The premise of the meme is simple. Two characters, lovers, have been separated for a time. How long is up to you, as is the reason for the separation. Was it unwilling - an imprisonment, a required journey - or because of a choice one of the characters made? The reason may, of course, color the reunion, and somebody may be pretty miffed, with good reason. Still, the theme is the same: intimacy after being apart.
This meme is mostly geared towards being a smut meme, but nobody will judge you for just doing so heavy fluff.
[ When it's over, Shiro doesn't know what to do with himself, at first.
The ATLAS needs repairs, Voltron needs repairs, everyone needs approximately a week to sleep and be with their families and Shiro gets that, he does. They still have work to do and things they have to take care of but they can allow themselves at least a little time to relax, to breathe. He lasts a solid six hours after the doctors clear him and spends the rest of the day checking in on everyone else.
He doesn't have a family, or anyone else to meet him these days and that's fine. It's more than fine as he watches Hunk's teary smile, hugging his family and Shay at the same time. This is what they were fighting for, this is what they sacrificed so much for and he doesn't regret it for a moment. That first night of sleep is restless, though, because he should be doing more. He needs to be doing more while they're grounded. Iverson gives him a tablet and stack of paperwork in the morning, along with a massive cup of coffee. With the main force of the Galra defeated, they're liberating work camps left and right and while none of them are allowed to help with that effort, they need help getting everyone sorted. It's the kind of busy work Shiro needed.
They start settling refugees and organizing efforts to get supplies sent to Earth from their allies, two ships for the time being though Shiro knows it'll turn into more as they get moving. By the end of the day, he's exhausted but at least he feels like he's done something useful, worthwhile.
There's one last batch of refugees to get sorted; late arrivals, driven in by search and rescue. Shiro goes through the roster dutifully, talking to each one to get name, information, family, everything he can to try and reunite them with someone here if they can. Parting the hastily hung sheets that act as dividers for the intake room, Shiro moves onto the next one, ducking under the sheet to give the new person a warm, if tired smile. ]
Hey, there. I know it's probably been a long day for you so we'll get this sorted as fast as we can, I promise. [ He offers the tablet out, running on exhausted auto-pilot until he looks -- actually looks at the guy and feels everything abruptly screech to a halt. The tablet drops to the cot and Shiro grips the metal frame of the bed so hard his hand crushes it, trying to make sense of what he's seeing. ]
[There were not enough words to accurately describe the feeling of being freed from that Galra. Having been shot down by that Galra cruiser, being taken captive and eventually being forced to help build something was probably going to destroy your planet (since really, what else could they have been making) were all rather painful things. Knowing that he was the only one who survived and assuming correctly the Garrison believed him dead hadn't been much better.
Adam had spent most of the drive in the back of the truck that had come to get them, silently staring out. Everything had changed so much, but he had lived to tell about it and he could help rebuild... provided the Garrison would let him so soon after this. Well, that was a point he could attempt to argue with Iverson or whoever came to talk to him after this. He didn't particularly care who it was; he'd still try.
He was escorted to the intake room and asked to wait in one of the makeshift rooms until someone was able to come and speak with him. Yes, he understood the purpose, but it wasn't exactly the most exciting... however long this happened to be. He could hear others talking around him, families excited about getting to see other family members again for the first time in a long time. Not like he had anyone he was expecting to see, but maybe he could get back to a sense of normal now. Adam happened to be in one of the rooms near the wall so he took off his glasses, leaning back to try and get rest while he waited.
He didn't have to wait too much longer after that, hearing the curtain slide open and the voice addressing him, prompting him to put his glasses back on so could see him.
...wait, that voice sounded familiar...
And it was moments before Shiro realized who he was talking to that the voice registered to Adam, prompting him to look at Shiro then look over the rims of glasses at him like he had made a mistake before back again. No, he hadn't reached for that tablet so it did fall to the cot. And he would have jumped back when Shiro's robotic hand crushed the frame of the cot like it was nothing, but he had already been leaning against the wall.
