Keith woke to an annoying buzzing.
He was too warm and too comfortable to get up, so he ignored it, allowing himself to float through limbo. Maybe the world was on fire; others could deal with it, sleep seemed much more important at the moment.
There was a soft shuffle beside him and then a disgruntled groan, " Keith ."
That voice could make him do anything. He inhaled sharply and rolled onto his back, pressing his fingers into his eyes.
As the obnoxious buzzing continued, Shiro moaned.
"I'll get it, I'll get it," Keith sighed, reaching his hand out without opening his eyes, smacking against the nightstand futilely.
He finally made contact, shoving it to his ear. "What?" He grunted, refusing to open his eyes still.
"Hellooooo? You told me you'd call me back like a week ago."
"I texted you," he defended grumpily.
"That was a week ago, when you told me you'd call me ."
Keith groaned.
He heard Shiro shifting on the bed beside him and he dared to crack his eyes open, allowing himself to take in the sight.
Keith had assumed from the beginning that Shiro was a god, and the more he got to know him, the more he believed that hypothesis. He watched as Shiro's back expanded and contracted with each breath; he switched the phone over into his other hand so he could reach over and trace his fingers along Shiro's spine. Shiro hummed contentedly and shivered a little at the contact.
"So," Lance said. "About the wedding."
"God," Keith huffed, rolling onto his side and pressing his fingers back into his eyes. "It's too early for this shit."
"It's one in the afternoon."
"And? Look. I've said it before and I'll say it again: you're making a huge mistake. You can't marry Sara. You have to date for like...at least a year. At least."
"It's Sammy ," Lance despaired. "You keep getting her name wrong."
"You always do this," Keith groaned. "You think you're ready to go off and elope and then, next week, you're dating someone else. I can't keep up with your girlfriends' names."
"Yeah, yeah, we can't all be like you and Shiro ."
Keith wrinkled his nose, but didn't deny it. He knew he was lucky. He woke up and thought it everyday. During lunch, looking across the table at Shiro, he thought it again. And then, as they went back for the night into their dorm that Keith had newly moved into, he thought it again.
He was so damn lucky. The stars were painted across Shiro's face at every moment, reminding him that miracles could happen.
He smiled, rolling over into Shiro's chest, snuggling his face into his neck.
Shiro inhaled deeply out of sleep, a smile already spreading over his face as he reached his arms up to hold onto him.
"Is that Lance?" He asked.
"Mmhmm."
"Hi, Lance," he said.
From the receiver, Lance called, "Heeeey, Shiro." There was that tone in his voice, halfway between happy for them and exasperated because they were that couple.
"How're the wedding plans?" Shiro asked, brushing his fingers through Keith's hair.
"Keith's not taking me seriously. After I helped him all those time when he was moping over you. I'm hurting here. Hurting ."
Shiro chuckled softly. "Thanks again, Lance."
"Oh, yeah. Anything for my buddies. You'll help me out, won't you? What do you think? Outside wedding or inside wedding?"
"Uh, isn't that something to ask your girlfriend?"
"She doesn't care! Can you believe it? My heart hurts here!"
"Lance," Keith said, "we've got to go. Shiro's got to get ready for his concert in the park. I need to find pants."
" God . You're trying to get rid of me, aren't you? Aren't you?"
Keith heaved a sigh. "We've just got to go."
"Shiro, don't let him do this to me!"
Shiro just laughed as Keith leapt at him, ripping the phone from his hand. Keith said mercilessly, "Goodbye, Lance."
"Wait, wait, wait. Look out your window."
"What?" His eyes slid down to Shiro's, who stared back innocently. He crawled over Shiro, across the bed, and over to the window, pulling the curtain back. There, on the sidewalk, was Lance in his winter gear, wide smile on his face, phone in his hand, and large suitcase by his side.
"Surpriseeee," he laughed weakly.
"God," Keith whispered, ending the call. He let the curtain fall and rounded on Shiro, poking him on the nose with an accusatory finger. "You did this."
Shiro held his hands up in surrender for a moment before allowing them to rest on Keith's hips again. Keith fell into his lap, frowning.
"Now, I can't see what kind of face you're making, but please don't be mad."
"I'm mad."
"Keith... It's Christmas. He's been wanting to see you. He's family."
