[ one of the worst. shiro has to wonder where he stacks up in that list. is not being able to hold him properly below not being able to fix himself a plate of food? is it above not being able to hold his toothbrush? is it dead even with needing assistance in dressing? shiro chuckles right along with that laughter, smiling sweet and oh so amused when keith draws away. the fondness keeps throughout and there’s still that softness about him, especially with talk of missing. he misses that too. of course he does. and that’s why he just as easily draws keith back, arms looping around his middle and tugging him along as shiro takes some backward steps away from that damn door. ]

Me too. A lot, a lot.

[ three steps and he pauses, briefly pulling keith in to press his own kiss -- his considerably higher, at his temple, right below the change to feathers. ]

Just awhile longer. [ then they can compile all those missed chances into one, five-minute long hug. he laughs at his own nonsense and releases his hold. ] We’ll just have to keep ourselves busy in the meantime, make the time seem like it’s going by faster.