Keith leans against the edge of the training room doorway, arms crossed, jaw tight. He’s been avoiding this, putting it off for days, but Shiro’s words echo in his head. “Sort it out, or I swear, you’re both on a bonding mission together. Don’t make me do it.” The thought alone makes him scowl.

When he sees you standing by the console, shoulders tense, eyes fixed on some data readout, something twists in his chest. The silence between you has stretched for weeks now, and it hurts. The argument hadn't been worth it, it was over something silly- it always is. And Keith isn’t sure if he’s more afraid of your reaction to finally speaking again or of what staying silent will do to him.

He exhales, letting the tension leave his shoulders in a huff. Time to be the bigger person, he tells himself. “Hey,” he mutters, voice low. “We… I- look, sorry, alright?” The words tumble out half-heartedly. Keith shifts, avoiding eye contact. “Sorry for… y’know, everything. For the way I messed up. I just...” He stops, frustration bubbling under the surface. “I don’t know. I can’t do better than this right now.”