Chapter Text
Keith dodged out the way, his back hitting the wall. Acxa raised her leg and did a high kick. Keith blocked it, and took her by the calf to turn her over. He jumped back when she got back up off the floor. She wiped her chin, sweat dripping down her face.
Keith probably looked the same. But he didn’t care. He liked the sting in his muscles, the smell of sweat beating down his forehead. He loved getting his anger out in a healthy way. Like his therapist, Mr. Adam, recommended.
Truth being told, Keith was only here because of Mr. Adam. He’d been kind enough to see through Keith’s rude comments and snarky comebacks. He recommended him to take his anger out in a healthier way than getting into fights at the back of the school or in alleyways.
Mr. Adam’s husband, Shirogane, owned his own dojo. He was a professional martial art master. That was before his accident. He now had a prosthetic arm where his other one should be.
When Keith first got to the dojo, he was terrified. Not of the missing arm— well yeah, that too but seriously. A missing arm! Come on! He wasn’t trying to be rude just… damn. A missing arm dude. Anyways, he was terrified, because what if this dojo didn’t accept him? What if he messed everything up and let Mr. Adam down?
And for the first few weeks, it did feel like that. He got into fights. He yelled. He punched holes in walls, then apologized. But seriously, everyone was so arrogant and annoying.
Eventually, he fell into a rhythm, due to the help of Mr. Shiro. He insisted on calling him that. Shiro. Just that. Which is strange to Keith. He sometimes slips up with the Mr and Mrs’s.
“Good work you two!” Shiro’s voice chimed in, breaking Keith away from his thoughts. Which were starting to move, if he was being honest.
Keith and Acxa both bowed in honor to Shiro then to each other, indicating that the sparring had come to a finish.
“Thank you, Mr. Shirogane. “ Acxa said, walking over to the bench in the corner and grabbing her towel. Keith did the same. His hair had been tied into a ponytail and his bangs had been pushed out his face so he’d be able to see all possible attacks. But sparring with Acxa always made his hair come out of any tight bind.
“What did I tell you about that, Acxa.” Shiro smiled, pointing a finger at her as she drank from her water bottle.
The silence stretched as Acxa continued to look at Shiro. Shiro stared back, waiting to see if she’d give in. He let out a loud groan and slumped against the wall in defeat. “Come on, Acxa! Shiro! Shiro!” He whined.
“Mr. Shirogane.”
“Shiro.”
“Mr. Shirogane.”
“Mr. Shiro.”
“Mr. Shirogane.”
“Come on Acxa!!”
“In all due respect, Mr. Shirogane. No.” And with that she turned on her heel, exiting through the non-existing door that was replaced by ribbons of red, orange, and yellows.
Keith couldn’t help but snicker, trying to hide behind his hand but it seemed that wasn’t enough.
“Are you laughing at me, Keith?!” Shiro pouted, whining at his poor failed attempt at trying to sway Acxa. It was his mistake anyways. A hilarious one, at that. Thinking you can change that girl’s mind is like thinking a lion club’s mother won’t attack you merely because you petted said lion cub.
Keith grabbed his bag, the red lion swinging on its keychain as he moved it to hang over his shoulder. He nodded over his shoulder in leu of goodbye and walked to the ribbon covered doorway. As soon as Keith stepped through, his face instantly turned from neutral to a scowl.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t our very own ice prince over here! Look at who grace us with his very, very poor presence!” The group of teenage boys laughed behind one James Griffin. The worst guy in existence and well… Keith’s ex.
Yeah. He dated that.
He’s not proud of it. And will not mention it. And if you ever think it happened — no. It didn’t. You’re crazy and need to be locked up in a mental institution or hospital or facility. Somewhere far, far, far away from Keith. Because he surely, definitely didn’t date that… that … well any animal he compares to James will take great offense so he won’t.
“Hop off, Griffin.” Acxa’s voice sounded by the door, she was just a step away from leaving when she turned around to glare at James.
James snarled, then laughed. “Oh we’re so sorry your majesty! Forgive us, for insulting your lovely king in your presence. Please let us keep our heads!” The group laughed again as James faked a bow of royalty and fiend a wounded and worried expression. Keith rolled his eyes. Seriously.how could he have dated this guy…
Acxa walked over during the mist of the laughter and grabbed James’s middle finger. Using just that— his middle finger— flipped him over, landing on his back. He croaked out a pained howl and winced.
