[ … just like clockwork. shiro shows the slightest weakness and keith is already at his side. there’s amusement to be found in that, but mostly, shiro’s unsettled by how easy it is to worry him. it pricks at his disdain for hovering and briefly, shiro wonders what part of their history has damaged shiro’s vigor so badly that keith fears a little exhaustion.

dying.
purple monsters.
abduction.
disease.

ah. annoyance ebbs in the face of all that and with defenses down, it’s easy then to let himself be pulled to the ground. synching comes naturally and in the initial, it settles his nerves, eases his aches and gives him a jolt of energy before settling into a calmer, steadier feed of vitality. there’s something out of place though. he can feel it in the bond. it takes him a moment to peel back the more saturated feelings of comfort but when he does separate the outlier, it comes as no surprise. especially with that sorry. ]

Hey, none of that.

[ whereas keith loosened his grip, shiro tightens it here. cross-legged, he taps their joined hands against his knee and makes sure to smile when he looks to keith. ]

I’m fine. I’m still learning is all. I’ll get better at managing my magic with time and practice.

[ whitegrave helped, but a few trial runs and a couple weeks in-between don’t amount to much for a magic novice. overexerting himself and bleeding manna on overcompensation are his biggest hurdles. patience yields focus? he supposes he should start repeating his mantra again. he’ll master this someday.

… assuming they’re here long enough for him to do that. ]

But thanks. [ his voice warms, the gratitude genuine. but the sweetness turns and he goes for the joke instead, again knocking his knee an’ squeezing. ] You make a great battery charger in the meantime.