Work Text:
Keith felt like crap.
That wasn’t entirely new, he was always feeling rather off. But he spent a sleepless night coughing so harshly his throat was raw, not being able to breathe through his nose, and had a horrible headache.
His disgusted roommate demanded he go to the infirmary, but Keith didn’t go there. Not a lot of students did. Nobody got along with Nurse Gertrude, a six foot burly woman with bushy eyebrows and a permanent scowl on her face.
So Keith suffered through the whole day, gradually getting worse and worse. He skipped lunch and dinner, seeing as though it hurt to swallow. After a few minutes of trying to do his homework, his pounding headache drove him to leave his dorm. His only thought was to go to Shiro’s office. He didn’t want to, but he made a promise to the senior officer to come to him in any need of help.
But Shiro wasn’t in his office. One of the teachers hanging around suggested he might be back in his room, which was across the Garrison. By the time Keith got there, his legs were like lead and he was ready to pass out.
But he immediately straightened up upon seeing who opened the door. It was Adam, Shiro’s boyfriend, and another teacher at the Garrison. He didn’t need to see Keith like this.
“Oh, um, Lieutenant Wrona,” Keith swallowed thickly, cringing at how congested his voice sounded. “Is Shir—is Officer Shirogane here?”
Adam squinted, taking note of the boy’s posture; he was stabilizing himself on the doorframe, his face flushed. “Hello Cadet. No, Shiro isn’t here. Cadet, why aren’t you in the infirmary?”
Keith froze. “What?”
Adam raised his eyebrows, unimpressed. “Why aren’t you in the infirmary? You’re clearly sick.”
“I’m — I’m not sick,” his voice cracked at the end and he felt his face heat up.
“Cadet, I can I assist you to the infirmary —”
“NO!” Keith almost fell on his butt as Adam reached out. The cadet coughed nervously into his arm, worried at how panicked he sounded. A wave of dizziness washed over him and he had to stabilize himself on the doorframe once more, feeling himself lean to one side. “Er — no, I’m uh — sorry I’m gonna go back to my dorm. Sorry.”
Adam stared at him as Keith attempted to collect himself. The older male then sighed, taking a step forward and picking Keith up effortlessly, tossing him over his shoulder. He was a bit surprised at how light the fifteen-year-old was.
“Wha — HEY! P-Put me down!” Keith tried to break his grip, but he was too weak.
“No,” Adam’s answer was short and simple as he kicked the door closed and ventured through the open dining room and living room.
“I said put me down!” Adam smirked at the authoritative attempt in the boy’s voice, but he continued carrying him down the hallway.
“Put me —” Keith’s complaining was cut off as he was gently set down on a bed. He quickly scrambled to his feet, only to have the lieutenant push him back down.
“Listen to me,” Adam’s voice was calm but full of authority. “Either you stay here and recover, or I take you to the infirmary. We both know — as I just proved — I can carry you. And based on how you reacted, if you continue to fight me, I’ll have no choice but to make you a public embarrassment by carrying you over my shoulder to the infirmary myself. Understand?”
Keith glared daggers at him. “I don’t need your help.”
“I beg to differ, you almost passed out on my doorstep. Take your boots off before you get in the covers and I’ll go get you some clothes.”
“I don’t need anything! Let me go, you psychopath!"
Adam raised an eyebrow and Keith stiffened, like he didn't really mean to call a senior officer a psychopath. He opened his mouth to either continue or apologize, but Adam didn't wait to figure out which.
“You’ll be more comfortable here." He continued simply. "Or, if you prefer, I will take you to the infirmary.”
Keith growled, an almost inhumane sound. “No.”
“Good,” Adam tried his best not to smirk. He knew, from Shiro, how stubborn Keith could be. Adam couldn’t win the war at once, it would come with many battles. “I’ll be back.”
He closed the door, listening to the cadet’s rather loud and rather colorful stream of curses. He smirked to himself before venturing to his and Shiro’s bedroom for a pair of his own Cotton T-shirt and drawstring shorts. When he got back to the guest room, Keith was sitting on the edge of the bed with his boots on the floor. As soon as he saw Adam, however, his eyes narrowed into a suspicious glare.
“At ease Cadet,” Adam said, handing him his clothes. “Do you need help changing?”
Keith snatched them. “I’m not a little kid.”
“Excellent,” the older male’s face was blank. “Change into those. I know they might be a bit big, but you’ll be more comfortable. I’ll be back with a few things.”
“I don’t need—”
“Yes, you do.”
Adam closed the door, going into the kitchen. He knew how hesitant the boy was when it came to trusting adults. If Shiro was here, he would probably have better luck coaxing Keith into accepting help — patience was never one of Adam’s strong suites.
But that didn’t matter now. If Keith didn’t want to go to the infirmary, he would have to deal with Adam and his impatience.
