kickitover | (no subject)

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[Being core members of the Voltron coalition meant that sometimes the team had to spread their forces thin in order to take care of everything that required their attention. Sure, they had other allies who could hold their own -the Blade of Mamora for example- but it had a little more impact if the paladins themselves saved a colony or planet, as opposed to more Galra.

In other words: politics.]

I mean, I understand what Coran was saying but I still think it's kinda dumb, right Keith? [Undeterred by Keith's noncommital 'uh huh's and 'yeah's, Hunk continues on as he follows Keith's lead and slows down his approach. They're going to have to try and sneak up on this installation or risk the Galra retaliating against the captured techs for calling for help.] They've been around way longer than we have, and fighting for way longer too! It kinda feels like we're shoving them out of the way to get all the glory. Not that that's what we're doing, but it sure feels like that's what we're doing. I guess in the end it doesn't really matter who gets the job done so long as the people are saved, but it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Right? Do you have a bad taste in your mouth too, Keith?

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Ahhh, it's not all their fault. You were kind of a legend at the Garrison, y'know? Like a cryptid. [Blows on a piece before popping it into his mouth. Hmm, not bad.] All the pilot cadets wanted to be you, everyone taking self defense wanted to watch you... It's hard to just walk up and make friends with a guy like that.

Let's face it, if it weren't for Voltron, you and me would probably never have talked.

What?

[He stops eating and watches Hunk. His voice is genuinely surprised. He had no idea that's how people thought of him back there. Most of his memories of the Garrison are his times with Shiro and getting kicked out after Shiro left. Not much paid attention to anyone else.]

Is that true?

[Yeah, still, it's tried and true that the Garrison's management wasn't exactly the best and the brightest. Or the most honest.

Hunk lowers his leaf packet and gives Keith a quizzical look.] Well...yeah. Why d'you think Lance was always at your throat at first?

I... I dunno.

[Well now this is embarrassing. He focuses on eating instead of how apparently he was that well known and didn't even realize it. Shiro probably knew, holy crap.]

Figured he just liked fighting. [Keith was always just reactionary. He never really cared one way or the other.]

...well, I didn't tell you this, but it's because he saw you as a goalpost. He got so frustrated when you got kicked out... [Shakes his head and sighs.] He turned it into an 'I hate Keith' thing because that's just how he is. [Y'know, stupid.] And then you didn't recognize him, which probably hurt his feelings- he can be really sensitive.

[He takes another bite; honestly it's delicious but they're having a serious conversation so he can't just interrupt that and derail as much as he'd like to.]

Well that's stupid. The 'I hate Keith' thing.

[As far as he's concerned? It's all in the past. They're paladins now, working as a team as equals. That's all he cares about.]

It doesn't matter now anyway. [Still. Something is weighing on him that normally wouldn't.] You've known him a long time huh?

Mm- I dunno if that's the case. We got paired up for a couple exercises, then stuck together after that. Wannabe pilot, wannabe engineer...made sense. [It helped Lance that Hunk was smart and it helped Hunk that Lance was funny and didn't mind him rambling or being an airsick space cadet.]

Edited 2017-08-21 07:54 (UTC)

You're not a wannabe though. You are an engineer.

[Absolutely no hesitation on that. Hunk you are so much smarter than him sometimes it astounds him that you remain friends with this idiot.]

[Shrugs a shoulder uneasily.] We're all paladins of Voltron now. No rank at the Garrison can beat that.

Maybe but. It doesn't stop us from being who we are too.

[And with that, he goes back to eating. He was almost done when Hunk got him thinking too hard about this stuff. About who he is, about what others think of him. He never gave it that much consideration before, but... With the paladins being his family and trying to lead them, he does. Sort of care what they think of him.]

...What about you? [Wait, train of thought got lost on Hunk.] Think about me, I mean. You said how people at the Garrison thought of me and Lance, but. What about you?

What did I think of you?

[Hesitates as he rubs the back of his neck sheepishly.] ...I thought you were amazing. I still do. Not just because of the flying, or the fighting, or even because of how brave you are all the time.

Mostly, it's like- [Rolls his eyes up and sighs.] It's because you can do stuff. I know it sounds stupid, but just being able to make decisions and stick with them...I can't do that. So I think it's incredible.

It's why I'll follow you, even though I know you don't want to be the leader. I know that with you, if I just stick with you, we'll always keep moving forward.

Edited 2017-08-21 08:10 (UTC)

[It's a good thing he's on his last bite because all that just sort of sinks into his mind and makes everything stop. The idea that anyone would willfully follow someone who clearly doesn't want to lead them sort of astounds him.

Even knowing most of his decisions are horrible, and cause everyone trouble. That he's still learning.]

...You're amazing too, Hunk. You're honest, you don't try to hide stuff. Or feel like you have to. You make me laugh so hard all the time. You're scared but still do all this stuff, that's brave.

[He looks up from his empty leaf-thing and at Hunk across the fire.] It's no good trying to lead anyone if there's not someone like you behind me.

[Laughs a little, though he can feel his face heating up.] Behind every good leader is an equally good naysayer, huh?

Only if that's you.

[Oh shit was that too ~~gay~~ straightforward.]

[Shit shit shitshitshit him and his big impulsive dumb mouth.

Yeha he's just!! Going to stoke the fire.]

Hey so I'm gonna ask you something weird.

Edited 2017-08-21 08:31 (UTC)

We pilot giant lion robots that combine into a giant robot person, I think we're already dealing with weird.

But sure.

[HAHA THIS DEFINITELY WON'T GO BADLY.]

What's your type?

[And because it's Keith:] Romantically.

Uh.

[Don't say big don't say big don't say big don't say big]

Not something I've thought a lot about? [LargeNO that's bad too.] So I dunno.

Why? [He knows why, he just wants to hear Hunk say it.]

Just a hunch. [You have a crush on me you gay motherfucker]

[Wait.

........ Now he's lost.]

A hunch about what?

I said it was a weird question, right? Don't worry about it, get some sleep.

[His brows knot together confused; he feels like just missed something important in the conversation and he hates when that happens. Everyone with their subtle nuance and social cues. Just come out and say what you mean, people.

Keith is all earnest now, sitting forward almost forgetting his leg.] What about you?