Monday 13th of March 2017
[09:14] Shiro
So… Keith and Katie are together…
[09:22] Lance
yeah? and?
[09:22] Shiro
I feel like doing that keyboard mash thing you do.
[09:22] Lance
do it, its cathartic
[09:23] Shiro
asdlfkdsfllfdhfjkds
[09:23] Lance
see! XD
waitwaitwait… you didnt know?!
[09:23] Shiro
NO! What? The? Fuck? You knew?!
[09:24] Lance
well they never said so, but it was pretty fkn obvious
keith looks at her like she hung the fkn moon… or, is an alien
and pidge pretty much touches him any chance she gets, like, she thinks she subtle
[09:26] Lance
hunk says he didnt know either, but then he went "OHHHHH"
[09:27] Shiro
They said they've only been together for 2 weeks.
[09:29] Lance
mm maybe theyve been dancing around it for a while and didnt realise or didnt talk about it
hunk and shay were into each other a whole year b4 they woke tf up to it
really shoulda seen that moving in slowness coming…
[09:30] Shiro
I didn't even know… I didn't see any of it. Am I that blind…?
[09:31] Lance
no, sometimes its difficult to see things this when ur close
they've been friends since they were kids right? maybe u saw it and just dismissed as friend stuff
its not like they were making out in front of u
[09:34] Shiro
I wouldn't say "friends." They didn't like each other at all as kids.
They were always forced together because our families were friends, and they resented it so much.
They only became friends two years ago and then they were practically inseparable.
[09:34] Lance
so what did they say O.O *sits down with a bucket of popcorn*
this happen this morning?
[09:36] Shiro
No, last night. Katie invited me over for dinner, said "we need to talk to you."
Matt and I just let them get it out in their own time, chilled and had take-out.
Then after dinner, Katie was like "Okay" and took Keith's hand and said they were together.
[09:36] Lance
omfg thats adorable! the pidge part, obv, keith is gross
*shoves popcorn in mouth* and then what?!
[09:37] Shiro
You're not actually eating popcorn for breakfast are you?
[09:37] Lance
no, dad, im not -.-
[09:38] Shiro
Well, I was so stunned. Matt was super happy though, wiping away fake tears and being dramatic, "now my little sister won't end up an old spinster."
[09:38] Lance
have i ever mentioned that matt is my #no.1fave?
[09:38] Shiro
:O What about me?!
[09:38] Lance
ur my #no.1babe *winks*
[09:41] Shiro
I'll allow it.
Anyway, Keith was really tense, I could tell he was waiting for me to lecture him or something.
Because apparently that's what I do.
[09:41] Lance
u can lecture me any day *waggles eyebrows*
[09:42] Shiro
Heh, I'll keep that in mind, especially if you're lying about the popcorn thing. Breakfast is important.
[09:42] Lance
and if i dont eat breakfast…
will you throw me over ur knee and spank me? :3
[09:46] Shiro
ANYWAY. As I got over the surprise I was just happy for them.
They have been really good influences on each other. They're really good comforts for each other.
Someone to talk to, someone to go to.
Keith was really nervous and Katie's thumb was rubbing soothingly against his hand, where they were joined.
And I just knew, it just felt right. Like it was the most obvious thing.
[09:47] Lance
AWWWWWWWWWWW MY HEART!
thats so sweet!
tbh ur wasted lawyerin, u should b writing romance novels
[09:48] Shiro
Thank you, that's exactly what I want to hear when I'm one and a half years away from being a full-fledged lawyer…
[09:48] Lance
^_^ ur welcs
im very supportive boyfriend material
[09:49] Shiro
Haha sure you are.
So, all is good and happy and well. I'm still just so baffled that I didn't see it coming.
[09:49] Lance
there there babe *pets*
[09:49] Shiro
*purrs*
[09:50] Lance
mmmmmm :3
[09:50] Shiro
So, "babe," huh?
[09:52] Lance
uh, yeah, im just very affectionate… i can stop if u want?
[09:52] Shiro
No, please don't. I like it.
[09:52] Lance
good to know :)
[09:57] Lance
so… think theyre doing it yet? think keith even knows how?!
