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[and the thrilling conclusion to the orgy is total confusion. shiro isn't expecting the door to open and, frankly, neither is keith. having saved a bit of pent up anger to channel towards breaking the exit door off its hinges only for it to swing open nice and easy, keith is left blinking in surprise and with no outlet. ]

Uh...

[ his voice is quiet, shoulders tense and waiting for something else to actually be the obstruction, but with shiro leading them down the ramp and rest of the amusement park now mere feet away, keith is forced to refocus. ]

Um... [ there it is again, his trademark eloquence rearing its head for the world to see. giving himself a mental kick, keith shifts his line of sight from the fairground where inmates have lined up to purchase cotton candy to his boyfriend.

is he okay? for a moment, keith thinks he might actually burst into laughter. ]

Ww just escaped from a random orgy and ... [ squint. ] You got me a dick.

[ if he sounds bewildered, that's because he is. with the smiley face of the plush turned inwards to shiro's chest, the phallic shape takes on its proper context. keith wrinkles his nose, something tickling the back of his throat as he huffs completely incredulously. ]

I... they put a smiley face on it.

[ .... like another certain someone would have? wait, shit. no. the tentative laughter cuts off abruptly, and keith teeters, lips pulling in a tense line that could go either into a smile or a scowl. ]

I... [ shit, what was the question again? flushing with embarrassment, keith looks down at his feet as he lets shiro lead them back to the cubes. ] ...I don't know how to feel.

[ about anything, really other than a growise, knowing that his boyfriend's sweet concern would curdle with disgust if he knew keith had been intimate with a guy through a hole. and not just once, but repeatedly. unable to make any eye contact, keith keeps his grip on shiro's hand loose. ]

... Hey, I know what your answer is gonna be, but I just need to hear it in your voice, okay? If we start being intimate and you don't like it for whatever reason, you wouldn't just stop talking to me, right?

[ oh, what? this is a… – of course, it’s a dick. once he sees it, he can’t unsee it, and all at once, he’s mentally giving himself a slap. how did he not realize that sooner? it’s so obvious. unnerving, too, because now he’s staring down at a plush, fuzzy dick that is staring back at him. there’s a trash bin at the bottom of the ramp; would keith mind if shiro dumped this guy in it? stop it; why is he getting all tangled up about a dick plush? one that made contact with that pawing man in the orgy room. maybe this dick plush now has a std. does that wash off if he sticks this guy in a washing machine?

he’s getting sidetracked.

giving himself another mental slap, shiro keeps walking, keeps leading down, down the ramp. the ramp ends and his feet touch the dirt, the carnival spreading out every which way and offering up dozens of avenues to take. the exit had been… this way? he thinks? either way, he sets course and hopes for the best.

he’s tempted, not even ten steps later, to stop, though. what keith asks can only suggest a much deeper problem that deserves more than the back of shiro’s head and an answer over his shoulder. the desire to get out of this place is strong, however; so while he doesn’t stop to address keith with the full weight of his gaze and attention, shiro slows his steps until they sync next to each other, the two of them walking together, rather than shiro tugging him along. the path ahead of them is wide; the open corridor made by lines of food stands isn’t overcrowded in the middle, so shiro stops watching where his feet are leading him and turns his head to keith beside him.

right is the answer, though a wholly inadequate one. knowing this, shiro swings, perhaps, a little too far the other way. ]

You’re invaluable to me, Keith. I’m not walking away from you – ever.

[ whether or not they’re together, shiro wants keith in his life in some capacity. preferably with the title of best friend, since it suits keith so well. he tightens his grip then, making up for the looseness of keith’s. ]

And we deserve a chance. I wouldn’t give up on us like that. [ he tried to stop it before it could ever begin, yes, but things are different now. ] Our chemistry is, well, you know. You feel it. [ his smile isn’t shy, but there’s definitely a sweeter, boyish quality to it, his head turning forward again. ] So I doubt we’re going to have a problem, anyway.

[ 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.

