Work Text:
See, I've been having me a real hard time
But it feels so nice to know I'm gonna be alright
…
“Soooo,” Matt hums around his mouthful of noodles. “You and Adam leave in a week for your honeymoon to Italy, right?”
“Yup!” Shiro beams, wiping his greasy fingers on a napkin. “And I cannot wait. He’s been so busy with the new movie and we nev-”
“ Dispatch to 1 Bravo 25, ” the radio relays, crackling to life and interrupting Shiro.
Shiro’s ears perk up and he glances over at the radio on the dashboard, Matt nodding his head for him to pick it up, still stuffing his face full of their takeout.
Picking the radio up, Shiro calls back, “Go ahead for 1 Bravo 25?”
“ We have a 10-50, major MVA on Trinity and Oceanview. Code 1, we have a child in critical condition. ”
“ Shit ,” Matt curses as he fumbles to put his food away, Shiro already flicking the lights and sirens on.
“10-4, dispatch. We’ll be there in 5.”
Matt shifts gears and floors it, their ambulance skidding around corners and maneuvering around various obstacles as he races to the scene, Shiro taking a couple deep breaths to prepare himself.
As they close in, Shiro feels his heart beat pick up at the white smoke that stains the black night sky, a copious amount of flashing red and blue lights coming into view.
Turning the corner onto Oceanview Way, Shiro spots a couple fire engines as well as police cars, an officer moving a cone to let them pass and enter the scene.
“Fuck,” Matt mumbles, Shiro’s face falling at the sight of the wreckage.
A black tanker truck is backed up a little to show the sight of a silver SUV, the driver’s side completely smashed in and parts of the car strewn about everywhere, one of the wheels a few feet away from where it should be.
Shiro feels himself sniffling, the scene hitting a little too close to home.
The SUV strongly reminds him of his Aunt Krolia’s, but it was too late for them to be out on a drive.
Hopping out, Shiro goes around back to open the doors while Matt runs over to check the wreckage and help a couple firefighters with the injured kid.
Taking the stretcher and some equipment out, Shiro rolls it out of the back, but Matt intercepts him, his eyes wide behind his glasses.
“S-Shiro,” Matt stutters, voice wavering.
“Yeah?” Shiro hums, quirking a brow. “Where’s the kid?”
Shiro then notices that Matt’s crying. “I-I’m so sorry, Shiro…”
“Why?” Shiro asks, voice unintentionally raising, not liking how Matt seemed to be avoiding something big .
Matt shakes his head, taking his glasses off and wiping his eyes.
Just as Shiro opens his mouth to ask what’s gotten into him, his world stops.
Around the front of the ambulance, bundled up in a firefighter's arms with a blanket and hippo plushie, is a sleeping Keith, Shiro’s little cousin.
It’s a moment that’ll live with Shiro forever.
…
Shiro has his head in his hands, his eyes red and puffy from crying so much.
In the room behind him, the life support continues beeping, finally building a steady rhythm and giving him a bit of hope.
“Takashi?”
Shiro’s head snaps up, seeing his husband through blurry eyes. “A-Adam?”
Adam sighs, eyes sad behind his thin frames. “Oh, Takashi .”
Before he can even blink, Adam has his arms around him, rubbing his back, and the dam breaks once more, Shiro’s eyes still having enough to continue crying, apparently.
“T-They’re gone, Adam. Tex a-and Krolia, they’re gone .”
“Shhh,” Adam hushes, kissing his cheek. “Breathe, baby. You’ve had a rough night.”
Shiro’s body continues to wrack with sobs, Adam continuing to console him.
“How is he?” Adam murmurs into Shiro’s hair once he’s calmed down.
Shiro sniffles, burrowing his face into Adam’s neck. “H-He’s ok. They had to fix his nose and he broke a couple ribs, but he’s ok.”
“Is he awake?”
Shiro shakes his head. “No. His head also took a little damage, and he’s got a scar across his cheek.”
“He’ll pull through.” Adam murmurs. “He’s a strong kid.”
