[ lost in his own head, keith genuinely doesn't hear that first call of his name. he runs out of excuses for silence on the second louder attempt to catch his attention. distantly, he wonders just how long he's been in here that shiro's come looking for him, but he supposes it ultimately doesn't matter. if he wanted to put up some facade of functionality for shiro's benefit, he's already fucked that up.

that doesn't make it less embarrassing when shiro finally barges into the bathroom to stand just outside his shower. this is what -- the second or third time today that keith's failed to keep it together? morale crumpling, keith manages to lift his head up from off his knees enough to look shiro in the eyes and offers a wan smile that doesn't reach his eyes. it falters and dies barely a beat later.

what's going on? fuck if he knows. ]

I dunno. I didn't fall or anything. [ just to clear that up quick before shiro's concern draws a straight line between him and the clinic again. ] I think.... I'm just having a hard time..

[ said out loud like that, it's such a laughable understatement that keith almost makes himself laugh. instead of mirth however, he simply draws his knees in closer, tighter and drops his chin back down to stare at the flow of water going down the drain. ]

And I really hate how I've been handling it. [ pause. voice going quieter, he steals just the tiniest glance at shiro's face. ]... which makes me think you're gonna hate it even more.