Blinking in mild surprise, she listened closely to the two of them and wondered why on earth Touma would be so startled by this man. For what she could see, what she could feel, there wasn’t any sign of ill intent. Then again, she wasn’t there and she didn’t know everything that happened, so all she could do was stand there like a protective hell hound ready and willing to tear this giant apart all the same. That is, until Touma piped up and she nodded. “Of course, c-come inside,” she hesitated before slowly unwinding herself from him to open the door and let the two of them in. After they were all inside, she made sure no one else was in her shop before locking the door and putting up the Out to Lunch sign up followed by closing the blinds for better privacy.
Shiro was looking worse for wear if anyone knew what he looked like before. More scars, far more battered, had gone shock white and a lot had changed. Due to the dimmer lighting (since most the lighting in the downstairs shop was all natural from the windows) with the blinds closed, that much became obvious with the faint glow in his mouth and the flecks in his eyes. With Charlie so enraptured in staring, Shiro took the opportunity to talk to Touma. That glee hadn’t faded, that softer and warmer smile still present as ever. “You’re blaming yourself still, aren’t you?” The question rises from his mouth but he simply shakes his head. “There’s no reason to do that and no reason to expect our meeting to be violent at all.”
Because he wouldn’t bring himself to harm the person he tried so hard to save. If anyone should be blaming someone, Shiro expected Touma to be blaming him for not doing more. For not making it work somehow. “W-Wait… What a-are you talking a-about?” Her curiosity got the better of her, she was always looking for ways to help her love heal but sometimes it was almost impossible because she wasn’t there. She wasn’t someone who could heal him from incidents she wasn’t present for. “That’s for him to tell, ma’am. It isn’t my place– but I will say that there’s no reason to do so. You tried your best, y’know. I saw it all, even if I wasn’t able to do more for you, I know you tried your hardest. I know you hesitated, even through all that was happening,” he’d seen that split moment, that lingering second where Keith had shouted words of grace and the other had paused briefly for it.
“If anyone is at fault, it’s myself. For not being able to get through to the team or you at the time in order to take preventative measures and help you,” with that being said, Shiro suddenly bowed deeply to the other. “I’m sorry I failed you.” Whether he was dead or not, he could’ve done more. Screamed louder, clawed harder, did something. Charlie almost scattered at that, she didn’t really know how to handle the situation but instead she simply stood beside Touma and offered reassurance by gently wrapping her fingers in his sleeve.
He was sure to let his hand slide off her shoulder when she pulled away, heading into the shop after her though it feels strange knowing the conversation to come. the gloves are quickly removed and stuffed into a pocket of his jacket before he shifted to glance between Charlie and Shiro.. He wasn’t expecting the changes that had occurred to the other.. Though he wondered before how much they had been through.. it’s only confirmed how much be the look of the other. They both had more scars now--he’d accumulated some new ones of his own when he was foolishly recaptured by the Galra on his way here..
He would admit he was caught off guard by the glow from the other, though it didn’t warrant the staring. Arms are crossed over the man’s chest, shifting somewhat before making sure he wasn’t moving too close to one of Charlie’s planters.. He’s well aware this place was run by people shorter than himself. he had to be careful not to hurt himself or their hard work by accident. His attention was dragged back to Shiro after a moment, the man’s organic hand forming a light fist when it was pointed out that he blamed himself. Of course I do. He waited for the other to finish speaking before shaking his head at the bow, arms uncrossing to wave off the apology. “There isn’t anything more you could have done, and whatever bit you had done was as much as you could given the situation.”
His nose wrinkled some before he gave a weary look to Charlie, chewing the inside of his lip a moment before letting out a light sigh. “I told you I was a clone made to look and behave exactly like someone.. This.. is the guy I was meant to look and behave like.. before whatever happened to cause the way he looks now. What I didn’t tell you was why my prosthetic is weaponized.. I was made to infiltrate their group.. win their trust as him.. and destroy them from the inside. They all nearly lost their lives. I.. found the files explaining Project Kuron before I destroyed one of the ships I escaped.. I can give you more details later if you want, Charlie. That’s the short version.” He feels so heavy, but he remained grounded where he stood.. rooted in place. “That’s why when you first found out about my prosthetic I behaved the way I did.” Because I have hurt people with it before..
“If anyone needs to apologize it’s me. I wasn’t strong enough to stop the witch that.. did this to you and to them.” He's hoping he's biting back enough of the emotion he has knowing what happened.. some part of him is grateful that he has those memories, though another hates that he does. It let him know his prosthetic arm before was dangerous... but then it also haunted him the things he was made to do. There's a moment's sigh before he shifted his weight, deciding to think more before he spoke... "I did hesitate. But I didn't get control again until the prosthetic had been removed." He can't say he knows what to say otherwise. Does he ask him the favor of having the other man tell the others how sorry he was? Does he deserve to ask that of him. "I still get flashes of that fight and what happened during it.." He hates that he caused harm; though there's nothing that can be said nor done about it at the moment.