....~dark~ sheith omegaverse AU where Shiro is an omega bodyguard/body slave of the Galra clan & Keith is an alpha warrior of the attacking Marmora clan...Sendak leaves Shiro to the enemy after scarring his face bc Shiro’s failed to be fertile & isn’t a typically appealing omega

Shiro’s too big, too powerful to be taken seriously as a mate by the Galra — alphas are threatened by him — & ofc the Marmora wouldn’t even consider him as a worthy omega either........UNTIL KEITH FINDS HIM >:D

When Keith finds Shiro in the ruins of the Galra clan, amidst all the Galran omegas left behind (who are very uh....dead, bc Sendak is a bastard who believed he was doing them a favor by mercy-killing them — BUT HE COULDNT GET SHIRO) he first thinks he’s the alpha who slew them -

Keith is ready to throw down, but then he smells Shiro and sees him weeping & his face slashed and is like “oh my god this is the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen HELP” — & Shiro is so confused & scared when Keith tries to help him, bc this Marmora alpha is just HEART EYES

And honestly only the first part of this is really dark fic bc I’m Softe at my heart AND SO ARE KEITH AND SHIRO, bc Keith nurses Shiro back to health while not so subtly pining for him/courting him & Shiro is just like ??? IS THIS REAL LIFE ??? bc the pretty alpha ?? wants him ??

And ofc eventually Shiro realizes he’s not being punked and Keith really really TRULY wants Shiro to be his mate!!! & Shiro is so happy w him & they both hunt down Sendak and get sweet revenge and Shiro rides Keith every night the end :’)

OKAY SO im not done (& may actually write this), more background: Shiro was captured by the Galra clan from his clan when he was pretty young, had just presented and he presented late, everyone in his clan thought he'd be an alpha bc he had the temperament, appearance, etc -

So Shiro was already a decent fighter by the time the Galra got him, & angry newly-presented-omega Shiro fought them tooth and nail to the point where he got a reputation for just being like...an absolute MENACE, like if you want your dick bitten off, Shiro's your guy lmao

[noncon tw] The Galra clan is very big into shows of strength, domination, etc, so some of the Galra warriors took Shiro's resistance as a personal challenge, & Sendak was the most successful of them. He made a "deal" w Shiro - basically, warm my bed & I'll let you be a "warrior"

Ofc what he really meant by this was Shiro would be his body slave & "bodyguard" whom Sendak didn't trust at all, but kept obedient by warning that he'd take Shiro's privileges away & by threatening the other omega body slaves, who all adored Shiro bc he protected them fiercely

Sendak removed Shiro's arm after he tried to escape the first time & bc he got 3 other omegas out but sacrificed himself to make sure they got out when the Galran alphas caught wind of their escape attempt. They were 3 of Sendak's favorites & he was FURIOUS, but so is Shiro....

Shiro is SO angry & tired, and at a certain point he accepts that not only can he not have a family bc the sheer amount of STRESS just makes his body like "nope we're not having babies here forget it," but he won't ever have a loving mate who brings him pleasure/happiness :(

AND THEN KEITH ENTERS STAGE RIGHT LOL

He finds Shiro absolutely wrecked, he lost his only "friends" who were the other omegas, the new right arm that Sendak had built for him is busted because Sendak was like "now you can't even fight, good luck," & his face is covered in blood

& Shiro's afraid & too exhausted to really fight him much, and he figures nothing can be worse than the Galra...his survival instincts tell him at that point to just submit, hope that maybe the Marmoran will pity him - Shiro's good in bed, when he's not trying to kill his partner

BUT INSTEAD KEITH IS SO GENTLE AND KIND...Shiro thinks he's hallucinating the whole thing bc no alpha since his old clan has ever been so good to him, & even then, nobody compares to Keith Shiro is prepared for Sendak 2.0 when Keith carries him back to the Marmoran clan...

...but instead Keith is just OPENLY DOTING UPON HIM, to the point where even the other Marmorans are like ??? u good??? bc Keith has NEVER shown even the slightest interest, really, in any other omega, so seeing him suddenly ready to give the world to Shiro is WILD for everyone

Shiro doesn't know what to do!!! He's never been allowed to just ~chill~ & be waited upon by someone else all day (& night...) but he's afraid to ask if he can start training to be a warrior again bc he doesn't want Keith's favor to turn :( so he's just uncomfortable & uncertain

Keith notices & is DISTRESSED, bc he's also extremely flustered over how head over heels he is for this omega, he doesn't know what to DO....HOW CAN HE PROVE HIS WORTH TO SHIRO!!! Shiro is extremely reticent & shy & Keith wants to give him time but he doesn't want Shiro to be sad

THEN!!!! There's an attack on the Marmora by a subset of the Galra clan as revenge, & a Galran assassin sneaks into Keith's tent (Keith has been sleeping on the floor & giving Shiro the entire bed - which also bewilders Shiro) & Keith is asleep but Shiro is a light sleeper...

Cue the assassin about to attack Keith & Shiro's protective instincts (& rusty but well-honed fighting skills) kick in, & basically Keith wakes up to Shiro absolutely destroying a Galran assassin whose blade was inches from Keith's throat :) & Keith is like HOLY SHIT. I LOVE HIM.

Shiro's first instinct is to apologize, which is ridiculous, bc he's just killed a Galran assassin with his bare hands & kinda backs away from Keith like "I'm...so sorry, they were going to hurt you..." & Keith is just like YOU ARE INCREDIBLE & shiro is like "wh...what??? me?"

Keith: I WANNA SPAR WITH YOU. OMG.
Shiro: you want to - WHAT
Keith: spar with me. kick my ass. step on me. please
Shiro: HELLO???? AM I DREAMING

But Shiro isn't dreaming, word gets out he saved Keith's life, & Keith's heart eyes intensify & HE GIVES SHIRO A SWORD

They do eventually spar & part of Shiro, the part that's been forced to fight to survive, is like "here's your chance to destroy him & run" but once he's actually facing Keith it's...A LOT. & Shiro finds he doesn't actually want to harm the alpha, but he does NOT go easy on him.

