Victory Road IC Inbox

[pidge_out]

 


Hey, it's Pidge. Can't answer right now-- Rover quit it! --so leave a message and I'll get back to you when I can.
Rover, what did I say--?!?!

Comments

[spacebaloney]

[Pidge can fidget all she wants, but it will not do her any good. It only encourages Lance to carefully and lovingly peel at the edges of the wrapping paper, as if he wants to save the Earth by saving the pieces of tape holding the paper together.

Why is she with him again?]

You never said yes, so I still don't know if you even want to go. [For a second he looks up from the present in his lap and gives Pidge a look that's probably unreadable to her and then looks back down.] I can't do anything until I hear you say yes.

[Sir. You can't say things like that when Pidge has zero clue!]

[pidge_out]

[He's the worst. Pidge quickly decides that Lance is the worst, and clearly this is the last time she should ever give him a gift of any kind. Or at the very least one that's wrapped in a box with a bow. How dare her affections lie with this goober. She rolls her eyes again, letting out a little sigh.] Of course I wanna go. I wouldn't have come out here in the first place if I was gonna say 'no.' [Obviously, Lance. Aaaaaand the fidgeting begins. Pidge is officially a ball of nervous, impatient energy and he's forcing her to sit there and wait.]

[spacebaloney]

But you still haven't said yes.

[Look, she's not the only nervous one here. Lance is just really good at not showing it. Or rather, really good as externally showing it via trolling. Especially when his version of trolling means getting at least one yes out of her today. He fears it might be the only yes he'll get.]

And who knows? Maybe you came outside for some fresh air because the funk in your room finally got to you too. How am I supposed to know? I can't read minds.

[But he can read body language and with her fidgeting, Lance starts smirking as he tugs away a corner of paper that gives him a little peek to the box inside. He still actually has no clue to what the gift is yet except he already appreciates it because it's from Pidge.]

[pidge_out]

[The funk comment gets her to nudge him lightly with her elbow, snorting indelicately.] Uh-huh. Because I'm the kind of person who'd go all the way to the porch just for "fresh air." [The real question is why is Lance with her? She's a total filthmonger. Except today she actually showered properly and used Lance's shampoo and everything. ] Yes, Lance. I would love for you to take me to the fair today. [Her tone is light and teasing, but she still means every word. She got all dolled up for him and everything!] So would you hurry up and open your present? Paper is biodegradable, you can just rip right through it!

[spacebaloney]

Most people would open a window, but you live in the basement like a demon, so yeah, you'd have to come out here for fresh air.

[Lance nods at Pidge finally saying a particular word, like he wasn't just badgering her about it for the last two minutes and instead continues to pick at the wrapping's other corner.]

What do you take me for, some savage? Some ill-bred dog who doesn't take the time to savor the pleasures in life or the time to appreciate a kind gift? What if I ripped into it and accidentally ripped this precious loving gift?

[He gasps in realization, loudly enough to be obviously fake, turning to her with wide eyes and an open mouth.]

Is that what you did to my gift? Just tore into it like a starving wolf with a steak?

[pidge_out]

[She waves a hand at the basement comment.] No, I'd just go up to your room. Even though it can get way too warm up there sometimes.

[She continues to watch him pick away at the wrapping paper like a mouse, frowning at how long it's taking because dammit Lance it's just chocolate!! And then of course he has to go and pull out the melodrama on her, and she levels him with such a deadpan look. Pidge may be impatient, but she has learned to react to his fake shock with dry monotone.]

...Yes, Lance. I shredded the box to pieces with my nails. And yet somehow, here's your gift-- [She kicks out a foot to show off the sneaker, the sudden motion seeming to activate a flicker of light.] Totally intact.

[spacebaloney]

It's not my fault the Ice Queen likes it cold. Sorry, but island genetics say we keep the heat on all year round.

[It might just be chocolate, but damn it, it's gifted chocolate! That gives it more meaning than some random bag of miniature candy bars from the corner drugstore.

Lance grimaces, looking like he's about to cry, pitching his voice up in a octave that sounds suspiciously like the same one he uses when he pretends to be Pidge herself.]

You think that matters that the shoes are still in tact? What about how long it took me to find the perfect wrapping paper, the perfect box, and how long it took me to carefully wrap it?! You never appreciate anything I do!

