lonered | IC Inbox - MaskorMenace

You respected what I wanted to do. You treated me like a person and not the disease. How could I not feel safe with you? [He says as he closes his arms around him. He ignores the remark about showers. That is something to think about later. He looks into his violet eyes and leans in close, his voice low.]

How could I not grow to love you, Keith? I came back and you came for me. You didn’t stop standing at my side and while I don’t always agree with your methods...

[He can’t hold back anymore. He kisses him again, briefly this time just enough to remind himself of the taste of him.] You have never done anything without a reason and I’ll stand by you too. If you’ll have me.

[Keith is looking at Shiro like he's almost afraid to believe what he's hearing. These are things that he has wanted to hear so much, and that's what makes it feel so entirely unbelievable. He's had this dream before, hasn't he?

But this can't be a dream. Shiro's arms are warm and solid around him and in that next kiss, brief as it is, tastes like cinnamon sugar and coffee and Shiro. Every word trips his heart up as it rushes to beat faster like it can escape its chest if it only beats harder.]

Shiro... [Just his name, but he's nodding.] Of course I'll have you. However you'll let me, I'll have you. I love you, Shiro.

[He's spoken those words once before, to Shiro and not to Shiro at the same time, and they sound so loud in his ears, but they're true. Keith smiles, arms winding their way around Shiro's neck.] You're everything to me.

[He'd tear down galaxies that stood between them if he had to. For now though, he leans up and he's the one to kiss Shiro this time.]

[His heart thuds hard on his chest. Without realizing it he needed to hear those three words. He kisses Keith back and lingers a moment when they part for air.] I love you too.

Why don’t we head back and get some lunch. We can talk more about us and sort ourselves out. [Shiro smiles, it’s warm and gentle.]

...I’d like to go on a date sometime. Not our dinner dates. Something fancier just once. [He tucks a lock of hair behind Keith’s ear.] If you’re up for that.

[Keith reaches up, almost tentative -- like he's still coming to terms with the fact that he may actually be allowed this -- to touch his fingers along Shiro's cheek, down to the trace over that soft smile on the other man's face.

I love you too. It very nearly knocks all the air from his lungs in four simple syllables.]

Yeah. Lunch sounds good. So does talking about... us. [Us. Keith smiles too, soft and genuine, the sort of expression that doesn't make it to his features all that often.

And then Shiro is still talking and Keith fights a blush. It doesn't dim the smile on his face.]

Okay. I'd like that too. [A pause.] ...how fancy? I don't own a tie or anything. [He could probably buy a tie. And look up how to tie a tie. Look he's never been on a date before. ...except apparently their dinner dates? Were those dates??]

As fancy as we feel like. I can help with everything if we get formal fancy. [He closes his hand over Keith’s and presses his face into his palm. He hasn’t felt this light in a while. And does he imagine it or is the darkness in Keith’s eyes clearing up.]

...And I only call them dinner dates because that’s exactly how a dinner date goes. You invite your boyfriend out for dinner and talk.

[And later do other things. But they should take things slow.]

You'll have to help. I've basically been raised by wolves lately.

[Keith informs him with a laugh, bright and relieved in a way he hadn't expected to feel. His thumb traces along Shiro's cheek, affection for affection's sake. Shiro looks happy and that's the most amazing thought, that he's happy because of this, because of him.]

Then... I guess we have a head start.

[Some practice. Also boyfriend sends his heart fluttering around in his chest. He's really got it bad. Has had it bad. Actually, speaking of that,]

Just so you know, this might have had something to do with why I was avoiding you, during the uncontrollable singing epidemic.

I suspected there was more to that than you were telling me. [He leans forward and brushes the side of his face against Keith’s. He hasn’t let go of him and has no plans to do so in the future. Not for a little bit.]

Once you admitted you don’t handle your personal problems that well...It seemed to fit. I just didn’t want to assume.

[And he wasn’t ready to think something like that. It still seems so surreal. But as he draws back enough to lean in and kiss Keith again, he knows this makes him happy. Getting this close to Keith feels as natural as talking to him over breakfast.]

That obvious, huh? [And he'd thought he'd done so well keeping it hidden.]

I never thought you'd, well... [Want him. But here they are wanting each other. Holding each other.

Keith turns towards Shiro to nuzzle back, soaking up the affection instinctively, like he's been starved for it. Maybe he has. It's not like he's the type to let many people close, keeping the world at large arms length at a minimum.