Neither does Keith. The entire Marmora clan is lowkey embarrassed watching them bc it's the horniest sparring session ever, & neither Shiro or Keith even mean it to be, but every time they brush against each other or land a blow the desire in their scents spikes ever higher....

Shiro is flustered & thinks maybe Keith is doing it on purpose to throw him off, but reconsiders bc Keith is extremely unsubtle & seems to not even realize he's doing it, just grins at Shiro, half-feral, & tells him how good & perfect he is when Shiro knocks him into the dirt

But two can play that game, & the sparring session ends with Shiro almost fucking sitting on Keith's face, swords forgotten after they've both disarmed each other, Shiro's thighs locked around Keith's throat in a chokehold, & Keith doesn't look like a man who's lost at all >:)

SO the sparring session ends & they're both sweaty & aroused & Shiro is absolutely bewildered bc he's never had a sparring session like that but he's also....very intrigued about just HOW different Keith is from the Galra clan alphas Keith is young & so eager to please.....

& you gotta understand that Shiro's been in survival mode so long he doesn't really know how to snap out of that, so when he & Keith stumble away from the sparring ring & Keith is beaming at him & smelling like he wants Shiro SO BAD, Shiro is like "fine. fine, let's use this."

But ofc it's not really 'using' Keith bc Shiro also wants him SO BAD. Keith smells it & when they're in Keith's tent Keith is like "shiro - can I - please, you smell so good - I'll take care of you, I promise," & Shiro CANNOT HANDLE THAT so he's like "stop talking" & kisses him

and uh woops keith is very much a virgin but also very here for it, & Shiro realizes pretty quickly that Keith has never done this before but Keith is so, so desperate to prove himself & show that he can be a good mate, & it's DOING THINGS to Shiro!!! AAAA!!!!

Shiro slept w more alphas can he can keep track off when he was w the Galra, but none of them hold a candle to Keith, & that is lowkey terrifying to Shiro bc it's so impossibly good w Keith, Keith just wants to worship him & make him feel good & safe & cared for, he's so earnest

& he also just....lets Shiro have control, which Shiro both does not know what to do with & absolutely knows what to do with, he just - never really thought he would be allowed that with an alpha. But Keith gives him everything, & then some; it feels way too good to be true

But towards the end of it — it’s hard to say how long they’ve been going, rip all the rest of Clan Marmora lol — Keith leans in to make the mating bite & Shiro freaks out, jerks away from him like “NO - what’re you doing!” & Keith is like “I....you don’t want...to be my mate?”

bc Keith is a sweet summer flower who genuinely thought that if an omega is dtf then that's basically sealing the deal, meanwhile Shiro's fucked a small army's worth of alphas & is like ???!!! THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS and Keith is like "oh...it...i wasn't good? i'm unworthy...?"

That's NOT what's going thru Shiro's mind, his entire life w the Galra he was told HE was the one unworthy of any alpha, that no one would ever wanna be saddled w him as a mate, that all he's good for is fucking & fighting, & Keith doesn't want THAT for a mate, he's just naïve.

Shiro is super awkwardly like "no - that's not - just don't ever try to do that again, okay?" & Keith is like :0 THERE'S GONNA BE AN 'AGAIN'? (in his lil hopeful alpha brain he's like I HAVE A CHANCE!!! THERE'S HOPE!!!!) & Shiro finds that.....yeah, he does want to do this again.

but he knows he needs to set some kind of boundary for both their sakes, & he doubts Keith would be down for a body slave (BC HE'S A GOOD PERSON) so he tells Keith he wants to be Keith's bodyguard - Keith is a high-ranking warrior, since he's the son of Krolia, so it makes sense

& Keith is DEEPLY CONFUSED & upset bc he still thinks maybe he failed to express just how much he cares about Shiro (unfortunately the truth is that Shiro cannot conceptualize of an alpha genuinely feeling that way about him) but...it's what Shiro wants & it'll keep him close

fastforward to krolia being like "keith what the fuck is this"

Keith: this is my bodyguard
Krolia: so the marathon sex was just casual then
Keith: no i love him but i'm not Worthy yet, which is understandable bc he's perfect
Krolia:
Shiro: *represses harder & gets buffer*

oh & they still fuck, a lot, which sure doesn't help Shiro's predicament bc he went into it like "eventually keith will get tired of me but for now, we'll enjoy ourselves" but uhhh KEITH DOES NOT GET TIRED OF HIM, & (un)fortunately for Shiro, Keith also gets VERY GOOD in bed >:))

& Shiro suspects Keith has not gotten the message of "you really don't wanna be my mate, I'm doing this for your own good" bc Keith is still lowkey/highkey courting him but he's gotten sly about it, & he's gotten sly about praising Shiro too, & Shiro is just "I'VE MISCALCULATED"

BUT SHIRO HAS COMMITTED, HE HAS TO KEEP IT TOGETHER. & shiro has also gotten uhhhhh....Noticeably Possessive of Keith. Which, okay, arguably being possessive is a good trait for a bodyguard. But it starts getting a little absurd. RIP to any other omega who dares to look at Keith.