[09:57] Shiro
Ugh, please don't!
[09:58] Lance
what? hes so antisocial there is no way hes had sex
wait, has he…?
[09:58] Shiro
How would I know?!
[09:58] Lance
uh, hes ur brother and u live together
he knows about all of UR sexual activities XD
[09:59] Shiro
He? What? How?
…You've been talking to Matt haven't you?
[09:59] Lance
what?! no! ofc not!
[09:59] Lance
^_^
[10:01] Shiro
Oh heaven help me. What did he say?
[10:01] Lance
that ur very good at making men moan
that keith spent months at matts on weekends to get away from the noise
[10:01] Lance
wait… maybe he did that as an excuse to be with pidge
:O maybe they R banging!
[10:03] Shiro
UGH, Lance, please, stop.
But that does actually make a lot of sense. The excuse, not the "banging."
Because I always made sure to have sex at Sendak's because Keith's generally home a lot.
[10:03] Lance
aww such a respectful big bro 3
[10:05] Shiro
Wait, that means they've been sneaking around for months?
[10:05] Lance
i doubt it, pidge isn't one for lies
mayb keith was just starting to like her and was embarrassed
[10:09] Shiro
Mmm, maybe. I feel like I need to talk to him. Just me and him.
It makes me really sad that he feels he can't confide in me about these things.
When I came back with my injury he was always there for me. Always listening to me groan and complain.
[10:11] Lance
i might be over stepping and feel free to ignore this, but…
maybe u should try to avoid giving ur opinion so much, just listen, like he listens
i know u care and want to have all the answers for him, but sometimes we dont want answers, we just want to be heard
[10:12] Shiro
Woah. Lance. That's… really insightful.
Shit, sometimes I forget how sharp you are.
[10:12] Lance
heh thanks ^_^ i think…
[10:14] Shiro
I'll try to do that. How do you know that though?
[10:14] Lance
oh keith spoke about u a couple times when we were playing games
avoided ur name obv
[10:15] Shiro
Seriously? What did he say?
[10:15] Lance
ah ah ah, nope, doctor patient confidentiality :D
[10:15] Shiro
Pft. You're not even a psychologist yet.
[10:18] Lance
hehe true, i still wont tell u
but i will say he has a lot of fkn respect for u, the man he painted was his fucking hero
[10:19] Shiro
Lance…
[10:19] Lance
uh, sorry
[10:19] Shiro
No. Thank you 3
[10:21] Lance
*GASP* DID U JUST HEART ME?!
*GRIPS CHEST* *SWOONS*
[10:25] Shiro
-.- Yeah… You and Matt will get along well.
[10:25] Lance
:O that is such a huge compliment
matt is my hero!
oh captain my captain
[10:25] Shiro
Get off the table.
[10:26] Lance
yes dad
[10:27] Shiro
Stop calling me dad.
[10:27] Lance
ok daddy
[10:27] Shiro
…
[10:27] Lance
turn u on a little? *waggles eyebrows*
[10:28] Shiro
Shh.
[10:28] Lance
yes daddy
[10:29] Shiro
Lance!
[10:30] Lance
sorry daddy
[10:30] Shiro
aakasfsdlfds
[10:33] Lance
this is going to be fun XD
[20:16] sir shiro
Are you up for that phone call tonight? Call whenever.
The words on Lance's screen swim before his eyes. He's been staring at them too long, finger hovering over the call button and swallowing hard, so much so his throat is starting to hurt. He's standing in the middle of his room, in exactly the same place he was when he'd picked his phone up five minutes ago.
Shiro makes him so unreasonably nervous. Lance's never this nervous, he's not even sure he even gets nervous. Okay no, he does, he just usually barrels headlong into things anyway.
What's making him most nervous is the meeting discussion. Lance is going to have to bring it up because it's obvious – and understandable – that Shiro is comfortable with how things are now. Lance desperately wants to meet him, it's becoming increasingly frustrating not being able to see him. Sexually and emotionally frustrating. But he never wants to make Shiro uncomfortable…
This is ridiculous.
"Just call him," Lance mutters out loud. Great, now I'm talking to myself. "Just press the damn call button…" His finger barely twitches. "Just. Call. Him!"
