( oh.

there's something about the expression on keith's face and the way that he clutches at his hand that really strikes a chord in shiro. it feels so kind and genuine, which is a little bittersweet for him. the reason why keith feels so anxious is partly because of him, because of a version of him in the future that makes all the wrong moves.

he shouldn't. . . he shouldn't feel like this. )

Anything you want. I should have made time for us to talk sooner than this.

( impulse guides him from there, urgently telling him that he needs to reassure keith and finally needs to get it through to him that he's not going to let anything happen between them.

he needs him to know just how important he is to him.

lifting their joined hands up, he presses a soft kiss to one of keith's knuckles. under the haze of alcohol and the intense urge to make a point, this is the answer that comes to mind. )

You're not going to mess anything up. I'm not going anywhere.

( said lightly and airily, almost as if he had not just kissed keith's hand. )