opening and going wide in his face for a long second

and then they wrinkle up and curve and he bursts into a real laugh that comes from somewhere deep in his chest. He'll dryly tease Lance in a moment about the important of preserving beauty but - ]

Did you just - nose flick me?

Edited 2017-01-19 17:26 (UTC)

[Did he break Shiro?! The laugh catches him completely off guard, and Lance honestly has to wonder what he'd said to make him crack up so suddenly. He just sounds so... so oddly happy and unreserved. It's a warm sound. But when he asks about the flick... Aha.

New trick he's learned, huh. Lance holds up his hand, middle finger poised against his thumb.]

I'll do it again!

[Still laughing, Shiro holds up his hand, metal palm in the way of a second threat and shakes his head.]

No. No, I think one is enough for me. I haven't - man, I haven't had anyone do that since I was probably about five.

[Lance just reaches over to flick the palm of his metal hand too. While he's at it, he may as well be a bit silly.]

Seems I need to catch up then. Gimme your face, we got like, what, twenty years to go?

[Still chuckling, Shiro eases back so his back is against the wall, stretching out one leg where it won't get in Lance's way. He leaves his hand up though. Lance was the first one to really acknowledge the fact he had alien tech in the place of his humanity and Lance had also been the first one to move past it with a single handshake. He's not worried about Lance handling it now. Or flicking it really. He shakes his head though.]

Nope. Think I'm good. Don't you have toner to put on your skin before your pores open up or something?

[To Lance, even with Shiro's metal arm and the scars he bears, he's still every bit of Lance's hero as he was since Lance saw his picture mounted on the wall at the Garrison. He almost flicks it again for good measure, but Shiro does have a point. Making a face, he leans back and reaches for the toner. He'll still consider it a victorious night.]

You win this time, Shiro.

[And with that, he turns the toner around in his hand and squeezes out a small orb, staring at it again.] Don't forget, I'm still painting your nails after this.

(3?)

(sounds fun! But I will warn you, jump scares will probably end with a glowing purple hand and a couch that's been cut in half)

[By the time Keith's chosen movie in the marathon comes up in the queue, the other paladins have either fallen asleep or wandered off to their rooms. Keith, however, is wide-awake as the cold open rolls.]

Shiro, you awake? [Because suffering through a romantic comedy and a documentary could put anyone out.]

[hey now - Shiro likes documentaries. They're super educational. Who wouldn't stay awake through that kind of thing?

Well, other than almost everyone else.

But he turns his head in the dim light of the room and gives Keith a small smile.

This beats sitting in his room avoiding sleeping in the dark by himself any day.]

Still here. What's next?

[Keith most certainly had some difficulty keeping his eyes open during How Rockets Are Made and not because it wasn't his pick.

Still, it's nice getting to have some "quiet" time that isn't sleeping.]

Friday the 13th. [A classic by every definition of the word.] Supposed to be pretty scary.

[And cue the first orchestral stings indicating something is very wrong in the characters' world on tv.]

[Shiro's been... iffy on whether he should be watching a horror movie or not. Before Kerberos he'd watched plenty, mostly ones that had some kind of action involved or as a teenager with the other cadets all trying to scare each other the most. After Kerberos...

after Kerberos he had enough nightmares of his own and hadn't felt the need to borrow anyone else's. He - wasn't really sure how he'd react to violent gore or brutal attacks. But - Keith had been patient sitting through everyone else's choices and this was the kind of thing they'd once enjoyed watching together. It didn't seem at all right to tell him no.

Besides, it was an old horror movie. Nothing involving space. How graphic could it really be? Maybe the nostalgia would drown out anything else.]

Pretty scary, huh? [He sits forward, resting his elbows on his knees as a bunch of kids around a fireplace singing starts to play despite the creepy music.] You sure you can handle this?

