[ Keith's stubborn; Shiro knows this. And yet, there's a heavy weight settling in his stomach and on his heart. But... all the same, he wants to trust Keith. They've been through worse; and yet...
And yet, Shiro can't shake the feeling that something is horribly wrong. Or that it will go horribly wrong. ]
Right. [ He rests a hand on Keith's shoulder. ] ... We'll really be counting on you, Keith.
[ Me, most of all, he wants to say--but he holds back. ]
[He should go talk with Lotor. He should check details but the look on Shiro’s face stops him in his tracks. He turns and reaches out to gently pull Shiro into a hug.] Hey, I won’t let you down.
[But something is wrong. He feels it like a ripple in a still pond when the wind blows. The feeling has only gotten worse with time.] Coran is looking into old records to see if any other half Galra suffer these headaches.
Whatever is going on, we’ll find that answer. ...if it comes down to it. I’ll even ask Lotor. [Yet something in him says not to. It says to say nothing more and the pressure increases in his head as he breathes in.] I will. Do everything I can to make things okay.
[ It's automatic, the way he relaxes into the hug and returns it. Part of him wants to keep holding on tight, wants to never let go. Even if he never tells Keith, Keith is-- he's Shiro's entire universe. If anything were to happen to him...
He wants to say he won't allow anything to happen to Keith, but he can't even promise himself that. It's the nature of being a Paladin and a member of the Blades, after all. And Keith is strong, one of the strongest people Shiro knows.
He has to trust it'll be okay... and do what he can if it's not. ]
Yeah. [ He could turn his head easily, brushes his lips along Keith's forehead, but he just barely stops himself. ] I'm pretty sure if anyone can figure this out, it's-- well, Pidge is busy. But Coran's a close second.
[ It's... the best attempt he's got at lightness. Shiro doesn't let go of Keith, even though he knows they'll have to sooner rather than later. But Keith is warm and steady, comforting in a way nothing else is. ]
And Keith... you aren't alone. I'm here with you, to help you carry that weight.
[Keith doesn’t answer with words. He leans into Shiro and shuts his eyes. He wishes he could just stay like this. They could hold each other and the universe would stay locked out for however long they wished. It’s a lovely dream. Too bad he can’t.
He sighs into Shiro’s hair, slowly draws back but he doesn’t let go. His headache is easing up like the tide pulling away from the shore leaving his head clear. Keith nods,] I know and you don’t know how much that means to me.
I’m here to help you too. If I need to seek outside sources of information I will. For now, let’s focus on this next mission. Remember, this time I’m mostly advisory. You and Allura are leading this one.
I know you’ll do fine. You’re already thinking just far enough ahead.
[ If they could stay like this forever... then maybe the dread Shiro feels hanging just out of reach will abate. But he knows they have an important job. Later, surely this will all seem like paranoid worries, and they'll be able to relax.
... Relax. Right.
But Keith's praise fills Shiro with warmth, and despite his worries, he smiles. ]
Your faith's in good hands, Keith. I won't let you down.
[He sinks enough conviction into his tone to make sure Shiro hears it. He has no doubt that Shiro could pull this off. Allura was trained to lead and think of strategy. Her temper got in her way and that is where Shiro would come in.
Cool headed under pressure and as battle trained as Keith could give him, he could bank the fire. Leaving them both tempered to deal with the threats.
Keith finally takes a step back and looks at the map. They could resume. But they’ve discussed it as much as they can for now.] How about we go clear our heads with a few rounds on the training deck? This is as hashed out as we can until we get the rest of the reports.
[ Shiro's heart, embarrassingly, does a little flip at the praise. Keith's praise has that effect on him; always has. He's pretty sure it always will. He really hopes the faint flush isn't terribly obvious.
Shiro rests a hand gently on Keith's shoulder and squeezes. ]
Sounds like a plan. It's been a while since we sparred, anyway. [ Even if he's still worried about Keith, there's a lightness to his words and the way he grins. ] Think you can still keep up with me?
I think I can still toss you like a disc. [Shiro is gaining muscle and definition over time. It won't be long before he out muscles him. He just won't say that because Shiro as much as he loves him, might let that go to his head.
Keith pats the hand on his shoulder and finally steps back. He flashes him a feral edged smile as he turns and heads for the door.]
For now, you're almost too big to toss like that. [He'll feed his ego a little.] And too quick. I'll just find more fun things to do instead.
[ He walks alongside him, and-- good god, that smile does something to him. Shiro manages to keep it restrained, but he's again and again struck by how beautiful Keith is. ]
You'll have to come up with new tactics. Keeping you on your toes might be almost too easy.
[The thrill of their promised spar is already rolling through his veins. Shiro has to have no idea how much he enjoys it.]
