Chapter Text
BEEP BEEP BEEP.
Lance turns onto his side, the long summer after his fourth year at med school, his sleeping pattern has returned to.. how do I put this? Fucked.
He looks down at his phone, 7:38am.
"Shit" he utters, jumping out of bed, knowing he has a little under 30 minutes before he needs to set off for his first day on placement at the ED. "Ay ay ay! ¡qué pasó!"
He quickly pulls on the light blue scrubs he picked up the day before for his shift and pulls the white jacket reading "Lance McClain, student nurse, Garrison ED" on it before leaving his bedroom of his shared apartment.
Lance's roommate, Noah, sits at the breakfast bar eating a bowl of cereal with a hot coffee, "Lance! I thought you left?"
"I should have." Lance grumbles, brushing his fingers through his untamed curls in an attempt to fix them, "did my alarms go off?"
"Not that I recall." Noah shrugs, stuffing another spoonful of off brand corn flakes into his mouth, Lance moves frantically around, as the 30 minutes he had reaches 10 quickly.
He rushes to the bathroom, brushing his teeth before cleansing his face with his, now minimised, self care routine. As his "set off" alarm beeps violently, rumbling on the bathroom countertop, Lance rushes to grab his rucksack and head to his car outside.
-
There is two things that Lance hates most about the city, the people and the-
"FUCKING TRAFFIC!" he honks the horn of his rusted, blue box that he happens to call a car, it's untuned belt harmonising with other cars in the standstill. His eye's shift between the digital clock of his radio, the stop lights taunting him from above, and his appearance in the rear view mirror.
As his anxiety begins to peak there's finally movement that allows him to rush off down the route to the hospital. He parks in the multi-storey beside the hospital and can finally take a moment to breathe.
Despite the shift starting at nine, he managed to arrive at just gone half-past eight. He opens the creaky battered door of his car and slams it shut, sending a crash through the multi-storey; waking him up properly. He slings the plain black backpack over his shoulder before locking the car and heading towards the stairwell.
-
Outside the ED, there is one of the best and most delicious 24 hour food trucks. The staff, the patients and the visitors adore the food and the charming man who runs the early shift.
"Morning Dr Holt!" The truck vendor smiles, his youthful charm giving a positive affirmation for her day, "the usual? Sausage and bacon bun with a black coffee?" He asks.
"You know me too well," Pidge smiles, Pidge is a med student of remarkable talent, she graduated early from highschool with the highest grades and scores seen since the late 80s. 4th year med student and 2nd year student doctor. "Can I also add a latte and a green tea to that? I'm feeling nice."
Within minutes her order is ready, she balances the sausage and bacon bun on her arm and holds the three drinks in the take out tray; heading towards the bench outside the entrance, where her partner is sat.
"Here you go!" Pidge grins, for once looking down at the taller one, holding out his latte to him, "Have you heard from Lance yet?" She says.
"Thank you, and nope." Hunk smiles, 4th year med student and 1st year student doctor. Hunk doesn't plan to work in the ED but to pass his course it is required. He's always planned to be a fireman and paramedic, he just needs at least one year of being a student doctor to do it.
"Weird, he's never late unless it's a class he really doesn't want to do," she unwraps the bun from its tin foiled rap before taking a bite.
Hunk nods sipping his latte, his free arm wrapped around her waist as they bundle in the cold atmosphere.
As laboured breathing becomes apparent, Hunk looks to his side as Lance appears out of thin air.
"Those," heave. "Stairs." Wheeze. "Should be." Heave. "Illegal!" Lance manages to get out.
"Eh you get used to it." Pidge utters from her food, "green tea?" She holds it out to him.
"I fucking love you." Lance sighs, taking a sip from the piping hot tea; letting it's warmth run down his throat.
"I know, I have that effect on people." She says, finishing up her breakfast.
As loud crackles from a motorbikes exhaust grow silent, a helmeted person approaches the three of them before pulling the helmet off, allowing a long, thick, black mullet to fall from it onto a pale sheet of skin.
"No coffee for me?" He asks, Keith Kogane, 5th year medical student, 2nd year student doctor, brother of the Boss.
"No because we hate you." Lance groans, "why the dramatic entrance."
"You tell me, you're jaw was dropped and I'm sure I saw a bit of drool." Keith smirks, "I'm excited to work with you Nurse McClain." He chimes before heading into the building, the trio shortly following afterwards.
This group wasn't always together, Keith started med school a year before the rest of them but only knew Pidge when she finally started. The Kogane/Shirogane family and the Holt's have always been in "business" with eachother, often owning joint businesses or relationships.
On the other hand, Hunk and Lance have been best friends for as long as they could remember, so have been stuck together for years, including medical school.
The group was put together for a group presentation and the majority of them immediately clicked, some faster than others and four years later moving in together.
Ever since Pidge and Hunk developed a bond everyone began betting when they'd finally get together. Matt won by saying 18 months. Keith and Lance are still salty over this.
