whatsacactus | (no subject)

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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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Okay! Okay, I just wanted to be sure. [He still doesn't get that but if Shiro says it's fine, then he'll believe it. Shiro's hand against his back helps ease that thought too. It's so warm...]

Just never used to being able to.

[ They're a flying antique shop at this point. He thumbs over one of the rings he's wearing, something that he'd never given any thought to but now, supposedly is worth a ridiculous amount of money all because it's so old. He's still not quite sure how he feels about that. ]

I figured. Trust me; I wouldn't tell you that you could do something if it weren't the truth.

[Keith is so hyperaware of Shiro; he looks down at the ring, then back in front of them again. He leans back a little into his hand instinctively, letting some of his weight rest there.]

I trust you. Believe me.

[ This is...too close. Too much like a couple thing, but he's not stopping himself because he's weak and Keith tucked against his side is --

He needs not to think about it. He pulls them to a stall which has a bunch of glass ornaments for decorations. ]

Maybe we could get you something for your room?

[And they're moving again. Keith is like putty in Shiro's hand moving with him so easily when they get to the stand.]

Um. Like these, huh. [Keith looks them over, before landing on something. It's tucked away in a corner behind other things, but he carefully reaches to pull out a glass cat. He isn't sure what it is but. He likes it.]

Or, something.

[ Anything. Shiro watches him tug something out and squints at it, tilting his head to the side. It looks familiar, but not close enough to one of the animals on Altea for him to name it with surety. ]

It's cute.

[It's like someone had taken a still of a cat mid-stretch, paws out in front and hind high in the air. Keith feels drawn to it somehow.]

It is... I like it. [It's going to be near impossible for anyone to pry that little figure from him.]

[ Shiro's already reaching for the little pouch containing spare GAC and eyes the price a moment before counting out the appropriate amount for the vendor. He gets a little box in return and passes it to Keith. ]

So it doesn't break.

[Oh. He smiles a little and carefully fits it into the box. This is fine. More than enough.]

See anything you want?

[ If Keith thinks he's getting out of this without more stuff, he's sorely mistaken. Shiro gives the vendor's options another long look and then shakes his head. ]

Not yet, but I'll keep looking.

[ Before he can stop himself: ]

Do you want a pet? At the castle?

A pet?

[Shiro definitely has his attention now. His eyes are a little wide at the thought. A pet...]

If you think it wouldn't cause too much trouble.

A pet.

[ He moves onto the next stall and eyes the handwoven shirts and long pullovers, thumbing over the fabric idly on a piece that's a deep red trimmed with gold. ]

The Princess has the mice. I don't see why not.

Then yeah. Yeah, definitely.

[Let him be responsible and take care of something. He feels weird not doing anything for anyone but himself. At least with a pet, he could be fulfilling that a little. He eyes the same shirt, but moves on, a long sleeve a blue-ish silver with metallic threading on the edges.]

What kind do you think?

[ That was easier than he anticipated it being. Shiro hides his smile and lifts the shirt off its hanger, eyeing Keith speculatively. ]

It's nice. The material is softer than most of what we have back on the Castle.

It feels like it. [He runs fingers over the front, tugging a little at it.]

It's really fragile though. It could tear pretty easy. [Don't ask how he knows that.]

[ Before he can stop himself, he cuts Keith an amused smile and bumps his shoulder gently. ]

How often do you rip your clothes? Are you getting into fights on the castle?

[Well. His face goes beet red and he looks at the shirt more closely. It's more embarrassment than anything bad.]

Not fights.

I-

[ Holy shit what. He hadn't considered that Keith would -- well. He's not sure who Keith would be interested in, but he isn't upset about it, necessarily, so much as this awful little part of him is disappointed. It wasn't as if he'd ever expect the feelings returned, but it's one thing to idly entertain without ever knowing, and another to have it confirmed. At least there's...some sort of closure, he supposes. ]

Oh. Well. If you're worried it might tear, we can look at something else.

[ He's just putting that back. ]

[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.