Prompt from @shionch: Shiro talks Keith into playing catch outside one sweet summer evening
This tiny fic decided it wanted to be set in the Painted Desert universe. If you haven’t read it, Keith is a kindergarten teacher married to single-dad Shiro in a slightly altered universe. Aki is their 3-4yo daughter, inspired today by my 3yo niece (who thinks she is Rey). I do not regret the Star Wars references.
When Keith lifted his head, he saw Shiro standing in the bedroom door holding a baseball glove.
“You’ve been cooped up in here all afternoon. Come outside for a while.”
“Sorry. I’ve been trying to finish this letter to parents.”
“Are you sending it tonight?”
Keith shook his head. “Tomorrow. I just finished updating the handbook and I’m starting to go crosseyed.”
“Then it can wait. Come on. Sitting for this many hours isn’t good for you.”
“How many hours do you sit during a flight?”
“Aki asked that Keith come outside.”
Laughing, Keith shook his head. “That’s not playing fair.”
“I just opened a bottle of wine. It’s on the counter if you want a glass. We’ll be outside!”
Keith could hear Aki laughing in the backyard. He closed the laptop and stood up, stretching the afternoon stiffness from his joints. He pulled back his hair and checked the time. Six o’clock. What was he making for dinner again? Walking into the kitchen, he was met by the promised bottle of wine and the slow cooker, which was plugged in, the top obscured by steam.
“Hey, did you cook?” Keith called, opening the door.
Shiro was sitting on one of the loungers. He looked at Keith and smiled. “I knew you were busy. I made that chicken and salsa thing you showed me. I promise I didn’t screw it up.”
“As soon as we got home. Is that okay? Were you planning to make something else?”
“It’s awesome. I was just remembering I’d forgotten dinner.”
“Keith!” a small voice shouted from the garden. “Come outside and play with Aki!”
“Yes, ma’am,” Keith said. He closed the door and sat down next to Shiro on the chair. It was a hot night, hovering in the nineties. Aki was going through a Star Wars phase and was slashing a plastic light saber at the grass plants.
“How’s the wine?” Shiro asked, putting an arm around his back.
“Good,” Keith said. “What’s with the glove?”
“I thought I could get her to play catch.”
“She hasn’t put down the light saber since my mom gave it to her.”
Shiro laughed. “What about you? Want to play catch with me?”
“I already caught you,” Keith said casually.
“Mr. Shirogane, are you flirting with me?”
“I love you,” Shiro sighed.
Keith smiled into his glass. “I know.”
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