Shiro, who was more like Lance as a kid, lets Adam grow on him the longer they live together. Shiro, who handles every dispute between the paladins in the same way Adam would teach. Shiro, who ultimately misses Adam even if he’s with Curtis, because the Adam in him is slowly fading. Shiro, who begins to act more like Curtis. Shiro who misses his old self.
“New York is as close to Britain as we’re gonna get on US land.”
“What if you wanted to go to heaven but God said ‘nahh let me touch you’”
“I have the memory of a dollar-store kazoo.”
“Can I do math right now or am I unmedicated?”
“If you put me on stage with a mic in my hand I’d probably piss myself like a chihuahua.”
“This is why I love having friends. They tell me things about myself.”
“There’s a joke about ‘poking holes’ in there somewhere.”
“I’m in there somewhere!” (Curtis)
“Can I break something?”
“You can break my back.”
“We all say out of pocket shit, to be fair.”
“No wonder she sacrificed herself!”
“He’s my little twink, be nice.”
“Can we throw rocks at you?” (Curtis)
“That’s a problem for future you.”
“Future me is a victim.”
“It’s enough to make a grown man nut.”
“Is that an ancient blade of yore in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?”
“I would die for a Hispanic Thanksgiving. Or like, just any random mix of cultures.”
“Yeah, a multicultural Thanksgiving.”
“DEI Thanksgiving?”
"Thanksliving!" sassy pose
“Aww, I’m your beta virgin?”
“See, that’s the downside of being a likeable person. Everybody wants to bother you all the time.” (Curtis)
random loud bang “It’s the opps!”
“The HOA?”
“You fart like that again and you’ll set off the fire alarm.”
“Geeked off the human experience...”
“I love shoplifting!”
dances on pool table “I’m aura farming!!!” (Sylvio)
@sockdooe, Yep, that's the one. No offense to the author, but it's really irritating to see a fic tagged with relationships that, as of two-hundred thousand words in, still haven't been so much as hinted at.
Would this author appreciate it if someone tagged a two-hundred thousand-plus-word Shiro/Keith or Lance/Hunk fic Keith/Lance? I sincerely doubt it.
Be courteous to your fellow fans and tag things properly, please. I don't think that's too much to ask.
My biggest issue with "Curtis" is that it's glaringly obvious that Shiro was married off to him at the absolute last minute in an attempt on the part of the showrunners to win online brownie points for being the first to depict a gay wedding in a show aimed at children. And, to try to cover their asses after being slammed with accusations of Burying Their Gays for killing Adam.
They used Shiro, who they planned to permanently kill after confirming that he's gay, as nothing more than a tool for their own personal benefit. And, it deservedly backfired on them spectacularly.
I still love Shiro/Keith, but, at my heart, I've found that I'm a multishipper for the both of them. Especially Shiro. Had the writers put in the effort, they could have made me care about, or, at the very least, tolerate his afterthought of a marriage. Shiro deserves to be happy. He deserves love. Even if I hate that it comes with the implication that he left his dream of exploring space and his newfound sense of purpose in being part of the Coalition and defending the universe behind to stay on Earth and become a house-husband.
Instead, "Curtis" is such a non-entity, his name is never once spoken onscreen. He and Shiro never have a conversation outside of shouting impersonal orders at one another in the heat of battle. And, he isn't even drawn consistently from one frame to the next.
For the life of me, I cannot tell if "Curtis" is meant to be in his late twenties, or his forties.
He also has no personality to speak of, outside of maybe liking animals, per a conversation he has with Acxa, rather than his "future husband", and Shiro only looks away from the Atlas's console interface to make eye-contact with him once.
In an entire thirteen episode season.
The showrunners had an opening to give Shiro and "Curtis" an interaction that would have hinted at some degree of chemistry, or even basic platonic affection for each other. When Shiro is slapped across the bridge of his ship- something I still deeply despise- "Curtis" could have rushed to his aid, expressing concern for his captain. Instead, it's Veronica, an actual character, who is at Shiro's side, checking on him and helping him to right himself.
"Curtis" does nothing more than sit and stand on the sidelines, soundlessly gaping at the events playing out in front of him.
