#3.) (@ the one left over paladin that was begging for his life) 'kneel'

[knivesrey]

dnd thoughts

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Caramel Skin Under A Purple Rain prt 57

Food was a thing Keith had forgotten. A very important thing that filled the hole his forgotten hunger had gnawed into the pit of his stomach. Lance was on a strict liquid diet, the sign above his bed so, but with how high his husband was, and his current state, Keith severely doubted that Lance gave two quiznaks when it came to food. Laying on his side, Laith and Hunter lay before him. Lance transfixed on their baby boy, while Pidge and Krolia chatted on the bed his mother had gotten for him, Korra awake and propped up in the crook of his mother’s elbow. Keith watching as Pidge kept glancing over from her laptop at his little sister, for a Gremlin she seemed pretty ok with babies. In his chair, Coran was talking softly to Lance. More at Lance. Mami had come shuffling back into Lance’s room, the personification of worry as the first of the medical staff left. Her nose had been wrinkled up at Lance’s not so nice scent, then wide eyed and concerned as they were told to watch for seizures. Having promised Lance he could cuddle with his sons, that had to wait as a nappy change was needed. Miriam talking him through it, Keith not sure he’d ever get over what he’d seen in Hunter’s nappy, though kind of proud he’d done the hands on side, even if it’d made him gag. They’d barely settled Lance down, who’d gotten “slightly” excited when Laith was laid in his sight, when Coran, bearing food for him and Miriam. His mother had arrived a few minutes later with Pidge who seemed to escaping from whatever she was supposedly to be doing by bringing her laptop with her. Feeling second hand embarrassment for his husband, dusty redness still in Keith’s cheeks as he attempted to pretend what had happened hadn’t. Lance had proudly declared that “Keith’s huge dick had made the most perfect babies and he was his baby, and that he wanted another one”. This came with the declaration that “Keith wasn’t allowed to destroy his arse again” and “if Keith came at him with that thing he might end up with it cut off and shoved up his own arse”. His husband happily telling Coran all of this when all Coran had wanted to do was sit by him and their boys. Given Lance had done similar, Keith wasn’t going to get too close... He was rather attached to his junk. Performing his first true parenting duty by “sacrificing” his boys to their loved up father for food, he scarfed down half the plate without tasting anything. He might have gone a day or three back in the Blades without food due to missions, but living with Lance and Curtis always meant he was well fed. His stomach not impressed over having been neglected now that he could breathe. His mother’s scent seemed more muted than it had, Lance was busy with their boys and he had food. What more could their little bubble ask for? Apparently the universe decided Keith needed an answer to the unposed question. With a loud knock, the door to Lance’s hospital room was opened. A stream of half muttered commands came from the hallway, Curtis holding the door open as Colleen Holt carried through a bouquet of alien flowers nearly as wide as the doorway. Behind her Jorge shuffled in, the poor man having not been returned to his natural habit of his farm in Cuba. In the hall Shiro was scolding Kosmo, Curtis laughing at whatever his boyfriend was up to “Katie!” “Oh quiznak... uh... Hi, mum!” Colleen shot Pidge a scowl, her face then brightening as she made her way over to where Keith was sitting mid-forkful. Placing the fork back down, his stomach growled at the food in front of him he’d have to temporarily neglect. Rising up he took the flowers from Colleen, a little flustered as they weren’t exactly close “Congratulations! I hope you don’t me stopping by, it seems I’m a little late as my own daughter neglected to tell me your big news. Luckily I ran into Shiro and Jorge here. Jorge and I had quite the nice talk about agriculture and how a certain daughter of mine saved his son’s life” Huffing, Pidge rolled her eyes at her mother “I’ve been busy...” Colleen wasn’t having it, the woman honestly scared Keith. He absolutely never wanted to get on the wrong side of her “I heard. Stealing Garrison property. Abducting staff and skipping out on the