[ he’s squeezing his hand now; that’s encouraging. it feels like progress, like they won’t, once again, be derailed from giving their physical chemistry a proper shot. of course, just because keith stresses that he isn’t seriously worried, doesn’t mean that’s wholly true. the fact that keith follows it up by asking for cliffnotes on shiro’s expectations in bed puts a crack in shiro’s renewed confidence. boyfriends talk about this sort of thing, he reminds himself. it just feels like a last ditch effort, asked with minutes to go and out in the open for anyone to hear.

actually, given the location, this is an entirely appropriate conversation to be having in public. he laughs unintentionally at that, head turning to give keith a brief glance. ]

Where do I even start with a question like that?

[ good-humored, it’s more teasing than anything else. he only means… it’s generalized enough that he doesn’t know what direction to take. it’s restrictive, only in that it’s too open-ended, so he ends up tripping over his own thoughts trying to organize them into an answer. there is, of course, also the fact that thinking about what he likes in bed has him thinking about how he doesn’t always like things in bed, that sometimes he likes unconventional places for sex. too much. he’ll start with the obvious. ]

I like pleasing my partner, there’s that. [ he always pegged himself as a service top. adam was… directive, and shiro had no qualms about following through with whatever his then fiance wanted from him. the list hadn’t been all that extensive, unfortunately; he's hoping keith is more agreeable to indulging shiro. ]

So I guess you can say I like foreplay. Handjobs, blowjobs, rimjobs, fingering… I like doing a little of everything before, you know… [ now he’s being the wavering one; polite, sensible, sweet faced shiro hesitating on saying dirty words. ] – Putting my dick inside you.

[ actually, that sounds dirtier than fucking you would have. ]

[ having this conversation outside while they're still walking has its pros and cons. most importantly, there's less pressure surrounding the subject matter when there isn't a bed in plain sight, waiting to be used. that in itself, keith thinks is almost worth the passing glances as they move past other inmates while shiro talks about plainly.

if his face wasn't pink before, it almost certainly is now. to say that he had no intention to judge is a misrepresentation, only in that keith had assumed shiro's sexual preferences were, if not entirely squeaky clean, at least not quite as overtly filthy as mouth on ass. silly of keith, really, to assume that kind of kink was something reserved for folks who prefer to keep their identities a secret for the ages. keith never stops walking, but he swivels his face , eyes round as he stares at shiro's mouth.

really? is a risiculous question to ask in follow up. fortunately for shiro, he's spared the incredulity, but only because the rest of his assertions make keith splutter.

You....

[ heat burns up to the tips of his ears and keith hastily blinks, eyes forward again as they approach a set of turnstiles at the exit. glad to have a proper excuse to let go of shiro's hand, he clears his throat and passes through the gate.

one breath, then two and he turns to wait for shiro on the other side, shoulders tense despite a conscious attempt to stay relaxed. ]

You want me to bottom...?

[ that shouldn't come as a surprise. tall, broad and atrong -- shiro checks off every point going down the list of stereotypes for tops. hell, it barely takes any imagination to see that having shiro take charge in this capacity as well is a stunning dream. it's just.... ]

I've... [ never done that before?> no, the phrasing is wrong and yet... it isn't. keith has never bottomed for a guy with his face and identity in plain sight. as much as keith realizes there's no shame in finding pleasure in this way, it's still a guilty pleasure at best -- not something he necessarily wanted brought into the light for scrutiny. ]

I... [ fuck. where the hell is he going with all these start-stop aborted trains of thought? brow furrowing, keith lets out a deep breath, rubbing the back of his head. ] ... I guess I should have seen that coming, huh?

[ he laughs, more of a nervous huff as he forces a smile. ]

Didn't see the rimming thing coming though.