Keith wrinkled his nose and let his face fall into Shiro's shoulder. "Whhhy...?"
"I want you to have a good Christmas filled with warmth and happiness and love. Lance is your brother."
Keith took in a deep breath, letting the anger unwind out of his shoulders and chest. Selfishly, he had wanted to have this Christmas with only Shiro. To have him all to himself. But the thought was so sweet. Shiro was always trying to do his best for everyone and lately, he'd been worrying about Keith's past, like it was a physical thing that could hurt him.
But the resentment Keith had for his father and mother was unwinding already. He wasn't a saint, he wasn't Shiro; he'd probably never fully forgive them for leaving, but he felt like he had a family now and that meant everything.
Even if he annoyed the heck out of Keith, Lance was, of course, part of that family. Shiro knew that and brought him home.
Keith could feel a lump growing in his throat at the thought of how different this Christmas was already in comparison to a year ago, where he had sat, alone in his cold disgusting apartment.
"Thank you, Shiro," Keith said softly, nestling into the curves of Shiro's body and placing a chaste kiss to his cheek. "I don't deserve you. But I'm already getting all those things this Christmas. This is already the best Christmas I've ever had."
Shiro's smile was equally as soft as Keith's. "Mine too," he whispered. "Now, get up." He patted Keith on the hip. "We have to let Lance in before he freezes. I'm excited to meet him face-to-face."
"He'll be fine out there. Let me sleep... You're warm."
"Wasn't it supposed to snow?"
"Oh, yeah, it's totally white out there. You can hardly see the sidewalk."
" Keith ."
Keith laughed mischievously, hopping off of Shiro and grabbing his clothes from the ground with another quick kiss to Shiro's forehead. " Fine . I'll go get him. But only because you told me to."
Shiro snorted. "Uh, do you see my clothes?"
"Here," Keith picked them up from the floor with his feet and tossed them to Shiro. "Be right back."
There had been no need, though. Allura had already gotten the door and was being cornered by Lance's "charm".
"God," Keith whispered, chuckling as he made his way downstairs. Lance didn't even pay him any attention as Keith walked past and tossed him an irritated wave. Allura smiled at Keith and waved back pleasantly, but her attention went right back to Lance. She was frowning slightly, but there was warm amusement in her eyes. Keith watched, confused.
He left them for the kitchen, getting the kettle started.
Hands wrapped around his waist and warmth pressed against his back as Shiro came in, hugging him tightly.
Keith smiled, leaning into it. "I haven't smoked since I showered. I don't still smell like it, do I? What gives me away now?"
"I can just tell. You smell like you. And the way you grab things - surprisingly graceful."
"Well," Keith huffed out in mock-offence. "Surprisingly?"
" You," Shiro muttered fondly, shoving his face into Keith's hair as he squeezed him tightly.
"Okay, okay, I yield, I yield ," Keith laughed, wriggling around in his hold.
"Oh, my god," came Lance's voice from the kitchen entrance. "Are they always like this? Is this what you have to live with?"
"I'm afraid so," Allura said, sighing, but she looked amused.
"Young love," Lance despaired dramatically, raising his arms to the sky. "Hey! Where's my hello?"
"I already gave it to you," Keith said, turning to look around Shiro's arms. "And you rejected it, asshole. That kind of love doesn't come twice."
"Fine. Shiro?" Lance asked.
Shiro turned, smiling widely, offering his hand. "It's good to finally meet you, Lance. Keith speaks fondly of you."
"Only when I'm not around though, right?" Lance nodded knowingly, smacking his hand hard into Shiro's and grabbing his hand with both of his. "You're about twice as tall and five times cooler than I expected for someone like Keith. You sure he's what you want?"
Shiro huffed a laugh, reaching behind him for Keith's hand.
Keith caught it in his, squeezing.
"Yep," Shiro said breathlessly. "More than."
"Oh, god," Lance muttered, turning to share a knowing look with Allura. "Kill me if I ever become that sappy."
Allura laughed into the back of her hand.
Keith gawked. She actually looked...charmed... He knew exactly what that meant and he sure didn't get it. Poor Sarah, though. Or Sammy. Whatever her name was.
