Work Text:
"Unauthorized Disruption"
Keith was flipping through the TV channels absentmindedly. The other Paladins were getting released in a couple of hours, but he had to stay because the trauma to his head was worse than any of the others. He had had his fair share of visitors as well, ranging from Krolia and Kolivan to Iverson and Sam to Shiro and the other Paladins. At that moment, though, he was by himself as Krolia had excused herself to procure some real food for Keith and to smuggle it in. When she said this, Keith grinned and offered to let her use his wolf as an accomplice. She grinned back and took the wolf with her.
Keith was about to change the channel when he recognized Shiro's voice. Apparently, to stop reporters from storming the hospital, Shiro agreed to hold a press conference and answer a few questions. Shiro started the conference by explaining who each of the Paladins were. As he talked about each one, pictures showed up on the screen beside him, rotating every few minutes to show a new picture. Shiro talked about Keith first. Keith couldn't concentrate on Shiro's words as it hurt his head a little. He looked at the pictures, which showed Red Lion and then Black Lion. It showed Keith in his casual clothes, Red Paladin armor, Blade of Marmora uniform, Garrison cadet uniform with the facial scar, and again in the Red Paladin armor with the facial scar. Keith turned off the TV. He honestly wanted to know what Shiro was saying, but his head was pounding. He turned off the light and closed his eyes, which lessened the pounding in his head. Maybe some sleep was a good idea.
%%%
"...He is a real hero."
A beer bottle hit the wall next to the TV, shattering the glass and littering the hard wood floor with glass and cheap beer.
"That little shit actually made something of himself, and we get none of the credit," David Everett slurred. "I better go see to it that he hasn't forgotten us or that he doesn't think he's better than us."
%%%
The hospital staff had been told who got to visit the saviors of Earth, but there were issues during changes in the staff, which was how an unauthorized person got past them. They had been busy preparing to discharge four out the five heroes when one David Everett slipped by the nurse's station and into Keith Kogane's room.
David looked at the teen asleep in the bed. He still had bandages wrapped around his head and had the same scar as the pictures on the TV. He kicked the bed, jarring Keith awake. "Hello, brat."
Keith had been resting for a short amount of time when he was rudely awakened by someone kicking his bed. His eyes flew open, and his ears heard a voice that made Keith pray he was still dreaming. "Hello, brat."
Keith briefly met the other man's gaze before he dropped his to his lap. "Mr. Everett!"
"Is that anyway to treat the man who raised you to be the galaxy saving Paladin you are today?" David reached out and grabbed Keith by the mullet, causing him to cry out. "I always hated this hair style on you, so now I'll-"
"Unhand my son or risk losing that arm!"
Keith couldn't be happier to see his mom, Kolivan, and Cosmo. David wisely released Keith and took a couple of steps away, which gave Cosmo enough room to teleport himself between his master and the intruder. Krolia stared daggers at David, while Kolivan went to Keith's side. "Are you all right, kit?"
"My head hurts worse now, but other than that, yes."
Upon hearing that her son was hurting worse, Krolia growled at David Everett, who stupidly stood his ground. "I raised that boy to be the galaxy saving Paladin he is today!"
Krolia snarled. "Wrong. The one responsible for caring for and raising him is Takashi Shirogane!"
David scoffed. "Lieutenant Shirogane took the obedience I fostered in that boy and allowed him to become reckless and have discipline issues."
"He is a wonderful person that shouldn't have to be in your presence anymore." Krolia noticed a nurse walking by Keith's room. "Ma'am, this person isn't authorized to have access to Keith Kogane's room. He needs to be removed immediately."
At the sound of Keith’s name, the nurse immediately signaled security. Two men in blue uniforms entered the room and located the unauthorized person. "Come with us, sir, or we will remove you by force."
David left with one of the security guards. The other one bowed to the three Blades. "Our apologies, folks. I hope nothing happened."
"He grabbed my son by the hair when he is recovering from a head injury," Krolia nearly hissed.
"I will alert the nurses to add that to his chart and possibly up his dosage for a few days."
"I don't need more medication. As long as Mr. Everett doesn't come back, I will be fine."
"Very well." The security guard bowed again before leaving.
Krolia turned to Keith. "Are you sure, kit? You're not in any more pain?"
"All I need is you, Mom." Keith held out his arms.
Krolia smiled gently, approached Keith, and picked him up, settling on to the bed with Keith on her lap. She purred to him, nuzzling his neck. He sighed in contentment, a purr rising in his throat. Cosmo jumped onto the bed and laid down beside his master and mistress. Kolivan stayed next to the bed but locked eyes with the person standing outside of Keith’s room, hidden from mother and son.
%%%
Shiro had been on his way to see Keith as he was still in the hospital. He was surprised at the extra security at the nurse's station. As he handed them his badge, he caught sight of someone he would have preferred to never see again. Shiro's lip curled up into a sneer at the sight of David Everett, the one person who abused Keith when he was a child in his care. Shiro turned his back to the man as a security guard escorted him out.
"Thank you, Captain Shirogane. We apologize for the added security, but someone had slipped by and distressed one of our patients."
"Which one?" Shiro asked, fearing he already knew the answer.
"We're afraid it was Keith Kogane."
"May I go see him now?"
"Of course."
Shiro walked down the corridor and paused outside of Keith’s room. He could see that Keith was being cared for by his mom, Cosmo, and Kolivan. He locked eyes with the Marmora leader for a moment before looking at Keith. He saw his eyes were closed and heard a purr coming from him. He quietly and quickly backed away from the room, not wanting to overwhelm the injured Paladin. He stopped by the nurse's station again.
"Was there an issue, sir?"
"No. He is sleeping, and I don't want to disturb him. I will come by later to visit him." Shiro exited the hospital. He was glad Keith finally had a family that cared for him deeply; as deeply as Shiro cared for him.
Fin