[ of course he gets a call. it’s like the coyotes all over again, but worse, because he can’t throw things until the annoyance removes itself. he can’t blatantly ignore work, unless he wants to answer to bigger consequences later. so he sighs and shakes his head, gently plucking the phone from keith’s hand. ]
Here, let me see that.
[ texts are more friendly in nature; those can be put on the backburner for however long. as for a direct call? means it’s likely something urgent or at the very least, work related. thumbs the green answer symbol and sets it on speaker; might as well clue in keith as well, on what shiro suspects will have him leaving here quickly. ]
Hello?
[ and yeah, five seconds in and it definitely seems like he’s going to be on his way out. nothing life shattering, he suppose; it’s not a hostage situation or a shoot out or anything of the like. it’s a vehicle losing control and barreling into a cafe down on sunflower. he just saw jacob at the donut shop and apparently, he’s fresh enough in his mind for jacob to harass him into assisting with the large-scale statement collecting. fun. busy work somehow makes leaving keith even worse. still of course he gives a -- ]
Yeah, okay. Be right over.
[ he ends the call and stuffs the phone back into his pocket before wrapping that arm around keith to hug him close. shiro buries his face right back into his neck and sighs long an’ slow. they could still do it, he supposes. jacob’s floundering with corralling all the witnesses but what’s five, ten more minutes? the thing is… the mood is spoiled for shiro. he’ll be too busy thinking about fucking jacob and him needing his help for shiro to fully enjoy keith’s attentions. so: ]
Gotta go. Duty calls and all that. [ words are mumbled, somewhat grumpy in nature. he smooths this over by pressing a gentle kiss to the underside of keith’s jaw. ] Raincheck?
[ is it appropriate to sit there listening to jacob's story and be thinking should've hung up the entire time? probably not. putting more selfish thoughts aside though, the accident sounds like it must've spooked a lot of people and it's no wonder shiro had been the go to for reinforcements. calming, steady and reliable, shiro's presence only tends to improve any situation. the thought sits oddly in keith's head like he can't quite place if he's proud or caught up in a weird nostalgia for the ease with which shiro finds himself falling into leadership roles even outside of voltron. even while shiro's haunted by coming out of the astral plane and learning how to be in a living, breathing flesh and blood body again.
but what can keith say? he's not surprised in the slightest. that's the shiro he knows and all. what's newer is how shiro doesn't immediately spring into action, but rounds his shoulders and tucks himself under keith's chin. warming on a missed beat, keith winds both arms around his boy's back to hold him nice and tight, kissing the top of his head. it's probably less a willingness to be vulnerable and needy and more an expression of disappointment on shiro's part, but keith wants to treasure it all the same. ]
Yeah, of course. [ one more smooch for good measure! ] Whenever.
[ a beat of silence, then with one last squeeze, he reluctantly slides off shiro's lap. in lighter tones, he adds: ]
[ whenever, he says. whenever, ha! if only it were that easy. for one reason or another, they attract… obstacles. many ridiculous and downright annoying obstacles and shiro is starting to lose confidence in this universe being kind. ah, well, pouting over it certainly won’t improve anything. so he gets to his feet and manages a smile that’s faint in its playfulness. ]
Yes, sir.
[ and then it’s all about making his way to the door. he drops off the half eaten eclair with the others on the walk by, gaze briefly snagging on the pool toy box before he returns his attention to where he’s going. unlocks the door and pulls it open with a barely repressed sigh. ]
I’ll see you tonight. [ he half turns then, looking back to keith, who still looks every bit as good as he did when shiro first walked in. those legs… -- shiro gives himself a mental shake and after an obvious moment to collect himself, broadens his smile. he nods toward the box. ] Send me a picture of you sitting on the eggplant float if you get a chance.
[ but he doesn’t wait for an answer, half afraid keith will retaliate. instead, he steps out, calling a: ] Love you. Bye babe. [ -- and then he’s gone. ]
[ .... keith was already disinclined to leave their apartment through the front door like a civilized person. reading this stuff really makes it all just sink in that much deeper, huh? ]
can't people just buy earplugs play music why does everyone in this apartment have to be into voyeurism
[ listen, shiro is just as disinclined to leave the apartment, but here he is, being the good boyfriend that he is, standing in the elevator and being stared at by the karen in apartment #53.
hi joy. ]
I don’t think we gave them a choice. Not much would block that out.
