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[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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[Something just happened. He's not the brightest at social cues, but he can feel that something just shifted between them and it's wrong whatever it is. It makes him worried he just said the wrong thing somehow.

Keith reaches for the shirt, catching a piece of it.]

I'm really not that worried, I just-- [Was trying to make conversation. About a job he's not in anymore.] It's not like I do anything now that would rip it.

[ That makes him hesitate a moment more, but he doesn't know what to do in response. The shirt is easy enough to think about, so he focuses on that, nodding to it. ]

If you want it, you should get it. We can always get you another if you need.

[He watches Shiro's face. Then carefully takes the shirt in both hands. Because he does want this. He's not used to wanting but he's getting used to wanting what he's allowed to have. It's better than ignoring what he can't have in front of him.]

Then yeah. I do want it.

[He'll ignore the stall's owner eyeing them like they're watching their daytime soaps.]

[ That same deep sigh comes from this vendor as from the alien at the spa; Shiro doesn't know what to say about it so instead he hands over the money for that, along with the other one that Keith was looking at. They're bagged and he opens it for Keith to put the box into if he wants. ]

We could get you a few other things. So you don't always have to wear Altean.

[He follows Shiro's lead with the small box going into the larger bag. This is.... fine. Whatever is happening. He takes the bag in both hands and shakes his head.]

I really don't mind it. They're nice to wear. We... still haven't found anything for you, though.

[ He thinks to offer to carry it for him, but knows that Keith won't accept the help and it's not as if it's heavy. There's no need to fuss over him despite the desire to. ]

It's fine, I'm still looking.

[ He may come back for the shirt in blue but is still waiting to see what he'll find that may catch his attention. ]

Besides, I like getting you things.

Still not used to that.

[Keith moves on to the next booth with long strips of fabric for scarves and face coverings hanging. There are some lovely red and gold ones here as well, with some purple and blue.]

I'm sure we'll find you something.

You'll get there.

[ Frankly, he didn't know how to deal with it for the longest time, either; Allura having so much money had been jarring to him as a child. Now, things are different and it's not so much a consideration.

The scarves get some looks as he considers them; they do have a mission to a colder planet coming up. ]

Maybe one of these?

I think this one would look good.

[He holds up a pale cream colored scarf with light blue designs patterned into it to Shiro. It goes well against his skin and Altean markings.]

[ He eyes it a moment and then reaches out to test it, winding around it around his neck and eyeing himself in the mirror. ]

It'll be good for Drexel-9; it's supposed to be cold there. Snowing, I heard.

Have you seen snow before?

[Shit. He was right, that does look good on him.]

No, I haven't.

It's...nice. Different, but not in a bad way.

[ Shiro eyes himself a long moment and then gently slides it off, folding it back into a neat pile to hold onto. Idly, he peruses the other items, thumbing over a thinner scarf with bits of silver strung through it; Allura would like this. ]

Did you want to come along?

[Keith thinks the same thing seeing what Shiro's looking at. It would go with her skin color really well.]

Am I allowed to? [He doesn't think he is. He isn't a true soldier for them, and even if Shiro and Allura have moved past the issue, he knows he hasn't won over everyone else against his heritage. He isn't that naive. He looks over the other choices, seeing just the corner of black (or purple? hard to tell) buried under more vibrant colors.]

I mean-- I'd like to.

It's not a military based mission. I know that Coran is going down to explore for what he claims is the kitchen stock, but is probably to check out the gambling tables.

[ He picks it up after a few more moments of mulling it over, tucking it over his arm. She'll like it; she's liked everything he's gotten for her, he just needs to stop agonizing over decisions like it's the end of the world. ]

You wouldn't be able to attend meetings or anything, but you could explore.

If you think it's all right, then I want to.

[He pokes at that scarf before carefully pulling it from the very bottom of the pile. Turns out it's a deep rich purple with some black swirl line work. He feels like it's familiar, the specific design on it. Like he's seen it somewhere in a dream. He just can't place it.]

[ He makes a note to talk to everyone back on the Castle once they're back and then his attention is stolen by the design. It's almost certainly Galra from the colors alone, but then he sees the design in full and that confirms it. ]

The color suits you.

You think?

[It feels so light and soft, but he can tell just from here that it's warm. It'd be a good scarf for where Shiro's describing. He holds it in both hands and a little closer to himself now. Shiro said the color suits him.]

It might look good with the shirts too. But you said it isn't a military mission? What do you need to do there then?

[ Yeeeah, probably not the best one to wear to a meeting where they're actively plotting against the Galra. Shiro glances to the shopkeep but they're far enough away he doesn't worry about gently pointing this out. ]

Diplomatic things, mostly. Paperwork, meeting with the various leaders with the Princess.

[ Come on, Shiro. ]

It's -- given how things are with the Galra, it may be something that you wear selectively, if you get it.

[That last bit gets Keith's attention. He looks closer at the scarf, holding it where he can see the entire design together and -- Of course. His instinct is to put it back. Bury it where it was.

But he doesn't want to. As much as they're fighting the Galra, as much harm as the Galra's done, and everyone's rightful anger at them.... It's still a part of Keith. And he can't bring himself to hate that part of himself. He lowers it, folds it so it isn't too obvious.]

Right. [He concedes to that, but Keith clearly wishes it wasn't so, even as he's reaching to pick through more traditional colors.]

[ Someday, he thinks, someday things will go back to normal. He's not sure if the same level of trust will ever be there for those of them actively fighting right now, but maybe. Maybe given enough time, things will get better and Keith could wear that out. ]

Here, what about this?

[ It's thicker fabric, probably from one of the giant animals they'd seen in the fields when they landed. Instead of purple it's a deep, almost blood red. ]

Hm?

[He takes it in one hand, the other still holding the Galra scarf. It's nice. Red's a color he likes just as much. And it's safer. Less of a loaded situation if he wears it around everyone, less pressure on Shiro and Allura who would allow it.]

It's nice. It could probably be warm enough too.

[ He'd look good in anything, but that's not a comment that he can voice, or wants to voice. ]

Get both.

[ Shiro rests a hand on Keith's shoulder for a moment, squeezing, his tone gentle. ]

We'll know I'm doing my job properly if you can wear that in a few months or years without worrying.

[Keith watches him as that little bit of hope glimmers in his eyes, the one that always lights up when he's around Shiro. Shiro never once judged him for his Galra roots. Never gave him a second thought or pulled away knowing what he's been doing most of his life. He's always up front with Keith and understanding of who and what he is.

He hates that he loves this man who doesn't love him back.]

Here's hoping. [It's clear he's hesitating putting the dark scarf back. He should.]

[ There's a part of him that thinks that maybe, he could pursue something with Keith, down the line. Maybe when things are calmer and if Keith's....even remotely interested in that and Shiro's certain that he won't be taking advantage of anything if he does ask. This isn't back then, where they would have to marry off for political gain. He's determined to make sure it stays that way, and that Allura knows she has the right to choose just as much as he does. ]

Keep it.

[ He squeezes his shoulder again and then pulls back, letting the shopkeeper tally up the price and tell him the number. He passes over the GAC and then reaches out his hand to take the scarves from Keith, intending to tuck them in the bag he's already holding for everything. ]

[Shiro's already paying for the scarf and tucking it away into the bag before Keith can even object. Everything always seems to happen fast around Shiro. His inability to disagree with him, how fast his heart races, the way blood rushes to his cheeks.....

Keith sort of shoves at Shiro, trying to urge him forward.]

Okay! You've bought me too much, it's-- It's all stuff for you now.