[The change in Shiro isn't lost on Keith, but for now he doesn't react to it except to drop back, going with the motion to avoid the sweep of that sword, putting enough space in between them so that he can regroup, can take Shiro in, his posture, the sword in his hand, the look on that familiar face.

Keith straightens up and for a moment just watches, sword gripped and up and ready, but he's dropped off the attack, taking measure of his opponent as if he's evaluating him for the first time. This time he'll let Shiro come at him, since he'd been the one to charge forward before -- if he's being honest, he's always the one to charge forward. That impulsiveness, that empty void where his patience should be something of a weakness. Anyone who knows him, knows that's his nature; it's obvious to see.

So he'll try to be patient, try letting the moment play out instead of forcing it, for once. And he wants to see what this change in Shiro means -- though he's grateful it's not that haunted, terrorized look he's seen in the older man's eyes far too often when memories of those days ambush him.]