“Yeah,” Shiro agrees, pulling back and smiling a little. “Even if he does annoy the hell out of you.”
Adam rolls his eyes, but can’t contain his smile either. “Yeah, yeah.”
From around the corner, a doctor emerges, busy tapping away at his tablet while a nurse follows behind closely.
The doctor wordlessly enters Keith’s room, Shiro watching from outside with Adam while the nurse clears her throat.
“Yes?” Adam asks, turning to face her.
“Dr. Watts estimates that Keith should be able to leave the hospital in around a week, and is expected to make a full recovery.”
Shiro beams, but his smile falters at the sullen look in the nurse’s eyes.
“I’m sure you heard, but both of Keith’s parents were killed in the crash. They died on impact.”
Shiro sighs sadly, combing a hand through his awkward tuft of black hair.
“Did any of the officers figure out how the accident happened?” Adam asks, placing a hand on Shiro’s shoulder for comfort.
“They still need to finish the investigation, but it seems like a DUI. According to the police report, the truck driver’s BAC was well over the limit.”
Shiro’s fists clench at his sides, a vein in his forehead bulging as he tries to keep the rage in, Adam’s grip tightening in warning.
“I’m gonna kill him,” Shiro growls.
“ Takashi! ” Adam hisses, glaring at him from underneath his glasses.
“I understand this news is most upsetting, so I’ll give you some time to calm down.”
The nurse gives Shiro a sad smile before she turns around and heads into Keith’s room, joining the doctor in checking up on Keith.
“Takashi, I know you’re upset - I am too, believe me, but you have to calm down. Ok?”
“Adam, that bastard killed my Aunt and Uncle, and put my baby cousin in the ICU!” Shiro snaps, Adam wincing at his outburst.
Shiro recoils at the look that passes over Adam’s face, his shoulders slumping. “Sorry…”
“It’s ok, honey,” Adam reassures, hugging him again. “I got some of the best lawyers in the business, we’ll make sure that idiot gets what he deserves, alright?”
Shiro nods his head, but then he remembers what he needs to ask Adam.
“Hey, hon?”
“Hmm?” Adam hums into Shiro’s neck.
“I was thinking… what if we… adopted Keith.”
In a flash, Adam pulls back, eyes wide. “ What .”
“You heard me,” Shiro replies. “I’m his only next of kin and I sure as hell am not sending him to the foster care system.”
“But what about our honeymoon?” Adam asks, brows pinched down.
Shiro’s whole face scrunches up like he just took a bite of a lemon, eyes going steely. “Adam… seriously? That’s what you’re worried about?”
Adam scoffs. “Well, for one, we paid a fortune for that trip and two, it’s our honeymoon , a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
“So?” Shiro says, rolling his eyes. “We can try and refund it, or move it back. Either way, what’s the big deal if we have to wait a little while?”
“What’s the big deal? What’s the big deal ?!” Adam seethes. “Takashi, is this not as important to you as it is to me ?”
“Oh my god , Adam.” Shiro groans, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You’re the most important person in my life, without a doubt. But Keith is second, and I’m not letting him go to the system.” Shiro’s eyes then turn mischievous, a grin splitting his face. “Plus,” he purrs. “I thought you wanted to adopt. Hmm?”
That gets Adam to falter. “I… Well… I-I’d never thought we’d adopt right now !”
“So?” Shiro says again. “What’s it matter if it was a few years earlier than expected?”
“Can you at least give me an hour to make up my mind?” Adam sighs, letting his forehead rest on Shiro’s shoulder.
“Sure thing, hon.”
It only took Adam five.
…
“Here we are!” Shiro cheers jovially as Keith steps out of his pick up truck, looking at Adam’s mansion with a rather bored expression.
“Have I been here before?” Keith grumbles, crossing his arms but keeping his hippo plush in the safe confines of his arms.
“Yup! It’s my husband Adam’s house, remember?”
“Oh.” Is all Keith says.
