open post. (sfw + nsfw)

[parakalein]

starters. quotes. tflns. prompts.

Comments

[paladads]

Oh, Keith.

[ The role-reversal of Keith protecting and reassuring Shiro instead of vice-versa is too on the nose for him to be embarrassed about, each kiss insistent and lingering until the one that steals his breath altogether. Shiro sits up (winces in surprise, wow) and wraps an arm around Keith as the other brushes through his hair. ]

I know you do. I ... I shouldn't be focusing on myself, this isn't about me.

[ Being so strong and unwieldy, primed to be a fighting machine; he's still a large man but this body feels like a weapon, the same way his original one did in the ring. It's not, the galra Shiro is beautiful and Shiro hopes he knows that, it's just a combination of things including a fear of losing Keith and having his own memories tampered with so often that being in another new body, outside his second one that he has made his own, makes him feel more lost and alone than he was on the Black Lion's consciousness. ]

They're good people, please don't be angry with ... with your big furry friend.

[ Hah, see? The big Keith. Shiro's fine if he can joke. ]

[parakalein]

[ He's not fine.

Even Keith isn't so sure how he can tell despite Shiro's most spirited attempts to convince him that he's well, but he knows. He makes a soft joke that Keith would've swatted him for, but he only nuzzles him, kissing along his jaw warmly.

He knows Shiro is in distress. Knows that it's just like him to think of others first before himself. Even now, even here, when he seems to be struggling with something Keith can't see, he's still thinking of him. ]

I'm okay. I'm okay. He can live with it.

[ Keith doesn't care for anything else but Shiro, his fingers trailing down his chest and resting over his heart. ]

The important thing here is you. [ He takes a deep breath, and decides to push because Shiro is the one he's focused on with all his heart. ] Is it... the body? I mean. Is it bringing back memories?

[paladads]

[ He places a hand over the one on his heart, rubbing circles with his thumb on Keith's palm as he looks down. How does he word this? It's harder than he thinks it should be. ]

It's a little like being adrift with Black. I miss my own body, that's all ... I'll be alright, Keith, it's been a special experience to connect with you since this happened.

[ None of it is traumatising, it couldn't be with Keith here all the time. It's just stressful. ]

[parakalein]

What can I do to help?

[ He'll be all right means he isn't, right now. It means Shiro is still feeling what the other Shiro says he is because trust the other one to say it as plainly as this one won't.

He's straightening up now, before he's pulling him into his arms with a soft sigh. There are so many ways to read into this; Shiro hasn't had his real body in a long time, and this... ]

I love you.

[ He adds softly, grasping for ways to help, to make it easier for him. ] It was... special for me, too. Like all the times with you were.

[paladads]

[ He doesn't want to voice his worst fears, 'if something goes wrong with the separation', because it sounds too much like Shiro trying to prepare Keith to lead Voltron and that's not a mindset Shiro wants to revisit. He wraps his arms around him and shares a tender kiss, grateful to their counterparts that they have these moments together when it must be equally galling to take a backseat in their own minds.

If he gets his own body back he'll strip off and curl up in bed for a day, just to get his head back in gear. Self-care, Hunk would call it. Shiro would call it habit, having already gotten used to another body once. ]

You're already helping. [ Letting Shiro cling to him, shoulders caved in to try and make his huge form smaller somehow. ] I love you too, Keith.

[parakalein]

[ That's not a mindset Keith wants to revisit, either -- Shiro leaving, Shiro disappearing on him, dying, has featured so often in his dreams and worst fears that Keith actively dislikes even thinking of it, instinctively rejecting the idea with dread coiled in the pit of his stomach.

He's nuzzling into the crown of his head -- he knows Shiro is trying to shrink himself, making himself smaller than he is, and his hands come to smooth over his back, soothing him, wanting to fight his fears, to fight anything just to keep him safe. ]

When this is over... let's just take a day. Just you and me, together.

[paladads]

[ Keith knows just what to say to soothe Shiro's ragged nerves even if they aren't on show, a soft laugh meeting his shoulder in relief. ]

You and me, yeah. A walk through the city markets, maybe?

[ There is a small child that lives inside Shiro who still loves browsing the alien wares, thrilled by the realisation of all his youthful dreams come to life. Sharing that experience with Keith? Doubly satisfying.

