An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
This Wall Of Mine
Relationship: Keith/Shiro
Rating: M
Summary: Shiro is a mechanic recovering from a traffic accident; Keith is an awkward gamer who has just moved in next door. The wall between them is very thin, and for his own peace of mind Shiro volunteers to help Keith with soundproofing the apartment. Of course, he doesn't know what he's really getting into...
written for @sheith-prompt-bang - SoL 25 - Let’s Player AU!
Twenty years ago, Galra "contracted” a group of humans and transported them to Naxzela to work in the mines. Soon people realized the so-called "job” was nothing but indentured servitude: only the Galra can sever a contract and set their human worker free.
Nowadays most humans on Naxzela work - and die - in the mines.
Takashi Shirogane managed to win the gladiator tornament two years ago; he was granted freedom and sent off planet. It was presumed he was gone for good, until one day Keith found him unconscious on his doorstep...
Shiro wasn’t supposed to be here. That was all Keith could think of when he found Shiro passed out in the slums. This was where people ended up if they failed in life. Keith belonged here, but Shiro didn’t.
(not) written for @sheith-prompt-bang; prompt D26 - Slums AU.
Shiro sighs. "We have to be patient."
"I'm tired of being patient!" Keith clenches his fists. "We have to do something."
"Kidnapping the Altean princess to ransom her for a spaceship is a bad idea, and you know it. Lotor would never let us leave the orbit alive."
"I know, but I can't just sit on my hands and wait for you to come up with a plan to save everyone! They don't even want to be saved, they're happy wasting their lives away as Galran slaves."
Shiro studies him for a moment.
"And you're okay with that?"
"No, but... I just...” Keith loses his fighting vigor quickly. Still, he’s stubborn. “I want us to leave this place. You have nothing to hold you here on Naxzela, and neither do I. We could run away and never come back."
"It's risky," Shiro shakes his head.
"It's better than running Galra errands and cleaning their filth for the rest of our lives!"
"Which is why we have to take everyone with us when we run."
"There are hundreds of people! There's not a single ship in the universe big enough to get everyone on board!"
"Then we need several ships, or we need to remove the Galra and take Naxzela for ourselves."
"How?” Keith demands an answer. For the moment, Shiro has none. Keith sighs. “Shiro, this is madness. What you want is impossible."
Shiro crosses his arms.
"Then we have to make it possible. I won't give up on you, and I won't give up on the rest of our people."
"They gave up on themselves!" Keith retorts hotly, his eyes glistening, angry, betrayed. Shiro remains calm. He can be stubborn, too.
"Which is why we have to keep trying to restore their faith. I have a plan, but I'll need your help, Keith, and I'll need you to get your job as a delivery driver back."
Keith pauses, and his eyes grow darker.
"This is because of Adam, isn't it?"
"In part, yes," Shiro admits easily. He has nothing to hide. “Because of everyone else, too.”
"So, what if Adam asked you to leave with him? Would you have done it?"
Shiro looks him in the eyes.
"Two years ago, I asked Adam the same thing you were asking me,” he said. Taken aback, Keith stares at him wide-eyed. “To run away together and be free. You know what he told me? No human can truly be free while their brothers and sisters are suffering in captivity. He'd sooner give up his life protecting his community - our community, our family - than abandon our people."
Keith frowns.
"But you left anyway. You were gone for over a year."
"Yes. And I returned with supplies and a plan to save everyone, because Adam is right. I can't abandon them, and I can't abandon him. He's the only family I have ever known."
"You're the only family I have left," Keith says quietly.
Shiro knows, and he nods.
"I know."
Keith bites his lip. "Do you still love him? Adam."
"I care about him.” Shiro shrugs. It’s not as difficult to admit as it has been before because now that’s all there is. A tender shadow of an old flame; it doesn’t hurt anymore. The door is closed, and Shiro is ready to move on. He simply wishes to give Adam a chance to find his own happiness too - as a free man, not as a Galra slave. “I care what happens to him. I don't want him to end up chewed up and spit out by the Galra. He deserves better."
"Better than you?"
Keith’s question hits him hard. Keith’s eyes are sharp, there’s something dangerous lurking behind his stern gaze, something that makes Shiro shiver.
He looks away.
"Maybe,” he says. His voice is a whisper. He forces himself to speak up. “Adam is braver than me, in a way. To lead the life he does, serving as a mediator between our people and the Galra - it takes courage. I'm too selfish for that: I want to be free. I can't be what our people need... what he needs."
Keith scoffs.
"I think you are exactly what our people need.” He catches Shiro’s glance and insists, “we won't win our freedom from the Galra by playing nice. We need to fight back. We need you."
Keith doesn't say 'I need you', but it lingers in the air nevertheless.
Shiro needs to change the topic quickly.
"Let’s discuss the plan of the attack."