[pidge_out]

Do that and you get to think about what you've done when your sweaty girlfriend refuses to so much as hug you. [Pidge just sighs at his theatrics -- and no, the corner of her lip is absolutely not threatening to turn up into an amused smile, thankyouverymuch. Despite her impatience for him to just get to the chocolate box already so she can see if she picked the right types, she can't deny that it's fun to watch Lance be an absolute drama queen about gift wrapping.] I appreciate plenty. I'd also appreciate getting to the fair before the sun sets.

[spacebaloney]

Says the sweaty girlfriend who lets me cuddle her after we do the horizontal Lambada. Why would she complain now?

[Oh, he sees that lip. He sees it and relishes in the fact that no matter what, he can always tease a dumb grin out of Pidge. Even when he is being a pain in the ass. But isn't that why Pidge likes him?

With a heavy dramatic sigh, Lance pulls off one full side of the wrapping, revealing so much more of the box inside.]

Well, you could go ahead and go to the fair by yourself and get there before dark, but then the fair wouldn't be much fun without me. Who's gonna get you the life-sized Garchomp stuffie if I'm not there?

[pidge_out]

[That comment gets Pidge's cheeks to color ever so slightly, even as she waves a hand dismissively.] That- That's different. [And unfortunately for her, that is a big reason Pidge likes him. He makes her laugh. Sure, there are times that she is genuinely annoyed with his antics, but it never outweighs moments like these. Moments where they can just enjoy being total shits to each other because it's just plain fun.] I refuse to go by myself, you big goof. I don't even know where the fair is happening. [As soon as the actual chocolate box starts to peek out of the wrapping, Pidge leans forward slightly, a slight anxiety spiking within her. She hopes he doesn't hate it. It's just chocolates. Lance went and bought her kick-ass shoes and all she could decide on was chocolates.] ...Ta-dah?

[spacebaloney]

Maybe, but you're still sweaty and that's all that matters.

[Technically, what matters is that he's won this pseudo argument and is about to win the next one once Pidge admits she has no idea where to head off to.]

Exactly my point. [He turns to face her with the most smug look Pidge has probably ever seen. Doesn't she just want to slap it away?] So you gotta wait for me no matter how many ants you got in those pants of yours.

[To which he reaches down to stick two fingers down the waistband of her skirt both to punctuate his point and pull her closer once he gets a good look at what his gift actually entails. This deserves a proper thank you because this fool has a mega sweet tooth.]

C'mere.

[pidge_out]

[Pidge just rolls her eyes at that, and when he sees how full of himself he's getting over "winning" this argument (heavy on the air-quotes, as far as she's concerned) she pushes a hand into his face as if to wipe it away.] Well, you're slow. Hurry up. [He barely even has to tug before she's moving closer, and now the color in her cheeks is much more prominent. Does he like it? He seems happy enough.] Sorry it's not more... [She makes a vague gesture with her hands, embarrassed.] Uh- Fancy? Or expensive, or anything. I wasn't sure-- I just hoped you'd like it, even if it's kinda lame.

[spacebaloney]

[He has just enough time to lick her palm like the nasty dog he is when she puts her hand in his face before she pulls it back and replaces it with her entire body as his behest. Now Lance is pressing his lips against hers softly before barely moving away to whisper against them.]

Shut up. I love it.

[He does. He really does. Lance knows Pidge isn't the gushy, grand gestures of romance kind of person (that's him), so for her to do this much means more than anything else. No expensive gifts needed; the thought counts for much more than money could.]

And I love you, my midget gremlin.

[pidge_out]

[She had a lot more flailing to do still, flustered by the fact that she can never seem to outdo Lance when it comes to the romance department. Hell, she'd give anything to just be able to reach his level. And there was a lot more to ramble about; how she feels bad about that struggle and she wishes it came more naturally to her. But then Lance kisses her and that seems to melt the anxiety away, replaced with butterflies and the excited flip of her stomach. And hearing those three words again. Lance hasn't said it since Shiro's wedding, and he'd been pretty drunk so Pidge hadn't even been sure he remembered saying it at all. But it sends a stupid, electric tingle up her spine that ends in a small, warm smile across her face.] I love you too, you dork. [She can say it now, and she's proud of herself for that. And it's not just lip service or telling Lance what he wants to hear (and besides, when has she ever done that). She means it, and she hopes he can tell.]