"Okay, okay," Keith said, grabbing his and Shiro's mug before scooting him out of the kitchen and up the stairs. "He's got to get ready for his performance. No disturbances!"
"What the heck!" He heard Lance yelling from downstairs. "Just leave me down here like this. Oh, he always does this. Plays hard to get. It's his game ."
"Oh? He didn't seem that way with Shiro."
"What! That little..."
Keith snickered into Shiro's back as he pushed him into their room. "Did you see Lance's face? Five dollars says Lance and Allura are dating by tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Shiro's eyebrows rose into his forehead. "You're on. Allura doesn't date. Besides...isn't Lance getting married? He was literally just talking about what kind of wedding it should be this morning."
Keith rolled his eyes as he dug through the closet for Shiro's outfit.
There was a blanket of snow out on the quad where the concert was being held. The redwoods that rose into the sky were wrapped cozily in twinkling lights, but they were nothing next to the large tree decorated in ornaments and tinsel beside the outdoor stage. The light was blaring. Keith and Lance huddled together for warmth, still shivering, hands wrapped around cups of hot cocoa topped with little marshmallows.
"The red hat Mom knit you," Lance noted with a grin. "Mom'll be happy. Selfie!"
"God. No. Put the phone away. What are you doing?"
"It's for Mom!" Lance crowed happily, leaning back into Keith's space and taking the pic. He righted himself and shoved his face to his phone, editing. "Look at your face, it's ridiculous. She's going to love this."
Keith hummed noncommitedly, only half-computing as he watched Lance type in addresses. Several addresses.
"Hey, is that Shiro's -"
Sent. Lance looked up with a devilish smile.
"I hate you," Keith stated. "Hate you."
"Nah. No, you don't. You love me."
"Get off."
"I'm your favorite person."
"That's definitely false."
"Well, besides Shiro anyway." Lance pressed himself back upright and looked over at the stage. "I can't believe I'd see the day. My little Keith-y neefy falling in love. And boy, how hard you fell."
Keith blushed red but didn't even think of denying it. It was Shiro so it was okay.
"He seems to really care about you," Lance hummed lowly. "I sort of expected it when I came here, but I wasn't ready for it to be this bad . You're so whipped. And you're happy about it ."
"I know it's only been a few months, but even within that time, he's changed me. Things are different now."
Lance watched him thoughtfully, face inches from his own. Keith rose his eyebrows at him, irritation growing again.
"Like I said," Lance rose his eyebrows. "You've fallen so hard. When's the wedding?"
"I'm not you ," Keith grunted, pushing him.
"Keith!" Pidge called from behind them. She was smiling cheekily, eyes narrowed at Lance. "I didn't know you had friends ."
"He's not," Keith denied at the same time Lance clarified, tossing his arm around Keith's shoulders, " best friends ."
Matt, Hunk, Allura, and a few others of their friends were there too, all smiling happily as Keith introduced them to Lance.
Pidge huddled into Keith's other side, lacing her arm through his. She pushed her glasses to her face as she looked up at Keith. "Man, I haven't seen you without your other half since I first met you, I think. It's weird. It's like seeing you without a shoe or something. I'm uncomfortable just looking at you."
Keith chuckled under his breath. "It is weird."
The sound of instruments warming up brightened the air. Keith blinked to attention, smacking Lance on the chest to get him to shut up.
The curtains were pulled away slowly, revealing the orchestra, and, most importantly, Shiro sitting tall at the piano. He was dressed up in a tie and tuxedo.
Keith's heart melted at the sight.
"He cleans up well," Pidge hummed in approval.
Keith nodded seriously, eyes trained on him.
He swatted Lance's finger away with a loud crack as he poked Keith's cheek.
He could barely hear Lance snort, "he looks like a dog on high alert staring after his master."
"'Master'," Pidge groaned. "Don't say that about my friends."
"Oh, god, no, I didn't mean it like that, I swear."
The chatter around him melted away as the song began with only the sweet soft twinkle of the piano, Shiro's arms lifting and flowing at his sides as he moved with confidence and control.
God. He was so beautiful. Keith couldn't believe his luck. If waiting all these years, lonely and miserable, meant that he got to keep Shiro in the end, he'd do it again and again. If it meant he would only get a day with Shiro, he'd do it then too.
Shiro was everything to him.