I could handle this when I was ten. [Keith can never quite resist the temptation to show off, a habit from his lonely childhood that never quite went away. Speaking of children, the kids on the screen continue singing their drab song as Keith's nerves begin to sing under his skin. He loves horror movies and the cheap adrenaline rush, not thinking about what effects the violence or gore might bring on Shiro.

Because seriously after a documentary and a romcom, it's his turn and he's picking this.] Don't tell me you're scared.

[Shiro's aware of the way Keith enjoys showing off and, when its not harmful, he doesn't mind feeding it. Keith craves attention. He deserves it but Shiro suspects there's a part of him that might feel as if that attention needs to be earned. As if he has to prove himself to get it. He doesn't, but Shiro doesn't mind the times he shows off either. So he just hums an amused sound at Keith's declaration and then shifts a little, not really enjoying the first person camera shots investigating the children. It's - its a little too personal, forcing him into the position of action instead of just letting him stay outside and view it from a distance. Nothing happens to the kids though and - ]

Not scared. [Two of the teens get up to sneak off together and Shiro's pretty sure he knows where that part's going. And who the first victims are probably going to be.] Just a little concerned about those hair cuts.

[Probably the one making a fort right there in the middle of the living room.]

((Yoosung will not react well to scary times, so that option should only be chosen by those sadistic enough to want to torture this poor scaredy-cat.))

[ For as long as Viktor has been skating professionally, you pick up a trick or two on playing the room accommodations game. It didn't pay to be a prima donna - all too often skaters could be roomed up with rink mates, staffers, coaches in the name of efficiency. Some hosting cities are more or less malleable to charming one's way into letting one have their own room with no distractions - inside countries of his nationality, for one, as it would be a point of honor to let Viktor Nikiforov have his own room. Money worked better elsewhere, but rare was the occasion that he felt the need to take this route for the reverse.

Ah, but a scorned coach can only take so much! Considering the stress that Yuri has been under it's only responsible of his coach to create an opportunity for release, and if that involves creating an artificial shortness of rooms so that he and Yuri might share one, then he gets points for mitigating circumstance?

In all seriousness, it was worrisome how soon in the season Yuri had gotten his cage rattled. Not to downplay the importance of his placement events, the pressure to score well cracking Yuri's already shaky mental foundations, but solutions for helping Yuri keep things together weren't forthcoming. Yakov's Spartan coaching style wouldn't work for someone as support-driven as Yuri, but Viktor's lack of experience and examples to draw on simply made themselves apparent when it mattered. He didn't help Yuri in the China free skate - Yuri put himself back together.

Viktor considered this soberly in his and Yuri's Moscow room. Waiting for Yuri to return from a brief interview blitz, he'd stripped the two small beds and shoved them together in the middle of the room and reassembled (read: threw into a pile) the sheets and blankets to his liking inasmuch as his liking involved not having Yuri in them. Which is less, at present. But by the time the door cracks open Viktor's made himself comfortable, sitting against the headboard watching some truly awful propaganda on TV that he's all too eager to be distracted from.

He turns with a cheery wave and a cheerier chirp for Yuri. ]

Yuri! I figured it was about time we had that slumber party~

_{[It's been stressful. From mounting tension to catastrophic meltdown to thinking that maybe, maybe Viktor had been serious about potentially leaving him if he didn't do well, Yuri...hasn't been doing very well, mentally or emotionally. Try as he might to play it cool with his family over the phone and with the interviewers from all over the globe, it's stark how tired he is already.

He'd done alright with the news crews, he thought. There were a few probing, entirely too personal questions about his relationship with Viktor, but he'd at least managed to brush them off with vague statements or telling very simplified versions of the truth. When he was finally released to go up to his room and rest, he was honestly looking forward to just crawling into bed and flopping down facefirst.

That voice though? That makes it obvious that nope, he's not going to get that chance just yet. He raises his hand automatically to wave in return, before he registers that the room has changed. Where was his b- oh. Slumber party. When had that been a thing? Viktor had been serious about that?]}

Uh...