He lifts his head, smiling. Foreheads rest together. ]

I'd love that.

[parakalein]

And I'll even buy you a snack if you're good.

[ Shopping is not Keith's thing, but spending time with Shiro is. Walking with him, holding hands, talking about everything and nothing, getting to see the excitement on his face and sharing his joy with him -- the list goes on and on and Keith can't help but feel comforted, himself.

Yes, being with Shiro, holding his hand and going to browse alien wares -- maybe there'll be knives there, too, and the thought of it is exciting. Especially the hand-holding.

His tail swishes, curling around Shiro's waist. ]

Think they'll have stuff that Hunk can make delicious food out of?

[paladads]

Spoil me and I'll spoil you right back.

[ He's already nodding to the idea of Hunk asking them to pick up ingredients, tail curling around Keith in return when Shiro's gaze drops. His smile softens, staying in place solely to reassure him when he says in a quiet non-sequitur, ]

Keith, I ... I'm letting the other guy come back. [ It's weird to be pushed aside in your own body, he knows that better than anyone. Best not to push his luck, even if his host is generous. He touches Keith's cheek, nuzzling in. ] We'll be okay. Okay?

[parakalein]

[ Keith can't quite commiserate-- he's never been pushed aside in his own body; all he knows is that he doesn't like it, he doesn't like not getting able to reach Shiro whenever he wants, even he has to hear about his boyfriend's distress from the other him.

He frowns, reaching to grip his arm like he could stop him from leaving. ]

Shiro, no -- what if you're not okay? What if --

[ The thought of Shiro thinking himself alone is too much to bear, Shiro, suffering quietly but himself. He can't help but curl his tail tighter around him. ]

[paladads]

I promise I'll come back to you, Keith. [ His smile is soft as he leans in for a kiss, chaste and lingering. The tail around Keith squeezes him back. ] Don't be afraid, sweetheart.

[ Doing his best to sound reassuring and calm, he then closes his eyes and lets the galra return; his ears swivel and perk, a confident set to his shoulders and a brightness in his gaze as he looks back to Keith, searching for his mate in that face. ]

[parakalein]

[ Keith is stubborn, he doesn't give in. The big(ger) Shiro's Keith isn't quite there yet, not when he refuses to yield, except his claws sink into his arm, the other cupping his face. ]

You need to take care of him. [ Keith tells the galran Shiro, soft but urgent. He's not afraid of anything save for his Shiro, and the thought of him retreating for however long this lasts is unbearable. His gaze is steady, searching, his mouth dry. ]

He's been through what you have, but worse. You know that, don't you?

[paladads]

[ Not his Keith then, but the human one he found so cute and sweet. Still does as he rubs a hand over Keith's arm and nods understandingly. ]

I would never hurt him, please believe me.

[parakalein]

[ Keith presses a gentle kiss to the side of his mouth, because this Shiro is one that he loves, too, and he finally yields, lets the other him rise back to the surface. The galran loosens his grip, shifting his head to press his lips firmly to Shiro's now, making a soft noise of amusement. ]

He does like you, you know. The other me.

[ His hands slide down Shiro's sides, pressing him back to the pillows again. ]

How can one not? So big and fierce, yet so tender...

[paladads]

I think you're biased.

[ He drops back to the blanket on the floor and makes room for Keith in between his legs, gathering him up on a cuddle intended to be as cosy and intimate as the ones shared by the others. ]

I like him too, he's ... so small and fierce. He reminds me of someone I know.

[ Waggling his brows to try and lift the mood. ]

[parakalein]

Oh, is that right. Anyone I know?

[ Keith's smile is all sharp, gleaming teeth, wicked but fond as he settles between his legs, curling up to him. A hand sliding down to splay over his stomach, he's shifting to kiss his jaw, his neck. ]

I'm trying to decide if I should be jealous.

[paladads]

The galra I'm thinking about has nothing to be jealous over, he's the hottest, sweetest guy in all the universe. [ It's Shiro's turn to rub some fluffy ears, thumbs rolling over the soft insides and hands cradling Keith's head, fingers sunken in his hair. ] The softest fur, the cutest tail ...

