thermalwind | Life Aftr IC Inbox

[ 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.

Thank you.

[ She's still not quite used to praise. She blushes a little, and tucks her hair behind her ear. ]

I didn't think I was doing that well, honestly. I just... I like to learn. And this is important to me.

And that is important. When you want to learn you will soak up anything you’re taught. [He knows how important it is a student know their questions and thirst for knowledge is accepted and approved.]

You also have something that will serve you well. You’re patient. Patience yields focus. Took me a long time to learn that.

[ She laughs sheepishly. Accepting praise? Harder than you think. ]

I've always tried to be patient. It's always worked for me. [ ... well, most of the time. She pets the wolf again, fingers sinking into his fur. ] And you know, I'll always work hard if it means I can spend time with such a good boy.

[He blinks then he laughs, grinning.] And he likes all our attention too. Helps him feel like working hard if he gets all the petting he wants.

Anyway, any time you want an accurate assessment of how you're doing you can come to me. It's my job to make sure you're as best prepared as you can be. I'll never lie to you about it.

[ She laughs softly, ruffling his fur. ]

I will. And... I trust you. You've never lied to me, and I don't think that'll happen any time soon.

[He thinks back to the few times he has lied. It's always been to shield his own heart and keep people from worrying about him. He nods and shuts his eyes.]

It won't. No need to and I'm a poor teacher if I'm telling you lies. ...combat is a truth. [Now he's on the thread of that thought he follows it as his mother's words and Kolivan's from training him drift back to him.]

We can't be dishonest in a fight. We have to be exactly as we are. Or we just don't make it.

[ She nods, considering that. ]

That makes sense. Being dishonest will only wind up hurting you or the people you're fighting with, right?

Lying to your opponent is another story. Feints and seeming more hurt than you are good tactics. If they're not smart enough to catch on you're making a ploy, that's their mistake.

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