Shiro tries to grab one of Keith’s hands to hold, but Keith looks away, keeping his small hands securely wrapped around his hippo.
Feeling his confidence waver for only a second, Shiro briskly brushes it off. Keith was still pretty rattled after the accident, after all.
He leads them to the front steps and inside, Keith looking up and actually showing emotion when his wide eyes see how high the ceiling goes.
“Woah…” he hears his little cousin breathe whimsically, Shiro’s grin widening.
“Pretty sweet, right?” Shiro boasts, chest puffing out at his husband’s success in Hollywood. “Adam is one hell of a man, Keith. I remember when we-”
Shiro cuts himself off as he hears Keith’s footsteps echo off the marble floor, and frowns as he sees the young kid make his way up the staircase.
“Keith?” Shiro calls, walking after him. “Uh… where are you going?”
Keith doesn’t say anything as Shiro opts to trail after him.
It was like that on the ride here, too. The entire time during the 1 hour car ride from the hospital to Adam’s mansion, Keith hadn’t said a single word. Shiro, ever persistent, tried to at least start up some form of small talk, but Keith held his silence.
Just like his mom.
Shiro snaps out of it as Keith opens a door, coincidentally the door to the room that he and Adam picked out for Keith, already decked out with all sorts of amenities that Shiro just knew Keith was going to love.
Shiro steps into the spacious bedroom behind Keith, putting on his best smile for the kid.
“So, whaddya think, Keith? Pretty cool, right?”
Keith’s nose scrunches up, and for a moment Shiro thinks he has to sneeze, but instead Keith speaks. “Why are there dinosaurs everywhere?”
Huh?
Shiro blinks owlishly. “Because…” he carefully starts, “they’re your favorite animal?”
Keith looks up at Shiro, eyebrows pinched in frustration. “No they’re not.”
Again, huh ?!
“W-What do you mean?” Shiro asks, completely puzzled. “But you’ve always loved dinosaurs, since the day I met you!”
Keith crosses his arms and huffs, putting his foot down. “Dinosaurs are alright, but mothman and UFOs are way cooler. And one day, I’m gonna find one.”
Shiro’s jaw drops, and he stares at the kid who’s barely 4’2, yet apparently already believes in at least a couple conspiracy theories.
“Keith,” Shiro starts, in a soft yet stern tone (that he’ll end up using a lot ), “ please don’t tell me you actually believe in those hoaxes.”
“They’re not hoe-axes!” Keith frustratedly declares, mispronouncing a word and making tiny little fists at his side. “They are real and I’ll find them!”
Shiro sighs tiredly, but ruffles Keith’s hair, Keith reacting like Adam’s cat and glaring at him from under his mop of hair.
“Whatever you say, champ.”
…
Finishing another long shift, Shiro hoists himself out of his pickup, grinning when he sees Adam’s black Audi R8 already sitting in the driveway.
Shiro throws the front doors open dramatically, throwing his head back and puffing his lips out like a fish.
“Honey, I’m homeeee~” he calls into the large foyer, obnoxiously loud.
Shiro waits for a couple beats, arms still outstretched in his dramatic pose, but his face falls when he hears arguing from the kitchen.
“Keith! What have I said time and time again!”
Adam .
Shiro curses Adam for having such a giant house as he runs like a sprinter to the kitchen, entering just as Keith retorts.
“So what! You’re not even my real dad!”
“Keith!” Shiro gasps, coming up to Adam’s side, but his husband isn’t even fazed by Keith’s low blow.
“I don’t care! Go to your room! Now .”
Keith growls, a couple stray tears rolling down his cheeks. “I hate you!” He screams, then turns around and runs upstairs, and Shiro’s good mood falls completely as he hears Keith’s little sobs on his way up.
“What happened?” Shiro asks softly, brushing a hand against Adam’s cheek.
Adam pushes Shiro’s hand off of his face, turning his head away from Shiro, and it’s then that Shiro realizes he’s crying too.
