Day 10ish

[shiro2hero]

(It's high time I did this.)

[Oh no, someone is gearing up for one of Those Speeches. Because one of their new arrivals ticked off a box in his head, and Sam's asking for training helped.]

[And he's tired of walking on eggshells.]

(I don't know how many of you were there when I found out what my Symbiote does. I sort of wish I hadn't. But. I can't change that.)

[Yeah apparently it made him the Space Hulk. And it took at least two people to keep him from ripping someone's face off.]

(What I can do is control it. I just need to know where to start.)

(So I'm taking a lead from Sam Wilson. Asking if anyone is willing to help. I... don't think I can promise no one will get hurt, but if we're careful, maybe it'll just be me.)

[And he can live with that.]

Comments

[shiro2hero]

(Not me. I've never been that angry in my entire life.)

[Not that he can remember, anyway. And not when it wasn't for show. Part of him is grateful for Aoba offering that reassurance, but at the same time... it smacks of the reason he's making this request at all.]

(That's good to know. Just in case.)

[He'll take whatever safeguards he can get. If need be.]

(It was Pidge and the Darkling, last time. But I can't rely on them forever. So... knowing someone else can pull me back helps on its own.)

[vocalis]

[ Aoba nods from where he is, sending a warm, humming note of positivity. His thoughts echo what another reliable host already said, but it's worth saying again for reassurance. ]

Then I'll be there.

[ Perhaps in more ways than he consciously intends to. That other part of his mind is there, locked away but always listening, and making notes of his own. ]

[shiro2hero]

[He takes a deep breath. Physically and metaphorically. It's... good to know. Good to hear there are still people behind him. Even if the team isn't here.]

[Funny how much you relied on that sense.]

(Thank you. I mean that.)

[vocalis]

[ That warmth radiates just a little more, a melody similar to his favorite music chiming in just behind it. ]

It's no problem. And hey, I might even get a chance to practice one part of my symbiote ability too. Although... I hope it doesn't come to that. I know I'm just a precaution.

[ Though the Concordia mission granted him several opportunities to use it, his special abilities are difficult to practice too. Like Shiro, he doesn't want to hurt anyone. That feeling of being able to relate is still there, in case Shiro ever wants to talk more about their similar experiences.

Someday soon, they probably should. ]

Just let me know when and where. I'll be ready.

[shiro2hero]

(Hey, precautions make it easier to practice, when we're not sure what the outcome's going to be. There's no such thing as 'just' a safety measure.)

[There weren't on space shuttles, and there aren't now. He doesn't try to make it sound like a lecture, though. More of an assurance. A return of that warmth.]

[That this effort being shown for his sake is appreciated more than he can say. As is the feelings under all of this -- I can relate.]

(I'll do that.) [A pause. And then, with nothing but sympathy and empathy in the words:] (And for what it's worth -- I'm sorry you know what this feels like.)

[I wouldn't wish this on anyone.]

[vocalis]

[ It doesn't come off as a lecture - just sounds like Shiro, thinking selflessly as usual. For a moment Aoba is just happy to share in his thoughts, smiling somewhere to himself. ]

You always know how to make someone feel important.

[ He's already so open minded that when the mood suddenly shifts, there's no hiding the discomfort that creeps up on him. He just wanted to sympathize with Shiro, not necessarily bring what he's going through too... though he knows he should eventually. His brain does something of a mental sigh. ]

It's not your fault... I'd talk about it more, but it's just... a feeling. I can't really put it into words that'll make sense to anyone. Like you're not yourself, not in control, dreamlike...

[ It's not a good feeling to recall, and although they can sympathize with each other, at least Shiro knows it's part of his symbiote ability. For Aoba, losing track of himself is a frightening unknown.

His usual static returns as he shoves that fear back down, leaving only that same warm understanding. ]

A-ah, I'm rambling. I'll let you schedule a time and place with the others.

[shiro2hero]

(Just speaking my mind.)

[He lets some of his own actual warmth filter through -- the honesty of the admission. He does think highly of the people who've come to offer help. Aoba is one of them.]

[... even if Aoba's problem is the reason he's aware of this at all.]

(I... yeah. That's exactly what it's like. From what I remember.)

[But he can't just leave it at that. He can't let this go. Not like this. Not after the offer of help and their other conversation. Something in his tone strengthens, resolved -- responding to the fear, no matter how quickly it's put down.]

(You're going to stay you. If I have anything to say about it. Okay? Remember that.)

[vocalis]

Thanks.

[ Shiro's reassuring warmth is... nice. He enjoys it like he enjoys Nirad's closeness, and his thoughts respond in kind. Warm, open, grateful, momentarily unafraid. ]

After we talked last, when I'm with you, I... I don't feel so afraid of losing myself anymore. Thank you for your honesty, Shiro.

[ Before revealing any more embarrassing feelings, Aoba gently withdraws from the connection. From where he is, he releases a content sigh with a smile. A brief moment of honesty and peace, as he faintly listens in on the of the chatter in the Nest...

Before everything flipped upside-down and went to shit. :) ]