But this all feels right, like it all comes as easy as breathing. Maybe because it's Shiro, who's always been the exception to so many things where Keith is concerned. He leans up to meet that next kiss, murmuring to his lips after a moment.] I'm really happy you do.

Edited (cat stepped on my mouse and posted :| before I was done typing and icon picking) 2019-11-03 05:02 (UTC)

Let's look forward. We have a lot to talk about and make sure we do this right. Okay? [He'll do what he hadn't done in previous relationships, set boundaries from the start. Not that he foresees any problems.

Shiro slowly lets go of Keith and touches the side of his face.] So, what do you want to grab for lunch?

[A nod.] Okay.

[He wants to do this right, but these are new waters for Keith. His life hasn't exactly been conducive to ever having a relationship. A few awkward moments at best in those days before he got kicked out of the Garrison.

He'll do his best though. Shiro deserves that much.

Keith manages not to protest as Shiro lets him go -- they will need to drive their bikes out of here -- leaning into the touch.] We passed a diner not too far back?

Good enough. [He says with a smile on his face. He walks over to retrieve his helmet and slides it on. With the visor up he says.]

Lead on, I’ll follow.

[Shiro swings up onto the bike and takes down the kickstand. The visor goes down but he keeps his eyes on Keith. He can’t look away. He never thought he’d fall in love again. He didn’t think he would have the time and...he had focused on the need to bring the team home. To end the war. All those things came first.

He hasn’t realized until it was too hard to ignore that Keith has stepped past his defenses and laid a hand on the heart he thought had been sealed away.]

[for a moment Keith just watches Shiro walk to his bike. This still feels surreal, like the weight of it hasn't fully settled yet about him, like gravity is still partially suspended. But he nods, pulls his own helmet on and climbs onto his bike, glancing back at Shiro to flash a thumbs up sign, making sure the other is good before he's in motion.

It's a slightly -- very slightly -- more sedate pace on the way out than the race in. But far from slow. The world whips by and Keith's thoughts race with it. Eventually back to the road proper and not long after that to the diner Keith remembers seeing.

Where they're going to have lunch. No big deal having lunch with Shiro. Except it's a huge deal, maybe the hugest deal.

He parks his bike and tugs his helmet off, turning to wait for Shiro with the start of a grin flirting at the corners of his lips, like he couldn't keep the smile off his face if he tried right now.]

[His thoughts race as they turn and set off for the diner. This wasn't what he thought would happen today but, he isn't complaining. It feels like figuring out how they feel about each other cut a clear path through the storm that's been clouding his mind since he came to this universe.

It doesn't fix everything but this could be the stones beneath his feet while they face the rest. The world is a blur as they take turns and carve a path back to the city. It's all too soon when they pull and park at the diner. Shiro slips from his bike and locks it up. Only then does he take off his helmet and look at Keith.

Keith is the same as ever but, now all the little things he told himself not to think are there right in the open. He's gorgeous and he knows him well enough that his bewilderment over events easily slotting into place is shared. He makes sure the helmet is secured to the bike and closes the distance between them.] Come on, let's go see what they have.

[Then he reaches out in a clear invitation for Keith to grab his hand.]

[It's definitely not what Keith expected for today either, but it is by far the best birthday that he has ever had. Nothing else even comes close, and Keith found himself replaying the feeling of Shiro's lips on his, and the sound of Shiro saying I love you for most of the ride.

He secures his own helmet on the bike and turns to Shiro.

He sees that hand too, and hand holding. It's new, but he doesn't hesitate, reaching out to take Shiro's hand, shouldering into him. It's a very couple thing. Keith looks full on proud to be holding Shiro's hand.]

I hope they have good fries.

[He heads towards the door, tugging Shiro along with him, heading inside and getting themselves a booth.]

[Shiro smiles back at him with a warmth in his eyes as he follows after him. The scent of cooking fries and burgers fills the air as he pushes open the diner door. Bells jangle as against the glass but no one inside looks up. Shiro scans the occupants and notes the exits on habit.

No one pays them much mind. This time he tugs Keith to follow him to a free booth with a decent view of the whole diner. As he settles in his spot a waiter drifts over and lays two menus down then drifts away with a smile and a tiny wave.

He grins again, unable to help it.] I think we can talk to Pidge and build smaller hoverbikes. What do you think?

[Keith slides into his own side, taking the menu with a quick nod of thanks to the waiter before looking over at Shiro once more. The question brings a grin to his own features.]

Asking Pidge means there's a pretty high chance they might have surprise turbo boosts built in. ...so yeah, we should talk to her about it.

