Okay, so this is a sequel/spin-off to Love's First Message. I know what you are thinking, wasn't 'She Will Be Loved' a sequel to it? Yep, it was but this is a spin-off sequel on what if Keith wasn't an idiot and gave things a go and this is a multi-chapter although I will aim to make it a shorter one and not have it go on forever, so here we go!

1. Can This Work?

It had been a couple of days since Keith had read the letter for the first time, but the words were imprinted into his mind. I have feelings for you. Stay safe. The sentiments filled his heart with warmth and made him feel like he wasn't alone, even when he was on a solo mission. It was a strange feeling and he had asked Kolivan for some time off because this was a conversation that could not wait. Maybe he should talk to Shiro first – because when it came to his mind, one second, he wanted to say yes to Allura and trust his heart while the next second it told him that he was setting them both up for disappointment. Either way, it was not coming to a solid decision.

Shiro had always been the one to guide him when things didn't make sense in his mind so maybe this would help clear things up. Yeah, that was a good idea so he could give a clear answer. He headed back to the Castle of Lions on the pod, the coordinates having been put in already. As soon as he entered the castle grounds, he was swept into a hug by Hunk and he returned it slightly stiffly before his friend pulled away, his eyes locked onto Allura's who shifted a bit, but she didn't speak. He tried to smile at her but hoped it wouldn't show the conflicting emotions he felt inside.

"Shiro," Keith said, not realising Lance had asked him something because too many voices were talking inside his head, so he needed to solve this right now. "I need to talk to you. Please."

"Keith, is everything okay?" Shiro asked, watching him.

Keith shifted a bit. "Yeah. I just need to talk to you alone for a bit."

Shiro nodded, glancing over at the others. "I'll be back ok guys?" He gently motioned for Keith to follow him, and he did so, almost instinctively. He wasn't even consciously aware of where he was going but that was okay. He would follow him with his eyes closed because it was Shiro.

It wasn't too hard for them to find a small space for them to be alone, but Keith wasn't even sure where to start explaining. At least without giving Shiro the letter to read and he couldn't do that. Allura had said it was for his eyes only.

A hand on his shoulder brought Keith back to the present moment.

"Keith," Shiro's voice was soft and gentle as he spoke. "What's wrong? Did something happen with the Blades?"

"No," Keith said softly. "I like Allura, and she likes me too. She gave me a letter and it made me realise I like her too, but I don't know what to do. I have to go back to the Blades, and I don't…I don't want her to regret the decision anyway. I mean, she's a princess."

He knew his thoughts probably didn't make any sense – they didn't to him so there was no way they would to anyone else. But Shiro was different – he understood him even when he didn't understand himself. So maybe he could offer him some advice so he could stop arguing with himself.

"She may be a princess, but she chose you, Keith," Shiro said softly. "If you like her too, I think you should go for it. I know you and I know Allura. As long as the feelings are mutual between the two of you, I know a little bit of distance won't get in the way of that. Trust your heart, Keith." He reached out, placing a hand to Keith's heart. "It's never been wrong before."

Keith blinked a bit. He wasn't so sure about that but if Shiro thought that there must be some amount of truth in it. Besides, even if he was not right about his heart, he was definitely correct in one matter. Allura had chosen him and no matter how much he tried to convince himself that she would end up disappointed eventually, he just couldn't bring himself not to try it. It was as if his heart and mind were at war with one another and his heart kept winning out. So maybe this time, it wouldn't hurt to trust it.

"Your mother and I were from completely different worlds, but we trusted our hearts and found something special in one another," His father had said to him once when he had asked about his mom.

Was that what Allura meant to him? Someone who came from a completely different world, but she was special, and they could find out what that meant together. His cheeks flushed slightly at the thought. It would be nice to have something like that with her – with someone who had come to accept him for who he was as a person – despite his bloodline but rather by his actions. It was a new feeling to be accepted unconditionally but a good one.

"We can define what we want ourselves," Keith said quietly. "But would it work if we're not in the same place at the same time?"

"Feelings aren't that simple to be diminished by distance," Shiro said simply. "I mean, you're with the Blades right now. Has it made your care and concern for your team any less even though you're not with them constantly?"

"No, of course not," Keith's response was immediate, one he didn't even need thinking too much on.

"Then love isn't measured by distance," Shiro said simply. "Go to her, tell her how you feel. I know the rest will work itself out because I know you."

Keith watched Shiro for a moment and he realised Shiro's words made it easier to believe that things would be okay. He slowly nodded, heart rising a little. If Shiro believed he'd be able to work everything out, then he probably could make things work out.

"Okay, I'll go tell her," Keith said. "Thanks, Shiro."

Shiro wrapped an arm around him, squeezing his shoulder. "Anytime, Keith."