voice | un: RocketMan

[vrepit_no]

Hi, Camelot: this is Shiro speaking...

Ah, I'm new in the area, and I understand that I'm going to be here a while. Couple of questions I was hoping someone could help me out with.

I heard a rumor that you can get paid for going to school here: true or false?
Is there a certain process, or form I should be filling out to get housing other than the hotel?

And. [The voice hesitates a moment before carrying on at a slightly different pitch.] Is there anyone here who specializes in prosthetics?

I appreciate you listening, and I'd be grateful for any help given.

Thanks.

Shiro out.

Comments

[tookashirototheknee]

Just homework. I can do that later.

[He smiles.]

You know very well that I'd rather spend time with you.

[Are those small crush hearts? I think so.]

[vrepit_no]

[Shiro half ducks, exhaling a quiet breath of a laugh before he looks up again. That's the sort of thing he's been hoping to hear, and it brings the warmth right up into his eyes.]

I'd hoped. But I wasn't sure. Okay - I'll head over. See you soon.

[He just catches the "babe" before it leaves his lips. Later.]

[The video clicks off.]

[tookashirototheknee]

See you!

[Matt closes his textbook, then runs around a bit frantically cleaning up anything that might be embarrassing. The electronic projects on the coffee table can remain, as well as Pidge's things, but Shiro really doesn't need to know that he hasn't done laundry in a bit, right?]

Action

[vrepit_no]

[Shiro takes the time to splash water over his face and finger-comb his forelock, leaning heavily on the bathroom counter for a few moments before he's sure that he can perform an easy smile. Matt doesn't need to know about liminal space. That's way too much. He slowly tucks Matt's shimmery dog tags under the collar of the black vest Keith had once lent him so long ago. Armed with an address and an ability to ask for directions, he heads out.]

[It only takes him ten, fifteen minutes at most to find the place, and only thirty full seconds before he knocks on the door and steps back so he's not crowding. This is fine. Everything will be fine. Breathe.]

Switching to prose because it's easier lala

[tookashirototheknee]

Matt's been pacing for a few minutes until he hears the knock. He opens the door, immediately throwing himself at Shiro for a hug. It's a while before he pulls back, a couple tears in his eyes that he just can't make go away.

"It's so good to see you, Shiro." He knows not everything is alright, but he's sure this is definitely the start of the path.

Oh thanks, prose good

[vrepit_no]

Shiro steps in to catch him on pure adrenaline and instinct, pulling Matt in close and pressing his face into tumbled hair. Oh gods... He missed this. He missed this so much.

It's still over too soon.

He gives Matt one of his trademarked smiles and blinks back the blurring at the edges of his vision. "Hey, you. I can't tell you how much I've wanted to see you. You look good. Healthy."

He can't help looking Matt over searchingly, on the lookout for scrapes and scars he doesn't already know by heart.

He licks his lips and squares his shoulders. "Matt, I'm sorry." He holds up a hand to forestall the immediate reaction. "I know you probably don't hold it against me, but I hurt you, and I left you on your own in that place. So even if you don't feel it's necessary, it is for me. I am deeply sorry."

[tookashirototheknee]

The only scar that Shiro can see at the moment is the one on his cheek. He's wearing a long-sleeved shirt and a pair of long pants that cover pretty much anything else. Even if Shiro could see, it wouldn't be anything surprising. Just his knee and back.

Matt shrugs a bit, a half-bemused smirk on his face. "Months sitting on my own ass-teroid will do that. I was getting a bit tired of eavesdropping on Galra soap operas, though."

He pulls on Shiro's good hand, getting him into the apartment before shutting the door.

"It turned out alright in the end. Honestly, I was more mad at myself for being weak and you having to step in for me like that."

Truth be told, he's still mad at himself.

[vrepit_no]

Matt's hand in his enough to soften the tension strung so tightly across his shoulders. Shiro follows obediently. Anything to keep that contact just a little longer.

"You were in shock," he points out softly. "It could -- and did -- happen to anyone. It's not weakness. It's a physical condition. Myzax wasn't just a high school bully. Mattie..."

The nickname is so natural to him these days that he doesn't realize that he's used it. Shiro pulls Matt gently to a stop so that he can look him in the eye. "I don't regret the choice to step in. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I regret injuring you. I regret scaring you. I regret leaving you on your own. But I will never regret making that choice."

The corner of his lips twitch. "Though I think you'd fight me for it now. Can I ask... when was the last time you saw me?"