“I’ll let you keep your head. For now.” Her gaze turned to the rest of the boys who were backing away quickly, fear embedded in their eyes. “Anymore who wishes to defy their king and queen?” She raised a sassy eyebrow and queried them. The lot shook their heads like a bunch of bobble heads moving in the wrong way. She then turned to Keith, her eyes less sharp. “Come along, Keith. I wish to stop by the book store on our way to the crib.” She left, leaving Keith to follow in her steps.
“Seriously? crib? And what was that back there? You know we’re not allowed to use our teaching against fellow students.” Keith scolded as he finally caught up to her. She was taller than him, which meant longer legs. Which meant Keith was left sprinting to catch up to her freak of nature footing.
“Would you rather me let him mock you?” She kept her eyes forward, not bothering to turn to Keith. Keith didn’t really know. He didn’t like what came out of James' mouth— which is basically everything he says— but he didn’t want Acxa to get a consequence for this. So he remained quiet. She didn’t seem to mind it though. She seemed to find it enjoyable, so did Keith. He walked alongside her, watching the various houses pass as he walked.
At last, they were in front of the library building. Acxa and Keith come here all the time. They have their very own corner and everything. The Liberian even knows them on a first name basis and reserves their To Be Read list of books in a cart near their corner. Keith really appreciated the lady, she’s kind and old. She sometimes tells Keith about her grandkids while Acxa reads. Which is comforting to Keith.
It’s like Keith has his own grandmother! ….in a way, he supposes?
The familiar bell of entry makes Keith’s back hairs stand on edge. He walked in with Acxa who was already moving out of sight to scavenger hunt for a book of utmost ‘importance and enjoyability’ as she would put it. Keith had no idea what she was talking about, but didn’t bother her when she did this.
Instead he walked to MawMaw, yes that is what Keith calls her. Leave it alone.
“Leaf! Leaf! Come, come!” She motioned for him to come closer, which brought a smile to his face. He leaned over the counter, and she grabbed his face. She smiled, warm and comforting, and brushed his bangs out of his way.
“Ah, so handsome my Leaf. You come for more books with girl?” She points to Acxa, making Keith turn back over.
“Yes ma’am, MawMaw” he responded, kind and polite. MawMaw seemed pleased. She got down from her step stool and walked over to Keith. Keith already knew what she was doing, and though he loved the old woman— this routine she does is exhausting.
“Ah! Leafy boy! Look how skinny you are!” She turned Keith around, looking him over. “What do you eat, ha?! Sticks and pages! Come come! I fatten you up!” She moved back to the back of the counter. Now just to be clear, Keith is by means not skinny. In fact, if you asked him— he’s rather fit. He’s muscular and has been told he has broad shoulders. So he doesn’t think he’s skinny at all. But arguing with MawMaw would be pointless and in vain. She’s most likely forcing you or slap your hand lightly, threatening to call the police for neglect…. On oneself.
He followed MawMaw to the counter and rested his forearms on top of the glass top. He watched as she started rumbling through old containers and pulled out a mini pink bag with black hearts on it. “Here Leafy boy! Eat, eat! You become strong!” Keith accepted the bag of treats and smiled
“Thank you, MawMaw.” He nodded.
“Such polite boy. So kind.” MawMaw patted his cheek and turned back to her duties. Keith’s chest felt warm and happy. He always felt like that after getting complimented by MawMaw. He sighed, turning away and stalking to where the rows, columns, and shelves of books laid. He browsed the aisles. He had never been a fan of Non-Fiction. He didn’t really do romance. Fantasy was too…princess-y for him. So that left mystery.
Keith didn't mind this genre. He particularly liked it. It was cool, calm, and involved thinking of the clues, suspects, motives, objectives. All of it.
He walked over to the row of shelves and ran his hands along the wood. It was crisp, sanded perfectly to avoid splinters. Keith breathed in the smell of the new books, the old books, the books that were so dusty that they were newly old. Keith stopped when his eyes caught sight of a book bound hard cover. He picked it out and ran his fingers over the pages. It was a cold blue, with a fish tail on the front of it. He turned it over, reading the summary of what the book is about.
