[ keith falters, already uncertain expression fracturing further with the burgeoning sense of rejection. ... why? he couldn't fucking say. it's not like shiro had ever put helping with his sentences on the table of options before, so having it confirmed that it continues to not be an option isn't a rejection, merely a repetition of known facts. still, that doesn't stop keith from thinking any better when he opens his mouth to speak. ]
What? No.
[ the refusal comes out more empathic that keith meant, but save for a slight dial down in volume keith doesn't take back the sentiment as a whole. he won't lie -- anon had put him at ease for a lot of things, but that was because making it stop was always as simple as a step away. no grabbing hands, no holding him in place to take it, no judging eyes to drink in keith's vulnerability. he shudders visibly. ]
I don't want that, Shiro.
[ but does that mean he wants that with shiro? wasn't he just chastising himself for being selfish and unfairly enrcoraching on shiro's boundaries by wrongfully appealing to his best friend's guilty conscience? keith shuts his mouth, then looks away. ]
no subject
What? No.
[ the refusal comes out more empathic that keith meant, but save for a slight dial down in volume keith doesn't take back the sentiment as a whole. he won't lie -- anon had put him at ease for a lot of things, but that was because making it stop was always as simple as a step away. no grabbing hands, no holding him in place to take it, no judging eyes to drink in keith's vulnerability. he shudders visibly. ]
I don't want that, Shiro.
[ but does that mean he wants that with shiro? wasn't he just chastising himself for being selfish and unfairly enrcoraching on shiro's boundaries by wrongfully appealing to his best friend's guilty conscience? keith shuts his mouth, then looks away. ]
I just... you weren't going to help me anyway.