That is why I call him a piece of set dressing. His only purpose is to fill out Shiro's bridge crew. They could have utilized any species of alien, a Taujeerian, a Balmeran, one of those deer-esque people from Season Three's Changing of the Guard, for the exact same purpose and absolutely nothing would have changed.
Since there seemed to be some sort of unspoken rule forbidding the show from having more than one LGBTQ+ main lead/Paladin, it honestly would have made more sense for Shiro to marry Coran.
They, at least, have a relationship.
Low bar, I know.
And, that's if you believe that Shiro needed to be in a romantic relationship for his sexuality to matter.
I don't.
Shiro, on his own, is enough. Adam dying didn't take Shiro's homosexuality away and turn Shiro straight. Shiro is still a gay man, whether he kisses a human male-shaped piece of set dressing onscreen or not.
I've made my feelings on Shiro/Adam fairly clear. Realistically, unless Adam underwent some intensive therapy and soul-searching to learn how to be more open, warm, and compassionate with Shiro, they never would have rekindled their relationship, even if Adam had lived and the desire to do so was still there. He and Shiro parted ways on poor terms, and while Shiro didn't appear to resent Adam for it, there would, undoubtedly, be lingering feelings of bitterness that a tearful reunion and rush down the aisle wouldn't resolve.
Shiro was brutally punished by the show's narrative for choosing his dream over Adam. Maybe Adam would feel some sort of regret for that, had he seen his ex return to Earth with a scarred face, prematurely silver hair, and one arm. But, going off of Adam's established characterization and how he acts like he's the rational man while Shiro is an irrational and hysterical woman, the temptation on Adam's part to lord the consequences of Shiro's choice over Shiro- "If you had just listened to me, maybe none of that would have happened"- would very likely surge to the forefront over any desire to offer comfort.
And, that's if Adam hadn't fully moved on and started a new relationship in the interim. Shiro's time in space amounted to two years for him, while it was five years on Earth for Adam. That's an ample enough span to have mourned his lost love, and begun at least considering getting back out there and dating, again.
What it seems to come down to is that people who are vehemently against the mere idea of Shiro and Keith being romantically involved with each other and have no desire to explore any other prospects because their true focus lies elsewhere (Keith, Lance, and pairing them together), but still wish to maintain the guise of wanting happiness for Shiro, pair him off by default with his canon love interests. Regardless of the fact that Adam was shown to be a not particularly great partner, and these authors have to invent a personality for "Curtis" whole-cloth, since he is completely lacking one in the source material.
They don't care how transparent it is that the showrunners hated Shiro and mistreated him at every turn, but still wanted to use his sexuality to garner praise and online asspats. They don't care that the sloppy, half-assed manner in which the wedding was handled unintentionally implies that married life aged Shiro twenty years in the span of six.
(As my sister said, they made Shiro look like he could be his own grandfather.
What did this show have against bishounens? How do you take a supernaturally gorgeous man and turn him into your average middle-aged salary man from any given manga or anime? He's supposed to be thirty-two, here, not fifty-three. I hate this aged-up design. Sincerely. The glasses could have been cute, though I don't understand why the staff needed the disabled man to have failing eyesight on top of everything else. ["You took my hand." Then his whole arm. "What more do you want?"] But, the hair and chin scruff are mortally offensive.
Just the other day, I came across a fan redesign that's a vast improvement on all fronts.
Shiro, sweetie, I'm so sorry that these clowns insisted on treating you like garbage all the way up to the bitter, loathsome end. TT___TT )
All K/L authors care about is sticking Shiro in a "happy" relationship, no matter how out-of-character, and slapping a flimsy Band-aid on his trauma in service of their ship. You can't treat Lance and Keith like the most depressed people in the universe who only have each other as everyone else has moved on to lead happy, fulfilling lives, if you also have Shiro isolating and buried in his work, believing himself to be a "broken monster" unworthy of love.
takashi tuesday #5 | The Moon's Farthest Point (PT.3) [1] [2] [3]
(check the end for notes)
“Rock, paper scissors!” Shiro cupped Curtis’ hand in his. “I win, again.” When Shiro took his hand back, Curtis stared at his fist, he had chosen rock and Shiro took the victory with paper.
Curtis scowled at his hand like it personally plotted against him before smiling with a shrug.
