I say Mer you say Man!...Merman? (Voltron/Klance)

What You Do To Him

Keith's POV

It was definitely going to take a lot of convincing to get Shiro to believe that we're still as close as ever. Whatever this scatterbrain mystery man referred to as Lance had said about me seemed to be believable enough for my brothers senses, so I couldn't help but roll with it. The blissful aroma of a home-made meal flooded the living area while Lance and I sat patiently on the couch with some random news station blaring itself in the background from the television. It was odd how calm and collected Shiro had made himself seem, he was always good at putting on a tough face. Even when times weren't the brightest. The thought brought back another memory to thought, my fathers voice filling my ears like cotton. 

I felt my eyes close as my head melted back into the worn couch cushion further, breathing out a small sigh the voice got louder and an image took over my mind.

"Keith i'll only be out for a little while, Shiro will be here to take care of you for the time being." The old familiar smile laced the figures face with ease as a large wrinkled hand made its way onto my shoulder, giving it a few small pats before pulling away. A new hand made its way into it's place but this time it was smaller and littered with small cuts, assuming from some sort of physical training. I turned my head to the side to get a picture on who was now holding onto my shoulder-blade. A miniature Shiro side glanced for a moment to shine a reassuring smile before turning all his focus back to the larger figure in-front of us. 

"You don't have to worry dad we'll be fine, Keith will be safe with me!" He flashed a cheeky flexing motion as if to signal that he was physically capable of defending me. Back than it definitely made me feel safe and secure but now the look of those tiny and only slightly toned arms made me laugh internally at the thought of him actually trying to fend off some antagonist. My father didn't seem to give off the same reaction as he just simply gave off his warm fatherly chuckle before fully standing up straight, adjusting a small tattered casual leather messenger bag that Shiro and I had saved up for to buy him for his birthday a long time ago. The look on his face when we ran into his room and shoved the terribly wrapped gift into his arms. When he had opened it I felt like I had done something right, the feeling of making someone who I cared for smile with such genuine emotions was something I wish I could feel over and over again. But it had seemed that after that the years only dragged on longer, harsher days grew more frequent as the good times were cherished with every last moment. I couldn't help but reach out, seeing my tiny pale hands that made it obvious that this memory was around my toddler years of age. I grazed the bag gently as if it could explode into shards of glass. It was funny how something so small so common among people, held something so meaningful to me something I never wanted to forget or let go for as long as I lived.

"I'll hold you to that than Shiro." He gave a few ruffled pats on top of his once fully black head of hair, messing it up to the point where his eyes were covered by the hilarious fluffy part of hair that stuck out over his forehead. He gave a few light blows to reveal one of his dark cinnamon brown eyes, back than they were so full of light. Even when he wasn't smiling he looked happy at peace even, it was always something I had envied about him. I envied a lot of things about my brother to be honest. The way he held himself high as if nothing bad had ever happened to him whenever the people around him needed comfort or support. The way he picked up the missing pieces when I felt like I was broken. The way he made me forget that I was lonely.

Lonely.

The thought came from time to time despite my desperate attempts to ignore it. Sure I didn't have many friends or any for that matter but it's not like it was something of necessity. I had studies to focus on and never had time to mingle around let alone try to make small talk with people. After Shiro had gotten into a relationship it always lingered within my mind that it wouldn't forever be just me and him anymore. Not like when we were left behind after my  father's unfortunate accident. Was it truly selfish to want to keep someone to yourself and ward off anyone who tried to interfere?  I didn't know and I believe I will never know.