thermalwind | Life Aftr IC Inbox

Yeah.

[ His reply is immediate. He aches to touch Keith, to brush his fingers--Altean and human--against Keith's cheek. He takes in Keith, his appearance, so achingly familiar. His eyes slide along the scar--the one he'd put there, the ones he hasn't seen before now--and his throat feels tight.

He moves to Keith and gathers him into his arms. Shiro cradles the back of his head, holding him like he never wants to let go. ]

I remember.

[He is in motion the moment Shiro affirms he remembers. They meet halfway. He wraps his arms around him and looks Shiro in the eye again. Shiro remembers. He hadn’t left for a long time again. He lets himself relax at last, all the tension draining out of him. Keith touches the side of his face, brushing his thumb against it.]

Glad to have you back...and sorry I didn’t tell you what was ahead of you. It seemed... [He briefly looks down and sighs.] Shiro I didn’t want that hanging over you the whole time.

[He has no idea how much of the Clone’s memories are in there. But Shiro’s eyes slid to the scar.] Felt cruel to tell you.

It's alright.

[ He couldn't stop himself from leaning into the touch, even if he'd wanted to. After being alone for so long, he finds himself craving touch. Keith's touch, more than anything. Lightly, he presses a kiss to Keith's palm.

He holds him a little closer and touches his forehead to Keith's. He looks into those violet eyes, and now that he knows all that Keith's done and how much he's grown--because he remembers everything the clone did--he sees the eyes of a leader.

He never had a doubt. ]

I know you didn't keep it from me because you wanted to. I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt me, Keith.

[He blinks at the way Shiro leans into his touch like a cat looking for attention. He presses closer to him, hands cupping Shiro’s face between them.]

I know. I still wanted to explain it. [He touches his forehead to his and breathes. They’re all safe. That last thread of worry eases as he shifts, slipping back enough to tug Shiro down into a kiss. Despite how terrible he’s felt losing him all over again without a trace or much hope. He takes his time with the kiss. He explores Shiro’s lips in gentle surges of his own.

It feels like coming home. This is where he belongs. Here in Shiro’s arms and at the side of one man he considers his equal in every way.]

[ If he were a cat, he'd definitely be purring. Shiro lets out a soft breath, closing his eyes. It feels good to hold Keith, to feel him so warm and alive. He never wants to go a day without this again. ]

Yeah.

[ His voice is soft, and he opens his eyes when he feels Keith's lips on his. Warm, slow, it's exactly what Shiro needs right now. Keith is what he needs right now.

Later, he'll tell Ann and Lance and Pidge that he's alright. But right now, he wants to wrap himself up in Keith. Shiro kisses Keith back, bringing one hand up to brush through his hair. The other stays firmly around his waist, and he lets out a soft sigh. He has to pull back momentarily. ]

Missed you. Missed touching you.

I missed you too. [He brushes his thumbs across Shiro’s cheeks and smiles at him. One of his hands falls to rest on Shiro’s shoulder. He turns his attention to the shoulder port with a raised eyebrow. He shifts enough to see his arm and his lips part in a soft noise of surprise. He’d felt how big it is but to see it float like that.]

So this is the arm that replaced your other one. Looks cool, I like it. [He leans up to kiss him again and pauses, gripping his shirt. He should do that leader thing. But all he can think about right now is Shiro and how they both need to touch and be touched.]

I missed touching you too. Seeing you. [He presses his lips to his and draws back to murmur.] Waking up to you. Hasn’t been that long and I’m already used to that.

Mm.

[ It's a small, content noise. Keith's touch, Keith's smile... he loves them both. He loves every part of Keith, even the parts that Keith might not even like about himself. Because they're all a part of him, little pieces that make up the puzzle that is the man he loves. ]

Yeah. Pretty awesome. I'm going to have to thank Allura. [ He flexes his hand, then curls it into a fist. He loosens it again. ] It feels warmer and more comfortable than the Galra tech, that's for sure.

[ Shiro's naturally more than happy to return the kiss, and he chases Keith's lips for another when he pulls away. ]

Hah, I bet you just miss using me as a pillow. [ His eyes sparkle playfully, a light grin pulling at the corners of his lips. ] Hopefully I won't be leaving again for a long, long time.