lecture you were due to give to this years class of new students today” Pidge pushes her glasses up her nose, Krolia raising an eyebrow at her. His mother knew Lance had issues with her, but to him it seemed she’d restored her faith in the former Green Paladin “I’m not skipping out. Lance is vulnerable right now, he needs our support” “Lance gave birth out his arse!” Keith hung his head, Colleen covering her mouth at his husband’s words. Coran hushed Lance, while Lance would have forgotten what he was saying the moment it passed his lips “Sorry, he’s been given pain medication. He’s been staring at our boys for so long that I didn’t think he was listening. He... uh... he pretty much has no filter and we have no idea when he’s actually listening” Colleen waved at him with her free hand, thankfully she found it funny “No worries. I had already worked that out for myself. Do you mind...?” Keith looked over his shoulder to Lance and their boys “He might not remember you dropped by, but you can say hello. Maybe... don’t move the twins from his side. Not yet. He’s not allowed to hold them yet. He’s pretty gutted over it, and we need to keep him as calm as possible. He already had a minor seizure today” Colleen’s eyes got watery, Keith feeling even more awkward about addressing her. She was the adult here and there he was, telling her what she could and couldn’t do “Oh, poor boy. There’s nothing greater than holding your newborn child. Hopefully yours doesn’t run away to space to become a Paladin without telling you where they’re going!” Snapping her laptop closed loudly, Pidge glared at her mother “Mum! How long are you going to hold that over my head?!” “I don’t know. Katie. Until you understand that there’s consequences to your actions” “Lance might have died if I hadn’t gone out! How was I supposed to leave them stranded at the cabin?! Lance could never have walked out on his own!” “I’m not saying you didn’t do the right thing, but you didn’t stop to think. I would have offered you my assistance...” “I just wanted to help them!” “You left in the middle of a category 3 storm... The fleet was grounded for a reason. You wouldn’t have been able to help them if you’d crashed!” “I flew through worse in Voltron!” “Whoa! What’s with all the yelling?” Shiro saved them from the erupting argument... for all thirty seconds. Walking Kosmo into the room, his fur son was displeased with his current predicament. Tied to his collar were a collection shiny metallic balloons reading “congratulations”, “it’s a... girl” with “girl” crossed out and “boys” written in black marker. Tugging on his lead Kosmo was attempting to make a beeline for him, his eyes begging to be released from the indignation of being a delivery boy. Deserting his food, Keith went to his fur son, relieved Kosmo has survived being abandoned by them. Kneeling down, he was knocked on his arse as Kosmo head butted him, then tried to climb into his lap. Wrapping his arms around his wolf, he distracted Kosmo with cuddles as he untied the balloons from his collar “Did you miss me, boy? Let’s get these things off. You just want to look handsome for your other human, don’t you” Kosmo whined at him, Keith snorting through his nose. His fur son may love him, but Lance was where his true loyalties lie. “Keith, you’re ruining it. Those were for Lance. Do you have any idea how long it took us to tie them to his collar?” Arranging his features into a hurt pout, Shiro got no sympathy from him “Lance is off his head again, and Kosmo is miserable” “Can we at least show Lance before we take them off? He could use a little happiness” Curtis was supposed to be the adult of their small family, yet there he was, backing up his boyfriend. Beside, Lance couldn’t be happier, he was high and he was in love with their boys. He may have had that small hiccup with the examination, but now he was too drugged up to be stressed. The problem was if Kosmo would accept the twins... It was like ripping off a bandaid, it he continued to think about it, he’d get too anxious about Kosmo meeting the boys “Coran, can you move Hunter, Jorge, can you take Laith. I’ll hold Kosmo... I’m surprised he hasn’t teleported over there yet...” Kosmo always knew when Lance was hurting, they seemed to have a bond beyond words and scents. Whether it was taking Lance by the hand and walking with him when he was sleep walking, dragging his hand away