#presumeddead

I’m looking for canon universe AUs where Keith is presumed dead/goes missing/temporarily dies, so basically it’s the reverse situation where it’s Shiro who’s searching/grieving/doing anything it takes to get Keith back (it doesn’t have to be a role reversal AU). Additional welcome tags: mutual pining, feelings realisation, S7 to post canon.

Thank you so much ❤️🖤

The Artifact - hiro (bioplast_hiro)

7/10 chapters. 74k. (Explicit)

Shiro moves backwards in time trying to keep a powerful artifact from Honerva's grasp while protecting his paladin family. But Keith keeps dying right before his eyes. Every time Keith slips from his grasp, it summons an ancient alchemy Shiro doesn't understand, a power that seems to respond to his will…

Red and Silver - Starlight_VLD

13k. (Explicit)

When Keith goes missing on an undercover mission to spy on a mysterious new enemy plaguing the Coalition, Krolia, Shiro and the other paladins gather together in a rush to find him. Along the way, Shiro is forced to come to terms with the feelings he's been hiding from his best friend. It's long past time he finally comes clean about how he really feels about Keith. But first, he has to find Keith and bring him home.

and, if i'm lost in the world's shadows - CountingNothings

52k. (Explicit) Contains: Curtis/Shiro

It’s been four years, almost, since the last time Shiro flew anything, or held a weapon, or even spoke to his former teammates, and he’s still trying to figure out who he is if he’s not someone’s fearless leader. But when Kolivan calls to tell him Keith’s gone missing, all Shiro’s fragile peace falls away. Soon enough, he’s back in a cockpit with a ragtag team around him, feeling the weight of the universe settling back onto his shoulders. And he’s not sure how long he can hold up under it, without Keith there to catch him.

Cat's Paw - atomic_pomsky

27k. (Teen)

Whereas Wm. Mitchell, formerly a Supervisor in the Excise, late of Leachlade in Gloucestershire, and since imprison’d in Glocester Goal, but releas’d in April, 1718, suppos’d to be gone for Yorkshire, aud [sic] has not since been heard of, and is thought to be dead. This is to give Notice, that if any one can give Intelligence where he died, shall have 5 Guineas Reward, to be paid by Mr. Corell in Bridgewater-square, London. N.B. He was a Pensioner of the Excise.

Me, the Universe and You. - yaknownyan

ongoing, 1/2 chapters, 5k. (Explicit). Contains: graphic violence, major character death, Shiro/Curtis.

Curtis seemed more pitiful than angry, “Shiro, I thought you were past this.”

“I told Keith I would never give up on him, and this? This is exactly what I’m doing.” Shiro stood up, “He is the best pilot I have ever known, and he would not crash his ship. Known or unknown star system.”

“Well… I hope you’re right. For your sake.”

We Found Him - StatueOfLuberty @tkrug47

ongoing, 1/? chapter, 4k. (Teen). Contains: Curtis/Shiro.

It had been three years since Shiro and Curtis had gotten married. Three years of being absolutely in love. Three years of waking up and falling asleep together with soft kisses and whispered "I love yous". Three years of seriously debating whether they should adopt now or wait until they're retired.

Three years since Keith had disappeared.

drift - ineedashiro (madseli) @holdingoutforashiro

ongoing, 6/13 chapters, 74k. (Mature). Contains: graphic violence.

Four years after the war, everything has changed. Keith is a well-known and respected humanitarian. Shiro is a restless retiree in a failing marriage. When his husband wakes him up late one night to the news of Keith's sudden, tragic death, Shiro and the paladins come together for one last mission: to bring Keith home.

Keith has other plans.

You said you’ve checked out our nearly died tag, but have you checked out our presumed dead tag? Here’s a few more, too:

when there’s nothing left to burn - spookyfoot @spookyfoot

ongoing, 2/5 chapters, 13k. (Mature).

Everyone keeps insisting that Keith is dead; no one but Shiro seems interested in keeping his memory alive. Keith is a dying flame, cradled in the cathedral between Shiro’s palms and Shiro is his sole shelter against the oncoming storm.

“I made a promise," Shiro says. "I told Keith I'd never give up on him—and I won’t.”

“What happens when one of our satellites finds the Persephone? How will you convince yourself he’s still out there?” Adam pauses, “How many times are you going to keep doing this to yourself?”

“As many times as it takes. Until I find him.”

Officer Keith Kogane pilots the Kerberos mission. Shiro loses his best friend to the vacuum of space.

Beaten, Battered & Bruised - hollu

5k. (Teen).

They used to be gym partners, but lately Shiro and Keith have found themselves spending more time battling criminals than lifting weights.

This may be a battle they won't return from.

The Sea That’s Painted Black - flyingwide

1k. (General).

Keith hadn’t stopped falling when the Black Lion wrested control back from Shiro and halted their own plummet, just above the edge of the trees on whatever green lush planet whose atmosphere had claimed them and whose gravity had brought them crashing down.

Shiro lost sight of Keith and waited. The Red Lion will break the surface of the trees soon, he thought. He’ll see them both soon. It’s going to be fine.

Something exploded, far too close to where he last saw Red and Keith.

I think you mean this one:

go alone, and never speak of this again - arahir @arahir

14k. (Mature)

The ghost of what Shiro’s lost haunts him. Keith tries to find a way home.

“Shiro?” someone asks, and later he won’t remember who, but he’ll remember his own stillness, like maybe if he didn’t breathe or speak or move, time would stop moving against him.

He imagines it: the cruiser’s scattered pieces pulling in, piecing itself back together, the net of purple light coalescing, and the Galra fighter there, intact and safe. Keith—

“Shiro?” someone asks again.

Voltron falls apart.