Writing through time

Chapter 2

Keith couldn't help the overwhelming feeling of loneliness that he had felt since the day his father died of consumption, and ever since graduating he had gone into an apprenticeship as a blacksmith in hopes that he would hopefully be able to keep himself from working in the factories where sickness and filth seemed to spread. But it was hard work, every day he spent in scorching heat banging metal into the shape he wanted it in.

As he was an apprentice blacksmith he didn't earn very much money but living with the master blacksmith, Takashi Shirogane who goes mainly by Shiro, and his friend Adam definitely helped cut back on expenses. Though Keith still insisted that he helped out around the house, and tend to the animals and garden despite his long hours in the shop. Shiro appreciated the help, as he was a family friend of the Kogane's as they had taken care of him when he had gotten in an accident on his horse which nearly cost him his life, so when Shiro had heard that Keith was now an orphan and needed help he immediately took him under his wing.

Keith felt that Shiro was like the big brother he never had, and they shared a close bond as Keith continued to work through his apprenticeship. It was hard work, but he was grateful for Adam and Shiro being there to help him while he was going through tough times. So no matter how hard the work was he would do anything to help Shiro and Adam.

So when Shiro and Adam gave him a little bit of money and told him to buy whatever he wanted, he was in shock and tried to give it back to them.

"I can't accept this! You guys already do so much for me there is no way I can accept any money from you guys for helping out. You put a roof over my head and feed me. Not to mention you allow me to be your apprentice so it'll keep me out of the factories. There is absolutely no way I can accept this Shiro...."

Shiro smiled and put a hand on Keith's shoulder a soft smile on his face as he looked between Adam and Keith. Adam smiled widely and shoved the money into Keith's hand.

"Take the money, Keith. You do so much to help us around here that we wanted to do something for you. You deserve to go and buy yourself something nice every once in a while." Adam says this smiling as he closes Keith's hand around the money that he now held tightly in his hand. Keith looked to Shiro who still had his hand on his shoulder.

"Go on Keith, you deserve to do something for yourself too. After all, you can't be working yourself to the bone all the time. It isn't healthy I want you to have some fun too your only twenty." Shiro says this encouraging Keith so he would hopefully be encouraged do something for himself. This would be a major difference than how he usually was, as he tended to work himself to the point of exhaustion every day in order to help them out.

Shiro felt as though Keith was apart of his family, he was someone that he considered to be like a brother and he wanted him to be happy. Even if all he could do was provide him with a little money to let him get something that he wanted for a change.

Keith looked defeated and let out a sigh, he knew that both Shiro and Adam cared for him dearly. But he did not want to be a burden on them by any means, and that included when they wanted to give Keith money for the things he did to help them out. He didn't want them to feel the need to give him money like this and he knew that this could definitely spark an argument of sorts. But he tried to refuse the money once again.

"I couldn't possibly take this. I am your apprentice, and I am just happy to-"

"Oh no, you don't!" Adam says cutting Keith off. "You are going to take this money and walk your happy ass into town and buy something that you want, and I will not take no for an answer."

Keith lowered his head and sighed knowing that the two men in front of him would not take no for an answer when it came to this specific topic.