Shiro hisses at other Marmoran omegans who openly admire Keith, he straight-up GROWLS & bares his teeth at visiting omegas from a neighboring clan who are hoping to court Keith & make alliances, & he almost throws down w a particularly pretty visiting omega who makes Keith laugh

It's horribly inappropriate behavior for any proper omega but Shiro's not a proper omega, he's accepted his role as semi-feral attack dog awhile ago, but the problem is Keith doesn't treat him like that, Keith treats him like ??? a friend ??? so Shiro is just CONFUSION

& Shiro doesn't even mean to be so possessive bc he KNOWS that any of those omegas would be better for Keith than him, & he's reminded painfully of that when some of Keith's extended family visits w their new kiddos, & Keith is Very Soft w them & it makes Shiro's heart hurt

the whole Baby Thing came up p quickly bc keith was like "but....if we're not mates then what happens if...baby?" and Shiro very shortly was like "that's not going to be a problem" and Keith was like " okay???" (He doesn't really understand & Shiro's not about to explain it)

BC THE THING IS......not only has Shiro been apparently infertile during his time w the Galra onwards, he doesn't really have heats, & when he does they tend to be Long & Awful, more painful than pleasurable, & he literally killed Galran alphas for trying to touch him during them

But when he goes into heat w Keith it’s the only time he’s ever wanted an alpha to stay w him thru it at first he just asks Keith to guard him, make sure no one else comes in, & at first Keith is happy to oblige, but then they both snap & Shiro is begging him & Keith is WEAK

Shiro hates being vulnerable but it's not bad with Keith, Keith really does make him feel safe AND HE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THAT. It's seriously freaking Shiro out that he's making his nest with Keith in mind & actually contemplating letting Keith mark him as his mate

It makes Shiro really think about what he wants out of life, & he gets really emotionally wrecked by the end of it, Keith doesn't know what to do bc one minute Shiro is snarling absolute filth in his ear and the next he's OPENLY WEEPING under Keith, IHORMONES ARE A LOT LOL

bc fuck!!!! Shiro finally realizes that maybe he's punishing himself & yknow objectively he knew the Galra were full of shit when they told him he was worthless as a mate, but he was told it so many times that he believed it - but Keith makes it easier to believe he deserves MORE

& Keith is so attentive & worried & genuinely loving that Shiro thinks maybe.....it would be okay to open up to Keith & take a risk with seeing if Keith might actually be okay with having an omega like Shiro as his mate. But Shiro has UNFINISHED BUSINESS to attend to, first.

Afterwards Keith is really uncertain like, "that seemed like a lot...are you okay? did i hurt you??" & Shiro is like "No, I actually just realized I think my best shot at complete emotional closure right now is hunting down & murdering Sendak" and Keith is like "OH?? OKAY????"

Shiro is totally prepared for Keith to say he can't go & try to stop him from embarking on his REVENGE QUEST but what he's totally UNPREPARED for is for Keith to be like "ok cool so when do we leave" & Shiro is like huh?? WE? & Keith kinda deflates & is like "I...yeah? pls?? "

Shiro: u want to go on my revenge quest with me
Keith: yes
Shiro: I don’t need your help
Keith: no but u need someone to watch your back...pls..
Shiro: can’t tell if that was an ass joke or not -
Keith: IT WASN’T I GENUINELY WANT TO FIGHT BY YOUR SIDE BUT YOUR ASS IS ALSO MAGICAL

Shiro is SO FLUSTERED & is like “there’s no way your mom is gonna say yes to this” & Keith is like “excuse u I’m a grown man & she will respect my wishes”

what actually happens is Krolia takes Shiro aside like “my son would give you the world, remember that” & Shiro just SWEATS

So to the dismay of all the omegas hoping to court Keith in the spring, he embarks on a mysterious journey with the moody giant omega bodyguard & everyone is like “I MEAN I GUESS???” meanwhile Shiro cannot stop thinking about what Krolia said Keith would give him the world??

Shiro doesn’t even know what it would feel like to have genuine happiness, much less the world, but with Keith....he thinks he wants to find out

& they go on their epic journey to track down Sendak & there’s a lot of fucking in the forest & YEARNING & INSTINCTS

Once, some bandits make the mistake of trying to raid their camp in the middle of the night & one of them DARES to try to hurt Shiro & Shiro was off his game, he was exhausted from their uhhh previous night activities, so he gets a little sword-scratch, but WOE TO THAT BANDIT

Shiro has never seen sweet, earnest Keith become so absolutely FERAL before, & the wound is not nearly bad enough to blame his dizziness on blood loss as he watches & helps Keith absolutely destroy the bandits (the survivors flee like WHAT WAS THAT DEVIL ALPHA OH FUCK NOPE)

Shiro is literally fine but Keith is SO ATTENTIVE & it’s not even in a condescending way he just genuinely CARES SO MUCH so Shiro maaaaybe pretends to be slightly more hurt than he really is just for the ~healing snuggles & gentle touches~ bc he likes being coddled sometimes ok??

Keith: is it a mortal wound
Shiro: no I’m sure it’ll be okay as long as you keep kissing me
Keith, determined: YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND

anyway as they journey, Shiro tells Keith more about his Tragic Backstory, just bits & pieces, but Keith’s smart, he fills in the blanks...

& just to get some Keith POV in here, he’s still heart eyes @ Shiro, but initially it was more just like “wow he’s so pretty & badass & amazing,” now Keith is genuinely like “it makes me so angry that anyone ever hurt him but I’m so proud of him & want him to find peace so much”

It’s hard for Shiro to talk about Stuff but Keith never pressures him to or blames Shiro for any of it & mainly just seems as eager to get rid of Sendak as Shiro is. Shiro tells Keith that Sendak took his fav omegas w him & has prob amassed more - so it’s also a rescue mission...

AND BASICALLY THEYRE RLY SOFT & FEELINGS EVERYWHERE & WHEN THEY FINALLY FIND SENDAK...Shiro just takes Keith’s hands in his own & tells him thank you, & is like, “you were never ever unworthy, any omega would be lucky to have you” & Keith says, “but I only want one omega, Shiro.”

all the forest creatures minding their business: holy shit can they get a room

Shiro & Keith do not get a room but they do get VIGILANTE JUSTICE AND SWEET REVENGE, after days of scouting Sendak’s new digs (he got a castle, like an asshole), they figure out an Infiltration Plan

It involves Keith bringing Shiro to Sendak as a captive because APPARENTLY Sendak has been searching for Shiro — turns out no other bodyguard, alpha or omega or whatever, could even come close to Shiro. Keith doesn’t like the plan but Shiro is like, “I trust you,” bc he does

& like objectively it’s a sketch plan but their only other option is 2-man castle siege which....like, Shiro & Keith are cocky but not THAT cocky lmao. So: Keith presents Shiro to Sendak, they both get him alone, & wham bam goodbye Sendak! That’s the plan, anyway....

