Chapter Text
Keith's legs felt heavy, every step felt like he was dragging an Anchor across a gravel pit, but he didn’t stop. He couldn’t stop.
Stopping meant thinking.
And thinking meant remembering, and the raven-haired boy had had enough of that lately.
Shiro’s bulking form could be seen ahead, beneath the dark clocked hood, his black boots squelching beneath the muddy concreate, Keith's followed suit.
The filthy back streets of Arus were an unwelcoming sight in the raven-haired boy’s option, Rats scurrying across the damp alleys, bins toppled over. And occasionally Keith had to hold in a yelp or shriek. He was not a fan of rodents.
“Keep up kit.” Shiro’s voice broke the eerie silence they’d been walking through the past hour.
Keith suppressed a groan
He hated when Shiro called him that, and worst of all he’s tired which made him irritated.
They’ve been walking, running, and shifting between forms for days. They had to put a fair amount of distance between them and the old pack, and his lack of sleep was starting to catch up to him.
Every sound apart from the trudging of their boots had Keith on edge, werewolves without a pack where vulnerable and often defenceless. Especially omegas. Or that’s what most would say, Keith could defend himself, he could hunt, and fight. He didn’t need a filthy alpha mate to do it for him.
The only exception of an alpha was Shiro. He was like a brother to the young raven-haired boy, He could rely on him. He wouldn’t abandon him or think of him as a burden. No matter how many times Keith screwed up he’d always been there to get him out of it.
And he was eternally grateful.
But despite his reassurances and lectures, he couldn’t help but disagree. He was a burden. Some would even say ‘broken’ he wasn’t a typical submissive omega.
He wouldn’t obey alphas, he wouldn’t listen to his instincts that told him too either. Hence, one of the main problems of having no pack. His attitude often riled alphas up, or they’d feel ‘disrespected’.
If anything, they just needed to get their head out of their own asses. Cocky for what? Being bigger than betas and omegas? Or having high fertility? If anything, this made-up hierarchy made no fucking sense.
Sometimes Keith wishes he was a human. No stupid secondary sexes, no turning into a furry every full moon, and no intensified smell. This alley smelt like fucking ass and Keith wasn’t sure how much more he could take.
And worst of all Shiro showed absolutely no sign of displeasure.
Keith couldn’t suppress this groan.
“ugh Shiro I can’t take this anymore! This alley is damaging my sinuses.”
Shiro chuckled at the young omegas snarky comment, “well if it makes you feel better the end of alley is right around this corner.”
Keith felt his shoulders slump in relief.
He was exhausted.
As the alley opened into a clearing of local stores and an elegant fountain stood proud in the centre.
The dark sky filled with stars was a soothing sight, in the city they didn’t stand out as much as they do here.
Shiro pulled the hood of his clock down revealing raven hair with a white fringe, pale skin, dark eyes and sharp features. Despite his imitating build, Shiro truly was a kind man.
His presence bought a soothing and nurturing nature, making Keith feel safe.
The bulky man inclined his head towards the smaller man the similar scar that spanned across the bridge of his nose stood out.
Keith followed suit, pulling his hood down revealing pale porcelain skin, purple eyes and inky black locks that fell across his sharp features.
“There's a motel next block, we should rest there in the meantime, tomorrow we’ll head out to the mountains.”
Keith sighed
He couldn’t wait to get to the wilderness in the mountains.
After so many failed attempts of re-joining and staying in a pack their past would always catch up. So, what better way to avoid it then going completely off the grid and hiding upon a small town so close to the mountain side?
It was perfect.
Keith loved the adrenaline of running in his wolf form without a care in the world. The feeling of wind whipping against his fur felt amazing. He felt free. And Keith knew Shiro shared the same enthusiasm of running wild without the buzzing static of city life.
For once Keith had a good feeling about this place.
Maybe he a Shiro could finally live in peace without the fear of being found.
_____________
The unpleasant sound of the door creaking open made Keith wince.
Keith's slept in the woods, alley ways and nasty public bathrooms after being black out drunk, but nothing could compare to the dingy motel room Keith and Shiro now occupied.
“I take It back, I don’t have a good feeling about this anymore.”
Keith's sarcastic remark made Shiro scoff, “sure, be my guest, good luck when you get slowly mauled by massive rats and cockroaches.”
Keith suppressed a shiver at the comment of rats and crossed his arms across his chest and groaned. As he collapsed face first into the stiff mattress of the single bed furthest away from the door, Keith felt Shiro’s gaze land on him.
