whatsacactus | (no subject)

(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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ 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.

[ He barely moves at the shove but does dare to give Keith a teasing little smile as he leans back into it, trying to push him back. It's like they're teenagers, pushing and shoving at each other. Keith always makes everything easy like that, like he's known him forever.

You haven't, though. He steps away after a moment, sheepish, nodding down the aisle with his cheeks a little warmer. ]

Come on, we'll knock something over and then I'll have to do my job. The Princess firmly directed no working.

[Keith isn't nearly as steady as Shiro is, so he definitely leans with the push back. God, even this little teasing gets to him, brings that smile to his lips, makes his chest feel tight. But then Shiro is moving on.]

Right. Not working, got it. Then let's keep going.

[ He needs to stop acting like this. The only other times he's been so unprofessional were around Allura but even then, it wasn't that easy to act normal. Shiro takes a firm step forward and curls his hand into a tighter fist around the bags, irritated with himself for over-analyzing. He waits for Keith to catch up and then catches him by the arm before he can go too far, speaking in a lower, quieter rush, embarrassed at himself. ]

I like being able to fix things. It's part of what makes me a good diplomat, I suppose. And I can't fix-- [ One hand lifts, gestures in a little flap. ] -- everything else. But I can do this. I can make you happy, and I can get you things that you might not have been able to have before. It just feels good to be able to make someone happy, after-- everything else.

[When Shiro gets his arm, Keith goes loose, all fluid and no resistance. It happened plenty of times before, in so many situations. It doesn't bother him, doesn't even make him nervous; it's simply a moment. But Shiro's words get to him. There's clear confusion in his eyes by the time Shiro's finished.]

Shiro... [God... What does he even say to that? He's told Shiro so many times until he was out of breath that Shiro needs to make himself happy too, but he realized after a few months that falls on deaf ears.] You do make me happy. Even without all [he gestures vaguely, the bags, the shopping] this. You always make me happy.

[ It feels stupid, saying all of that, but it's true. He doesn't have a lot of control over much in his life, and he certainly doesn't have much that he can do, and then point to and think I helped or fixed this, but he can buy things and make Keith happy. Or make Allura happy. He can't fix everything but he can do something and that has to be enough. ]

Okay. Well. Happier, then.

[ Shiro forces a quick smile and before he can stop himself, tugs Keith into a quick, gentle hug, pulling away a moment later. ]

So let me buy you things that you probably don't need, but will make you happy.

[He realizes Shiro likely doesn't get it, or doesn't want to. Because getting it would mean acknowledging that feeling that bubbles up and threatens to overflow in Keith each time he's around Shiro. Shiro never has to buy him anything, and he can't figure out why he feels like he has to. Especially when Shiro's obviously not interested...]

If that makes you happy...

[ Don't worry, Keith, he's just too stupid. ]

It does.

[ You do, he almost says, and instead swallows the words down until he's certain they won't spill out and takes them to the next vendor, one full of carved items that look like they're made from the wood of the trees all over here. ]

I know we talked about a pet, but what about...hobbies? Outside of learning how to fight, that is.

[Keith isn't much better.]

Hobbies?

[God... He tries to think back to what all he was allowed to do between clients. What did he enjoy doing? He looks over the little figures and trinkets without really... looking.]

Never gave it much thought. I guess... [He really really thinks.] I like figuring out how things connect.

[Conspiracy theorist. He's a conspiracy theorist if given the chance.]

Like...a mechanic?

[ He isn't quite sure that working with Coran to fix up the Castle is where Keith's going with that but hey, maybe it is. Shiro likes fixing things well enough, mostly because he knows the Castle so well and finds it soothing to be able to have an effect on whatever he's working on.

But, when Keith elaborates on making things connect, he furrows his brow, trying to think about ways that could be used while he toys with a carved wooden mouse. ]

In what ways?

Well like-- [He looks back at the scarf vendor. Squints a little bit, like trying to puzzle it now as they stand there.]

Like... In the current situation, how did they get that scarf? Where'd it come from? It still looks pretty new, so who even made it?

[Unsolved Mysteries.]

Oh.

[ Well, he's not quite sure how to help with that, but he'll see what he can do once they're back on the ship. Maybe it's something with the amount of access he has to records; if he wants to learn, far be it from him to tell Keith no. ]

Well. Once we're back on the Castle, we'll try to figure out something that will work.

[Something seems to lighten up in his eyes as he nods.] Okay!

[And then he's back to looking at this table, stepping a little closer, their arms brushing.]

Still not finding anything you like?

[ If only everyone was this easy to placate or make happy. Shiro picks up the mouse and decides to get it, also picking up a fancy carved holder that will probably hold Coran's nunvill bottle. ]

I got the scarf.

[ How does he explain that he doesn't really think about wanting stuff? For the longest time he was able to have anything he wanted, and then he was captive and couldn't have anything. Now, he's grateful enough for what he has. ]

Right! Right....

I just wasn't sure if there was anything else you saw you'd want... [He pointedly turns his attention to look elsewhere. Not at Shiro, not at his kind face, or his eyes that understand him, or the warm hands that always make him feel safe and grounded. He shifts weight to one leg trying not to too hard about ways he could make Shiro happy, or the looks on his face he saves to think about when he's alone.]

Do you collect anything?

The only things I really want I already have. I'm...easy like that, I suppose.

[ He glances over to show Keith something and ends up side tracked so easily, both with how close he's standing, the warm line against him and with the way that he's standing. Shiro's aware that Keith's attractive and that he's attracted to him. It's one thing to be aware of it as a distant thing and something else to be struck stupid by him when the sun hits Keith's hair just right and lights him up in red and gold. ]

I - uh. No? I don't think so. I don't, really. I have a pretty large collection of books. I...have some model Altean ships, but they're all outdated.

[ Can something be outdated or is it just, you know, extinct, if there's no one else besides you guys? Fun thoughts. ]