Robotic hand... white hair... scar across the bridge of his nose... and he clearly didn't look like he had the same disease that was slowly causing him to deteriorate. He couldn't have helped doubting himself, but it was the same voice. And the same eyes looking back at him that he had seen so many times before]
Takashi? What the heck happened to you?
[Yes, because that's the important thing here, Adam]
[ It's not possible. Their whole unit was shot down because of Admiral Sanda's orders and unwillingness to listen; Shiro had been given the debriefing in full and hated every minute of it, even if he understood why she made the choices she made. He'd mourned Adam with what little time and ability he had, knowing it would be something that wouldn't really sink in until he had a chance to breathe and adjust to everything that had happened, but this?
It is him. Shiro knows him, had spent hours memorizing the line of his nose, the curve of his jaw, the way his hair falls into his eyes. He's spent countless nights with Adam when he couldn't sleep, memorizing every bit of him and he knows that he's not seeing things right now, but it's hard to believe all the same.
Takashi?
He sounds the same and somehow that's the thing that snaps him out of his disbelief, swallowing and reaching for a chair just outside the make-shift curtains so he has a place to sit because he's not quite sure his legs are going to hold him right now. ]
That's -- it's a really, really long story, Adam.
[ His robotic hand release the metal he'd crunched like a soda can and his human one lifts, pressing tentatively over Adam's hand on the stark white of the cot. It's one thing to see and hear him but to feel him, tangible and real, is even more jarring. There are a thousand things he wants to say, a thousand ways to say them and all of them are more intelligent than what he manages at first which is clearing his throat and a slightly stupid: ]
[Adam sat quietly for a moment as Shiro grabbed that chair from the other side of the curtain, bringing it in to sit beside him. His eyes can't help going to the bar of the cot which is now quite obviously crushed and with almost no effort on Shiro's part. That was kind of alarming...]
At some point, you are going to have to tell me a very long story.
[He glanced down at the hand that reached over to cover his. It was easy to possibly claim he was hallucinating or dreaming up until that point. He had been through a lot and he was exhausted. But as soon as Shiro's hand covered his, there was no denying he was actually sitting there.
He wasn't sure what to say. There was so much he wanted to say, but nothing seemed right. He'd cared about Shiro for so long and things had gotten... well, there was nothing good about giving someone else an ultimatum and then still losing out. He had wondered so many nights after the Garrison had blamed "pilot error" for the mission failure what he should have said or done instead.
Now that he was here...
He looked back up at Shiro]
I did. Not sure how really when everyone else died. I just woke up surrounded by robots.
[ There's a part of Shiro that thinks he'd agree to anything in this moment, the shock of it enough to jar everything else out of his mind. Adam's alive. Against all odds, despite the devastation of the planet and all of the lives lost, Adam's here. Shiro knows he's staring stupidly at him but he can't seem to stop. ]
The Galra. We knew they were putting people to work in camps.
[ And now that the occupation is over, for the time being, they have to rebuild as best as they can. Putting families back together again is one of the first steps. Shiro's endlessly grateful that this seems to be the last batch for the day; after one more moment of just looking at him, he picks the tablet up and settles it into Adam's lap gently. Going from Shiro who thought his ex-boyfriend was dead back to Captain Shirogane takes a moment, but pushes forward, tone gentle. ]
We're gathering names and information of anyone we're able to bring here. Just fill out the fields and we'll get it inputted into the system and try to find anyone you're missing. Once the doctors give you the all-clear we can get you to the mess hall for something to eat and figure out where you're staying.
[It had seemed so easy to ask for that explanation and the agreement to do so came so quickly. Of course after asking for it, there was a voice in the back of his mind asking if he really had the right to ask for that. He had broken it off with Shiro because the other had wanted to go on the Kerberos mission. This was the first time they had spoken in a long time. Shiro didn't really have to give him any explanation at all.