... How long was I gone, by the way?

A few days. About as long as I was gone when I was sent back and returned. [He reaches out and touches the metal arm. He runs his hand over it and makes a small surprised noise. It does feel warmer than the old arm did. He gives Shiro a sly smirk as his voice drops low.] And of course I did. I also missed our morning routine and that look on your face when I come back from the showers.

[He grins at him and runs his hand up the metal arm to Shiro’s side. His hand settles on a hip.]

I missed everything about you. [He’s conscious of the fact that they could spend the whole day lightly teasing each other and he wouldn’t mind it one bit.]

And before you ask it’s been quiet since the trials. Probably for the best. We’re all processing that still.

[ Only a few days. He lets out a breath, only for it to catch softly when Keith's hand touches his arm. He wonders if he'll ever get used to Keith's touch again--probably, given how touchy they are in general. He doesn't mind, whatever happens. ]

Can you blame me? [ He laughs lightly, softly. ] You look good. Better than anyone has any right to.

[ He cups Keith's cheek gently, and he's momentarily distracted by how beautiful he is. ]

I'm glad to hear it, though. After those creatures and the trials... it's good to have quiet time.

[ He kisses Keith's forehead, then his lips. ]

I hope the others weren't too worried.

They were worried...but didn’t know what to expect. [He had expected them all to start vanishing again. He slides his fingers into Shiro’s white hair and toys with the short strands at the back of his neck.]

Yeah the trials were...something. If I hear elevator music again it will be too soon. [All of his trial mates would fly into a rage and he’d be right there with them. Keith means into Shiro’s touch with a soft laugh. He reaches out and sets his hand on the new arm again.]

With you back we can all really relax. I heard something happened while we were in the trials. Not sure what yet.

I'll have to make it up to them.

[ He's not even surprised that Keith knows exactly what he needs. What he wants. The fingers at the back of his neck feel absolutely divine, and he makes a low, content noise. After everything, it's heaven to be back in Keith's arms, feeling how gentle his touch is with Shiro. ]

Sounds like true torture. [ He grins and presses a kiss to Keith's forehead. God, he could spend all day and night like this, and he'd be more than content. ]

We'll have to do some investigating. Later, though. Right now, all I want to think about is you.

Later. [Work can wait. He runs his fingers up the back of Shiro's neck and right back down. Some part of him is worried Shiro will vanish again. He shuts that part of him up as he slides his fingers in between the warm metal ones.]

Right now, we should go inside. Or someone will find us and you know how that goes.

[They'd have to put on their public faces again. He has no desire to do that any more than Shiro has to focus on anything but him.] Everyone is out right now. They'll show back up later when everyone is finished hunting or grabbing some fresh air.

[Translation: he had went slightly overprotective and people need space. He realizes he did that but...yeah.]

Later.

[ He closes his eyes, moving back slightly against his hand. The touches don't last nearly enough for Shiro's liking, but it's good all the same. He opens his eyes and brings Keith's hand up to his mouth, lips skimming along his knuckles. ]

Sounds perfect. [ He can hold Keith better that way, if they're laying down. He leads Keith in, then over to their bed. ] So what've you been up to, these past few days?

[He makes a mental note to rub the back of Shiro's neck again when they're laying down. Maybe work his shoulders and ease some of the tension out of them. Keith grins, his hand still warm from Shiro's touch.

He shuts the door of their bedroom behind him.] Making sure everyone stays safe and helping people through the aftermath.

[Keith slips into bed and reaches out to tug Shiro down with him. It feels so nice to have the ability to do that again. Whatever Shiro needs he's more than ready to provide.] I take it you now are caught up to Allura and Lance in events.

Yeah. That sounds like you.

[ He says it affectionately as he lays down next to Keith. Keith, who'd started out as a scrappy loner, afraid of getting close to anyone... except for Shiro. He touches his lips to Keith's, and not for the first or last time, he feels like the luckiest person in any universe.

He holds Keith in his arms, idly playing with his hair. ]

I am, or I'm close, anyway. I'll have to ask them to see if they're any further ahead.

