[ avoid? keith binks, not quite following the logic until it hits him all at once with all the clarity of a suckerpunch to the gut. grimacing visibly, keith draws in closer, the hand draped over shiro's waist tightening ever so slightly. ]

I didn't -- I wasn't thinking about your scars or anything. I just meant I wasn't sure if touching like this would be pushing the whole ... doing things at our own pace. Especially since you know... [ he fidgets, biting his lip briefly. ] ...Since I may as well just not be wearing underwear right now.

[ keith trails off here, uncertain if he's explaining or overexplaining. one thing's for damn sure -- he's overthinking. he spreads his fingers slightly, thumb lightly grazing over a ridge of scar tissue. again, keith hesitates, but it's just for a beat and then he shifts his whole hand up higher to map out the parallel lines of uneven tissue. ]

There's nothing about you that I want to avoid, Shiro.

[ but is that even true? well, he can't be avoiding something shiro doesn't know he's avoiding. but knowing that's a cheap fuckign copout, keith adds: ]

But I guess it helps to know you want me in.