[spacebaloney]

[No one should strive to reach Lance's level. His level has been borne from a need to be approved, to be The One for someone, from insecurity that one day he might not be enough. While he does these days mostly because he loves Pidge and actions speak louder than words, he'd be remiss to ignore the fact his skills were practiced to for impressing rather than affection.

Also, yeah, Lance was pretty well trashed when he admitted he loved Pidge, but they don't call alcohol the truth serum for nothing. Though, hearing her say it back, now? Today? Of all days? Sure beats any fancy schmancy chocolate one can buy.

It's enough to surprise him where he pulls back with furrow between his brows.]

Really?

[pidge_out]

[His reaction makes her shy again, blushing and tucking herself in a little bit, glancing off to the side. That smile is still on her face since she can't seem to shake it off, reaching up to awkwardly tuck some loose hair behind her ear.]

Well, yeah. Of course.

[And then a thought crosses her mind, one that surprises her enough that it gives her the courage to look back up into his face.]

Is- Is that a surprise?

[spacebaloney]

Yeah?

[It's more of a question than a proper answer because he really didn't expect her to think it shouldn't be a surprise. Now Lance is left blinking at her for a few seconds before finding words to form his point.]

I mean, last time I said it, you didn't say it back, so I kinda thought...

[Not that she didn't care for him, but maybe she wasn't ready to love him yet. Or maybe just didn't feel as strongly as he did for her. The fact that she loved him back and just couldn't get her mouth to form the words never really struck Lance as possible.

Also, he was drunk so maybe Pidge thought he was just a wino babbling which to be honest, he kind of was.]

[pidge_out]

[Her face goes a little redder, her eyes a little wider.] Oh, I-- I thought you didn't remember that. [Wait.] I-I mean! I'm not saying that I didn't want you to remember it, just- You seemed pretty drunk, and we were at a wedding so you could've just been saying stuff... I was just surprised, I guess? And- And I wasn't ready to actually say it... And you were drunk! [And since he hadn't said it again, there was definitely a part of her that had wondered if he'd actually meant it. She had been about 85% sure he did, but that still left a 15% chance she was wrong. But at least the time between then and now had allowed her to properly assess her feelings and come to her 100% certain conclusion. Once she'd done that, it had seemed to her like her affections were obvious. Apparently not obvious enough to Lance. That's something to work on.]

[spacebaloney]

Why wouldn't I remember? I wasn't that drunk!

[And most importantly, Lance might talk a lot of shit and be the galaxy's biggest flirt, but he has never once told a girl he loved her when he didn't. His mama taught him better than that to begin with and also Lance isn't that big of a jerkass to play with a girl's feelings that. Most of all, he wouldn't want someone to say they loved him only to be lying so they could get the better of him.

The reason why he didn't say it again was because he didn't want to make it seem like he was pressuring Pidge into returning the sentiment. He knew how he felt about her; the alcohol was just a bit of liquid bravery to put it into words. Lance hasn't drank since that night and well, today's Valentine's Day. Two occasions one should say it.]

You thought I didn't meant it? All this time? [Lance glances away from her out into the distance off the porch.] Damn...

[What does one say to that? How does one respond to finding out your girlfriend thought you were just bullshitting her?]

[pidge_out]

[It's Pidge's turn for her brow to furrow, concerned. Oh no. Did she fuck it up? She fucked it up. She finally manages to say "I love you" and then screws herself over by talking about how her brain had short-circuited when Lance said it first. She chews on the inside of her cheek for a second, finding herself studying one of the undone buttons of Lance's shirt.]

That's not it, Lance. I just wasn't sure you remembered. And you never said it again, so I didn't think bringing it up out of nowhere was the best idea.

[It never occurred to her that he just didn't want her to feel pressured. She's worse at this than she thought. And that makes her reach up and wipe a hand down her face.]

Man... I really need to work on my communication skills...

[spacebaloney]

[It's one thing to not be ready to say it. Lance gets that. He totally understands if Pidge wasn't ready to say it. It's the other part where she just thought he was a drunk saying it because weddings are romantic and full of emotion and wow, if that doesn't feel like a lack of faith in him, Lance doesn't know what is.]

