[ He can almost feel Black's -- what is that, approval? It's strange, but he doesn't focus on that too long. When Black rumbles to life underneath him, no, them, he's endlessly relieved. He'd hoped that the lion would react, that Keith would be enough to offset how wrong he was sitting here again and he was right. ]
To go flying? Always.
[ Keith's hands are warm on top of his but instead of flustering him, he's more shocked at how content he is. They've flown tight together before, they've flown a ton of times together, but nothing quite like this. None of the other vessels were anything like a lion. Though, they had an unfair advantage being 10,000+ year old. ]
Did all of you try in here?
[ He's wanted to know for a while now - wondered if they let any of the Blade try, too. ]
[It's not like danger's ever stopped Keith from doing something he needed--or really wanted--to do, but there was something frenetic about flying without Shiro, when half of them were adjusting to new Lions and to each other.
So this, having Shiro at his back, broad hands beneath his palms...it feels safe. It feels like home, somehow.
Keith doesn't answer Shiro's question until they press the controls forward and launch out of the Castle and into the stars, lets the lights and noise of take-off swallow any attempt at conversation before they're just left with the quiet of space around them. This still doesn't feel real, sometimes--the vastness of it all.
And Shiro was almost lost to it.]
Yeah. Us and Allura. [Tough to avoid a question when you're basically on top of the guy who asked it. Keith's shoulders go taut for a moment, tense when he continues.]
I didn't want it, you know. I thought I could deal with it being anyone but me, but I really just--
[The tension releases on a quiet sigh and he tips his chin down, gaze falling on their hands.]
[ Does it make things better or worse that all of them tried? He tries to imagine it but promptly stops because it's bad enough imagining all of them trying to step up into Black but worse to imagine Keith realizing that it's him, even if Shiro always knew it.
You deserve better than this he thinks, but he means it for all of them. All of them should be home, not dealing with this but that's not the hand the universe dealt them and there's nothing they can do but keep pushing forward.
He doesn't quite sigh, but it's a close thing, shifting his hands over Black's controls to push her faster. Underneath him, she rumbles in response and this time, he does. It's just a quick, soft exhale near Keith's ear but it's almost content. ]
I know.
[ It's hard, not seeing his face. ]
You're the best choice. I wish you could believe that.
You never gave yourself enough credit, Keith. Even back then.
[ It's hard to chastise someone when they're in your lap and your best friend, but that's not quite what he's going for, either. Instead, he's gentle about it; he doesn't flinch when Keith digs his fingers in, doesn't react past sighing quietly and lifting his hands to settle Keith's down first and rest his on top. ]
Of course I do.
[ How could he not? Flying the Kerberos mission, that was-- well, it was everything, back then, but this is something else. ]
But I have to - we all have to do what's necessary to keep moving forward. And I can make myself useful on the bridge.
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To go flying? Always.
[ Keith's hands are warm on top of his but instead of flustering him, he's more shocked at how content he is. They've flown tight together before, they've flown a ton of times together, but nothing quite like this. None of the other vessels were anything like a lion. Though, they had an unfair advantage being 10,000+ year old. ]
Did all of you try in here?
[ He's wanted to know for a while now - wondered if they let any of the Blade try, too. ]
no subject
So this, having Shiro at his back, broad hands beneath his palms...it feels safe. It feels like home, somehow.
Keith doesn't answer Shiro's question until they press the controls forward and launch out of the Castle and into the stars, lets the lights and noise of take-off swallow any attempt at conversation before they're just left with the quiet of space around them. This still doesn't feel real, sometimes--the vastness of it all.
And Shiro was almost lost to it.]
Yeah. Us and Allura. [Tough to avoid a question when you're basically on top of the guy who asked it. Keith's shoulders go taut for a moment, tense when he continues.]
I didn't want it, you know. I thought I could deal with it being anyone but me, but I really just--
[The tension releases on a quiet sigh and he tips his chin down, gaze falling on their hands.]
I just wanted it to be you.
no subject
You deserve better than this he thinks, but he means it for all of them. All of them should be home, not dealing with this but that's not the hand the universe dealt them and there's nothing they can do but keep pushing forward.
He doesn't quite sigh, but it's a close thing, shifting his hands over Black's controls to push her faster. Underneath him, she rumbles in response and this time, he does. It's just a quick, soft exhale near Keith's ear but it's almost content. ]
I know.
[ It's hard, not seeing his face. ]
You're the best choice. I wish you could believe that.
no subject
[His own vehemence surprises him. Keith realizes he's twined his fingers tight with Shiro's and loosens his grip, skin flushed.]
I don't understand why she didn't take you back. I'm trying, but...
[He feels simultaneously tired and restless, leans back against Shiro's chest without thinking about it, quiet for a moment.]
Do you miss it?
no subject
[ It's hard to chastise someone when they're in your lap and your best friend, but that's not quite what he's going for, either. Instead, he's gentle about it; he doesn't flinch when Keith digs his fingers in, doesn't react past sighing quietly and lifting his hands to settle Keith's down first and rest his on top. ]
Of course I do.
[ How could he not? Flying the Kerberos mission, that was-- well, it was everything, back then, but this is something else. ]
But I have to - we all have to do what's necessary to keep moving forward. And I can make myself useful on the bridge.