Rekindling- Pico x Keith/BF

11- Token Comforts

Still, Keith couldn't help but worry about how worried Pico had seemed. Sure, he was glad to see the other boy after not having heard from him in days, but he wasn't particularly keen on that happening under these circumstances. Plus, what reason did Pico have to contact him, unless it was about something serious? Had somebody gotten hurt? Did Pico not have anywhere else to go? Baseless, irrational concerns flitted through his head fast as bullets, each one worse than the last. As he was manhandled back to his apartment, Keith tried his best to get a good glance at the object Pico had thrust upon him. It appeared to be a small box tied with twine, nondescript and unimportant looking, yet he fought the urge to tear it open to find out whatever was inside. What if it was a gun?! No, the box was way too small for that. Drugs? Something else illegal? No, what was he thinking? Pico wouldn't let him touch anything of the sort with a ten foot pole, he knew that. Although he hadn't been close to the boy for very long, if there was one thing he was sure of, it was that Pico was careful not to pull those around him into trouble. Besides, he was beginning to feel guilty for assuming such things from the get-go. It seemed his awkward, bleary nap had damaged his critical thinking skills along with his back.

By the time they made it into the welcome warmth of the apartment lobby, Keith was practically brimming over the edge with curiosity. He hardly noticed they were inside until his skin began to itch from the sudden change in temperature, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the fluorescent lighting. He turned to Pico only to notice that his companion was already halfway up the stairs, turning to look at him expectantly. Keith couldn't help the huge smile that bloomed on his face at the thought that the ever feared Pico was practically inviting himself into his apartment. Throwing off his jacket and tying it around his waist, he hurried upwards towards his room.

Upon going inside and flipping on a nearby lamp to offer dim but visible light, Keith immediately turned to Pico and raised his eyebrows. The ginger shifted uncomfortably in his spot, suddenly looking awfully nervous and skittish for someone who's glare could freeze you in place if he wanted it to. Shaking his head softly with a small grin, Keith began to head towards the kitchen to make them a snack before he heard an annoyed 'tsk' and felt strong fingers grip his shoulders and promptly steer him away from his destination. Turning around in confusion, he began to speak only for Pico to put a finger to his lips and shove him towards the couch. Too tired and befuddled to protest, Keith did as he was told and stumbled into a sitting position. It wasn't until he was relaxed on the pillows with a blanket thrown over his shoulders did he realize how exhausted he really was, shivering a bit as he let his shoulders slump and stiff limbs soften. His blinking was slow and sluggish, throat dry as he felt the gentle light beginning to lull him into a half sleep. However, he didn't get the chance to rest before Pico was suddenly in front of him, holding a steaming mug and wearing a half worried, half exasperated expression.

"Here. I didn't actually expect ya to have any tea, but looks like yer not totally incompetent," Pico grumbled as he unceremoniously shoved the drink in Keith's hands, cursing as it spilled over a bit and onto the blanket. Fumbling to hold it by the handle as to not burn his fingers off, he took slow sips and gladly indulged in the way it soothed him. It didn't taste particularly good, as it seemed to be purely medicinal, but the effects it had on him were immense and he already felt himself beginning to sink into sleepiness, a state he much preferred to being tired. He was a firm believer in the two being different things. Looking up as he felt the cushion dip beside him, Keith offered Pico a small smile as the man cleared his throat. "Uhh...ya didn't lose the package already, did ya?" Keith pulled out the box from where he'd set it next to him and waved it in his free hand to show that no, he was not that forgetful. Pico nodded in approval before turning his gaze to his own fingers, which were fiddling restlessly. Although he was aching to know Pico's reasons for coming here so late, Keith waited as patiently as he could while still trying to fulfill his curiosity. Finally, Pico seemed to gather up his courage and turned to face him head on, silvery gaze searing in its intensity. Keith braced himself for something seriously damaging.

"It's a birthday gift."

