As Keith made his way down the hall to the launch site, he found himself remembering something his father once said to him. "Just don't look, Keith. It's bad luck to watch someone when they're leaving."
It is a hazy memory, several years old, but it still stabs at Keith as sharp as the knife he keeps tucked away under his pillow. He remembers how his face was pressed against his father's chest. How his father held him tight, his hands gripping Keith's hair gently. How his father's jacket had smelled like smoke and dust.
"But you're watching, Dad."
"Hush now. It's only bad if you watch them vanish from your sight. You just gotta make sure you look away before they're gone."
Keith wasn't the most superstitious person on the planet, but... the fact that he'd remembered this on today of all days made him wonder if maybe there was some truth to it.
.
The launch pad was... busy. The noise was almost overwhelming. If Keith hadn't had special privilege to be where he was, he probably would've stayed home and watched the event broadcast. But thanks to Shiro, Keith had a VIP badge and access to the entire launch site.
"Aren't these supposed to be for family?"
"They never said it had to be. Besides, I... want you to see me off."
"...Yeah. I want to be there."
Keith hardly paid attention as he was shown around the site. All he could focus on was Shiro. The way the skin around his eyes crinkled when he smiled. The tone of his voice as he excitedly explained how everything worked. The warmth of his hands whenever they brushed Keith's shoulder or back. Because Keith knew he'd have to remember all these things while Shiro was away.
He wanted these memories to stay clear.
.
When Shiro tugged him close for a hug, he closed his eyes as he pressed his face into the crook between Shiro's neck and shoulder. Shiro smelled faintly of aftershave and shampoo. The way he held Keith with both strength and gentleness filled him with warmth.
"Take care of yourself, Keith. I'll be home before you know it."
Home. Yes. This was home, for both of them. Keith hugged Shiro a little tighter. He wanted to ask him to stay, but such a request would be both stupid and selfish at this point.
"...I know," Keith said. The words came out more choked than he meant for them to, but he knew Shiro understood.
When the time came for the launch, Keith stood stock still, eyes fixed on the craft. It was all he could do to keep a smile on, in case Shiro could still see his face with any clarity from where he sat now in the ship's cockpit. As the engines revved up, he remembered his father's words again.
"It's bad luck to watch someone when they're leaving."
But as the ship rocketed off into the clear blue sky, Keith couldn't look away.
Notes: My first Voltron drabble. :'D
I grew up hearing this line from my folks and it seemed like something Keith's father might've said, too.