earthshine | ⊚ noctium ic contact.

[ oh gee, thanks for pointing that out. head tipped back, shiro stares up at the great dick in the sky and… squints. hard. he supposes they can’t exactly fault weather patterns for dick advertising, unless malachite is fucking with them for the fun of it. as for and you know -- shiro glances back to keith, only to then regard the popsicle. well then, if keith is stuck picturing this as a rainbow, frozen dick ( too ), then shiro is just going to have to put some effort into disassociating the image of keith chomping off a good inch of it.

… on second thought. ]

Wait.

[ he eyes keith, taking note of his bowed head and how he’s been shying his gaze away even before that. was that a barely veiled confession of sorts? sadly, shiro isn’t backtracking far enough to delve into keith’s suspicious yelling earlier this afternoon, but for the last couple of minutes… ]

Were you picturing it as, uh -- not a popsicle when you downed it earlier?

[ afterall, keith is a bit of a show-off with certain things or at the very least, competitive. shiro doesn’t even know what to think of that possibility. ]

....

[ mouth full of bitten off popsicle, keith keeps his head bowed. does he really have to answer this? probably. if only because "no comment" seems like an incriminating answer all onto itself. ]

I mean.... not at first? I thought they were partly melted or something. But then licking it made me feel weird cuz it's all y'know... curved. [ like a dick will go unsaid. ] So I thought sucking on it would look less weird in public?

[ said aloud, it sommehow manages to sound even more ridiculous. flushed, keith speaks a little faster. ]T

hen you started looking at me funny -- [ ah yes. "funny." excellent euphemism for the way shiro'd turned wanting. ] ...And I liked it. So.

[ SO. he concludes the story with another nom of popsicle. ]

[ okay. reaction pending. shiro still doesn’t know what to think of that possibility turned fact. keith more or less blaming shiro for his deepthroating stunt though -- huh, that’s an interesting spin. ]

Oh.

[ dumbly, that’s how it sounds. he’s staring again, but he’s fairly certain he doesn’t look funny, or at the very least, this funny has nothing to do with risqué thoughts. why’d keith dub it that anyway? did shiro actually look funny? weird? sure, becoming flushed an’ bothered over a rainbow popsicle is pathetic in some sense -- in many ways, let’s be real -- but now shiro is wondering what kind of expression he was making.

which is why he turns self-conscious enough to try to explain it. good grief. ]

… It was kinda impressive, is all. [ keith’s nomming away now. it does nothing to tarnish shiro’s snap-shot memory of keith bent over, every color swallowed down to purple. ] You made it seem so effortless. That’s why I looked… funny.

[ okay, keith definitely didn't ask for an explanation, but getting one makes him laugh. sure,, there's a healthy dose of self consciousness sprinkled in, but mostly he's tickled. ]

Wouldn't have called it effortless. Started giving me brain freeze and all.....

[ though now that he's thinking about it removed from the experinece of having basically having a chunk of ice in his throat, maybe it is kinda off that he didn't exactly choke? hm. putting a pin in that thought. ]

Worth it though. [ here he bites the tip of the popsicle stick to reposition shiro's hand so that it's held parallel to the ground. he releases with a teasing smile. ] So if you've got something less cold in mind next time....

[ then, sinking his teeth into the green and blue ice, he bites off the bottom half of the popsicle. ]

[ shiro’s listening, of course he is, but while he registers everything keith is saying, his attention is split. it’s just -- it’s kind of fascinating to watch keith fiddle around with the popsicle. being without hands calls for some hefty improvising; shiro gets that. but, uh, okay? keith’s pretty good with his mouth. shiro’s hopeless and takes the directional hints to reposition the popsicle. by the end of it, a good portion of the popsicle is missing and well… is it weird that he’s somewhat disappointed by that?

of course, with keith’s promise for next time hanging between them… that disappointment is a barely felt thing. his face warms and that’s what has him remembering the melting popsicle in his other hand. he licks at it, just needing something to cool the flush heating from his cheeks to his ears. it doesn’t help much at all. ]

I might have something in mind… [ and judging by the way keith took the popsicle earlier, he can probably handle this certain something. with that thought, he licks again at his popsicle, soon chewing at orange -- getting most of it, but a small portion of it falling to the grass. oops? ]

Do you now....

