avalononline | Audio | username SpaceHobo

[Can he just say, from the bottom of his heart.... Fuck.]

Mattie... I've got vodka coolers, hot chocolate, wyvernade, and the softest blanket I could find on the island. Door's open, when you're ready.

[Matt's voice is a bit rougher when he's talking just to Shiro.]

Thanks, Shiro. I'll be there soon.

[He's probably bringing Bae Bae too.]

Shiro's door is literally open, and the two twin beds have been pushed together side by side. There are some large, brand new pillows flopped on it in a vague U shape, and an extremely plush blanket covered in stars is folded neatly on one side. Shiro himself is in the mini fridge getting out two red wyvernade bottles. Shinryu is perched on his favorite bedpost where he can see both Shiro and the door.

The first indication that anything is going on is Bae Bae walking in, snuffling around with Magpie on his back. Magpie floats up to Shinryu and beeps and bops a greeting.

Matt shuffles in, then smiles a bit as he sees what Shiro's set up. "You didn't have to go through all of this, you know. I would have settled for a boardgame or something.

"Hey, Bae Bae," Shiro smiles, setting down the drinks to give his favorite dog a good, solid scritching. Standing, he steps over and pulls Matt into a hug. "You don't have to settle for anything."

Matt just clings to Shiro, hanging on for dear life. Sure, he knows that he's been through worse, but losing Pidge just stings.

"I know, but... really. You didn't have to go through all of this." He smiles, and just goes quiet, while Bae Bae whines a bit.

Shiro doesn't let go. He may not be able to enfold him the way he used to, but he can continue to be a solid rock for Matt to regain his footing.

"People keep telling me that I should spend more money," Shiro murmurs, a smile in his voice that's not quite on his face. "And it's not like I don't get to keep this stuff. I've been meaning to try and see if a body pillow will help me sleep anyway."

There's a quiet pause, and Shiro murmurs, "Do you think you can stomach some liquid?"

"You didn't really need to spend the money on me, you know." He smiles, shaking his head.

"But, it's useless telling you that, I know. When you put your mind to something, you're not going to stop." There's a bit of a wistful tone in his voice, as well as amusement.

"Yeah. Liquid would work. Thanks. I probably could use something to drink. And eat. I, uh, can't remember if I ate yesterday or not."

Shiro exhales a soft, amused huff. "I spent it on us."

He rests his nose and mouth on the top of Matt's head a moment before he blinks out of it and slowly unwraps himself from his friend. Snagging one of the Wyvernade's, he offers it to Matt.

"Here. Sip that - it's cold - and make yourself comfy. Soup sound good? Or do you want something with more substance?"

Matt likes the sound of 'us', but he's not going to say anything. That might be a bit much.

He does, however, smile, a bit of a sight as Shiro rests his face on his head. That feels... super nice. However, he's drawn out of it by Shiro handing him a drink. He probably wants that more than he realizes.

"Thanks. Um... Soup sounds nice, but... I wouldn't mind something with more substance. I'm not letting you make it, though. I have seen way too many disasters from you."

Sorry, Shiro, but Matt's not about to let you anywhere near the kitchen.

"Luckily for you, I didn't cook it!" Shiro laughs. "I know better than that. I want to be with you, not poison you." His ears go pink as he realizes how he said that and he hurries on, "I found a half-decent tv dinner brand, or we could get pizza, or sandwiches delivered or something. I was surprised how many places deliver here. I promise not to make you eat peas."

Wait, what? Are you certain? How did you find out?

[Of course she's going to have a little trouble accepting it. After all, she and Pidge first arrived here together.]

We live together. I woke up and she was gone. I tried to call her, but nothing. And, well, I just know.

[It's a sibling thing.]

But... if she goes back, that would mean...

[Allura's expression scrunches in a pout. The good news is that nothing bad would be happening to Pidge. The bad news is that nothing else would be happening to Pidge either. She's simply trapped in frozen time with the rest of their team.]

... ... ...

It might not be for long. After all, Shiro left and returned from the time outside Avalon, and his absence was so brief that I hadn't even realized he was gone. This may not necessarily turn out the same way, but...

[There's something flat in her tone, like she already knows that's not something she ought to hope for.]

I know. And, who knows, maybe it's better for her.

[Matt sighs deeply. It's still hard to work with.]

I guess it's cosmic payback for her being the one to lose me before.

Don't say that. I'm sure you missed her, too, while you were apart before — and wherever she is, she's missing you right now.

[Actually, it's possible Pidge would get a kick out of a bit of karmic revenge — but Allura's an only child, and doesn't understand the joys of antagonizing a sibling.]