Even so, it seemed to take forever for both of them to stop staring at each other. But that's broken when Shiro reached for that tablet laying on the bed and placed it in his lap]
Right.
[He should have realized Shiro probably still had more work to do. He didn't know how many more people were still waiting and he was holding up the process.
Adam picked up the tablet, balancing it against his leg as he filled out the fields on the screen before holding it back out to Shiro]
Think it will be much longer?
[Since he was getting bored of just sitting there]
[ With everyone else he'd been gentle and asked questions where he could, offering comfort and steadiness after everything had gone to shit. With Adam, he didn't know what to do. Adam always saw through him when he was pretending things were alright, would he still be able to now? Was he even interested in talking to Shiro after how everything happened?
The not knowing is worse than anything else. Shiro takes the tablet back with a small smile and forces himself to stand up, to finish the job he's been given. ]
The doctors are about three people behind me. They just need to check you out and make sure you're okay, and then we'll sort everything else out, I promise.
[ Gathering up the tablet, Shiro gives the metal railing a look, followed by a flinch and then forces himself to go finish up what he needs to.
Twenty minutes later, the doctor comes by and clears Adam for wandering the base, which means Shiro comes back, lingering outside the makeshift privacy screen until it lifts and the doctor leaves so Shiro can duck back under. ]
[From Shiro, Adam might have been skeptical about the pretense to say everything was alright. He often had a comprehension of the situation similar to the one that Shiro had. While he had never had this exact situation happen to him before, he was aware of protocols within the Garrison]
Okay. Thanks.
[He watched as Shiro left before leaning back against the wall again. Honestly, he wasn't sure if Shiro really wanted to talk to him. He had spent way too much time wondering where things had gone wrong and there were too many things. Besides Shiro had changed so much and he'd... stayed here and went on as though things were normal, even though they hadn't been anymore.
His mind was filled with these renewed thoughts as he sat alone waiting for the doctor to clear him to leave this makeshift room. Even twenty minutes became an eternity. Luckily, it was only twenty minutes and not another hour. The check didn't take long and after being cleared, the doctor left...
And Shiro came back in. It surprised him that Shiro had come back and waited. Good thing all of the thoughts had been in his head because he didn't know how long Shiro had been standing there]
I guess clothes first then food.
[He was quiet a moment after getting up off the cot. Words? What were those? But finally he found himself speaking again]
[ It's awkward, but it shouldn't be, should it? They've known each other for so long that Shiro shouldn't feel awkward about interacting with him but he's changed so much. There's the benefit that after everything that's happened, Adam will likely understand a good part of it, but Shiro desperately wishes that he didn't. The whole reason he'd fought so hard when he crashed on Earth the first time was that he didn't want anyone else to have to go through this. He wanted to save Earth, wanted them to be prepared for the threat of the Galra but it hadn't worked.
Logically, he knows that it's not on him to have fixed everything wrong with the world but he wishes that he could. ]
Clothes then food.
[ Shiro gives him a small smile and freezes when Adam follows up with that last bit, stomach twisting. He's not wrong, it's just... well. He can't avoid it forever. Nodding at the door, Shiro leads them out into the hall and starts walking, trusting Adam to follow. ]
[Adam wished this wasn't as awkward as it was. Things had happened, neither of them the same anymore. It hadn't been easy for Adam say they should talk, but it was important that they do and sooner was better. Letting it fester wasn't going to make this easier.
But seeing Shiro freeze up for a moment worries him for a brief moment until Shiro started for the "door". Adam followed after him, not having to be told twice]
I'd guess since my plane was shot down. The fight is the last thing I remember before waking up on the ground, my fighter wrecked. I guess I can thank Garrison tech for the fact my glasses didn't break.
[It's dry, but he's attempting levity to try and make this less tense]
Anyway, those robots they have were the first ones to arrive. They took me back to one of those ships and locked me in the brig. At the time I don't think they had planned what they were going to do with me. I'd overhear them talking of interrogation, but then someone else would say I was too stupid to know anything.
