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When you need me • #sheith #angst thread
Keith helps Shiro find the strength to leave his abusive boyfriend and find a fresh start.
Long-distance best friends modern AU. Also I don’t even want to type rando's name so here, meet “Jake.”
Keith helps Shiro find the strength to leave his abusive boyfriend and find a fresh start.
Long-distance best friends modern AU. Also I don’t even want to type rando's name so here, meet “Jake.”
cw this will not depict physical abuse, but the threat of escalation is very present, and all forms of abuse exist on a continuum with violence.
I’ll use the tag #hiro02 throughout if you want to mute.
dedicating this to my dear friend:
I’ll be here when you need me.
I’ll use the tag #hiro02 throughout if you want to mute.
dedicating this to my dear friend:
I’ll be here when you need me.
#hiro02
> what was it this time?
>> He thinks I spend too much time with Allura.
Keith frowns down at his phone.
> thought you guys talked about that tho?
> time with your friends
> you said he listened
>> Yeah, well.
>> Guess we’ll talk about it again.
> :(
> what was it this time?
>> He thinks I spend too much time with Allura.
Keith frowns down at his phone.
> thought you guys talked about that tho?
> time with your friends
> you said he listened
>> Yeah, well.
>> Guess we’ll talk about it again.
> :(
#hiro02
Keith hates this. He hates watching Shiro go through this, again and again. He never thought this thing with Jake would last, not after those early months when the guy would get itchy when Shiro would put up boundaries. Jake was one of those guys who pushed.
Keith hates this. He hates watching Shiro go through this, again and again. He never thought this thing with Jake would last, not after those early months when the guy would get itchy when Shiro would put up boundaries. Jake was one of those guys who pushed.
#hiro02
Keith knows he was jealous from the start. He’s held a torch for his best friend since, well, not quite the beginning but close enough.
But it wasn’t just jealousy— it was always more than that. There were signs of trouble from the beginning.
Keith knows he was jealous from the start. He’s held a torch for his best friend since, well, not quite the beginning but close enough.
But it wasn’t just jealousy— it was always more than that. There were signs of trouble from the beginning.
#hiro02
His own pining aside, Keith didn’t trust this new guy with Shiro’s heart.
Never had he wanted more to be wrong about someone.
«---»
His own pining aside, Keith didn’t trust this new guy with Shiro’s heart.
Never had he wanted more to be wrong about someone.
«---»
#hiro02
>> I can’t believe you’re moving so far, Keith! Next visit I’m going to have to fly!
> don’t give me that crap
> you love to fly
>> I do. But that’s not the point and you know it. :(
> I know
> direct flights tho
> I’ll have a foldout and everything
>> I can’t believe you’re moving so far, Keith! Next visit I’m going to have to fly!
> don’t give me that crap
> you love to fly
>> I do. But that’s not the point and you know it. :(
> I know
> direct flights tho
> I’ll have a foldout and everything
#hiro02
>> All grown up :D
> damn right
>> Hey Keith?
> yeah
>> Stay in touch, alright?
>> It’s different without you here.
> I’ll always be here shiro
> you know that
«---»
>> All grown up :D
> damn right
>> Hey Keith?
> yeah
>> Stay in touch, alright?
>> It’s different without you here.
> I’ll always be here shiro
> you know that
«---»
#hiro02
It’s easy for Keith to slip into the memory of how he first met Shiro, the grad-ed TA for the class across the hall. Keith was a prickly sophomore transferring into the Garrison’s program from out of town.
It’s easy for Keith to slip into the memory of how he first met Shiro, the grad-ed TA for the class across the hall. Keith was a prickly sophomore transferring into the Garrison’s program from out of town.
#hiro02
The collision in the hallway bruised Keith’s backside and also his pride, but being pulled to his feet by this handsome adonis with a metal grip more than made up for that.
The details seem frozen in time— the way the man’s eyes widened with surprise,
The collision in the hallway bruised Keith’s backside and also his pride, but being pulled to his feet by this handsome adonis with a metal grip more than made up for that.
The details seem frozen in time— the way the man’s eyes widened with surprise,
#hiro02
crinkling near the corners. The deep, rich voice when the stranger remarked on “taking up the whole corridor” with a self-deprecating laugh.