As they walk into the ED, conversations between the group begin to muffle in Lance's ears. It was finally happening. The beginning of his future.
-
"Good morning first years and second years!" Shiro, head of hospital (Keith's older brother), greets them, "I'm going to be pairing you up and sending you along with our trained doctors. When you hear your name raise your hand."
The students nod, looking around.
Takashi "Shiro" Shirogane was a born leader, his attitude towards work was always prominent to be professional and perfect however he still has the capability to treat his staff with respect and guide them to be happy and healthy doctors.
Shiro starts reading names out and pairing them with Doctors within the ED, "hm, Katie Holt?" He looks up from his clipboard, smiling at Pidge, "or should I say Pidge, welcome back!" Pidge holds her hand up, "you're partnered with.. Lance McClain!" Pidge groans to which Lance jabs her with his elbow. "Your doctor is Adam White. Head surgeon."
Lance rolls his eyes as he sees Pidge's eyes light up and her aura change at the mention of Adam's name. All throughout Med School, Pidge has continuously kept up with all of Adam's achievements, work and even books, she aspires to be him one day. Everytime there was a presentation on Surgery that was being presented by Doctor White; pidge was guaranteed to be there.
"And finally, Keith Kogane and Hunk Garrett, you're working with me." Shiro smirks, his plan to watch over his brother working a charm.
"Lance let me swap." Keith begs, "I can't be with Shiro, I can work well with Adam!"
"Nuh uh!" Lance shakes his head, "I ain't getting in trouble, deal with it mullet."
"Prick." Keith mutters, following Hunk to Shiro.
Pidge and Lance turn around to be greeted by Adam, "Katie, Lance, I hope you two are going to be the best student doctors I have had." He shakes their hands, one of the students more enthusiastic than the other.
"Please! Call me pidge! Oh my gosh, Doctor White I've been such a big fan of your work and it's honestly what got me into wanting to work in a medical field!" Pidge rambles, beaming from cheek to cheek.
"Well, Pidge, It's a pleasure to be finally working with such an enthusiastic student who's as passionate about my work as I am." Adam smiles, "come on, let's go check in on my patient."
Keith stands with a pout across his face, "this totally isn't fair." He grumbles to Hunk, "don't get me wrong, working with you will be great it's just- him." He nods his eyes towards his older brother.
"No I get it, I'd be annoyed too." Hunk chuckles, looking between Pidge, back to Keith, back to Shiro.
"I heard you two moved in together." Keith teases, "I'm surprised she hasn't annoyed you yet." Hunk gives a strained look, "oh."
"Shes not too bad, sleeping however- I wake up with a foot in my rib every morning." He chuckles.
"She's done that her entire life, when we were little, sleepovers were horrendous for a good nights sleep." Keith chuckles.
-
Adam sanitises his hands as he enters his patients room, "Good Morning Zia," Adam says to his younger patient, barely older than 6, "Mr and Mrs Flaun, these are student doctor Katie Holt and Student Nurse Lance McClain, they are here to visually learn from my techniques if that is okay with you?" The two parents nod, "brilliant, how did we sleep last night?"
The little girl is fairly pasty compared to her natural complexion which contrasts from her face to her arms, "It was okay!" Zia says.
"That's good to hear, do you mind sitting up for me sweetheart?" Adam asks, taking the stethoscope from around his neck and placing it on his ears and the end of it against her back, "now can you give a brilliant demonstration to our student Doctor Holt and student Nurse McClain of a nice, big deep breath?"
"Okay!" Zia takes a deep breath.
"And exhale." Adam says before placing the end onto her chest, "and again for me Zia." She does it again. "Brilliant! I'm just going to take your mom and dad outside for a nice chat, how about you tell Doctor Holt and Nurse McClain about your teddies! I'm sure they'd love to hear about them!" Pidge and Lance nod, kneeling beside her bed as Zia tells them about her collection of teddies on the bed.
Adam closes the curtain as the parents follow him out, "this isn't looking good is it?" Zia's mom asks.
Adam shakes his head solemnly, "her breathing is extremely faulty and she seems to be getting worse by the day, The tests I ran yesterday were positive for pneumonia. So with your permission I would like to start Zia on an IV with antibiotics."
"Of course, anything to get her better." Zia's dad agrees.
"Brilliant I will put the order through to bring it down then me and a nurse will come and put the IV in for her," Adam pats the father's shoulder before opening the curtain, "well Zia! I will be back shortly to see you again."
"okay!" Zia smiles, Pidge and Lance following Adam and waving goodbye.
"She was the cutest little thing ever." Pidge says.
"Do you really still sleep with a teddy?" Lance asks.
"What about 'not mentioning it' do you not understand."
-
"Why are we stuck with dummy's." Keith asks flatly, "Lance and Pidge are working with Adam and seeing real patients."
"Keith, I'm just seeing how well you guys do with patients on your own." Shiro says, Hunk stood between the pair of them.