before he could self harm, or stealing his spot in bed because Lance needed cuddles, he always seemed to just know what to do. Keith didn’t think Kosmo would go the twins, not with how attached to Lance’s baby bump he’d been, but he’d rather be prepared in case it did. Gathering up both baby boys, Keith led Kosmo over to Coran and Jorge. Miriam had her smile hidden by her hand. Colleen had missed out on seeing them laying with Lance, but now Kosmo was there he could preoccupy Lance while the twins did the cuddles rounds. With his tail between his legs, Kosmo slowly edged toward his new brothers, his belly nearly dragging on the floor as he tried to make himself smaller. Not that the idiot could. He looked so pathetic that Keith had to suck his lips in from laughing as he shuffled with Kosmo between his legs. His wolf was too damn big for this behaviour, but Kosmo seemed to want his paw held “Hello, Kosmo my boy... You remember me, right?” Coran seemed nervous, Kosmo dipping lower. With balloons in his face, Keith knew how ridiculous he looked. As much as he prayed Pidge wasn’t filming this, he kind of hoped she was so future Lance could share in it. Whining softly, Kosmo them sat with a huff. His idiot fur son staring up at him “These are your brothers. Laith and Hunter. Lance gave birth... I know you know that, you were hiding you big fat coward” Behind him, Shiro supplied “At least he didn’t faint when Lance’s water broke” You faint once and they never let you forget it. Rolling his eyes, he nudged Kosmo with his heel “Go on, say hello” Lowering Hunter, Coran tucked back the blue blanket he was swaddled in. All at once Kosmo forgetting he was pathetic mess. His arse started wiggling from his tail wags. Giving a yip, he nosed into Hunter’s cheek. Hunter had no idea what was happening, starting to cry from his “wet nose” attack. Reeling back at the fact it made noise, he raised a paw and placed it lightly on their sons face... covering his eyes with his hand, Keith shook his head “Kosmo, you can’t gag your baby brother because he cries. They do that” Tilting his back up to it, Kosmo’s eyes were saying “I don’t like it, dad. I don’t want it to do that” “Try saying hello to Laith. Maybe not a wet nose this time” Still not sure over this crying thing, Kosmo looked to Jorge, Coran holding his paw off of Hunter’s face. Laith was already crying, so it wasn’t like he was going to set him off. Leaning in, Kosmo quickly sniffed at his baby brother, then licked Laith across the face before yipping and teleporting from between Keith’s legs and over to the now empty chair Coran had been sitting in before moving Hunter. Placing both paws on the bed in front of Lance, he immediately nosed at Lance’s face. Lance starting to laugh as Kosmo began wriggling and trying to lick him, while his husband snaked his arm loosely around Kosmo neck “Who’s the best boy in the universe, you’re the best boy, yes you are. Yes, you are. Yes, I missed you too” Taking that as an invitation, Kosmo tried to squeeze himself into the small amount of bed space available, Lance too high to care that their fur son was moving him way too much. Not fitting in the small space, he climbed up to sit on Lance’s hip, bringing forth a whole lot of scolding as he did. Everyone in the space objected, even Lance tried to say no, but Kosmo wasn’t listening. Flopping his whole weight down, Lance yelped from under him, a stray paw ending up somewhere it shouldn’t before Keith could get there and wrestle him down. Growling at him, Keith continued to pull on Kosmo until finally he’d hefted him off the bed and down beside it “You can’t sleep with him, you need to stay off the bed. Lance is very hurt right now” Kosmo whined at him, his tail no longer wagging “Kosmo...” Lance sounded as sad as Kosmo looked, patting the side of the bed Kosmo’s ears pricked up at the sound. Between his husband and Kosmo, keeping Kosmo off the bed was going to be a challenge. Bristling in, Miriam took Lance’s patting hand in hers “Lance, you can’t have him on the bed with you. You’re recovering” “Kosmo. I want Kosmo” “He’s here, but he can’t be on the bed with you. You need your rest, Mijo” Lance sniffled, Keith was weak when it came to a crying Lance. His husband had cried enough tears in his short life as it was. Tugging against his grip on his collar, Kosmo wasn’t making things easy on that front either “I