[He rolled his eyes at that. Shiro would probably realize that likely meant he wasn't on Sendak's cruiser, but Adam hadn't a clue about that part]
Well, eventually they tossed me in with that work camp. Since I don't know how long I was on the ship before they did, I'm not quite sure.
[ It's not good, but it's better than Shiro could have anticipated, really. Adam had, somehow, survived despite everything and the relief that Shiro felt grew the more Adam talked. Turning down another hall, Shiro leads them to the uniform room, opening it for Adam and following in after him.
Inside, there are a slew of Garrison uniform closets organized by size; Shiro heads to what he thinks he remembers Adam being and opens it up for him, before shifting off to the side to let him work. ]
You can dress in the adjoining room. We'll figure out where you're staying after you get something to eat.
[ Drawing up a chair, Shiro sits in it heavily and just...watches him, still in disbelief that he's alive. Quieter, but no less serious: ]
[Adam was probably luckier than he realized. He knew the Galra were vicious, but he hadn't the pleasure of meeting Sendak or an immediate underlying who would have done the same. Though he is aware that probably the only thing that stopped an interrogation of any sort seemed to be the belief if he was piloting the fighter, he wasn't smart enough have been able to tell them anything.
Adam followed Shiro down the hall to the uniform room. Finally, it was starting to feel more normal again... though when things stopped feeling normal was hard to say. Was it when the Galra arrived? Or had it been before?
He hadn't changed too much from when Shiro knew him at least so that guess wasn't far off. As Shiro stepped away, he moved to find a uniform that would fit him. He had just pulled one off the rack when Shiro spoke again.
It was his turn to freeze. He glanced back over his shoulder at Shiro, who was just sitting there, looking at him. He turned back to the uniform closet, looking into it, but not really seeing anything that was there. Then in a voice that was just loud enough for Shiro to hear]
I'm glad you made it back too.
sry about multiple accounts lmao i need to redo all my icons UGH
[ If that's all this is - if this is all the closure the two of them get when it's all said and done Shiro has to hope that it's enough. With everything how it is right now, messy and chaotic, with no idea where they're going next, it has to be enough that they both survived.
Shiro's smile is small but no less warm and he gestures to the changing room with his flesh and blood hand. ]
Come on. Get changed and we'll see what the mess hall has. I'll check into rooms for you.
[ They've got some of the refugees in bunks six to a room and while it's not ideal Shiro figures it has to be understandable. Not much of Earth is still safely inhabitable so they make do with what they can. Shiro himself is sleeping on the ATLAS, along with the rest of its crew in case they need to scramble while the paladins are in their lions, some with others accompanying them. ]
No problem i need to find more icons for this guy too
[Adam couldn't help a faint smile as well though it was hidden by the fact he was still facing the closest. He had spent so many nights wondering what Shiro would have said and to hear he was glad he was alive... it meant more than he would have thought it would]
Alright. I'll be right back.
[Adam headed into the adjacent room, changing from the rather beat up clothes he'd been wearing for too long now and back into a Garrison uniform. It was familiar after so much uncertainty.
There was something else familiar... well someone else. He wasn't sure what was going to happen from here, but he wanted to hope talking would help, not matter what was said.
He walked back into the uniform room, adjusting the sleeves of the coat to make them sit a little more comfortably on his arms, looking for Shiro]
shiro, casually avoiding any mention of anything like the last 3 years didn't happen, seems healthy
[ Logically, he ought to be expecting Adam to come out in the uniform and everything would work itself out. That's fine, except for the fact that when Adam walks out, for a moment Shiro forgets everything that's happened.
For the briefest flash, thing were normal; Adam was walking into the room dressed for the Garrison and Shiro was sitting at the table, watching him with a stupid, content smile on his face, sometimes over a glass of lukewarm coffee and a pile of exam results.
