Chapter 1
Keith wiped the sweat off his face with a small towel, having barely just finished training.
'Can't these guards ever learn? They always repeat the same moves,' he thought, annoyed.
Keith had a different way of doing things when fighting. He liked to throw in a new technique every now and then and leave the guards guessing about his next move. He didn't like being predictable.
"Keith?"
Keith turned his head into the direction of the voice that had called to him and froze.
"Shiro?!"
Shiro smiled and walked towards Keith. "Hello, Keith."
"Shiro!" Keith lunged forward and grabbed the older man for a hug.
Had this been anyone else, Keith would have never thought about doing such a thing but he'd grown very fond of Shiro. They'd been together since he was just a little boy. Ever since that day when Shiro had saved him…
Keith quickly turned his thoughts away from that day. He never lingered on the thought for too long else he would start to feel angry. And Keith didn't like his emotions to get in the way of his training.
"Why are you here?" Keith asked, breathing in Shiro's familiar scent. It was the only smell that reminded Keith of home had once felt. But that was gone. Shiro was now Keith's home. And Keith would do anything to protect him.
Keith let go and took a step back, inspecting Shiro. "You aren't hurt are you?"
Shiro acted like he was inspecting his robotic arm. "Well if we're serious I think something's wrong with my right arm."
Keith laughed which was another thing nobody else could do. "Must be rusty. I'm glad you're here. I haven't seen you for awhile."
Shiro nodded grimly. "I know. I'm sorry about that but it's difficult to get a break. Especially because I am the princess' bodyguard."
"Yeah, I know. So how is the princess?" Keith raised his eyebrows at him in a teasing way. "Is she still as beautiful as you say she is?"
Keith had never seen Princess Allura although he had heard how beautiful she was. Everyone knew that even if they had never seen her. It was also said that her brother, Prince Lance, was just as handsome.
Shiro blushed. "Um, er, well yes?"
He blushed even more and Keith laughed. "Still head over heels for her I see. You have got it bad."
Shiro had had a crush on that girl since the first time he'd laid eyes on her. Although he was very good at keeping it a secret, he'd once let it slip that he thought she was beautiful. Keith teased him for it ever since.
Shiro rolled his eyes but grinned. "Well, then what about you? Meet anyone?"
Keith shook his head. "Are you kidding? You know I don't do relationships. That's not my thing."
"You won't be saying that when you find yourself head over heels for someone yourself. Don't worry about it. You'll find someone. Plenty of guys out there," Shiro said and Keith looked around, making sure nobody heard.
"Could you not? I'm not trying to find anyone," he answered.
Shiro sighed. "You know nobody would care if you're gay right?"
Keith shushed him. "I know but it's nobody's business. If I want them to know, I'll let them know. Otherwise, it's just between you and me."
Shiro shrugged. "Whatever you want. Let's go get something to eat. I'm hungry."
Keith nodded, surprised to feel his own stomach growl with hunger at the mention of food.
*****
"So, why are you here?" Keith asked, grabbing a piece of bread that was in a container in the center of the table.
They'd gone out to the town square to eat lunch. Keith had had to change before they went. He didn't want everyone around him to wonder where that stench of sweat was coming from. He had changed into some regular clothes. A white shirt and brown pants. He also hadn't wanted to stand out in his uniform. Usually, people would walk up to him and thank him for his service but he didn't want that today.
Today it was just him and Shiro.
Shiro understood this and had also changed into his regular clothes. "Well, it's about a new bodyguard for the prince…"
"Uh huh? What about it? Do you want me to recommend you a new guy?" Keith inquired, looking around at the scenery.
Wherever you went, there was always a sight to behold on Altea. The flowers were always glowing and changing colors. The smells that wafted out of the bakery were pure heaven and the people were always kind. The sky was always a violet color around this time of year. Keith had been told many times that his eyes were the same color as the sky.
"Well… the thing… I want you to be the new guy," Shiro paused, waiting for a reaction.
Keith sighed. "Shiro, I told you before. I don't want to be a bodyguard for just one person. I want to help everyone. I want to help these people."
Keith gestured around them. "These people need me. I don't want to protect some bratty spoiled rich kid! He probably just wants to use me as one of his servants!"
"I understand you want to protect everyone and that is why I have asked you to become the prince's bodyguard. Don't you see? This "bratty spoiled rich kid" that you speak of could be our king one day! There king. Sure, Allura's in line for the throne but what if she doesn't have kids? Lance would be our king! And if that happens and he ends up being killed or something, it will be your fault" Shiro responded.
"Why would it be my fault if I wouldn't be the one guarding him in the first place?" Keith asked, confused.
"Exactly. He would have died because you weren't his bodyguard. No one is as good as you except me but only because I'm older," Shiro explained. "Besides, how do you know he's as terrible as you say he is? You've never met him! He doesn't seem bad…"
"I've never met him but I've heard that he's a womanizer and prideful," Keith pointed out. "And why did you have to give such a complicated explanation. My brain hurt from just listening to it."
Shiro laughed. "Sorry but it's true. And anyway you heard he's a womanizer and prideful. That doesn't mean that he really is. Listen to me. I've actually talked to him a couple times. Sure he likes to brag a bit but he's nice. And why wouldn't he be? His father and his sister both love him a lot," Shiro argued. "But if he does act like they say he does then maybe you could… steer him in the right direction."
"And how would I do that?" Keith said, grabbing his third piece of bread. They were good.
"I don't know. Show him the poor people of Altea who don't have a home. You could open up to him. Befriend him or… tell him your story," Shiro looked hopefully.
Keith flinched at the last part. He didn't like it when Shiro brought up the past. He absolutely despised all mentions of it.
"Why would I tell him "my story" for? How would I even bring that up? Just be like, "Oh hey, wanna hear a super depressing story of my past?" Why would he even want to know? Why would he want to befriend me?!"
Shiro raised his hands up in a cool-down-Keith gesture. "Keith, lower your voice please."
Keith realized the people at the other tables staring at him and that he had practically leaned over the table in his frustration. He slumped back down and crossed his arms. "Shiro… I don't want to be his friend. Or his bodyguard. Tell me one good reason and maybe I'll go."
He waited, staring at Shiro who was obviously trying to come up with one. After a few seconds, Shiro sighed and looked back at Keith. He shrugged and gave a sheepish smile.
"You'd get to see me more often?"