[ yes, that's a deflection. shut up and let keith have this while he scrambles to make sense of his head. it's not even that he finds rimming gross at this point -- anon's seen to that extremely thorouhgly in the end. ]

[ it takes some shuffling to get through the turnstiles when he has an armful of happy cock. it’s made harder still when he has keith sounding so… off. shiro should be accustomed to this by now. every time they deviate into topics more boyfriend-esque than friendship-like, they slam face first into a hurdle of awkwardness that takes a good couple of minutes to get by. he can’t help wondering if it’ll always be like this; if there’ll always be a certain level of resistance when it comes to them being more than friends. it’s not wholly keith, either. shiro’s to blame for creating some of the awkwardness, though he is trying to push through it by speaking plainly.

perhaps too plainly if keith looks nervous and forced in his reception.

it’s a defeating thought, one that knocks shiro’s confidence down a few more pegs. he gets through the turnpike though, hefting the plush up in the loop of his arm and holding it close, semi supported on his hip. ]

It’s okay if you aren’t into that. [ rimming. he smiles as he steps close, but he doesn’t take keith’s hand. some things are easy to pick up on. a loose grip, placating squeezes, and a hastily dropped hand… – shiro will just grip his free hand to the plush as well, holding it entirely as gives a short nod forward, continuing in his stride and trusting keith to come along. ] It’s not a deal-breaker.

[ it hadn’t been with adam. he hopes this isn’t keith flat out saying no to it, but if it is, shiro likes him quite a lot more than the pastime of mouthing at ass. there is a possible problem, though. an incompatibility that he hadn’t at all considered, because keith asked him to do it months ago. he wanted shiro to fuck him. sure, he’d been high on aphro but the fact is the same: at one point, keith wanted to bottom for him. has that changed? ]

But, um… you’re surprised I’m a top? Is that… a deal-breaker?

[ 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.

[ so to recap: keith likes rimming, but he didn’t think shiro would, because keith fantasizes about shiro and kinks, but not those kind of kinks. that last part is quite the admission, one that shiro would be much more apt to mercilessly tease if keith wasn't struggling so intensely. steps having slowed with the hand on his shoulder, shiro stops altogether now, turning to face keith and watch his boyfriend blush and scrub and hide.

how many guys did it take for keith to realize he likes rimming? how many guys did it take for keith to realize he likes bottoming? he asks himself these questions in the moments that he eyes the heavy fall of keith’s bangs and then does his best to dismiss them. he doesn’t want to know. he does, however, want to know why keith’s uncertain over a preference he clearly has. shelving his own misplaced uncertainty, shiro moves closer, letting go of their plush friend with one hand to, gently, draw those bangs to the side with a drag of his fingers. ]

Why?

[ he doesn’t drop to keith’s pitch but it’s soft in his want to understand. there’s a smile, too. tentative at first, but encouraging by the next beat. ]

That’s kind of the point, you know. You’re supposed to like it.

[ shiro stops and keith tries not to groan. it's hard having the conversation about his self perception and seemingly mismatched preferences with himself, let alone another person -- even if that person is shiro.. this isn't supposed to be an ordeal, except the careful sweep of his hair and the gentle concern on shiro's face make his heart trip before skipping beats. ]

I know, I know... [ chagrined, keith sucks in a deep breath before dragging his hand down and away to force a no nonsense air. ] It feels good when your prostate's getting all banged up.

[ resisting the urge to fold his arms, keith sighs audibly, breath ruffling his hair. ]

I don't know, Shiro. I just never pictured myself being... okay with, you know. [ voice dropping a few decibels lower: ] Bending over? Letting someone else take charge? I mean, I like it? ... But it kinda feels wrong to want it, I guess. It's not... I dunno, leaderly.

[ you know. the thing shiro wanted keith to be. keith grimaces, more embarrassed than anything else and tries for a self deprecating laugh. ]

ANd I don't want it with anyone I don't trust. But I trust you, so....

[ so. <.small>]

[ shiro understands, to a degree. afterall, he’s never bent over himself. up until coming here, it simply never came up. unlike keith, no one else misinterpreted shiro's being more suited to topping and so, the few trysts before adam never wanted more than to spread themselves for him. adam was much the same, though a touch mouthier when it came to directing shiro on how to perform. since then, it has come up here, though, but shiro suspects that’s largely due to him broadcasting part of his sentencing early on. he does need to bottom at some point, apparently, which isn’t something he’s necessarily against, especially if it means one step closer to getting out of here. but he’s like keith: he only wants it from someone he trusts. in a word? keith.

it’s interesting, though, that keith says that and yet, he’s bottomed – how many times? enough to develop a guilty pleasure in having his, in keith’s words, prostate banged up. trust implies some sort of time nurtured relationship. shiro knows that before they started a relationship, keith had found people he felt comfortable being physical with, he’d sort of said as much. but it hits differently, to have keith explicitly saying trust, even though it’s obvious that would be a contention.