[ Not one to be deterred, Viktor will blithely excuse Yuri's lack of enthusiasm by coming around the bed, bare feet carrying him to Yuri with the kind of intensity that is utterly at odds with his pleasant smile. ]

Why stand around in the doorway? Come, come, it's much more comfortable over here.

[ Why yes that is a Yu-topia robe he's ~~pilfered~~ borrowed for the time being, and thankfully for Yuri he snagged one for him too - a deeper blue for Yuri's pretty pale skin to contrast with.

The forceful exchange of Yuri's duffel for the robe brooks no argument, Viktor gently leading him toward the blanket pile, hand low on his back. ]

I can't tell you how much I've been looking forward to some alone time with you. Everyone wants to have a piece of you now that they've had a taste. Pity they'll have to wait until the next competition for a morsel.

[ He passes smoothly behind Yuri, seemingly gone until Victor's breath tickles his ear. ]

Til then you're all mine.

_{[Yuri hasn't even quite processed what happened before he's standing at the edge of the beds with a robe in his hands, divested of his things and looking a bit more nonplussed for having been physically moved without actual input from his legs.

A shiver runs up the length of his spine at the voice in his ear, and the breath against the back of it. He reaches back before Viktor can go anywhere, fingers curling into the first loose fabric he found.]}

Don't tease me, not now.

_{[His voice is quiet; he's still very on edge, tense and only getting stiffer. He turns in place with his robe still held against him in one hand, looking up at Viktor with a soft frown and knitted brow.]}

Tease?

[ That's a bit unfair, says the small moue in his mouth. But patience - Yuri's had a long handful of days made worse by sleeplessness and trials. Viktor doesn't know what the reporters asked, he just sees the lines creasing his face and hears the brittle crack in his words.

Is his cheer misconstrued? Viktor had thought it simpler to usher Yuri into bed, but perhaps haste came off as flippancy in light of China, the tenuous place it left the two of them.

One hand closes lightly over the one clutching his robe, eyes soft and voice softer. ]

Whatever made you think they were not promises?

_{[His hand tightens in Viktor's robe, his expression cracking but not quite breaking. He is tired. So very, very tired. It's hard to explain it to Viktor without waxing some form of philosophical. On top of everything else, he just isn't sure of Viktor's intentions anymore.

He's not sure he ever was.

He kept his next thought to himself: was this just another 'surprise' that Viktor was piling on while he was floundering in trying to figure out what he was supposed to do next?

So yeah, it was coming off really flippant, to his exhausted brain. He just needs to sleep, he assures himself. It'll all look better under daylight.

He leans his head against Viktor's shoulder with a long, soft groan, eyes starting to drift closed.]}

You make a lot of promises. You're kind of...flaky about them though.

_{[Yes, just make him feel even worse because you're not doing so well. Even if your scores are better than they've ever been in your career.]}

Edited 2016-11-23 09:03 (UTC)

[ Viktor hums in agreement and unconsciously leans closer, as though to contain Yuri's doubts with the sheer power of proximity. His poor Yuri. ]

One of those personality flaws I hear so much about. [ His other hand finds the Yuri's nape, careful circles drawn in the muscle tensed underneath. ] The last thing I want is to cause you pain, Yuri.

[ There's an apology in the kiss he drops into his hair. ]

I really did want to help you relax this evening. And to sleep beside you, selfish man that I am.

_{[His shoulders droop, and the sigh he gives is a bit shaky. His hand unclenches from the other man's robe and shifts to lay in the curve of his side.]}

One of us is going to end up laying on that space in between the beds and have a kink in their neck. And probably everywhere else.

_{[The words are muffled by cloth and proximity, but Yuri isn't pushing him away, or denying the offer. Right now he was too exhausted to even think about it.]}

[ ~~Viktor is a walking kink~~ Oh he meant... Right. His slight smile is audible, tucked warmly against Yuri's ear. ]

Since we can't afford it to risk your competitive fitness, that will, of course, have to be me. Unless...

