Keith was gently shaken awake by Shiro the following morning. Keith opened his eyes slowly and it took a few seconds to remember what had happened and why he was asleep in some strange place upright in a chair.
"Lance?!" He shot up now fully aware.
"He's still fighting. Lasted all night." Shiro said handing Keith a hot cup of tea. Keith relaxed into the chair and grimaced when he felt he knot in his neck from his sleeping position.
"Thank God." Keith said sipping it. His heart was still heavy but he lasted all night in that condition? That had to be a good sign. Veronica and Marco were still snoring softly on the rug in front of the fireplace and Maria was no where to be found.
"Where's Maria?" Keith asked setting his mug down once it was empty.
"She is outside. I checked on her before waking you. I think she just needed fresh air." Keith listened shaking his head in slight disbelief. She was inches from him and his sickness but still had not caught it.
'Shiro.." Keith started quietly glancing at the kids to make sure they were still asleep. "Do you think that..that it could be a curse? I brought Lance to court and we kissed in the gardens and now this... Do you think he's being punished for being with me?" Shiro pulled a char up in front of him and sat down with a small sigh.
"I do not believe a higher power is punishing him, Keith. I think Zarkon infected us with an awful sickness and he was unfortunate to have come down with it. I do not believe anyone would be upset in your union with him. He was surely overworked and weak as it was so he was more easily infected and..Sophia was so small and young she didn't stand a chance against it. Luis was just the unlucky one."
"How is he?" Keith asked having forgot that Lance's brother was still at home fighting the disease. Shiro broke out into a grin.
"His fever broke last night and the Physician is coming any time to tend to Lance. I have high hopes, He brought Luis back from the doorstep of death. He can save Lance too." Keith felt a wave of relief hearing the good news. One less sibling for Lance to mourn when he recovers. The door opened drawing both of their attention as Maria walked in looking exhausted. Keith immediately stood and gently took her arm.
"here. Come and rest. You look so frail." He helped her sit in the chair and she thanked him. Shiro was up as well fetching some water for her. He handed the cup to her and she took it with trembling hands.
"You need to sleep Maria" Shiro said quietly and she just shook her head.
"Not until both of children are well and here together." She said sipping the water. Keith frowned a bit bu didn't argue. He did not fault her and decided to do his best to help.
"How can I help you?" Keith asked refilling her soon empty cup with more water from the pitcher.
"I need to return to Lance's side soon. I do not want Veronica and Marco to come in yet so if you could keep them busy? " He said and Shiro smiled a bit.
"That should not be a problem, Marco is quite well at playing chess. Surely Keith could let Veronica braid his hair in some fashion? He sure has enough of it" Shiro smirked a it and Keith wanted to slap him for the suggestion but if it helped he would gladly sit through the torment. Maria smiled gratefully and finished her second cup of the water before standing and taking her leave. Keith couldn't look as she opened the door to the bedroom and walked in. He couldn't bare to see Lance like that.
The two brothers sat in silence as the kids slept, the bedroom silent other than the soft murmurs of Maria's soft words of encouragement. Keith was the one to break the silence.
"I'm in impending trouble once I return to court aren't I?" He asked earning a small laugh from Shiro.
"I would have to agree. I do think you will have many angry words coming." Keith smiled a bit wrapping his arms around his chest, more for comfort than for warmth.
"I should punish you for disobeying my orders and risking your own life coming here. I was fine risking my own but not yours. Your supposed to be my successor Shiro. I can not lose you." Keith said but Shiro just shrugged.
"I was not going to allow my little brother ride off chasing death alone. We stick together. That's how we survive Keith." Keith looked at the ground knowing fully well it was true. Shiro had saved his life countless times before.
"Do you think things would be different? If mother and father were still here?" He asked softly glacing up at Shiro who shared the same look of quiet sorrow.
"I do not know. I think mother would have adored Lance though." He smiled. "They are very similar in personalities. Mother was so bright and joyous no matter the time of day. She would light up any room she happened to stand in. Father was much like you in a way. Quiet but so caring. People assumed he was cold and mean bu he was just guarded. He loved largely and would always choose other's before himself. If mother was sick, he would have rode to her. Just like did. He didn't care about his own well being when it came to her. " Shiro finished quietly smiling faintly remembering them.
"I was so young. I do not remember much of them" Keith said hating he barely had any memory of them. They sounded perfect.
"I know. They'd be so proud of you. I'm sure they're here now too. Watching over you and Lance. "
Keith shook his head ever so slightly. "How can they be? I've been King longer than I've been a child Shiro. I am not ready for such a role and here I am, tossing my kingdom aside for my affection for a boy. How can I be a ruler if I can not set my heart from my crown?"
"Why separate them? Your heart is what makes you the King you are. You're smart and brave but it's your heart that has lead us thus far. I know you were not able to grow up as a normal child would bt it has made you stronger and very soon you will grow confident in your crown and rule this country as no one has before. You have a bright future ahead of you. You just need to see it yourself Keith."
Keith went to reply but the sound of an approaching carriage was heard and both leapt from their seats. Shiro went to alert Maria and Keith went to greet the visitor. He opened the door to see his Physician step out o the carriage with his bag of tools and medicines in hand.
"Samuel! Thank God for your speedy arrival." Keith welcomed him as he stepped inside. He slipped from his coat and made his way to the back room. Maria was at the door and greeted him warmly and thanking him through her tears.
"No thanks are needed dear, sweet Maria. I have saved one, now let's pray I can save the other." he smiled and walked past her and into the room. Maria shut the door behind him leaving Shiro and Keith to deal with the two children who were now waking. Keith sighed and ran a hand trough his hair one last time.
