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In the summer of 2023 I wanted to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the pivotal #Sheith episode, "The Black Paladins". I commissioned this art from [Tragedy-Machine](www.tumblr.com/tragedy-mach...) because the one thing I wanted was a reunion hug in the astral plane.

A fanart of Shiro and Keith from "Voltron: Legendary Defender". Shiro and Keith are in their paladin uniforms, in the astral plane (a dark starry background behind them). They are hugging each other tightly, as Keith has just learned that Shiro died in the battle with Zarkon and has been trapped in the astral plane ever since.

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For the holidays in 2022, I got this beautiful cozy #Sheith commission from @birdmanbirdplan.bsky.social:

A fanart of Shiro and Keith from "Voltron: Legendary Defender". Keith is standing in front of Shiro, pulling him closer with Shiro's scarf. Shiro has one hand around Keith's waist and Keith is holding that hand. Shiro is using his floating prosthesis to add a star to the top of a decorated Christmas tree. Kosmo the wolf is on the other side of the tree, adding a candycane to the tree.

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For the holidays in 2021, I went with @mishydraws.bsky.social who created this incredibly cute winter #Sheith scene:

A fanart of Shiro and Keith from "Voltron: Legendary Defender", showing a snowy winter scene with trees and lit-up houses in the background. Shiro and Keith are snuggled on a bench with coffee cups. As they watch, Kosmo the wolf, in his own hat and sweater, investigates pinecones lying in the snow.

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In the summer of 2021, I celebrated the fifth anniversary of VLD by sharing this neat double art by @ribbitsplace.bsky.social, showing the evolution of #Sheith in the series:

A fanart of Shiro and Keith from "Voltron: Legendary Defender". The piece is divided diagonally. The top half shows a scene from the first episode of the series, with Keith approaching Shiro from behind and laying one hand on his shoulder. The bottom half is post-canon, with the pair in their Atlas uniforms and kissing deeply.

A fanart of Shiro and Keith from "Voltron: Legendary Defender". The piece is divided diagonally. The top half shows the characters post-canon, with the pair in their Atlas uniforms and kissing deeply. The bottom half shows a scene from the first episode of the series, with Keith approaching Shiro from behind and laying one hand on his shoulder.

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Avid Beader @avidbeader.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

The first one was for the holiday season in 2020 and the amazing @kitnkadoodle.bsky.social did this sweet #Sheith scene:

A fanart of Shiro and Keith from "Voltron: Legendary Defender". It's Christmas and they are next to a bookshelf, leaning in to kiss one another. Shiro is wearing a red-and-green striped stocking hat and Keith is wearing silly antlers. Kosmo the wolf is on top of the bookshelf, dangling a ribbon with mistletoe over them. Shiro says, "Kosmo brought us mistletoe." Keith replies, "Mmmm... Good boy."

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I wrote a birthday fic for Shiro in 2024 when we had a 2/29. Featuring Atlas shipping #Sheith and doing something about it because she can: archiveofourown.org/works/54142747

A banner advertising the fic in the post, featuring some vanilla mini-cupcakes with edible confetti.

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Avid Beader @avidbeader.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Here's my latest #Sheith fic, an entry for @ficwip.bsky.social's #heysweetheart event! This is my fifth time participating and it's one of my favorite writing events of the year. [AO3 link](archiveofourown.org/works/79566386)

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Avid Beader @avidbeader.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

Got my paperback of @luckyhart.bsky.social’s latest book, “Break the Rule”!

Copy of a book, “Break the Rule” by Lucky Hart, with cover art showing an artist’s studio with said artist and his love interest leaning against a table.

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Avid Beader @avidbeader.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Got a wonderful #Sheith sketch from @jackalandhare.bsky.social for donating to their fundraiser! Please take a look and consider helping out if you can: gofund.me/6eef2d1a8

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Avid Beader @avidbeader.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

At one more preseason game for the Canes. #RaiseUp

View of the ice at Lenovo Center, home arena for Carolina Hurricanes, before a preseason game with the Nashville Predators.

