3: Fingerprints/"I warned you."
Keith came as soon as he heard.
He squinted in the darkness, looking for the entrance. The snowfall wasn't making it any easier, the headlights in his old truck flickering. He spotted a blue sign with white "H" and an arrow. He veered right and drove as quick as he dared to the last open parking spot, wheels crunching the snow that had been piling up. Apparently Thursday nights were a popping time. Worst park job of his life, he slammed the door and tripped over the snow in his converse, soaking them. He barely gave it a thought as he jogged to the sliding doors of the building entrance.
The lady at the desk looked like she hadn't had a wink of sleep in a week. He told her who he was here for and after a consulting her computer her face grew somber. She explained as delicately as she could that Lance was in critical condition.
"Is he gonna be okay?" Keith asked, desperately.
She gave him a sad smile. "The doctors will do everything they can. It's their job."
Right. He knew that they weren't supposed to make promises one way or the other. A nurse had explained to him the whys back when Shiro had lost his arm. But the lack of reassurance was killing him.
"Can I see him?"
"At this time only one family member is permitted at a time."
Right. He knew that too was standard for critical care. Back then, he had lied through his teeth and said that he and Shiro were brothers. Luckily, the hospital staff took one look at him and allowed him through. Nevermind that he was Korean and Shiro was Japanese. He didn't think the same trick would work with Lance.
"Down the hall, there is a waiting room. There's a Keurig. The doctors will give you updates when they can," she said, clearly reciting a line she repeated multiple times a day. She still managed to say it kindly.
Keith gave her a curt nod and followed the hall where she directed.
He heard it before he saw it. It was packed. Given that everyone all shared similar features, he guessed they were family. Given that everyone all had brown skin and blue eyes, he guessed they were Lance's.
He had never met Lance's family. But Lance often talked about how large his family was. Keith had wondered what it was like, to have so many people care about you.
He stood awkwardly in the doorway, looking for an empty seat he could disappear into when a familiar voice spoke behind him.
"Oh, you're here."
He turned to find Hunk, double fisting energy drinks. He offered one to Keith.
Keith shook his head. "Caffeine makes me anxious."
Hunk hugged him.
Keith hugged him back.
"Hunk! So good of you to come," someone said behind him.
"Of course, Mrs. McClain. How is he?" Hunk asked, releasing Keith to turn to a middle-aged woman. She was strikingly beautiful. Of course she was, she must be Lance's mom.
Her teary face contorted with worry. "Bad. He wasn't wearing his seatbelt. Went through the windshield."
Of course he fucking wasn't. No matter how Keith nagged, the idiot never remembered to buckle up until Keith reminded him. He had warned him that one day he would die in a car accident, bleeding out in the street like some isekai protagonist. Lance had laughed as he kissed him and said it was good that Keith was there for him then.
"I'm so sorry," Mrs. McClain extended her hand to him. "Who are you?"
Keith took her hand. It was soft, despite the calluses on her fingertips. "I'm Keith. I'm his—" he faltered, catching himself, "...friend."