Keith remembers thinking it was stupidly accurate, blinking up at him mutely because what could he possibly say back to that?
crinkling near the corners. The deep, rich voice when the stranger remarked on “taking up the whole corridor” with a self-deprecating laugh.
Keith remembers thinking it was stupidly accurate, blinking up at him mutely because what could he possibly say back to that?
#hiro02
Keith gave the man his name when he asked and got his in return, immediately liking how it felt on his lips. /Shiro./
That was such a long time ago. For a time they would greet each other in passing, a shy smile or maybe a wave.
Keith gave the man his name when he asked and got his in return, immediately liking how it felt on his lips. /Shiro./
That was such a long time ago. For a time they would greet each other in passing, a shy smile or maybe a wave.
#hiro02
Just “Hello, Keith,” spoken with so much warmth, and his answering “Hi, Shiro,” which never failed to paint Keith’s cheeks with a slight blush.
It felt surprisingly good to be recognized, to be /remembered/ by someone like Shiro.
«---»
Just “Hello, Keith,” spoken with so much warmth, and his answering “Hi, Shiro,” which never failed to paint Keith’s cheeks with a slight blush.
It felt surprisingly good to be recognized, to be /remembered/ by someone like Shiro.
«---»
#hiro02
>> Settling in well?
> yeah it’s good
> job’s good
> just what I hoped
>> That’s amazing, Keith. I’m really proud of you, following your dreams like this.
>> They’re lucky to have you.
>> Settling in well?
> yeah it’s good
> job’s good
> just what I hoped
>> That’s amazing, Keith. I’m really proud of you, following your dreams like this.
>> They’re lucky to have you.
#hiro02
Keith scrubs a hand over his face. It’s embarrassing how he positively preens whenever Shiro says shit like this.
> thank you
> how are things in arizona?
>> Oh, you know. Nothing changes around here. Certainly not the weather!
> noPe :)
Keith scrubs a hand over his face. It’s embarrassing how he positively preens whenever Shiro says shit like this.
> thank you
> how are things in arizona?
>> Oh, you know. Nothing changes around here. Certainly not the weather!
> noPe :)
#hiro02
>> Campus is the same. Same drama, but the students are always great. You know that’s why I stay.
>> There’s one this term who reminds me so much of you.
> what? how so?
>> I don’t know how to explain it, just
>> Campus is the same. Same drama, but the students are always great. You know that’s why I stay.
>> There’s one this term who reminds me so much of you.
> what? how so?
>> I don’t know how to explain it, just
#hiro02
>> so capable, passionate. Ready to take on the world.
>> Just needs a little encouragement. :)
Keith smiles to himself and it’s a watery thing as he types out a reply.
> can think of no one better at that
>> Stop, you’ll make me soft!
> you started it!!
>> so capable, passionate. Ready to take on the world.
>> Just needs a little encouragement. :)
Keith smiles to himself and it’s a watery thing as he types out a reply.
> can think of no one better at that
>> Stop, you’ll make me soft!
> you started it!!
#hiro02
Keith and Shiro got closer. It happened slowly, through Keith’s first year at Garrison and the years that followed, but they became inseparable. Soon Keith would graduate from undergrad, starting in on a Master's of Social Work.
Keith and Shiro got closer. It happened slowly, through Keith’s first year at Garrison and the years that followed, but they became inseparable. Soon Keith would graduate from undergrad, starting in on a Master's of Social Work.
#hiro02
Shiro accepted an offer to stay on at the Garrison and teach full-time, and that wasn’t a surprise— he was so good at it. So encouraging, so persuasive and perceptive, firm but always kind. Shiro was the undisputed darling of the humanities faculty.
Shiro accepted an offer to stay on at the Garrison and teach full-time, and that wasn’t a surprise— he was so good at it. So encouraging, so persuasive and perceptive, firm but always kind. Shiro was the undisputed darling of the humanities faculty.
#hiro02
So Shiro became an adjunct while Keith plugged away at his degree.
There were rules about fraternizing with students, even ones in other departments, but it was never like that between them.
Keith knows it /could/ have been— that there was interest there, and not
So Shiro became an adjunct while Keith plugged away at his degree.
There were rules about fraternizing with students, even ones in other departments, but it was never like that between them.