who did keith trust before? did keith waffle and cringe, reasoning through it being acceptable to bottom for that dude too? or is this just a phenomenon exclusive to shiro?

he blows out a breath, silent on the sigh, but wholly feeling it with the droop of his shoulders. he’s focusing on the wrong things. again. keith needs him to keep it together. to be nothing more than receptive, encouraging, and comforting. so what if keith had someone special before? shiro did too. he just hopes that keith’s guy is truly in the past.

of course he is. he shakes off the completely irrational insecurity and forcibly smoothes out that tiny wrinkle of confusion, forcing a smile. ]

Just because you’re the one taking it, doesn’t mean you have to give up all control.

[ he gives keith’s bangs another flick, more playful this time, and somehow, just with that, it’s easier to settle into a more genuine mood. ]

But it’s nice, I promise… [ he tucks some hair behind keith’s ear, smoothly continuing on to trace down his neck and to cup his nape. ] Lying back… letting me lead you through your pleasure. You’ll like it and it’s good to like it.

[ doesn't it? the question is almost reflexive, though the flick of shiro's fingers makes keith blink, going wide eyed instead. the way things had worked out between him and anon, it certainly felt a lot more like his control was restricted to allowing anon to continue or not. keith hadn't resented that set up exactly, but in many ways he knows he was lucky to have a guy who took care of him rather than take full advantage.

took. past tense. keith looks up at shiro, resisting the urge to throw a look towards the fun house. perhaps in the end, none of that mattered because they were only using each other and putting smiley faces on notes to soften the ugly reality of their relationship.

it takes an extra beat, but when keith breathes out, he relaxes and manages a proper smile.. it's a shy thing, a touch embarrassed but keith quietly leans up onto th etipes of his toes to steal a chaste kiss. one peck and then his feet are planted firmly on the ground, a hand reaching to take shiro's metal one. ]

I know. I just... for a long time really didn't want to like it. ... Sex in general, really. Because I never really chose it?

[ there'd always been some external factor. guilt, a sense of responsibility, the need to go home, sexual punishment, aphrodisiac. anon at least gave him the space to try and process all of that without having to be attached to anything, but he'd inadvertently gotten attached anyway. stupid really, and this time keith actually huffs and squeezes shiro's metal fingers. ]

I know I'm overthinking it. Heh. ... But I really do wanna try with you., so.

[ so. this time, keith follows that up with a more decisive action. he resumes walking back to their cube, pulling shiro along by the hand. ]

[ yeah, he can see what keith means. nothing quite like being coerced into sharing one’s body under threat of never regaining their freedom. shiro’s had his own hurdles to overcome and he’s someone who came into this with a few points of reference. so for this place to be the starting point of a person’s sexual experience… – rough, to say the least. hindsight is amazingly clear and so, sometimes, shiro looks back and he wonders if he should have done this differently from day one. maybe he should have embraced the idea of being there for the keith. maybe they would’ve reached this point sooner. smoother, too.

or maybe not. maybe it would’ve changed everything.

difficult to know for certain, so he tries not to dwell on it too often. the important thing is that they’re here now and, seemingly, back on track. so he smiles, genuine and sweet, fingers quick to curl around keith’s as he’s led. the walk is rather short after that. no more pit-stops, no more delays, they start walking and they don’t waver until shiro’s cube comes into view. even then, their goal is much the same, although shiro’s a touch helpless to the excitement that seems to build with every step thereafter.

thirty yards out and he sidesteps, shortening the space between them so he’s obnoxiously brushing against keith’s shoulder and hip, their linked hands caught in-between. fifteen yards out and he leans over, kissing at keith’s hair and nipping at his ear. five yards and counting, he’s given up watching where he’s walking altogether, full on nuzzling at keith’s hair and cooing noises that are more happy rumblings than actual words.

their anklets ping and the door opens easily, shiro all but pushing keith inside. gently, of course, though clearly eager. but then they’re inside, keith in front and shiro coming in behind him as his backdoor lover…

and there he is. the wolf.

shiro groans, head falling forward to rest his forehead, low and defeated, against keith’s shoulder. he’s still holding the plush in the crook of one arm and whether it’s for comfort or to channel his rising need to throttle something, he squeezes it ever tighter to himself. ]

Handle that. Please.