[Okay sure that extra feature exploded on him in space once, but with a little refinement it should be fine, right?]

And make sure her ‘experimental’ features are safer, yes. [He picks up the menu and scans through it. While a burger would be nice there are no chickens in space. A chicken sandwich and some fries would be perfect.

He glances at the appetizers and runs his finger down them until he finds something he and Keith haven’t had in ages. Not since the last days before he left Earth and dragged Keith to a diner just off the base after one such race.]

Keith, they have cheese sticks.

[And all manner of american things he didn’t mind wolfing through. He is pretty hungry. Two sandwiches, some cheese sticks, and fries could work.]

Edited 2019-11-12 19:55 (UTC)

That too, yeah.

[Keith agrees with a faint wince of a grin. He's blown up once, thanks. He's good with not doing that again. But a little experimental tech that's been made to not blow up, well, that'd be great.

And then the grin breaks over his face at that. Look. It's just great to see Shiro happy and relaxed and excited over little things like this. It makes Keith happy. Also cheese sticks are actually very exciting.]

We have to get them.

[And fries and-- Keith blinks and looks up from his menu.] So is this our first date?

[It's a pretty good date if it is, so.]

[The waiter interrupts. Once their order is in and they’re alone again Shiro smiles a little shyly. He hasn’t ever been good about specifics with dates and the like. That had all been Adam. He is about actions and gestures.] It can be if you want it to be.

I’m not all that great with planning for specifics. Which, I’m assuming, you already guessed. [He is solid as a leader but social things, not so much. Just an evening at home is enough for him. Wanting to go out on a fancy date is both proving they can and seems like something important.]

I don’t want you to ever feel any pressure for things to be anything. We don’t even have to label anything if you prefer that. I’m happy either way.

[That shy smile on Shiro's face has to be the cutest thing that Keith has ever seen, and he wants to see it more. His own expression softens.

That sort of answer is so like Shiro.

Keith hesitates only a second or so before reaching a hand across the table towards him, clearly in invitation.]

I want you. I want to be with you. [It's almost surreal to be able to say it out loud, but it has Keith smiling to admit, his own smile turning faintly shy.]

It's sort of the best birthday present I've ever gotten.

[He reaches across the table and takes Keith’s hand in his. His heart thuds a little faster at the smile on Keith’s face. He has never seen that expression on his face before. He likes seeing it.]

It wasn’t the plan but I’m not complaining. What I did get you is back at the apartment. And I want to be with you too.

Think of this as you don’t have to hold back anymore. If, you don’t wish to hold back. I’m comfortable with whatever you’re comfortable with. And don’t ever be afraid to pull back or tell me something is too much. Okay?

[Keith looks down at their joined hands for a moment, still smiling. Yeah, definitely the best birthday present.

He looks up again.]

Careful... I can be pretty intense.

[He's half teasing. The words are true, but he knows that Shiro knows him better than anyone else, knows exactly what he's like.]

But the same goes for you, Shiro. This... us... we should be what you want too.

Just getting used to being an us is enough for me for now. That’s going to be enough of a hurdle on its own.

[He smiles and his voice goes low. He would rather no one but Keith hear what he has to say. He leans forward just enough to further mask his words.]

Or might not. We’ll see. We’ll take it slow for both of us.

[Adam hadn’t been a bad man. He had just been a man and as they found their places in life they came to see how young they really were and how their interests didn’t match up. He hadn’t opened up to anyone like this since.

He needs time to adjust. They both do. He covers their hands with his other hand.] All I ask is you be patient with me.

I'll do my best.

[And Keith means it. Patience isn't his strongest suit, but he's gotten better at it. In a way, he's spent so long being certain this would never happen that he may have more luck with it.]

We'll figure it out. We've made it this far.

[Right? Together somehow. And now together and there's that same soft smile starting on his features.]

We will. [Something eases inside him, and he visibly looks more relaxed. He has his hang ups. The ghosts of the past hang in the air still but as long as Keith is willing to be patient that’s all he needs right now.

They’re good at reading each other and the promise is in place if they need anything they can ask. He needed that. Before he can say anything else the waiter sets their rather large basket of cheese sticks and marinara sauce down with a small grin.

He smiles back and let’s go of Keith's hand for now. With a nod the waiter sets plates down by the basket and departs. He finds he likes the man’s style of letting them know he’s around but not trying to make talk when they are sorting themselves out. He waits until he’s gone to say,] Thank you, Keith. And as long as you make sure I know you’re there, it’s okay to come bed down with me.

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