thefeywood | everybody's working for the weekend

[ One of the things Adam liked about life with the Garrison was that it was scheduled. Sure, they had to be prepared to improvise when need be, but he knew exactly when the drills for the day were supposed to end, exactly when clean up was to begin, and the mess hall was going to open. He hadn't necessarily grown up in this much of a structured day, but it allowed him to do things like adequately plan for things not on his schedule.

Or, it should be.

He doesn't want to say he's annoyed b--no, that's a lie. Adam absolutely wants to say he's a little annoyed when said trip to the mess hall is delayed by a gaggle of overzealous would-be pilots after watching Shiro's latest demonstration on the field earlier that day. Having such a popular pilot for his partner should be an old hat by now, but there are only so many high-pitched squeals he can take.

It's not even that he's excited to eat the cafeteria food--he isn't. He's a much better cook than this. But at the moment his patience is thin and his stomach is empty. Shiro is just too good natured to say "no" sometimes.

Adam turns his wrist over to look at his watch for the nth time before glancing down the hall. Should he just...save his coworker or leave to make a point? That sounds petty. (Maybe he's feeling petty.) ]

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[He just wanted coffee... Is that really so much to ask? Just some coffee...]

[And, you know. A chance to sit in closer quarters with someone he's admittedly got kind of a crush on. Not that he's ever going to act on it. They're coworkers, they're flight partners. It's just not appropriate. And he doesn't know if--]

[Oh god, they're squealing again.]

[The smile he'd been wearing turns far more strained around the edges. He didn't even say anything weird, he just went to get the door... to leave. To go forth and get coffee. Or a sandwich. Or anything that isn't a pitch that's going to shatter glass. He shoots Adam a look, equal parts apologetic and beseeching. Save him.]

Okay, okay. It's been great talking to you all -- [Screech.] -- but we have an appointment we've got to get to. Excuse us.

[NAILED IT?]

[ Apparently so. Adam can feel a headache coming on and he can only assume that Shiro's is going to be double. He knows that look as well, the "dear god help me" look. Really, if Shiro wanted these fans of his to go away he could pretty easily tell them to sod off, but Adam knows that Shiro just isn't the kind of person to tell people to leave him alone.

Adam is, though. Maybe that's why they're partners.

He sighs, straightening as he moves away from the wall and approaches the gaggle of excitable youths that had gathered around his colleague. He clears his throat loudly, the kind that one would expect a teacher who has been watching kids pass notes in class right under their nose, not from someone who has just entered their 20s. ]

And we're already late.

[ There's an awkward pause amongst the crowd. ]

"Oh."

"I thought--"

"...At this time in the afternoon?"

[ Adam raises a brow, nonplussed. ]

Are you questioning a senior officer?

[ That did it. Suddenly everyone is at attention. ]

"No, sir!"

Didn't think so. Let's go, Shirogane.

[The look he shoots Adam is the look of a starving man being offered a sandwich. Gratitude and disbelief all rolled into one. If he could have offered a hug, or more, without it a) being weird, b) being horribly obvious, and c) totally out of line, he would have.]

[Instead, he draws himself up a bit more, as befitting an officer, instead of a flustered teacher meeting excited students. Knowing he has that complete deadpan at his back does a lot to rebuff the excitement.]

You heard the man.

[Still, he can't help but offer the gaggle of people an apologetic smile as he ducks off with his partner. Only letting out a whoosh of relieved breath when they're out of earshot.]

I owe you. I owe you more than just coffee.

[ Adam starts walking, knowing that Shiro will fall into step now that he has a decent out. When Shiro speaks up again, Adam gives a snort, raising a brow with a hint of amusement. ]

Yeah, you do.

[ It really wasn't that big of a deal, but it's more fun this way. ]

But we'll start with coffee.

[He starts out behind him, and moves to walk alongside him. Catching that brief look with a grin of his own. Nailed it.]

In that case, coffee's on me. To start.

[Oh, he's aware this isn't that big of a deal. But he really does appreciate the out.]

One of these days, I'll figure out how to do that.

[ Adam raises a brow at that, before giving a short shake of his head. ]

No you won't.

[ It's stated as a fact, daring Shiro to argue the point. ]

You're too nice and you don't want to disappoint the people who look up to you.

[ The doors to the cafeteria slide open automatically as soon as they're within range. ]

I could --

[It's an automatic reaction. The quintessential Shiro Reaction to being told he can't do something. Yes I can. His spine straightens up a bit, even. Before something clearly switches off again.]

I mean, it isn't like they're really hurting anything. Just getting in the way sometimes.

[And there it is. There's the lack of a real argument right there -- he doesn't have a good comeback for that. Just steps into the cafeteria, and goes to make good on his word. Coffee, on him.]

Thought so.

[ You are just proving his point, Shiro. Adam knows that he's right but it is nice to have it confirmed from time to time. (Or at least for other people to remember that he's right. Often.) ]

That's why you have back-up.

[ They're a team. To back each other up. On and off the battlefield or training field or whatever. But mostly on. Because that's the nature of their relationship. Right? Right.

Ahem.

He adjusts his glasses. ]

The usual. Add an extra shot.

[He makes a disagreeable noise. It's not really a disagreement, just the sort of noise that says he doesn't want to say Adam's right. Even though he knows it's true.]

... Backup, huh?

[There is a hint of a smile as he asks it.] I guess I can't say I mind that.

[Wait. Was that too much? Should he have said something else? He clears his throat, straightening up.]

Right. Okay. Extra shot, I will do that. Be right back.

[ Adam can't really say it's too much because it is what he was aiming for, but that is exactly why he will. Mentally. It's not like that's not their schtick on a regular basis. Just, you know, on the field. Where it's expected. Flight partners don't exactly need to be friends, but it helps.

Adam can at least call them that much even if he's a pill about it sometimes. (He ALSO has a reputation to hold.) ]

Okay.

[ Yep, super casual. Adam will go an unoccupied find a table, which isn't too hard at this time in the evening. He takes a seat that does allow him to watch Shiro, but does a pretty good job of looking preoccupied with his datapad, going over the results of their last flight test. ]

[At least he's got his back to his flight partner for a moment. That way he can compose himself. Just... don't blow this. Don't say something dumb and get tongue-tied. He knows exactly how much of "a pill" Adam can be in the cockpit, and out.]

[That's not something he really wants to run into today.]

[But fortunately, it seems like everything is fine. It seems like Adam's got his nose back to the books, as it should be. He must not have said too much if it's blown over that easy.]

[So when he returns, it's with a slight smile, and two coffees -- just the way the two of them always take them.]

How's it look today? Did I flunk? [Teasing, easy words. Shiro flunking a flight test would be like him suddenly taking a liking to spiders.]

everybody's working for the weekend

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