#TEN#

Shiro sat down next to Adam, being sent a semi-nervous look by the dark eyed beauty. "Takashi Shirogayne." Iverson's gruff voice stated. Pidge sat down hesitantly, and Keith gave him a lazy salute. "How's the eye?" Keith boldly asked, Iverson sent him a harsh glare (not that Keith cared).

"Keith." Lance muttered warningly, the two sitting next to Hunk. Shiro gave a small chuckle, a smirk evident on his face. "Takashi!" Adam hissed, elbowing his ribs.

Shiro stopped and rubbed his ribs. "Ow." He muttered, his grin disappearing. Adam rolled his eyes with a frown, you could see how nervous he was. Shiro hesitantly glanced at Adam's lap. The man had folded his hands to the point his fingers were red at the tips, and his knuckles were coconut meat white.

His folded hands were pressed against the space between his upper thighs. Thumbs wringing around each other occasionally. Shiro looked at his hand, and then at Adam's.

Maybe...

Shiro slowly placed his hand on Adam's thigh. Adam looked up, and gave Takashi a small smile of encouragement. Shiro's fingers trailed down his leg and stopped at his knee. Shiro then trailed back and stopped at his hands.

"Walking" two of his fingers up Adam's folded mass of fingers and flesh and rubbing against them. Almost as if asking for entrance. Adam fought a large smile at the white haired mans actions, he wanted this– but he couldn't help but replay one of the last conversations in his mind.

Being pulled from his thoughts, Adam felt himself shudder. Iverson sent him a small glare but continued talking. A frown deepening on his face as his features darkened.

"I can assure you, cadet, that this will be for the best." Keith stood up, and Adam managed to place a hand on his forearm. "Da– Adam, let go!" He partially whined as he tugged his arm away. Adam sighed and got up, escaping Shiro's touches and wrapped his arms around Keith's chest. Trapping his arms, and dragging him backwards. "Adam." Shiro warmed, "Takashi." Adam shot back, Lance and the rest of them confused as Shiro got up.

"Let him go, Adam."

"Do we really want Iverson to have no good eyes?"

Keith groaned. "I need to pee?" He attempted as an escape. Iverson's hands turned into tight fists at his sides. "I can assure you, taking you memories and placing each of you in isolation, clarifying chambers is for the best." Shiro froze.

"W-What?!" Hunk blubbered, obviously scared as he spotted a few men in white chemical body masks. "Dad, this is unfair!" Pidge cried, not having understanding what Iverson said until now. Commander Holt sighed, hands on his temple. "It looks like it could be for the best." He paused and looked at Pidge's face.

"Katie, think of what we can do. We can store the memories in a data base, and expand our knowledge. Share every experience you've had, learn from your mistakes." He spoke in such a soft tone, Pidge found it a little hard to stay mad. A little, but not enough.

"That's crazy!"

Allura had wide eyes, a frown gracing her lips in disgust. "I find this highly offending that you even suggest this– this—" she failed to find the right word, Keith loosening himself from Adam's grip, and Adam letting him go.

"Tell me one good reason this will benefit us, as a team, and it better be a good one." Gasps were heard as Keith, growling his demand, put a blade to Iverson's throat.

"Keith, but the knife down." Lance said, "Not until he gives me a reason." Lance shrugged,

Well.

He tried?

"Fine, we'll come up with another option. Now get that knife away from me!" Iverson yelled at Keith. Keith slowly putting it away and sitting down again.

Once everyone was seated again, Adam spoke up.

"May we go? It'll most likely take you a while to come up with a reason."

Iverson gave an angry nod. Pidge sending a small, hurt wave at their dad before exiting the room. The rest of the paladins (Allura, Coran, and Adam) following close behind.