A New Hope

16. Come In (Keith)

Keith

The days pass in a blur. One thing I can't complain about is a lack of work, not with being buried under a mountain of it, but at least it keeps my mind from wandering to warm grey eyes, to Shiro's touch searing my skin. Nothing quite like an overflow of bureaucracy to stanch my bleeding emotions. I work with the Alteans and Galra on establishing a new consulate on Altea, hoping to strengthen the fragile bonds between our peoples. Such a shame Allura isn't here to witness it, although who knows? Perhaps she'd hate it. Even though she accepted me, the cooperation with the Galra didn't come naturally, not that I can blame her. We're tough people to like. Hell, I don't like myself most days.

When my eyes burn, I realize it's time to leave. The building is empty this late in the evening, and my steps echo through the halls. I don't have to rush home to anyone waiting for me, complaining about dinner getting cold or whatever people complain about when their significant other comes home late. Lucky me.

Enough. Just fucking enough with the moping. I made my choice, and now I have to live with it. If the diplomacy work isn't for me, I'll find a new challenge. We need a lot of explorers, or perhaps I could settle on one of the distant outposts. It's not important. What matters is that Shiro is happy and that I finally told him the truth. And if I hoped for a heartbeat that things might change between us, it proved to be a selfish dream that sputtered and died before it could burst into flames.

This time when I arrive, my house is abandoned even by Kosmo. He's probably on one of his hunting trips or exploring the galaxy. I've never figured out where he disappears, but he always returns. For a moment, I consider having a drink, but it's becoming a habit, and I don't like that. Resolved, I fish the bottle out of the cabinet, pour the content down the drain, and head straight for the bedroom to snatch another form of oblivion, grateful I survived another day.

Another day getting used to living alone.

Despite falling asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, something drags me back into consciousness after barely an hour. A thumping noise, muted but annoying, like the bass of a distant concert you can't get out of your head. What the fuck is it? Don't I deserve a couple of hours of uninterrupted coma?

I clamber out of bed without turning the light on and head down to deal with the racket coming from the outside. Someone must be knocking on the door, well, knocking so hard the whole house shakes. A visitor? This late at night? They had better have a good reason for disturbing me.

"What do you want?" I bark as I swing the door open.

"That is not a polite way to greet someone. I wanted to tell you the other day."

Shiro is standing in front of me, trying to destroy my doorframe and peeking at me from underneath his thick lashes. My heart rate kicks up, and the complaint I had all loaded up and ready dies on my lips.

"What are you doing here?"

"That's not much better. Hi, Keith. May I come in?"