"If I wanted to work on a dummy I'd have chose to stay at Med School instead of work experience." Keith grumbles.
"Enough." Shiro says, "right, we are doing one last practice with the dummy, then you lot have a break and after the break I will take you to 'real' patients. Hunk you're up, CPR."
Hunk stands over the dummy, hands place over its heart and presses rhythmic beats into it, watching the monitor beside him with its stats. After a few rounds, the 'heart' returns to it's original, healthy rhythm.
"Brilliant work Doctor Garrett." Shiro pats his back gently, "what are you wanting to do after this year of student doctoring?"
"My plan is to work in the fire department, hopefully as a paramedic too." Hunk smiles.
"You'd be perfect for it, your top of the class right?" Shiro asks.
"Second, Pidge hasn't got a score lower than 95 ever." Hunk chuckles, "you're brother and I are often fighting for second."
"really?" Shiro asks.
"Why is that so hard to believe?" Keith groans, "just because I dropped out of highschool doesn't mean I'm not smart."
"Alright alright, show us your CPR Keith."
-
Everyone gathers in the conference room before their break, Pidge, Hunk and Lance sit beside eachother.
"Where's Keith?" Pidge asks hunk, he nods down to Adam.
"Adam, I need you to talk to Shiro." Keith begs, "I can't stand working with him as my 'instructor'. He's just using the opportunity to watch over me."
"He's my boss Keith." Adam replies, "I can't tell him what to do."
"You're his husband though."
"True." Adam chuckles, "I'll see what I can do."
Keith takes a seat beside lance, "welcome back soldier, arguing your way out of working?" Lance smirks.
"You're gonna be put with Shiro next." Keith replies.
"What why not Pidge?" Lance pleads.
"History." Pidge picks at her nail beds, "they wouldn't let me and Hunk work together if we bribed them." Hunk nods.
Lance sighs.
"Can I have everyone's attention!" Shiro shouts, the room growing quiet, "before your break we have two of our newest recruits to our team at the hospital here to talk about their experiences here and how they got their jobs! May I introduce Doctors Allura Altea and Romelle Bandor Who are now settled in our childrens' ward!"
Two women walk in front of the room, one with silverish hair tied into a neat bun on top of her head whilst the other has two long blonde ponytails in.
"Good morning students." Allura says.
"I didn't expect a British accent." Keith mumbles.
"You don't know Allura? She was the year before us?" Pidge replies, leaning forward to look at him, "and Romelle?"
"Doesn't ring a bell." Keith shrugs.
"Keith's ego is too massive to notice other people." Lance states, Pidge chuckling.
"So me and Romelle have been asked to come out and talk to you today about the opportunities and process of joining the team here at Garrison Hospital." Allura explains, her hands shaking whilst holding the pink speech cards in her hand, "me and Romelle both did around four years of med school and two years of student doctoring. During our second year as a student doctor here, we were both offered positions at the hospital which were settled in the Children ward."
"There were plenty of other options however we were more suited towards the Children Ward as many of our patients, knowledge and experience was helping children who came in the ED." Romelle adds, "depending on your skill and intelligence this could be this same process as your own."
"If you have any questions at all for us, feel free to come see us anytime today we will be either in the children's ward or around the staff cafeteria." Allura smiles, she nudges Romelle and nods towards Hunk.
Romelle waves frantically to Hunk before Shiro dismisses them.
As the room becomes empty, Keith, Lance, Hunk and Pidge walk towards Romelle and Allura.
"I thought i recognised you guys!" Romelle beams, hugging Hunk and Pidge, "Are you both planning to work here?"
"I need a year of student doctoring for a place in the Fire Department." Hunk smiles.
"I assume you are, Pidge, I heard from someone you're working with Doctor white!" Romelle indirectly asks.
"I'm hoping to follow Doctor White's path and become a surgeon," Pidge replies, "it's so nice seeing you again Romelle, not as two student doctors, but I am still happy to see you!"
"Oh Silly me, do you guys know Allura?" Romelle asks.
"Charmed" lance holds his hand out for Allura's.
"I'm a lesbian." Allura replies flatly, "it's nice to see you again Hunk and Pidge, Melle, Want to get a bite to eat?" Romelle nods and waves everyone off.
"I need some air." Pidge stretches, "let's go sit outside for a bit."
-
"Hey Pidge, can I ask you a question?" Lance asks, watching as Keith lights a cig under Pidge's hand.
"Yeh?" Pidge replies, "what do you want to know?"
"Where did 'Pidge' come from?" Lance asks.
"As in my birth or the name."
"Name, you said you'd tell us a few years ago and I still don't know."
"Me neither." Hunk adds.
"Dude you're dating her aren't you supposed to know all these small things?" Lance asks.
Pidge looks around, "So when I was born, Matt was only young and had this huge speech impediment. So when my full name was agreed on, Katie Paige Holt, Matt tried saying it and couldn't really pronounce Paige. So it sounded like Pidge." She shrugs, "been a family name ever since."
"Matt had a speech impediment?" Lance asks.