[ how is this elevator so slow? her eyes… he feels them. he’s just going to stay engrossed in his phone and drag keith into a little bit of this hell with him. ]
[ … if shiro could see keith huddling under the covers of their ruined bed, he’d be helpless to smile. unfortunately, he’s listening to the elevator ping and peeking at joy flipping her hair as she walks by him. shiro refuses to sigh as he follows out after a good three seconds of delay. ]
You have a point. You made me feel so good. No way was I going to keep a lid on it.
[ see. shiro can be nice. ]
I missed hearing you. Hopefully we can get your voice back by next time 😘
[ … will keith even be that loud again with half the equipment though? ]
But I don’t sound anywhere near as good as you do. No one wants to hear me.
[ shiro, none of the neighbors want to hear anyone. … except that creep who made a recording. …… which shiro still needs to track down at some point today. ……… and break something. ]
[ ftr, two blocks to go now. … except he slows to a stop. has he not done that? he realizes he’s not quite as vocal as keith is but… has he been holding back too much and disappointing keith? he frowns. ]
I can be more vocal in bed. You always feel amazing, baby. No matter what we’re doing.
[ what happened to them not wanting their neighbors to listen in on them??? ]
[ on the one hand ... yeah, keith wants whoever made that recording to stop having a copy of the audio file and recording equipment immediately. on the other hand, after a week of practically being glued at the hip, it's uncomfortable to be alone.
it's like shiro withdrawal, but that's ridiculous, right?
right.
he deflates a little, pouting from behind the screen. ]
i guess.... you're not gonna spend your whole day off taking care of that though, right?
[ shiro’s currently trying to not get hit by a car as he jay-runs across the street to the cvs, so it’s a minute or two until shiro checks his phone. he does so after the door chimes and he’s ducked into one of the first aisles.
the ellipsis is a huge red flag.
nothing alarming, of course, but the fact that keith takes the time to type each dot out, means some part of keith wants shiro to feel the reluctance. shiro quirks a smile and finds himself laughing beneath his breath, typing quick: ]
No. I’m spending the whole day taking care of you. This errand and the recording are only small portions of that. The rest I’ll be at your disposal. However you want.
[ by the time shiro responds, keith has finally wriggled back out from under the covers. ]
ok i realize it's pretty stupid to ask you to hold me while i sleep because i won't exactly be thrilling company or anything and you could be doing other things
[ he's asking anyway? ]
i just sleep better when you're there so you know.
[ and after a ten second delay: ]
and i think after feeling so melded to you? it feels weird being alone
[ shiro’s phone keeps pinging in his pocket. it’s difficult not to stop right there in the aisle ( again ) and fire off some texts, but he’s determined to get to the lozenges before he checks. if he doesn’t set tiny goals like this for himself, he’ll end up spending an hour at cvs, texting.
lozenges plucked off the shelf, shiro then checks his phone. ]
You think I’d say no to that? Of course I’ll hold you while you sleep. No convincing required.
[ he smiles to himself. keith isn’t the only one who feels a little off not having a certain someone within holding distance.
… besides: ]
And you’re plenty thrilling when you’re sleeping. Specifically when you’re dreaming about me. 😉
[ ...ah, good thing shiro isn't actually present to witness the flush blooming across keith's face. he doesn't hide back under the covers this time, if only because as ridiculous as the dream had been, there's an aspect of it that keith genuinely doesn't know how to feel about.
or well, he doesn't now that his head isn't as fogged up with venom. but with shiro in high spirits, why would he ever bring up the rows upon rows of sleeping clones at the facility? especially when it doesn't seem likely that any of them would survive. ]
heh. i was actually really excited you were the mothman y'know then SOMEONE had to go and make it all raunchy
[ down another aisle now. deodorant: keith smells perfect. anti wrinkle cream: keith looks perfect. sunscreen: keith is perfectly content in their bed. ah, yes, here. lotion.
… uh. so what kind of lotion does keith want to have slathered on his dick and bum? ]
It’s pretty obvious you were ‘really excited.’ I must’ve looked good as mothman.
[ and wasn’t there something about raining and umbrellas with shiros attached? don’t mind this large dorito man as he snickers in front of the rows of lotion. ]
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