"A mystery about a merman..? That's interesting, I guess." Keith muttered to himself. He walked past the other shelves and walked to his corner where Acxa was already reading her book. It had a spilled bottle on the cover, so it was most likely a cooking book.
"You're seriously reading a book for that youtuber?" Keith asked, plopping in his beanbag near the window. He sat his backpack down by the mini table that really stood as a stool that was just big enough for a fake plant Keith got MawMaw for her birthday and a photo of MawMaw's cat.
"It is not just a cooking book," Acxa retorted, her thick frames, that Keith had only ever seen her wear during reading time, sliding down her face, landing on her nose bridge. She peeked over them, eyeing Keith with a fearing intensity. "It is a culinary reference work that contains various recipes and instructions for food preparation."
Keith rolled his eyes at his sister's poor lovelife. "You're severely a simp, y'know that. Either that or a stalker. I don't know which ones are worse for you." he smirked at her. She snarled and rolled her eyes, sinking further into her own beanbag.
"You are insufferable." She mumbled and flipped another page and pushed her glasses up.
Keith shook his head, laughing silently at his own account and decided to settle in for his own reading time. While he was getting situated, Acxa peeked over from her side to see what exactly her brother had picked out for his own enjoyment. Keith's interests have always been quite odd, and outworld-ish. But he seemed to enjoy whatever he picked up, so Acxa never bothered him with it. This time, to get back at his previous jab at her goddess of a chef, she thought a little teasing couldn't hurt.
"What did you acquire? More brooding detectives with tragic pasts and questionable hygiene?" she asked, the corner of her lips turning up as she eyed the book laying flat on his lap. He glanced down and picked it up.
"It's uh,actually, it’s a mystery. But... with a merman." he said sheepishly, tilting the book in hand every which way. He ran his fingers down the spine and traced the scales of the mermaid's fish on the cover like he was trying to embed the shape of it in his brain.
"A merman." she mused, her lips cracking a small smile as she sat back in her beanbag watching him squirm. Because honestly- who reads a mysterious story about a merman?
"Don't look at me like that. You have no room to judge me" Keith muttered, feeling a sudden heat prickle at the ends of his ear. He looked down at his lap, where the book laid in his hands. "The summary said something about people disappearing at docks and the main guy thinks it's like gang members or something, but it's something even deeper." Keith explained and when Acxa didn't look convinced, he blurted, "It seemed cool!"
"And the merman is the culprit?" Acxa seemed to actually be listening, leaning on her arm, cheek pressed into her palm.
"No," Keith said, leaning forward, his own interest sparking as he opened to the first page. "That's the twist. The merman is actually trying to stop a larger, more ancient entity from waking up because the local deep-sea drilling company cracked open a fault line. The merman can't speak human language, so he has to communicate through symbolic arrangements of shells and drowned sailors' belongings left on the shore. It's an analytical puzzle."Acxa stared at him for three long seconds, her expression unreadable. Then, she adjusted her glasses and lifted her book back up. "It sounds ridiculous. Read it to me."
"I thought you were studying various century-old recipes of gravy," Keith retorted, though he was already clearing his throat.
"The gravy can wait. Prove to me that your marine-life romance isn't a waste of municipal funding."
"It's not a romance!" Keith snapped, but he flipped to chapter one anyway. He shifted his position, crossing his legs under him, the book heavy and cool against his knees.
"Chapter One," Keith began,
𐙚 𓏵𓏵𓏵𓏵𐙚
Keith's eyes flutter open. His shoulder was in a dull, aching pain and his mouth tasted icky. He sat up and yawned, stretching his arms over his head. His ponytail had come completely undone during his rest. Black strands of hair fell in his eyes and he swung them out of his face. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hands, hard enough to warn away any lingering sleep left. He heard the faint sound of clicking and clacking sounds like those you'd hear at a front desk. MawMaw must still be here. He shifted, trying to sit up slightly. He looked down when he felt a sharp corner press into his stomach. He saw the blue covered book resting on stomach, spread out on the last page he read, rising and falling with each breath he took.
"You're awake." The voice came above him. He shifted, groaning inwardly as he looked up to find Acxa standing over him, jacket zipped up to her neck. Her glasses were stored away, put in the small pocket of her bag. Her bag was slung over one shoulder, and she looked about ready to go.
