Author's Note: Well this chapter is calmer and shorter, so we can all catch our breath!
Clearing the Air
It was the day after they got back from Dradin, and Daniel had had enough with how Pidge was treating Vince. He had hoped that Pidge would be relenting some, after Dradin, but it didn't happen. Daniel had also not enjoyed watching Hunk fall all over himself in an effort to get Larmina's attention, both in the transport craft and at breakfast this morning.
Daniel waited until class was done, to talk to Pidge. He had been very careful to keep his plan out of his mind, so Vince didn't pick up on it. He was starting to think that Vince was so sad that he didn't even care about reading Daniel's mind though. Pidge had been more condescending than usual this morning to him and Vince.
Daniel figured that after the penthouse suite with Larmina, Pidge's small room here at the castle must have seemed even smaller. He had been surprised the first time he saw Pidge's room, at just how small and dark it was. He knew that if the situation was reversed, he would be grumpy to! Daniel decided though that Pidge didn't need to take it out on Vince. Vince had been a good friend to him, and Daniel wanted to repay it!
Daniel and Vince had left the class room when Daniel remembered that he had left his tablet there. Vince barely acknowledged what he said, which just stiffened his resolve. He went back into the class room, where Pidge was making notes on a holoscreen.
"Drone 1, don't you have anywhere else to be?" Daniel admired how Pidge delivered it in a cold tone, not even looking away from the holoscreen he was working on. Daniel knew that even yesterday he would have 'folded his tent' and gone away, but not now.
"Oh, I'm sure there is toilet I could be scrubbing, but that is not why I'm here!" Daniel told him, moving into Pidge's line of sight. Pidge looked at him with interest, even though Daniel thought that it was probably the interest that Pidge would show to a lab specimen.
Pidge was in fact grumpy, and for several reasons, including the one Daniel suspected. They had gotten back late last night, having encountered storms that delayed them. He ended up sleeping in his own room, and had woken up alone and aroused, which was not a good combination.
It got worse when he went into breakfast. Everyone usually sat in the same place at the table, and he had gotten into the habit of sitting next to Larmina. Pidge had filled his plate, and went to sit down next to Larmina. Just before he was there, Hunk stepped in front of him, and took the seat! Pidge ended up sitting at the other end of the table, with a perfect view of Hunk talking away at Larmina.
Now, looking at Daniel standing in front of him, he was in no mood for small talk. Daniel figured that out, but thought that even if he ended up being thrown off Arus, or into the brig, he was going redeem Vince. "Look, I know what you think of my intellect, and I get it. I'm not a super genius like you, or a near genius like Vince." He said in a determined voice.
That caught Pidge's attention, and he shut down the holoscreen, as Daniel continued on. "I have been a selfish screw up my whole life, I understand that now. When I took the Academy oath, I didn't know what it meant, or even cared about it. All I thought about was flying." Daniel took a breath, and went on "But Vince did know what it meant, and he believed and took it to heart. That is why he is a good person and a good friend!"
Daniel saw that Pidge was all set to say something, so he hurried on. "The only reason he went along with keeping my secret was because I asked him to. He knew it was wrong, but he wanted to help me, because that is the kind of friend he is. I get that you are pissed about him hacking into your accounts, but he only did it because of me. He has been a better friend to me, than I have been to him, up until now."
"Look, you are his idol! He looks up to you, and respects you! The way you are treating him is not only unfair, but very cruel. He didn't harm you in any way; just hurt your ego that he got into your accounts! But it was only because of me, so feel free to take it out on me, but please don't do it to him!" Daniel headed to the door, not giving Pidge the chance to say anything.
Lance had been outside the door and heard the whole thing. He had been coming into the class room to talk to Pidge, but when he heard Daniel talking he decided to listen. Lance was impressed with what Daniel said, and decided to go talk to Keith. He had enjoyed the days off from 'cadet duty' and didn't want to resume it. Lance decided that Daniel had learned his lesson.
Lance would have been sorry that he didn't stick around; because Daniel had remembered one more thing he had wanted to say to Pidge. He walked back over to where Pidge was sitting and said "I'll tell you one more thing about the kind of friend Vince is. If he was sleeping with the girl I was in love with, he would tell me so I could quit making an ass of myself!" He turned and walked out of the room, leaving Pidge sitting there in total shock.
That evening Daniel and Vince headed into dinner, but in no mood to eat. Vince was so sad; he had just wanted to stay in the room. Daniel though, not wanting to leave Vince alone, made him come along. Daniel wasn't hungry either, trying to deal with the waves of sadness that were coming from Vince's brain. Daniel had not seen Pidge at lunch, but that wasn't unusual, as he usually ate lunch where ever he was working at.
Keith had called a meeting that afternoon, of the team members and Allura. Lance had asked Keith not to reveal the circumstances of what he had heard. Lance had no problems eavesdropping, but didn't want it to be known that he did. He was also sure that Pidge didn't want the story of what he had been doing to Vince to get out. Secretly though, he wanted to high five Vince for hacking into Pidge's accounts! The great genius could be a little too pleased with himself sometimes, Lance thought.