But then they get there & Shiro freaks out a little bc Sendak's not alone there, not only does he have his Galran warriors, he also has Haggar, who's the druid who removed Shiro's arm & made his new one & is generally Bad News, but Keith keeps him calm & they keep their cover

Sendak is VERY INTRIGUED by this mysterious Marmoran warrior who comes bearing the gift he's been looking for for ages, & Keith claims he's "tamed" Shiro (even as it makes bile rise in his throat for just saying it) & tells Sendak he'll show him how, but they need ~privacy~

Sendak, bastard that he is, is like "sign me up" but Haggar is SUSPICIOUSSS, & as Sendak leads Keith & Shiro to his chambers, a shadow follows them - Shiro thinks he sees a glimpse of something, but is also so nervous & furious he thinks he might be sick, maybe he's imagining it

The door to Sendak’s chambers closes behind them & for a terrifying moment Shiro is filled with uncertainty, thinks that maybe somehow he was wrong about Keith, & that now faced with the rewards & power Sendak is promising in exchange for Shiro, Keith might betray him after all.

He’s so used to being able to read Keith easily — the alpha’s scent is very expressive, very open, & while at first he found it bewildering now it’s a comfort — but right now Keith is closed-off, unreadable as he coaxes Sendak to take his prize. Shiro braces himself for a fight.

As per their plan, they lure Sendak into a false sense of security up until the point where Shiro can’t stand it — something rises vicious & ugly in Shiro as Sendak puts his hands on him, & in that moment Shiro catches a hint of Keith’s scent spill over, & the alpha is SEETHING.

Shiro clings to that, & when he glances back at Keith he can see the alpha’s dark eyes are darker with resolve & anger, so when Sendak reaches for the laces of Shiro’s tunic, Shiro doesn’t hesitate to lunge for him, closing the hand Sendak made for him around the Galra’s throat.

Sendak’s face purples in fury & his eyes dart to Keith, standing behind Shiro, seeking an ally in the other alpha, but instead Keith slips his blade into Shiro’s other hand, & Shiro slips the blade between Sendak’s ribs, finding the space between his armor plates with ease.

Sendak gurgles out, trying to call for help, but before he can get the sound out Keith punches him squarely in the jaw with a sick, breaking crack. Shiro’s knife cuts deeper & Sendak staggers, real fear filling his face as he falls back against the bed, Shiro looming over him.

“What is this,” Sendak manages, choked & pained through his bruised jaw. His eyes dart to Keith. “Got an alpha, huh?” He nods to Shiro, eyes not leaving Keith. “This one’ll betray you — he’s using you to help him do this, & afterwards, he’ll leave you.”

“Shut up,” Shiro warns.

Keith wavers, but only for a moment. He glances to Shiro — letting him take the lead. Shiro exhales a shaky breath & twists the knife. Sendak hisses, hate in his eyes, & Shiro leans over him. “Where are the others?” he demands. “Where do you keep them?”

Sendak’s lip curls.

“Why, are you jealous?” Sendak growls. “Fool. Once you kill me — then what? My warriors will get rid of your alpha & put you in your place —“

“Do not underestimate how slow & painful I can make this, Sendak,” Shiro warns. The alpha flinches. “Tell me where they are.”

It takes some "convincing," but Sendak tells them, & when Shiro ends it, Sendak doesn't go quietly, bleeding out on his own bed, choking on his own blood. Shiro steps back, shaky, bracing himself on the bedposts, & Keith is at his side. "Come on," he whispers. "I've got you."

Shiro brushes him off without really meaning to, it’s too much, seeing Sendak there, finally dead, & by his own hand. He catches a hint of hurt in Keith’s eyes before the alpha pulls away & says quietly, “I’ll follow your lead.”

“Good,” Shiro mutters, & goes to leave —

But as he opens the door, a figure stands in his path. Haggar, her hands crackling with her cruel magic. Shiro takes a step back & her eyes narrow as she takes in the blood on his clothes, the blade in his hands. Her hand lifts. Behind him, Keith cries out & darts forward....

For an awful moment, Shiro sees Haggar’s bolt of energy arc towards Keith’s chest as the alpha steps between them. Druids are rare and feared, & Haggar’s magic is the most powerful Shiro’s ever seen. But the magic never makes contact — instead, the bolt ricochets back at Haggar.

The bolt — one meant to kill — strikes Haggar square in the chest & she goes flying backwards, hitting the opposite wall hard.

Shiro stares at Keith’s outstretched hand & expression of equal parts determination and surprise, then stares at Haggar, crumpled on the floor, still.

“Keith?” Shiro whispers. “How did you — what —“

Keith looks at his own hand, then at Shiro. Out of the shadows, Haggar’s Druids emerge, cloaked figures looking at their fallen mistress, then turning towards Keith, whose arm still crackles with energy. Slowly, they bow.

“Ah,” Keith says, looking utterly lost & deeply freaked out, “we should — we should go.”

Shiro still stares at him. Keith is a druid? How long has he known? Did he keep it hidden? Is his magic as cruel as Haggar’s?

“Shiro,” Keith repeats urgently. “Are you alright?”

What a fucking question. Shiro blinks at him, then says, with as much control as he can muster, a tremble still in his voice, “Fine. I’m fine. Are you?”

Keith’s brow creases. His hand falls. “I — don’t know. But I’m with you, Shiro. I promise.” He’s always so damn earnest.

Shiro just nods, & as they hurry forward down the hall and to the tower Sendak told them of, the Druids don’t stop them, but eerily begin to flank them, falling in step behind Keith. It makes Shiro’s skin prickle, but he presses onward, tells himself to trust it’s not a trap.

He knows that the Druids are a cutthroat bunch, & it makes sense that they would accept the one who apparently killed their previous leader as their new leader, but it’s still unnerving. Shiro tries not to think about it as they hurry up the tower stairs to the omegas’ chamber.