"Oh yeah, he had speech therapy for ages." Pidge chuckles, "it was gone by the time he was like six."
Lance nods, "so is your real name Keith or could Shiro not pronounce yours either?"
"No my real name is Bartholomew." Keith says bluntly.
"For real?" Hunk asks.
"No are you stupid." Keith gives a small smile, "nah, my dad called me Keith after his dad."
"Are you gonna call your son Texas after your father?" Pidge chuckles.
"Oh definitely." Keith replies, sarcastically.
-
"Keith, you and Lance are swapping partners, you will be working with Pidge and Adam now." Shiro informs, "Lance you are with me and Hunk."
Lance nods, "have fun with suck up." He says as he walks past Keith.
"Alright everyone, you are all finishing for four o'clock, we will regroup at the conference room for your day's evaluation." Shiro smiles, "off you go!"
-
"Dr white!" Zia shouts as Adam, Pidge and Keith come into her room.
"Hello Zia! You are appearing better in yourself!" Adam smiles, "I see you have an IV now!" Zia nods, "Hello again Mr and Mrs Flaun, I have returned with Student Doctor Holt and now we have Student Doctor Kogane."
"your hair is so long mister!" Zia says, "Are you a prince?"
Pidge chuckles, "if he is he doesn't act like one!" Keith smiles.
"I do too!" Keith chuckles, "are these ALL your teddies?" Keith asks, Zia nods, "you've got a husky teddy! I have a husky at home."
"Really?" Zia's eyes light up, her parents smiling.
Keith kneels down to talk about Kosmo with her, Adam speaks to the parents, "she appears to be taking to the antibiotics well, I assume she will be out of here by four with prescribed medication."
"This is wonderful news." Mrs Flaun says, "thank you so much Doctor White." She hugs him tightly.
"You're very welcome." Adam smiles, leaving shortly with Pidge and Keith.
-
"Sorry to burst your student doctor parade," the head nurse shouts, "I've got a four car pile up accident coming in! Doctor White, you're in trauma 2, head injury, leg and arm trauma! Doctor Shirogane, trauma one, pregnant female, abdominal pain and leg trauma!"
"Page Doctor Altea!" Shiro shouts.
"On it! More coming in shortly!" The head nurse shouts before dialling the number into the phone for Allura, "Gonna need OB Doctor Altea!"
"Pidge, Keith, you're with me!" Adam shouts, guiding the paramedics in, "tell me."
"Head trauma, unconscious behind the wheel, caused the crash, possible seizure, two cars crashed in either side and one head on collision, ankle bone coming out the skin and elbow dislocation and possible wrist fracture." The paramedic says.
"Thanks Flo," Adam says, "Pidge what are we doing first?"
"Xray?" She asks.
"Good, Arm Xray first," the nurses set it up, "clear!" Everyone backs up, looking towards the screen on the side, "definite dislocation to the elbow and break of the wrist," Adam says, "now for the leg, Clear!" Everyone looks on again, "send them down to fractures and breaks and then for a head MRI to see what went on out there."
The nurses whisk the patient away.
-
"My baby? Is it okay?" The pregnant mother shouts, holding onto Shiro's hand.
"We are going to figure this out," Shiro squeezes her hand Gently, Waving Allura over with his spare when she walks out the elevator.
"Hello Miss, I'm Doctor Altea, I'm the OB here, I'm going to take a look at your baby whilst they take a look at your leg." Allura smiles, "I'm just going to lift your shirt up to check the baby on the ultrasound is that okay with you?"
"Please, anything!" The woman pleads.
"Alright alright, just try to relax as much as possible" Allura smiles, lifting her shirt gently and applying the gel onto her stomach before rubbing the ultrasound probe onto her stomach. The two look towards the screen as the picture shows up, "do you need me to call anyone? The father by any chance."
"Oh, no, it's just me and the baby.." the new mother looks towards the screen once again, "the father passed, cancer."
"Oh dear I'm so sorry to hear that." Allura places her free hand on the woman's arm, "well, I can tell you that your baby looks perfectly healthy, do you know the gender?"
"No" she replies.
"Would you like to know?" Allura smiles, the girl nods, "well you are having a baby boy! Congratulations.."
The girl beams, "thank you, as long as he's healthy.. that's great."
"The pain you were probably experiencing appears to be fine, possibly braxton hicks contractions but we can keep you in for a few hours just to ensure everything is safe. I'll leave you with Doctor Shirogane. If you need me just let him know." Allura smiles, "page me." She heads back towards the elevators.
"In other news," Shiro sits beside the woman's bed, "your leg seems to be fine, just a slight fracture so we are gonna send you up for a pot, you will possibly be wheelchair bound for a few weeks whilst it fixes up in the cast just because you are pregnant and it is a lot safer in a wheelchair. I'll have a nurse take you up now."
"Thank you doctor."
-
The day ended at four, they were only allowed to be on shift for a certain amount of time during their student doctoring. Within the final hour the hospital was quiet and the final tasks were following their assigned doctors and checking in on patients.