[parakalein]

Oh, so you mean yourself. [ He says wickedly. ]

Should've said so sooner.

[ The rubbing has Keith cooing, tail swishing over the back of Shiro's head and curling around his shoulders, just barely. He's chuffing, pulling him down for another kiss when someone outside knocks on the door.

Keith stiffens, but smells the hamburgers, the food they'd been waiting for, and he starts to unfurl, carefully nosing against Keith. ]

Mmm, our food's here. I'll go and get it.

[paladads]

[ Tsking is overrun by the doorbell, then the gurgle of his stomach. May have forgotten how hungry he was, oops. ]

Are you answering the door naked?

[ Scooping the blankets and pillows from the floor back into the bed, he absently makes them a circular nest. It's habit more than anything, something he does if either of them have an especially hard day or want to feel more intimate.

Shiro's instincts tell him it's needed on a lot of levels tonight. ]

[parakalein]

Oh. Good point.

[ Keith is only pausing halfway, before snagging up Shiro's trousers and slipping them on. He glances behind him, recognising just what his mate is doing -- nesting, like they so often have before -- and he opens the door to swiftly retrieve the two trays and shut the door before the crew member realises what they're doing.

Then again, they probably already know; the scent of sex is hanging so heavy in the air. The trays, loaded with at least a dozen burgers, fries and soda, is a satisfying one, and he climbs into the nest together with the trays, setting them between them both. He offers his mate a burger, taking one for himself, too. ]

You always do know the right things to do. [ He smiles briefly, then pauses. ] And I think we're going to be stuck here for awhile, babe.

[paladads]

[ Any problem is made better with food, as Hunk would say, and the scent of the burgers certainly perks up Shiro as soon as he catches it. The first is devoured in two bites, humming his agreement to Keith, replying as he reaches for a second. ]

We have each other, the best we can do is reassure them that they share in our eagerness to separate. Speaking for both of us, we'll make sure everyone gets home safely.

[ He slumps in the nest, claws pinching out pickles from his burger to toss back on the tray. Gross. ]

[parakalein]

Tsk.

[ Now it's Keith's turn to do that to him, picking up the pickles Shiro's discarded to eat them himself -- he quite likes them, himself, and there's a welcome savagery in Shiro's eating that, really, turns him on. Reminds him that his mate is strong, swift, and most certainly an equal -- or even more.

He's offering him the second, still primly finishing up his first. He targets the fries next, entirely at home with the junk food and grinning toothily when he feels something well inside him. ] I think the little me is enjoying the food.

[ Then, a little more thoughtfully. ] I hope our son isn't giving Kolivan and Krolia too much trouble. [ ...He's just started teething. ]

[paladads]

Our baby isn't any trouble, they'll be fine.

[ Their little prince has never done anything wrong ever, he's his daddy's little bean. Perfection in a yowling, scratching, pintsize ball of fur.

Shiro leans into Keith, nudging the tray onto their laps as he accepts the new burger and tries to mix cuddling with snacking. ]

I miss him so much.

[parakalein]

[ Shiro's blindspot for their offspring is one of legend. Keith deadeyes him. ]

Our little prince gave you that scar that time you fell asleep while feeding him.

[ He prods meaningfully at his furry pectoral where the littlest claw scar was, just above his nipple. He's languidly curling up with him, sensing his mate's cuddle efforts. ]

Remember that time he kept us up for a week? Ulaz thought he could be a good instrument for torture.

[ Torture by crying baby. A purely exhausted, nursing Keith only offered up an entirely half-assed defense of Sven that convinced no one. But he misses him, too, and he's pressing little kisses to his jaw. ]

We'll see him soon, puppy. You'll hold him in your arms again.

[paladads]

He was teething. [ All was immediately forgiven as soon as the bleeding stopped! ] And he'll have a fearsome roar one day, the best of any galra. He needed to practice.

[ Pushing the food aside once he's had his fill, he wraps his arms around Keith and purrs loudly. It feels like they're missing Sven so clearly when inside a nest like this, Shiro's grateful to Keith for knowing just how to reassure him. He tucks his chin in dark hair and floats an idea he's been having lately, multiversal shenanigans aside. ]

He needs a little brother or sister to keep him company, don't you think? So neither of them are ever alone, even if we're not there.