Writer Nonnie coming through with another Shirotember fic for us! We’re spoiled and this is a super good heart feels one. Enjoy!
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((A little late because I wanted to sleep in…. which to me means waking up at 7 and not 6:30. Enjoy!))
Another day, another one of Coran’s old school Paladin training courses.
The exercise was quite similar to one of their first ones, a blind free fall where the Paladins had to see through their Lions’ eyes. Only instead of a free fall it was an obstacle course of asteroids and giant worm-like creatures that shoot lasers from their mouths.
They were going one by one, starting with Hunk, then moving to Lance, Pidge third, Keith next, then finally Shiro. Then reverse, order. Then all at once. Then back to Hunk and all over again.
Shiro was listening to the others as they went through the course.
“Where the quiznack did that one come from!?” Hunk was doing fairly well avoiding the asteroids and lasers. “Come on Big Guy you got this!”
“Same to you Hunk!” Lance encouraged from his position.
“Remember, see through your Lion’s eyes!” Coran advised. “It should be much easier now!”
“Doesn’t mean it’s any less dangerous!” Hunk argued just as he dodged a laser with a shriek.
Eventually, the Yellow Lion appeared on the other end, judging by Hunk’s relieved sigh.
A familiar voice echoed in Shiro’s mind.
“Woohoo!” Lance hooted. “My turn!” Lance charged in. “Oh my god this was a bad idea!”
Shiro shook his head, smiling.
The Black Lion repeated. She seemed to have quite the commentary.
“Go with the flow Blue,” Lance and the Blue Lion were a bit more graceful in their dodging, though at some point it was more to show off than anything. Especially with the last push and exit. “Beat that Keith!”
“Oh now it’s on.” Keith and Red also charged in, only to be stopped by Pidge as she sped past the both of them.
Black’s voice echoed again.
Shiro laughed to himself. “You’ll get your turn Keith.”
“Yeah yeah,” Keith sighed. “Patience yields focus.”
“Let’s go girl!” Pidge was smarter about this, of course. She jumped the asteroids, using them as shields whenever the lasers came her way. Invisibility was used sparingly, usually to confuse the worms. No one was actually keeping score and tracking time, but it seemed she was faster than Lance. “Your turn Keith!”
Before she even finished, Keith was already heading in.
“You’ve been awfully quiet Taka,” Ryou, from his spot on the other side of the course, said. “What are you planning?”
“Me?” Shiro faked surprise. “Planning something? I’m not devious like you.”
“Bull.” Ryou argued. “Oh hey Keith.”
“How fast was that?” Keith asked as soon as the Red Lion stopped.
“Oh I’m keeping track of that?” Ryou jokingly asked.
Ryou laughed at that. “Same as Lance. Two second difference.”
“Ha!” Keith and Lance both laughed. “Wait.”
Ryou laughed even harder as Keith and Lance wordlessly glared at each other.
“Your turn Shiro,” Hunk called.
“Let’s go.” Shiro said to the Black Lion.
The Black Lion moved forward and the last thing Shiro saw with his eyes is the entrance of the course. From there, Shiro was seeing through Black’s eyes. They weaved through the gaps, lasers barely touching and missing by incredible margins.
Shiro emerged on the other side.
“And Shiro passes with flying colors!” Coran cheered. “Again!”
“Nothing less from the Golden Boy.” Ryou’s smile was quite audible.
“Alright Paladins,” Allura also sounded like she was smiling. “Part one of training is complete. Now for the next part.”
“Shiro, you’re leading this round.” Coran said.
“Alright Black, ready?” Shiro asked.
Once more they flew into the course, gliding through with ease. Shiro practically hummed along the way.
As they flew, an image flashed through Shiro’s mind. The first night he flew through the open fields on a hoverbike, modified by Ryou’s own hands of course. The night sky was bright and full were the stars he loved.
Another image. The first flight simulation.
Another. His first mission.
Another. The first flight with Black.
“Whoa.” Pidge gasped softly.
They were already on the other side of the course.
“Nice work Taka,” Ryou sounded proud. “Do you have a secret pair of wings you never told me about?”
“Maybe.” Shiro smiled teasingly.
“Keith. You’re next.” Coran said.
“Alright. Let’s go Red.” Keith went in, possibly more confident knowing Shiro was waiting on the other side.
The rest of the training was quite grueling, if only exaggerated by the occasional whining. As the Paladins rested up in the lounge, Allura was positively beaming, despite aforementioned whining.
Ryou had holed himself up in his work room again, though he said he’d be back by bed time.
There was the tiniest hint of hesitation in that comment from the Black Lion.
“He’s not… you know who.” Shiro whispered to the air, sensing more of that hesitation.
“He can be a little petty and a bit hammy, but he has a good heart.” Shiro continued. “And I’m sure…” He sighed, knowing he won’t believe his own words. “You trust me. And I trust Ryou.”
“It’s okay.” Shiro smiled a little. “I know it was hard. To be used like that. To constantly feel him in your head.” He felt her reassurance. “But we’re doing our best. Together.”
Another image. The Lion pyramid.
Shiro couldn’t help but laugh. “You really liked our silly human logic, didn’t you?”
The Black Lion purred a lullaby, and Shiro fell into a comfortable and floating sleep.
Through her eyes, he could still see the endless stars above.