Zia, the kid with pneumonia, ended up taking well to the antibiotics and has been sent to the children's ward for a few days to have the remaining antibiotics, Keith promised to bring a photo of Kosmo in for her.
The crash victims all came around and left the ER with the biggest injury being a displaced rib.
The expectant mother left by the morning.
Just for everyone to go home.
-
A few months later, once final exams had been taken, final physical assessments as student doctors were taken, it was time for the results.
Lance visited his family for this occasion, he either wanted to celebrate his victory or be comforted for his losses. His mom had cooked a gorgeous meal, it was mouth watering from the scent so he was excited to eat it no matter the emotion he had.
Currently, the family was sitting surrounding Lance on the dinner table as he waited for the email to come in at 3pm sharp.
Ping.
Lance exhaled, listening to his parents mumble a prayer as he clicked on the email.
Dear Lance McClain,
We are delighted to inform you that you have successfully secured your degree as a qualified Nurse with Garrison Medical School. Your certificates will be mailed to the address on your student information.
Regarding your position in a hospital, we will contact the hospital you chose for your experience and you will receive a reply from them as soon as possible.
Congratulations
Professor Coran.
"I PASSED!" He screams, grinning as his parents, siblings, in-laws and niece and nephew hug him tightly.
-
Pidge and Hunk sit in their dining room, facing each other from opposite ends of the table, Hunk watches as the table rattles from Pidge's hands and legs shaking with anxiety.
"I can't do this." She groans, putting her head in her hands.
"Hon, you're gonna be fine." Hunk says, looking at her.
"Shhh you've got to say that you're dating me." She rolls her eyes, her leg getting more aggressive the more she stares at the clock, "2 minutes."
"Right, swap laptops with me, I'll read yours, you read mine." Hunk suggests, so they do, Pidge gives hers to hunk and takes his.
Ping!
Ping!
"Ready?" Hunk asks, pidge exhales and nods. In sync, the pair open up the emails.
Dear Katie Holt,
I am extremely pleased to inform you that you have passed the exams regarding your future profession as an emergency service doctor and hopefully surgeon. You aced every single exam and have set higher standards and expectations for future medical students. These results came as no shock to me as you have never graded below a 95 in your four years here at Garrison Medical School. You will receive your certificates and qualifications to the address linked on your student profile.
Regarding your position at a hospital, your qualifications have been passed through and you will hear from hospitals soon.
Congratulations
Professor Coran.
Pidge watches as Hunk reads the email, trying to read the expression on his face, her palms get sweaty and her mouth gets dry.
"Oh Hunk spit it out."
"Congratulations Doctor." He says, pride gleaming in his face, he stands up to go to her.
"Ah ah ah, your turn." She ushers him to sit down.
Dear Hunk Garrett,
I am pleased to inform you that you have succeeded in securing a qualification as a doctor / paramedic. You passed the exams with flying colours and you are now legally able to preform medical care as a professional. Your certificates and qualifications will be mailed to you and your information has been passed to both hospital and fire stations. We hope you have a successful journey in either of these routes.
Congratulations
Professor Coran.
"Congratulations." She grins, Hunk beams rushing over and hugging her tightly.
"See, I knew we could do it." Hunk presses a kiss on her cheek, "you stress too much."
"Shut up."
-
Dear Keith Kogane,
I am pleased to inform you of your successful completion of achieving your qualifications at Garrison Medical School. We were extremely impressed regarding your grades, second in the class. Your details have been sent to the hospitals of your choice and your qualifications and certificates will be mailed to your address.
Congratulations
Professor Coran.
"Yippee." Keith says, petting Kosmo who is sat beside him, he picks up his phone and types.
K: I qualified
S: *thumbs up*
K: i qualified
A: Congratulations! I knew you could do it!
K: thanks Adam, Shiro gave me a thumbs up as a response
A:
A: it's ok I told him off
S: congratulations.
-
A few weeks later,
Pidge walks into the Garrison Hospital after receiving and Email from Shiro for her presence regarding her role at the hospital, hunk also received one so he is following alongside her and Lance and Keith sit outside Shiro's office.
"Heyyyy." Lance smiles.
"You qualified? How low was the grade boundary." Pidge smirks.
"Fuck off."
Shiro pokes his head out his door, "Hunk, can I speak to you first?"
Pidge looks up at him, Hunk swallows heading in.
"Congratulations on receiving your qualifications." Shiro begins, nodding for hunk to sit down, "so, Regarding a position here."
"Sir, before you begin, I've already accepted a position as a Firefighter and Paramedic at Garrison Fire Department and I'm due to begin training in a few weeks." Hunk explains, "I thank you for whatever position you may have possibly lined up for me but I don't initially want to be a Doctor."
