Chapter Text
The festivities finally left the halls of the Palace as Lance began his classes again, leaving Keith with free time to spare. Lance had tried to insist Keith stayed for them, but Keith didn’t have to, and he didn’t think it would be useful to listen to Coran lecture Lance on some old ruler’s policies or the intricacies of geometric patterns. Besides, he was happy to train after the hecticness had meant him and Shiro had skipped a few evening training sessions now. And after there moment of tension a few days prior, swinging a sword at him felt like the best way to ease things.
“Ready?” Shiro asked, arm stretched over his head.
“Sure. Let’s switch,” Keith said, picking up an Altean broadsword from the rack of training weapons. It was Shiro’s weapon of choice, though Keith felt its weight was unbalanced at best. Shiro followed suit quickly, clicking the belt around his hip, two dagger hilts sticking out and ready to be drawn.
“No stretching?” Keith rolled his eyes in response, taking his stance across from Shiro. Shiro removed the blades from the belt, lowering his center of gravity and flashing Keith a smile. Keith took the first move, unsurprisingly, lunging towards Shiro, blade extended. Shiro easily dodged to the side, moving into the Keith’s starting position.
“You’re still letting the weight of the blade lead you.”
Keith grunted in reply, turning around, adjusting his grip higher on the hilt. He side-stepped, watching Shiro carefully. Shiro took the next lunge, sprinting to his left. Keith moved to the right, blade swinging to his left, but Shiro’s leg stuck out, tripping him. Keith stumbled backwards and his grip loosened, leaving his sword clattering on the floor.
“Unarmed. I win.”
“Shit,” Keith muttered. “I prefer my daggers.”
“Of course, the assassin’s weapon. Why wouldn’t you love it?” Shiro picked up the sword from the floor. “You need to hold it up here. Not so low. This isn’t like your Marmora blade.”
“Hey, if I know how to fight like an assassin, I’ll beat them right. That’s my whole job.”
“Hopefully not your whole job. How have Lance’s lessons been?”
“Haven’t been going. Why, do you go to Allura’s?”
“Gods no. Otherwise that would be all my time. I only have to go to the meetings, thankfully. Though I went to everything for the first month.”
“And that is because you are a push-over,” Keith responded, knocking Shiro’s shoulder. “Also, would you practice throwing the daggers like I tell you too. You’re not stealthy enough to run up when using a dagger.”
“I’m not going to throw a knife at my brother. These daggers could hurt even if they won’t kill you.”
Shiro shrugged and called up a target to appear. He threw one of the daggers, before turning to talk to Keith, now on the floor to do some push ups.
“Did… did you put any thought to what I said?”
“I’m friends with Lance and even if that’s a bit unprofessional, I’m happy about it. You’re right. I didn’t have any friends in the Blade, but that doesn’t mean I should be suspicious of him.”
“I’m happy you have someone you can call a friend. Though I’m offended I don’t count.”
“You know I consider you a brother. Don’t go grabbing for two titles now. And aim a higher next time.”
“Sorry I doubted you.”
“Sorry I was a dick about it. I know you were looking out for me.”
Shiro hit the target next time.