Chapter 36: Let's Have Some Festival Fun!(Part 2)(Keith's POV)

After his friends had successfully dragged him away from the others to some part of the festival. It looked like vendors selling all types of carnival food. His friends are huffing from the running they did.

"So why did you guys drag me away?" He asks.

They all look at another guiltily. Kagami speaks up for them, "We want to make sure you have a good time, after the stunt we pulled. Making you relive your darkest memories."

Oh, so that's what it is about. Honestly after telling them and letting his emotions out in his room, it felt good. Like a heavy weight had been lifted off his shoulders now that all his friends know what happened. Like he could finally put the memory to rest after all the trauma it caused him.

"I forgive you guys."

Adrien raises his eyebrow and narrows his eyes, "Are you sure? We pressured you to reveal something that obviously bothered you for a long time. And after we said we wouldn't."

"True, but it felt good to get it off my chest and let you guys know. I had a really hard time trying to forget about it and pretend it didn't happen and all it did was make me suffer. I do wish I could have told you all what happened when I was ready, but I don't think I ever could be ready with how much I tried to just bury it. Old habits die hard I suppose."

"Wait, so you've always had a hard time opening up to people?" Chloe asks in surprise.

He nods and scratches behind his neck, "Yeah. I… Because my mother left me at a young age I assumed that I wasn't worthy of anyone's love. Because if my mother couldn't love me even before she got to know me, others wouldn't either. So I pushed anyone away, except my father, who tried to make connections with me. Because I assumed that even before they knew me, the connection would fall apart. And when my dad died it only got worse. Until I met Shiro but even then he was only person I let readily into my life, until I met you Adrien."

Zoe breathes out, "That's heavy."

"So we all got mommy issues then." Kagami states.

Adrien laughs, "I suppose we do."

"But are you really okay with what we did?" Chole asks, "Like Adrien said we pressured you into it. We didn't even give you a choice."

"And like I said, I'm okay with it. It helped me come to terms with what happened in a more healthy way. I don't feel that bogged down by it anymore honestly."

It's the truth. Ever since that day on the ship and he tried to shove the memory back down, the nightmares only became worse. It doesn't help that he retold Pidge what happened which made it weigh a lot more on his mind. Because if he told one person he would have to tell the rest eventually, which only made him more troubled and seeing that man besides Honvera also didn't help. It's why he took to the piano the day Krolia heard him, to shove those memories down deep inside. But it only hurt him in the end.

Chole breathes a sigh of relief, "I'm glad. We were all worried, especially Adrien, about you and how you reacted to telling us the truth."

Keith hugs Adrien, "Thank you for being worried." He then pulls back a little, "But I'm doing better now. So let's enjoy this festival together."

Adrien nods, "Yeah. We haven't had much time after the Atlas launch to truly hang out together. Just the five of us."

He smiles. They then go throughout the festival, gawking and commenting on the different Alien food the festival is offering. He's glad to have friends like these. Friends who wanted to cheer him up in case he was still feeling sour about the whole meeting thing that happened earlier today. Friends who admit their wrongdoings and actively try to make up for it. Yes he truly is blessed to have an awesome group of friends.

Meanwhile: Shiro's POV

Shiro looks out into the view that the Ferris Wheel provides. But he can't help but feel saddened that he isn't at Keith's side. Making him feel better, or at least making sure he's okay.

He grips Adam's hand tighter to remind himself to just enjoy the free-time they get to spend together.

"Is something wrong, Shiro?" asks Adam, noticing the tightened grip on his hand.

Looking out and down at the Festival view that looks like a field of golden light, he sighs, "Yeah. I know I should be enjoying this time with you. Our first date since the Launch of the Altas, but I can't help but worry for Keith…."

"So this is about the meeting you told me about. When you finally heard why Keith was scared to tell you about where he got the Peacock Miraculous?"

"Yeah…."

"That wasn't your fault. Keith could have backed out from telling you guys but he didn't. He told you."

"But we pressured him into it…."

"So? You know how Keith is. He keeps his emotions close to himself, especially about things that he cares about. He likely wouldn't have told you without some intervention."

"But he told Pidge…."

"And after that he didn't tell you or the others. You know that Keith is kind of closed off when it comes to telling his feelings like I stated earlier. Besides when Adrien and Chloe asked where he got the peacock miraculous and he didn't tell them then."

"It was only those two and a bit of me pressuring him. This time it was all of us, minus Coran and Pidge."

"You cannot blame yourself for what happened. All of you were involved and I'm sure Keith's friends are making sure he's okay. You all expressed guilt for pressuring him so I'm sure he'll understand."

"But I should be making sure he's okay….."

"Shiro you might have taken care of him in the Garrison and during the short time he was the red paladin of Voltron, but you cannot be there for him all the time. You weren't there for him when he was in Paris or when the Galrans invaded, his current friends were. They know him best now. And even if you were there you couldn't have been involved with everything he was a part of. Keith is his own man now, you can't baby him all the time."

"I know Adam. But a part of me feels like I should be there by his side now because I wasn't there for him when he in Paris."

Adam leans closer to him and says, "I get it. But you're going to have to face the fact that Keith can do just fine without you. He has a big group of friends now who love and support him. You don't have to be at his side twenty-four seven."

"But…."

"You are his big brother and sure he might need your help. But until then just relax and know that if anything bad happens he has friends who will be there for him when you can't."

"You're right Adam. I just wish I could have gotten more time with him. I lost time with him and you when I was a Galra prisoner. And when we were a part of Voltron it was great, and then I was separated from him again. I then lost three years due to the time slippage the explosion from the Castle caused. I just wish that I could have had more time to support and be there for him. But now he's all grown up and has his own friends to rely on….."

"I didn't say that he doesn't still need you. Just that you can rest easy knowing he has friends who will be there for him in case you can't. And it might take some time before he eases back into the brotherhood you two have when you have been apart for so long. But that doesn't mean he doesn't need you anymore."

"Once again you are right. When did you get so wise?"

"Perhaps it's because I am now three years older than you," teases Adam.

"Is that so?"

"Of course it is. Being older automatically makes me wiser."

They then both break out laughing at the ridiculous notion. Instantly he feels better. The night sky glitters with stars and with the glowing bright lights of the festival make it so serene. Taking advantage of this perfect moment he leans in and kisses Adam. They both express their love tenderly enjoying the moment.