Keith's pov

I woke up to the sound of birds which was honestly a really good way to wake up. Light shining in through the windows as I yawned and stretched, arching my back with a sigh. Rubbing my eyes with my sweater paws. My eyes blinking sleepily as I sat up and looked around.

I still can't believe this is my own room. I don't think I've every really had my own anything besides my cloths and my backpack that I've had since I can remember. I guess I don't need to worry about losing anything when I had so little because it was all with me.

Crawling out of bed I walked over to the window and stared out of it, seeing a few birds on the tree branch a few feet away. My hand touching the small potted plant on the window sill as I sat down, enjoying the sun and the plants around me. My mind at ease for the time being as I relaxed for the first time in so long.

"Keith? You awake?" Shiro said softly from the other side of the door.

"Yeah." I called out, watching him peak in before smiling at me. He carried a tray of what looked like pancakes and orange juice on it.

"I brought breakfast." He hummed, sitting down across from me and set the tray down between us.

"It smells good..." I mumbled, taking the plate he handed to me before digging in. After all these years I'm finally free... I wonder how Shiro feels about all this. I know he's happy for me and all but... am I just a problem for him to worry about? Shiro is my best friend... my only friend and if he feels like I'm just a huge burden. Where would I go if he kicked me out?

He was there for me when no one else was, he picked me up when I was down, put me back together again when I thought I was completely broken. He redid this whole room just for me so I would be comfortable here for crying out loud. I need to stop doubting myself...

"Keith, you in there?" Shiro chuckled as he waved his hand in front of my face.

"Oh yeah, sorry." I mumbled, shaking my head to clear my thoughts.

"I was just asking you how you liked your room so far." He said, taking a bite of his pancakes as he stared out the window.

"I love it, Shiro... it's perfect." I said, watching him smile warmly back at me because of this.

"Well, considering I took the week off-"

"You took the week off? Shiro, did you hit your head?" I questioned, now slightly concerned. Shiro never took days off of work, never ever.

"I'm fine, Keith, geez, clam down." He chuckled, ruffling my hair. "As I was saying... considering I took the week off I was thinking that we could go to the store and maybe go shopping for you."

"I'm fine with what I have." I said honestly, setting my plate down as I drank my juice.

"But wouldn't it be nice to have more than one pair of jeans? Or maybe a few pairs of pajamas besides that one? I know a really cool book store-"

I was up right when I heard book store. Grabbing my backpack before running into the bathroom to get changed. When I got in there I washed my face with cold water, brushed my teeth, made sure my hair wasn't all messy before undressing.

Pulling one pant leg on I almost tripped over myself because I was moving so fast. Leaning against the door for support as I pulled my socks on. Pulling my favorite and only jacket on over my black shirt I was ready to go, running back down the hall and into my room. Holding onto the backpack straps of my bag I practically bounced on my heals as I stared at Shiro.

"We'll leave in three minutes." Shiro said, standing up with the tray. "I knew the books would persuade you to go."

"I love books." I said in my own defense which just make Shiro laugh even more. He went to his own room to get a few things before we were ready to go.

"You don't need to bring your backpack, Keith, it'll be safe here." Shiro reminded me. I frowned and held he straps to my back even tighter.

I never left anywhere without my backpack. What if someone steals it? I'd lose the only things I really ever had. Tears welling up in my eyes just thinking of that. People have tried taking it from me before and if I lost my backpack I'd loose everything that was... well, that was me. I wouldn't feel safe without it with me. It was like my comfort blanket, keeping me calm and collected.

