Chapter 13: Mother's Comfort ~ Talk
Within the hallway of Atlas, Shiro tried to breathe for a moment. "You're stressed," a voice spoke. "Aren't you, Shiro?" Shiro turned, he saw Krolia up and walking with Cosmo companying her.
"Krolia," Shiro sighed. "Are you supposed to be in bed, resting?"
"I was," Krolia limbed as she held a pillow tightly on her side. "But your smell of worry has disturbed me."
"How can you smell me all the way from the hospital room?" Shiro asked in confusion.
"You don't want to know," Krolia replied. Suddenly, she grunted in pain as she held her side.
Cosmo whined in worry.
"Let me help you get back to bed," Shiro offered.
"I'm fine," Krolia nearly growled in pain as she leans against the wall.
"Krolia, don't let me summon the doctors and report this to Kolivan." Shiro puts his hands on his hips. "You and I both know it won't end well," he spoke in concern. Slowly, Krolia looks at him in shock as she saw a mixture of firmness and concern within Shiro's eyes. Knowing that he has done this before with Keith in his youth.
Krolia sighed in defeat, "Alright, but go gently on me."
"Can't make promises," Shiro shook his head as he took one of her arms and looped it over his shoulders. He helped Krolia to walk back to the room that she is resting in with Cosmo following behind them.
In Krolia's room, Krolia lay down gently with a pillow right next to her wounded side, and Cosmo laid down on the other. Shiro sat on the chair, breathing for a moment. "Thanks," Krolia spoke.
"No problem," Shiro sat up straight. "But I'm sorry."
"For what?" Krolia asked.
"To force you out of bed to follow my scent like that," Shiro explained.
"There's no need for that Shiro," Krolia shook as she understands.
"But I feel responsible for everything," Shiro began to ramble. "For many things that I could name that…" Krolia slapped the back of Shiro's head. For a few ticks, he went silent for a moment.
"Shiro," Krolia use her firm voice. "I know what you're going through, as both mother and a blade. I know."
"Right, sorry." Shiro rubbed his head.
"Krolia sighed, "I know that you and the others are trying, Shiro. Trying to keep on searching and not lose hope. But that doesn't mean that you must bite everyone's heads off, not while you are chewing yours. Not even while we are in the middle of the search."
"I know," Shiro sighed. "But I tried to cool down before thinking of an apology."
"They understand what you are going through Shiro," Krolia spoke. "They might have been through your footsteps a long time ago. So, don't pressure yourself." As Shiro began to calm down, he began to know where Krolia is going.
Shiro smiled, "Thanks, I needed that."
"No problem," Krolia smiled.
"You know, I know your Keith's mom." Shiro smiled. "But you sure know how to be a mother to everyone else when he is not around."
"Everyone needs a hobby," Krolia shrugged. "However, Keith is indeed in fact my only cub. But it doesn't hurt to be a mother to other cubs that are still in need of a mother's embrace or advice, including you." For a moment, Shiro has begun to consider her to be a mother to him since the time when he first met her. From that moment on, he knew that his family has begun to expand to that experience that is in his life and begun to warm his heart once again.
I see what you see now Keith, Shiro thought as he smiled. Now it is my turn not to give up, on you. Little brother. Shiro stayed with Krolia and Cosmo's side, so he will ease her to rest again.