"Oh, my god," Lance was cracking up, and Keith barely registered the sound of his phone madly taking pictures. "He's crying! He's actually crying! I didn't think he'd do it."
"Ten dollars," Allura demanded smugly, holding her hand out cooly as Lance grumbled and handed it over.
It was morning. Light was softly streaming in through the curtains and Keith was awake, watching as dust floated lazily through the air. Shiro's head was in his lap and he ran his fingers through his hair in soothing caresses, thinking fondly about everything he was grateful for.
It was awhile before he noticed there was a soft smile on Shiro's lips. Keith leaned down and placed a kiss on the corner of his mouth. Shiro turned, meeting him halfway, kissing him back tenderly.
"Morning," Keith murmured.
"Mm...what time is it? How long have you been awake?"
"Forever."
Shiro huffed, rubbing his face into Keith's thigh.
"Like fifteen minutes maybe."
"What're you thinking about?"
"You."
Shiro hummed, smiling happily. "Me too. I was dreaming about you."
"What a coincidence. I was just dreaming about you ."
"Oh, man, we are pretty bad, aren't we?" Shiro chuckled, feeling almost a bit delirious.
Keith joined in. He could hardly care. "The worst probably."
The laughed silently until their stomachs hurt.
"By the way," Keith said with a shit-eating grin. "You owe me five dollars."
"For what?"
"Lance just spent the night in Allura's room."
" What?"
"Check yourself, if you dare. When I went to use the bathroom last night, I saw him go in there. Who knows, maybe he's finally found someone who can handle him."
"What? But he has a girlfriend! They were going to get married!"
Keith just shook his head, contenting himself with continuing to run his hands through Shiro's hair. "That's Lance for you. I told you he wasn't actually serious."
"But marriage !"
Keith chuckled. "So Lance. They only knew each other for a few months. Barely longer than we've known each other."
Shiro hummed, leaning into Keith's touch. "...When you put it that way, I guess I can see it. I feel like I've known you forever."
"Hm. In a way, we have. I just didn't know it was you and you just didn't know it was me."
"You don't even remember seeing me when you were a kid."
"No, and I -"
"-No apology necessary," Shiro said, reaching his hand up into Keith's shirt.
"Okay," Keith nodded, taking in a deep breath. "Alright."
Shiro rolled onto his side and crawled closer, pressing his lips to Keith's stomach. He chased the line up his ribs before stopping, smiling into his skin. "I just remembered something."
"What's that?" Keith hummed happily, playing with the ends of Shiro's forelock.
"It's Christmas. ...Merry Christmas, Keith."
"Oh!" he laughed. He had completely forgotten. He found himself not even bitter at the thought of Christmas. He was grinning . "Merry Christmas! I got you something. It's stupid though," he warned.
Shiro laughed. "Oh, no."
Keith leaned over to their nightstand and handed it over.
Shiro pushed himself up into a seated position and began to carefully unfold the wrapping. He was meticulous about it, making sure not to make a mess everywhere. Keith bounced antsily.
Shiro felt it between two hands. "Ooh, a sweater? It's so soft."
Keith grinned, eyes trained on his face. "It's an ugly sweater, to replace the one you've got. It's not violent this time. I got a matching one too."
Shiro laughed loudly, from his belly, smoothing it out between his hands. "What's it of?"
"It's cute, I swear. The base color of it is red -"
"-Your signature -"
Keith smiled, "Mine's purple. And there are flecks of snow all throughout it, and in the center are two robot lions, together."
"Robot lions? What the heck?"
"It reminded me of us," Keith laughed, leaning forward to poke his nose. "If you hate it, we can return it."
"Not so fast. I'm going to cherish this forever."
"Wow. That's so long."
" Forever ."
Keith laughed.
Shiro wiggled into the sweatshirt, tugging it over his stomach and opening his arms wide. "How do I look?"
"Amazing," Keith said warmly, and he meant it. Shiro took his breath away. He tossed himself into Shiro's open arms and hummed happily.
"Your turn now! Matt helped me pick it out. He was worried I would choose something awful. I think he's trying to look after you."
"Matt? Wow. I feel special."
"You should. I told you he'd warm up to you. You're you, after all."
Shiro fell back, bringing them both onto the bed. He shifted so that he could reach over the side of the bed and grab a small box beneath.
