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[bigbrained]

[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?

Comments

[whatsacactus]

Oh. [He tugs at the ends of Hunk's hair a little before he moves to get off the table.]

Yeah- Yeah, let's go. Common room?

[bigbrained]

Soft pass. [Backs off to give Keith room to get down] Lance will be there and will probably not leave us alone. [Look he loves Lance, he's one of Hunk's best friends, and that's why he can say that if Lance is in a room, Lance demands everyone's attention and he and Keith won't barely get a single cuddle in edgewise.]

[whatsacactus]

[He keeps one hand on Hunk's arm while he thinks. If not the common room then... There aren't a lot of options they're aware of. There is an entire fucking castle they haven't explored, and he figures the training room is out.]

Thennnnn maybe w just find somewhere?

[He's not about to suggest one of their rooms but.]

[bigbrained]

Yeah, like my room. C'mon. [HUNK HAS NO PROBLEM SUGGESTING IT don't worry]

[whatsacactus]

[OH GOD HUNK JUST WENT THERE. He's a little dumbstruck and nods.] Yeah. Okay, yeah. Your room.

[bigbrained]

[HE WENT THERE AND TOOK PICTURES]

Ohmygod, Keith, I'm not like- asking for your hand. [OR VIRGINITY] It's just so we can have privacy!

[whatsacactus]

[YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE ASKING HUNK!! ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN!

All the same, his face is red.]

Okay! Okay, then. Let's go. [To hold hands and make out and definitely not do anything else.]

[bigbrained]

[He's just gonna!!! Just gonna take Keith's hand and lead him to his room, though Keith knows where it is by now, just because if he doesn't do something he's going to lose his nerve. He wasn't nervous before but Keith is nervous now and Hunk is nervous through osmosis. THERE'S NOTHING TO BE NERVOUS ABOUT!

...oh, but,] Uhhh, did you wanna change first? [Stops outside of Keith's room.] Since we're in these, like. Things. [Plucks at the healing suit.]

[whatsacactus]

[...Admittedly, he'd forgotten. They were so comfortable and a little distracted. But the more Hunk is nervous, the more nervous Keith gets and it's a bad cycle.]

Yeah! Yeah, let's change first. Probably not good to hang out in these. Come on.

[He should still have clothes laying around somewhere in his room, it'll be fine. They'll be fine.]

[bigbrained]

C-

"Come on," like, "come on into my room while I change" come on? [BECAUSE THAT DOESN'T MAKE HIM LESS NERVOUS DUDE]

[whatsacactus]

I... Yeah?

[They've both been at the Garrison before, they've been in locker rooms, so it's not like anything's changed, or that they

Oh god they're dating.

That sort of changes a lot doesn't it?

He definitely hadn't thought about that and now he's nervous.]

Unless you don't want to? If you don't want to it's fine, I-- [God Hunk can you tell he's nervous?] I- Whatever you wanna do.

[bigbrained]

Hhhhow about if I go change, and then um, you can come to my room? Oh my god, this shouldn't be so complicated. [BUT IT IS, BECAUSE NOW THEY ARE DATING]

[whatsacactus]

[IT SHOULDN'T BE COMPLICATED BUT IT IS.]

Yeah. Yeah, that. Definitely. [Right that'll make it easier. Just go to his own room and change.

So why can't he bring himself to let go of Hunk's arm.]

[bigbrained]

[Maybe for the same reason Hunk can't seem to take his arm off of Keith. They share a look for a moment, considering and reluctant, before Hunk makes an executive decision and leads the way into Keith's room.

Fuck changing. He doesn't want to be separated from Keith any longer than he has to, at least not for a long while.]

[whatsacactus]

[Keith blinks slowly and follows after him, still not letting go of his arm. He isn't entirely sure what the plan is now because it seems like the plan's changed.

He's so relieved Hunk is okay. That they both came out okay. He was so scared for him back there, that he wouldn't have been able to protect him from all the guards there if he had let himself fall.