"Ugh, Didn't know I was having a nightmare."
"Cut the bullshit, idiot. Come on."
"What time is it?" Keith asked, getting up from the beanbag with a whoosh that sounded like a deflatting balloon in the quiet space of the room. Acxa grabbed her phone and slid it open with her thumb. The video from earlier started playing, the voice of that woman started filling the room again. Keith could already see his sister getting lost in her lovesick puppy eyes or whatever. "Hey focus, dipshit. The time?" he repeated, asking again as he bent down to get his backpack and sling it over his shoulder.
"It's past seven." Acxa said, stuffing her phone into her pocket. "MawMaw let us stay past closing because she said you looked like 'a tired little boy who needed his rest,' but the automated security system locks down the perimeter in fifteen minutes. Unless you wish to spend the night where dust and bacteria meet, and a beanbag and eating whatever bookworms eat, I suggest you move."
Keith groaned. His head felt like lead, his spine a break away from rearranging itself to become the new formula to any of his failed math sheets. He picked up the merman mystery book and placed it on his reserved cart near their corner. He'd have to finish it another time. Right now, he needed something in his stomach and needed it quickly. His head was pounding and all he wanted to do was submerge in food and fall into a food coma till tomorrow.
They walked through the maze of shelves of books and weaved their way to the front desk. Acxa left quickly with a small nod to MawMaw, the bell singing her departure. Keith stayed for a bit. He thanked MawMaw and offered a groggy, apologetic wave to MawMaw as he walked through the door. She called out to him to have a good night's rest and to eat a proper dinner! Keith assured her he would. He'd rather repeat school than skip a meal.
A boy needs to grow as one would say. (MawMaw mostly)
The moment Keith stepped into the open, fresh air slapped his flushed face like a wake up call. It was dark out, the stars shining bright above them. He looked up to see the big tree just right out of the little library. He breathed in the crisp, natural air, feeling its chill down his spine.
"You better zip up your hobo looking jacket before dad and MawMaw pound you into a cake." Acxa stood by the base of the tree, leaning on the trunk, hands in her leather jacket pockets.
"Hobo?" Keith looked down at his red jacket with a crisp, thin, white layer underneath. "I don't look like a hobo!" Keith defended, zipping up the jacket regardless.
"You totally do." She pushed off the tree trunk and started walking down the sidewalk.
"I totally don't."
"Sounds like something a hobo would say." She snorted.
"Yeah? Well you, you uh... that leather jacket makes you look like a bad ass lesbian hunter!" Acxa paused at the insult, still walking with her long, freakish strides. Her face was blank for a long period.
"What the hell is a lesbian hunter?" She quirked a questioning eyebrow at Keith.
"Means you're gay."
"Like you're not? I see you looking at James's ass sometimes." she smirked as Keith screeched.
"Don't even! I hate that I even considered him! Oh my god- he's so damn ugly- No, fugly. He's fugly, you hear me Acxa?" He looked at her as he walked by her side.
"I hear you loud and clear, gay boy." She laughed, hearing him groan loudly.
"I'm never leaving it down, am I?" he raked his hands over his face, making his face droop with the movement and his cheeks seem pink-ish.
" 'Fraid not, little brother. " Acxa ruffled Keith's hair which earned her a snarl and he swatted at her hand.
After that, the commotion seemed to quiet down. They walked in silence, comfortable and familiar. Keith took the time to go over the sights in town. The neighborhood seemed to be bathed in the amber glow of the streetlights. The houses they passed were dark, their windows reflecting the pale moon rising above the tree line. It was that specific time of night where the world felt suspended, caught between the end of the day and the dead of night. With the help of Acxa's words prior, Keith's mind drifted back to the dojo, the sting of the sparring mat, and the sharp, annoying sound of James Griffin's voice. He felt a sudden surge of gratitude for Acxa’s quick intervention back there, even if he had scolded her for it.
"Hey," he started, feeling unnaturally hot and itchy. Is this what being a teenage boy means? Jeez. "Thanks for today." He looked down, fidgeting with his nail beds in his jacket pockets. He’s always had that habit of picking at his nails. "For the James thing, y'know?" God, he hoped she knew what he was trying to convey. He was never good with words or feelings or putting your feelings into words for others to understand. How the hell are others supposed to understand him when he doesn't even understand himself?
