This was supposed to be a short little bit of fluff for my multi-fandom soulmate AU challenge, and for Valentine's Day. It . . . had other ideas. Or, that is, Shiro is a huge puddle of angst and (entirely understandable) issues.

A barely-there tap from the doorway startled Shiro, and he took a deep breath as he jolted upright. He rubbed his face, then shook his head, trying to clear it.

"Shiro?" Keith spoke softly as he slipped into the room on silent feet. "I. . ." he trailed off, looking away, his hair hiding much of his face.

"Keith?" Shiro rose and went to the door. "Is something wrong?"

Keith shook his head, and Shiro reached out, resting a hand on his forearm. "Come in?"

Keith ducked his head and came in the rest of the way, the door sliding closed behind him. Shiro stepped back and gestured towards the couch, and Keith trailed him towards it, though he wouldn't come around in front of Shiro.

He frowned, concerned, but sat back down and watched Keith fidget and finally join him after a few moments, choosing a place around the curve of the couch. Shiro waited silently, trying not to show his nervousness as he wondered what could have Keith so uncertain with him.

Keith took a deep breath and straightened, lifting his head. "I have something," he paused, "to give you. Something that . . . belongs to you."

Shiro's brows drew together. "Something that belongs-" he broke off, breath catching.

Keith brought his left hand out from where it had been hidden at his side, right hand curled around it. He held them out, opening the shield of his fingers to display a gorgeous firework of a flame-red flower, its thin, rolled, spike-ended petals bouncing into their full extension as Keith's fingers splayed out beneath it rather than containing it.

"Keith?" Shiro asked, eyes wide. There were no plants on the castle, much less ones that looked so. . . But surely it could not be- "Is this. . . Is this your. . ."

"Please." Keith said, looking wrecked, his fingers shaking. The delicate-looking petals of the flower quivered, and Shiro slid from the couch to the floor on his knees, hands cupping Keith's to steady them. Keith swallowed. "Please accept it, Shiro." he begged, his voice cracking. "I- It belongs to you."

Shiro's muscles tightened as he tried to steady himself. "Keith, I-" He tried to say 'I can't accept this' but Keith was so. . . He couldn't. He slid his hands up, and Keith let the flower float down into his cupped hands, releasing it with no sign of reluctance.

Shiro clasped it carefully, cradling it close to himself, and sank down on his haunches. "I don't . . . why . . . to me?" he asked. "Your Heart Flower?" his own voice cracked.

Keith folded his arms around himself. "I knew," he paused, "I knew before. But I wasn't- I couldn't- I didn't know if you would . . . want it." he said in a low voice. "And. . . I wasn't brave enough to give it to you." He lifted his eyes to Shiro's. "I know now that it's yours . . . no matter what. I'm yours." he added, lifting his chin, a tremble running through him.

Shiro opened his mouth, then closed it, looking away. "Keith, I-" he stopped, closing his eyes.

There was a quiet rustle as Keith rose, and Shiro swallowed and looked up at him. "I- I know. You don't have to. . . Please, just keep it." He crouched and closed Shiro's hands around the flower.

Shiro leaned up, though he couldn't reach for Keith. "Keith, it isn't that I-" Keith squeezed his hands and straightened, hands falling away from his. "Keith."

"It's all right, Shiro." Keith smiled, but despite the warmth in his expression, his slate-coloured eyes were more drab than usual, and filled with sadness. "I didn't expect anything, that isn't why I came. But a Heart Flower is only meant to be kept by the one to whom it belongs. That is yours now. Will you-" he paused, shuddering. "Shiro, will you please, at least. . ."

"Of course." Shiro said painfully, tears pricking at his eyes. "I could never turn away- Not you. But, Keith. . ."

"Thank you." Keith said, brushing his shoulder and walking away. His steps weren't silent this time, and he was nearly running. Shiro cradled the flower in his hands, stroking its spiky, soft petals.

"I can't." Shiro said, gently holding the flower to his chest. "Mine- I would give you my Heart Flower, but. . ." He twisted, bracing his back against the couch and folding up his knees, head bowing as he let out a shuddering breath.

Shiro's Heart Flower had been killed - corrupted, maybe - when he was captured, once the Galra had passed him to be- be experimented upon. He would willingly return Keith's offering - his love - but-

Shiro was no longer capable of it. He slid bodily down to the floor, resting heavily on his right side. He curled around Keith's Heart Flower and let himself cry.

Don't kill me for this, it's not a standalone, there are more chapters. And I will post all of them today. Keith's Heart Flower is a type of Bee Balm (monarda didyma) if you want to look it up. It really does look like a little silky red firework.