Movement in his periphery makes embarrassment immediately sink in his stomach, because of course he'd left the door wide open. And suddenly Hunk is right there, stealing his phone, pressing the call button and handing it back to Lance.
Lance's jaw drops open and he gasps. "Hunk! What did you do?"
Hunk, grinning broadly, bows fancifully before exiting the room and closing the door behind him. Lance gapes, at the closed door and then at his phone, until he hears a voice come through the speaker.
[21:09] lance
Dialling…
Call connected.
"Hey, Lance."
Scrambling, Lance juggles the phone – miraculously managing not to end the call – and raises it to his ear. "H-Hi, Shiro."
Shiro chuckles. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, sorry, just… Hunk."
"Right, sure," Shiro says amused. Then, as they lapse into silence, asks, "Is this a bad time?"
"What? No, I called you remember," Lance says, forcibly calming himself by settling comfortably on his bed and taking a quiet, deep breath. "Ah, is it a bad time for you?"
"No, I'm okay. Just reading."
"Oh yes, that Gentlemanly pastime of yours. What do you like reading?"
"Uhh… Romance?"
Lance frowns, hearing the embarrassment in Shiro's voice. "Why did you pose that as a question? Are you unsure if you like romance?"
"I don't know, it's just a little—um, surprising from someone like me. Probably."
"Someone like you? You mean, a gentleman and a scholar, a unicorn and an all-round lovely person? You're right, very surprising, I didn't know unicorns could read," Lance teases.
"We're magical creatures, of course we can," Shiro retorts humorously but sobers quickly. "Sorry, I should have called yesterday, I just got a bit buried in work."
Lance shrugs noncommittally, even though Shiro can't see him, his mind starting to wander as he considers how to bring up meeting. "It's fine."
"And Saturday. I'm sorry for Saturday. I should have called you then too. It's just difficult for me, but I'm much more comfortable with it now that I know you feel the same way. I just… I wish I could have done a better job of it."
"Shiro, you don't have to apologise. You did a fine job of it. You're fine. We're fine."
Shiro pauses and Lance realises what he's said and exactly how not fine he sounds. "Are you okay? You sound… distracted. I can go of you—"
"No, no, please don't," Lance says quickly, sitting up abruptly and pushing his fingers through his hair. "Sorry, it's nothing bad, just…"
"…Lance?"
He groans loudly, this is as good of a time as any. "Okay, shit… Do you think you'd possibly be up for meeting? Soon? Maybe? We don't have to…" he mumbles, grimacing and burying his face in his hands.
"Sure."
"What?" Lance questions, his head jerking up in surprise.
Shiro scoffs an incredulous laugh. "You thought I wouldn't want to meet you?"
"Not that you wouldn't want to, just that maybe you wouldn't be ready. You've been through a lot of shit recently and you said you weren't looking to be with anyone, so I figured you'd just be more comfortable with it being like this for a while. And I'm not a very patient person but I never want you to be uncomfortable and I'll be patient for you because you're kinda absolutely amazing and wonderful and worth the wait. I just need to know, you know? Because it's already driving me a little crazy… obviously… Sorry."
Shiro is silent a long moment and Lance holds his breath, squeezing his eyes closed because, wow, nice ranting and raving, idiot. Way to scare away the gorgeous man.
"Lance."
"Yeah. Yep, that is me… Yes?"
"How's next Friday?"
"Shiro…" Lance sighs guiltily. "Please don't feel like you have to do this for me. Just do whatever you're comfortable with."
Shiro pauses again, and now Lance can tell he's smiling. "So next Friday?"
"Shiro!" Lance says, allowing himself a small, embarrassed laugh. "Really? That easy? Going from understandably wary of people to accepting to meet up with me?"
"Well, no, nothing will be easy about it. It's already making me nervous, but you're not 'people', you're Lance, and I trust you emphatically."
"Wow…" Lance breathes, smiling to himself. "That's a big word. You must really mean it."
"Incontrovertibly."
"I'm special then?"
"Unequivocally."
Lance laughs. "Shiro, stop."
"So… next Friday then?"
