Rules

One

It was too loud. Lance was screaming at Keith, not noticing the boy's clenched fists. Pidge was spewing out facts to Coran to Keith's left. And Hunk was trying to defend him. Shiro could see that it was affecting him, his steady eyes watching Keith unclench and reclench his fists. His eyes starting to glaze over as he started to gaze at his hands. His mouth spread thin.

"Everybody quiet." Shiro grumbled, his voice drowned by the paladins' voices. He sighed, anger flaring up. Keith was breathing shallow, Lance continue to scream at his rival. Hand gestures and movements directed at Keith the only thing Keith could think about. He flinched as Lance's hands went near his neck. The blue paladin not touching him, but close enough to where Keith's mind went into pure panic mode.

Rules. Rules. Rules. The word repeated in his mind. Panic clutching his chest, cold horror running through his veins. Anxiety rushed into his system, his lungs weren't working. A gasp of air did little as he clenched and unclenched his fists. Pressure, pressure was good. But it was so loud, it wasn't safe. 

Rules, rules, rules. You disobeyed the rules. 

"I SAID QUIET!" Shiro shouted making everything stop. Lance looked at him questioningly. "Why?" He asked, Pidge putting a finger to her lips. "Shh. He might have an announcement," She said. Looking at Hunk, Lance, and then Keith. She let out a small noise of concern, finally noticing what was happening with the red paladin.

"What?! I just was asking–"

"Shut up Lance." Shiro's cold voice made everyone but Keith shiver. Lance gaping openly as Shiro made his way to Keith. "Keith, hey, what's wrong?" Shiro crouched and placed his hand on Keith's. Keith gasping as his head flung back. "Rules. Rules. Rules." Keith brought his hands to his ears, curling up in a ball as Shiro let him move freely.

"What's going on?" Shiro heard Lance whisper to Hunk. Hunk shrugging as Keith choked a sob.

"Hey, Keith, who am I?" Shiro spoke clearly now. Keith trembling as tears started to run down his cheeks. "Rules. Rules. Rules." Shiro sighed and touched Keith's shoulder.

Keith flinched and started to hyperventilate. "Keith, I'm talking directly to you. That doesn't violate the rules. Are you okay?" Keith started to cry. His sobs increasing as Shiro touched him again. He pulled away quickly and continued kneeling.

"Will you answer my question, do you know who I am?" Keith have a shuddering breath. Tears staining his cheeks and voice a bit scratchy. "T-Tashi?" Shiro couldn't help but smile.

"Yeah, it's me. It's just you and me." He continued talking, Keith leaning into Shiro's touch. "Tashi." He whimpered, latching onto Shiro's shirt. "You're okay. You had a flashback. It's just me. You're alright, babe." Shiro whispered, pulling Keith to him slowly.

"Real?" Keith's voice wavered and Shiro stroked his face with his flesh hand.

"Yeah baby, I'm real. Everything is real. Can you tell me whats wrong?"

"I'm scared." Keith said, his face red and eyes closed tightly. "Okay," Shiro replied, Keith letting out a few choked cries as he pulled himself to him. Keith's face resting in the crook of Shiro's neck. Shiro ran his fingers through Keith's hair, getting caught on a knot that sent Keith screaming. Scrambling away and to the ground.

"Get back here, faggot!" A voice roared as an eight year old Keith whimpered. He had blood running down his face, a swollen eye, and bruises covering his torso. His mind praying to whatever gods were above to not be found. Foot steps stomping down the stairs harshly. The weak wood groaning with every step.

Keith squeezes his fists inwards, his body twisted so he would fit into the small closet. Shoe boxes surrounding him, the scent of blood, urine, and cardboard all he could smell. The darkness surrounding him he found comforting, if not nice for him.

"I'll give you until the count of one–"

"What can you see Keith. 5 things, come on." Shiro spoke gently, Keith coughing.

"Eyes." He whimpered. Shiro's lips curved into a small smile. "Who's eyes?" Keith let out a strangled sob. His hands going to his hair and tugging at it.

"Y-Your eyes. They're rea-really pretty." Keith stammered our, tears running down his face as he started to rock back and forth. Shiro forced out a soft chuckle. Trying to reassure everyone of the situation subtly.

"Thank you, babe." Shiro said, ignoring Lance's confused gazes. Keith let out a shaky breath, curling up into the corner as he got off his chair. Using his feet to push him to the wall. Shiro stopped and cautiously followed him. His human hand touching Keith's hand softly. Pulling it away from his hair as gently as he could.

"Hey, hey, hey. You're doing so good, baby. Now, another thing you see?" Shiro gently encouraged. Keith inhaling quickly as his hands spasmed. Keith did a swift nod, hair falling over his face.

"Hunk." Keith stated, making the large man stop. "Okay, can you... uh, tell me about Hunk!" Shiro exclaimed, looking enthusiastically at the yellow paladin then back to Keith.

"He's nice. Really nice. H-hu-He told me he Lo-loves me. Nobody's sa-said that to me before. It's n-nuh-nice." Keith stammered out, Hunk trying not to cry at a gesture he found so simple meaning so much.

Keith's breathing was evening out, his tears stopping. The boy was now only shaking. His shoulders and hands trembling as he sat on the ground. Shiro stroked the top of his hand with his flesh thumb. 

"I'm sorry," Keith murmured. Then, he shakily got to his feet. 

"Keith-"

"I'm taking a walk."

As the door slid close, the silence was deafening. 

"What just happened?" Hunk asked. Shiro replied with a sigh. His metal hand going to rub his temples. "Keith was having a flashback," He bluntly stated. 

"Of what?" Pidge asked. Shiro bit his lip. 

"His dad."