thermalwind | Life Aftr IC Inbox

[The door opens and Keith stares at her. She has the look of someone clearly in need of a moment. Like Shiro, she'd come to him instead of a chance meeting. A knot of tension inside him unravels and the steps to the side, holding the door open.] Welcome back.

Come in. We can talk about it after you sit down.

[ She lets out a breath and steps inside. Keith hasn't changed--part of her feels ridiculous for thinking he should've, but... while she hasn't gone to her world and there are no new memories, seeing him kind of centers her.

She thinks it might help even more, if she sees Lance. But right now, as she takes a seat-- ]

I'm sorry for being gone so long.

It's not your fault. When we're taken we don't have a say in it or how long. [He takes Riptide, his Jormun sickle and slips it into a bowl he'd made for it to soak in. He pours more seawater into the bowl.

Keith plants himself across from Mira near the firepit in the main room, his braid longer than it had been resting across one shoulder.]

So, what happened?

[ She shakes her head. That's the confusing part, and Mira twists her hands in her lap. She wonders where she'd gone, if she wasn't here or back in her world. ]

I don't know. [ She bites her lip. ] I don't have any new memories or anything like that. And I look the same. I think I was just... gone.

[His eyes widen. Hadn't...that happened to Lance once? He checks his memory. Yes, yes it had.

Kosmo emerges from his and Shiro's room like a vast shadow. He plods quietly over to them and lays in the space where both can pet him. His hand runs over the soft fur.]

...that's. I've heard of it happening before but. What the hell?

[ Kosmo is a welcome addition. Mira brushes her hand through his fur. It helps calm her down, and she makes a note to bring him some kind of treat. ]

I don't know... That's the part that confuses me so much. I don't know where I went.

[ It's not just confusing, though. It... scares her. ]

[He reaches out and touches her hand. He'd learned from Shiro so long ago that touch can be grounding if it's someone you know.] You're here now.

We'll figure out what happened, but for now. You're as safe as you can be.

[Kosmo turns his head and licks her hand. But Keith never looks away from her face.]

[ She lets out a breath when his hand touches hers. She trusts Keith, and she doesn't pull away from him. Kosmo, too; his tongue is warm, a little rough. She's here, safe, with her friends. ]

Thank you, Keith. It-- means a lot to me. More than I can ever say, I think. [ Another breath, and she gives him a little smile. ] ... I have a lot of training to catch up on, don't I?

Sort of. I'm just glad you're back. We can resume tomorrow if you want. [Relief sweeps through him like a cool breeze in the summer. The worried glint in his eye eases as he draws back enough to tuck himself up against the side of his massive wolf.]

And I know it means a lot. [He offers are a small smile of his own then his smile fades a little. His eyes are briefly a little distant then he looks away. His thoughts flash back to The Home where all kids like him had been. Having a chance to turn that around at all was...] I got that impression when you first asked me for help. ...I can relate to being shocked someone gives you a chance.

[ It's a measure of how far she's come, how much she's changed, that when he says he's glad she's back she doesn't feel surprised. Of course he is. He's her friend. Besides... Keith has a good heart. She can't overstate that if she tried.

She plays with the wolf's ears as she nods. ]

I don't think I could focus today, so... tomorrow.

[ She hesitates. The look in his eyes worries her. There's a lot she doesn't know about Keith, but she's not one to push. Instead... ]

If you ever need anyone to listen to anything you want to talk about... you know I'm here, Keith.

I know. I appreciate that more than you know. [He has a lot that he'll eventually get off his chest. But, not today. Keith leans back into the wolf with a soft hum.]

...did either of my doubles, the shadow or the light interact with you? I forgot to ask.

[Might as well know.]

Oh--

[ She nods, and she gives Kosmo a little pat on the head before smoothing her hand down his back. ]

Your light, actually. I didn't see your shadow around.

[Keith sits up a little straighter. His light.

The Light had been serene in a way he never feels he can be. What could he have said to Mira? At least it wouldn’t be as embarrassing as it was with Shiro.]

...what did he say? I just want to know. He had a lot to say to my boyfriend.

He... said a lot, so I'm not sure where to start.

[ A few things come to mind, though. ]

He said you were very loyal to people who deserve it. And that I-- [ Geez, embarrassing, but she smiles a little. ] That I wasn't the type of person who could lose your loyalty. He said that because of the... Galra? side of you, you want to protect people you're close to.

[ She hesitates. ]

... He mentioned something about your not having a good childhood. I didn't pry. It's the sort of thing you should tell me if and when you're ready.