“I-I don’t know if I’m fit to be a dad, Takashi,” Adam whispers, crossing his arms and drawing his shoulders up protectively. “I don’t even know what I’m doing .”
“That’s why we work together ,” Shiro reminds, wrapping his arms around Adam’s waist from behind and kissing his neck. “We’re in this together, remember? We’re a team .”
“Right,” Adan sighs. “We’re a team.”
He turns around in Shiro’s arms and kisses him, Shiro humming happily into it.
“I’m gonna go check up on Keith, ok?”
Adam’s face falls, but he nods. “Yeah. You probably should.”
Shiro quietly makes his way up the stairs, stopping in front of Keith’s door.
Taking a deep breath in and flexing his hands, he pumps himself up. “You can do this, Shirogane. You’re just talking to Keith. Your little hotheaded impulsive cousin that you adopted.”
Knock knock .
From inside, Shiro hears bed sheets rustling and then small footsteps, before the door is thrown open and has Shiro looking down upon Keith, eyes red with a blanket over him like a cape, his trusty hippo who he had named ‘Hamma’ in one of his arms of course.
“Oh, it’s you,” Keith says around a sniffle, before he turns around and waddles with the blanket still draped over him and hops back up on the bed, burrowing into the covers.
Shiro takes that as his cue to enter, and he quickly admires the purple galaxy with white stars wallpaper they painted on, as well as spaceships, model planets of all sorts and UFOs hanging from the ceiling while a board with a map adorned with pictures of mothman pinned to it take up the wall on the right over his desk.
Let’s just say Keith’s whole ‘finding Mothman’ project didn’t go over too well with Adam, and it took a lot of persuasion and a few favors from Shiro to get Adam to not tear it down.
Joining the lump on the bed, Shiro sits down, groaning dramatically like an old man with a weak back.
“You alive in there?” He teases, poking at the lump known as Keith.
The lump jolts at Shiro’s poke, and Shiro grins when he hears Keith try to stifle his giggling.
Shiro pokes Keith again, and then again, and before he knows it, he’s bombarding Keith with tickles and has his cousin thrashing about like a snake, his giggles turning to shrieks of laughter.
“S-Shiro!” Keith pleads. “S-St- Ha ha! Stop!”
Shiro cedes his torture, smile widening tenfold when he sees the bright grin on Keith’s face, which is also red from laughter. “D-Don’t do that, it feels funny.”
“Alright, alright.” Shiro huffs, before he realizes why he’s here in the first place. “Hey, Keith?”
“Hmm?” Keith hums, not paying attention as he nuzzles his face into Hamma’s fur.
“Can you tell me why you and Adam were arguing?” Shiro asks softly.
Keith’s eyes drop, and he looks away, nuzzling even further into Hamma and mumbling something that Shiro doesn’t catch.
“What was that?” Shiro asks, laying a hand on Keith’s shoulder and urging him to look at him.
He doesn’t, but speaks louder. “H-He told me that I h-have to go to school on Monday but- but- I don’t wanna go!” Keith wails, tears already forming again.
And so it begins.
Shiro spends the next hour gently explaining to Keith why school is important, but nothing passes through to the young boy until Shiro gets a great idea.
“You wanna know why school’s the most important?” Shiro hums, smirking.
“Why?” Keith groans, having been done with Shiro’s lecture all of 59 minutes ago.
“Well, Keith,” Shiro starts, face going sad. “How are you gonna find mothman or aliens if you don’t even know where to look? Hmm?”
That get’s Keith’s attention, drawing a gasp from the boy. “W-Wait, school can teach me where to find mothman?!”
“Mhm,” Shiro confirms, smiling. “It can help you.”
He takes the opportunity to point at the model starship he got for Keith. “And see that ship up there?”
“Yeah?”
“If you pursue your dreams, you could be sailing among the stars. They have schools for astronauts, y’know. Gotta finish college first, though.”
“Aww, but college is so far away!” Keith whines, flopping down onto the bed.
“I know, but it gives you a good goal, wouldn’t you say?”