The chamber is circular and heavily guarded — Shiro vaguely recognizes the Galran warriors who guard it, both alphas whose nostrils flare in shocked recognition as he approaches (the last time they’d all been acquainted, Shiro had significantly less clothes & less power).

Now, however, Shiro has armor, blood on his hands, & what seems to be a Druid alpha, so he doesn’t hesitate as he advances. The Galrans reach for their blades, faltering as the Druids file into the antechamber behind Keith, expectant.

“I suggest you step aside,” Shiro says.

The Galrans hesitate & Keith steps beside Shiro, his eyes narrowed, a growl building in his throat that Shiro isn’t even sure he knows he’s making. He slowly raises an eyebrow & the guards shift nervously.

“Where’s Lord Sendak?” one demands.

Shiro draws his bloodied blade.

The guards startle back, & Shiro won’t lie, it’s extremely satisfying to see them both genuinely on the defensive, for once, eyeing the Druids & Keith & Shiro with bewilderment & letting them pass, exchanging fearful looks. Shiro stalks into the chamber, vibrating w adrenaline.

There are perhaps a dozen omegas there, some napping or otherwise quietly curled up near each other. The chamber isn’t as luxurious as the one Shiro remembers — this one is hastily made, & a few of the omegas are actually restrained or otherwise bruised. They’ve gotten feistier.

When they see Shiro, all of those awake startle to attention, waking up the others & shrinking back against the stone walls, staring at him, a few of them starting to their feet. He sees the faint light of recognition in a few of their eyes, & as they catch his scent, eyes widen.

“It’s the Champion,” one whispers, & the whispers travel & grow, the fear remaining, but now coupled w awe. They see Keith, uncertainly flanking him, & their fear grows more bitter. Shiro lifts a hand. “Stay,” he tells Keith. Keith stays.

The omegas gawk openly at this exchange.

“Champion?” one of the smallest of them whispers as Shiro leans down, bile rising in his throat at the signs of clear mistreatment, his own wrists aching in echoed phantom pain. “You came back — Sendak said you — killed the others.” They swallow. “Are you here to kill us, too?”

Shiro wishes he could kill Sendak all over again. “No,” he whispers. “No, he — Sendak killed them, the ones he left behind. He left me...scarred.” The omega reaches up, slowly, but when Shiro doesn’t move, soft fingertips brush over the old scar tissue. Tears prick Shiro’s eyes.

Cautiously, the others gather closer, giving Keith a wide berth & glancing between him & Shiro with wide eyes. Keith stands by the doorway, watchful & obedient, hand on his blade, head slightly bowed to give them some privacy.

“Is that alpha your slave, Champion?” they ask.

Their eyes, grow hungry, awed, at the thought of an omega w an alpha slave. Shiro’s gut twists. Is that how he’s treated Keith? He hopes not, with every fiber of his being. He doesn’t know how to be soft & giving, but he hopes he hasn’t been cruel. Suddenly, he’s very tired.

“I’m here to get you out of this place,” Shiro tells them gently as he rises to his feet. “Sendak is dead. You’re free to go. There’s a clan, the Marmora — they’re good people. I can take you there, & Keith will help...keep us safe.” He glances up. Indigo eyes meet his, steady.

“Keith?” one whispers, head tilted. They glance among each other. A few gain understanding, hopeful expressions. “He is your mate?”

Shiro gives them a pained smile. “It’s complicated. Come, with us — I won’t let anyone else hurt you.”

He doesn’t see Keith’s small flinch.

Together, he & Keith herd them out of the chamber and downstairs — mostly Shiro, as the omegas still shy away from Keith, and Shiro does catch Keith’s expression of hurt at that behavior. Shiro eyes him. “Don’t take it personally,” he sighs. “They’re just -“

Keith nods stiffly.

At the sight of the waiting Druids, there are more squeaks & uncertain shuffling, but the omegas all look on with wide eyes as Shiro leads them downstairs, flanked by Keith, with the Druids taking up the rear. They must make quite a sight. The Galran guards have left their posts.

When they reach the main banquet hall chamber they first entered, they find the reason why — all of the Galran warriors are gathered there, nervously conversing, & all freeze as Shiro & Keith enter the room. One steps forward & Keith growls loudly, arm crackling w violet energy.

“Let us go,” Shiro says, “& no one gets hurt.”

But the Galran warriors don’t attack. Instead, they all slowly kneel, gaze fixed on Keith. Shiro looks at him. Keith blinks.

“Sendak is killed, & the Druids have chosen a new master,” one of the warriors says. “We serve you, now.”

“What?” Keith says as the Galrans look at him w wary yet impressed eyes. “I don’t -“

“This keep & its holdings,” the warrior nods to the frightened flock of omegas clustered behind Shiro, “now belong to you by right. Sendak killed to become this keep’s master, & now you are -“

“Shiro killed Sendak,” Keith blurts, & then clears his throat, nodding to Shiro. “It’s his, by right...”

The warriors mutter & one says, “Don’t be absurd. We’re saying you can rule this entire keep, claim all of the omegas here, & be master of the Druids. All of it, yours.”

There’s a moment of taut silence. Shiro barely breathes. Instinctually, he shifts back, as if to shield the omegas. From Keith? He doesn’t know. But Keith stands stiffly, hands curled into tight fists.

“You’re a powerful alpha, to have the Champion serve you,” the warrior adds.

“Or do you serve the Champion?” They chuckle. A tendon stands out in Keith’s neck. “If you claim this keep, you could even claim him as your mate — bet he’d let you. Beg you for that mercy, even. But he’s a better weapon & whore than he is a mate, though I’m sure you know that.”

Keith’s jaw tightens, & his lip lifts, revealing the sharp, clean edge of a fang. Shiro trusted him, & for a terrifying moment he wonders if somehow, he’d read Keith all wrong, if somehow that genuine earnestness had been an elaborate act to gain the awful legacy of Sendak.

