Okay, so I had not forgotten this story, a lot happened, and I needed to get back to it in due time and figure out how I wanted to close it and which direction I wanted to take it. For anyone who thinks Shiro should have remained his Champion self a bit longer, Keith influenced clone-Shiro just with his emotions, so I feel with real Shiro that would be even more. I feel if anyone could get through to Shiro, it's Keith. Especially in this scenario.

10. Need You By My Side

Shiro could not explain whether Keith was sleeping or if the stress of everything had made him pass out, but he did not like how still his little brother was. Of course, seeing how pale Lance was made his anger at Veronica blaming Keith fade and the urge to strangle the person who had done this to them made its way known. He could kill them. He would kill them. He had the power to make those who hurt his loved ones pay.

"Shiro? Shiro!" Keith's voice snapped him out of his thoughts, and he looked to the other.

"Keith, you're awake," Shiro said softly. "Did you fall asleep?"

"No," Keith said. "Red brought us both to his consciousness. So, Lance and I could talk. But right now, I'm more worried about you than Lance."

"Me? Why me?" Shiro asked, not realising he had been worrying Curtis a lot with how he had been acting or that he might have spoken to Keith about it.

Keith moved over, wrapping his arms around Shiro. "What happened…it's not Lance's fault. Veronica is right. It was my fault. I should have noticed what was going on before it was too late. So…please don't hurt yourself trying to protect me."

"It's not your fault," Shiro said immediately, feeling the darkness return and wanting to strangle those that had made Keith feel like this. "You couldn't…you couldn't have known."

Keith went quiet at that, averting his gaze and Shiro had to wonder for a moment if he had scared his brother. If his brother was genuinely afraid of him with how he was acting and for some reason, the need to reassure his little brother was outweighing his need for revenge. He needs you. His boyfriend was just raped. He needs you to focus on him, not on getting revenge on those that hurt him.

'You are focusing on him by destroying those that brought this pain upon him' Haggar's voice reminded him. But was he? He wasn't sure he could leave Keith right now, not without making sure he was taken care of. Taking care of his enemies would be the long-term solution. Watching that bitch wither just like she had caused Keith and Lance to be was the only real solution possible.

"Keith," Shiro said in a softer tone. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine. But you should contact Krolia. You need her."

Keith frowned. "I'm okay right now. You're here and Lance is here. I don't need her."

Shiro shook his head. "I might need to leave for a bit. I don't want to leave you alone." He knew Keith could read him well and sure enough, his eyes widened a bit and he reached out to grasp Shiro's hand.

"No," Keith said stubbornly. "You can't leave. Not with that look on your face."

Shiro was about to open his mouth to protest but Keith cut through him.

"I'll call Krolia," Keith said softly. "But only if you want to stay as well. I know what you're thinking, Shiro. We've known each other long enough. But I don't need you to fight my battles or Lance's. I need you to support me while I fight my own battles."

Shiro didn't know what it was about those words, but Haggar's voice was getting weaker, and Keith's presence was getting stronger in his mind. The desire to kill was fading and being replaced by the desire to protect. I don't need you to fight my battles. I need you to support me while I fight my own battles. Keith wasn't a child anymore and even when there were times he would stumble, he needed someone to hold his hand and stay by his side, not step in front of him and take over. Keith would always need him but he had also grown enough to stand on his own. His eyes flickering back to normal as his heart eased and his arms wrapped around Keith, pulling him close.

"I'm here," Shiro said softly. "For whatever you need. But will you please call Krolia too?"