Keith knows it /could/ have been— that there was interest there, and not
#hiro02
one-sided either. Shiro started out with a pretty decent poker face, but it didn’t take long before Keith could read him like a book on a sunny afternoon. It wasn’t hard to catch the emotions playing across his face: something like hunger, sometimes, or maybe longing.
one-sided either. Shiro started out with a pretty decent poker face, but it didn’t take long before Keith could read him like a book on a sunny afternoon. It wasn’t hard to catch the emotions playing across his face: something like hunger, sometimes, or maybe longing.
#hiro02
And it didn’t matter if Keith knew. It didn’t need to be hidden, because there was a boundary there. Keith was, indeed, a student. It was important to Shiro, and that was always enough for Keith.
Keith never pushed. He could never do that to Shiro.
«---»
And it didn’t matter if Keith knew. It didn’t need to be hidden, because there was a boundary there. Keith was, indeed, a student. It was important to Shiro, and that was always enough for Keith.
Keith never pushed. He could never do that to Shiro.
«---»
#hiro02
> he actually said that?
>> He didn’t mean it like that, he just. Matt was joking around but it did sound like flirting. It just made Jake uncomfortable.
> okay but it sounds like he’s not listening to you?
> friends outside your partner are really important
> he actually said that?
>> He didn’t mean it like that, he just. Matt was joking around but it did sound like flirting. It just made Jake uncomfortable.
> okay but it sounds like he’s not listening to you?
> friends outside your partner are really important
#hiro02
Keith could almost hear Shiro's eyes rolling.
>> Obviously. It’s not a big deal, it’s insecurity. Nothing we can’t work through.
> I trust you just
> he should trust you too
«---»
Keith could almost hear Shiro's eyes rolling.
>> Obviously. It’s not a big deal, it’s insecurity. Nothing we can’t work through.
> I trust you just
> he should trust you too
«---»
#hiro02
Grad school Keith would probably admit to wishing Shiro was a little /less/ honorable about all of this.
But then he’d catch himself and know that wasn’t true at all. It was part of why Keith loved the man. Keith had dealt with some real scumbag adults in the system.
Grad school Keith would probably admit to wishing Shiro was a little /less/ honorable about all of this.
But then he’d catch himself and know that wasn’t true at all. It was part of why Keith loved the man. Keith had dealt with some real scumbag adults in the system.
#hiro02
He knew what to look for long before he knew what it meant. /Abuse./ Keith dove headfirst into a life as a social worker just to try and make a difference.
Shiro wouldn’t set himself apart. He was always the first to point out his flaws, and would smirk quietly
He knew what to look for long before he knew what it meant. /Abuse./ Keith dove headfirst into a life as a social worker just to try and make a difference.
Shiro wouldn’t set himself apart. He was always the first to point out his flaws, and would smirk quietly
#hiro02
remembering some minor rebellion. But above all, Shiro was good. He would say he was no one special, but he was.
So they were friends, although the word was never adequate. Keith thought he’d had friends before, but they were nothing like this.
Best friends, then.
remembering some minor rebellion. But above all, Shiro was good. He would say he was no one special, but he was.
So they were friends, although the word was never adequate. Keith thought he’d had friends before, but they were nothing like this.
Best friends, then.
#hiro02
They would talk late into the night, sometimes climbing up onto the roof of the humanities building— now /that/ was a rule Shiro didn’t mind breaking. Or driving off into the desert to lay out on the hood of Shiro’s car, watching sunsets fade into endless stars.
They would talk late into the night, sometimes climbing up onto the roof of the humanities building— now /that/ was a rule Shiro didn’t mind breaking. Or driving off into the desert to lay out on the hood of Shiro’s car, watching sunsets fade into endless stars.
#hiro02
There they would share everything, old wounds and fears and tender, private dreams. Shiro’s accident stole his dream of becoming a pilot, even after he’d beaten a childhood disease. But Shiro didn’t just stop there: he was saving up for a hover bike,
There they would share everything, old wounds and fears and tender, private dreams. Shiro’s accident stole his dream of becoming a pilot, even after he’d beaten a childhood disease. But Shiro didn’t just stop there: he was saving up for a hover bike,
#hiro02
talked about taking up racing. No one could keep him from flying.
Keith spoke of being on his own, what he learned, how he coped. Struggling to remember his dad’s face. Meeting his Uncle Kolivan late in high school, turning his life around.
Meeting Shiro.
talked about taking up racing. No one could keep him from flying.