As the mattress stopped Keith’s descent, it made a Nosie Keith was pretty sure no mattress should never make.
He didn’t care.
He dropped his backpack to the floor besides him.
Boots still on, jacket half unzipped and let out a long-muffled groan. “If I die here,” he muttered into the suspiciously damp pillow, “don’t bury me. Just burn the whole building.”
There was a pause.
Then Shiro’s voice, dry as ever, “you’re not dying you’re being dramatic.”
Keith used his elbows to push himself up, “This thing smells like someone died here.”
“doubt it.”
Shiro stepped further into the room, took one look at the mattresses, and very deliberately said nothing. Instead, he sat his backpack down on the least questionable surface. (which was saying something.) and crossed his arms.
“you walked in before I could even check the place,” He said, “what if it wasn’t safe?"
Keith flopped onto his back, wheezed in protest and lifted his gaze towards his brother, “if something kills me,” he mumbled bitterly, “it’ll have to fight whatever’s living in here first.”
Shiro let out a quiet huff, (almost sounding like a laugh) with a fond look towards his baby brother, “your unbelievable.”
“I feel like a walking dead man.” He shot back towards the alpha, his eyelids feeling heavy. “Theres a difference.” He let out a huff and pouted.
“feeling like a dead man doesn’t mean being careless.”
Keith cracked an eye open (at one point closing it) and glared at the taller man, he really hated when he got protective, Keith knew what he was doing (most of the time). “Well, you didn’t exactly stop me.”
“I was about to.”
‘Mm. Sure you were.” Keith sassed back. It was like second nature now bickering with who ever slightly angered the raven-haired boy.
Shiro sighed plopping down across from Keith on the other single bed, discarding his boots.
He nudged Keith with his socked foot, Keith let out a small growl in protest. “Shoes off the bed you trudged mud in here.” Keith scoffed at his brother’s request.
“its not like this place isn’t already filthy enough.” At Keith's sly comment, Shiro planted a firm grip to his ankle and slid his right boot off.
“Hey!” Keith weakly protested.
“Keith.”
“Shiro.”
A beat.
The omega turned his head towards his brother’s stern gaze. Oh god he was giving him ‘the look’ or more accurately the ‘dad look’.
“to much effort.” Keith said after a pregnant pause.
His ‘dad look’ intensified as Shiro stripped the remaining boot off his brother’s foot completely unfazed. He’s used to the smaller man’s snarky comments, and fiery attitude most omegas don’t possess.
“That’s theft."
“No, it’s helping and it’s important to maintain healthy hygiene.”
“it’s my dirt.”
“and now it’s our problem.” Shiro said deliberately turning his attention to the mud trail left by Keiths boots.
Keith threw his arm over his face with an exaggerated groan. “You’re enjoying this.” Shiro loved to boss Keith around (obviously he won’t admit it.)
“immensely.”
“Traitor.”
“Complainer, lazy, whiny, the list goes on.”
The dull thud of Shiro’s socked feet retreating towards the door with Keiths boots in his grasp filled the room. He disposed of his own, and Keiths boots at the front door.
Shiro straightened as he made his way back and dusted his hands like completing a serious task.
"There.” He spoke. “Slightly less disgusting.”
Keith lifted his hand off his face, eyeing him. “You say that like there’s a scale.”
“There is,” Shiro replied “and this place comes close to the bottom."
Keith snorted and winced, slightly as he shifted and held his arm to his ribs. “We’ve stayed in worse, but this comes close to it.”
Shiro ignored his brothers sassy remark and eyed him, clearly concerned with his brothers’ state. The glara weren't easy to out run when they have scouts scattered across countries.
Shiro sighed and took in the sight of his brother.
He was covered in grime, reeked of sweat and was well aware of the bruising covering the omegas chest. He’d have to re-apply the medical cream to get rid of angry bruising in the morning. (since he's incapable of taking care of himself)
Out of the corner of Keiths eye, he could see his brother running his prostatic hand through his white fringe.
"ill take first watch, you get some rest.”
Keith didn’t argue this time. He just tugged his jacket tighter around his smaller frame, settling into the ridged mattress.
“…. wake me up if anything tries to kill us.” He muttered sleepily.
Shiro moved towards the window drawing the curtains closed with a tug. Made, his way towards his brother’s bedside and ran his fingers through his hair.
“I always do.” He replied
Keith's eyes slipped shut pleased with the fingers running through his hair he almost let out a whimper in disappointment as they pulled away.
“Yeah,” He said, softer now. “I know.”
Keith fell into a dreamless slumber