It all happens very fast. One minute Keith is glaring, nearly snarling, fists clenched, the next, a wall of violet flames bursts upwards from the stone, capturing the Galran warrior who stepped forward & spoke in its fiery grasp.

Keith startles back, eyes wide, breathing hard.

Some of the omegas scream & the Galran warriors yell & swear as the flames climb higher, burn hotter, seemingly out of control. Even the Druids are edging away.

“Keith,” Shiro gasps, reaching for him, “Keith!”

Keith turns to him, wild-eyed. “We - we should go,” he pants.

The flames crackle furiously & Shiro nods, at a loss for words, turning his attention back to the panicking omegas. Together, he & Keith get them out of the keep as the fire spreads, & though the Druids try to follow, Keith tries to stop them. “I’m not — one of you,” he snaps.

“Power,” the Druids hiss. “Yoursss is great...but lacksss control. We can teach you. Make you a king. A warrior with magic...unssstoppable. Otherwissse...” Glowing golden eyes peer out from under a dark hood, glancing to Shiro. “Such power may hurt thossse mossst dear to you....”

Keith hesitates. Shiro is ushering the omegas across the drawbridge to the keep, where violet flames lick at the gray stone & warriors cry out from within.

Shiro grabs his shoulder. “Keith. We need to go.”

Keith stares up at him. “I don’t want to hurt anyone,” he whispers.

Keith’s eyes are dark & desperate; Shiro’s never seen him like this before. “I don’t want to hurt YOU, Shiro.”

Something twists sharp & sudden in Shiro’s chest. He swallows. “You won’t,” he says. He nods to the Druids. “THEY hurt people. They hurt me. Don’t listen to them.”

Keith’s fingertips spark; Shiro hears the growl building in his throat again. “They hurt you,” he repeats, almost like a mantra.

“Keith,” Shiro says, aiming for firm, tho his voice trembles a little as he grasps Keith’s sparking wrist. “Don’t. Just — leave it. We’re done here.”

The sparks sputter & fade, as does Keith — he wilts noticeably, gaze downcast, & gives a jerky nod. “If you say so, Shiro,” he mumbles, stumbling away, casting a dark look at the Druids & avoiding meeting Shiro’s gaze. His face is blank but his scent is tangled w unhappiness.

They leave the keep far behind them & make camp in the safety of the woods with the omegas gathered in the center. They’re still nervous, but there’s a mood of giddy excitement now as reality sets in.

“I’ll stand guard,” Keith mutters before Shiro can get a word in.

Shiro is STRESSED. He’s killed Sendak — he did what he set out to do. & Keith — Keith’s been loyal, thru & thru. Sure, him being a Druid was a shock, but — that doesn’t matter. He’s still just Keith.

But he looked so afraid outside the castle, looking up at Shiro. Vulnerable.

Meanwhile, Keith is “standing guard” aka MOPING TO THE MAX. He’d tried SO HARD to be good for Shiro, & then in a moment of emotion & anger & fear his damn magic came back. The same magic that hurt Shiro. If he wasn’t a suitable mate before, now...there’s no damn way.

Keith KNOWS he has no claim to Shiro. But Shiro means so much to him, the way no one else ever has, & it feels like — it felt like — that must mean something. Shiro likes being with him in bed, at least??? That’s something. It doesn’t make Keith feel much better, though.

But maybe now that he knows Keith has magic — magic that, for the record, Keith repressed so hard when it emerged in his adolescence that he’d become convinced it had vanished altogether — he won’t even let Keith touch him again.

Keith looks down at his hands & whimpers.

Across the camp, Shiro is tending to the fire when one of the omegas shuffles up to him.

“Hm?” Shiro asks, absentminded, his eyes on Keith, who’s hunched over at the edge of camp.

The omega’s nose wrinkles. “Your alpha stinks,” she tells Shiro. “He’s pining. It’s sad.”

“Pining?” Shiro repeats, almost dropping the stick he’s stoking the flames w into the fire. L

“Should I, er, go to him?” the omega starts. “He seems — in need of comforting, maybe —“

“Don’t even think about it,” Shiro warns. She shrinks back, eyes wide. He clears his throat.

“Apologies,” Shiro mutters. “I didn’t — Ah. I will....take care of it.”

“Of the alpha?” the omega asks innocently.

“His name is Keith,” Shiro sighs, & rises from the fire to approach Keith.

As he nears him — Keith does, in fact, reek of SORROWFUL YEARNING. Or something.

“Keith?”

Keith starts so badly he almost falls off the log he’s sitting on. He must really be out of it if he didn’t catch Shiro’s approaching scent. “Shiro — uh. What is it?”

“I was told you smelled like pining,” Shiro replies, & mentally punches himself. “...you alright?”

Keith looks at the pine trees around them. “Um,” he says. “I — am fine. How are you? That was — we have just done — a lot just happened.”

He looks back down at his feet. Everything about his posture is submissive, apologetic, unsure. Shiro wants to hug him. He resists the urge.

Instead he says, “I’m fine. We did it. I couldn’t have done it without you, you know.”

Keith’s shoulders tense. “You could have,” he says. “But — I’m glad I was there.”

He doesn’t sound very glad. Shiro eyes him. “Can I ask,” he starts carefully, “the magic, have you always -“

Keith sucks in a breath. “Yes,” he says. “I mean — since I presented, yeah. My mother - she said it was a gift. But Kolivan, he thought...that it might be too dangerous, as I was also an alpha, so...” He exhales. “I accidentally — hurt some of the other kids. I got...upset.”

“Oh.” Shiro considers this. “So it’s triggered by strong emotions?”

“Something like that. It’s a survival instinct...& that lady, she was going to hurt you, so I just —“ Keith falls silent.

“But you tried to throw yourself in front of me,” Shiro says.

“So you’d survive.”

“Keith.” Shiro doesn’t know what to say. He’s so bad at this.