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Avid Beader @avidbeader.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

Okay, hear me out. A Lord of the Rings remake, but with these two taking the One Ring to Mordor:

Shiro and Keith from "Voltron: Legendary Defender". Keith's hand is on Shiro's shoulder, welcoming Shiro home after being missing in space for a year.

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Avid Beader @avidbeader.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

I now have my very own #KPDH Derpy in needlefelt, thanks to @kitnkadoodle.bsky.social! He will watch over my desk. #kpopdemonhunters

A needlefelt version of Derpy the Tiger from KPop Demon Hunters. He is a blue tiger with black stripes, enormous white fangs, and large yellow eyes showing not a single thought in his brain other than affection.

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Avid Beader @avidbeader.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

It's a bummer that so many HP ships were in this year's top 100 on AO3. But #Sheith remains in the top 100 all-time, nine years after VLD debuted. 🖤❤️

A list of the top 100 relationships and friendships that had the most fics posted to AO3 since it began, including a breakdown of gender and race for each person.

A list of the top 100 relationships and friendships that had the most fics posted to AO3 in the past year, including a breakdown of gender and race for each person.

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Avid Beader @avidbeader.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

No cheating post your Lock Screen

Phone lockscreen featuring chibi art of Shiro and Keith from Voltron. They are on a blanket on the grass, a tree behind them and a telescope in front of them. They are looking up in the night sky, stargazing.

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Avid Beader @avidbeader.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

I knew nothing about the traditional Korean costumes and even then could put together that the strings on the hats were part of its design thanks to the opening sequence.

A screenshot from the movie "KPop Demon Hunters", showing a Korean mudang (shaman) taking the hand of a young girl she just rescued from a demon.

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Avid Beader @avidbeader.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

- reading a pretty good article about the queer allegory of Rumi's character in #KPDH - suffers a record-scratch moment in the description of "Your Idol" because... ...those aren't rosaries.

The Saja Boys from "KPOP Demon Hunters" during their performance of "Your Idol" - five young men with the purple skin and jagged marks of demons, dressed in traditional Korean outfits of tall, wide-brimmed black hats and long black coats over black pants that have a silhouette of hanbok.

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Avid Beader @avidbeader.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Only surpassed by this thigh touch in S7E01. 🥰

Screencap from "Voltron: Legendary Defender", where Shiro is being helped out of the healing chamber. Keith's hand is just visible on his thigh.

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The Paladin Handbook has (1) the closest we get to canon ages, making Keith & Shiro both legal adults, (2) the birthdays, which make Shiro & Keith soulmates according to the Zodiac, & (3) little bits like these, with Shiro & Keith putting their support for the other in writing. +

A page from the VLD tie-in book intended for young readers. "The Paladin Handbook". In the "Fun Facts about Keith" section, a bullet point is crossed out with handwriting next to it in red, representing Keith. The bullet point reads: "Keith ranks second-in-command to Shiro." The red writing reads: "It doesn't matter. Nothing will happen to Shiro."

A page from the VLD tie-in book intended for young readers. "The Paladin Handbook". In a section that recaps the events of "The Blade of Marmora, blue handwriting that represents Lance underlines the section describing how Keith woke his blade and the knife grew into a sword. Lance's comment is "Yeah, but anybody could do that, right?" In large purple letters below, Shiro has replied, "No."

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And boy, the "Blade of Marmora" book doesn't hold back. This whole exchange is ramped up, including the fact that Shiro would not demand that Keith return the knife, Shiro's desperation to save Keith, and the famous "Nothing was worth Shiro's pain" line as Keith offers the blade. +

A page from the VLD episode novelization "The Blade of Marmora", intended for young readers. In the text, a hologram of Shiro demands twice that Keith give up his knife to the Blade of Marmora. Keith protests that Shiro is LIKE a brother to him as he refuses. (Note that one would not tell one's actual brother that they are like a brother to them.) The fake Shiro ends with "You're only thinking of yourself, as usual!"

A page from the VLD episode novelization "The Blade of Marmora", intended for young readers. The text continues from the previous page; "This wasn't something the real Shiro would ever say, but Keith didn't seem to realize this." The page refers twice to Shiro as Keith's friend, underlining that they are not related.

