i like to keep my issues strong

[bde]

[ Apparently he universe doesn't care when someone could really use a break; if it needs saving, it's gonna continue to need saving until somebody does something about it. Right now that somebody is them, so Shiro is extra tense until he can finally chisel out a moment of calm.

He's dimly aware how selfish that is. Being frustrated and edgy until he can get a proper moment to check on Keith seems incredibly greedy, considering what Keith went through to put Shiro so on edge in the first place. But he's learned how to channel unhelpful emotions into helpful action, and he's still in that mindset when he settles his hand between Keith's shoulder blades and steers the pair of them toward a bathroom. Not the showers they all hose off in after a mission, but a real bathroom with a bath the size of a hot tub - the Castle of Lions is a castle, after all, as Allura had said when she slyly tipped Shiro off to its existence. ]

Come on.

[ With anyone else, he might say: we should talk. Or: you need a break. The first would make Keith assume the worst, make him clam up or run, and the second would only bring out a denial and have him run in a different way, throwing himself into something to prove he doesn't need a break, that he's still strong, that he can be good enough.

Keith's always been good enough to Shiro, which is why he says none of those things. He just lets the door open and close for them, wraps his arms around Keith and holds him, grateful for the fact that he's still here and filled with so much pride and concern that the weight of it could bring him to his knees. ]

Comments

[feralistic]

You got me.

[ and he's doing his best to make his voice sound dry, but that smile is still there. ]

That's why I decided to steal your car.

[bde]

Playing the long game, huh? I never stood a chance.

[ He runs careful fingers through Keith's hair, a motion that's almost petting, fond and reverent. ]

I knew you were something special then, but - you've come so far. I'm proud of you, Keith.

[feralistic]

Only for you. You're worth waiting for.

[ and keith leans into that touch, almost greedy for the contact, eyes falling half-shut. ]

... I wouldn't be here without you, Shiro. You're the reason I can keep moving forward.

[bde]

[ There's something beautiful in the way Keith leans into that touch. Keith, always wild, always guarded, pressing into the stroking of Shiro's hand and looking so relaxed and perfectly trusting. It makes Shiro's chest feel tight, like it's too full of love to hold it all. ]

I love you. I have for a long time, in one way or another.

I like this way best.

[feralistic]

I love you, too.

[ no hesitation, no shyness.

admitting it is as easy as breathing, now. ]

You're my everything, Shiro. I'd be lost without you.

[ and he dips forward enough for another kiss, sweet and lingering. ]

Being with you, it's... home. It makes all this fighting worth it.

[bde]

I'm glad. I'm glad I can be that for you.

[ But between that kiss and all the emotions... well, they're starting to get to him, and he lets his hand travel down the length of Keith's spine. It's a slow thing, lazy and lingering, mapping out the bumpy path of his vertebrae between the channel of toned muscle on either side. ]

How're you feeling?

[feralistic]

... better.

[ and he closes his eyes for a moment as if to take stock, taking a slow breath in before he breathes out again. ]

Thanks. ... for this. I really -- [ needed it. ] ... I feel like I have my feet under me again.

[bde]

Hey, it wasn't all altruistic. I've missed you.

[ More kisses, pressed over the high sweep of Keith's cheekbones and finally against his mouth. ]

Stay with me tonight?

[feralistic]

Yeah. [ because there's nowhere else he'd rather be. ] Yeah, of course.

I missed you, too.

I know it's not like you were ever far away, but I -- [ keith breathes out a little laugh, leaning forward to steal another kiss. ] ... it still wasn't the same.

[bde]

It really wasn't. I never sleep as well as I do with you. I never feel as calm as when you're with me.

[ It's true, and worth saying. Just being together now, feeling Keith this close, knowing that things are cleared up - at least between them - has Shiro feeling lighter than he has in days, and he leans in to kiss Keith slow and lingering. ]