Keith’s brow pinches in his signature pensive look, before he smiles, the corners of his mouth minutely turning up.
“Yeah,” Keith breathes. “A goal.”
…
On Keith’s first day, Shiro gets called into the principal’s office.
He groans when he sees Adam’s Audi in the parking lot.
Making his way through the school, Shiro is led right to the Principal’s office, where a very pissed off looking Keith sits with an equally pissed off Adam, both of their arms crossed, with a woman sitting across from them, a sniffling kid latched onto her arm.
Principal Ryner looks up when Shiro walks in, and Shiro then notices that both kids have scratches and bruises all over them.
Great .
“Mr. Shirogane.” Ryner stands up and shakes Shiro’s hand. “Please, take a seat.”
Shiro plops down on the other side of Keith, and takes one last glance at the other boy before he diverts his attention back to Ryner.
“There was… an incident between Keith and Lance, over here.” Ryner starts. “From what we’ve gathered, they fought over the last seat in musical chairs, according to Mr. Smythe.”
All the other three adults collectively groan.
“Keith, what have we said about being nice to others?” Adam sternly asks, staring out the window, patience as thin as ice.
“That we should be nice…” Keith mumbles, before shouting, “but he pushed me first!”
“Did not!” Lance snaps, head whipping up to glare daggers at Keith.
“Did too!” Keith retorts, moving to stand.
“Hey,” Shiro warns, putting his hand out in front of Keith to stop him from moving. “Easy. Patience yields focus.”
Keith crosses his arms, but sits back down. “Psh. Whatever.”
“Anyway,” Ryner interrupts, looking quite distraught herself. “Both of them had a little fight, but Mr. Smythe was worried that Keith did quite a bit of damage.”
“He did!” Lance shouts, sniffling loudly.
“Lance, you’re fine ,” his mother groans. “You just don’t know when to quit.”
Sensing some tension brewing, Shiro raises his hand.
“Um, yes, Mr. Shirogane?” Ryner asks with a raised brow.
“I have an idea,” Shiro starts. “What if we have Keith and Lance hangout a little. I think they might’ve just gotten off on the wrong foot.”
“Are you crazy ?!” Keith hisses at the same time cries “No!”
“I think that’s an excellent idea, love.” Adam smirks, sun eerily reflecting off of his glasses. “Wouldn’t you agree, Mrs. McClain?”
The woman laughs, and shakes Adam’s hand. “Sounds good to me. Little Lance could use a friend or two, my poor baby’s been bullied by all those mean kids.”
“Then we have a deal.” Adam says.
Standing up, Shiro winks at Lance, putting on a happy façade for the disgruntled kid. “See you soon, Lance! Say bye to your new friend, Keith!”
Keith doesn’t look at him, opting to stare at the floor, but mumbles a ‘bye’ under his breath.
Shiro will gladly take it.
…
The school year goes on, and to Shiro’s shocked surprise, Lance and Keith actually hit it off really well.
Both of them bond over their love for space, making up a game and shouting about some sort of ‘Voltron’ as they stampede around the house, Adam chasing after them and making sure they don’t break anything.
They celebrate Keith’s 10th birthday, inviting Lance and a couple new friends - Hunk and Pidge - over as well to celebrate.
It’s the happiest Shiro’s ever seen him, though he doesn’t miss the look of sadness that passes through Keith’s eyes.
No matter what he did, he’d never be as good as Krolia or Tex.
…
The years march on, and Keith’s now in high school, shocking Shiro but not Adam when he comes out as gay and also announcing that him and Lance were dating .
“Seriously, Takashi, from day 1 I knew those two were meant for each other! I should've bet on it… ”
“How?!” Shiro screeches, still at a loss of how he didn’t notice sooner.
But no matter what, Shiro still didn’t feel good enough.
Both Adam and Keith are busy now, and he’s barely gotten to spend any time with them, and after a really rough day on the job, he breaks.
Keith waltzes into the family room, but stops dead in his tracks when he hears it.
