[ despite the nature of the question, keith is privately relieved shiro isn't making it an ordeal by halting the way back to the cubes entirely. keith wants to leave the carnival's festivities behind, and doesn't want to drag this bit of reassurance seeking into the privacy of the cube either.

there's nothing to discuss at length here, after all. the uncertainty following anon's abrupt disinterest isn't shiro's doing, and he isn't so insecure as to think one random barely-there relationship will predict the fallout of the closest bond he's ever had to another person. a simple right would've sufficed, but of course shiro goes above that.

keith listens, gradually tightening his grip on shiro's hand in turn. eye contact is still difficult to make, though he forces it for two beats before turning his face forward again to watch the path back to the cubes.. ]

Okay.

[ the reply is inadequate -- something keith makes up for a beat late. ]

Thanks. I'm not seriously worried about it or anything, just .. nervous, I guess.

[ and also now a little too aware of his own sexual preferences now than he was previously. how the hell do boyfriends talk about things like that? do they talk about things like that or simply fall into configurations that work? trying not to overthink, keith shakes his head and gives shiro's hand a squeeze. ]

H-how do you like things anyway? [ things? fuck. if he can't be bold enough to just spit out proper words, then maybe he shouldn't be talking about this at all. annoyed, keith amends: ] Sex, I mean.