[ the blush spreading across shiro's face is a delight to see. keith is very easily charmed by it, even if the subject matter is far from pure. actually, the fact that it's not fit for the ears of small children and apparently unicorns drives at least a quarter of the appeal. he laughs when a little chonk of shiro's popsicle falls onto the gras. ]

You're burning up, babe. Do you want to go for a dip in the lake to cool off?

[ etiquette 101: don’t draw attention to someone suffering heat stroke from the inside out. called out as he is though, shiro has to admit there is some saving grace in keith doing him the courtesy of not teasing him directly about the impurity of his thoughts. self-consciously, he chews on the inside of his lip for a beat and then smiles shy. ]

And further traumatize the children? [ he chuckles briefly, ending with a tilt of his head and a half shrug. ] I didn’t think to wear swim trunks.

[ he came as is; more focused on how to successfully get out of the apartment building, rather than anticipating what they’d get up to at the park. nonetheless, the words are barely out before he shifts onto his knees an’ then gets to his feet. he glances down toward the lake, smile widening. ]

But I guess I can put my feet in.

[ keith laughs, shifting up onto his taloned feet. ]

Hey now, I never said anything about you going in naked.

[ but there’s a mischievous glint in his eyes as he gives shiro a quick look over his shoulder. filia doesn’t go mentioned directly, but it’s pretty clear that’s where keith’s mind has gone when: ]

Even if that’d make the view better.

[ that part’s spoken more in hushed tones with a shyer kind of smile. and then keith starts heading off to the waterfront where he stops at few steps from where the lake laps at the ground. the water is pristine, clear as far down as the sunlight illuminates, and full of brightly colored koi fish. it takes all of three seconds for an impulsive idea to take root. ]

I’m going in.

[ announced and then no time is wasted before keith starts shrinking again. within moments, a familiar penguin shaped mass is struggling to get out of a puddle of clothes. ]

[ ah yes. their little skinny dipping adventure. it takes up a good portion of brain real estate in shiro’s head. he can’t say he’s surprised by keith’s approval toward the prospect of seeing some bare skin but it warms shiro anyway. fantastic; go ahead and make shiro’s overheated state worse. the unvoiced joke is promptly forgotten in the wake of seeing keith’s smile turn shy and shiro merely hums, part dreamy, part smitten, as he obediently follows after keith.

halfway to the lake’s edge, he does remember his popsicle and despite the risk of brain freeze, he’s quick to finish off the rest of it. he’ll likely regret it come laundry day, but for now, he stuffs both popsicle sticks in his pocket and then taps into his manna to wet his hands, saturating the drips of syrup, only to clean them completely with a quick wipe at his pants.

shiro slows to a stop beside keith, a good arm’s length between them and he’s just barely begun to scan the landscape of the lake when keith… penguinifies himself. again. shiro can’t help it, he has to laugh. bending down, he helps keith find the hem and then freedom and -- goodness, he really is such a cute little ball of feathers. he runs his palm over that silly, penguin mullet and gently nudges keith toward the water. ]

Have fun. [ and don’t get into too much trouble, is the silent tag-along. with that, he sits himself down and starts working on the buckles of his boots. ] I’ll wait for you here and cool off my toes.

[ once freed, keith chirps happily and stands as tall as he can when shiro ruffles his head. it isn't very tall, mind you, but the effort is made and then he toddles off to the water. one look back just to say: ]

Okay. I'll bring you something nice.

