𝚒𝚌 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚌𝚝;

[spazzed]

𝚟𝚘𝚒𝚌𝚎 ♥ 𝚖𝚖𝚜 ♥ 𝚝𝚎𝚡𝚝 ♥ 𝚟𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚘 ♥ 𝚟𝚘𝚒𝚌𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚒𝚕 ♥ 𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 ♥ 𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏𝚒𝚎𝚜

Comments

[vanishings]

( the message is sent late, but not so late lance is sleeping. probably. maybe. )

Do you have a second?

[spazzed]

( are you kidding? he's probably still moisturizing! )

sure, shiro
what's up?

[vanishings]

( gotta get in that 20 step skincare routine... )

Nothing pressing, I'm just wondering if I could get your opinion on something.

( give him a second because he's typing and erasing a lot to figure out the best way to not burden someone else. )

How do you feel about the direction that Coran is taking the Voltron appearances we're doing?

[spazzed]

( it only takes like. two hours. he has plenty of time. )

mine? really?

( oh. considering he's used to nearly everyone else on the team dismissing him one way or another, he's a little caught off-guard. not that he expects shiro to be dismissive, because he's never been anything but receptive to everyone around him, but ...

insecurities and all, you know.

it takes him a bit to get his thoughts together enough to give an opinion actually worth giving. )

they're something, that's for sure
i mean i think they're a good idea because we're getting great responses left and right
but
i dunno

( he pauses, wondering if he should even say this next bit. )

do you think he's overselling voltron?

[vanishings]

( he never wants to be dismissive, so he would hope he never makes anyone feel that way. unless it's slav. though, he kind of gets a strange feeling when lance asks if shiro really wants his opinion. he doesn't let the thought linger because there's a lot on his mind right now.

instead, he chews over lance's reply and takes his time thinking about the question he's asked in turn. )

That might be part of it.

( but, it's definitely not everything. maybe it's just shiro doesn't care a lot for the extra attention. it makes him feel a little itchy under his skin when he's out there on stage with people watching and the lights in his face and a crowd yelling. but, he's definitely not focusing on that, either. because that means he has to look inward and realize there are things just Not Right with him that he can't fix on his own. )

I don't know if this is actually going to help us in the long run or hinder what progress we've made.

[spazzed]

( shiro always acknowledges him, makes him feel included, and he supposes that's what a leader should do. if they're any good at it, anyway.

still, lance feels a little bit special being asked for his opinion, especially for something like this. it's important. )

that's kinda what i was thinking, too
i mean representation is representation, but it has to be the right kind, right?
the right kind of pr

[vanishings]

( it is what leaders should do, and since shiro is the leader of this motley crew, he's doing his best. because every member of the team is valued and shiro wants them to know.

that being said, he can't... really talk to allura about this yet. they know each other, but she's known coran longer. shiro doesn't want to offend her or coran by extension, so he needs a little more time thinking about this. not to mention he'd like an outside opinion just in case he's overthinking things too much. because of them being thrust more into the public eye and this is less about saving the universe and more about publicity, shiro thinks lance's insight will be good in this situation. not only because he's honest, but, well. they all know he likes attention. if lance finds it a little unsettling, then shiro feels safer feeling the way he does, too. )

Right. It seems as if things are getting a little more... outlandish with each new apperance. And I don't remember Coran acting like this before.

( y'know. before he was gone for however long he was gone for... haha... ha. he doesn't know if lance will pick up on his underlying meaning, but he's giving him the benefit of the doubt. )

Do you?

[spazzed]

( they might have all been thrust into this without being fully prepared, but who could have been for everything they've been through? from start to finish, beginning to end there's been no shortage of curveballs. things that effectively throw them for a loop when they already had their world turned upside down and inside out.

shiro has, of course, handled it better than any of the rest of them could have, and it's just one more thing about his whole presence that lance appreciates and respects.

he's a good man. a good leader.

and. he thinks he's maybe picking up on something, but he doesn't want to assume anything in the slightest, much less that shiro would trust him enough with something like that. )

no, i definitely don't
i mean it's a far cry from when he had that brain parasite thing making him bonkers
i just
now that things have settled down i don't think we need to be so flashy??

( hold up wait a minute. yeah you read that right. )

maybe that isn't the right word
but you get what i'm saying, right?

