Keith was slowly retracing his steps away from the water in fear, but as soon as he heard the other move about, frantically searching for whatever supposedly hurt him in the water, his heart swelled. It felt weird. Very weird, to watch someone race to his aid. Foreign, yet familiar. It brought happy memories to him, memories when he wasn't alone. When he was still being cared for, and he could almost swear the fear was forgotten completely. Instead, he just felt warm in his chest, a small blush creeping up onto his cheeks.
Maybe it felt alright to watch someone protect you. Maybe it didn't make you any weaker to be protected by someone. Maybe he needed to learn that lesson sooner, before he always berated his father for wanting to keep him safe. Maybe his mother too. He couldn't remember. But while he felt good, he also feel guilty. He always screamed at them to stop treating him like a child, but perhaps he should have known better.
But, soon words crept into Keith's mind. Words that upset him.
Shiro was blaming himself.
That was the last thing he wanted. Ever. So far, the merman was nothing less than kind and patient with him. Incredibly patient that he wondered if he'd ever run out of patience. He didn't want him to feel upset and--
Did he just say his name? Accurately this time? That's why the sentence struck him deep. The name sounded like a wave, an omen for things to come, and it sounded amazing. Like it was out of a dream, a memory. Which is exactly what drove him to do what he did, without a thought.
He approached the merman, gently placing his hands on his neck and jawline to slowly raise his face up to him, look him in those beautiful, beautiful eyes. "Not your fault.." he tried to say, shaking his head as he felt the rough skin under his fingertips, but he didn't care. As long as he was touching Shiro, it didn't matter. "Watch me," he gestured with his eyes, pointing at them before releasing his hold slowly, looking back at the merman from over his shoulder before he entered further in. Breath hitched, heart beating quickly.
Don't be afraid, Keith..
Came a whisper in his mind, from another time. And before he even realized it, he was knees deep in the water. He couldn't move any farther, and his legs felt like they burned. Was water supposed to even feel that way?