A page from the VLD episode novelization "The Blade of Marmora", intended for young readers. Shiro has just broken free of the aliens holding him back: "Shiro used the guards' momentary distraction to get away; he had to rescue Keith."

A page from the VLD episode novelization "The Blade of Marmora", intended for young readers. The real Shiro has found Keith and is standing between him and the aliens. He is blocking a blow from one of them with his powerful prosthesis. The text reads: "Keith didn't want his friend hurt. Nothing was worth Shiro's pain."

The S1E11 book includes Shiro saving Keith. S1 was supposed to be a mini-version of the series, in case they didn't get renewed. S8 should have had Shiro saving Keith again (among other things) and yes, I will die on this hill. +

A page from the VLD episode novelization "Battle for the Black Lion", intended for young readers. It shows the climactic scene where the Red Lion is damaged and Keith is about to be killed by Zarkon, but Shiro swoops in with the Black Lion to save them.

There's also plenty going on in the chapter books that recap specific episodes. For S1E01, Keith is apparently strong enough to carry Shiro alone. He also had to be reminded who Lance was. +

A page from the episode novelization "The Rise of Voltron", intended for young readers. The illustration shows Keith, holding Shiro up by pulling his left arm around Keith's shoulders. The last sentence of the text reads, "Then he slung Shiro over his shoulder."

A page from the VLD episode novelization "The Rise of Voltron", intended for young readers. The illustration shows Keith holding Shiro up alone, with Lance confronting them. Part of the text reads, "Keith barely remembered Lance, but he didn't have time to argue."

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In "Pidge's Story", again, Keith is Shiro's friend. And in "Keith's Story", we get glimpses of that devotion Keith has for Shiro - "I couldn't let that happen" referring to the Garrison keeping Shiro prisoner - as well as more illustrations with very affectionate expressions. +

A page of "Pidge's Story", a young-readers book for "Voltron: Legendary Defender". The text reads: "My classmates Hunk and Lance and I went to rescue him (Shiro). So did Keith, one of Shiro's friends."

A page of "Keith's Story", a young-readers book for "Voltron: Legendary Defender". The two-page spread shows the scene where everyone escapes the Garrison on Keith's hoverbike. The text reads: "Then my friend Shiro crashed an alien space vessel nearby. Shiro was the first human to ever meet aliens, so the Garrison wanted to lock him up to study him. I couldn't let that happen."

A page of "Keith's Story", a young-readers book for "Voltron: Legendary Defender". The illustration shows Keith and Shiro facing each other, Shiro's hand on Keith's shoulder. They are smiling, looking fondly at one another.

These stories made it clear that Shiro and Keith are friends, not brothers (sorry, antis, you're wrong). And then they'd include illustrations like the second one, where Keith is most definitely not looking at Shiro like a friend: +

A page of "Shiro's Story", a young-readers book for "Voltron: Legendary Defender". The text reads: "Then an old friend of mine named Keith came to my rescue." The illustration shows Keith and Lance holding up an unconscious Shiro and glaring at one another.

A page of "Shiro's Story", a young-readers book for "Voltron: Legendary Defender". Shiro is shaking hands with Kolivan. Keith is standing on Shiro's left side and looking at Shiro with adoring eyes.

The mini-biographies, like "Shiro's Story" would echo the character relationships the same way the comics did. This illustration has three distinct groups: the Garrison trio, Shiro & Keith, and the Alteans. +

The last page of "Shiro's Story", a young-readers book for "Voltron: Legendary Defender". Shiro is standing front and center with Keith standing immediately to his left. Allura and Coran are standing behind and to the right of Keith. Lance, Pidge, and Hunk are standing behind and to the left of Shiro.

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The second comic series had a lot of threads focusing on characters rather than a team story. But when (dual-wielding!) Keith was attacked and everyone else came to help him, only one person looked absolutely livid over the situation... +

A page from Volume 2 of the "Voltron: Legendary Defender" comics. The panels show Keith being attacked by an alien fighter. Keith takes a defensive stance, bayard sword in his right hand and Marmoran dagger in his left. The alien calls him a worthy opponent and says Keith's death will bring him honor.