There was a time when she was willing to abandon the fight for the universe just to find you. Now, given the option to be here with you and help save all realities? There's no question where she would rather be.

With any luck, it won't take long for another familiar to find that relentlessly brilliant spirit of hers.

[It's more talk to reassure herself as much as him. But at least now it's starting to sound like she's starting to believe what she says.]

Oh, yeah. I know she'll be back if she can. That's just Pidge. She's always wanting to go out there and do what she can.

[He pauses, and then there's a deeply fond tone in his voice.]

I'm so proud of her. She's accomplished so much, and learned so much and grown so much. I always knew she'd find her place and shine.

[She starts smiling. The way you always should smile when talking about friends, regardless of the circumstances.]

She truly has. Early on, I was a bit worried about how she would perform as a paladin... though I also worried about how the others would do, too. But especially her, after she revealed her intent to go searching for you instead...

But she proved herself to be... to tell the truth? The most indispensable member of our team. [A beat, and then she adds:] Just don't tell the others I said that.

She never had to come look for me to the exclusion of everything else, but I'm not surprised she did. Really, what I am surprised at is that no one at the Garrison realized how much she looks like me. Really makes a guy feel forgettable.

Oh, I won't tell anyone, but I totally agree. That's what she does. Wherever she goes, she's absolutely invaluable.

[She looks mildly surprised. Truthfully, there's only so much she knows about the Garrison, and all of it is second-hand, gleaned from stories swapped between people who were part of it.]

Did they really not? ... then again, apparently most of our team weren't fooled by her disguising herself as a boy. [Allura sure was, but that's aside from the point. And honestly, humans are a little harder for her to tell apart than Alteans.]

Perhaps that made it harder to notice. Or perhaps they did, and simply never said anything about it. Or if she was already making her inventions by then, they might have been distracted by her talents...

Not that I ever heard of. Pidge says that they didn't recognize her, other than thinking that a picture of me with her was her with a girlfriend.

[Matt's just amused, but he turns thoughtful.]

That's possible. People could have known what was going on and just let her be. I could see that.

Really? But the two of you look so similar. Shouldn't they at least have noticed that you two are related?

... I'm changing my theory: It must have been a very bad picture.

[ This message sounded so sad, she can't help but reply. ]

Hello... I apologize, if this is rude of me.

I just wished to offer some reassurance. But I hope you will have friends around to offer what a stranger cannot.

Are you feeling any better?

It's not rude. Thanks. I appreciate the reassurance.

[His tone is sincere, and slightly less sad.]

A bit, yeah. My best friend is here and he's spending time with me, so that's helped.

I'm glad... it's always good to have people you know in a world strange as this. How was this "Pidge Holt" related to you? Were they from your world, too?

[ She knows it might be a difficult question, seeing as he sounded upset, but if it helps this mortal to talk it out, she doesn't mind hearing it. ]

[Oh no... Makoto had only spoken the one time over the network, but Pidge had seemed nice, and they'd had a good time chatting about plants and Green magic.]

I'm sorry, Matt. Can I help with anything?

I appreciate the offer, Makoto. If I think of anything, I promise I'll take you up on it. For now, I'm just... well, it's good to know that I'm not shouting into a black hole.

[A light nod, one she pairs with a light hum since this is audio only.]

Of course you're not. [She almost bids him well to leave him in peace (they're not close, and he probably needs some time to himself and people he CAN be vulnerable with), but she pauses a sec.] What kinds of foods do you like?

Peanut butter.

[He can't help but laugh a bit.]

Honestly, anything with peanut butter. Cookies, sandwiches, anything like that.

[Listen, it's hard to get a good PB&J in space.]

[Good, that's something to work with.]

Peanut butter it is. Let me know if you need anything else, okay?

...w-wait, really?

[ Fenton has a lot of questions, because while he'd always thought something like that was possible, this is the first time he's ever really heard about it happening.

But he holds all of them for now, because it doesn't seem like the time to be asking anything. ]

I'm...sorry. Are you gonna be okay?

[Really, Matt wouldn't mind questions. It would take his mind off of the circles it's running in. However, for now, he just sounds tired.]

I'll be fine. I'm just frustrated. She and I have always been close, and here I got to see her after way too long back home. And now she's gone.

Yeah...all things considered, it's understandable to feel frustrated. If there's anything I can do to help, let me know.

[ Even though he doesn't know Matt too well, Fenton had liked Pidge. She'd been so excited about his science ventures, so he wants to help out as much as he can. ]

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