Shiro smiles, "I thought you would say that." He looks down at Hunk's file, "I really respect your capability of working in such a high risk environment and excellent attitude towards patients in the hospital. I'm sure you will be an amazing Firefighter and Paramedic and they are lucky to have you. If you ever would like to come in and speak to me you are welcome to, and there will always be an opportunity of a position for you here."
"Thank you Doctor Shirogane, it's been a pleasure working for you." Hunk shakes Shiro's hand and heads back out.
Shiro follows behind, "Miss Holt?"
Hunk squeezes her hand, nodding for her to go through, "break a leg."
"Ha ha." She rolls her eyes following Shiro in.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Doctor Holt." Shiro nods for her to take a seat, "might I say, I've not seen results like these in my entire time in this field. I, myself, didn't receive grades as high as yours; now I'm frightened for my own job. There is word of you around every medical school and hospital in the area and I'd hope it would come as no surprise to you I would like to offer you a position as a trauma doctor here at the hospital. Doctor White has also requested I pass on his word of how after you have settled in, he would like to begin further mentoring you on the position as his Assistant surgeon for the majority of his surgeries; he was amazed by your enthusiasm towards the job and the extent amount of research you have put into it."
"This is probably the best news I've ever had in my life." Pidge smiles, her eyes appearing glassy.
"I would just like to advise you on something," Shiro adds, "although your work has allowed you to achieve a great amount regarding becoming a medical professional, you do need to now focus on your well being, Continuing to study is fine but if you overwork yourself, you will crumble."
"Understood." Pidge smiles, Shiro shakes her hand before they head out.
"Hmm." Shiro eyes between Lance and Keith, "McClain."
Lance gets up, wiping his hands on his jumper before following Shiro into his office, Hunk offering a reassuring pat on the back as he passes.
"I have never in my years working here, seen a nurse so determined for a job, yet so terrified of blood." Shiro starts, a laugh stifling between them, "But like I said, your determination stood out to me and with your results and qualifications I would be honoured if you accepted my offer of a place as an assistant nurse here at Garrison Hospital."
Lance nods eagerly, not trying to hide his excitement, "of course I will! Thank you so much Doctor Shirogane! I'm really gonna try desensitise my fear of blood, I'm hoping I can request your assistance with this at some point."
"Of course, now all you need to do is wait for us to contact you regarding your hours here and any paperwork but for the meantime, enjoy life and relax." Shiro pats his shoulder and shakes his hand before the pair walk out.
"Kogane."
Keith follows Shiro into the office, "you still salty Adam told you off?"
Shiro ignores the comment, "congratulations, I'm offering you a position here as a trauma doctor."
"No speech?" Keith pouts.
Shiro exhales, "I'm really impressed with how much you've learned and how much you've grown in confidence whilst at Med school and during your work experience here. You are clearly a very intelligent man and a hard worker. I didn't expect you to work so well with patients but like always, you proved me wrong."
"That was gay."
"Out."
-
Later that evening, in celebration, Hunk and Pidge decided to host a dinner (party) with Lance and Keith, they did invite Romelle and Allura but they explained it would possibly be a late arrival from them depending on when they get off shift.
Hunk and Pidge stand in the kitchen of their apartment, the oven is cooking some meat and potatoes, there's pots of veg on the hob beside the pasta Pidge is currently cooking. Hunk dices a salad on the counter top all coupled with the radio playing as they do.
"So did Shiro offer you a job?" Pidge asks, stirring the homemade sauce onto the pasta.
"Yeah, he offered me a job as a doctor but I declined." Hunk smiles, turning to look at her, "wouldn't have you preferred me as a fireman though?" He teases.
"Shut up." She chuckles, "what time did you tell them to be here?"
"Eight." Hunk smiles, putting the chopped salad into a bowl and preparing the seasoning and oils for it.
-
K: Am i picking you up or are we meeting there?
L: how did you get my number.
K: Pidge. Answer the question.
L: don't you drive a motorcycle?
K: yes, I own two helmets though.
L: sure why not.
Lance hears his apartment doorbell buzz, "right I'm going to Hunk's," he says to Noah, "I'll take my keys so you don't have to buzz me in"
"Have fun, if Hunk's made any of those garlic knots bring me some back!" Noah smiles, "that boy sure knows how to cook."
"Will do, see ya." Lance smiles before heading downstairs.
Keith leans against his bike, his helmet still on with the face shield up as he types on his phone.
"Mullet." Lance says, Keith holds out a helmet for him, "why thank you."
"Couldn't ruin that pretty little face of yours." Keith smirks, he gets on his bike before lance does.
"Are you a waist or shoulders biker?" Lance asks.
"Either. Waist is probably safer." Keith says, starting the bike up. Lance wraps his arms around Keith's waist and they set off.
This usually would feel weird, but Lance kind of liked it, his arms being wrapped around Keith's waist felt.. normal.
-
Keith parks his motorcycle in the shed outside Pidge's apartment, Taking the helmet from lance and placing them on the bikes, he turns to look at Lance who's just staring at him.
"What?" Keith says, chuckling nervously.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" Lance asks.