The taller male went to the kitchen, turning the kettle on and getting out honey and lemon. He rummaged through the pantry before finding, on the way back, canned chicken noodle soup. He would’ve preferred to make it from scratch, but time wasn't his size.
He also tried calling his boyfriend’s number, but no answer. Worry crossed Adam’s mind — he knew Shiro had a late meeting, but this was a lot later than expected….no, Shiro was fine, he was an adult. There was a stubborn teenager that needed to be taken care of first.
When he got back into the guest room, laden with chicken noodle soup and tea, he hid his shock. He hadn’t taken much notice of the boy’s size, but the sight of him in Adam’s clothes highlighted just how skinny he was. Tiny. Adam was beginning to see why Shiro was so protective of him.
And all that attitude in such a small boy.
Keith’s eyes narrowed as he saw Adam put the things down on the nightstand. “What are you—”
“You need to eat and drink this if you're going to get better.”
“It’s fine, I’m not hungry.”
“I figured, but you won’t get better if you starve yourself.”
“It’s not starving if you’re not hungry,” Keith crossed his arms stubbornly.
Adam looked over at him, unimpressed. “It is when you haven’t eaten. Have you thrown up?”
“Why do you care?”
“Answer me, Cadet.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No was my answer.”
“Oh,” Adam pushed up his glasses, handing the boy the cup of tea. “My apologies. Drink this, it’ll soothe your throat.”
Keith stared at it, then put it back on the nightstand.
“Cadet —”
“Why are you doing this?”
His voice was filled to the brim with anger and suspicion, despite his slightly scratchy voice. Adam raised his eyebrows.
“Pardon?”
“Why are you helping me? You don’t even know me.”
“I can’t leave a cadet passed out on my doorstep.”
“Then why didn’t you take me to the infirmary?” Keith demanded.
Adam’s mind went to one of Shiro’s favorite mottos: Patience yields focus.
“Cadet, you just said you didn’t want to go to the infirmary. Why are you —”
“Why do you care what I want?”
That one sentence caused a small rupture in Adam’s heart, shocking him into silence. Staring down at the small, glaring boy, he felt his own surge of protectiveness. Did no one care what this boy wanted? Did other people put what was more convenient for them over what was more comfortable for Keith?
But the Lieutenant composed himself in almost an instant, choosing his words very carefully. “Because, Kogane, you’re still a person and if you don’t want to go to the infirmary, why would I make you?”
Keith’s face morphed into confusion, as if he didn’t understand the question, but Adam pushed the cup of tea into his hands before he could say anything else.
“Drink this, Cadet, I’ll be back with some medicine.”
“Medicine?!”
“Yup.”
Adam didn't wait for a response and ventured to his and Shiro’s bathroom, rifling through the cabinets for cold medicine. It took him a few minutes to succeed, seeing as though the conversation weighed heavily on his mind. He shook his head — no point thinking about it now. He could ask Shiro his questions later.
He wasn’t the only one that was thinking. He found Keith studying his untouched cup of tea with confusion in his eyes. Adam pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Cadet, you have to drink it. Starving yourself doesn’t help. Here — drink this too,” he handed Keith the small cup of the thick, blue medicine. The cadet stared at it with wide eyes before scooting back.
“I’d rather die.”
“You will if you don’t drink this.”
“You can’t die from a cold!”
“Do you believe that?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t. Drink it.”
“Make me.”
“Do you really want me to force your jaw open and pour it down your throat?”
Apparently, Keith didn’t trust Adam not to do that, so he grudgingly took it, gagging as he went down his throat.
A smirk never left Adam’s lips for the next fifteen minutes, as Keith drank the tea and ate a fair portion of the soup before drowsiness took him away. When the Lieutenant got back to the kitchen, he noticed missed calls from Shiro and immediately redialed the number.
“Hey sweetheart,” Shiro picked up on the first ring. He sounded exhausted. “I’m so sorry, my meeting with Iverson went way later than I expected. Please tell me you didn’t wait to eat.”
Adam frowned, looking at the time. Yikes, it was almost 9:00. Well, that eased some of his concerns. Maybe Keith was telling the truth and he did go to dinner.
Who was he kidding? Keith didn’t go to dinner.
“Adam? Are you there?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m here. Sorry. I haven’t eaten yet.” He’d been so busy taking care of Keith that he forgot to eat.
“What? Adam, it’s almost —”
“I know what time it is. I’ve been busy.”
“Brought home work?”
“Eh, in a manner of speaking. A certain cadet showed up on our doorstep.”
There was silence on the other end.
“...what?”
“He showed up.” The smile fell from his face as he sat down heavily on the couch. “The poor kid’s sick, Takashi. He’s staying here.”
“He’s what?”
Adam wasn’t sure which part Shiro was confused by. “He’s sick. He almost passed out at the door. And considering he almost went into a full-blown panic when I mentioned the infirmary, he’s staying in the guest room. I figured tomorrow we can try and get him to go.”
