#caretaker hunk will protect his smol bean shiro at all costs

[fluffyllamas-23]

Heeeeeeey.  So I felt like the fic I posted last night needed a part two.  Again, this was inspired by @itisasign‘s Hunk caretaker prompts, and the idea that @toosicktoocare made one thousand times better

It was ten that same morning.  Hunk was always an early riser, and didn’t need more than a couple of hours of sleep to function.  He was sitting at the table, scrolling through his phone when he heard Shiro’s door open.  His head snapped up and he narrowed his eyes when he saw Shiro stumble into the kitchen, unsteady on his feet.   “What are you doing?” “Gotta get to class.” Shiro mumbled, his voice nothing more than a weak croak. “It’s Saturday.” Hunk said, raising a brow. Shiro stopped in his tracks and blinked at him.  “Huh?” “It’s Saturday.” Hunk repeated, standing up. “Which means that you don’t have to go to class or work. Come on, back to bed.” Shiro shook his head, the movement making his head swim. “No…gotta get to class…gotta run errands-Hh'itschGNX! Hhh…Hh'itschGNX!! *Snff* Gotta do homework.”   “Buddy, it’s Saturday.  You don’t have to do anything on Saturdays, and you’re sure as hell not running errands or doing homework. You’re getting your ass back in bed and staying there until your fever breaks.”

Black dots clouded Shiro’s vision, and he swayed heavily on his feet.  Hunk steadied him, and then took in Shiro’s expression.  

His heart nearly broke. Shiro looked distressed - his eyes were glassy and unfocused, and tears were threatening to spill over.  He was biting his bottom lip, and he looked dangerously close to tears.  Hunk pulled Shiro into a hug, and he dropped his head down in response and pressed his face to Hunk’s shoulder.  He could feel Shiro shaking as he broke off in silent sobs.  He just held him, waiting for him to stop crying.  

After a few minutes, he quieted, and his knees buckled as he slumped into Hunk.

“Oof! Alright, okay, you need to be lying down.” Hunk grunted, supporting Shiro’s dead weight as he half dragged, half carried him to the couch, and after great difficulty, convinced him to go to sleep and to stop trying to do things.

As soon as he was sleeping, Hunk draped a blanket over him and then stuck the thermometer in his mouth (he was too sleepy and out of it to register the thermometer).

The thermometer beeped, and he sighed in frustration.  It was back up to 103.  

“Hey!” Pidge greeted them rather loudly. “SHH!” Hunk shushed, shooting her a dirty look.  “Do you know how long it took me to convince the moron to lie down and sleep? A long time.” “Oops.” Pidge whispered. “Sorry, how’s he doing?” Hunk rubbed a hand over his face. “Not great.  I’m thinking he might need an emergency room.” “Want me to call Lance and Keith? It can be a group effort.” “Give it a little while. If it hasn’t started going down by tonight, then we can take him in.” He whispered, crossing his arms and staring down at him in concern.  Shiro didn’t get sick often, he was the one who usually took care of everybody else, and it was worrying them all.

Someone opened the door, and unnecessarily kicked it open.  

“WE HAVE ARRIVED!” Lance cried, throwing his hands in the air as he walked inside, Keith trailing behind him. “Shut UP!” Hunk hissed, glaring at Lance.  Shiro jerked awake, looking around blearily. “Go back to sleep.” Pidge said softly, stroking his burning cheek, and then patting his head. He mumbled something unintelligible, his eyelids drooping as he fell back asleep. “Damn it, Lance.” Hunk whisper yelled, stepping away from Shiro.  “You knew he was sick, what makes you think that coming in here and yelling was a good idea?” “Ah shit.” He groaned.  “I’m sorry, I forgot.” “How’s he doing?” Keith asked, frowning as he looked at Shiro.   “His fever is back up to 103.  He’s really sick, guys.  I don’t like it.” “Me neither.” Pidge mumbled, pursing her lips.

*

Shiro sneezed himself awake, and immediately went into a harsh, grating coughing fit.  

looked around bleary eyes, saw that hunk was sitting at his feet, and Shiro practically crawled into his lap.  

Hunk looked down, a small smile crossing his face.  “I would ask how you’re feeling, but  I’m assuming you don’t feel any better.” Shiro just shook his head.  

“M’throat hurts.” He rasped, curling into himself and shivering.  Pidge draped a blanket over him, and the placed a cool hand on his cheek. “Your fever is down, at least.” “Want some tea?” Lance asked him, but was on his feet and in the kitchen before Shiro could answer him.   “You guys don’t have to do this.” He croaked. “Do what?” Hunk asked, looking down at him with a frown.   He sniffled.  “I don’t have to be taken care of…I’m fine.” Keith scoffed.  “I was pretty sure you died last night.” “Shiro.” Hunk said firmly.  “We’re family.  Family looks out for each other.  Of course we’re going to take care of you.” “Here.” Lance said, putting the steaming mug of tea on the coffee table.  “Hunk’s right.  We’re going to take care of you, now drink your tea and just relax so you don’t die, yeah? We need you, man.”

He simply nodded, a small smile crossing his face.