[ keith smiles back at shiro, more reflexive than anything when there's a familiar grip and squeeze at his shoulder. listening to shiro speak fondly about adam shouldn't be so... awkward? conflicting? keith doesn't know what the right word for it is, but he shifts in his seat and still doesn't manage eye contact.

another sorry is on the tip of his tongue, but keith couldn't explain why or what the apology is even for at this point. would that be sorry i punched the guy? but the thought just grows corrosive in his mind the longer he holds onto it. no -- he's not sorry in the slightest about decking the guy that dumped shiro for pursuing his dreams and later tried to make keith give up on shiro too. if anything, it's easier to redirect a growing anger towards the fun house. for wasting everyone's time and filling shiro's head with trash. ]

Too long. [ which isn't an answer, but he'll substantiate a little more helpfully. ] I was running around for ... ten minutes or so? Might've lasted longer if I hadn't run into Jaeger.

[ but with that said, his tone softens slightly. ]

Just hang in there. I'll be here to talk you through it. Or pull you back so you don't go chasing strangers.