“We’re talking about Keith, right?”
Adam closed his eyes in frustration. “Yes Takashi, we are talking about Keith.”
“Okay...I have an idea. Would you mind if he stays here for the weekend? I’ll keep him company and everything.”
“What?”
“We can’t send him to the infirmary. He and Nurse Gertrude….hate is the nicest way I can put it.”
“Yikes.”
“Sorry, Adam, I —”
“Takashi, it’s fine, you don’t have to apologize.” Adam rubbed his temple. So many things were running through his mind. “But if he’s staying here, swing by his dorm and pick up some clothes.”
“...will do. Thanks Adam.”
“For what?”
“I don’t know. Helping him, I guess.”
Adam was silent for a few seconds, being reminded of all the questions we needed answered. For now, they could wait.
“You don’t have to thank me.”
“I kind of do. I can explain later, though. I’ll be home in ten minutes.”
“Okay, I’ll start some dinner. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
True to his word, Shiro arrived ten minutes later, a bag of Keith’s clothes hanging from his arm. Adam greeted his boyfriend with a hug and kiss, but let it linger for a few seconds longer than usual.
“Hey,” Shiro pulled back first. “You okay?”
“Yeah, sorry. I just made soup, if that’s okay.” Adam’s voice was quiet and concerned.
“It’s fine, sweetheart, thank you.” Shiro placed a kiss on his lover’s forehead. “Where’s Keith?”
“Sleeping. Guest room.”
“You got him to sleep?”
“The medicine did.”
“You got him to take medicine?”
Adam couldn’t suppress a triumphant smirk. “Yup.”
“Without a fight?”
“Oh, no, he fought. For a tiny kid, he has a lot of stubborness,” Adam smiled sadly, handing his boyfriend a full bowl and sitting across from him at the dining table. “But I think even he knew he needed rest. I don't think he would've shown up here if he didn't."
Shiro’s eyes flickered behind Adam, to the closed guest bedroom door, and he let out a heavy sigh.
“Yeah…and the one time he did, I wasn't even here."
Adam reached out and held his hand. "But he still came looking for you, and that speaks volumes of how much he trusts you."
Shiro smiled weakly, but it was strained. "God, I hope so."
Keith didn’t come out of his room for the rest of the night, though Shiro and Adam took turns popping their heads in the doorway every half hour until they went to bed, just to make sure the boy was indeed sleeping. But the next morning, Keith came out looking much better, although he was fully dressed in Garrison uniform.
“Where do you think you're going, Cadet?” Was Adam’s barking greeting from the kitchen. Shiro looked up for the paperwork he was grading.
“Uh...drills?”
“It’s Saturday.”
“Iverson assigned their class extra drills as a punishment,” Shiro clarified, then turned back to the cadet. “Sit.”
“But --”
“I convinced Iverson to let you skip the drills and assign paperwork instead.”
Keith’s jaw fell open, giving the senior officer the most betrayed look he could muster.
“Yeah, see that right there? That’s the face I imagined. You would rather be doing punishment drills than boring paperwork. Everyone would.” Shiro smirked, though his eyes twinkled. “Which is why I assigned a mountain of work so, according to your classmates, you have it a lot worse. However, I never specified how big this mountain was.”
Keith frowned, looking at the table. The ‘mountain’ of work actually consisted of three single-sided, painfully simple worksheets. He looked back at Shiro, the corners of his mouth turning up.
“Mountain, huh?”
Shiro raised his eyebrows. “Want more?”
“No, sir.” Keith said immediately, and Adam hid a snicker.
“Good. Spread that out over the weekend, it’ll give you plenty of time to recover.”
“I’m not going back to my dorm?”
“Not until you're better,” Shiro replied. “And your roommate was pleased, he said your cough disgusted him.”
“Yeah, but he’s a --” Keith stopped himself before he could colorfully swear in front of two senior officers.
“A what, Cadet?” Adam pried with a smirk, taking a sip of his tea.
Keith’s slightly red face heated up even more. “Er -- nothing.”
“Thought so. Eat some cereal, you’ll feel better.”
“Fine,” Keith groaned, as if eating breakfast was the worst thing in the world.
Shiro stood up, ruffling the cadet’s already messy hair as he went to refill his coffee mug. Adam’s expression turned to fondness. Watching Shiro and Keith interact confirmed the fact that Shiro was meant to work with kids. He had a big heart and always wanted to do what was right for the kid. He was patient. He was kind. If he wasn't, Keith wouldn't have shown up here in the first place.
And as he watched Shiro and Keith eat breakfast and actually talk, not argue, talk, Adam suddenly imagined himself watching Shiro and their own kids eat breakfast together, however many they would have, however many years in the future that would be.
It may be a long time away, but it didn’t stop Adam from carrying that thought for the rest of the day.