[ not that keith's worked out what that something nice would even be just yet, but he holds up one flipper in some facsimile of waving before plopping bellyfirst into the shallows and paddling away. in contrast to all that waddling around he was doing on land that was all clunky and awkward, being in water is a joy.

he does a drive by swim past shiro, bobbing along the surface before splashing water at him with his feet. shiro might hear some telepathic laughter as keith dives deeper in the water. he chases a school of startled koi, making them scatter in a shower of orange and gold, and then he's off to the bottom of the lake. at some point though, penguin instinct may have kicked in because instead of looking for something shiro may genuinely find cool, like a shark tooth?? -- he comes across a cluster of smooth rocks at the bottom and thinks perfect.

keith takes his sweet time trying to pick one out because of course, it's gotta be the prettiest, shiniest, smoothest rock in all the land. a treasure any penguin would envy. really, he should be questioning that if only because shiro isn't a penguin?? it becomes a bit of an afterthought though because when he finds the pebble to beat all other pebbles, he snatches it up in his beak and swims all the way back up to the surface. ]

Shiro! Shiro, I got it! Hold out your hand and close your eyes.

[ keith makes sure not to come any closer until shiro does as asked. no ruining the surprise, obviously! but with shiro humoring the request, keith paddles up closer and kicks out of the water to carefully deposit the treasure in shiro's extended hand. the black pebble is smooth and held the right way shines an iridescent shade of purples and reds. chest out and again, standing as tall as he can, keith waits for a verdict. ]

Edited (forgot to change the subkect line because i tabbed out so fast.... LOL) 2021-06-27 02:14 (UTC)

[ shiro plays the part of the doting boyfriend extremely well. after folding up keith’s abandoned clothes and setting them safely aside, shiro goes about getting ready for his front row seat of some showboating he knows is coming. boots off, socks off, pant legs rolled up mid-calf and sitting as close to the lake’s edge as he can without water seeping into his pants’ seat, shiro leans back on his palms set behind himself, simply waiting for any glimpse of black an’ white. he smiles as keith bobs on by and gives a scandalized yelp to that splash of water. truthfully, the only casualty is the bottom half of his pants, but even then, it’s mere drops. still, he plays it up by shouting a hey that’s just as soon riddled with laughter.

and then keith is gone… for awhile.

initially, he doesn’t think much of it. keith’s exploring and having fun; shiro wouldn’t even be surprised if he’s racing from one edge of the lake to the other, just to time himself for some arbitrary sense of beating a record. but even as he strains his eyes and scans the surface, he doesn’t see any hint of a mullet anywhere. how long can penguins hold their breath underwater? shocker -- shiro doesn’t know much of anything about penguins. he assumes its got to be for a good chunk of time and yet, the longer he doesn’t see keith or hear him in his head…

he’s just beginning to consider drenching himself to… what? go looking for him? when there’s an excited shiro sounding off. immediately, he feels ridiculous for being even the slightest bit worried, but he sighs in relief anyway, fixing a smile to his face right before keith breaks the surface. ]

Okay, okay… closing them.

[ and look, both closed and left hand extended, just as ordered. it’s right around then that he thinks, oh, he actually meant it about getting him something. shiro thought that was simply a throwaway tease but now there’s something smooth and cool in his palm, and when he opens his eyes, he finds… a rock? he tilts his head and brings his other hand up, twirling the rock between his fingertips. one beat and then he glances over to keith, seeing him puffed up and waiting and… -- oh. getting the drift that he’s supposed to be reacting with more enthusiasm, rather than with a befuddled look on his face, shiro grins and looks again to the very thoughtful and very cool gift. ]

Oh wow. That’s pretty. Look how it catches the light…

[ it isn’t all feigned. it is pretty. and it’s from keith, so rock or not, there’s value in it from that fact alone. wordlessly, he holds out his right hand, wriggling his fingers in a come here, all the while saying: ]

Thank you. I love it.

[ keith holds that theoretically impressive pose -- straight backed and as broad as he can manage un a tiny penguin body. he couldn't really begin to explain to himself why the pebble has to be presented with such formality, but acceptance comes with a very giddying uptick of his mood. effort translating into a smiling shiro? nice. he gives another happy chirp, waddling up to place a flipper in shiro's outstretched hand. ]

Heh. I'm glad you love it, big guy. I wanted you to have the smoothest and prettiest one around.