Cocky. Careful, get too big headed and I'll show you the floor that much faster. [He could knock him off his feet and pin him face down this time. It's always a toss up of what can happen now Shiro has solid experience under his belt.]
[ Shiro can feel it, too; excited, a little more than wound up. There's nothing quite like sparring with Keith. It's its own language, really, more than anything. ]
Maybe that's part of the bluff. [ He gives Keith a grin. ] I guess we'll see when we get to it, huh?
[He can't help the smile that brings to his face. It lights up his eyes and he turns away to hide just how pleased he is.] Yeah. We will.
[Keith keys in the right floor and leans back against the wall, letting the good mood warm him up from the inside.] While we're talking about sparring, we should resume practicing calling your bayard to you from other parts of the Castle. You might never need that skill but it can't hurt to learn it.
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And yet, Shiro can't shake the feeling that something is horribly wrong. Or that it will go horribly wrong. ]
Right. [ He rests a hand on Keith's shoulder. ] ... We'll really be counting on you, Keith.
[ Me, most of all, he wants to say--but he holds back. ]
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[But something is wrong. He feels it like a ripple in a still pond when the wind blows. The feeling has only gotten worse with time.] Coran is looking into old records to see if any other half Galra suffer these headaches.
Whatever is going on, we’ll find that answer. ...if it comes down to it. I’ll even ask Lotor. [Yet something in him says not to. It says to say nothing more and the pressure increases in his head as he breathes in.] I will. Do everything I can to make things okay.
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He wants to say he won't allow anything to happen to Keith, but he can't even promise himself that. It's the nature of being a Paladin and a member of the Blades, after all. And Keith is strong, one of the strongest people Shiro knows.
He has to trust it'll be okay... and do what he can if it's not. ]
Yeah. [ He could turn his head easily, brushes his lips along Keith's forehead, but he just barely stops himself. ] I'm pretty sure if anyone can figure this out, it's-- well, Pidge is busy. But Coran's a close second.
[ It's... the best attempt he's got at lightness. Shiro doesn't let go of Keith, even though he knows they'll have to sooner rather than later. But Keith is warm and steady, comforting in a way nothing else is. ]
And Keith... you aren't alone. I'm here with you, to help you carry that weight.
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He sighs into Shiro’s hair, slowly draws back but he doesn’t let go. His headache is easing up like the tide pulling away from the shore leaving his head clear. Keith nods,] I know and you don’t know how much that means to me.
I’m here to help you too. If I need to seek outside sources of information I will. For now, let’s focus on this next mission. Remember, this time I’m mostly advisory. You and Allura are leading this one.
I know you’ll do fine. You’re already thinking just far enough ahead.
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... Relax. Right.
But Keith's praise fills Shiro with warmth, and despite his worries, he smiles. ]
Your faith's in good hands, Keith. I won't let you down.
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[He sinks enough conviction into his tone to make sure Shiro hears it. He has no doubt that Shiro could pull this off. Allura was trained to lead and think of strategy. Her temper got in her way and that is where Shiro would come in.
Cool headed under pressure and as battle trained as Keith could give him, he could bank the fire. Leaving them both tempered to deal with the threats.
Keith finally takes a step back and looks at the map. They could resume. But they’ve discussed it as much as they can for now.] How about we go clear our heads with a few rounds on the training deck? This is as hashed out as we can until we get the rest of the reports.
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Shiro rests a hand gently on Keith's shoulder and squeezes. ]
Sounds like a plan. It's been a while since we sparred, anyway. [ Even if he's still worried about Keith, there's a lightness to his words and the way he grins. ] Think you can still keep up with me?
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Keith pats the hand on his shoulder and finally steps back. He flashes him a feral edged smile as he turns and heads for the door.]
For now, you're almost too big to toss like that. [He'll feed his ego a little.] And too quick. I'll just find more fun things to do instead.
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[ He walks alongside him, and-- good god, that smile does something to him. Shiro manages to keep it restrained, but he's again and again struck by how beautiful Keith is. ]
You'll have to come up with new tactics. Keeping you on your toes might be almost too easy.
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Cocky. Careful, get too big headed and I'll show you the floor that much faster. [He could knock him off his feet and pin him face down this time. It's always a toss up of what can happen now Shiro has solid experience under his belt.]
Easy. [Keith snorts and keys the lift.] You wish.
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Maybe that's part of the bluff. [ He gives Keith a grin. ] I guess we'll see when we get to it, huh?
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[Keith keys in the right floor and leans back against the wall, letting the good mood warm him up from the inside.] While we're talking about sparring, we should resume practicing calling your bayard to you from other parts of the Castle. You might never need that skill but it can't hurt to learn it.