Keith hunches in on himself. “I know,” he whispers. “I know that’s not what you want me to — be like. But I don’t know how to be any other kind of way, with you. I just..” He looks up. “What do you want of me, Shiro?”

Shiro draws in a breath.

“I think I should be asking you that,” he says, quietly. Even with his gentle tone, Keith flinches. “I think — you’ve been very kind to me, Keith, & loyal. More than I deserve.”

“Don’t say that,” Keith starts. “I’m the one who’s been a fool -“

“You’re not -“

“I tried to mark you,” Keith says in a rush, & Shiro turns red, bc they’ve never really talked about it, & the other omegas are totally LISTENING & WILL GOSSIP, but there’s no going back now. “I was - young, & stupid, & I thought - you could just - be mine.”

“Keith -“

“But I shouldn’t have just, assumed, I know that now, & — & you know, it’s alright if you don’t want a mate, ever, Shiro, but —“

“Did I say that?” Shiro is mildly flabbergasted. Keith is babbling. His scent is - confusing. Flustered, definitely. “Keith, I’m not mad -“

“But I am!” Keith exclaims, & his fingertips spark violet, & Shiro jumps, & Keith’s face crumples. Hair flops into his face as he slumps. “I’m furious at — the Galra, at myself, at anyone who ever mistreated you —“

“Keith, you haven’t mistreated me.”

“But you deserve better.”

“Better?” Shiro peers at him. “Better than what, Keith? Better than you?” He reaches out & touches Keith’s shoulder. He might not be good at this, but he’s not going to let Keith talk himself down. “Don’t say that. You’re good, Keith. You’re so good.”

Keith sneaks a glance up.

For a long moment they just stare at each other. To everyone looking on, it is incredibly obviously romantically charged & full of desire & longing & fondness. To Shiro & Keith it’s just one of their usual Looks.

“So are you,” Keith whispers. “I just - want you to know that.”

“You make it easier to believe that,” Shiro says. He reaches out, touching Keith’s hip, hand sliding down purposefully to settle on his thigh. Keith swallows & makes no move to pull away. “Tell me truly: did you not, for a moment, even consider accepting the Galrans’ offer?”

Keith’s eyes flicker. “You mean - accepting the keep, the Druids, the omegas -“ His breath hitches as Shiro’s hand shifts higher “- and you?”

“Yes,” Shiro says. “If what you want of me is a mate, you could have had it. That warrior was right. I probably would’ve - let you.”

Keith’s eyes widen. “Wh-what? Shiro —“

“I don’t know,” Shiro muses, metal hand lifting to stroke Keith’s rough jaw, “if I’d be able to hurt you, if you had. It would have hurt me to my very core to see you another Sendak, but - I don’t know if I would have wanted to resist.”

Keith sits stiff & unsure, eyes wide as Shiro leans closer, studying him. “I — I don’t want that of you,” he whispers. “I never want to hurt you, much less force you to do something like be my — my mate.” His voice trembles. “All I want — is to prove myself to you. To be worthy.”

Shiro’s heart stutters. He inhales, breathing in the familiar campfire warmth & wildness of Keith’s scent.

“Keith,” he whispers back, “you don’t have to prove that to me. If I didn’t think you were the worthiest alpha I’ve ever met, you wouldn’t be here by my side, now.”

“Oh.” Keith’s pupils dilate. He breathes in, & Shiro hopes his scent makes Keith as wild as Keith’s makes him. “Then -“

“I just don’t know,” Shiro offers honestly, perhaps too honestly, “how I could be anyone’s mate. & I want you to be happy. To have a family, & a worthy mate.”

Keith’s gaze doesn’t leave him. “Do you not think you’re worthy?” he asks, disbelieving.

“I think you shouldn’t have to put your life on hold for me,” Shiro says, pulling away, bc touching Keith is too much, suddenly. “You could have any omega you wished: a sure bet. So...”

“But I don’t want a sure bet,” Keith says. “I just want you.”

Shiro’s breath hitches & this time the alpha leans forward, & he braces himself, but Keith just says, “Tell me to go & I will, Shiro. Tell me to leave, to stop loving you, & I will try. But if you want me to stay-“

Shiro may not know exactly what he wants but he knows as soon as Keith says it that he doesn’t want to be alone. He was alone with Sendak, alone & afraid in dark cells & dark bedrooms, & the prospect of facing that again in a new form is suddenly terrifying.

“Don’t go,” he says.

“I won’t,” Keith promises, low & ardent. “If it’s what you desire, I will stay by your side always, Shiro.”

“I —“ Shiro is overcome, bc looking at Keith, he can see Keith is genuine. Somehow, Keith means it. “I love you, too, but as for the rest - that will take time, for me.”

Keith stops breathing. “You love me?”

Shiro peers at him. “Is that so hard to believe?” He sighs. “I realize I — don’t always know how to show it, but...yes.”

“Oh, Shiro.” Keith reaches up, brushing Shiro’s hair out of his face. “We have time,” he says. “& I’ll be here.”

Shiro’s heart thuds painfully. “Even if it’s a very long time? Even if I can’t promise you that I’ll ever — be ready for what you want?”

“Shiro,” Keith whispers, “what I want is just — you. Being with you. As mates, as friends, as companions...it’s an honor to be by your side.”

Keith cups his face & Shiro, for the first time in a long time, lets his eyes fill w tears. He’s been taught that feeling is weakness — it’s a lesson that’s been driven home painfully time & time again. Whores don’t feel, weapons don’t feel, but with Keith, he feels like neither.

“I don’t want to disappoint you,” Shiro confesses, turning his face into Keith’s palm. His lips brush calloused skin & they shiver. “I don’t want you to wake up one day & realize that I wasn’t what you wanted after all, Keith.”

“That day is never going to come,” Keith whispers.

The tears spill over & Keith makes a soft sound as Shiro cries silently, finally giving into the urge to nuzzle into his palm & inhale, his entire body slumping in sheer relief as he does so.

The other omegas are watching, & Shiro doesn’t even care. Let them watch.

