Nineth day of Keith Gen-Uary. I didn't have much of an idea what to write so this is super short.

Iverson

It was a tough battle.

Keith thought he was going to die as soon as the Robeast exploded. He woke four days later to his mother and Kolivan. Kosmo was also being healed since the wolf got roughed up in battle. It's been an hour since Kolivan and Krolia left, and Keith was all alone in the Garrison hospital room.

Keith wished Shiro was there. Ever since the crash of Voltron, citizens were hounding him with questions. He had to give a speech which Keith didn't see, but Krolia said it was pretty inspiring. Keith stared out the window, feeling the familiar loneliness take its toll. He leaned back against the wall, staring at the rain on the window. Lance was probably freaking about it right now.

Keith turned his attention to his hands and looked up when he heard a knock on the door. "Come in." The door opened and Kosmo ran in. The wolf jumped on the bed and started licking at Keith's face. "Kosmo!" Keith cried in surprise, trying to push the wolf off. "H-hey, boy." Kosmo sniffed at the bandage around his head and growled at it. Keith patted his head reassuringly. He looked at the door to see Iverson standing there. "Commander Iverson, sir."

"How ya feelin', cadet?" Iverson asked as he stepped into the door, the door closing behind him.

Keith subconsciously rubbed at the bandage around his head, "Hurts a little, but I'm good."

Iverson nodded, "That's good. Shiro sends a message. He says that he will be here in roughly thirty minutes. In that time, I have to 'guard you'."

Keith cocked up an eyebrow as he sat down on a nearby chair. "Guard me? What, is someone planning to steal me?"

Iverson chuckled, "Not that I know of, but he's being a little paranoid." He gestured toward Kosmo. "I brought your companion here since he was all healed up. Thought you might wanna see him."

Keith smiled at Kosmo, who was now heavily laying on his lap. "I did actually. Thanks, sir."

"It was my pleasure," Iverson shrugged. "The poor thing seemed a little lost. What's his name anyway?"

"Er - Kosmo," Keith said. "Temporarily. He can talk, he's just shy."

"Talk!?" Commander Iverson asked, looking bewildered. "Has he said anything in front of you."

"No," Keith replied. "But it comes from space and can teleport, so it's implied that he can talk too. Just stubborn."

Iverson nodded in understanding, "Well, once it says something, make sure to inform me. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet a teleporting, talking space wolf."

Keith laughed, "Yeah. I'll make sure to do that." They sat in silence, Keith stroking Kosmo's fur. Iverson brought up the conversation (which was mostly about dogs) that Keith didn't mind. After meeting Kosmo, Keith has become a bit of a dog person.

"Hippos are still better," Keith protested when Iverson asked.

After a few updates on the other paladins, that they were healing and Lance kept complaining that he couldn't go out into the rain, Shiro walked into the room. He smiled at the sight of Keith and immediately enveloped him in a hug. "Keith! You're awake," he pulled away, looking over Keith like he was a rare treasure. "I was so worried. You didn't wake up when the others did and then another day went by and you still weren't up but this morning they told me you woke up but I couldn't see you because of the debriefings and the questions kept rolling in -!"

"Shiro!" Keith yelled, catching his attention. "Calm down. I'm fine. I woke up and I know why you didn't come. And Shiro, please breath."

Shiro let out the breath he was holding, "Sorry. Sorry, I was rambling. Thanks, Iverson."

"No problem, Shirogane," Iverson as he stood up from his chair, the amused look still on his face. "I need to be going. It was nice talking with you, Cadet Kogane."

"You too, Commander Iverson," Keith said as Iverson gave him a short salute. As soon as the door closed behind him, Keith glowered at Shiro. "Guard me?"