[ not that shiro's ever made any kind of comment that would lead keith to believe he collects rocks or would find either of those properties important, but... ]

You're the best, so you deserve the best things.

[ flawless logic, obvioously. ]

[ … shiro is an idiot. he really should have been recording keith this whole time. why’d he leave his phone at the apartment? just -- the sweet chirp and the waddling and the tiny flipper in his hand. is it weird to think his boyfriend is absolutely precious as a penguin? he bites the corner of his lip to keep himself from laughing, although it does nothing to keep the wide, very wide smile at bay. gripping keith’s flipper and rubbing his thumb over the end of it for three, four passes and then he huffs an amused sound. ]

Well you did good. I’ve never seen one like it.

[ which is true, but considering he’s never put a lot of stock in geology, that’s not saying much. nonetheless, keith seems particularly proud of this rock, so of course shiro is going to lay on thick his support and interest. ]

Where do you think I should keep it? It’s far too nice to stuff in a drawer.

[ good thing keith is a penguin because it makes it less obvious that he's practically melting in his happiness. he wants... well, it's not unusual that shiro makes him want things, but it hits keith a little harder that he can't interlace their fingers and squeeze shiro's hand.

he probably ought to have done some thinking before becoming a penguin because turning back into hybrid bird form in public is a little too embarrassing to contemplate seriously. not that he'd have hands in that body either, but it at least would have made approximating hugs a little easier? he tries to make do with a contemplative hum as he waddles up to the side of shiro's thighs and whole-body drapes himself over his lap. ]

You should keep it somewhere safe. Don't want other people trying to steal it.

[ other people and their goddamn pebble envy problems, gosh. ]

[ a brief amused sound escapes him once that penguin weight flops onto his thighs and then he’s smiling through the rest of that amusement, hand coming down to cup the back of his head before sliding down. down to smooth out that mullet, down to pet the length of back and down, finally, to flick at that pointed tail. honestly, shiro has no idea why thieving would be a concern. they rarely have anyone over to begin with and even then, why snatch a rock? he rather likes this playfulness on keith’s part though and so, shiro’s willing to humor the joke. ]

You’re right. Precious stones are extremely valuable. [ he laughs a little, amused at himself for that stellar wordplay. see, of course this doesn’t qualify as one of the precious stones but it is precious in another way. so, shiro makes a show of holding the rock closer to his chest, fingers curling in to mostly hide it. can’t be too sure of other park-goers, you know? maybe that unicorn is still watching them and taking note of shiro’s new treasure.

he smoothes keith’s mullet down again and ends mid-back, giving him some gentle scratches. ]

I’ll keep it safe, I promise.

[ cue another happy chirp and a tiny wiggle of tail feathers. bizarre as the preoccupation with thieves may be, keith is all too pebble with shiro holding the pebble close to his chest. it occurs to him that this may be some penguin brain thing going on, but the thought doesn't take further root as shiro gives his head gentle skritches.

careful not to jab shiro with his beak, keith rests his chin comfortably on shiro's leg, looking and sounding like the very definition of contented. ]

Okay. And I promise to keep you safe from low doorways and weird mailmen.

[ promises exchanged, keith concludes on a pleased lil: ]

Love you.

⊚ noctium ic contact.

can't coddle him forever. he must learn.

he KINDA learns. eventually.

until shiro gets back to earth + sees it w his own eyes... griffin is >|

i love how this implies shiro does more thinking about griffin than keith does

maybe shiro's the one mistaking hate with thirst :/

shiffin... the one ship keith did not see coming.

i just can't take shiffin seriously w a name like that.

it sounds like a hobbit name

.... omfg it really does. silbo shiffins. i'm leaving.

i think you should make an oc.

watch it, i just might.

does shilbo shiffins have a best friend named holdo shattins

.......... i think i said i was leaving.

wait no come back :c

i keep being suckered back by how cute penguin keith is.

as yoou should