[ Shall he show Yuri that he's serious about him? Fingertips trailing around Yuri's neck, they gently lift his protege from his hiding spot, infinite care in every line they draw underneath that plump bottom lip. ]

Will you share one with me? I'll be a perfect gentlemen if that's what you want, no questions asked.

[~~He's not calling you daddy.~~ The way Viktor just loves getting into his space, speaking sweet words in his ear, it does have the potential to melt him on the spot. He's pretty sure Viktor knows this too, with how often he just does it. He can't quite respond either, with the way Viktor's fingers trace over his lips.

But, he has an idea, somewhere in the midst of the flushed turmoil of half thoughts that always happens when Viktor looks at him like that.]

We could...watch something? Find a movie, and maybe fall asleep to that. You can sleep in...my...bed... [Just gonna trail off, turning pink clear to his ears.]

[ ~~What about senpai?~~ Oh, making Yuri weak in the knees certainly has its upsides. Primarily the part where it's Yuri and anything that moves him is worth repeat performances, but Viktor hasn't forgotten his job. Drawing out his Eros could only help his little seductress enthrall the judges even more deeply than he's enthralled Viktor, and if these personal and professional goals coincided who's to say no?

Yuri can and only Yuri can, and until he does Viktor will obey the tacit acceptance of his affections. ]

Sounds wonderful. [ His smile grows satisfied, tapping Yuri's lips once, light as a kiss. The dusky color flooding his face is absolutely enchanting. ] Just long enough to get to sleep; we don't need to repeat China's unkindnesses on your sleeping schedule.

[ Then why not let Yuri simply go to bed, one might ask? Neediness, mostly.

Viktor (reluctantly, always reluctantly) pulls back first and gives the robe in Yuri's hands another tap. ]

Why not get comfortable while I fix the bed?

[He has to admit that he does feel a little better by now, even with the lingering exhaustion. He barely thinks about it as he starts to change, sitting down on the edge of the bed that Viktor wasn't working on. He was moving slowly, carefully, and by the time he slouches over wearing the soft blue robe, he already looks ready to doze off.

But he does want to be able to curl up in Viktor's general vicinity, so he waits until the man has finished fussing then rolls straight into his still rather messy bedclothes, reaching for his bag settled just under the bed. His laptop is there, and as soon as it's opened and connected to the wifi, he places it on the other bed and then reaches over to snag Viktor's clothes and pull him over.]

[ Like at the onsen, Viktor can't help if averting his eyes from Yuri's trim form wasn't always possible; art was meant to be appreciated. The hotel was dreary and the beds direly in need of upsizing, but that made them easy to rearrange, layering up the thin blankets with a small frown marring his face. ]

Truly unacceptable with winter so close. If we were in St. Petersburg I'd suggest we stay in my place -

[ Yuri wasn't particularly polite about bringing Viktor in, but that's what he finds so delightful about being cut off midstream. Laughing softly, he presses in warmly to Yuri's side and brushes his lips along the tip of his ear. ]

All right then, what's playing tonight?

[Yuri immediately accepts Victor pressed right up against his side as his fingers flick across the touchpad of the laptop, bringing up his browser. He hovered briefly over his main news tab that would have had footage of the night's performances available, then decided against it, instead opening youtube to find something that would act more as white noise rather than anything to actively engage them. It would autoplay through his updated subscriptions, and while he set it to do just that, he propped his head on his free arm, laying the other hand over Victor's then curling their fingers together loosely. He was already having a hard time keeping his eyes open as he lay there watching something on technology.]

If you wanna watch a movie instead, you can put it on.

[Has totally built a pillow fort and will put on a scary movie at some point, because she's awful.]

[This is one of those things regular human teens do right? This is gonna be great!]

(( Preferences. Don't trust him with board games, he has the best poker face. Also snuggling piles and soul searching are his jam. ))

[Because this will be amusing.]