[vanishings]

( no, none of them could have prepared for any of this. no matter how many drills and simulations they're put through at the garrison, nothing can prepare anyone for war. one can learn skills to get through certain situations, but it's never really enough. not even shiro was ready for the things he's lived through, the things he's seen, the things he's done.

he only handles things better because he internalizes the shit out of everything and doesn't let anything out. his problems are his own and he doesn't need to burden anyone else.

shiro can feel his brows raise at lance saying something is too flashy. who would've thought? )

That's a good description. I was thinking it might just be me and putting too much thought into it.

[spazzed]

( shiro had been the most seasoned of them all going into this, had the most training when it comes to what to expect in certain situations — but they hadn't known about the galra, about zarkon or haggar or sendak or lotor and it's been all they can do just to keep their heads above water.

sometimes, it had felt like they were on the verge of drowning, but somehow always broke the surface again.

and … listen. he doesn't often act like it, doesn't often look the part but he's done a lot of maturing over the last little while. sometimes, flashy is good. sometimes it's the last thing you want, and that just happens to be when it comes to association with the saviors of the known universe.

his teeth worry at his bottom lip. )

you're always gonna overthink things, i think
that's just how you are
but it's not a bad thing!!
making up for those of us that don't think enough

( jab at himself for the sake of humor? jab at himself for the sake of humor. )

[vanishings]

( trust that he didn't want to be the most seasoned, but in the end, he's glad it's him and none of the others. it's a burden he can carry — even if he never wanted to.

anyway.

shiro knows that lance has done some maturing. that happens not only with age, but life experience. all of them have been thrust into this horrible thing and forced to grow up. shiro worries about all of them sometimes when he allows himself to really think about it.

he tries not to think about it. )

Or do you mean those of us that pretend we don't think?

( hey. he's on 2 u. )

[spazzed]

( sometimes the least wanted burdens are those we're best suited for — whether it's because no one else could weather the given storm or anything else, that's just how the cards have been dealt.

lance honestly couldn't picture anyone else having been through everything shiro had and still come out looking as good as he does; he's been held captive, made to fight for the amusement of others, fought in a war that wasn't his own and still come out on the other side swinging hard.

there is a reason shiro has always been a hero in his eyes. what he's weathered most recently just cements that further.

he gets a little flustered on his side of things, and it's a good thing shiro can't see him make the puffed-out-cheeks face he's currently making. )

no idea what you're talking about
what made you bring this up, anyway?

( deflection!!! )

[vanishings]

( how can he possibly slow down now? if he does, he has to think about everything. and thinking about everything — right now — isn't something he's really all that equipped to do. there are things hes just not equipped to handle just yet. he keeps himself together because everyone else needs him — and he needs them, too, whether he wants to admit it or not.

not that he thinks it's a weakness to rely on other people, but he feels like everyone else's wellbeing is more important. don't call him out, okay.

but, okay. he sees that deflection and won't push. ur lucky, boi. )

No real reason.

( except, almost immediately following, a picture comes through of a relatively small looking keyhole shirt on a hanger. pinned to it in coran's writing says: shiro, next appearance wardrobe! )

Just curious.

[spazzed]

( lance might have tried to convince himself in the very beginning that he hadn't needed any of them beyond the fact that they needed each other as a team — but you know what? that was never bound to last for long, and now every single one of them are a part of what he likes to call his found space family.

they're eccentric, and difficult at times, but so are those he's related to by blood; there's not a single thing different.

and, hey. you're accepting his deflection, he won't call you out. sometimes you just gotta let things go, yeah?

though. it takes him a second to dissect that picture, brows furrowed and a hand covering his mouth like he's trying too keep something in. a chuckle? maybe. )

the heck is he even thinking?
somebody needs to have a chat with him about human fashion

( not that you couldn't pull it off.

but that isn't the point. )

[vanishings]

( everybody needs somebody sometimes. even if it's hard to admit, even with all the struggles of dealing with each other. more often than not, it's worth every second of hardship when everyone comes out on the other side stronger than ever with a bond so tightly formed it's nary unbreakable. shiro knows all of them won't be together forever, but they'll always have a connection.

it's why he wants to make sure everyone knows he cares and values their thoughts and opinions. by now, shiro knows — or can at least guess — what kind of response he'll get from whomever he speaks to. lance, for all his showmanship and sometimes outlandish antics, actually puts thought into things and is a lot smarter than he gives himself credit. )

Somehow I don't think that would even help...