Keith spoke of being on his own, what he learned, how he coped. Struggling to remember his dad’s face. Meeting his Uncle Kolivan late in high school, turning his life around.
Meeting Shiro.
#hiro02
“That guy,” Shiro smiled wryly. “What about it?”
Keith grinned at the sky but couldn’t quite bring himself to meet the man’s eyes.
“Just, I think my life here would have been a lot different if it weren’t for you.”
With Shiro, he wasn’t alone anymore.
«---»
“That guy,” Shiro smiled wryly. “What about it?”
Keith grinned at the sky but couldn’t quite bring himself to meet the man’s eyes.
“Just, I think my life here would have been a lot different if it weren’t for you.”
With Shiro, he wasn’t alone anymore.
«---»
#hiro02
>> Do you ever think about onion rings?
> lol no
> but I think about you dunking em in bbq for some infernal reason
>> Hey
> and catching napkins you almost let blow away
> and I think about burning the backs of my thighs on the hood of that junker you used to drive
>> Do you ever think about onion rings?
> lol no
> but I think about you dunking em in bbq for some infernal reason
>> Hey
> and catching napkins you almost let blow away
> and I think about burning the backs of my thighs on the hood of that junker you used to drive
#hiro02
>> Maybe your shorts were too short ;)
> I looked bomb in those shorts
>> I mean.
>> It’s true and you should say it.
>> But it wasn’t the chevy’s fault, to be clear.
> can’t believe you drive a responsible car now
>> Maybe your shorts were too short ;)
> I looked bomb in those shorts
>> I mean.
>> It’s true and you should say it.
>> But it wasn’t the chevy’s fault, to be clear.
> can’t believe you drive a responsible car now
#hiro02
>> Hey! I’m gonna start taking offense to this real quick.
>> And by responsible you mean functional??
>> Because in that case, yes and no regrets.
>
>> Okay okay, one regret!
>> Hey! I’m gonna start taking offense to this real quick.
>> And by responsible you mean functional??
>> Because in that case, yes and no regrets.
>
>> Okay okay, one regret!
#hiro02
>> I loved that car but I’m done being stranded on the side of the Arizona highway, Keith. It’s not just that Jake hated it.
>> And you try having a metal arm in this climate without AC!
> fair
>> So, bet you don’t see many stars in Oregon?
> not as many as I’d like
>> I loved that car but I’m done being stranded on the side of the Arizona highway, Keith. It’s not just that Jake hated it.
>> And you try having a metal arm in this climate without AC!
> fair
>> So, bet you don’t see many stars in Oregon?
> not as many as I’d like
#hiro02
Keith remembers when Shiro met Jake. He’d seen Shiro flirt with guys or even take someone home, nothing too serious but enough to have a sense for how that usually went. And Shiro was popular enough that he had a certain ease about letting people down easy.
Keith remembers when Shiro met Jake. He’d seen Shiro flirt with guys or even take someone home, nothing too serious but enough to have a sense for how that usually went. And Shiro was popular enough that he had a certain ease about letting people down easy.
#hiro02
Jake was different— when he put on the charm, Shiro sat up straighter, leaned in closer. He clearly saw something in him, and liked the attention. From there it all happened alarmingly fast.
Jake was different— when he put on the charm, Shiro sat up straighter, leaned in closer. He clearly saw something in him, and liked the attention. From there it all happened alarmingly fast.
#hiro02
If Keith kept his jealousy in check for one minute, he could see the attraction: this guy was handsome, outgoing, sociable, talented— not like Shiro was, but no one was like Shiro. Shiro was one of a kind.
If Keith kept his jealousy in check for one minute, he could see the attraction: this guy was handsome, outgoing, sociable, talented— not like Shiro was, but no one was like Shiro. Shiro was one of a kind.
#hiro02
And Shiro deserved to be happy.
Keith’s private agony over the new boyfriend was one thing. Allowing Shiro to suffer along with him was quite another.
Shiro didn’t owe Keith anything. Even knowing that he /was/ interested, once, didn’t change that.
And Shiro deserved to be happy.
Keith’s private agony over the new boyfriend was one thing. Allowing Shiro to suffer along with him was quite another.
Shiro didn’t owe Keith anything. Even knowing that he /was/ interested, once, didn’t change that.