Then, just as quickly it fades; it's not how it was years ago and they're certainly not the same people. Adam doesn't know everything that's happened, everything Shiro's done and there's no good way to bring that up. Schooling his face into something less wistful, Shiro gives him a once over and nods, rising back up. ]
It looks good. It's...kind of weird seeing everyone in Garrison uniforms after so long, but it's nice, too.
[ He opens the door again for him, giving Adam a wry smile. ]
[It wasn't as easy to picture Shiro back then. He had changed so much that it was jarring to any memories that he had, the white hair and floating arm definitely doing that. But the voice was familiar and if he were thinking it, if he had closed his eyes, he might have been able to picture it back then]
Yeah, it feels weird to be wearing one after so long. Almost didn't think it would happen.
[He looked at Shiro as he opened the door, giving him that smile, and he couldn't help but mirror that smile]
I think I can still find it unless they moved it on me. I guess you'll have to come to make sure I don't get lost.
[ Addressing the hair and the arm are going to be a nightmare; Shiro wishes it were as easy as well, I got kidnapped, fought in an arena, experimented on and later had my consciousness taken out of a magical lion and put into a clone of my own body but unfortunately, that won't work. ]
I'm glad it did.
[ It's unnecessary and understood, probably, but he says it anyway, leading them down to the mess hall, stealing looks at him every so often like if he lets Adam out of his sight he'll vanish. ]
I'm due for something to eat, too, so if you don't mind company?
[ Hopefully doesn't come across as ridiculously desperate but he wants to spend as much time with Adam as he can. ]
[Shiro had said it was a long story so when that finally came, Adam would listen, even though it might not be easy to hear or for Shiro to say. If things... did start to improve again between them, those were things he needed to know.
That comment did get a faint smile]
Thanks.
[He was glad he had been able to put that uniform back on, glad for all of this. Even if this was the most awkward thing ever with Shiro, it was something he had the chance to do.
He followed only half a step behind to the mess hall. He could tell Shiro kept looking over at him. He could tell because he kept glancing over at Shiro too]
No, I don't mind at all. Make sure you actually eat something.
[Mr. Workaholic. Besides... he didn't exactly want to be alone either]
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bakerstreet2018-08-10 07:28 pm
no subject
sry about delay, friend's bday event was a trip to the renfaire
The ATLAS needs repairs, Voltron needs repairs, everyone needs approximately a week to sleep and be with their families and Shiro gets that, he does. They still have work to do and things they have to take care of but they can allow themselves at least a little time to relax, to breathe. He lasts a solid six hours after the doctors clear him and spends the rest of the day checking in on everyone else.
He doesn't have a family, or anyone else to meet him these days and that's fine. It's more than fine as he watches Hunk's teary smile, hugging his family and Shay at the same time. This is what they were fighting for, this is what they sacrificed so much for and he doesn't regret it for a moment. That first night of sleep is restless, though, because he should be doing more. He needs to be doing more while they're grounded. Iverson gives him a tablet and stack of paperwork in the morning, along with a massive cup of coffee. With the main force of the Galra defeated, they're liberating work camps left and right and while none of them are allowed to help with that effort, they need help getting everyone sorted. It's the kind of busy work Shiro needed.
They start settling refugees and organizing efforts to get supplies sent to Earth from their allies, two ships for the time being though Shiro knows it'll turn into more as they get moving. By the end of the day, he's exhausted but at least he feels like he's done something useful, worthwhile.