"You've been hiding a present underneath the bed?"
"Yeah, well, you've got sight, okay? There's only so much I can do."
Keith laughed, pressing the side of his face to Shiro's chest as he reached for the present. "Did you wrap this?"
"I tried. How does it look?"
"Way better than mine. Figures."
"Maybe I should become a professional package wrapper."
"Okay, not that good, hot shot." He tore the wrapping off in one go, revealing a curved box inside. "Sunglasses?" He blinked in surprise. They were about twenty times nicer than the ones he always wore and were somehow just his style.
He slipped them on. "They're so comfortable. It's like they're not even there."
"You like them?" Shiro asked hopefully. "I remember you mentioning before that yours hurt your face, and since you wear them so often..."
Keith pushed them up onto his head and stared at Shiro. "You are the most thoughtful person in the world."
"Aww," Shiro smiled brightly, lighting up like the sun.
"The best person. The most generous, caring, sweetest -"
"-Okay, now you're just trying to butter me up for something, aren't you?"
Keith laughed, tossing himself over Shiro again and wrapping his arms around his neck tightly. "Thank you," he murmured softly. They were sunglasses, but they felt like the world.
"And thank you ," Shiro pressed his lips to Keith's temple.
"Oh, god," Keith breathed, nuzzling into the soft skin beneath Shiro's chin. "If only I had known you were here, waiting for me, I would've come running right away."
"As I recall, you were climbing out of windows to avoid me at first."
Had he really? That seemed like another lifetime ago. "Well, I didn't know at that time. And I was scared."
"You're not anymore, right?"
"No," Keith whispered, pulling himself up to rub his nose against Shiro's. It was too cute to ignore. He tilted his head and nibbled on it. "You're the best. The best present wrapper."
Shiro laughed, running his hands over his sweater. "This is the comfiest thing I think I've ever owned. Can't wait to burn Matt's sweater."
Keith laughed softly under his breath. "You don't have to go that far."
"Oh, I do."
Shiro's face was so soft against his fingertips. He ran them along his strong jawline and up his cheeks to the scar over the bridge of his nose.
"I can tell what you're thinking," Shiro said softly. "And there's no need to be sorry."
"I wasn't going to say it," Keith said.
"No?"
"No," he whispered. "I was just thinking how pretty your eyes are."
Shiro hummed, smiling tenderly. "I doubt they're as pretty as yours. You. And your blue eyes."
Keith laughed. "Oh, right. I said that, didn't I?"
"You did."
"Well, I mean, we are newly in this relationship. There are still things we need to learn about each other; it's going to take time. And there is one thing I need to confess."
Shiro hummed knowingly. "What's that?" He brushed Keith's hair from his face in subconscious strokes.
"I lied to you." He kept his voice low, serious.
Shiro's smile grew. "What about?"
"Something very serious."
"Yeah? Should I get ready to call the police?"
Keith pressed his smile down. "Maybe. My eyes aren't blue."
Shiro gasped in mock surprise. "What? You lied to me?"
"Yeah. I was dumb."
"Let me guess? Green?"
Keith laughed aloud, throwing his head back. He rolled onto his side, reaching up to weave his fingers through Shiro's. "They're purple, silly. You're not crazy, after all. Looks like we won't have to lock you away in the looney bin."
"Yeah? That's the greatest gift of all this year." He lowered his voice, "Well, besides you, of course."
Keith laughed as he pulled back, looking at Shiro's face. His soft lips that always smiled. His grey kind eyes. The scar across his nose that spoke of his kindness even more.
Keith said, "...The first day I saw you was the first day I saw color. It was beautiful." And then, even softer, "You're beautiful. I never believed in love until I met you. That's the truth."
"Keith," Shiro said, rolling them both onto their sides so that they were face-to-face. "I love you. You're my life now."
The color that Keith saw may've been fate's touch, but Shiro was Keith's decision. Grey and white, or pure darkness, he'd choose Shiro no matter what; he knew Shiro would do the same for him. His heart felt like bursting when he realized that was what love was about. And he knew that now.
Him. Keith. Knowing about love.
Who would've ever thought?
Colors or not, Shiro was his. Keith clung to him and he knew from that moment onward, he would never let go.
