There, nestled against my pulse

Chapter 15

The team barge in nearly a second later.

Shiro gets to Keith first. He scoops Keith up, lifting him clear off the floor, and holds him there for five entire minutes. He's shaking, just a bit.

"You're okay," Shiro says hoarsely, "you're okay."

Keith tightens his arms around his brother's neck. "I am, I'm alright, I'm here."

"Never do that to me again, kiddo, or I will ground you so hard. Understood?"

Keith knocks his temple against Shiro's. "Roger that."

Shiro sets him down, hands on his shoulders, and gives him a critical once-over. When he deems Keith to be in good shape, he sighs and says, "I'm going to go completely grey at this rate, and it'll be your fault."

Keith rubs his neck, sheepish. He can't refute that; he's been giving Shiro grief since the Garrison. "I'm sorry."

Shiro ruffles his hair and Keith bears with it, just this once. "Not your fault. Though you and Lance are due for another lesson on Why We Don't Engage Robeasts Without the Lions or Reinforcements."

Keith groans. "Ugh, do we have to?"

There's a laugh, and from behind Shiro, Hunk appears. "Yup, that's good ol' Keith, alright. C'mere, buddy, you owe me a hug for all the stress I experienced."

"Hey, Lance is responsible for half of that, too," Keith grouses, but he lets Hunk gather him up, reciprocating as best he can with his feeble arms.

"Don't worry, I got a full cuddle session out of him while you were out. He cried the entire time."

"Hunk!" Lance exclaims. "Seriously?"

Hunk's chest moves with his laughter, and Keith grins with him.

"Don't go dying on me anytime soon, alright?" Hunk says.

"I'll try my best," Keith replies. They know he can't promise more than that.

"Good enough for me." Hunk gently squeezes him once, mindful of his state, and then passes him off to Pidge.

She says nothing, only buries her face in his chest and locks her arms around his waist. He's reminded, suddenly, that for all of her intelligence and cunning, she's still so young.

He rests his cheek on her head. "I'm sorry I worried you."

"Next time," she says, "next time, just—just wait for us. Okay?"

Keith meets Lance's eyes across the room, and swallows.

"Okay," he says. "Okay. I hear you, Pidge. We'll wait."

She steps back, lifts her glasses and scrubs hastily at her eyes. She flaps a hand at him. "Coran and Allura are up next, go on."

He pats her on the head and she doesn't even elbow him in the stomach for it.

"You are one troublesome young man," Coran says when Keith comes to a stop in front of him. His hands are on his hips.

Keith's shoulders rise to his ears, and he eyes Coran apprehensively.

Coran narrows his eyes at him, and then abruptly, Keith's being tucked under a scruffy chin. Coran hasn't been shaving. He sniffles loudly, and Keith dutifully pats him on the back, fondness welling up in his throat.

Allura peeks around Coran's arm and gives him an amused, commiserating smile. Keith returns it, wobbly.

She wordlessly takes Keith's hand in both of hers, holds it to her chest, and leans in to drop a kiss on his forehead, tender. It leaves Keith winded.