Friends, formerly lovers
I love jeith with all of my heart, and yes, they could definitely be endgame, but them as first lover/teenage sweethearts to friends is just so *chefs kiss*.
First love is a lesson in yourself, figuring out how you want to love and show love, what you value in a partner and in your relationship. Learning how to let someone love you. Let Keith and James be together, loving each other the best they can, Keith spending breaks with James's family, going on hover bike rides, sneaking onto the roof of the Garrison to go stargazing, study dates in the library, dreaming about going to space.
Then Keith drops out, and they breakup. Whether it be mutual or messy, it's over. But, if were being honest, both knew it was only a matter of time. First love isn't meant to last forever.
Life goes on. While they miss each other, it's not "I miss my ex" , it's "I miss my best friend". Five, six years pass before they see each other again. It's strange at first, having been completely removed from each other's lives for years. Apologies are made, and friendship is restored. They immediately clock each other's affections for their new partners (Lance and Ryan), supporting each other's relationships. They train together, joke about their Garrison days, trade war stories. Reading the other about how whipped they are for their partner, embarrassing them with stories of teenage antics and horrendous pictures.
Keith and James are each other's person. Keith is the Meredith to James's Cristina, unconditionally supporting each other through everything, trusting the other with their life.