want Kosmo...” Miriam sighed, losing some of her softness as she scolded him “You can’t, Mijo. Kosmo has to stay off the bed. There’s no need getting this upset, he’s still right here. With these balloons for you. Did you see the balloons? Curtis and Shiro organised it, don’t you want to thank them” “I want Kosmo!” Lance’s voice was slightly above an acceptable tone, after the examination Kosmo probably made Lance feel safe and secure “Lance, no. Kosmo’s still in the room, but he absolutely cannot be on the bed with you. He just hurt you as it is” “P-p-papi...” The machine monitoring Lance’s heart rate started to beep loudly. Kosmo barking an actual bark, not his usual “Yip”. Watching Lance’s body tense, Miriam was ill prepared as Lance started seizing. Releasing Kosmo, Keith was by his husband’s side in an instant, Miriam pulled back so he would be the first one Lance saw when it finally passed. The stress of the examination, then a room full of scents... plus the one thing that could make Lance feel safer than he could being denied to him, everything had piled up. As Lance continued to seize, Keith hit the call button, afraid when it passed the 30 second mark “Everyone out, now!” Seizing until he lost conciseness, they were all evicted from Lance’s room so the hospital staff had space to work. Kosmo a sad mess as he collapsed across Keith’s feet, Keith leaning against the wall, closest to Lance’s room. Being pulled away from his husband never sat right with him. Lance needed a solid presence with him. He didn’t feel safe being unconscious. They weren’t fond memories for him... “Is this... are they always that bad?” Right. Colleen. Colleen hadn’t seen Lance’s seizures. Pidge was pulled up against her, Pidge teary eyed as she nodded at her mother’s question. Taking a deep breath, Keith shook his head “No. Not always. The one he had earlier was smaller. He... uh, has seizures from brain damage. He did have a device in his head that seemed to work, but... since he gave birth...” Beside her, Miriam was just as shaken as Pidge. Shiro had his arm around Curtis who had his hand to his mouth. Jorge was wringing his hands, and Keith was left with the realisation that he and Shiro were the only ones who knew how to approach or deal with Lance’s seizures. His heart still clenched with panic each time Lance seized, but he couldn’t pin point the exact moment that they... they didn’t stop being scary, but he had accepted it... “Is there anything they can do?” “They’ve stopped... they aren’t... They’ve stopped plans for surgery, and I think he’s supposed to be on anti-convulsants. They’re... waiting on Coran and advice from Altea” Being on the outside of his own husband’s medical care sucked quiznak. Colleen’s questioning came from a good place, but he wasn’t equipped to answer “What does Lance say about it? Surely there’s medication he can take to control them?” “Lance doesn’t like taking pills. They... uh, make him gag. He’s placed me in charge of his medical care. He’s not been lucid enough to discuss things, really. He also doesn’t like the idea of having something in his head... Maybe now we have the boys he might consider it?” Not immediately. Lance needed to calm and bond with his boys first, but they’d have to work something out. If Lance seized then that held the risk of their sons possibly being injured in the process. Keith had no idea what’d been in Lance’s head as he asked? for his papi “Keith, do you mind if I look into this further? I have a few ideas on how to help” Keith nodded at Colleen “You should talk to Daehra. She’s been treating him, even made a compound he could drink like a shake. He had something put in his head on Erathus when he had surgery... but now... I don’t even know what’s going on anymore. They haven’t told me anything” Why was he getting teary? Hadn’t he just told himself he’d accepted Lance’s seizures? Before he knew what was happening, Keith found himself pulled into a hug by Coran. Careful not to crush Hunter between them, Coran kissed his hair in a classic move he’d seen the older Altean do to Lance a hundred times. Kosmo whined his annoyance at being forced to move the whole few centimetres to avoid Coran’s feet “We’re working hard to figure out what the next step is for young Lance. He suffered quite a bit of damage down there, as you know. He’s going to need surgery to repair the internal damage, then surgery