Slowly, cautiously, he walks up to the couch, eyebrows raising behind his hair when he spots Shiro on the couch, sobbing into a pillow.
“ Woah , hey,” Keith takes a seat on the couch, laying a hand on Shiro’s shoulder. “Shiro, are you okay?”
Shiro continues to cry, just feeling done at this point.
Not sad, mad, or even tired. Just done.
“I-I don’t know what to do,” Shiro finally admits when he’s done crying. “I’ve failed you.”
“Failed me- What- Shiro… How- What?!”
Shiro looks over his shoulder, eyes red and puffy, and sniffles. “No matter what I do, I’ll never be as good as them. And I can’t help but feel like a disappointment.” Shiro murmurs sadly, sniffling.
“Them? What are you- Oh.” Recognition passes over Keith’s face, and he wraps his arms around Shiro in a tight hug.
“Shiro, don’t you dare think that. You’ve been nothing but amazing for me and Adam since day 1.” He leans back and smiles at Shiro. “I couldn't have asked for more from you.”
“But-”
“Nuh uh. I don’t wanna hear it.”
“I just… I miss them.”
Keith sighs, body slumping. “Me too. Everyday.” He looks up, and smiles again. “But I know they’re proud of me. But they’re also proud of you , Shiro. You always try your best.”
“But what if my best isn’t good enough?” Shiro asks, eyes sad.
“It’s good enough for me.”
Shiro’s face wobbles, and he crushes Keith in a hug, crying yet again.
“When did you become the motivational one?” Shiro asks wetly into Keith’s shoulder.
“Kinda rubs off on you when you have Lance as a boyfriend,” Keith says.
Both of them laugh, and for the first time in a long time, Shiro feels quite happy himself.
…
Even more time has passed, and Lance and Keith have both gone to college and just gotten married, becoming high school sweethearts, with no doubt in either Shiro or Adam’s minds.
But, after the reception, Shiro and Adam are approached by the newlyweds, both wearing bashful looks.
“Hey, honey, look!” Adam says, grabbing Shiro’s hand and grinning. “If it isn’t Thing 1 and Thing 2!”
“Oh, shush Adam,” Keith says with an eye roll. “I’m trying to be nice to you for once.”
“Please,” Adam groans. “You all love me.”
“Uh huh.” Keith deadpans.
“ Anyway ,” Lance interjects, bumping shoulders with Keith. “We have something to give to you two.” He looks over at his husband with fond eyes. “Keith?”
“Right.” Keith coughs, revealing an envelope from behind his back and handing it to Shiro. “Here.”
Curiously, Shiro opens it, and gasps when two tickets and a letter pop out.
Shiro reads the letter first, already feeling the warmth behind his eyes. He was a crier, after all.
To Shiro and Adam,
I know I’m not the best with words, so I’m just gonna keep it short. Thank you both. For everything. And always remember, my parents are proud of ALL of us. Now, enjoy your gift, ya old men.
Love,
Keith and Lance Kogane-McClain
Shiro picks the tickets up, gasping again when he sees they’re tickets for Mexico.
“We’re going to Cuba and Korea for our honeymoon, but we know you two never got to go on yours so we thought-”
Keith’s cut off as Adam brings him and Lance in a hug, Shiro joining in as well.
“Keith,” Adam sniffles, trying to hide his tears. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you ,” Keith corrects. “I’m only gonna say this once, but: I love you guys.”
“We love you too!” Shiro blubbers, clutching Adam.
Lance laughs at their antics, before he brings Keith in for a kiss. “Told you they’d love your idea, babe.”
Adam continues to fawn over the letter, crying even louder when he sees they’re going to an upscale resort, while Shiro places a hand on Keith and Lance’s shoulders.
“Thanks again, you two. I hope you guys have a good honeymoon.”
“Right back at ya, Shiro.” Lance says, giving him his notorious finger guns.
They finish their goodbyes, and as Keith leaves with a husband of his own, it’s then that Shiro realizes it.
His mission is over.
He doesn’t stop smiling.
Ever.