Huh?

Seeing the look on his face, Pico stumbled over his words, hands twisting into pretzels even more as he did so. "It's not from me, it's from Cherry, and she said not ta open it till yer birthday, which I know is soon, and she said she couldn' give it to ya herself 'cause of her parents, so...." Pico trailed off upon noticing Keith's dopey grin, lips pursing into a frown. "What are ya smilin' for?" When the boy's smirk only widened, his expression deepened into something that would look almost akin to a pout if Keith didn't know any better. "Answer me!" Chuckling, Keith shook his head and looked down fondly at the box held within his fingers. "Nothing, it's just from the way you were acting, I thought it was something serious." Pico's mouth dropped. "It is serious! It's almos' yer birthday! And ya didn't even bother to tell me!" Keith's smile softened a bit as he looked up at Pico with warm amber eyes. "Sorry, carrot. I just didn't think it was that important," Pico's jaw snapped shut at the nickname and his brow furrowed even further, red curls brushing his eyes, which looked surprisingly round compared to their usual sharpness. Yup, if he hadn't been before, he was definitely pouting now. "Ugh, yer the worst," he gave Keith a playful shove, who yelped as some of the hot tea splashed onto his arm. "Anyways, I'll be goin' now. Finish as much of the tea as ya can." Pico stood up to leave for the door, and it took Keith a moment to react before stumbling out of the blanket to stop him.

"Wait! Why don't you stay? It's already dark outside, and neither of us has a car." For a moment Pico almost looked hesitant, as if he was considering Keith's offer, before his gaze softened and he shook his head. It was amazing how his eyes seemed to change depending on his mood, looking like sharp silver earlier in the night, and now like gentle, raincloud grey. "Sorry, I can't, I have jobs to do early in the mornin' tomorrow." Keith nodded in an effort to mask his disappointment before a thought came to mind. "Wait, why didn't you just call me?" Pico rolled his eyes before giving him a quizzical look. "I don' have yer number. And it looks like ya didn't have yer phone with ya, anyways." Keith felt his cheeks flush at his stupidity- maybe he was that forgetful. "Sorry. Here, how about I give you my number, so it's easier to contact each other next time?" Pico bowed his head, moving back to Keith and handing him his phone. "Here, go ahead and enter it." Keith took it from him and quickly created a contact in the other's phone before giving it back to him. "So, are you sure you don't need anything else?" He couldn't fathom that the previously anxious-out-of-his-wits Pico had only visited to drop off a birthday present, but against all odds, the ginger dipped his chin in a curt nod. "Well...goodbye, Keith. I'll talk to ya later."

Once he heard the telltale click of the door closing behind his companion, Keith almost felt disappointed. Not only had he met Pico after quite literally crying himself to exhaustion, they hadn't seen each other in days and it seemed the only reason for their interaction was because of Cherry's initiation of it. He felt his shoulders slump again, slipping back into resigned acceptance, when he heard his phone vibrate from its place on the table. Remembering the fact that Pico now had his contact information, he hurried over and practically threw himself on top of it, quickly unlocking it to a message from an unknown number.

Unknown Number: Hello, it's Pico.

Smirking to himself, Keith created a contact with the ever so clever name 'Carrot Head' and chuckled to himself. Of course Pico of all people would be the type to use proper grammar over text.

Me: okie dokie i have ur number now

Carrot Head: 👍

Frowning a bit, Keith bit his lip while thinking of what to say. The guy really didn't know how to carry a conversation, huh? But he'd feel bad leaving him on read...after a few discarded tries, he finally settled on just sending a thumbs up back. It seemed Pico didn't have the same thought process as he was almost immediately left on seen, but he didn't mind much as he leaned back against the couch and sipped his now lukewarm tea. He didn't have a lot of things- good familial relationships, cooking skills, a decent sleep schedule- but as he grinned down at his screen, it seemed he did finally have at least one thing. A friend.