to repair the external damage. I’m waiting for a reply from his obstetrician. Erathus seems to have remarkable surgical capabilities. If we can perform one procedure rather than a series, I feel Lance’s prospects will be greatly risen. When all hope seems swallowed, remember there’s always a ray of light to be found. You’re a father now, Keith. Though I wish you’d considered “Coran”, Hunter and Laith are both fine names for the sons of fine young men. Lance has been through worse and made it through. You’ll see” “I-I know... it’s... it’s not fair. All he wants to do is hold his boys. He should be allowed to. He went through... he went through so much. He hates being in hospital. He hates everyone seeing him like this... He hates being treated differently here... He doesn’t feel wanted here. He’s so scared he’s a burden and they all think he’s a freak. It’s not fair. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be for him” Coran hushed him, Keith knew he’d overshared but he was angry that his husband felt that way “When he’s more lucid he’ll understand. In the mean time, this little one needs his father” Keith wiped at his teary eyes, nodding as he moved to take Hunter into his hold. His son was way too adorable to be his child. So small and innocent, staring up at him without a care. How they’d created something as incredible as their boys, he’d never know “I know. I’m sorry... I just...” “You hate seeing him this way. We all do” “Yeah. Dios...” Moving to his side, Shiro wrapped his arms around the three of them “He’s going to be ok. Curtis and I might go. He’s had a big day and he’s clearly overwhelmed. You need to take a shower and get some rest” “I’m...” “You’ll be more help to him when he wakes up, if you take care of yourself. He’d be the first to tell you that you stink” Keith snorted “Thanks for that... Thank you... I’m sure he’ll love the balloons once he’s calmed down” “We know he will. I’ll bring you something for dinner, and check in with you then” Curtis cleared his throat from behind his boyfriend “We’ll bring you something for dinner, and something fresher l wear. We can swap out, so Lance won’t be alone when you shower” “Can you bring a couple of extra shirts?” “Sure. We’ll see you soon” When Shiro and Curtis left, Colleen was the next to hug him. It was weird... he kind of felt like he was at funeral or something with all the hugging going on. Coran was beaming as he backed up to make space for Mrs Holt “I’ll research further into herbal medication that will help with his seizures. I’ll let you know what I find. If you two need anything, you let me know” “Thank you, Co-Mrs Holt” “You’re most welcome. When he’s up and feeling better, we’ll have a big dinner here on the base. There’s no need to rush it” Lance would hate it “Thanks... that sounds good” “Come along, Katie. You have a class to teach” Wrinkling her nose at the use of “Katie”, Pidge wrapped her arms around his waist next “You call me. I’ll be back for my minions if you need any help” “I know... and thank you. Not everyone would steal a pod to help us out” “Not everyone has two great big idiots like you two for brothers. I have no idea how you managed to make such cute minions” “I don’t know either... They have to get it from Lance” Pidge released him, wrinkling up her nose as she did “Ewww... I’m out of here before you get all mushy. Babies are one thing. That look in your eyes as you gush about Lance is another. Later loser. Take care of my minions for me!” “Bye, Gremlin” Pidge flipped him off, the action not missed by her mother. The pair beginning to bicker as they headed the opposite way to Curtis and Shiro. With the majority of their group now gone, Keith turned to Miriam and Jorge, Miriam giving a tired nod “I’ll be staying, at least until Lance is out of the woods. Jorge needs to get back to the farm” “I can take you, if you don’t mind?” Making the offer, Krolia patted Korra’s butt as she moved closer. Keith knew he had to go, but Lance would be upset if he didn’t get to say goodbye “I think it’s best you stay until he wakes up. He’s really missed you, both... I mean... I get it if you can’t... I...” English hard. His brain wasn’t doing the thunk. His tone was accusing, not asking, and not what he’d been going for “I know I’m an old man who thinks too much of his farm, but I’m not about to leave my son without saying goodbye” Miriam patted his