Keith Nearly Choked, His Mind Flooding With Implications And Ideas Of What That Could Mean. He'd Had

Keith nearly choked, his mind flooding with implications and ideas of what that could mean. He'd had some sort of schoolyard crush on Shiro back at the Garrison, but now was different. They were getting to know one another on personal levels, they were working together as a team, they were practically living together. His mind kept spiraling down the rabbit hole of thoughts that rushed forward as he tried to eat the barely passable food.

"Good," Keith quipped, a smile ghosting across his face for a brief moment. "Don't think I'm going to go easy on you, either." The dark haired paladin rolled his shoulders back, satisfied with the low, dull cracks and clicks that came from them. Finishing what he could of the goo he'd been all but picking at, he excused himself and went to wash up.

Always one for holding his own, Keith was quick with Red's movements, taking out what he could with the mouth blade. Though there were a few bangs and scrapes, they managed to finish off the patrol group together in half the time it would have taken Keith alone.

"I owe you, man," Keith's voice crackled in, breathlessly. Red situated itself beside Black, allowing their pilots to view the remains of their battle. Keith leaned his forehead against one of the joystick controls and sighed heavily.

Keith startled when Shiro's hand was placed on his shoulder, he'd been lost in thought for some time - not really listening to the debriefing. "Huh?" He shook his head, frown deepening.

"Yeah, no, I'm okay. A little...off, but okay. I'd have been toast without you. Thank you, Shiro." He turned slightly, keeping Shiro's hand comfortably on his shoulder, and gave him a genuine smile. Something Keith didn't do very often.

"I'm going to call it a night," he mused, glancing at the door. "Wanna grab some food goo with me?"

Shiro entered the room, letting the door slide closed behind him. He was careful to keep his demeanor professional and calculated. Shoulders back, chin up, very military, until the door closed fully. Then his shoulders dropped and he let go of a breath he didn't even fully realize he was holding.

"I'm glad you're back with us safe, Lieutenant. What can you tell me about this ship and it's crew? It seems obvious you know or knew them in some way." He was still very formal, but his concern for her safety was evident in the way he carried himself, they way he spoke, he was soft.

Plopping the bowls onto the table with grace, Shiro beamed. "Hunk's been messing around in the kitchen for weeks getting this stuff right. Not entirely sure what he's doing back there right now, but these were ready." Sitting before them were two bowls of pork ramen, still steaming hot.

"I'm sure you're going to want a shower after dinner?" He asked, idle conversation, "if there's anything you need, I'm sure there's extra toiletries floating around, I can loan you some of my own, if need be?" Shiro was unsure what Keith had brought along and/or what was left in his rooms.

"Your room's just how you left it, and no, not gruel. You go change and do whatever you need to do, I'll get the food ready." Shiro placed a hand on Keith's shoulder, smiling brightly at him. He was happy the younger paladin was back, the team hadn't been the same without him.

"I'm sure the lions miss you, too, bud." He then left Keith to change and went off to the kitchen, whistling quietly. Definitely in a good mood today.