The Rainbow Gift

It's been over a week since they landed on Olkarion, stopping  their journey to pick up Matt and some food, or 'nourishment' as Coran put it, for the way.

Shiro walked around, placing his remaining hand on the wall as he walked, balancing himself and studying his surroundings.

'If the rest of the paladins, and Coran, would know I'm currently walking outside instead of resting.. well', he mused.

'Keith, Allura and Lance would definitely scold me. Keith and Allura would wear their disappointed look and Lance-', Shiro stopped, guilt climbing up his stomach, 'Lance would have this guilty look.' He closed his eyes for a moment, composing himself.

'I need to talk to him about it'. He continued his walk. 'I've been resting for a week now. Way longer actually'
he shuddered at the memory of the last- months? Years?
Time seemed to moved differently inside of the black lion.

He moved closer to the big lab at the end of the street, stepping in, away from the noise of the busy streets.

"So this is where you've been hiding" Shiro announced his present with a tired smile.
"Shiro!" Pidge called out, jumping from her chair in front of whatever Hunk and Coran were working on.

"Hey Shiro" Matt stepped next to Pidge and toward Shiro, trying to block the way.
"How have you been? Sorry I couldn't visit more but I've been SWAMPED with work" he said with a nervous smile.

"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad to be back" Shiro smiled at his jumpy attitude,knowing he was hiding something, it was good to have him back. He couldn't wait to meet Commander Holt once they reach earth.
"What are you working on anyway?"

Matt's eyes widened, suddenly regretting his words. Eyes jumping to where Shiro's right arm used to be.

Shiro raised an eyebrow, trying to glance behind the two siblings when Hunk moved towards the three, trying to salvage the situation.

"Shiro what are you doing out of bed anyway?" Hunk asked, cleaning his hands with a cloth and sending the Holts a look.

"Just looking for company I guess" Shiro pushed back the need to lean on the table, trying not to look as tired as he was.

Hunk nodded sympathetically as Coran pulled a chair for Shiro to sit in.

"Thank you Coran" Shiro reached for the back of the chair with his right hand, only for nothing to happen.
"Oh. Old habits right?" he murmured and walked around the chair to sit in.

"So what have you been up to?" he looked up to Pidge who parched her lips and looked over to her brother. How did she hide her identity from the garrison for so long Shiro did not know.

"It's a secret, Number one!" Coran waved his hands around in a way that reminded Shiro of Jazz hands.

Shiro's eyebrow rose again in interest. "If it wasn't for Coran here I would have been concerned. Should I?" he narrowed his eyes at the four innocent faces.

"Don't be ridiculous, Shirogane. Everything is fine" Matt assured him with a hand wave.

"That's what you said when I asked about your last project"

"Oh come on, that was so long ago! Besides we're almost finished."

"Alright" Shiro sighed.

"Here you are!" Lance barged into the room. "Keith is freaking out!" he moved to stand near Shiro and put his hand on Shiro's shoulder. "Of course I told him not to worry and that you're probably just taking a stroll around and that you need some fresh air anyway. You are fine, right?"