Virus Among Us
Fluffy Keith
He felt so very alone.
Keith lay on his bed, attempting to sleep, tucking his hands under his head as he tried to doze off. Physically and emotionally he was drained, and his entire body still aching from the Altean fever. His skin also itched, but the red paladin found himself without the energy to scratch himself. He also wished to sleep, but breathing didn't come the way he wanted to. His foot also ached, and he swallowed trying to forget how overbearing Lance was.
The door slid open, his eyes shutting tightly as the light to his room turned on. Someone, however, decided to gently nudge him away, only for Keith to near jump out of his skin. The itch felt worse, and yet the touch also made the red paladin's stomach lurch, but not in the same manner it had earlier. The young paladin took in the fact Allura was in his room, again, only for another coughing fit to rack his body as he fought back the discomfort of her being there.
He found himself getting too close, before pulling himself away. The entire situation made him feel uncomfortable. Allura touched him a few other times, making it feel as something was crawling on his stomach. He finally said something, his voice straining. "When you touch me, I don't like how I feel."
Something told him he upset her, and first, he thought it was because the feeling tied into the illness, but then Allura said something that made him think. "It's not your fault you dislike being touched by me."
"I…" Realization hit that the feeling felt good, and the fact it felt good scared him. "I didn't say that."
"You did."
That particular statement from Allura hit hard. "I said I didn't like the way I feel, not that…"
The conversation ended with him saying, "Just, try to warn me before you try touching me."
She still touched him without asking. He could tell despite the fact he was half asleep, but this fact quickly left his mind. The next thing he was aware of was Lance muttering in his ear, and waking up in the blue paladin's arms. He couldn't make out what the blue paladin said to Allura, and felt a bit indignant when what he was snuggling with the left, his mind going to the fact he really wanted to cling to Shiro right about now.
Lance thankfully came back, and he didn't think much about it until he realized someone was carrying him like a baby. His eyes opened slightly as he struggled, and he realized that Hunk of all people was carrying him. He found himself in the lounge area of the ship, allowed to lie down so his hot cheek touched the seat. "So's a good…"
Somehow Lance figured out what he said. "You mean what's going on? Allura says we're not allowed to leave you alone."
"Allura." Keith's eyes attempted to widen despite his illness, the embarrassment from the realization setting in. He touched his forehead, wondering exactly how warm he was, swallowing as he did so. "Please tell me that didn't happen."
"Oh, it happened."
Shiro was honestly going to kill him, and yet the why didn't click beyond the fact he knew parental figures got upset at that kind of thing. His older brother never got around to explaining certain things, which meant he was left with the option of Lance and Hunk explaining things. The conversation between Keith and Hunk didn't sit well and almost whimpered at the thought of them babying him. Particularly since Hunk of all people said he wanted to make him comfortable.
"You're like, a kitten caught in the rain! I can't help but do this!"
"He didn't!"
"Keith, you look like a kitten one finds at a Shinto shrine while it's raining. Where have you been?"
The red paladin took a deep breath, not at all sure if these matching traits sat well with him. One hand tucked under his cheek, only to fall asleep. He woke back up to find himself leaning up against Lance, the smell of food hitting his stomach. One eye twitched, not at all sure whether or not his stomach hurt because he felt like throwing up again, or if because he was simply that hungry. Keith's eyes closed. "How long since I threw up?"
Lance's hand tightened on his shoulder. "How long? This morning. It's almost dinner time."
Hunk plopped down on his other side, blowing on the spoon fool. "Open up."
Keith slid down. "No."
"Come on."
"I'm not sure if I'm hungry, or if…"
"Stop being so emo."
The red paladin sighed, closing his eyes and opening his mouth, letting the spoon slide in. The liquid tasted wonderful, and he swallowed. A coughing fit hit, and he heard Lance let out a yelp as his hand grasped the blue paladin's arm tightly. Hunk shushed him, waiting to spoon more food into his mouth. His stomach started to settle, and his throat also started to feel better.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Pidge step into the room, and Hunk gave him a break, allowing him to let his head rest against the back of the couch. Lance touched his shoulder, standing up. "Hunk. Keep an eye on Keith while I go to find a wet towel."
Keith breathed hard, attempting to control his breathing, only to flinch when Hunk attempted to massage his shoulders. His dark blue eyes opened, realizing that Pidge had moved closer. Pidge also looked angry. The red paladin's eyes blinked a couple of times. "What is it Pidge?"
"Are you keeping something from us?"
The red paladin's foot twitched, making him wince as he attempted to sit up. Another coughing fit hit before the deep breaths came, and Hunk patted his back. "Want some more soup?"
"Maybe later." Keith's eyes drifted to the ground. "What do you mean by that?"
"I mean, are you keeping secrets?"
"Everybody has their secrets Pidge." A hand drifted up to his forehead, letting out a deep breath as his head started to hurt. He flopped over, only realizing he'd managed to flop into Hunk's lap when the yellow paladin began to pet his hair. Keith's eyes snapped open. "Seriously, Hunk, don't."
"It's soft like a kitten!"
"What is soft like a kitten?" Lance's voice made Keith's eyes snap open, a groan escaping his lips, hoping another coughing fit wouldn't hit.
"Soft…" A giggle, yes, an actual giggle, escaped the mouth of the blue paladin. "Look who's getting all cuddly wuddly!"
"Do I need to remind you of the pain you will feel when I get better?" Keith flinched as Lance ruffled his hair as well.
"Oh, it's worth it. Actually…"
The next thing Keith knew, the phone went off.
