#weighedandmeasured

Glancing at Allura’s hands, Shiro tilted his head, clearly trying to decode the meaning of it.  Frankly, Allura was content to let him wonder.  He and Keith talked about Altean concepts so rapid fire and casually all the time, without so much as a pause to see if they were confused.  This was payback.  “I’m glad to hear it.  I simply wished to make sure there wasn’t a problem.”

Oh.  That made sense, actually.  “No, using up some of our free time.  Trying to be productive.”

Shiro’s answering smile was soft and sad.  “I understand the desire.”

Damn, heavy.

“Did you need something to do?” Allura blurted.  Maybe she should have kept her mouth shut, except she didn’t want to just leave the pretty alien prince wallowing.  And actually talking about it would involve, like, diplomacy and tact.  Allura could have those things when she concentrated, but it had never been a particular interest of hers.  “You could, um, help.  If you wanted.”

Shiro blinked, and one of his ears twitched up.  Allura’s eyes darted to it, curious, then focused on his eyes again.  Hm, if Altean pupils had color, that implied there was a cover there.  Was it protective and see-through, or did their pupils just not work the same?  So many questions.

“If you do not mind the company,” Shiro finally replied, smiling softly.  “I do not mind offering a hand.  What do you need me to do?”

Good question.  Allura had been doing single-person tasks until now, and she wasn’t prepared for the swap.  What needed to be done that required a second person.  “Oh!  That tank in console is about out.  If you could give me a hand swapping out a new one for it, that’d be great.”

Shiro nodded.  “Certainly.”  Allura moved to take one side, so they could both lug the heavy metal container to the red lion’s mouth, but Shiro beat her to it. Instead he heaved the whole thing into his arms without so much as a blink or a hair out of place.

“Right.  Aliens.”  Allura shook her head ruefully.  “And I’m gunna apologize ahead of time for being stuck in a little room with me when I’m so gross.  I’ll shower when I’m done.”

Trotting after her, Shiro frowned.  “Gross how?”

Pausing, Allura glanced back at him and opened the cabinet.  “I just mean I’m kind of a mess.  Greasy and sweaty and poofing.  All that.”

There was a long pause as Allura wrestled out the empty canister from under the console, but when she looked back, Shiro looked concerned.  “You’ve been working hard.  That’s not a mess.  I think you’re beautiful.”

Maybe it should have been some kind of dramatic declaration, but the way Shiro said it was so sincere and matter-of-fact that Allura paused.  That and because the cute alien prince had just called her beautiful.  Allura wasn’t low on confidence, but that was still... it deserved a moment.

Her life had gotten weird.

“Thank you,” she finally replied.  “I’m just saying I’m not at my optimum.”

“Optimum for what?” Shiro pressed, voice firming.  “You are exactly appropriate for maintenance on the lions.  And I have certainly seen worse than some sweat.”

There was a hard look to his eyes as he passed the full canister over, and Allura paused as she remembered how effective Shiro was in combat.

It was actually kind of easy to forget.  The rest of the time he wore such delicate, royal clothing, and even if he wasn’t small, the outfit slimmed him.  Plus, he stood next to Keith all the time, who positively radiated the desire to jump into a fight at any given moment.

“Well, nevermind then,” Allura finally replied.  It was easier than explaining gender norms and societal expectations about women’s bodies to an alien, after all.  “I’m glad I meet standards.”

“You do.”  Shiro’s tone was like he could force her to believe him through sheer strength of personality.

Honestly, it wasn’t wrong.  Allura would agree to a lot, just because Shiro was radiating such pure sincerity.

“Good.  Now hand me that weird circular doohickey on the pilot chair, please.”

With a smile, Shiro handed it over.  He was still looking at her like that, and for a moment Allura let herself look back.  She took in the features both familiar - the strong jaw and broad hands - and alien - the purple irises and eye marks, the slender, tapering ears.

Yeah, Allura was the beautiful one in here.  Sure.