You're not. And yeah, being part Galra makes me more inclined to be protective. Mom explained it as members of a tribe protect one another. [He sits up and folds his legs under him.

He's not surprised his Light spoke to her. He'd been slowly opening up to Mira and he sees her as his responsibility. She's part of those he protects.]

...and yeah. My childhood was. [Keith looks into the fire and his expression shifts to neutral. It doesn't hurt as much as it used to. The dull ache is still there but that's all it is.] Dad died when I was young. Mom had already left the planet to protect us.

I met her when I was nineteen out in space in the middle of the war we're fighting.

[ Even though she accepts compliments easier now... hearing it so frankly makes her want to bury her face in the wolf's fur. She slides her hand steadily through it instead, and she listens.

Both of his parents, gone. Mira can feel the traces of his pain, and it makes her want to reach out and hug him. She stays where she is, though. ]

... I'm sorry. It had to have been so hard for you.

[Keith shrugs then thinks better of it.] It was. Not many people gave me a chance and my emotions ran hotter than anyone else's.

I didn't feel like I belonged and I couldn't fit in. After a while, I just gave up on that. [He leans forward and uses his sword to stir up the flames. Sparks pop as he flips a log over.]

It wasn't until I was fifteen that anyone gave me a chance. That person...Takashi is everything to me. I didn't realize how important he'd become but, a lot of who I am today?

[His smile is warm and gentle, his thoughts on his man.]

He showed me that. Showed me no matter how steep the odds are, stay true to yourself and keep moving forward.

[ A hotheaded Keith... she can't imagine it. He's always been patient with her; she can't see a Keith who's impulsive. But she doesn't comment on that... Rather, Mira can't help but smile at how fondly he's smiling.

Keith's love must be a very warm thing. It's good to see him so softened. It's a side she's seen wisps of, and right now, she counts herself lucky and glad that he's letting her see it. ]

You really love him a lot. [ She plays with the wolf's ears. ] I don't really know him, but I think if he's helped you so much, you've probably helped him, too.

Two people making each other genuinely better... I don't think that's one-sided, a lot of the time.

My light and his said about the same thing. [He turns partly to one side and runs his hands down Kosmo’s back. He gives him some decent scratches. He had learned patience from the Blades and his mother. His problem had been fixation.

Before, once he had a target he went after it with relentless precision. He endangered himself and others that way. The islands and home hammered that out of him.]

We have helped each other over the years. Makes sense we’d help each other even more in a relationship. [He hasn’t quite figured out what is between Lance and Mira. But.]

All of you have helped me become a better person. Used to just charge into battle and not consider anything else. Sometimes ignored orders when I shouldn’t have.

Mm, it makes sense that the lights would be right.

[ She smiles to herself as she thinks about how much she's changed, too. As terrible as the islands can be... they've also bolstered her. Made her into a person who's not afraid to stand on her own. Who doesn't weigh so heavily on herself, if she makes mistakes. ]

I'm glad I could help, even if it's just a little. And... you've helped me a lot, too. All my friends here have. [ She leans into Kosmo. ] ... I know I've thanked you before, but I don't think I can thank you enough. For being my friend, and helping me so much.

It's what friends are for, right? We support each other through good and bad times. [Keith closes his eyes. Mira is here. Ann is gone. The void claws at him with the grief he feels but...]

You help more than a little. I think teaching you taught me a lot about being a better leader. So, thank you for that too.

[ Ah... Mira almost buries her face in the wolf's ruff, she's so embarrassed. But... it's not unpleasant. ]

You're welcome. But it's the least I could do, really.

[ Even if she hadn't intended... she's glad to help. ]

... I just hope I've been able to help Lance and Allura as much as I've helped you. Or even just a fraction.

Of course, you have. We all better each other just by being around each other. [He smiles and it's small but it's Keith's unguarded expression of contentment. He's not flashy in private. More like a comfortable flame that warms the house.]

And we'll all have fun together sometime soon. Never thought about team games being so cool. Don't ever tell Lance I said that.

... I'm glad to hear it.

[ She's never felt so loved before. Back in her world, she'd had only Nari and Aiden. Here... she has so many people. It's nice. Warm, comfortable.

She laughs. ]

Don't worry. I might be a bad liar, but I'm very good at keeping secrets.

[Keith folds his arms over his chest and shuts his eyes.] And your secrets are safe with me.

I won’t tell anyone what we discuss. Otter than your training. [He tips his head back as he slides down until Kosmo is like a big furry pillow against his head and shoulders.]

People should know how well you’re doing and how quick you are to adapt.

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