“I know that — maybe there’s nothing I can say that will convince you that what I’m saying is true,” Keith whispers, tucking the words against Shiro’s throat, arms wrapping around him, “but I promise you, it is. I’m not going anywhere, Shiro, so long as you’ll have me.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” Shiro says, & kisses his palm. Keith’s fingers curl & warm, soft pleasure ripples through his scent. “You’ve always proven yourself to me through your actions, Keith, from the start. Although I — I don’t mind the sweet words, too.” He blushes.

“You deserve sweet words,” Keith says, as bashful as he is earnest.

“This is what I mean when I say any omega would be lucky to have you,” Shiro mumbles, leaning forward & hiding his face against Keith’s shoulder.

Keith hums. “But I don’t want any omega. Just you.”

“Even without magic you’d be a menace,” Shiro informs him, still hiding his burning face. His hand slides around Keith’s waist, which feels so small yet lithe in his grasp. Keith hums louder, & Shiro realizes — he’s purring.

“You really don’t mind - about my magic?” Keith asks.

Shiro closes his eyes. “Magic was used to hurt me & the others,” he says. “I fear it. But I don’t fear you...you used it to protect me, & what I felt then definitely wasn’t fear, Keith...I’m proud of you. Proud to have you by my side. You’re powerful, but you’re kind, too.”

Shiro lifts his head, still close. Keith’s eyes are dark, uncertainty faded from them. “And — honestly? You were a sight to behold, Keith.” He runs a finger down Keith’s jaw & the alpha shivers. “If you could harness such a power, all the Sendaks of the world would be doomed.”

Keith grins, revealing bright fangs. “You think so?” His arms tighten around Shiro. “How did it feel, though, to get revenge? To kill Sendak?”

“It felt brutal,” Shiro admits, gaze dropping. “But — I needed to.”

“And now you have,” Keith murmurs. “Now they’re free. So are you.”

“Yes,” Shiro breathes. He exhales. “I don’t know what to do, now.”

“We bring them home,” Keith says. He nods to the gathered omegas, who are watching with open curiosity, & immediately duck down in a flurry of squeaks & nervous giggles when Keith looks over. “& then — anything.”

“Anything,” Shiro repeats, & clasps Keith’s hands in his own. “Yes...I think I could get used to that.”

Cue all the omegas either swooning or fake gagging in the background bc HOW ARE THESE TWO REAL, it gives them hope for their own love lives lmao (tho some are quite jealous)

Shiro is very protective of all the other omegas but he’s also very protective of Keith, so when they head back into camp & he smells ~jealousy~ on the wind, he pretty shamelessly drags Keith into their tent & marks him tf up, making pleased little growly sounds the whole time

Keith: uhhhh are you good??? babe?
Shiro, practically ripping his pants open & rubbing his scent all over Keith furiously: UH-HUH.

the omegas outside: sweats

But let’s be honest Keith is absolutely not complaining, even if his neck is purple afterwards :’)))

Shiro can be intense in bed but he’s not usually so possessive & Keith is VERY INTO IT, & when Keith dares to return the favor, he’s delighted to find that Shiro also seems very into that. He bites bruises into Shiro’s thighs & Shiro makes sure the whole camp hears him keening

So after that very loud and clear precedent is set, Shiro & Keith guard the omegas on their way back to the Marmora clan, & some of the omegas break off along the way to find extended family in nearby villages & things, so the group is small when they return — small but happy.

The Marmora clan was starting to suspect smth terrible had happened bc they’d been gone so long, so it’s a happy reunion when they do show up. Krolia isn’t prone to big displays of affection but she gives Keith a huge hug & hugs Shiro as well, thanking him for bringing Keith back

And Krolia is kind like “so......u guys a thing yet or.....”

& Keith & Shiro are both like ~exchanges sly yet shy looks~

Kolivan starts telling Keith about all the marriage proposals from omegas from neighboring clans but Keith is very lalala can’t hear u about it & he gives up

Kolivan also disapproves of Keith trying to figure out his magic, but he & Krolia have a Heated Argument after which he caves, & tells Keith about an enclave of Druids versed in healing & defensive magic, & Keith is uncertain but hopeful maybe he can do good w his power

But Keith is reluctant bc he tells Shiro like “I know you probably want to go do your own thing, & you should, & you don’t like Druids so you probably don’t wanna go anywhere near this place....But I really feel like I have to do this...so...goodbye for now ;-;”

Shiro is like wdym, it’s a dangerous journey, you’re not going alone on my watch & Keith is like YOU DONT HAVE TO....bc he doesn’t want to be needy & clingy HE’S TRYING TO GIVE SHIRO ALL THE SPACE & AGENCY HE DESERVES but Shiro is like “I know, Keith - but I want to. Let’s go.”

So they go together to check out the Druids & Keith is so nervous but so glad to have Shiro by his side!! And the Druids are super chill & Keith fits right in, & Shiro actually finds a skilled warrior who’s also an omega & who offers to formally teach him swordplay~

So Shiro kicks ass w his sword & gets a new friend who is a very rough n tough omega but Big Soft at heart, & wants to see Shiro thrive, & Keith kicks ass & heals ass with his magic, & at the end of their busy days they fuck a lot & whisper sweet nothings to each other

After the druids & the swordmaster have taught them all they know, Shiro & Keith move on, seeking adventures & new places & saving people & fighting others, & true to his word, there never comes a day where Keith realizes Shiro wasn’t what he wanted - quite the opposite, in fact.

They just get more and more ridiculously, entirely in love, & Shiro can’t possibly imagine anyone else he’d want to spend the rest of his life with, so one lazy afternoon when the two of them are canoodling in a sunlit forest clearing, Shiro whispers, “Make me yours, Keith.”

Shiro was already Keith’s, as Keith was already Shiro’s, but it doesn’t hurt to make it official, & laying side by side with Keith in the sweet summer grass, his alpha tucked under his arm & kissing the fresh mating mark, Shiro swears he’s never felt anything better.

THE END~