Acxa's eyes tracked her brother's movements. Her eyes are sharp and focused. Then she smiled. "Yeah, I know. You're welcome, idiot."
Keith's eyes immediately darted back to her, narrowing his eyes. "Remind me to never compliment your ungrateful ass again."
She laughed, eyes glittering with happiness. "Pardon, it was just too hard not to! You looked so awkward, it was painful." She wiped a tear from her left eye, smiling wide at Keith. "Plus, James is an idiot. And your taste in romantic partners during your freshman year was abysmally flawed." she sighed, her smile fading.
"I said don't mention it," Keith groaned, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "It was three weeks of bad decisions. Let it die."
"I will let it die when he stops provoking you," she said simply. "Until then, it remains an active variable."
They turned the corner onto their street, the familiar silhouette of their house coming into view. It was a sturdy, two-story structure with a slightly warped front porch and a set of old wooden stairs leading up to the main entrance. A single light was on in the kitchen window, casting a warm, yellow square onto the overgrown lawn.
𐙚 𓏵𓏵𓏵𓏵𐙚
Keith doesn't know how it happened. He doesn't know when it happened. But somehow, between the teasing of Acxa's chef crush and his bad dating past- he got roped into talking about romance.
"Okay, ew. ew. ew. Gross. That's fucking disgusting." Keith stated, his face twisted in agony and horror as his sister just nodded. They both took the first step to their house.
"It's true. Then you have to make it stressful. Then you can stuff it." Acxa explained, matter-of-factly.
Keith gagged. "Please stop talking."
"You have to know these things at some point in life, Keith! You can't just go around inexperienced! Do you want people to make fun of you when it doesn't taste good?"
"That's not my fucking problem! I don't even need to know this shit! Who am I to use it on, anyways?" He raised an eyebrow, challenging her to see any way this could be beneficial to him right now.
"You're future husband, boyfriend, anybody really. I mean, would it kill you to pamper them once in a while, Keith. Damn. We need to revisit your princess treatment lessons.
"Ugh, please not those..." Keith whined, his back slouching as he already accepted defeat. He knows it's pointless in arguing with Acxa. She's as stubborn as a stone face mime. Or whatever comparison makes sense in this case. "I don't think I'll see chicken the same again."
"But your fat ass will still eat it." Acxa scrolled on her phone, her features highlighted by the neon blue screen light. Keith whipped his head around, eyes blazing.
"At least my ass is fat. It's more than I can say for you." He gave his sister an eyebrow raise, daring her to lie-not only to him- but to herself. She did not. She stayed quiet. "That's exactly what I thought. Don't come for my ass, bitch."
"Man-whore." She put her phone back in her pocket and Keith gaped at her. She turned to him and held out her hand. It took Keith an embarrassing amount of time to realize she was asking for the house keys. He started rumbling in his back.
"Shit.. I don't know if I have them." He started checking his backpack's pockets, little pouches.
"Seriously? You lost the key, dimwit!?"
"Instead of insulting my quiet IQ, look for them in your own damn belongings!" Keith countered, now searching his jacket pockets, his back pockets, and even in his pants like they'd just magically appeared in his boxers.
"Shit Keith. If I end up sleeping outside because of you, I swear I'll march up to Griffin myself and force him to take you back" Acxa threatened. Before Keith could even think of a response to come back with that, they both heard a small clank on the wood of the porch. "Keith. What was that?" Acxa asked, now frozen still from where she was checking her own pockets.
"I...I think.. that was the key." Keith didn't move either. They both slowly tilted their heads down to search for the small purple colored key. It was easier said than done. The key was a dark purple color with a gold paw printed on it. And it didn't help that their porch was wood... and the sun wasn't in the sky. So their natural source of light was gone.
Wait, light!
"Acxa, turn on your phonelight, idiot." Keith snarled, already on his kneels, blindly feeling around for the damn thing.
"Right. Damn, why do you only ever become smart at night? Are you a vampire, dear little brother?" She tilted her head, reaching in her bag to grab her phone.
"I will bite you. Get the phone." he yawped, still feeling around for the damn key. Acxa slide her phone open with her thumb only for the both of them to be jumpscared by the same fucking cooking video from earlier. They both jumped like a bunch of alley cats, causing Acxa to drop her phone. The phone went slamming to the wooden porch and the light cut out, the voice of the video still playing on max volume.