“Guess I’m just bad at this.” Shiro gave him an incredulous look, “You can’t be bad at rock, paper, scissors.” He pointed at him with his spork. “You can be unlucky or just.. Not that smart, but not bad.”
Curtis dramatically stretched and easily slid his arm around Shiro’s shoulders. “I don’t know, there's a first for everything, isn’t there?” Finishing another spoonful of his lunch, Shiro rolled his eyes. “Yes but I don’t think you’re the first, if it’s possible.” Curtis pouted. “You’re so serious.”
He was staring at him now, Shiro could feel his eyes boring into the side of his head.
“And you’re so-” He shouldered his arm off. “Clingy.” Curtis frowned for a second before snorting and prodding Shiro in the side. To which he flinched violently, Curtis made another noise of humor.
“Quit that.” Curtis only leaned closer. “Why? You ticklish, Shirogane?” Shiro would be lying if he said he didn’t consider shoving him off the bench, and he is an honest man.
“No, I just don’t want you poking me.” He decided to be mature but that was all thrown out the window as Curtis scoffed, and without missing a beat, reached onto his tray and stole his last cracker.
Which was meant to go with the chili he was eating. Shiro reached for his hand, grabbing his wrist before he could eat it. Curtis recognized the challenge and they silently tugged his hand back and forth, neither speaking a word.
Curtis yanked his hand back and shoved the remains of the crumbled cracker into his mouth. Shiro groaned, “For the love of-” The bell rang. Shiro groaned in irritation before collecting his tray, glaring at Curtis as he turned to dump it.
The other boy got from his seat, looking smug while he dusted his crumby hands over the trash. Shiro couldn’t help but scowl at the petty gesture. This wasn’t over.
–
“We can work at the Library after class to get a headstart on the material.” Shiro suggested, flipping through an especially boring textbook.
Curtis’ only addition to the plan was a half hearted-groan. Shiro looked up for the book, frowning at Curtis, who was slumped over, his head resting on his folded arms.
“Are you sleeping?” Shiro flipped his textbook closed, he doubted he’d use it anymore today, his eyes were getting tired. “I’m resting my eyes.” He yawned, blinking hazily at him.
Shiro resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Yeah, he was knocked out.
“Did you hear what I said?” Shiro asked, crossing his arms. Curtis’ eyes fluttered closed against briefly, he exhaled tiredly before forcing himself upright. “Do you want an honest answer or a nice one?” He murmured, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
Undeniably amused, Shiro bit back a snort. He cleared his throat before hardening his expression. “How late were you up last night?” He shrugged, yawning again. His brow furrowed at the half-answer.
“You’re lucky it’s Friday, you look like you’re gonna fall over.” He admitted, moving to collect his papers into a neat stack.
“I asked if you wanted to meet at the Library after class so we can go ahead and get started on our research.” He repeated, lifting his bag into his lap to store his supplies. Curtis seemed to mull over it for a second. “Today?” He asked through a third yawn.
“Yeah, when else?” He finished zipping his back closed and slung the strap over his shoulder, giving Curtis a bemused look. “No time like the present I guess, I have to text my grandma though.” Shiro didn’t ask why but he’s assuming his face gave away his curiosity because Curtis continued.
“I have track after school.” He explained, Shiro made an ‘o’ with his mouth. “We can pick a different time, don’t wanna disrupt your uh, grind or whatever.” He smiled, Curtis snorted at him. “Grind?” He asked from behind his hand.
Doubling down, Shiro crossed his arms. “Yes.” The bluntness must’ve been amusing because the other boy burst out laughing, which earned him a look from the substitute. “Nah, it’s okay. I’ve been looking for a reason to skip it anyway.” He shrugged, leaning back in his seat.
Shiro wanted to say more but decided he’d say something if it really bothered him that much. “Alright, let me know if you change your mind.” Shiro said in finality, just barely missing the look Curtis was giving him. “What?”
Curtis, who was leaning forward on his palm, only blinked slowly and smiled. “Nothing, just spacing out.” Shiro subconsciously rubbed the bridge of his nose, Weird.
––
This is a direct continuations of this post, I'm thinking of calling this little fic; the moon's farthest point. What do you guys think?
(As per usual, please forgive any errors, I don't have a beta and I write this stuff all on my own. Thanks for tuning in, until next week, happy Takashi Tuesday!)