If he let himself think too much about it, he's convinced he was going to die there too.]

Hunk? What's happening?

[bigbrained]

[Hunk waits for the door to close behind them before he takes both of Keith's hands in his own, looking down at them as he rubs his big thumbs over Keith's calloused knuckles.] I don't wanna be dumb or complicated about this. I've never, like, y'know...dated anybody before, but in the end it's just you and me, right? We don't have to be worried about stuff if we just talk about it.

[whatsacactus]

[He's ready to agree, to admit that no, he's never dated anyone either but he doesn't want to be complicated about this too.

But ultimately? Keith spends the minute or so when Hunk is done talking just watching him. It's almost ridiculous how surreal it feels to him. Less than a week ago they were fighting for their lives in a generator, camping on a cliff eating whatever they could find, now they're back in their home and. Dating.

And they're fine. They both want this. Keith gives Hunk's hands a little squeeze.]

Then we'll just talk about it. Not make it complicated. Right.

[Right.]

...I was going to change. Is that... Okay?

[bigbrained]

Uh- yeah, that's cool with me. I'm- I'm gonna look away. Just...I mean, I know I've seen you like mostly naked before, but it's different now that we're dating right? Because- I mean, I don't- It's kinda soon but eventually, you know, we, but maybe, I mean there's no reason to do it now, so, [maybe talking was a bad idea]

[whatsacactus]

[Oh boy. Hunk is really nervous, and Keith has a simple solution. He gives Hunk's hand a little squeeze before going to grab his usual clothes - t-shirt and jeans - while Hunk rambles.

And all he has to do is step into the bathroom, leaves the door cracked a little so they can still talk while he changes.]

Hunk, we can just. I dunno, go whatever pace works. Don't rush if you don't want, all right?

[bigbrained]

[He is, he's so nervous and he's screwing it up with that.

But Keith disappearing from view helps a little bit. Makes him a little braver. Makes it a little easier to say what he wants to say without tripping all over himself.

Hunk sits down heavily on the edge of Keith's bed, fiddling with the catch on his bodysuit.] ...I really like you. I just. Like you a whole lot.

I'm worried you'll just, I dunno. See what you're getting into and decide it's not worth it.

[whatsacactus]

[Keith listens while he changes, comes back out once he's done and watches Hunk. The guy looks so torn sitting there, afraid Keith won't like him. That won't do.

Keith moves to kneel down in front of him, watching Hunk's face.]

Hey.

You know how many people I actually like spending time with? How often I hang out with anyone after a mission?

[As much as he adores Shiro, even Keith leaves well enough alone when he's done for the day. Socializing is exhausting when he has to figure out social cues and nuance and shit.]

Not many. I wouldn't be sitting here right now if I didn't know you and know that you're more than worth it. You're a great guy. You're kind, you care about everyone. No one else makes me laugh. And I know that you've always got my back.

[bigbrained]

Mom did always say people love a guy who can make 'em laugh, [Hunk jokes weakly, even as he stares anxiously down at Keith. This is so stupid too, like, Keith was the one who accidentally confessed down on the planet's surface. Why is Hunk getting all self-conscious like this? He never does this. He's comfortable with who he is.]

[whatsacactus]

[He smiles a little. Yeah, that's Hunk, trying to lighten things up. Keith takes his hands and rests them on Hunk's knees, gives a little squeeze.]

Well. You make me laugh a lot. And I always feel good around you.

[bigbrained]

Always, huh? [Squeezes back, tracing over Keith's own fingers with his own.] That's a pretty big compliment. That's a lot of time, 'n all.

[whatsacactus]

It sure is. [He smiles a little bigger, shifts on his heels.]

Well, we're around here all the time. So it works out. [And just carefully, like he isn't sure, Keith takes one of Hunk's hand and kisses his knuckles.]

Did you still want to change?