[ as keith watches shiro's expression brighten up from his perch, it's like he's being warmed by the sun. the feeling in his chest is light, fluttery -- then overflows as keith reflects that gentle smile back at shiro. of course, shiro would be happy for keith, even though he's never breathed a word about krolia before. and of course, shiro would think krolia should be proud, even though shiro's also had front row seats to one of the lowest points in his life and -- ]
...heh.
[ just a softly huffed laugh is all keith can manage in the face of that. his throat's gone tight again, some mixture of confusion and heaviness making words harder to come by. his mother's absence hadn't bothered him much when his dad was still around and family felt complete with just the two of them, but after.... after it'd fucking ached every time he opened his eyes and his reality had crashed and burned around a group home of unwanted kids. years of talking to social workers and doctors trying to get demographics and family history had only carved a sore spot deeper and deeper with every "I don't know anything about her!" that'd been forced out of him. made it seem all but obvious that she'd never wanted to know him either. just up and left without a trace.
this really is the first time keith can actually talk about his mother and feel something other than shame in doing so, huh? no need to put on a show of apathy, no flying off the handle to deck unsuspecting cadets across the face just... a faint buzz of ... pride? yeah. yeah, his parents are incredible people. keith stumbles on the thought, holding his breath for an extended beat for the choked up feeling to pass. this is shiro's birthday and the focus should stay on shiro. ]
Yeah, we talked a bit about those records. [ he swallows, smile soft around the edges. ] But mostly, she wanted to know more about what happened after my dad passed away. Who helped me out and all that stuff. [ there's another laugh, this one heavy with fondness. ] ...naturally, I had to tell her you're the best part of my life.
[ honestly, he'd been really excited for krolia to finally meet shiro, but that'd gone beyond abysmally with the clone going rogue minutes afterwards. but he supposes that doesn't matter now. ]
no subject
...heh.
[ just a softly huffed laugh is all keith can manage in the face of that. his throat's gone tight again, some mixture of confusion and heaviness making words harder to come by. his mother's absence hadn't bothered him much when his dad was still around and family felt complete with just the two of them, but after.... after it'd fucking ached every time he opened his eyes and his reality had crashed and burned around a group home of unwanted kids. years of talking to social workers and doctors trying to get demographics and family history had only carved a sore spot deeper and deeper with every "I don't know anything about her!" that'd been forced out of him. made it seem all but obvious that she'd never wanted to know him either. just up and left without a trace.
this really is the first time keith can actually talk about his mother and feel something other than shame in doing so, huh? no need to put on a show of apathy, no flying off the handle to deck unsuspecting cadets across the face just... a faint buzz of ... pride? yeah. yeah, his parents are incredible people. keith stumbles on the thought, holding his breath for an extended beat for the choked up feeling to pass. this is shiro's birthday and the focus should stay on shiro. ]
Yeah, we talked a bit about those records. [ he swallows, smile soft around the edges. ] But mostly, she wanted to know more about what happened after my dad passed away. Who helped me out and all that stuff. [ there's another laugh, this one heavy with fondness. ] ...naturally, I had to tell her you're the best part of my life.
[ honestly, he'd been really excited for krolia to finally meet shiro, but that'd gone beyond abysmally with the clone going rogue minutes afterwards. but he supposes that doesn't matter now. ]
....so thanks for that.