More: my Stranger Things AU
After months of seeing to Keith’s safety and shielding him from prying eyes, Shiro is gratified to see Keith coming out of his shell—acting less like the frightened husk of a person he first rescued and more like the clever young man he could be, had every right to be.
Not everything’s as simple as that, though. Keith finds himself with growing feelings for the man who’s taken on the role of his protector. Keith decides to take initiative on his crush, and Shiro has to draw some new boundaries and talk to Keith about consent.
Shiro freezes on the spot, eyes wide as Keith hovers over him where he sits on the couch. In a single, fluid motion Keith is now straddling his hips.
The disappointment is plain on Keith’s face. He tries pushing through it, pressing closer again until Shiro puts his hands up to stop him.
“You don’t want to touch me?”
“Of course I want to,” Shiro breathes, sounding thin and strained. “More than you know. But we can’t, Keith. I can’t.”
Keith frowns down at him. “But why? You know I’m not a child. I’m 22.”
Shiro takes a heavy breath.
“You’ve been hurt, Keith. Abused. By people who were responsible for protecting you. I won’t put you in that position.”
“You’re not like them,” Keith shakes his head, reaching for Shiro’s cheek. It’s a soft touch, intimate, holding Shiro’s face in his hands. “You could never be like them. You’re good.”
As Keith leans closer he moves against Shiro’s hips again, seeking friction, leaving Shiro scrambling to clamp down on his hips and stop the motion. He barely manages to bite back the gasp of pleasure and agony at the friction that never should have started but definitely stopped too soon.
“I- I want you,” Keith’s voice sounds desperate now. “Please! Why won’t you let me?”
“Because I can’t take advantage of you!” Shiro fights against raising his voice, feeling his heart race as he aches for the beautiful young man before him, the person he’s been secretly yearning for, more every passing day.
He can’t give in to impulse, no matter how raw this rejection will feel. He hopes desperately that he can get Keith to hear him out.
“Keith, please,” he licks his chapped lips, trying hard not to stare at Keith’s beautiful mouth that is only inches away, perfectly in reach. “Of course I would never mean to hurt you. Never. But- it’s not that simple. You... need me right now, and I swear I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe. You can trust me. Do you trust me, Keith?”
“Yes! Yes,” Keith sounds breathless.
“Then trust me that we can’t. Not until you’re better.”
Keith growls softly. “But I’m fine.”
“You need time to heal,” he strokes Keith’s jaw with the heel of his hand, his heart fluttering as he feels Keith lean into the simple touch. “If I touch you how I want to just because I want to, just because I can, then I’m no better than them. If I had sex with you right now, it would be abuse.”
Keith’s mouth hangs open a little. Shiro still isn’t sure he understands, but he is listening. He knows it’s important to Shiro, and that it isn’t about his own worth. It’s a start.
Keith climbs off his lap and crouches on the couch by his side. He looks embarrassed. “I’m sorry.”
“Hey- there’s nothing you need to apologize for,” Shiro rests one hand on Keith’s knee. “But thank you for trusting me. That’s what’s important to me right now.”
“So,” Keith hesitates, still pondering what he’s been told. Shiro nods, encouraging him to go on. “I just— What would make it okay? How can I tell when I’m better?”
Shiro smiles. It was a good question, and a clever one. Of course Keith would challenge him. He always gives him a run for his money. The thought makes his chest ache for him that much more. “Well. I guess that would be when you know you can tell me no.”
“Consent, Keith. When you know you can choose what you want, and your back isn’t against the wall. Once you know that you don’t owe me anything, ever, and that there’s nothing that’ll make me stop trying to help you. I’ll always want you to be safe and well, whether I can be part of your life or not.”
“Best friends,” Keith mumbles, echoing those words that Shiro first gave him, words he cherished.
Shiro nods, his eyes prickling. “Yeah. And if you’re still fond of me when all that’s true, we can talk about it then.”
Shiro smiles at the hope in the young man’s face. Precious. “I promise.”
“Oh. And maybe when I’m not your only friend.”
“Not fair,” Keith scowls. “You won’t let me meet anyone else.”
Shiro musses his hair. “Hey, that was necessary for a while, and I was worried. But, I think we can change that now.”
Keith doesn’t even try to disguise his excitement at that. “Really?”
Shiro’s answering smile is so soft.