"You haven't cut that off yet!" Keith whisper-yelled enough to be heard over the audio. He raised his hands and pressed them desperately against his ears, trying to muffle or completely mute the sound from the curse box.
"You never cut off a goddess when they're talking. See? That's what I'm talking about. We should go back to the lessons-"
"Just cut it off! We need to find the key!" He started to move. Acxa nodded and started crawling and feeling where the phone might be, following the voice of her angelic voice. She soon bumped into Keith. They both let out a hiss and groan, glaring at what they assumed(and hoped) to be each other.
"Watch where you're moving your gigantic head!" Keith barked out.
"Shut up, moron. We wouldn't be in this mess if you had the key in your hand, nice and ready-"
"Actually, neither of you would be in this mess if you had just come home at curfew." A booming voice behind them, caused them to jump, startled. They turned to see Kolivan, sitting in a rocking chair, holding a shotgun.
"Ah man, I knew this would happen one day. Come on, get it over with." Keith stood up, closing his eyes, accepting his fate, knowing damn well he could not take Kolivan in a fight and wouldn't even if he could.
"I'm not shooting yer, dumbasses." He called out.
"Then why do you have the shotgun, father?" Acxa grabbed her phone, and locked it again. Still refusing to close out the motherfucking video!
"What do you think goes through a person's head when they hear fumbling, cursing and items being dropped on his property? What logical explanation would you think would have me bring out Kosmo?"
"A party."
"Homophobes."
"I hate you both. Get yer asses in my damn houses. Stressin' the fuck outta me!" He opened the front door-huh, would you look at that. It's been open this whole time.
As soon as Keith walked in the house, warmth flooded his body. He stripped off his two jackets, now it being too hot to keep them both on, and strolled up to the dinner table.
"Hey uncle Tok." Acxa greeted him, grabbing a slice of pizza from the box. Antok, a tall man with huge shoulder and who looked like he had more musclar in his body than Shiro, was their uncle. Not literally. It was a nickname they gave him as they grew up since he was always there for Acxa. Then he wa there for Keith. he's almost like a second dad really. But Keith prefers to call him by his name, or if he was forced to give him a title it would be Uncle.
"Hello, Acxa. Nice evening with your brother?" Antok asked through his mask, smiling with his eyes. Now that Keith thinks about it, he's yet to seen Antok without his face mask on. Like ever. And it's not possible to be that sick for years, right? And even so, wouldn't he have gotten it checked?
"Hardly. He's such a boring little geek, uncle." Acxa annoying voice woke Keith from his thoughts. That and his stomach rumbling and the lack of food in it.
"What? Who says I'm boring!" He glared at her as he walked closer and grab himself a slice of gooey, cheesy, goodness. Seriously, he was starving.
"Me. I think you're hella boring."
"That's just because youre idea of fun is staring at tits, bitch." He flipped her off, munching the pizza. Antok laughed, used to this banter for the two cubs.
"Hey,langauge, you asses." Kolivan's voice popped in as he returned from putting up Kosmo. He leaned against the cream color wall, watching Keith and Acxa eat around Anotok who seemed to be enjoying the sibling banter.
"You can't really say that, Father."
"Yeah. You curse like a sailor." Kieth said, grabbing another piece of pizza.
"One, don't eat that. You're already as big as a humpback whale. Two, A fucking sailor wishes his mouth sprayed the shit I say." Keith rolled his eyes about the humpack whale comment. Kolivan's teasing is so old fashion, it sometimes pains Keith to see him joke and mess around. "Now, do you want to explain why I find two dumbasses on my porh after 7, in the dark listening to some girl explain why red oinions are better to use then red bell pepper or some shit?" Keith had to bite back the smile that was appearing on his face. He couldn't laugh. Not at this moment, or Kolivan will definaly turn that anger over to him. Then e really will burst with laughter.
Keith looked over to Acxa to see how she was holding up. Big mistake. Her face was stone, perfect poker face. But if you knew what to look for, it stood out like a sore thumb. Her ears had turn a flaming color of pink, her brows furrowed in a way that made it look like they were trying to fight each other. What the hell? Why'd he look. Oh my god, Keith's so stupid. Now, if he turns, kolivan's big mugger will be in his face, looking like a conspinpated monkey...
