I shouldn't be here. He'd been standing there watching Shiro for a few moments before the other finally noticed him. A part of him knew he shouldn't be there, shouldn't be watching him, but as he did he noticed some things never changed. Shiro had always been a workaholic like himself and in the end it had been the final nail in the coffin that had been their relationship. It wasn't like either of them hadn't fought for it. That had been their problem; they fought too much and in the end it just wasn't fair for either one of them. Steve knew that going their separate ways was best for both of them. He just struggled with the hurt that came from knowing things could've been better had they not been the stubborn bastards he knew they were.
Just like he knew he should've left when they finally found a way to send him home. The moment he'd gotten the news his head told him to go, to leave this reality behind, and to go home. But how could he leave his heart behind? He'd always been so damn selfless in life and for once he wanted to be selfish. He wanted to stay and maybe try to fight for Shiro again. Another part of him knew it was pointless. If they were meant to be together they would've found a way and returning to his reality would at least allow them both to heal and move on. Instead, he was selfish, he stayed, he hoped that maybe something might change, that maybe they could work through their issues. Steve knew it was naïve of him to think that way but he couldn't help but think that if he still held onto hope that a part of Shiro did, too. Except the longer he spent in this reality the more it hit him that things were well and truly done. The garrison enjoyed having him around and in all honesty he enjoyed being there. But seeing Shiro?
It hurt. A LOT. Even though they made a point of avoiding each other it still hurt those times when they did. At least no one asked what had happened. Neither of them really wanted to explain that and he was grateful everyone allowed them their privacy. So why was he there? Why was he watching him work when neither of them really wanted to be in each other's presence? Because that voice in his head told him. Because no matter how many times they tried to stay apart something always dragged them back together. And Steve couldn't help himself. His feet knew the way by heart, knew just how easily it would be to walk to Shiro's office. Most of the time he could force himself to walk the opposite way, force himself to avoid the hallways that would lead to his office. Not today. Something about today had changed and leaning against the door frame, he remembered just how many times in the past he'd done this. Offering the other a small smile, inviting him to the gardens in the garrison, just time away so they could spend it together without the prying eyes.
This time, though, he wasn't expecting Shiro to agree. It had been stupid of him to suggest it for old time's sake. Both of them knew it would open up all the wounds that had finally healed. But looking at Shiro's desk, his appearance he knew the other seemed to be struggling. That or he really had thrown himself back into work to avoid the pain that came with thinking about what they had. Either way, he knew that he shouldn't have expected Shiro to say yes so when he did Steve was bit taken aback.
"It has been a while," is all he can say in return, shoving his hands into his pockets and offering a smile. Nothing was going to come from this. Nothing could come from this. The last time they'd ended up together they hadn't been able to nurture it the way a relationship needed to be nurtured. He knew the world wasn't in as much chaos as it had been but that didn't mean the lives they'd had would be conducive to a relationship. But maybe his could be the start of them being friends. That was better than nothing at all and Steve hoped that maybe that's what could happen for them. If he couldn't love Shiro like he had in the past, at least he could be his friend. "They keep saying some of the rare flowers are coming into bloom but I haven't had the time to see them." And it just felt weird to go into the greenhouses alone.
But that's how things needed to be right? This was nothing more than a one time thing, a way for them to at least put what they had behind them and then maybe move forward in their new lives. If it failed, there was always the chance he could get them to send him home. But he wanted to give this one last shot before he knew that it was pointless, before he knew that it really was time to go home.
"Another late night?"
@patientfocusly // cont’d