After Daniel and Vince had sat down, Keith looked at them and said "Daniel and Vince, I have an announcement." That got their attention, because he used their names, instead of Drone 1 & 2. Daniel thought to Vince 'what do you think he is going to say? Are they going to transfer us to the Arusian Military Academy?' He had hoped that talking to Pidge would do something, but maybe it only made him madder. Vince picked up that thought 'what did you say to Pidge?' Daniel filled his brain with song lyrics, to block Vince.
"I think that you have both learned your lesson, about lying and keeping secrets. I don't think we need to treat you like first year cadets anymore." Keith stopped, and then looked at Allura and said "However, Allura was right about us not supervising you enough. You will still have mandatory lights out, and Daniel you won't be in the control room alone. Vince you will still be supervised in the lab."
Vince thought to Daniel 'it doesn't matter. Pidge hates me.' Daniel sighed, but said to everyone at the table "Thank you very much! And thank you for giving me another chance. I will prove that I have learned my lesson."
Pidge had given a lot of thought to what Daniel had said to him that morning. Pidge was not used to being called out on his behavior, and especially by someone like Daniel. After he got over his initial fury, he realized that Daniel had called it straight on. Pidge's ego had been hurt by Vince getting into his accounts. Looking at his behavior now, he saw how petty he was being. Vince was smart, and Pidge had missed having Vince help him.
"Vince." Pidge said and Vince looked startled and wondered what was coming now. "Maybe tomorrow you can sit down with me, and we can go over some of the haggerium research I've been doing. Not only do we have to cure Sven, but Daniel too." Vince got a dazed look in his eyes, but said "Yes, I would like that." Pidge saw how Vince's whole demeanor changed, and by the end of the meal he was back to his normal self. Pidge was glad to see that, and knew he had one more fence to fix. He knew though that the person would not be happy when he was done.
It was later in the evening, and Pidge was looking for Hunk. He finally found him in the kitchen, getting a snack. Pidge decided that it was probably for the best if he broke the news to Hunk over food. "Little Buddy, what is happening? Do you want a snack?" Hunk asked, as he was making himself a sandwich.
"No thanks, Hunk. I was actually looking for you, to talk to you." Pidge said, wondering if he would still be Hunk's little buddy when he was done. "It is too bad you didn't get to have fun in Dradin! You should have come with us to this breakfast place we went to! Biggest omelet's I've ever seen!" Hunk said, as he was putting his sandwich together.
Pidge groaned at that reference, not wanting to tell Hunk what he had been doing, or where he'd had breakfast. "I need to talk to you about Larmina." Pidge said, and that got Hunk's attention. Pidge had watched Hunk at dinner, as he pursued Larmina. He had seen Keith and Lance exchange pitying glances, and he saw that Daniel was right; Hunk was making an ass of himself.
"What about Larmina? She is so pretty! I really want to ask her out, but I don't know if she will say yes." Hunk finished getting his sandwich ready, and with it in hand turned to face Pidge. He saw the hopeful look on his friend's face, and wished he wasn't going to be the one to take it away.
"Hunk, Larmina, and I are involved. We love each other very much." Pidge said, hoping he would not have to go into the details of Dradin. Pidge watched as Hunk thought about what he had just said, and he could see the light go out of his friend's eyes. Hunk just looked at him, and the silence between them seemed immense to Pidge.
Hunk was looking at Pidge, and trying to understand what he was saying. As he put it together in his brain, he remembered how Larmina had behaved with DJ Prong at the party. He had another thought, about yesterday morning, when he had called Pidge. He had been surprised that Pidge was in bed, but believed his story about Mansett. Now, with what Pidge had just told him, and thinking about the ride back to Arus, Hunk saw the whole picture.
Hunk didn't like what he was seeing, and looked at his friend with hurt. Pidge saw that and said "Look, I'm sorry Hunk. By the time I figured out how much you liked her, we were already going out." Hunk got a bitter look on his face as he said "I can see why she would want DJ Prong!" Pidge sighed and said "Hunk we started going out before the party! It was right after she took over Blue. Our feelings just developed. We didn't want to hurt you!"
Hunk looked at Pidge, and saw that he was telling the truth. It made Hunk feel a little better that Larmina didn't like Pidge because he was DJ Prong. He then had another thought, which cheered him up. "Hey, I understand! I will be happy for you, but just not right now, ok?" Hunk said to Pidge, who looked relieved and surprised at the same time.
Pidge said as much and Hunk replied, "Well, I thought of the bright spot in all this!" Pidge looked at him in wonderment, and Hunk said "When Allura finds out what has been going on, and comes down here with her crossbow, she won't be looking for me!" Hunk slapped Pidge on the back as he walked away saying "Look at it this way, you'll die a happy man, and we'll give you a great funeral!" Pidge could hear Hunk's laughter as he left the kitchen. Pidge was concerned about the gleam his friend had gotten in his eyes when he thought about Allura and her crossbow.