"Caboose, I can't eat it like that."

Kirk reared his head back from the sudden appearance of a spoon laden with cookie dough ice cream in his face, laughing as he tried to adjust the angle of his head to properly consume the treat. The task was made more difficult by the fact he was practically cocooned in a blanket with Caboose, and reaching up a hand to grab the spoon would mean having to undo the heat pocket they had created for themselves, which was entirely unacceptable.

"It's going to end up on my nose if you keep it there."

"But it's melting and I can't reach it to eat it either!"

Caboose pulls the spoon back enough to avoid accidentally poking it into Kirk's eye but there's not a lot of wiggle room in general. Curled up and comfy under the blankets as they were made it a difficult decision of whether to destroy the warmth and eat the ice cream properly or stay cozy and let it melt. As it is there's a drop of cream sliding down the spoon to Caboose's thumb.

"It's the last bite, too!"

Honestly, how did he get into these situations with Caboose? Oh, that's right, Caboose was adorable and he could never say no to him. Well, that wasn't true. He could, because some things Caboose wanted to do really weren't advisable, but things like this? This he could never say no to. He watches a drop slide towards Caboose's thumb, biting his own lip as he debated and finally gave in.

"Oh, come here," he sighed, leaning forward and opening his lips, feeling the strain through is neck and along his shoulders. His arms tightened around Caboose's muscular mass, tugging him in as close as he could.

For his part Caboose tries to hold as still as possible so he doesn't accidentally poke Kirk somewhere painful with the spoon. The tip of his tongue pokes out the side of his mouth as he careful maneuvers the ice cream into Kirk's mouth despite the odd drip or two now running down his thumb. Ah well, it doesn't hurt to get a little messy.

"Got it!"

Damn it, Caboose was adorable when he was trying really hard. He seemed to imitate their cats, with his tongue sticking out ever so slightly, and his gorgeous eyes laser focused. How it was possible for such a large and muscular man to look adorable Kirk had never understood or figured out, but he'd stopped questioning it a long time ago. It was one of those little things that made Caboose especially unique.

He licked his lips as he swallowed, fingers moving beneath Caboose's shirt to caress the hard muscle of his stomach. "You did, and it was delicious," he approved. "That deserves a reward, I think."

So have you actually played this "truth or dare" before? I'm not sure it sounds very. Safe.

Oh yeah! We use to play it on the island when our parents let us stay overnight. It's only dangerous if people get too crazy with the dares.

Define too crazy. I just want to cover my bases here and make sure nothing gets irreparably ruined.

The worse it got for us was when Wakka dared Tidus to jump into the ocean from one of the tall trees that hung over the water. He landed wrong and Wakka had to go out and pull him to shore.

[Sora gives her a reasuring grin]

It's all about who you play with! I won't dare you to do anything dangerous. Promise!

Weeell, okay...

[iridessa you are over 100 years old by now stop being a chicken]

I guess so. Dare.

[Sora thinks very hard for a minute]

I dare you to eat a flower petal!

[That's okay, right? Sora might not be too good at this...]

Uh, you... do have one that's not bigger than my face, right?

I don't need another friend. I already have two.

Mari Ohara | Love Live Sunshine!

2

Shiro | Voltron: LD

8D

\O/

/o/

\o\

~o~ it's breakdancing

lol you are so adorable

I'm just talented in the art of emojams

no argument here

ayyyyyyeeeeee /dabs

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aaaand here's where it comes out that Shiro's obsessive about his hair

Shiro you beautiful man

http://bluepaladiiin.tumblr.com/post/153688968477/mauvesaidwill-lamiadarkholm-honestly-it-was

LMAO! Well, Zarkon's champion has to be A++ if he wants squad points

hey, that's an 80$ fade, fam!

shiro, ya too slick

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loooook at that pretty face, boy's got genes!

LOOK AT THAT FACE, ISN'T IT NEAT.

don't we wish we could make our collection complete?