"Again, what?"
"You're not acting like a dick to me in the way you used to, you've been nothing but nice to me at work, you offered me a lift to here? Why?" Lance enquires, edging closer.
"I don't know man, just trying to save the earth? People also do change, I'm not a dick all the time. Besides, you've become less annoying." Keith avoids eye contact, thanking the lack of light in this shed for shielding the now pink tone of his cheeks.
Lance stands staring, "that makes sense," his stomach turns, "I like you Keith, you're not as bad as I thought you were."
The two stand in a comfortable silence, just staring at eachother with minimal room to move between them, Keith shakes the moment away as his phone buzzes.
P: I heard your bike where are you?
K: coming.
"Let's go." Keith says, the pair heading up.
-
Hunk let's them in as Pidge sets the table, "welcome in Doctor Kogane and Nurse McClain." Hunk smiles, "congrats." Hunk hugs the pair of them individually, "we'll put the food on the table when you're ready."
"Thanks Hunk." Keith smiles before heading to Pidge, "looking forward to steal patients from you."
"Asshole. Congratulations." She chuckles, "did you bring lance?"
"Yeah." Keith smiles, "charity work."
"Ahh."
Hunk pours wine into Lance's glass, "you wanting any Keith?" He asks.
"Nah, I've gotta bike us both home and make sure he doesn't fall off the back." Keith chuckles, taking a seat, "can I just have a water?"
Hunk nods and heads to the kitchen to get him some water, Pidge hovers around him as he does.
"What we having?" Lance shouts.
"What you didn't bring anything? You said you were cooking!" Pidge shouts back, picking up the trays from the kitchen.
"Har har." Lance replies.
Pidge brings the trays and dishes in, "well I made pasta alla norma, which is spaghetti with tomato and basil sauce with roast aubergine." She says, "hunk made garlic nots and garlic bread and a few other dishes like biryanis and curries."
"You can cook?" Keith asks.
"It's never too late for you to go home." Pidge smirks, sitting down at the table.
Hunk brings the remaining dishes in before taking his seat, everyone starts taking portions of the dishes and eating.
"This is actually really good Pidge," Lance says, "I thought you couldn't cook."
"Oh I can't, but every week me and my mother would cook pasta for the family so I could do it blindfolded." Pidge says, "anything else, i could burn a house down."
"You almost did." Hunk reminds.
"Shhh the burn on my arm is enough of a reminder babe." Pidge sighs.
"So hunk, did you apply for the fire department yet?" Keith asks, Hunk nods.
"They contacted me first actually, I've got training in a few weeks." Hunk says, stabbing his fork into some of the pasta.
"Are you excited?" Keith asks, eating the food off of his fork.
"Yeah, I'm a little nervous too.." he smiles nervously.
"You'll do great hun." Pidge smiles, eating her food.
"Oh, Noah wanted me to save him some Garlic Knots." Lance says, looking to hunk.
"Already boxed them up. How is he? I've not seen him in ages." Hunk says, sipping his drink.
"He's great, he's staying in the city even though he's finished uni, He says for work but I've seen him sneaking in at night, he's definitely met someone." Lance rambles, unknowning to Keith watching him talk with a small smile on his face, Pidge and Hunk notice, nudging eachother.
"Do you guys still do Games nights?" Hunk asks.
"Yeah, you still have an invite but I guess having a girlfriend takes up a lot of your time." Lance says, "Argh!" He groans as Pidge kicks him in the shin.
"You chose to sit across from me, bad choice Lance." Pidge smirks, poking at the remaining food on her plate.
-
A little after food, Allura and Romelle make an appearance, the two brought alcohol to celebrate. Everyone is now huddled in the living room, Pidge and Hunk sit together on one couch, Romelle and Allura on the other and Keith and Lance sit on the beanbags Pidge pulled out from the spare room.
"So you're all working at the hospital now, besides Hunk?" Allura asks, the three nod, "Aw fresh meat, you're gonna hate your lives for a few weeks."
"Real reassuring babe." Romelle chuckles, sipping the alcohol from her glass.
"Babe?" Keith repeats.
Allura and Romelle's skin tinge pink, "oh did we not mention?" Allura squeaks out, twirling a strand of her hair, "We've been dating since before we met you guys."
Hunk chuckles, "oh Hunk knew but that's only because he found out when I" Romelle starts to speak before hunk shuts her up, "never mind."
As the night goes on, the group learn more about each other, Allura's way of learning more about the new workers and so they feel comfortable coming to both herself and Romelle with any issues.
Pidge breaks the conversations with a yawn and a sluggish slump against Hunk's torso, Romelle, Allura, Lance and Keith look to eachother as if it's their time to leave.
"Maybe we should head off, it's getting late." Keith suggests.
"No! Stay!" Pidge says, rubbing her eyes and sitting up.
"Pidge, I've known you long enough to know when it's past your 8pm bed time." Keith smirks, Lance chuckling. "Besides I need to let Kosmo out."