It took only an hour to pass before Keith's hair was in multiple ponytails and braids held together by soft leather bands. Veronica was humming softly as she worked on the last one and Marco was invested in the game of Chess him and Shiro were working on.
"How are you so good!? I always beat the others so fast!" Marco pouted as Shiro took out his bishop.
"I have many more years on me than you, Once you're my age you'll be this good too. Probably even better." He assured the smaller boy and decided not to move his rook to allow the boy to take it.
"Maybe you shall teach Veronica?" Keith pleaded as he winced as she twisted his hair. He just sank down further with his own pout. Shiro laughed softly at the King's enthusiasm.
"Well done Veronica. I think the King looks dashing, don't you?" Shiro asked Marco earning a few giggles from both children.
"He always is dashing!" Veronica said happily tying off the last braid. Keith cracked a smile a bit at the compliment.
"Do you believe Lance would find it dashing too?" He asked and Veronica nodded.
"Yep! He'll be swept away!" She laughed jumping off the chair and running about.
Everyone laughed as she pulled her hair up trying to impersonate Lance.
"Oh Keith!" She started making everyone laugh harder. 'You are quite dashing with your flowing hair in such the elegant style as this!" She made smooching noises and Keith was grabbing his stomach in bellows of laughter. She then let her hair fall and moved some to fall in her face and her voice got deeper.
"Oh thank you baby." She said and ow it was Shiro who was falling back in laughter at her Keith impression. "Not as dazzling as you. Now. Let's kiss" More smooching noises sent Keith over the edge. She laughed pulling her hair back and bowed earning applause from everyone for her small performance. Once the laughter died down they all sat in silence a few break through giggles as they sat.
"Do you think he'll be okay?" It was Marco who asked. He was curled up on Shiro's side and as he finished Shiro scooped him under his arm messing up his hair.
"Of course he'll be fine. He has to smooch the King remember?" He said as the smaller boy laughed trying to get from his hold.
"Okay okay!' He cried out and Shiro finally released him to fix his hair. Keith looked away trying to conceal the small blush that was creeping into his cheeks.
"Let's go outside and play!" Veronica said hopping up and soon her and Marco were off and out the door. Shiro stood up and stretched before following them out. Passing Keith he patted his shoulder gently.
"I'll be outside with them, come get me if there's an update." He said walking outside shutting the door behind him. Keith tried to get comfortable in the wooden chair he was seated in. He could hear the muffled voices of the other two in the bedroom but could not make out their words.
Keith must have dozed off because he was awoke to a smell that made his stomach growl in the hunger Keith hadn't known was their. He had been so emotional lately he had forgotten he hadn't eaten since yesterday morning. He sat up stretching out his body and looked into the small kitchen area to see Maria over the small oven slicing fresh bread.
"I made some breakfast, I hope you're hungry." She smiled over at Keith. She looked as if she would fall over at any second and Keith felt bad that she was punishing herself like this.
"Thank you Maria." He said walking over. It smelled so good and the fresh jam and butter in small dishes were making his craving worse.
"It smells excellent." he breathed earning a smile from the smaller woman. "Help yourself, I will go get everyone." She started towards the door but Keith hurried and stopped her.
"No you will not! You will sit right here and rest. I will go get the others." She went to argue but a look from Keith silenced her complaint. Keith went outside to round the three remaining bodies up. He was surprised to see Shiro on the ground losing the wrestling battle to the other two.
"I give up!" He called as they resorted to tickling him. They cheered for their victory leaving the older man on the ground to wallow in defeat. Keith made his way to them and the two saw him and ran up.
"Your mother has breakfast ready." He told them as the ran up to him. The cheered louder running to the cottage. Keith walked over to Shiro and held out a hand helping him up off the ground.
"I can not believe a military man could be taken down by two small children." Keith teased him but he just brushed himself off shaking his head.
"Two very cheating children. Tickling was not a valid move" He said in his defense. Keith just rolled his eyes and the two headed back.
"You are really good with them." Keith said glancing over at Shiro. "Are you wanting some eventually?" He asked knowing fully well Adam and Shiro were very close to wedding soon and children were the next step after that. Shiro shrugged a bit.
"I'm not quite sure. I fear for them being brought up by two fathers. I do not wish for the torment that would follow them. We will have to see if the world is safe enough for me and Adam to bring a child into it."
Soon everyone was seated around the small dining table happily munching on the warm bread. It was delicious and Keith had to snatch a second piece.
"This is from Kaltenecker?" He asked smearing the bread with the rich butter.
"Yep! Lance was the one who actually churned it too" Veronica said licking some jam that had gotten on her finger.
"I'm glad she is doing more than just escaping." Keith smiled a bit. He hoped she was okay having no one there to tend for her. "How is she?"He asked worried for the bovine friend.
"A friend from the farm over is tending to all the animals" Maria answered finishing her breakfast. "I owe them so much. After this we will have to invite them over for the holiday." Keith stopped mid chew having forgotten all about the quickly approaching holiday.
"Do you celebrate Christmas?" Marco asked before shoving a large bite into his mouth.
"We do. You all should come to court during it, the halls are filled with lights and decorations and there is one gigantic decorated tree in the courtyard. It's quite a beautiful display." Shiro said finishing his own slice before reaching for another.
"Lance better hurry up and heal! He knits us the most amazing socks for Christmas every year! He is going to have to knit twice as fast to make you guys some too now!" Veronica said now just dipping her finger in the jam before being swatted away by Maria.
Keith smiled a bit wanting more than anything a hand knitted pair of socks. They were sharing stories of holidays when the door to the bedroom slammed open making everyone jump.
"It broke! By God his fever is gone!" He man practically yelled and everyone was on their feet celebrating loudly. Keith wasn't sure who was hugging him now his mind and gaze stuck on the boy behind the door who was sitting up drinking water slowly. He was okay.