Burnt Out {A Hero!AU Sheith Fanfiction}

The Red Flame

They didn't end up going to steak and shake- but mostly because Shiro's throat was horribly scratched up and he coughed between every other word. Keith didn't argue. And, though he disgusted himself when he thought of it, he didn't feel any guilt for Shiro's condition. It wasn't his fault that Shiro hadn't left when his health was at risk. It wasn't his fault that Shiro was just such a good fucking person that he cared more about others than his own health.

But just because he didn't feel guilty didn't mean that his heart didn't ache in his chest when he saw the poor condition Shiro was in.

They went to Keith's house to collect Kosmo before they went to Shiro's house. Keith insisted that he didn't want Shiro alone- he didn't want Shiro driving alone- when he was in this condition but said that he couldn't leave Kosmo alone overnight.

He waited until they got to Shiro's- letting him focus on the road- to make sure that he was okay. He'd even stood close by Shiro's side in the elevator, though that was mostly because he was wearing clothes that made it look like he belonged here so it wouldn't seem like he was just Shiro's charity work. He settled Shiro on the sofa when they got inside and got him some cold water before sitting beside him.

"What happened there, Shiro?"

Shiro casted Keith a tired stare, feeling like he could simply sleep for ages. He was sure that was what he had to look like as well -- he had washed all the soot and sweaty ash from his face, which meant along went the makeup. Shiro knew how awful he looked but he knew there was nothing to do about it. He had refused to go to the hospital when they had asked him, afraid they'd ask about the faded bruises on his chest or the healing burns on his legs, and instead just chose to go home. Matt was safe, Keith was safe, and all of the civilians he had helped were safe -- one of them even had scored a new, expensive jacket from Takashi Shirogane's closet. Shiro kept that all in mind as he tried to relax against the sofa, gratefully sipping on the glass of water Keith had gotten for him.

"I just wanted to make sure everyone was safe," he said softly. His voice was scratchy -- Shiro didn't like it. "There were maybe seven or eight people back there... they needed help. There was one person who I couldn't save, though. I certainly didn't catch the person who could have done all of this..."

He closed his eyes and offered a sigh, realizing he was saying too much. "What about you, Keith?" he asked, taking one last sip of his water before setting it down on the coffee table. Shiro leaned up a little, and looked up at Keith with a concerned sort of stare. "I know how fire... I know how that might be hard for you. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," he said quickly. "Please- it- it was years ago, Shiro. I was a kid. I'm fine with fire now. I mean... it wasn't like I could have avoided it, anyway. Just trust me. I'm fine with it. I've been fine with it. I've gotten over it. But... but try not to get too involved in things like this again. If I'd lost you, too, I..." he trailed off, shrugging a little. "This isn't about me. Come on, you need to get to bed. You did more than anyone else would have done in your situation. I'll even stay with you when you go to sleep if you'd appreciate that. We can pick up Atlas and Black on our way there, too."

Shiro nodded, feeling a pinch of guilt bite at his stomach. Of course he'd be getting involved with flames again if he was ever going to catch his arson murderer... but Keith couldn't know that so Shiro simply had to bob his head in a silent promise — a lied promise. He started to stand up, rubbing at his tired eyes with one hand as Keith took the other, the touch ginger and delicate to keep from hurting Shiro's bandaged wounds.

"I think I'd like if you stayed," Shiro said, flicking his gaze to the floor as they made their way up the stairs. Black and Atlas both trailed after him, Atlas following the sounds of Black's footsteps. The kept close to Shiro, rather weary of the large, whining dog by Keith side. "You don't have to if you don't want to though... I don't want to be a nuisance. If you want to go home I can drive you. Or you could ride your bike... but I'd rather drive you."