"Hey buddy, no, don't cry, it's okay. You can bring it, it's fine." Shiro soothed when he saw how upset I was getting. I only nodded and didn't let go of the straps as we walked down the stairs and into the garage where Shiro's car was. Only then I took my backpack off when I got in and buckled my seatbelt, hugging it tightly to my chest.
~~~~~

When I said that I hate crowds I meant it. There were so many people at the mall and they were all so loud. My heart beating in my chest a bit faster with every passing moment.

I stayed so close to Shiro our arms were touching but I didn't care. If I lost him in here I would definitely have a mental breakdown in front of all of these people. Just the thought of that had my knees shaking and by heart racing. My knuckles turning white from how tightly I was holding onto my backpack straps.

"Look, Keith, it's that bookstore I was telling you about." Shiro said, snapping me out of my thoughts for a second. My heart dropped when I noticed all the people coming in and out of the store.

"M-maybe we s-should go into a-a different store first." I suggested, Shiro frowning slightly but nodded.

"Lets get you some cloths first."

I nodded, reaching out to grip some of his shirt as we walked. This was a really, really bad idea. I just want to go back to Shiro's house and relax. All of this was making me so freaked out I couldn't even focus on where we were or what Shiro was saying. I just held only his shirt and let him lead me to wherever he was going.

"It's getting a bit cold outside, you'll need a few sweaters... maybe a new jacket if you want. Some gloves and a hat would be useful too..." Shiro rambled on and on about what we needed but I could only focus on the large group of people who are my age talking very loudly near us when we stopped and walked into a store.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding when I realize how quiet it was in here. My body relaxing as I tentatively let go of Shiro's shirt and followed him over to a section of clothing racks.

"Go look through those, I'll start looking for new pants." Shiro said, looking through some shelves of jeans.

I looked through the section, finding a few things I kinda liked and when we went to the changing room I really liked a lot of the sweaters on me. I thought the ripped skinny jeans make me look nice too. When we left the store I was in a way better mood and didn't let the crowds bother me as much as they normally would.

"Shiro, stop." I giggled, swatting his hand away as he ruffled my hair.

"Not gonna happen." He chuckled, leading me to the bookstore I so desperately wanted to go into.

My eyes widening when I saw all the different sections. Grabbing Shiro's hand I pulled him over to the poetry section, gasping when I saw a few I've been wanting since I could remember.

"Shiro, can I get these?" I asked, holding the books up to him.

"Of course, anything else?"

I shook my head, holding the books tightly to my chest as I smiled up at him. I don't think I've been this happy in awhile. Obviously money wasn't an issue because Shiro made a lot at his job and if he said not to worry about it I won't. He always knows what to say to cheer me up and put my mind to ease.

"Wow, what an emo faggot. Reading gay ass poetry." Someone said behind me, my smile instantly dropping when I turned to see a group of teens pointing and laughing at me. "Aww, he heard us. Do you think he'll cry?"

"He probably will, I can't miss this." Another said, pulling his phone out.

"Hey, get out of here!" Shiro snapped making the teens jump when they noticed Shiro who had his arms crossed as he glared at all of them.

They ran out of the store, calling me a few more names and then they were gone. My happy mood disappearing with those people. Looking down at my books I bit my lip as I set them down and tugged on Shiro's shirt.

"I-I wanna leave." I mumbled softly, holding back tears. Looking down at the ground so he couldn't see how upset I was but my voice obviously gave it away.

"Keith, hey, don't listen to them." Shiro said, picking the books back up. "We're getting these aren't we?"

"I-I don't w-want them a-anymore." I sniffed, looking down at my shoes like they were the most interesting things in the world, anything so I didn't have to look at Shiro. I knew that if I did I would definitely start to cry.

"They're just mean kids, Keith, don't listen to them because they're wrong." He soothed, hugging me. I pressed my face into his chest, taking deep breaths to calm down. "Now I'm going to get these and then we're getting something to eat." He said, going to go pay for the books, leaving me to trail after him.
~~~~~

"What do you want?" Shiro asked as we stood in line at Starbucks. After eating lunch Shiro really wanted a coffee so we came here because it was the closest.

"Green tea." I decided, Shiro nodding and stepped up to the counter.

"What can I get for you two?"