"Yeah, awesome! What are we doing? Food's probably easiest. Lunch? Dinner?"
"Dinner's probably too, mm, serious?"
"Very true. Okay, lunch it is. The Grind? Comfortable and familiar."
"Sounds perfect," Shiro confirms, a smile lilting his voice pleasantly.
"It's a date! Wait… Is it?"
"If you want it to be."
"Do you want it to be?"
"Yes."
"Cool."
"Great."
Lance's grinning, big and giddy and unable to stop himself even if he wanted to. He feels relieved and relaxed and excited and happy. Far, far too happy. Jesus, what is Shiro doing to him. Lance falls back against his cushions and groans loudly.
"What's wrong?" Shiro asks, concerned.
"Friday is so far away!"
Shiro bursts into laughter and Lance's just smiles, listening carefully to every bright, happy sound of it. It warms through Lance's chest and settles gently and undeniably in his heart.
"I'll try to help distract you then," Shiro offers. "How was your weekend?"
"Well, see, there's this guy…"
"Sounds like a jerk, already don't like him."
Lance gasps dramatically. "What? No! He's an angel! I… I really like him," he admits, nervousness twisting in his stomach. "He just sorta came outta nowhere and slotted into my life so comfortably and I wouldn't have it any other way. It's really nice. He makes me feel special, y'know?"
"You are special, Lance."
Any response Lance's brain can muster catches in his throat, a shaky breath releasing between his lips helplessly as something flutters in his chest. No matter how confident he acts or how brightly he smiles in the face of his insecurities, they're always there, always heavy and painful in his heart. His friends are all so brilliant and extraordinary and sometimes Lance doesn't feel adequate, like he's hidden in their shadows.
"Thanks, Shiro. That—uh… That means a lot."
"You're welcome. I mean it a lot."
Lance clears his throat. "So, uh… how's the Pidge and Keith saga unfolding? Peith…? Keitie? Kidge?"
Shiro makes an interesting groan and grunt combination in his throat. "Katie's here. Staying the night. In Keith's room."
"Uh-huh… and?"
"And it's weird, I don't know what to do."
"Um, nothing, I hope," Lance laughs at the discomfort in Shiro's voice. "Are you doing an overprotective parent thing? Because, you know Keith's only your brother. You should actually be supporting him getting some."
"Please don't talk about my brother 'getting some.' And I'm protective of both of them."
"Oh would you chill? They're definitely not having sex while you're home, they're just sleeping and talking and cuddling and it's probably adorable. Well, the Pidge part is. Keith's… Keith. Do you really not trust them to be safe and happy?"
Shiro sighs heavily. "Yeah, I trust them. They're both smart and cautious and… Okay, fine, I'm overreacting. But I can't just stop worrying about them."
"That's because you love them. You can trust them and still worry."
"Yeah, you're right."
"Always am," Lance asserts, grinning.
"Ha, sure. It's just new and will take some getting used to."
"Right, but how much has really changed? I mean, from your point of view they're still just hanging out with some added PDA. Have you seen them kiss yet? Was it gross? I bet it's gross, I mean, Keith's involved so—"
"You really have it out for him, huh?" Shiro asks, chuckling with amusement.
"Annoying him is my one true calling. I'm the President of the Annoy Keith committee, I even have a badge."
"Well, he can't hear you so you better save all your good content."
"Oh but I bet his weird alien senses are tingling. I bet he can feel my annoyingness."
Shiro yawns through his laugh and it's really, stupidly, adorable. "I'm sure he can."
"Someone's sleepy."
"Ah, yeah, sorry. I've been trying to get on top of my mid-term marking, get it all out of the way and enjoy the spring break. But it's been a lot more than I thought. Hopefully I'll get it all finished tomorrow."
"Sounds like a very sensible plan, as expected from Mr. Responsibility," Lance teases. "Do you wanna go to bed?"
"I'm already in bed."
"Oh really?" Lances says suggestively, waggling his eyebrows. "Me too."
Shiro scoffs a laugh but hums thoughtfully. "Is it a comfortable bed?"
"Oh my God, so comfortable," Lance boasts, wiggling down into his covers.
"I don't know, sounds like a biased opinion to me. I should probably judge for myself."