A page from Volume 2 of the "Voltron: Legendary Defender" comics. The other four paladins have come to help Keith. Hunk, Lance, and Pidge are all grinning or smirking in triumph, but Shiro's expression is angry.

Pidge had to fight the rest of the team when they were under mind control. Even while possessed, Shiro and Keith teamed up instead of attacking separately. +

A page from Volume 1 of the "Voltron: Legendary Defender" comics. Shiro and Keith are working together to attack Pidge: Shiro punches Pidge's shield, which sends her backwards toward Keith, waiting to grab her.

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Again, group shots tend to have Shiro and Keith next to one another in the same half of the panel: +

A page from Volume 1 of the "Voltron: Legendary Defender" comics. From a high point of view, we see Pidge with the rescued princess behind her. Lance is to their left, Hunk is behind them, and Keith and Shiro are on their right.

A page from Volume 1 of the "Voltron: Legendary Defender" comics. In the panel, Pidge is shouting up at something. Hunk and Lance are to her right, Keith and Shiro are to her left.

A page from Volume 1 of the "Voltron: Legendary Defender" comics. Pidge is in the center, talking to someone from the reader's point of view. Lance and Hunk are to her right, while Keith and Shiro are to her left.

Please tell me if there is any reason for Shiro and Keith to be sitting that close together. +

A page from Volume 1 of the "Voltron: Legendary Defender" comics. The panel shows Lance standing and boasting. Behind him Shiro and Keith are sitting on the ground. Shiro's right knee and thigh are on top of Keith's left knee and thigh, hiding them completely.

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Speaking of coming to each other's defense, note in that lower panel how Shiro and Keith are back to back as a situation is about to go south: +

A page from Volume 1 of the "Voltron: Legendary Defender" comics. In the first panel, Shiro and Keith are standing side by side as a conflict arises among the aliens they are helping. In the second panel, as one alien begins to shout threats, Shiro and Keith have moved to put their backs against each other, guarding each other.

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The writers also weren't afraid of double meanings. In the first shot, Keith could be talking about Coran or Shiro when he threatens the alien. In the second shot, the "Split it open" line got some mileage for potential smutty interpretation at the time. +

A page from Volume 1 of the "Voltron: Legendary Defender" comics. Shiro tells a very large alien to put Coran down. The alien leans into Shiro's space and says "No." Keith pulls his bayard and starts saying, "If you hurt him..."

A page from Volume 1 of the "Voltron: Legendary Defender" comics. The team is in the assembled mecha, fighting a monster. As they block a blow with Pidge's shield, Shiro shouts, "Split it open, Keith!"

Like here, you have a defined space between SK and the others in the first shot and Coran divides the team into SK and the Garrison trio in the second. +

A page from Volume 1 of the "Voltron: Legendary Defender" comics. In one panel, Shiro and Keith are standing apart from the rest of the team, with a very clear space between them and the next character, Lance.

A page from Volume 1 of the "Voltron: Legendary Defender" comics. The panel shows a line of headshots of the team looking out at something where the reader is. Coran is standing in front of them all and his head divides Shiro and Keith from the other three paladins.

Often in the comics, you see a lot of layouts where the characters mimic their positions once Voltron is formed, like the title spread in Vol. 1. But inside, with panels showing the group they tend to put Shiro & Keith side by side, often apart from the others. +

Title spread of the first volume of comics for "Voltron: Legendary Defender", showing the team lined up in a vee formation with Shiro in the lead and the others behind him in the same formation as their lions when creating the giant robot.

A page from Volume 1 of the "Voltron: Legendary Defender" comics. In two panels, Keith and Shiro are placed side by side among a larger group.

A page from Volume 1 of the "Voltron: Legendary Defender" comics. In the biggest panel, Keith and Shiro are side by side and so close their shoulders are almost touching, while Lance and Pidge are farther ahead and Hunk is behind them.

A page from Volume 1 of the "Voltron: Legendary Defender" comics. There is a series of six panels focused on various characters, the villain and the five paladins of Voltron. The panels showing Shiro and Keith are together and lined up to form a column, with the villain on one side and Lance/Pidge/Hunk on the other side.