Limerence

VII

 
"I can't tell if he's looking healthy or not."  Hunk expressed while observing Lance inside the healing pod. The entire team had assembled around the pod, with Viserra seated next to Keith, meticulously filing her nails.

   "I think he's breathing weird" Pidge remarked, adding her observation to the discussion.

   "Oh, come on!" Keith exclaimed in impatience as he reached out to touch the pod.

   "Not yet! A few more ticks," Allura intervened, guiding Keith's hand away from the pod.

   "How much better do you think he's gonna get in a few more ticks?" Keith inquired, crossing his arms in skepticism.

    "If Coriander were here, Lance would have been healed ages ago," Viserra remarked, raising her hand slightly higher as she inspected her nails with a hint of boredom.

   "Yeah, your healers are just so superior," Keith retorted, rolling his eyes in a sarcastic manner.

   "Perhaps you should consider breaking something yourself and let them work their magic. I could easily break your arm in less than a tick," Viserra suggested, her eyes fixed on Keith, challenging him with a mischievous glint.

   "I'd like to see you try"Keith remarked confidently, his tone carrying a hint of challenge.

   "And what exactly is a tick?" Pidge inquired, directing her gaze towards Allura for clarification.

   "You know, a time slice," Allura explained, trying to simplify the concept.

   "Like a second?" Shiro proposed, attempting to relate the idea to a familiar unit of time.

   "What is a 'second'?" Allura questioned, showing curiosity about the term.

          Pidge retrieved a compact screen displaying the time and presented it to the group. "like this," Pidge explained as Viserra and Allura both turned their attention to the screen.

   "—I'm not sure," Allura admitted, studying the displayed time.

   "I believe ticks are bigger," Viserra chimed in, carefully monitoring the passage of time on the screen

   Allura inquired, peering at Coran, "Coran, do you have a ticker?"

   "Right here, Princess," Coran responded, presenting the device. Viserra edged closer, with Pidge and Hunk following suit. Viserra examined the ticker, then shifted her gaze to the device Pidge held.

   "I think ticks are a little slower" Hunk remarked, sharing his observation.

   "I can't tell," Viserra remarked, glancing back at the 'second' device, trying to compare the two.

"We have to start them at the same time." Pidge suggested, focusing on the two devices in preparation.

   "Okey. Ready, go!" Coran exclaimed eagerly, aligning the devices side by side as he and Pidge synchronized their actions.

   "Yes! I think we're winning." " Hunk exclaimed joyfully, his excitement drawing the attention of the rest of the group who had now congregated around Pidge and Coran.

   "Winning what? The intergalactic time-measuring competition?" Keith inquired from Viserra's side, seeking clarification on the ongoing excitement.

   "Yes," the yellow paladin affirmed,

   "Don't spoil our fun," Viserra retorted, shifting her focus towards the boy.

   "You guys having a clock party?" Lance inquired with a hint of curiosity, observing the group's activities.