"Be my guest."
Shiro inhales softly, hesitating. "One day."
"Soon," Lance replies automatically.
"Soon," Shiro agrees and then yawns loudly. "Shit, sorry. I should stop yawning in your ear and get some sleep…"
"You sound reluctant."
"I am. Don't ever want to stop talking to you."
"Me either…" Lance says, closing his eyes and listening to Shiro breathe for a quiet moment. "Goodnight, my kind sir Shiro."
"Sleep well, Lance."
[21:31] lance
Call disconnected.
Lance drops his phone and buries his face in his pillow. He wants to scream – because of how wonderful Shiro makes him feel, because of the distance remaining between them, because of the time he'll have to wait – but he has no energy, so he just lies there, replaying Shiro's kind words in Shiro's smooth voice over and over again.
There's a knock at the door that Lance grunts at, knowing Hunk will come in anyway.
"So, how'd it go?" Hunk asks, leaning against the doorframe.
Lance twists so he can see Hunk and says, "I want to cut open his chest and just live in there, always."
"That good, huh?" Hunk grimaces but speaks Lance Talk well enough to understand. "Just a little tip though, never actually say that to him. Or anyone. Ever."
Tuesday 14th of March 2017
[14:01] Keith
where are you?
[14:04] Shiro
The Grind, marking some midterms. Why? Is Katie over?
[14:05] Keith
no, just thought you'd be home or maybe were finally meeting Lance
bring me back a tall black?
[14:05] Shiro
Sure thing.
Why? Did Lance say something?
[14:07] Keith
oh no, nope, NO!
I am never being in the middle of this
EVER
you need to talk about Lance, please save me as your last resort
and he didn't say anything
[14:07] Shiro
Such a supportive, loving brother 3
[14:08] Keith
I am! I just… I suck at that shit anyway and it's Lance…
[14:08] Shiro
Right, right. Duel of the Fates.
[14:08] Keith
the star wars song?
[14:09] Shiro
It's his ringtone for you.
[14:09] Keith
UGH, of course it is
just… coffee… please
[14:12] Shiro
Does Katie want anything?
[14:12] Keith
she says no
[14:13] Shiro
^_^
[14:13] Keith
dammit…
[14:11] hunkalicious
Did I hear you yell coffee when I was in the shower?!
[14:12] lance
:D yes u did
[14:12] hunkalicious
Yes please! Also, one of Sal's toasties please 3
[14:12] lance
sure sure
ham and cheese? chicken and avocado? turkey?
[14:13] hunkalicious
Ham and cheese. OBVIOUSLY.
[14:13] lance
ha should have knownjshjdkfdls
[14:13] lance
HUNK
[14:13] lance
HUNK
[14:13] lance
HUNK
[14:14] hunkalicious
What? What? What?
WHAT'S HAPPENING?!
[14:14] lance
HES HERE
SHIROS HERE
SHIROS AT THE GRIND
I CAN SEE HIM
[14:14] lance
HOLYFUCKSTICKINADICK
hes beautiful…
[14:15] lance
im… frozen in the doorway
people are getting annoyed
um
shit
[14:15] lance
AGHJKF
WHAT DO I DO?!
[14:16] hunkalicious
Go talk to him?
[14:16] lance
WHAT THE FUCK KINDA ADVICE IS THAT?!
[14:16] hunkalicious
Um, helpful advice?
[14:17] lance
i cant just GO TALK TO HIM
[14:18] hunkalicious
Why? Are you not ready to meet each other yet?
[14:18] lance
no, we r, we both want 2
we arranged a time next friday
[14:18] hunkalicious
Then it sounds fine. Go talk to him.
[14:18] lance
hunk i dont think i can…
[14:18] hunkalicious
Go talk to him.
[14:19] lance
aaaaaaaaaaaaa
[14:19] hunkalicious
Go talk to him.
[14:19] lance
omfg, sweet fucking jesus
[14:19] hunkalicious
Go talk to him.
[14:20] lance
FINE I AM JFC STFUANJKDLSFHK
[14:20] hunkalicious
^_^ Good.
He's crazy about you, Lance. Go get him!
