[ back in the day, like back in their universe when they only had the galra to worry about, rather than unpredictable spooks? or back in the day as in before voltron, before the galra, before kerberos and before the destruction of their once, relatively carefree lives? shiro has the sinking suspicion that it’s the latter. again, the guilt wells up and he regrets not talking to keith about what happened in his absence or even checking up on him more regularly in the castle of lions. leading voltron has taken up so much of his attention, which it should, but neglecting keith, even for the betterment of the universe seems strangely wrong.

pretty ridiculous of him to forgo every opportunity to talk to keith about what matters and then decide to dump it on him now. first it was at mcdonalds, now it’s when keith is drunk -- what is wrong with shiro’s timing? a lot, because this is not the time and already, shiro misses keith’s laughing. ]

I was too. [ a beat. ] And still am, with you. [ he’s trying to reel back the carelessness of before. desperate for it, he keeps talking, part hoping that some chain of words will trigger keith’s delight again. ]

I was happy dancing with you. And chasing you. We could do either of those again. [ he drums his fingers along keith’s hips and then pauses to rest them again, lifting himself a bit to test the grip of keith’s arms around his neck. ] Or you could try to catch me.