[ shiro doesn't reach for his hand once they resume walking and regardless of how keith feels about the distance, this surely can't be a good sign. he follows shiro's lead, of course, but does so with a rising sense of unease.

it's ridiculous to be wary of talking about sexual preferences with a boyfriend, but the last time keith had mentioned being intimate with someone else, it'd blown up in his face hadn't it? the past is the past, sure, but it's not like either of them have done too much talking about their experiences with others.

.....or no. that's not fair. shiro had talked to him about alinaa and how the experience had left him feeling used and dirty in retrospect. but that's just part of the problem, isn't it? porn prison has made sex something punitive, something to commiserate over or be anxious about when it shouldn't have to be.

in fact, if keith tries hard enough to ignore the occasional prisoner and the familiar run down buildings, he can just think as any other conversation he might have with shiro. it's ... natural, right? to talk to his best friend about things he likes, the things he's embarrassed by? keith's expression falters somewhat, then jogs the two steps he's fallen behind to put his hand on shiro's shoulder. ]

No, I -- I like rimming. I just thought. ... it wasn't your thing?

[ he laughs sheepishly, cheeks still pink as he smiles up at his boyfriend. ]

You know. I just never pictured you that way? [ a beat: ] Uhh, not that I was imagining you being into specific kinks. [ heart hammering, keith takes his hand off shiro's shoulder and scrubs down his face. ] I mean, I was but -- not like that. I don't know what I'm talking about anymore.

[ hand still plastered on his face, keith ducks his head, hiding behind the sweep of his hair as he continues. ]

... A-and you being a top isn't a deal breaker. It's just... [ forcing himself to relax only gets as far as a smidge of tension dropping from his shoulders, voice dropping low to near whispers. ] ... it feels weird to like it.