Chapter Text
It was probably bad form to leave your own wedding reception early without telling anyone, not even your new spouse, that you were leaving. Keith had never been one for the traditional. Shiro would understand, just like he always did.
Their wedding reception was held in the spacious and gorgeous ballroom on the main floor of the hotel, chosen because it was hilariously named the Red Lion. Keith slipped into the elevator, which was thankfully empty, and pressed the button for the 12th floor. He leaned against the back wall, staring straight ahead. His mirrored gold reflection stared back at him. This wasn't running away, he assured himself. Just taking a break until he can handle it again. The elevator gave a soft beep as it slowed to a halt.
The 12th floor had what the hotel referred to as a lounge where they served breakfast and occasionally hosted events. In the paladin's opinion, lounge was a hilarious understatement. The sprawling room was picturesque, the wide window overlooking the city skyline. If Keith looked just to the right, the glass balcony doors allowed for a perfect view of the sunset. The sun was just dipping past the horizon as he stepped out, bathing his white suit in a cascade of red and yellow light. A cool breeze whipped him in the face. He took a breath, the fresh, cool air loosening the knot in his chest. He trailed his fingers over the silver band, his face pensive as he thought about his simple, beautiful ring and all it had taken to get it.
After saving Earth from Haggar no one could really fault the Paladins for focusing on their own recovery. Adjusting to the years long gap was strange enough without Keith remembering that he had to start over. Again. The other Paladins had their families and Allura had Coran and Romelle, in addition to the rest of the paladins. Keith's journey had led him to Krolia but her allegiance wasn't to Earth.
As much as he didn't want to admit it, Keith had been dreading leaving the hospital. He didn't have much to pack up. They still had their rooms at the Garrison for as long as they needed them but it wasn't the same. Keith longed for his room on the Castle Ship. It had been his with how long they had been in space.
Truthfully, it wasn't the blank slate that awaited him outside that scared him the most. That honor went to Shiro. Because eventually he and Shiro would have to talk about, well everything. Shiro had mentioned offhandedly, so many battles ago it was a shock Keith remembered, that his and Kuron’s memories were combined now. That causal statement had stopped Keith in his tracks. It should have been obvious but Keith had been riding a wave of maybes. Maybe Shiro didn't remember. Maybe a few memories got lost and their entire fight was one of them. His wishful thinking ended with a crash a few weeks after he got out of the hospital.
“Are you free tonight?” Shiro had asked. Keith was wandering the hangar, checking in on the lions and letting Kosmo some exercise and Shiro had joined.
“I should be. Why?” Keith asked. Shiro stopped walking and Keith turned, noting that Shiro was avoiding his gaze.
“I was hoping-“ Shiro cleared his throat and looked at Keith, grey meeting purple. “I was hoping we could have dinner and... talk,”
Keith stared. “And ‘talk’?” He parroted.
Shiro nodded, apparently no longer trusting his voice. As much as Keith wanted to make up an excuse or just grab Kosmo and teleport out of there, like every nerve in his body was begging it wasn't going to happen. He could never deny time with Shiro. And running would solve nothing. Better to bite the bullet now and get started with the process of moving on as fast as possible.
Had Keith been paying more attention, he would have noticed Shiro’s prosthetic arm flash a bright but muted warning about his heartbeat spiking. Or how his face brightened when Keith agreed. Or the knowing glances exchanged by the few pilots and mechanics hanging around.
Shiro hadn't given him an exact time, only said he would drop by to get Keith after his paperwork was done. Knowing Shiro's schedule it would probably be several hours until they grabbed dinner. Keith grabbed a few granola bars to hold his stomach over and headed back to his room. The higher ups had been insistent the paladins take it easy after they were released and Keith hated it. They were out of the hospital and after the worry about what he was going to do next. On his way back to the living quarters he passed the gym and hesitated. His hands had been clenched into fists the entire elevator ride and the most important person in his life could be preparing to leave it in a matter of hours. And here he was, a wound up ball of nerves and fear with a perfectly good workout room in front of him. He could shower and get ready in ten minutes, less if needed.
His workout helped a lot but Keith still didn’t know what to expect walking into the conference room. It certainly wasn’t an earnest, flushed Shiro leading him to a candle lit dinner. A dinner that ended with Shiro trying to say “I love you too” and “Keith, will you marry me?” And instead saying “Love, will you marry me too?” After the initial confusion and Shiro stumbling again to explain, Keith accepted, trying to stop his hand from shaking as Shiro slid the ring on his finger.
“I’ve already lost someone I loved in this war. I've been through a lot Keith but I couldn't imagine losing you," Shiro said, his hands stroking Keith’s.
"I love you, Keith. I couldn't tell you when I started but I know now for sure that I couldn't live without you."
Keith looked at Shiro, his face glowing with a sort of serene happiness. "I love you too Shiro. I think I always have," he said.