[ because he’s not fucking keith with an audience, especially one that has commandeered the bed. ]

[ it's hard not to be caught up in shiro's growing enthusiasm. the amount of indifferent resignation keith's built up for the amount of gross pda that occurs routinely at porn prison only extends to managing to deadeye his way past two inmates fucking like rabbits. being on the receiving end of affection, even as tame as this, makes him turn a rosy around the cheeks, heart thudding in anticipation for what's to come.

so of course when he enters the cube and spots kosmo lounging on the bed, tail wagging politely in greeting, keith feels a similar clunk of disappointment. that said, it's still not enough to keep him from sounding dismayed. ]

He's not a that, Shiro.....

[ the words are quiet in their disapproval. after all, keith isn't looking to pick a fight. he knows shiro and the wolf have had a rough start and that shiro's largely putting up with the wolf for his sake, but stilll. he'd rather hoped that shiro would grow fonder of the wolf than what a that implies.

somewhat bummed, keith peels himself away from shiro and walks towards the bed, hand outstretched to pet between the wolf's ears. instantly, his friend from the abyss closes his eyes, looking like the definition of the word contentment. ]

Hey, buddy. Go hang out with Lance or Pidge for a little while, okay? Or take a nap in my cube. I just need some alone time with Shiro. We'll sit by the beach afterwards, okay?

[ the wolf looks from keith to shiro, then to the dick plush in shiro's arms. having made some kind of conclusion about this, the wolf makes of a whuffling noise as he shakes his head. he gets to his feet, bumps his dnout to keith's hand and then disappears in a flash of blue light.

keith tries not to sigh as he takes a seat on the edge of the now empty bed. he doesn't say a word, but quietly pats the spot next to him.]

[ ah, shit. he’s in trouble, isn’t he? he didn’t mean that as in the space wolf. that as the situation with the space wolf. but even he can see that tussling over words is petty and shallow, especially when it’s only the superficial layer of an issue that runs much deeper. it’s not that he dislikes the space wolf… now. he did before, yes, but he’s grown on shiro, mostly due to keith obviously being immensely fond of him.

sure, shiro would rather not routinely share a bed with an oversized pet who has a habit of scooting in close to keith. sometimes, shiro wakes up to keith cuddling that hunk of fur instead of him. shiro usually counters that by pressing keith to the bed the following evening and kissing him heavy until keith tells the wolf to go to his cube because they need privacy. making out and having an empty cube – it’s a wonder he doesn’t do that every night. actually, it’s not much of a mystery. keith loves that wolf. so as juvenile as shiro can become over hoarding keith’s affection, he does see that keith needs time with that pup. and besides, he can’t not like something or someone who brings keith joy, despite whatever fading reservations he still carries all these months later.

he could save them both a lot of time and energy if he simply said as much. if he started with an apology, too. but, petulantly, he fixates on that last thing keith said: we’ll sit by the beach afterwards. what’s that supposed to mean? is keith not planning on cuddling up to shiro, sweaty, sated, an exhausted? is he really going to get dressed and go hang out with his dog, while shiro lies here alone, staring at the ceiling?

bending down, he puts the plush on the floor, leaning its happy face up against the wall. with that, he walks over as instructed and sits down next to keith. all the while, he doesn’t say a thing. he merely awaits whatever is coming to him, face already scrunched into a small pout. ]

[ it's almost funny how quickly the mood can shift from one moment to the next. shiro is sullen and by the time he takes a seat on the bed, he's outright pouting. the absurdity of it should, again, bemaking keith laugh, but slow broiling guilt keeps keith feeling more somber than anything else. he reaches across to cover one of shiro's hands with his own and squeezes, but keeps his eyes on his feet. >]

It's not like I want the wolf watching either.