There's one last batch of refugees to get sorted; late arrivals, driven in by search and rescue. Shiro goes through the roster dutifully, talking to each one to get name, information, family, everything he can to try and reunite them with someone here if they can. Parting the hastily hung sheets that act as dividers for the intake room, Shiro moves onto the next one, ducking under the sheet to give the new person a warm, if tired smile. ]
Hey, there. I know it's probably been a long day for you so we'll get this sorted as fast as we can, I promise. [ He offers the tablet out, running on exhausted auto-pilot until he looks -- actually looks at the guy and feels everything abruptly screech to a halt. The tablet drops to the cot and Shiro grips the metal frame of the bed so hard his hand crushes it, trying to make sense of what he's seeing. ]
That's -- this is impossible.
np, was at Otakon so I was distracted too
Adam had spent most of the drive in the back of the truck that had come to get them, silently staring out. Everything had changed so much, but he had lived to tell about it and he could help rebuild... provided the Garrison would let him so soon after this. Well, that was a point he could attempt to argue with Iverson or whoever came to talk to him after this. He didn't particularly care who it was; he'd still try.
He was escorted to the intake room and asked to wait in one of the makeshift rooms until someone was able to come and speak with him. Yes, he understood the purpose, but it wasn't exactly the most exciting... however long this happened to be. He could hear others talking around him, families excited about getting to see other family members again for the first time in a long time. Not like he had anyone he was expecting to see, but maybe he could get back to a sense of normal now. Adam happened to be in one of the rooms near the wall so he took off his glasses, leaning back to try and get rest while he waited.
He didn't have to wait too much longer after that, hearing the curtain slide open and the voice addressing him, prompting him to put his glasses back on so could see him.
...wait, that voice sounded familiar...
And it was moments before Shiro realized who he was talking to that the voice registered to Adam, prompting him to look at Shiro then look over the rims of glasses at him like he had made a mistake before back again. No, he hadn't reached for that tablet so it did fall to the cot. And he would have jumped back when Shiro's robotic hand crushed the frame of the cot like it was nothing, but he had already been leaning against the wall.
Robotic hand... white hair... scar across the bridge of his nose... and he clearly didn't look like he had the same disease that was slowly causing him to deteriorate. He couldn't have helped doubting himself, but it was the same voice. And the same eyes looking back at him that he had seen so many times before]
Takashi? What the heck happened to you?
[Yes, because that's the important thing here, Adam]
no subject
It is him. Shiro knows him, had spent hours memorizing the line of his nose, the curve of his jaw, the way his hair falls into his eyes. He's spent countless nights with Adam when he couldn't sleep, memorizing every bit of him and he knows that he's not seeing things right now, but it's hard to believe all the same.
Takashi?
He sounds the same and somehow that's the thing that snaps him out of his disbelief, swallowing and reaching for a chair just outside the make-shift curtains so he has a place to sit because he's not quite sure his legs are going to hold him right now. ]
That's -- it's a really, really long story, Adam.
[ His robotic hand release the metal he'd crunched like a soda can and his human one lifts, pressing tentatively over Adam's hand on the stark white of the cot. It's one thing to see and hear him but to feel him, tangible and real, is even more jarring. There are a thousand things he wants to say, a thousand ways to say them and all of them are more intelligent than what he manages at first which is clearing his throat and a slightly stupid: ]
You survived.
no subject
At some point, you are going to have to tell me a very long story.
[He glanced down at the hand that reached over to cover his. It was easy to possibly claim he was hallucinating or dreaming up until that point. He had been through a lot and he was exhausted. But as soon as Shiro's hand covered his, there was no denying he was actually sitting there.
He wasn't sure what to say. There was so much he wanted to say, but nothing seemed right. He'd cared about Shiro for so long and things had gotten... well, there was nothing good about giving someone else an ultimatum and then still losing out. He had wondered so many nights after the Garrison had blamed "pilot error" for the mission failure what he should have said or done instead.
Now that he was here...
He looked back up at Shiro]
I did. Not sure how really when everyone else died. I just woke up surrounded by robots.
no subject
[ There's a part of Shiro that thinks he'd agree to anything in this moment, the shock of it enough to jar everything else out of his mind. Adam's alive. Against all odds, despite the devastation of the planet and all of the lives lost, Adam's here. Shiro knows he's staring stupidly at him but he can't seem to stop. ]
The Galra. We knew they were putting people to work in camps.
