Accidental Intentions

31 • Lies

Keith was almost asleep when he heard the door open. Fearing for the worst, he pretended he was already asleep, but it was easier said than done because of how hard his heart pounded. Even his breathing sounded too loud, but when he tried to quiet it by taking shallower breaths, he found himself gasping for air.

He heard the intruder take a seat on the bed next to him.

Ugh. Can't anyone see I just want to be left alone?

After a few silent moments of trying to keep his breathing even, he felt a hand in his hair.

Squeezing his eyes shut he attempted to ignore it before snapping.

"Lance, I swear--" he sprung up and found himself face to face with Shiro.

"Oh."

Shiro looked concerned. His hand hovered in midair where Keith had slapped it away.

"Keith..." he began slowly. "What is going on?"

Keith dropped his eyes. "Huh. I wish I knew. It would make things easier."

Shiro looked as if he were wanted to reach out again but thought better of it. "What happened?"

Keith's thoughts were a mess. What had happened anyway? Where did it even start? The kiss? The shower? Keith didn't know. He knew one thing for sure. He didn't want to tell Shiro.

"Lance flirts with every girl he meets, huh?" Keith said before he thought it out.

"Ah, I see," Shiro looked supremely amused.

"What, no! I didn't mean—"

"Don't worry. A lot of girls don't find it attractive at all. In fact, I hear the strong silent type is pretty popular," Shiro assured him.

He really thought they were fighting over a girl? How embarrassing. But Keith supposed it was better that Shiro think that way. As close as they were, Shiro still didn't know his secret. And a lot had happened in the year they had been separated.

"Is that all?"

For a second, Keith thought about telling him everything. How he wasn't into girls, and this muddle with Lance. But he was afraid. Shiro had expectations for him, and more than anything Keith didn't want to disappoint him. Besides, with the task they were burdened with, it was not like they had time for such things.

"Yeah," he lied.

"You and Lance okay?" Shiro prodded.

Better than they were, but still a far cry from okay. Keith wondered if things would ever be okay again.

"Yeah. We're good."

With a playful gesture, Shiro rustled Keith's hair before smiling and leaving. Alone again, Keith wondered how he was going to proceed.