[ held in strong arms, kissed by sweet lips, and told that he’s loved in his favorite voice, shiro is over the moon, part dazed by the overwhelming shock of it all. he had warning. keith all but said he was in love with him with that plea for shiro to allow him to. this is so much more, though. it floors him, it winds him, it has him going giddy, because keith is laughing as he keeps reworking those words over and over, restating his devotion until there isn’t a shred of uncertainty between them. shiro can only smile in response, face still right in front of keith’s to stare into those eyes. he has things to say, the obvious being that he loves keith, too; love me and i’ll love you, too, remember? the exchange isn’t that simple, though. shiro’s love isn’t conditional like that; he came to the realization some time earlier and would, hopelessly, love keith regardless of keith’s own feelings on the matter. the fact that keith does love him in the same capacity hits him hard, emotion clogging his throat and striking him mute as keith keeps carrying, keeps moving until the outside world is shut out with the closing of the automatic door.

you know that?

shiro gives one, two nods of his head, smile going shy. truthfully, he doesn’t know that. or didn’t, more like. but now he does and… goodness, isn’t that wonderful? keith’s already spoiled him throughout these years, doing everything in his power to keep their friendship alive – to keep shiro alive. having keith in his life as his best friend is already a gift, but to have this boy fully devoted to him, both in body and heart…?

it isn’t often that shiro looks back on the moments of his life, to thank the universe for leading him through necessary steps to bring him to his current situation. there are reasons to, honestly. his muscular dystrophy diagnosis set such a low bar for everyone’s expectation of him that it fueled an unbeatable drive to excel. the failure of kerberos and exposure to the galra gave him an insider’s knowledge of their enemies. the betrayal of galaxy garrison put four cadets in the desert to find him, as well as the blue lion. the metal arm is ugly and horrific, but it’s useful, making him far more valuable to the team than he would be without it. most days, shiro lacks the mental energy to consciously acknowledge the good in the bad, but here, right now, as keith lies him down on the bed, shiro can see it all with clarity.

every moment of his life, even the painful, half-remembered ones, have led him to keith bending over him to cup his face and press a kiss to his mouth. doctor visits, gladiator matches, space battles, and porn prison sheets have made it possible for keith to fall in love with him and for shiro to fall in love with him in turn. how can he not be grateful to the universe? ]

Yeah.

[ breathless, that’s what shiro is, the word coming out faint and awed. the loop of his arms has unwound, but his hands are still on keith, gripping his shoulders to keep him close. ]

I don’t want to share you with anyone else, not even myself.

[ well, the other version of himself: keith’s shiro. he knows what he said before, what he’s been saying for awhile now, but truthfully, deep down, when he buries beyond the obligation and logic of their situation, shiro holds a desire to remain with this keith. he doesn’t want to start over. he’s not even sure he can. ]

You’ll find a way, won’t you? You’re so good at finding ways to bring us back together.

[ keith defies all expectation. he’s the boy who continually tells the universe to fuck off as he reshapes the trajectory of their lives, just to keep them in each other’s orbit. if anyone can figure it out, keith can. ]

Please. [ a twinge of desperation leeches at his voice. ] I love you. Please… keep me. I can’t be without you.