whatsacactus | (no subject)

[It's been almost a year since Shiro got him out of the ring he'd found Keith in, bought him and brought him with the Alteans. There were some unsavory remarks at first, but they've since gotten used to this half-Galra former-prostitute being here, even found him useful when he showed he could hold his own in fights.

But even Allura could tell Keith had fallen hard for Shiro. And there wasn't anything happening there. While it's some good gossip to be sure, it's also irritating watching them go around each other so much without anything. So, she told Keith she needed him to take care of something for her, it may take a week or so at a specific location. Even when he protested, she explained Shiro was on a much needed vacation.

So he gets to the planet and realizes it's....... An alien hot springs.

He thinks he knows what's happening. And only seeing the guest sign in confirms it: Shiro's name, a line or two above his own now. He finds out pretty quickly they don't share a room, but they are next to each other; Allura had requested it arranged that way. Great.

He decides this doesn't have to mean anything. Go with it. Dresses down to the boxers and robe provided and moves to stand out on his room's balcony and look over the small resort.]

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I don't- We don't have to go that far. I want to try what they do here.

[Yeah, he isn't about to go out of his way to make things complicated for people actually working. Plus he isn't sure he could explain his experience without the work coming up either. Not the way he'd be able to word it anyway.]

[ He doesn't push for the time being, but does make a note to remember it when they go get massages here, or down at the salon. ]

What sorts of things did you have done that you liked, earlier?

[ Now, he has to tread carefully. Shiro pauses a moment, weighing his words and then continues. ]

Before I told them I wasn't -- I couldn't take what they were offering, they gave me a sheet with all sorts of things on it that I could choose as additions. Some of them I recognized, but others I didn't.

[Ah. Those... He'd only glanced at one once. He'd been doing it so long he never gave much thought to how it might look to outsiders. He thinks over the things he has had done. What things he liked, what things he felt a little shaky when he was told they'd be happening for the next client.]

I didn't mind some of the piercings. The one that were in the ears or the nose. And... [God he really has to to think. He's never thought that much about it.] I liked some of the paints. Not just on my fingers, but sometimes on my face and body. They looked nice.

[There are so many worse things on that list that he's trying not to think about. Doesn't want to. And it's clear he's holding back some because of it.]

Piercings.

[ He repeats the word like he can't quite believe it. He'd only skimmed the offerings when they made the initial suggestion and had handed it back in a rush. Things like oils and treatments had been listed, but he hadn't dare read the entirety of it. Now, he's grateful he did.

To safer territory, then. Something that wouldn't be quite so...this. ]

What colors did you prefer?

[Shiro sounds uncomfortable with that. Keith is pretty sure he shouldn't elaborate on anything else about the piercings, but he feels his skin itching recalling some of them, phantom pains of some being ripped out while working.

No, the paint colors are safer.]

I... Liked reds. And sometimes the light blue. Like the markings you and the Princess have.

[Keith doesn't dare tell him a couple clients had him made up like Altean royalty. He may not be the brightest, but he knows that wouldn't go over well.]

Red fits you.

[ He'd gotten his nails painted to match his markings once, but for the most part kept to the clear colors because those tended to be the least flashy. Keith has lovely hands, though; the idea of him wearing colors on the ends of his fingers isn't a bad one.

That thought process needs stopped right where it is, though. He doesn't need to mentally wax poetic about how much he likes Keith's hands. Before anything else is said, the little bell inside rings and Shiro's ears twitch. ]

That sounds like it's for us, for dinner. Unless you wanted to stay longer?

[Keith looks up towards the building when he hears the bell too. He should go in, should eat.]

I.. Think I'll stay a little longer.

[Not cling to Shiro's side the entire time, not smother him. Shiro probably wants time to himself too while he's here.]

Save some for me?

[ He'd asked without really expecting that Keith would want to stay longer, but the moment that Keith says the opposite, he chastises himself for thinking that. It's not as if Keith owes him any more time than he's given already and that he's making these choices on his own is good. There's no reason for him to feel somehow slighted or disappointed as if he's owed something by Keith. ]

I'll have them keep something warm for you and bring it by your room when you're ready.

[ Nudity isn't a concern and hasn't been for ages; Shiro takes the steps out of the pool and pads naked to the small bundles of towels next to the springs, winding one around his waist. ]

I'll see you after dinner, maybe.

[Nudity may not be a problem, but it's certainly an eye opener. Shiro's backside is a treasure to watch walk away from him, and Keith looks back at the water as Shiro's turning so he isn't caught eyeing him.]

Definitely. You- You definitely will. [He can say it's the alcohol or the springs making his face so red.]