It was just...all I could do. [He had to keep going. No matter how much it hurt. He's used to it. Keith kisses the edge of Shiro's jaw and lays on him.]

Lance is overdue learning hand to hand. I've let him shirk too long. [Keith grins with a wicked gleam in his eye.] Help me teach him.

[By which he means, Lance will regret the day he met them.]

[ Shiro holds Keith close, brushing his fingers along Keith's jaw, the scar, up to cup his cheek. Again, his eyes linger on Keith's scar, and he rubs his thumb along Keith's cheek. ]

I'm sure they're grateful to you.

[ He gently coaxes Keith down so he can kiss him... and then he grins against his lips. ]

How can I turn down an offer like that? I'd like to see his face when I lit him into the air by the ankle.

[He smirks against Shiro's lips and pulls back enough to laugh. He pushes his hair out of his face and leans back down. There's Shiro. You can take a pilot out of the aircraft but you can't erase their thrill-seeking.]

I can't wait to see it. He needs to learn hand to hand before I show him swords. Or he'll be at a big disadvantage.

[He kisses him again, settling against him.] And I want to see how you fight these days too. It will be fun.

[ He grins lightly, chasing his lips for another kiss. He cups the back of Keith's neck, and he's finding he wants to touch just as much as he wants to touch. ]

We've been letting our sharpshooter rely on guns too long. [ There's a playful glint in his eyes. ] I'm not gonna pull any punches, you know.

Good. I want your best, Shiro. [He grins, sharp and feral. Sparring with Shiro hits all the right spots. He knows he’ll get a good work out from him.

The kiss has felt great. He leans back in for another one as he pushes his hair out of the way. It has gotten pretty long. It falls over his back between his shoulder blades.

He pulls back from Shiro’s mouth and slides up on top of him, straddling his hips. Keith leans over him, resting his forehead on his, fingers brushing Shiro’s cheek. Again, he finds himself glad that Shiro is back.]

...are you tired?

[ He grins on back, and honestly? He's absolutely excited to spar against Keith. They haven't really been able to, here or back home. If it weren't for the fact that he wants to just take it easy all day, he'd definitely propose they go out and spar.

And... ah. Shiro raises his hand and brushes the hair away from his face. He can't help but admire how... beautiful Keith is. It takes his breath away. He could get lose in those violet eyes and not want to find his way out.

His hands rest at Keith's hips. ]

With a view like this? Not at all.

[He smiles, it lights up his face all the way to the eyes. He sits just looks down at Shiro. His Shiro. He’s gorgeous and that is just a bonus to the kindness and mutual love and appreciation between them. His pale hair makes him look his real age, adding an ethereal otherworldly quality to him.

He runs his fingers through it. Every detail, every change settles into his mind. He traces the strong jaw to his neck and down, fingers tracing the familiar and finding it new again. ] Good. I’m not tired.

Don’t plan to move either. [He raises on eyebrow and his smile turns a little sly.] You can enjoy the view all you want.

[ If it were anyone but Keith, he might be embarrassed by how closely he's being studied. Instead, his eyes slide shut for a moment. He lets Keith touch him, and as he does, he makes quiet, pleased little noises.

He cranes his neck, to allow Keith to touch him more. His eyes open lazily, and he watches him through half-lidded eyes. He's not tired--far from it--he's just...

Relaxed. ]

Watch my beautiful boyfriend as he enjoys touching me? I can't complain about that.

[He ducks his head but there’s no missing the blush on his face. He still gets floored when Shiro says things like that. He can’t hide from Shiro and the look on his boyfriend’s face is something he won’t trade anything for. He looks relaxed.

And he is about to help with that. He sets his hands on his shoulders and kneads the muscle there. He has training in this skill. Galra are social more so than they probably want to admit. Helping each other after a mission is a given. He works the muscle with his fingers, humming contentedly to himself.]

I do enjoy it. If you turn over I can work out the tension in your back.

[ Oh. Shiro isn't quite expecting that, but when Keith's fingers sink into tight muscle, he lets out a low groan. He closes his eyes. ]

That would be incredible.

[ He isn't moving quite yet--it feels too good. ]

Life Aftr IC Inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)