"Well?" Kolivan raised an eyebrow, his mouth slanting to the side as he crossed his arms. In the corner of Keith's eye, he saw Acxa's shoulder twitching. Aw, shit, they were done for now. Keith coul feel his own laughter bubbling oup, and boiling over like a raging volcano. God, what did he ever do to get pimp slapped- because that's what's going to happen if he laughs in Kolivan's face right now.
"I think they were late because they fall asleep at MawMaw's and she didn't want to wake them up. You know how MawMaw is. " Antok explain. Yes, sweet angelic Antok. Best uncle right there Thank you so much.
Keith and Acxa nodded like a couple of bobbing heads, smiling ridiocoulously.
"Right. But that doesn't explain the absoulte shit show on my doorstep. What will the neighbors think!"
"We aren't that loud," Keith muttered under his breath, dusting off his jeans, trying to keep the smile from blooming on his face.
"I heard you from the garage, Keith," Kolivan stated, rubbing the bridge of his nose and sighing loudly. "I should've let you both sleep outsode on the porch you hold so deeply, for kosmo sake." He groaned.
"Hey, father, we didn't mean to crash you and Uncle Tok's erm.. pizza and tea party?" She raised a mini light pink tea cup, her pinky out an deverything. Keith had to close his eyes to keep a straight face. He was so close to safe grounds. If he could get to his room, if he could jsut wait a few more moment-
"It's not a tea party! We are disussing grown adult topics!" Kolivan face flushed with embarrassment or anger, Keith's not sure. All he knew is that it took about that much to destory his self control, and Acxa apparently. They both started cracking up, holding their stomachs, falling over the table and chairs.
"Ew! Dad, keep that shit private!! Not in public family areas!" Acxa cackled, tilting her head back with laughter as her whole body shook. Keith was like that too, he was running out of air and was wheexzing for it. Tears started to form in the corners of his eyes.
Kolivan face got even redder(if that was possible) again from embarassment or being flustered, Keith couldn't tell. But it made th ejoke run longer. He kneeled on the floor, trying to catch his breath as Kolivan stammered for a clearer explaination. Then he just sighed and rubbed a hand over his face.
"Oh, for Fuck's sake. You two give me grey hairs. Don't laugh Antok! This two shit heads will have to take care of me one day!! That's fucking terrifying!" Antok laughed poliety into his tea cup. Acxa was leaning over his chair, wiping at tears from their laughing fit. Keith was doing the same, pulling his bangs back. He's cheeks were red and he was sure he snorted at least once or twice in their- or maybe it was Acxa(which would make more sense) that snorted. This faily that took him in, that made him their own, this family of mismatched misfits in a way was home to him. He loved it here, even if he didn't show it all the time. He loved the family he has and what's going on in his life, finally. He was finally pleased and happy with where he was in life
"I'm serious you two. Back on topic: The agreement was that you would be home by six o'clock," Kolivan said, tapping his finger against his forearm ,as he leaned against the wal again, to emphasize each point. "It is now eight-fifteen. You did not call. You did not text. In this house, we maintain a standard of accountability. If you are delayed by your training, you notify me. If you are delayed by... whatever it is you nerds and geeks do at that library, you notify me. Am I making myself clear?"
Keith and Acxa exchanged a brief, synchronized look. It was a silent communication that had developed over years of living together—the 'he's just venting, just nod and it'll be over in two minutes' look.
"Yes, father," Acxa said, her voice entirely flat and devoid of any real contrition. She picked her teeth with her nail,basically watching the paint dry on the other wall.
"Whatever," Keith muttered, his eyes drifting longingly toward the pizza boxes. His stomach chose that exact moment to let out another loud, embarrassing growl that echoed through the dining room, even after eating a slice- which according to his stomach and his mind- is not enough.
Antok snickered into his tea, once again.
Kolivan sighed, a long, heavy sound that seemed to drain some of the rigid posture right out of his shoulders. He pinched the bridge of his nose, looking at them with a mixture of profound exhaustion and deep affection that he tried very hard to hide.
"You do not care at all, do you?" Kolivan muttered, rubbing his temples.
"I care about the pepperoni," Keith said honestly, taking a step toward the table.
