[ would his dad really be proud? keith dwells on the thought for an extended beat of silence. there'd been a time in his life where school counselors would bring up his dad's memory -- to make keith reflect on his behavior, they'd claim, but it'd always felt more like his dad's memory was being weaponized. more than once the idea of being the son your dad would have wanted had lead to keith outright shouting that if his dad cared about the kind of son keith would turn out to be, then he shouldn't have fucking died in the first place. the sentiment continues to hold some twisted logic, even if keith knows that it doesn't rationally work that way.

he lets out a deep breath, forcing a half smile though. the truth of the matter is simply that keith hasn't really needed pretty self soothing thoughts about his dad watching over him or whatever and being proud. it's just that ever since he'd accidentally managed to work the operations panel at the galran base, he'd been forced to think about his dad again for entirely unexpected reasons.

but that isn't what keith ought to be focusing on. as mixed as his feelings may be about his dad, it's a whole lot simpler to hear that shiro is proud. sure, it may be old news, but it makes the forced smile gradually reach his eyes with some genuine warmth. ]

Those are some big words, Shiro. [ he isn't wholly convinced shiro of all people needs him there to be successful in whatever endeavor he takes on, but the sentiment is ... nice? kind? keith dispells the tight feeling in his chest with a quiet: ] ...heh.

You know I'll always be there to support you. [ a beat. ] Whatever it takes.