[Closed] Pride of Lions

[thermalwind]

Who: Allura diplomacycheck, Alfor alchemisted, Keith focusedroar, Lance thegoofball, Shiro galrarm.
What: Aftermath of the ash and age changing.
When: Late April
Where: Cottage #1 Isle #3
Warnings: Probably language. Some swearing will happen.



[Catch all for everything post ash that’s Voltron cast specific.

Some over due conversations as well. Toss up your top levels for what you want to have go on!]

Comments

[galrarm]

[ The thing about them is that they've always been able to pick up on how they feel, on what they're thinking. Then again... it's obvious what's on Keith's mind. It's on his. They're both missing their rings, but it's less about the object than it is what they mean.

He wraps an arm around Keith, gentle but strong. ]

I can't blame you, [ he replies softly. There's a moment or two of silence that passes between them before Shiro speaks again. ]

Do you want to talk about it? About our future.

[thermalwind]

[One of the many things he loves about Shiro is being treated not only like an equal but that his feelings matter. Shiro's thoughts and feelings matter to him too. Everyone's does. But being given that avenue to say yes or no...

His heart beats a little faster in his chest and he rests his head on one powerful shoulder.] Yeah, I want to talk about that.

[There's a bit of silence as he tries to find the words and finally all that comes out as he lays the spear aside is,]

I keep looking for it and getting mad at myself for being careless. But then I remember it's not there and we haven't been together for eleven years.

[galrarm]

[ He nods, and he's quiet as Keith speaks. His words cut right to the bone; Shiro feels exactly the same way. He presses a kiss to the top of Keith's head. ]

So do I. [ He closes his eyes. ] It doesn't feel right, not wearing it. It's such a small thing, but...

It meant everything.

[thermalwind]

[He tips his head up and runs his hand along Shiro’s jaw.] I’ll do it again, whenever you’re ready. I don’t mind waiting if it’s you.

[It still means everything. He is willing to wait to have that weight again. He never needs a symbol to tell Shiro how much he loves him.] You’re it for me. As long as you know that, I’m okay.

[galrarm]

[ He leans into the touch not unlike a cat. He opens his eyes. There's so much love, warmth... Shiro touches his forehead to Keith's. ]

You're the one for me, too. The same goes for you. Just say the word. [ He places his hand over Keith's, and he grins. ] I think we just proposed to each other.

[thermalwind]

[His lips twitch at the corners then turn up. He turns his hand and threads their fingers together. Shiro's hand is warm, it always is but like this, it soothes some of the aches.

No matter what they have this. This is theirs.] I think we did.

[His hand still feels bare but knowing Shiro feels the same way...] We should sort out all our memories first. It feels weird. I can see where my skills are lacking what I would do in other circumstances.

[He can see so much and it bothers him. Yet he feels like the one person who will understand that better than anyone is right here. He tucks himself up against Shiro.] ...was this what it was like when you first woke up after...Allura moved your soul?

[galrarm]

I'm not complaining. And... yeah. Figuring out all these memories should come first.

[ Spending the rest of his life with Keith... he can't imagine a better way to spend it. His uncertainty about the future seems so far away, but Shiro knows that it really wasn't that long ago. He remembers his younger self--how he'd felt so confused, bewildered at the fact that he couldn't feel anything from his disease.

But here, holding Keith, he knows that he has a long, happy future ahead of him. He doesn't take it for granted. Shiro's lucky, and he's glad for every single day.

He presses a kiss to the top of Keith's head. ]

It kind of was. [ He squeezes Keith gently. ] Mostly, I was trying to get used to being a person again. But everything felt... amplified, intense. Sometimes it was a little overwhelming. [ A little. ] And sometimes it didn't feel real.

[thermalwind]

[He shuts his eyes for a moment. He hasn’t been able to let Shiro go. He couldn’t let him stay as a trapped soul or a dying man who had never had a say in his creation. Both ‘Shiro’ were important.

And he knows Shiro is downplaying it.] ...it makes sense you spent a year as a soul.

[And a year as an unknowing sleeper agent. Keith doesn’t fill that portion in.] ....is it still that way?

[He lifts his head and turns to fully face him. As a rule he keeps an eye on how Shiro reacts to subtly support him when he needs it. And talking about things is always on each other’s time. But he had brought it up and now he wonders.]

[galrarm]

[ He's quiet for a while before he nods. ]

Sometimes. I dream about being back in Black sometimes. [ He pauses and threads his fingers through Keith's hair. ] It's easier when I wake up and you're there next to me.

[ He still has moments where he needs to feel Keith's touch, or touch Keith--a simple touch on the shoulder, the press of Keith's weight against his side. Keith steadies him, helps him remember that he's here and real and alive. ]

[thermalwind]

[His fingers brush against Shiro's jaw as he leans into him and the hand in his hair. There's a ghost of ten years of memories of moments just like this. Their quiet talks and the support that keeps them both going and mends some of the damage life dealt.

Keith runs his hand down Shiro's chest and fists his fingers in his shirt to draw him into a kiss.] Easier for me too. When I have nightmares you're right there. Thanks for that.

[He still hasn't fully talked about why he has nightmares. Why he avoids flowers like the plague. But enough has been said...and his scars that match both markings of the Black Lion, and some of Shiro's own...likely says enough.] ...should get breakfast going or we'll forget about it.

[As much as he'd love to climb into Shiro's lap as if he were a sturdy tree and let the moment take them...they could get interrupted.]

[galrarm]

[ He leans into the touch, pressing quick, little kisses to his fingers. It's healing, the little touches he receives and gives. Comforting. It feels like home, and he dwells on that thought as he returns the kiss automatically and easily. ]

You don't have to worry about me not being next to you. [ His voice is soft and warm, and he gives Keith a smile. ] And yeah. Breakfast sounds great.

[ He could lose a lot of time, just holding Keith and talking quietly. But other things are necessary, too, like food. Unfortunately. ]

Just let me know what you need me to do, and I've got your back.

[thermalwind]

Can you get the fire back up? It died down a lot while we were talking. [His voice is soft and low as he gets his bearings back. He'd fished this morning and he gets up to collect his catches from the basket he keeps below the water line. It keeps the fish fresh.

Keith hauls the basket up onto the bank and pulls out his glass-like knife.] I'll catch something else tomorrow. [He pauses and looks back at Shiro as he pushes his hair out of his eyes. As much as he worries he'll wake up and Shiro will be gone one day...]

I know I don't have to worry about you not being there. I'm just glad you know I'll always be there for you too.

[galrarm]

Sure.

[ He works to get the fire up and going; it's not too difficult, and it gives his hands something to do. He glances to Keith and gives him a smile--the sort only Keith ever gets to see. ]

Yeah. You've always been at my side. [ His voice softens. ] I don't think I could ever tell you just how much that means to me, Keith.

[thermalwind]

[His smile in return lights up his eyes and softens his fond expression.] Take your time. You know I’ll be right there listening. We’ll figure out how to express everything in time.

[He doesn’t have the ring. But the vow and the loyalty are there. It’s enough. He lays the fish on a warm flat rock and gets up. He snags the water bucket he keeps for cleaning fish and sets it to the side. The glass-like knife is laid against one fish. He notes to himself he should forge pots and pans some time.]

Can you grab the other water bucket by the house? I’ll get these fish ready to cook while you get it.