"catch, dork!" only offered warning before poorly wrapped gift is thrown at paladin, cheeky grin splitting scarred lips. it's not much, matt doesn't have a lot left to offer anyone, but the battered polaroid had gotten him through captivity, through the end of the world. he can only hope a sentimental photo of the three of them, back in their garrison uniforms just days before the kerberos mission, will be some benefit to keith, too. "merry christmas bro."
@catusbled / i will kick you in the ass
reflexes well trained , hybrid catches the gift INSTINCTIVELY ; brows raising at the sight of it . ‘ matt ? you didn’t have to get me ANYTHING . ’ casual reply , words held curiousity despite dismissal . gently unwrapping it , smiling at the thought of colleen SCOLDING the rebel for how poorly it’s been done the hybrid felt breath being knocked out of him as eyes ABSORBED the present in its entirety ; ‘ . . you kept it . . all this time ? ’ awe & sadness soaking question the hybrid didn’t need an answer for , evidence laying HEAVILY IN OWN HANDS , keith felt affection / pain surge through very core & body .
remembering how they’ve posed , bantered & laughed this FATEFUL DAY keith let out a shaky breath / tears gathering in the corners of indigo . denying himself to cry though he stepped forwards simply , insecure for a fleeting moment before he hugged the holt TIGHTLY & UNWAVERING ; arms encircling the still taller frame of the genius . ‘ merry christmas , matt . i wish i’d have SOMETHING SO MEANINGFUL for you . . ’ it was the second picture of them he’d ever possess the other one still at the shack , corners frizzed out & the picture wrinkled .
many tears have fallen onto its worn surface , sadness soaked into the colored memory FOREVER CAPTURED in one frame . this one carried a similar energy ; hybrid noticed & pressed his face into matt’s shoulder . ( WARM . WELCOMING . FAMILY . ) it was healing to hold important person close yet keith felt old wounds start to BLEED ONCE AGAIN .
‘ . . WHY ARE YOU GIVING IT TO ME , NOW ? it must be important to you . ’