[ that much, keith figures should go without saying, but frankly there's little precedent for how to deal with shiro disliking something important to him. honestly, it's not something keith ever anticipated being a problem because shiro is otherwise so understanding. evidently though, he's either misjudged or taken too many liberties with shiro's affection. one way or another, the fact of the matter is that it's not the wolf's fault.

after all, it's not as though the wolf had asked to be brought here. no. that was all keith because he'd been impatient and thought perhaps the wolf could teleport them out beyond the prison fence. stupid. having a heavy sigh, keith rubs the back of his neck. ]

... just wish you didn't dislike him so much.

Edited 2022-11-14 23:30 (UTC)

[ shiro is, of course, receptive to keith’s hand. keith squeezes his and shiro’s mood brightens a touch, his body seemingly following it by lifting up, first by his shoulders rolling back and then by the straightening of his spine. he sits less like a pouting fool, although his expression hasn’t quite cleared of that yet. there really is no reason for him to be pouting; he doesn’t receive a lecture, afterall. though, he’s almost disappointed by that. frustration is easier to weather. keith staring at his feet, sighing and sounding so disappointed – now that’s difficult.

shiro swallows back his own sigh; both of them can’t be sighing, they’ll get stuck in a loop. so he frowns instead and flips his hand, pressing palm to palm with his fingers pushing through the spaces of keith’s. ]

I don’t dislike him. [ sounds fake, doesn’t it? anticipating a scoff or a flat look, shiro puts more force behind his voice and tries again. ] I don’t!

[ he squeezes keith’s hand for good measure, as though that’ll make his statement more true. ]

I just… [ where is he going with this…? he licks his lips, thinking and searching for an explanation that doesn’t sound ridiculous. what he ends up with? go easy on him, keith. ] You're both his and my favorite person. So I get a little…

[ hesitation. ]

I mean.

[ frowns deeper, staring at his lap. ]

He hogs you a lot.

[ as insistent as shiro may be, negating a negative isn't exactly the same as naking an affirmative statement. keith keeps the growing need to sigh in check, equal parts wishing and regretful, as he listens.

truthfully, he thinks the story of shiro's disapproval is rooted entirely in unfortunate teleportation accidents and wrongfully issued misconducts.. after having to endure cleaning duty in the warden's "uniform" of choice, it's not as though keith doesn't understand why there are hard feelings.

this, however, is not a story of perceived injustices. instead this explanation just makes keith blink. and then blink again. ]

Wait. So you're saying... I don't pay enough attention to you?

[ if it sounds incredulous, it's because keith doesn't know how to parse that. shiro's beeo has been the center of his universe for years until the fallout with the clone made everything between them fraught with guilt and uncertainty. no, even afterwards, keith would have dropped everything if shiro had given any indication that he wanted to talk.

this shiro, of course, doesn't have that frame of reference, but .... still.,/i> of all things keith thought shiro might be upset over, the suggestion that he doesn't pay shiro enough mind ranks at the very bottom of that list. part of him wants to laugh, another part feels lost. ]

[ … when keith says it, it sounds awfully stupid, doesn’t it? shiro cringes and then reverts, all that progress of sitting up straight and ditching the pout undoing in an instant. shoulders draw in and hitch higher, slightly, as if bracing himself against judgment. he certainly looks guilty, even though his head gives a stubborn shake of denial. ]

That’s not what I’m saying.

[ he’s still staring at his lap. it’s safe. it’s comfortable. it’s less ruinous to his determination to get through these next five minutes. ]

I’m saying… [ oh god, what is he saying? he falters because, truthfully, he’s never had to articulate the root of this begrudging tolerance. in the beginning, it was easy. the ill-fated teleportation trip to the bathhouse locker room gave him license to side-eye that wolf for a good couple of weeks. but shiro is rational beyond his stubbornness, so inevitably, he'd accepted it being a mistake made worse by whatever magic this prison holds. since then, he’s had no valid explanation for discouraging the wolf’s presence… but he has and he hasn’t thought heavily on why other than the shallow three's a crowd and they need privacy.

so what is it really? he comes to the answer and just knows he’s going to bring ridicule to himself. but they’re here, with keith’s hand holding his as he waits, so best to bite the bullet and get it over with, yeah? shiro exhales a huff through his nose, lips currently locked up tight on that ever present pout. finally, he does try again. ]

I’m saying… it’s difficult to share you. [ a proper sigh this time. ] And it’s taking awhile for me to learn how to.