[ And now that the occupation is over, for the time being, they have to rebuild as best as they can. Putting families back together again is one of the first steps. Shiro's endlessly grateful that this seems to be the last batch for the day; after one more moment of just looking at him, he picks the tablet up and settles it into Adam's lap gently. Going from Shiro who thought his ex-boyfriend was dead back to Captain Shirogane takes a moment, but pushes forward, tone gentle. ]
We're gathering names and information of anyone we're able to bring here. Just fill out the fields and we'll get it inputted into the system and try to find anyone you're missing. Once the doctors give you the all-clear we can get you to the mess hall for something to eat and figure out where you're staying.
no subject
Even so, it seemed to take forever for both of them to stop staring at each other. But that's broken when Shiro reached for that tablet laying on the bed and placed it in his lap]
Right.
[He should have realized Shiro probably still had more work to do. He didn't know how many more people were still waiting and he was holding up the process.
Adam picked up the tablet, balancing it against his leg as he filled out the fields on the screen before holding it back out to Shiro]
Think it will be much longer?
[Since he was getting bored of just sitting there]
no subject
The not knowing is worse than anything else. Shiro takes the tablet back with a small smile and forces himself to stand up, to finish the job he's been given. ]
The doctors are about three people behind me. They just need to check you out and make sure you're okay, and then we'll sort everything else out, I promise.
[ Gathering up the tablet, Shiro gives the metal railing a look, followed by a flinch and then forces himself to go finish up what he needs to.
Twenty minutes later, the doctor comes by and clears Adam for wandering the base, which means Shiro comes back, lingering outside the makeshift privacy screen until it lifts and the doctor leaves so Shiro can duck back under. ]
Clothes or food first?
no subject
Okay. Thanks.
[He watched as Shiro left before leaning back against the wall again. Honestly, he wasn't sure if Shiro really wanted to talk to him. He had spent way too much time wondering where things had gone wrong and there were too many things. Besides Shiro had changed so much and he'd... stayed here and went on as though things were normal, even though they hadn't been anymore.
His mind was filled with these renewed thoughts as he sat alone waiting for the doctor to clear him to leave this makeshift room. Even twenty minutes became an eternity. Luckily, it was only twenty minutes and not another hour. The check didn't take long and after being cleared, the doctor left...
And Shiro came back in. It surprised him that Shiro had come back and waited. Good thing all of the thoughts had been in his head because he didn't know how long Shiro had been standing there]
I guess clothes first then food.
[He was quiet a moment after getting up off the cot. Words? What were those? But finally he found himself speaking again]
And we should talk.
PHONE TAGGING BAD
Logically, he knows that it's not on him to have fixed everything wrong with the world but he wishes that he could. ]
Clothes then food.
[ Shiro gives him a small smile and freezes when Adam follows up with that last bit, stomach twisting. He's not wrong, it's just... well. He can't avoid it forever. Nodding at the door, Shiro leads them out into the hall and starts walking, trusting Adam to follow. ]
How long were you - did they have you?
It's okay ^_^
But seeing Shiro freeze up for a moment worries him for a brief moment until Shiro started for the "door". Adam followed after him, not having to be told twice]
I'd guess since my plane was shot down. The fight is the last thing I remember before waking up on the ground, my fighter wrecked. I guess I can thank Garrison tech for the fact my glasses didn't break.
[It's dry, but he's attempting levity to try and make this less tense]
Anyway, those robots they have were the first ones to arrive. They took me back to one of those ships and locked me in the brig. At the time I don't think they had planned what they were going to do with me. I'd overhear them talking of interrogation, but then someone else would say I was too stupid to know anything.
[He rolled his eyes at that. Shiro would probably realize that likely meant he wasn't on Sendak's cruiser, but Adam hadn't a clue about that part]
Well, eventually they tossed me in with that work camp. Since I don't know how long I was on the ship before they did, I'm not quite sure.
no subject
Inside, there are a slew of Garrison uniform closets organized by size; Shiro heads to what he thinks he remembers Adam being and opens it up for him, before shifting off to the side to let him work. ]
You can dress in the adjoining room. We'll figure out where you're staying after you get something to eat.