The plan is simple. Lotor organizes a gladiator tournament this weekend; which means there will be weapons. Lotor should invite Shiro as an honorary guest to remind everyone it's possible to win one's freedom by fighting in the arena, so Shiro has enough leverage to be among the spectactors. He has recruited enough Galra supporters to stage a riot. As a delivery driver, Keith has to make a few trips to smuggle the weapons inside and stash them under the seats. When the time comes, the Blades of Marmora will create a distraction to allow Shiro to take Lotor hostage. From then on, Shiro negotiates the termination of all contracts.
Of course, Keith realizes what it all means.
"What happens after our people are safe?” he asks when Shiro is finished with the explanations. “What happens... to you?"
"That's not important."
"It is to me!” Keith leans in. “I won't let you sacrifice yourself."
Shiro smiles.
"You have just said it yourself. You need me to fight for you. That's all I'm good at, fighting. I can't be the wise leader Adam is, but if I can give you - all of you - a chance, I won't hesitate to do my part."
"You're ten times the leader Adam is! He can't see farther than his own nose!” Keith looks furious. Shiro wants to reach out and smooth his unruly hair and pet him like a kitten; he doesn’t. “Do you really think Prince Lotor will let us live peacefully after being held up for ransom?"
That question wipes every trace of a smile from Shiro’s face.
"No.” He can feel his stomach churning. “Prince Lotor won't let anyone do anything, because when the time comes, he won't be in the picture.”
"Wait...” Keith pales. “You mean, you're going to..."
"Kill him? As soon as I can." Shiro won’t lie to Keith, not even to spare him the gruesome details of the plan. If they are to succeed, they have to be ready for anything. “It's the only way to make sure he won't launch a pursuit after you. Cut off the snake's head."
Shocked, Keith stares at him with his mouth agape.
Shiro raises an eyebrow. "What, did you think I was going to let him go? After everything he's done?"
"No... but a cold-blooded murder..."
"This is not a game, Keith. What do you think happens in the arena? How do you think I won my freedom?” For a moment, Shiro has to squeeze his eyes shut to chase away the memories of dismembered bodies and raspy dying breaths. He shudders. Then he opens his eyes and looks at Keith. “Lotor makes people fight each other to the death, serving nothing but his own personal amusement. He makes us live in these shambling shacks, he makes us eat garbage and die from Green Lung - an easily treatable disease long since cured by Alteans. Do you really want to defend him after everything the Galra has done? I say Lotor deserves a taste of his own medicine."
Keith sighs.
"No, you're right. He deserves it. I just..." he looks up to meet Shiro’s eyes, and now he has a determined look on his face. “I can't let you do it alone, Shiro. I can't lose you too."
Overwhelmed with a bittersweet hope, Shiro smiles.
"You'll be alright. After all this is over, you'll move to a nice peaceful planet, Adam will find you a nice civilian job--"
"No! To hell with Adam!” Keith grabs him suddenly, his eyes full of fire. Shiro gasps as Keith’s hands squeeze his shoulders. “I'd rather live a thousand lives as a Galra slave than live one life without you. Shiro, I... you're my brother, and I love you. I... I love you. I can't let you do this."
Shiro blinks. "...what did you just say?"
Keith's face is bright red. He let something slip, something he didn't mean to say just yet, not like this. He looks away.
"I... can't let you sacrifice yourself," he repeats the wrong part in a whisper.
Shiro shakes his head.
"I’m sorry, but we might not have a choice. I've already spoken with the Blades, the plan is set in motion."
"Then I'm going with you." Keith faces him again. There is no way to change his mind now. “We'll capture Prince Lotor together, and whatever happens next - I'll be there for you."
"Keith..." Shiro sighs.
"It's non-negotiable. I won't let you march to your death all alone.” Suddenly, a cocky grin blooms on his face. “Besides, how do you plan on dealing with the Altean princess? You're going to need backup."
Shiro is grateful. He is so, so grateful - and frustrated beyond himself. That brave, stupid, beautiful boy, doesn’t he get it? Doesn’t he understand?
"Keith, my plan - I'm doing this for you! So you could have a normal life. Don’t you understand? I can't lead you on a suicide mission."
Keith is unfazed.
"So let's make sure we both come out of this alive, because I'm coming with you whether you like it or not.” He bites his lip. “Shiro... If something happens to you, if you... I will never be free with that weight on my conscience. I don't want to have 'a life' without you, understand? I want us to be free - together."
"Keith..." Shiro swallows. "I..."
Keith looks at him, eager. His lips are parted slightly, inviting. Shiro wonders what kissing him right now would lead to - would it really be that bad? Keith would kiss him back and stay the night, this night they could spend it together, and knowing the inevitable danger is closing in, knowing they might not get another chance, Shiro really really wants to--
"I think you should go home tonight. If the Galra notice your absence, they might refuse to give you the delivery duty back."
Keith blinks, nods almost absent-mindedly.
"Yes. You're right." He nods again, this time with more awareness. "Yes, I should go."
He turns to leave.
Despite all his rational reasoning, Shiro reaches after him before he can stop himself.