[ because he’s never had to, you know? share. not like this. he knows keith’s been with other people here, but somehow that’s easier, because it’s fleeting. the keith shiro has always known has never had anyone else. from the garrison to voltron, shiro was – not everything, but close? maybe? terrible, isn’t it? for him to be grumbling over keith having someone else to adore. but here he is all the same. jealous of a fucking dog for stealing just a few of keith’s early morning cuddles. ]

....

[ for a moment keith is sincerely convinced he didn't hear that quite right. it hasn't exactly been easy for keith to learn how to share shiro in porn prison either, after all. sometimes he wonders about that night he woke up alone with shiro gone. the bed had still been empty even after keith's long detour with anon, and he'd been too exhausted afterwards to try and stay up until shiro returned. all he knows is that by the time he woke up in the morning, shiro was back and acting like nothing happened. so yeah -- learning to share. it hasn't always been easy, and keith can relate to that sentiment with minimal effort.

.... but in relation to the wolf of all things?

keith laughs, incredulously at first, but as relief takes hold his shoulders start to shake with mirth. ]

Seriously?

[ judging from the ridiculous pouting , perhaps that question is wholly unnecessary. keith lifts his free hand, giving shiro's cheek a cup and a gentle pinch. ]

And you lectured me on patience for years?

[ grinning wide, keith scans the room, eyes landing on the dick plush propped up by the wall. ]

I can't decide if I wanna bop you over the head with the dick or if I wanna kiss you.

[ yeah, yeah, laugh it up. there’s the initial oh no wince, eyes closing and pout intensifying, but while the embarrassment doesn’t lapse into obscurity, some constant inside shiro remembers how much he adores a happy, laughing keith. it softens some of his pain – some – and so, he braves opening his eyes, only to be welcomed by a pinch to his cheek. the pout continues to keep, although the tension to those lips is more so to fight off the chagrin, though strangely fond smile.

and you lectured me on patience for years?

hey now! don’t bring his wholly necessary and entirely helpful lectures into this! he balks, pout interrupted on a sputter. ]

You needed it!

[ still do, from time to time, but keith has already moved on to spot their friend there across the way. shiro glances toward the plush and – hell, he’s finding his way back to the pout. keith’s skillful and resourceful; on the battlefield he’s deadly because he’ll fight tooth and nail with anything he has at his disposal. but an oversized plushie of a dick? shiro’s seen him bonk one person with it already. is shiro truly going to be the next victim?

he turns his attention to keith, eyes wider, sadder, more pathetically hopeful as he takes a cheap shot at keith’s weakness for him. ]

If it helps… I vote for the kissing me option.

[ keith snorts, thoroughly amused. he won't outright deny that the lecrures were necessary, but not addressing the point still feels like a victory when he has shiro's indignantly adorable pouting for validation. it honestly doesn't make any sense that a guy with shiro's stature and bulk can even pull off cute, but sometimes the universe has hidden gems to treasure. ]

Of course you'd vote for that.

[ truly. shiro, the bastion of unbiased opinion. keith releases his cheek, smoothing over skin with his thumb before getting to his feet to take a deliberate, slow sep towards the dick plusj. ]

Reckon you've got about ... mmm fifteen steps or so to make your case, Shiro.

[ let it never be said that keith isn't a generous and fair soul. </small]

[ oh. so it’s gonna be like that, eh? vaguely affronted that his attempt of puppy eyes proves to be entirely ineffectual – guess those eyes only work when they come from their namesake of an actual canine, hmph – shiro shelves that thought and quickly changes tactics. he stays seated on the bed, because of course that’s a rule in this made up game, but he scoots closer to the edge, chasing keith’s closeness to the allowed limit. ]

I’m very kissable.

[ this should be reason enough. he smiles a small, plush thing, hands gripping the mattress as he leans forward. again, body language a dead giveaway that he loathes keith putting any sort of distance between them. ]

I have soft lips and a very enthusiastic tongue. [ and now, for a hint of slyness. ] I know what you mean by kiss you more, too.

