Keith's pov

"A large coffee and a green tea." Shiro said, getting his money out.

"Anything else?" The guy at the counter said making me finally look up when the question was directed at me.

My eyes widening when he smiled at me with blue eyes and a smile. Not a fake smile like the ones my case worker would use with me. He actually has a genuine smile that had my face heating up as I blushed and shook my head before hiding behind Shiro.

"Coming right up." The man said before making our drinks and considering there wasn't anyone else in line he made them in a few moments.

"How about you go find us a spot?" Shiro asked me, noticing me anxiously looking around. I nodded and wandered over to a booth in the corner, overlooking the mall's small garden area.

"There you go and here's two muffins on the house."

"Oh my, thank you so much... Lance."

"No problem."

I overheard their conversation, my heart going an odd clenching feeling, not from anxiety though...

"Here you go." Shiro said, setting my things down in front of me.

"Thank you, Shiro." I said with a timid smile and took a sip of my drink which was really good. "How do you know his name?"

"His name tag, he gave us muffins too, isn't that nice?" Shiro said, handing me a muffin, a chocolate chip muffin, my favorite. "I want you to say thank you to him before we leave, okay?"

My eyes widened when he said this, my heart clenching nervously as I got anxious just thinking about even making eye contact with this Lance guy. He seemed nice but what if he isn't? What if he makes fun of me like those kids did? I won't be able to stop the tears if that happened. It's pathetic really.

"Hey, it's okay, I'll be with you ever step of the way." Shiro soothed, smiling at me reassuringly. Biting my lip I nodded slowly and ate my muffin. Kicking my legs under me as I ate and hummed.

"Did you sign me up for the training yet?" I asked hopefully. Shiro stopped drinking and look up at me with a frown.

"I uh... there's been a lot happening there lately and I don't think it's safe and the board of directors agreed with me. They closed down all training until these problems are taken care of." Shiro said with an apologetic look.

"Oh..." I mumbled sadly, feeling my heart drop. I've wanted to be in that program since I was 10 and now that I'm finally able to be in it they shut it down.

"Hey, Keith buddy, it's okay, they'll reopen soon and I'll be sure to have your name on the top of the list. Let's not let this ruin our fun. We can go down to the pond near my house. I think a new family of foxes moved in." Shiro said, saying the last part with a smile. I looked up at him with interest before nodding.

"That would be nice..." I said mostly to myself but Shiro heard as well and smiled.

"Let's go." He said, getting our stuff before standing and tugged me up with him. "Thank you, Lance."

"Oh, it's really no problem." The man behind the counter said with a smile.

"Keith." Shiro said softly making me freeze up a bit and hide behind him. "Say thank you."

"T-thank y-you." I squeaked, my cheeks burning as the man chuckled and waved.

"Have a good day, guys, come back soon." He said, smiling at me as Shiro held the door open.

"We will, lets go, Keith."

I followed Shiro out of the store and to the car, shaking with embarrassment and anxiety. Shiro seemed not to notice how shaken up I was. He hummed along to the radio and tapped his fingers on the steering wheel.

That Lance guy really shook me up. It's not like anything bad happened it was only a simple interaction. He didn't make fun of me or call me names. He wasn't mean at all, only kind and sincere. Am I so used to people being mean to me I don't even know how to talk to them when they are nice to me? I'm a mess, aren't I? Yes I am.

"Keith, we're here." Shiro said gently, snapping me out of my thoughts. I looked up and saw the familiar path that led to the pond. Nodding I got out of the car, feeling a cool breeze chill me to the bone. I zipped my jacket up, feeling much better after a few seconds before running to catch up to Shiro.

"Oh wow." I gasped, seeing how pretty the pond looked with all the flowers. A few ducks swimming in the far side making me smile when I saw them.

"Keith, look." Shiro said softly, pointing over to a few bushes. A fox cub playing near the pond while it's mother watched. A few other cubs laid next to her, all having a nap.

"They're so cute." I whispered, watching them from afar made my heart beat excitedly. "Shiro, look!"

"I see them, bud." Shiro chuckled softly, ruffling my hair as we found a spot to watch the fox family.

I rested my head on Shiro's shoulder, smiling as I felt my body relax. It's been forever since I've felt this calm before. Our outing today tired me out a lot but I didn't want to go back to Shiro's house just yet. The sound of the water, the birds singing around us, the sun slowly setting behind the trees. It made me so happy to be out here. It's my quiet place where I can relax and forget about all my stress. I've only taken Shiro here. He knows how special this place is to me.

"Keith, you're falling asleep." Shiro's soft voice drew me out of my sleepy state.

"'M fine..." I yawned, cuddling into his side more as I began to fall asleep again to the sound of the flowing water.

I felt myself being picked up but I didn't care as Shiro carried me to his car. Gently sitting me down he buckled me up and drove home. My eyes shutting again as I fell asleep with a small smile on my face and my chest feeling not so tight and restrained like it was before.