[spazzed]

( nothing ever really stays forever, and he knows that — but he's always had a terrible habit of getting attached, whether he lets anyone know it or not and it just makes it that much more difficult when that empty space is there again, regardless of what or who had filled it to begin with.

he knows they won't be together forever, the rational part of his brain supplying that the universe won't always need voltron and they'll have a chance to go back to the lives that got left behind, but.

there's something melancholy in that realization. something that sits u comfortably in his chest that he would rather ignore. and shiro …

shiro has always managed to see the bits of people they don't want to be seen, or acknowledged, if only because they've made a reputation for themselves they might as well keep up.

so what if he's not a whole dumbass sometimes. )

maybe … maybe not

( pause. )

does he really think you'll be able to squeeze into that?

[vanishings]

( it is kind of a heavy thought — not having this close knit family they've cobbled together anymore. shiro knows life goes on, even he wants to know what's out there for him, but he does feel a bit empty when those little golden things don't stay.

all the more reason to connect with each other, really.

he laughs quietly to himself — just an exhale from his nose — and feels a touch bashful over the question. leave him alone!!! )

Couldn't even get my arm all the way through the sleeve.

( shut up. he tried, ok??? )

[spazzed]

( nothing gold can stay, u know.

life will go on, that's for sure, and who even knows when it will happen? lance has done a pretty bang-up job of living in the moment and not thinking too much about the future, and he's going to attempt to keep doing so. for now.

and listen here, mister. it isn't anyone's fault you're built like some greek statue; but sometimes some things just won't fit, and you into that shirt is one of them. )

at least you tried
i wouldn't have even bothered
… but that's a little different, i mean
we can't all bring the big guns

( lance. jesus christ. can't take you anywhere. )

[vanishings]

( that's the thing about life, nobody really knows what's going to happen. that's part of the excitement, and also the anxiety. shiro never planned too far in advance of his life because he didn't know what was in store for him, when things might go south and all the plans he'd been looking forward to were just fever dreams of a sad man. so he got used to living in the moment and doing whatever he could to make his life everything it could be before it wasn't his anymore. )

Lance.

( *breathes* ....boi. )

I thought it might've stretched a little more.

[spazzed]

( lance … has never thought too far into his own future, really, besides how badly he'd wanted to be a garrison pilot — but so much, so much has happened since the dreams of a little boy started to unfold and he found himself a part of something so much bigger.

it puts things into perspective, for one thing. he's just not sure where he's supposed to go from here. )

sorry

( is he? not really. )

at least he isn't trying to make you parade around shirtless
think about that

[vanishings]

( where does anyone go from here? it's a hard thing to pick themselves back up from. but, shiro is confident in everyone that they'll find the path that they're meant to walk. and anything that shiro can do to help them along, he'll do everything in his power to see that their dreams are met. )

It's not really something I'd consider, let alone think about. I'm no prude, but I'm not comfortable with things like selling sex for views.

( farewell camboy career... )

[spazzed]

( they'll find a way forward from here, they all know it; even if none of them are sure how to proceed, what they're supposed to do now that things have died down a little … hell, it's not everyday you fight and fight and fight in a war you never signed up for and finally find it ended.

they'll figure it out, one way or another. )

i think literally everyone would be surprised if you were okay with that kind of thing
nothing wrong with showing some skin but for this it would be for all the wrong reasons
people might get the wrong idea

( it wouldn't be lance if he didn't say it like that, y'know? )

[vanishings]

( isn't that how all wars are? forcing innocents to fight for leaders who can't solve their problems diplomatically. )

Somehow I think he's alright with people getting the wrong idea.

[spazzed]

( that sounds about right, all things considered.

and that's just the way of things, isn't it? )

does he even know what kind of image he's trying to create?

[vanishings]

( unfortunately. )

At one time I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but now I'm not so sure.

( how does he approach this delicately? those text bubbles pop up several times, then stop, start then stop, start then stop. )

Has your sister said anything?