[ keith turns to face shiro, hands on his hips as he pauses mid-step. lips quirk with obvious amusement, even as he makes an earnest attempt to look like he's concentrating on the presented argument. never mind the fact that it's obvious to everyone in the room that, yes, keith finds his boyfriend rather kissable. ]

Uh-huh.

[ his lifts his gaze from shiro's mouth to his eyes, eyebrow raised. look, he's not even cringing at the more callout, despite still very much thinking his meaning had been obvious from the start. ]

I might've noticed a little that your lips are cute when you pout.

[ keith laughs, still a little lost on how shiro threads the needle between adorable and powerful. keith glances over his shoulder towards the plusj, sighing as if weighing out pros and cons for a life or death decision. that's all the levity shiro gets though before keith steps back in close, stopping in front of shiro when their knees knock. ]

You know.... you and the wolf are both my favorites to be around. But I only have one boyfriend. That's you.

[ he leans in, hands planted on either side of shiro's hips. ]

So. Do I get to say patience yields focus here?

[ does he now? because if keith’s noticing, then shiro can keep up the pouting. or not, because actually, it’s increasingly difficult to pout when keith’s laughing and pretending, hamming up an indecisiveness that they both know is complete bullshit. he overcompensates to outweigh the need to smile, sticking out his bottom lip as keith checks over his shoulder. but then eyes are back on him and akin to a pup, shiro perks up the millisecond keith eases into that first step.

yes, good, good, come closer. knees knock, but shiro can be helpful – just another reason as to why keith should kiss him – so he splits his thighs and empties the space, giving keith access and room if he wants it. not yet, it seems, and that’s fine, really, because keith’s leaning instead and calling shiro one of his favorites to be around. at least he doesn’t have to fight the space wolf on the boyfriend part. might have to for title of best boy, though.

later. he’ll figure out the imagined competition with the dog later, because right now, he’s currently winning and he’d like to enjoy taking a victory lap - or two, three – with keith. so he abandons the pouting altogether and smiles sweetly, face tipping as he arches up. ]

You can say it. [ shiro could probably benefit from being reminded of it. though, chances are low that he’ll adhere to it. ] And then you can kiss me.

[ shiro spreads his thighs and keith does his best not to be shy as he nudges in that half inch closer, leaning until his forehead is pressed against shiro's. this is far from his frist time dealing with intimacy, but whatever memo his heart should have gotten about that seems to have gotten lost in a void. with hammering in his chest and the weight of shiro's breath on his lips, keith closes his eyes and tries for one final attempt at nonchalance.. ]

Patience. Yields. Focus.

[ each word is emphasized with tiny breaks between, drawn out so keith can savor the role reversal. he opens his eyes, then huffs a quiet little laugh, the next couple of words mere whispers. ]

Guess I'm an old-timer now, too.

[ fate sealed, keith tops it off by finally pressing in to take that kiss shiro's been eager for. it's still chaste at first, but lingering and sweet. right around when keith would normally break away though, he swallows, gripping the sheets tight as he pushes himself into shiro's lap,.

how dare you

now i just gotta do the seven hobbit meal times

YELLS. i guess that's good motivation to bury you properly this weekend

/insert gif of doggo tapping his paws

.... i can see this gif so clearly in my mind

it's the appropriate gif to welcome maru tags

bless that pupper...

there are so many good doggo gifs, i'm still laughing about the floppy seal doggo

i love that doggo with all my heart LOL

I CAN'T FIND HIM. i forgot what keywords i searched with

happy paw tapping dog!!!

i wish to adopt all these dogs.

i would also like a house of happy paw tap doggos

every one would love this... except shiro, apparently

shiro's heart is a black hole....

excuse you, shiro's heart is full of keith

is it? i thought his heart is where he keeps his gator jokes

no no. different shiro. noct shiro has gator jokes, keith, the babies & more keith stuffed in there

noct shiro is a sweet pie....

... until clones are brought up

/closes eyes

it's fine. they're fine and the babies will be fine.

i remain nervous about this

i still laugh-cringe about them renting a hotel room to fight

listen hey cant distress the babies.