[ the comment makes keith visibly miss a beat, expression softening as he stares. there's no other word than jarring to describe the moment. shiro is his best friend and for as long as keith can remember, he's always been his strongest advocate and a sturdy shoulder to lean on. of course shiro, of all people, would be the one person to look past his abrasive outer shell and still think it's other people who don't treat him right.

he doesn't mean to laugh, but it comes out as a bittersweet huff as he thinks back to his first day sitting in the black lion alone after shiro's death. i know you wanted this for me, but i can't lead them like you. ... heh.

it didn't matter much in the end. it's true, keith never got the hang of leading like shiro, but he could still lead in his own way. but it's clearly not working here, so the best he can muster up is some genuine appreciation that if nothing else, shiro still believes in him. he doesn't yank the tablet out ofhis best friend's hands, and instead offers hima an earnest but wan smile. ]

... You already got your credits for comfort, you know. Doubt they're gonna give you more credits if you make me cry.