arm “Now dear, Keith clearly didn’t mean it to sound as it did. It’s all over his exhausted face. We might take a few hours and get some sleep. You’ll call when he wakes up?” “Yeah... Seiz-Seizures like this take a lot out of him. He probably won’t be waking up until pretty late” “Ok, sweetheart. You call us if you need anything. Jorge, why don’t you lay Laith down once the doctor leaves the room? I know you want to keep ahold of him, but Lance wouldn’t be happy to hear you kidnapped your grandson” Jorge grumbled, Keith dared to say “playfully” “It’s his fault for doing such a good job. It feels like only yesterday he was tucked up like this...” “I know. They’re simply beautiful. I’m sure he’ll be happy for the help once things settle down” “We’ll both be... I... you...” Keith pauses to take a deep breath through his nose. He wasn’t going to stuff this up “You guys showed me what it was like to have a big warm family. You didn’t have to accept me... or even want me around... but you did. I... Shiro did his best... but... I didn’t know what it was really like until Lance... He... he’s my world and you’re both... You both raised an amazing son. You took me in. You showed me what it was like to have that. To be loved...” Miriam left her husband’s side, her arms warmed as she wrapped them around him “Mijo, we love you. You’ll always be welcome at our farm. You’ll always be part of our family. Lance choose you, and we can all see why. You’re a good man. You’re good for our son. He often talked about you, about how he missed you. I think he always wanted you to come find him, and I thank the Lord every night you did. You gave us our boy back” “I... I love you too... I didn’t mean to sound... I just knew Lance wanted both of you” “I know, Mijo” “When he’s... better, we’re going to come down to Cuba. He wants to introduce the twins to everyone” “I’ll make sure his room is ready for you both. You can bring Kosmo and stay as long as you want” Kosmo would love the space. He’d love chasing the chickens, and being able to roam. Mami wouldn’t be able to stop herself from feeding him treats, and Lance would love to see Kaltenecker again “We... we will. I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m crying. Thank you for being here” “Anytime, Mijo. And not just for Lance. You’re part of our family. Don’t you forget that. We all love you, and we’ll all be waiting for you in Cuba when the time comes. Even Rachel and Luis” A real family. A family who wanted him. Who didn’t lock him in the dark. Didn’t beat him for asking questions or standing his ground. A family that actually cared and wanted him. Accepted him, flaws and all. If his younger self could have seen this, he never would have believed it. Miriam loved him. She loved him for him, as well as loving him for being Lance’s husband, and the father of their children... He’d found a brother in Shiro, a family with the Paladin’s, and the place he belonged at Lance’s side. Lance might think he was a constant strain or burden, and sure they still fought, and things weren’t always perfect, but... but he was okay with that. He could do absolutely anything if Lance was by his side... even be a father to the two boys he’d thought he’d never have. Quiznak. The only reason he’d found a family in Voltron was because Lance was there. Lance who insisted everything had to be a competition. Lance the shameless flirt that was so desperate for someone to see him for him. Lance who’d carefully fixed the broken pieces of him one shard at a time with so much love that he could drown in it. His husband was the salve that healed his weary soul, that made all the chaos around them bearable. That always believed in him, even when he couldn’t believe in himself. Lance who could have wallowed in self pity over his seizures, but instead kept moving forward as he tried to shake the shackles of his traumas. He’d never be the man he’d been when he was a Paladin, but where any of them really? He’d changed. He’d grown. He’d fallen in love with his best friend and couldn’t ask for a better partner to go through life with. Maybe this was why he was crying? Not because Lance had seized, but because even though he had, their family remained by their sides. It wasn’t just the two of them against the world anymore. It was the four of them, and each and every one of their friends and weird little family they’d made themselves.