"No," Kolivan said, raising a hand to stop him. "You are covered in dojo sweat and library dust. You will not touch that motherfuckin' food until you have washed your hands and changed into appropriate attire. Which, might I add, you didn't do the first time you reached your dirty paws into the box, And matter of fact, look at the time. You should both be preparing for sleep. Tomorrow is a school day, and I will not tolerate another morning of dragging you out of bed by your heels."
"But the pizza—" Keith started.
"You can have it tomorrow. Don't make me haul both your asses up them stairs and into showers. Go. Rest, now." Kolivan commanded, pointing up th stairs with a stern face. Antok offered them a small, sympathetic shrug from behind his teacup, lifting a slice of pizza as if to say, 'I tried, kids.' Then went straight back to slipping the pizza under his mask. Sometimes Keith didn't understand his so-called uncle.
Knowing when a battle was lost, Acxa turned on her heel and began marching up the interior stairs toward her room, her movements crisp and efficient, waving and biding everyone else in the room a goodnight and goo dreams. Keith lingered for a second, casting one last, tragic look at the cheese pizza, before letting out a dramatic sigh and following her up the stairs.
𐙚 𓏵𓏵𓏵𓏵𐙚
The second floor of the house was quiet, the floors carpeted in a faded blue that muffled his footsteps. Keith split off from Acxa at the top of the landing, receiving a small nod from her before she closed her bedroom door behind her.
Keith walked into his own room, throwing his backpack into the corner where it landed with a heavy slither against the wall. The room was dark, save for the pale moonlight filtering through his blinds, casting silver stripes across his unmade bed and his desk, which was piled high with sketchbooks and old mechanical parts.
He didn't turn on the overhead light. His eyes had already adjusted, and his brain was rapidly shutting down now that the adrenaline of the staircase argument had worn off. He felt heavy, his muscles aching with a deep, satisfying fatigue from the hours of sparring with Acxa.
He grabbed a clean pair of grey sweatpants and an oversized black t-shirt from his dresser, then shuffled into the bathroom across the hall.
The bathroom was cold, the tile floor freezing against his socks. Keith turned the faucet on, waiting for the water to warm up, and looked at himself in the mirror. He looked like a disaster. His dark hair was sticking out in three different directions, there was a faint smudge of dirt on his left cheek from his dramatic entrance into the hallway floor, and his eyes had dark, heavy bags under them.
"Mr. Adam would say this is progress," Keith muttered to his reflection, grabbing his toothbrush and smearing a line of mint toothpaste over the bristles.
He brushed his teeth methodically, watching the foam turn white in the mirror, his mind drifting back to the dojo. Despite the exhaustion, despite James Griffin's annoying face, he felt better than he had in a long time. A few months ago, an encounter with James would have ended with Keith throwing a punch, followed by a trip to the principal's office, followed by Kolivan looking at him with that quiet, crushing disappointment.
Today, he had just rolled his eyes. He had let Acxa handle it, and then he had gone to the library to read about a merman mystery. It was... boring. It was stable.
He rinsed his mouth, spitting into the sink, and washed his face with cold water until the dirt was gone and his skin felt tight and clean. He pulled his hair out of the messy ponytail, letting it fall around his face in damp, heavy layers, then changed into his sweatpants and t-shirt, dropping his dirty dojo clothes into the hamper.
When he walked back into his bedroom, the house had gone completely silent. Below him, he could hear the faint, muffled murmur of Kolivan and Antok's voices, the low rumble of adult conversation that had always served as a strange kind of security blanket for him since he arrived here. They were probably still arguing about the tea.
Keith climbed into his bed, the sheets cold against his bare skin. He pulled the heavy, red quilted blanket up to his chin, burying his face into the pillow. His stomach gave one last, minor grumble of protest about the missing pizza, but the sheer weight of his exhaustion drowned it out.
Through the cracks in his blinds, he could see a single star shining in the clear night sky. He thought briefly about the blue hardcover book waiting for him on the library cart, about the green fire on the drilling rig and the mysterious arrangement of scallops on the pier. He'd have to find out what happened next after school tomorrow.
Keith turned onto his side, curling his legs up toward his chest, his breathing slowing into a steady, rhythmic pattern as the darkness of the room closed in around him, warm and safe.