Keith grits his teeth and pushes further into where Shiro's hand is petting his hair. The ranch hand isn't being unnecessarily rough in tying back his arms, but the little bit of freedom he's been given at night makes his joints protest all the more at being forced back into position. He just has to hold still and not fight this one last time. After today he won't be tied up ever again, one way or another.
The hand tugs hard on the rope and Keith flinches, "Done," He announces dusting off his cloths as he stands. He doesn't stop Shiro from taking Keith's lead, just steps past him to wait outside the stall. Keith takes his time getting to his hooves, stretching out the stiff muscles of his legs from the enforced stillness of the cramped space, before walking out himself. They'll only get one shot at this. Shiro might be spared if he fails, but a mistake could just as easily cost both their lives.
Shiro's watching him closely. Eyes narrowed at Keith's unusual calm. Keith smiles at him reassuringly, but it's pointless. He could never hide anything from Shiro. All he can hope is he won't do anything about his suspicion until it's too late to stop him.
They step out of the stable into the busy world of the ranch. Centaurs exercise in the training yards, kicking up dust after rain failed to manifest and wet the loose dirt down. Ranch hands walk and run hither and yon leading centaurs, carrying around supplies, or just hurrying to their next chore. Keith memorizes all of it. This is the noisy beating heart of the Ranch, the life they forced Shiro into.
"You're quiet," Shiro's voice is soft, concerned, "Are you okay?" What a silly thing to ask, he's been imprisoned against his will. Keith looks back at Shiro. There is concern on his face, genuine worry.
"I'm fine," He's no worse than he's been at any point since being captured.
Shiro's eyebrows pinch together, "I heard you were shown to Sendak," He says meaningfully, "The man with the yellow eye," He clarifies. Shiro had heard about that? Of course he had, they'd probably gone straight to the older stallion to complain afterward. They must have asked him to talk some sense into Keith again. Well he doesn't want to hear it. They've just passed the last stable, and soon they'll be at the empty field the hands let them have their visit in. Nothing Shiro says at this point will change his mind.
"No matter what happens, you know you can always talk to me right?" Shiro presses. Keith pointedly doesn't look at him, staring out as they pass fewer and fewer humans the further from the busy center of the Ranch they get. Shiro's hand touches Keith's shoulder, squeezing gently. The rough textures of lead rope he's holding against his skin could be some sort of symbolism, "Keith, I remember what is was like to be new. I know…I know how things can get." Even if he wanted to ask what Shiro meant, he won't have this conversation a few feet behind one of the hands. Shiro sighs at his continued silence, letting go. Shiro doesn't try to speak again.
The grassy field is the same as it was a couple days ago. Green, quiet, and most importantly abandoned. They're in the far reaches of the Ranch in an area that doesn't see much use. Shiro's probably why they've been granted this minor privacy. They have their hooks so deep in him, they no longer need ropes to hold him. Another reminder why things have to be this way.
The ranch hand unhooks the gate, swinging it wide for them. Shiro drops Keith's lead to enter first, turning his back. Now's the time. The hands eyes go wide as Keith rears back, but he barely has time to raise his arms before Keith's front hooves are crashing into his head. The man falls without even a cry of surprise and Keith crashes down on top of him. Stomping again and again using all his weight to make sure that the hand never rises again.
The kick to his bottom half's side sends him stumbling sideways, nearly toppling him. He steadies himself turning to face his attacker. Shiro's already kneeled down beside the body, hand visibly shaking even from this distance, as he tries to rouse the dead man. "Oh god, Keith," Shiro looks up at him, fear and panic in equal measures on his face, "What have you done?" Shiro's voice is desperate, as if to beg Keith to tell him that this isn't real. That he hadn't just murdered one of their captors.
"I did what needed to be done," No remorse, no pity for those who took Shiro from him.
Reality sinks in, and suddenly Shiro is moving. Grabbing the knife from the hand's belt and standing up, "They'll kill you if they found out," Only the barest quiver remains in Shiro's voice, purpose overtaking him. Keith doesn't flinch as Shiro approaches him with the knife, not even when he begin to saw inexpertly at the ropes binding Keith's arms with his remaining hand. The little knicks and cuts are hardly noticeable with the adrenalin singing in his veins, "You need to run, as fast as you can. Get far far away from here, where they can't ever find you." Shiro says in a rush.
The ropes loosen and Keith pulls his arms free. Ignoring the pain, there are more important things, "You're coming with me," Keith says.
Shiro stares at him a moment, "I told you, I can't. There is no place for me out there," Shiro says. He shoves Keith. Trying to get him to move. Keith braces and refuse to go any farther.
"You come with me, or we both wait for them to find him," Keith puts on his best stubborn face. Staring directly into Shiro's eyes in challenge. No one can force him to run, not even Shiro.
"They'll kill you," Shiro repeats, as if he hadn't heard him the first time.
"I know," They'd make an example out of him, public and painful to warn all the others who might think of stepping out of line. If Shiro wasn't dying right beside him, he'd most likely be forced to watch. Even so, Shiro was worth that, "I leave with you or not at all."
Shiro breaks eye contact, casting desperately around, maybe for a way to make Keith leave him behind, maybe for the hand that will inevitably find the scene. Whatever he's looking for, he doesn't find it. He looks down at Keith one last time, "Please," Shiro begs, and it hurts. Hurts to see someone so strong so scared to leave his captors, but he can't heal until he's free.
Keith hardens his heart, "No" He says. Shiro's face falls, his shoulder slump, he's lost. Keith is willing to sacrifice himself for this, but Shiro isn't willing to sacrifice Keith.
"This way," Shiro says hoarsely, turning to lead Keith away from their prison. Victory has never tasted so bitter.