[ Drawing up a chair, Shiro sits in it heavily and just...watches him, still in disbelief that he's alive. Quieter, but no less serious: ]
I'm glad you made it back.
no subject
Adam followed Shiro down the hall to the uniform room. Finally, it was starting to feel more normal again... though when things stopped feeling normal was hard to say. Was it when the Galra arrived? Or had it been before?
He hadn't changed too much from when Shiro knew him at least so that guess wasn't far off. As Shiro stepped away, he moved to find a uniform that would fit him. He had just pulled one off the rack when Shiro spoke again.
It was his turn to freeze. He glanced back over his shoulder at Shiro, who was just sitting there, looking at him. He turned back to the uniform closet, looking into it, but not really seeing anything that was there. Then in a voice that was just loud enough for Shiro to hear]
I'm glad you made it back too.
sry about multiple accounts lmao i need to redo all my icons UGH
Shiro's smile is small but no less warm and he gestures to the changing room with his flesh and blood hand. ]
Come on. Get changed and we'll see what the mess hall has. I'll check into rooms for you.
[ They've got some of the refugees in bunks six to a room and while it's not ideal Shiro figures it has to be understandable. Not much of Earth is still safely inhabitable so they make do with what they can. Shiro himself is sleeping on the ATLAS, along with the rest of its crew in case they need to scramble while the paladins are in their lions, some with others accompanying them. ]
No problem i need to find more icons for this guy too
Alright. I'll be right back.
[Adam headed into the adjacent room, changing from the rather beat up clothes he'd been wearing for too long now and back into a Garrison uniform. It was familiar after so much uncertainty.
There was something else familiar... well someone else. He wasn't sure what was going to happen from here, but he wanted to hope talking would help, not matter what was said.
He walked back into the uniform room, adjusting the sleeves of the coat to make them sit a little more comfortably on his arms, looking for Shiro]
shiro, casually avoiding any mention of anything like the last 3 years didn't happen, seems healthy
For the briefest flash, thing were normal; Adam was walking into the room dressed for the Garrison and Shiro was sitting at the table, watching him with a stupid, content smile on his face, sometimes over a glass of lukewarm coffee and a pile of exam results.
Then, just as quickly it fades; it's not how it was years ago and they're certainly not the same people. Adam doesn't know everything that's happened, everything Shiro's done and there's no good way to bring that up. Schooling his face into something less wistful, Shiro gives him a once over and nods, rising back up. ]
It looks good. It's...kind of weird seeing everyone in Garrison uniforms after so long, but it's nice, too.
[ He opens the door again for him, giving Adam a wry smile. ]
Do you still remember the way to the mess hall?
of course it does
Yeah, it feels weird to be wearing one after so long. Almost didn't think it would happen.
[He looked at Shiro as he opened the door, giving him that smile, and he couldn't help but mirror that smile]
I think I can still find it unless they moved it on me. I guess you'll have to come to make sure I don't get lost.
no subject
I'm glad it did.
[ It's unnecessary and understood, probably, but he says it anyway, leading them down to the mess hall, stealing looks at him every so often like if he lets Adam out of his sight he'll vanish. ]
I'm due for something to eat, too, so if you don't mind company?
[ Hopefully doesn't come across as ridiculously desperate but he wants to spend as much time with Adam as he can. ]
no subject
That comment did get a faint smile]
Thanks.
[He was glad he had been able to put that uniform back on, glad for all of this. Even if this was the most awkward thing ever with Shiro, it was something he had the chance to do.
He followed only half a step behind to the mess hall. He could tell Shiro kept looking over at him. He could tell because he kept glancing over at Shiro too]
No, I don't mind at all. Make sure you actually eat something.
[Mr. Workaholic. Besides... he didn't exactly want to be alone either]
So what's good?