I didn't say it again because you didn't say it back and I didn't want you to feel like I was forcing you to feel something you didn't. It's just that today is Valentine's Day and all..

[Because that's his biggest fear: she doesn't feel nearly the same as he does and she's just with him for shits and giggles. Not that Pidge is that kind of girl, but Lance's insecurity tells him believable lies all the time.]

I figured if you didn't love me back, just liking me would be good enough.

[He frowns some more before opening the box of chocolates and picking one at random to pop whole into his mouth. He'll just eat his feelings right now if Pidge doesn't mind. Communication? Who's that?]

[pidge_out]

[Pidge frowns, watching him mindlessly pick out a chocolate. And it hits her right in the gut, hard, that he doesn't go making a big show out of choosing which one to eat because they were a precious gift and she hates that she did this to him. So she lets impulse take over, lets a part of her temper get the better of her as she gets back up into Lance's space. She practically grabs him by the chin so that he'll look at her, her expression serious and no-nonsense.]

Lance, if I didn't love you I would've said so. I wouldn't have stayed with you after that if it had felt like you were forcing me into something I didn't want. But I'm still here. Because I want to be, and because you've become someone that I don't want to live without.

[She draws in a breath, bracing herself. Honesty time. Time to spill all the beans and be vulnerable and open. And if she can't do that for Lance, then she doesn't deserve to be in a relationship, period.]

When you said it back then, I- Yeah, I thought you were too drunk to really know what you were saying, but that was also literally the moment I realized I felt the same way. I didn't say it back because I didn't wanna do that to you without being completely one hundred percent sure of myself, and because I thought you wouldn't remember in the morning.

[With that she finally releases him. Her hands find the bottom edge of her jacket and she starts to wring the fabric anxiously, eyes dropping to watch the movement while her face burns in shame. She's still certain she's fucked this up, and she doubts that her honesty fixed anything.] But it's true. I do. And- And I'm sorry for doubting you. And for making you think I didn't feel the same way.

[spacebaloney]

[Lance is far too busy chewing out his frustrations when Pidge is suddenly in his space, all up in his face, and he's thinking she's about to kick his ass for some unknown reason.

That would be kind of hot if it means getting yoked up by a girl, but what is hotter is that she doesn't hit him. No, Pidge is suddenly talking and all Lance can do is listen until she has said every one that needed to be said and that he needed to hear. They really need to start communicating better, but even more, start believing in each other more. He loves her and she loves him. If there's anything they've got in this world, it's the other person.

Now that he's free from her grasp, Lance leans into her space now, a smirk curling the corner of his lips.]

Your breath smells like Meowth booty.

[Because god, who is Lance but the dummy who breaks the tension by insulting his girlfriend simply because it'll redirect her anger from rolling internally and to being a nice distraction while she strangles him. Better she be mad at him than at herself. Lance never wants Pidge to feel pain ever again if he can help it.]

[pidge_out]

[There's a second where she's still unsure of whether or not she's gotten through, but then she sees that beginning of a smirk and she hears what he's saying, and-- Her cheeks go hot, her eyes widen a little, and then she screws her face up into something like annoyance and has to beat a fist lightly into his chest for that. Rude much!] You-- You're so-- [She hits him again, even lighter, and then hides her expression by pressing her forehead against him. Pidge had no idea what she would've done if she'd irreversibly fucked this up by being such a shitty communicator with her fucking boyfriend.] Uuuugghh you freaked me out. Don't ever do that to me again or I'll kill you in your sleep. [She says that, and she does sound angry (and to some extent she means it), but the relieved smile has not left her face. She's just not ready to show it to Lance yet.]

[spacebaloney]

[This tiny baby toddler fist of her has never done any damage to him and it certainly won't be doing any now, but Lance knows this is how Pidge shows her emotions. Violence is their love language, apparently.

Pidge can do a lot of bad things, but Lance loves her so much, can never see himself with any other gremlin but this one, that he'd forgive her. And now that he's sure she feels the same about him as he does her, that ring in his pocket seems to hold a lot more significance.

Running his fingers through her hair, Lance laughs because he isn't ready to let Pidge stop redirecting her anger.]

Before or after we have sex? Cause you know how sleepy bustin' a nut makes me, so I prefer after.

[He doesn't need to see it to know it's there. He can just feel it. One of those instinct things.]