"Fineeee." Pidge Groans, hugging her friends goodbye, whilst hunk offers a hand shake and gets up to let them out.
"Thanks for coming guys." He says, handing Lance the bag of leftovers, "Text us when you get home?" Keith nods.
"Byeee Hunk!" Romelle hugs him, she's drunker than she was when she arrived, Hunk laughs, rubbing her back before letting her go.
"Bye Hunk." Allura smiles, offering him a hug, she contrasts Romelle as she is completely sober and fumbling in her coat pocket for her keys, "Good luck with your training."
Hunk lets them out and Lance and Keith head out to Keith's bike and Romelle and Allura head out to their car.
"Cmon hun." Hunk says, leaning over the couch to look down at Pidge, she gets up groggily, taking his hand as they walk to their room. Pidge sits on the bed as Hunk grabs her some pyjamas to put on. Once changed, the pair lie facing eachother in their bed, Pidge's head leant against Hunk's chest, her ear pressed against it as she listens to his breathing and heart beat. She soon drifts off to sleep.
-
Lance and Keith ride around a bit before Keith drives him home, Keith walks him to his door, making sure he doesn't fall over due to his lack of an intolerance to alcohol.
"Thanks Keith." Lance says, as they reach his apartment door and he fumbles in his pockets for his key.
"No worries." Keith smiles slightly, Lance finds his key and turns to look at Keith.
Keith raises an eyebrow and Lance leans in, expecting a hug, instead, he is met with Lance's lips. They're soft, along with his hand which is planted on Keith's cheek. Lance pulls back and lets out a drunken giggle as he turns and unlocks his door.
"See you at work!" Lance hums as he closes the door, leaving Keith stood speechless in the hallway.
Keith blinks at the door before turning around and rushing back out to his bike. "What the fuck?" He repeatedly utters as he gets on his bike and drives home.
-
Pidge grumbles, her phone ringing on the bedside table, she unlatches herself from hunk before answering, "Hello?"
"PIDGE ARE YOU ALONE?" Keith shouts down the phone, not acknowledging that it's 6am, she's just woken up and she's in bed still.
"No, I'm in bed." She mumbles, rubbing her eyes, "Keith it's 6am I was hoping to have a lie in today."
"I'm sorry! I need to speak to you! I'm outside!"
"You're outside?! Oh my god." She slides out of bed, kicking on her slippers as she heads out from her bedroom to the front door of the apartment, opening it up to let Keith in.
"Jesus you look like you just woke up."
"I have. Kitchen." She instructs, he follows her in as she starts making a coffee, before he can even begin speaking she holds a finger up, "do not speak to me until I have a coffee in my hand."
"Yes ma'am."
The two shortly settle on one of the couches, the room dimly lit by the table lamp on the side table, pidge sips the coffee.
"Can I speak yet?"
"Proceed."
"Lance Kissed me."
Pidge puts her coffee on the coffee table, "oh I'm awake now."
-
"What do you mean you think you kissed Keith? Your rival, Keith? Mullet, Keith? Pidge's best friend, Keith? Your new boss' brother, Keith?" Noah says, looking at Lance.
"Yes! It's awful! Why did I do that?!" Lance paces the kitchen of their apartment, "Noah I need help here man!"
"I know! I don't know what you want me to say though!"
"It was probably the alcohol right?"
"Drunk actions are sober thoughts!"
"NOAH I DO NOT LIKE KEITH!"
-
Hunk wanders out of the bedroom, yawning and rubbing his eyes to the two silhouettes on his couch, "Keith kissed lance?" He yawns.
"Yes."
"No! Lance kissed me!" Keith pleads, looking to Hunk who takes his seat next to Pidge, "I dropped him off at his apartment and he was very drunk and then when we got to his door I thought he was gonna hug me then the next thing I know his lips are on mine!"
"Did you kiss back?" Pidge questions.
"No! Well- I didn't push him off me." Pidge and Hunk give the same look from last night, "stop doing that! You did that at the table! Before I had time to react he very drunkly giggled and rushed inside."
"I think you need to talk to Lance." Hunk adds in, "it could just be a whole misunderstanding-"
"Or! They could be in loveeeee! Enemies to lovers! Aw."
"You need to stop reading those books." Hunk rolls his eyes, "honestly Keith, talk to Lance. You'll be laughing about this eventually."
"I guess." Keith stands up, grabbing his helmet from the dining table, "sorry for waking you Pidge."
"Mmm. I'm going back to bed." She yawns, offering him a side hug as she heads back to the bedroom.
Hunk walks Keith to the door, "do you like Lance?"
"What? In which way?"
"Answer the question."
"I like him as a person, I don't think I know him well enough to like him. No offence dude, I know he's your best friend." Keith scratches his neck.
"If you do speak to him, and he's all boy crazy on you, let him down lightly." Hunk pats his back, "good luck."
"Thanks man." Keith smiles before heading down to his bike.
Hunk heads back to the bedroom too, Pidge is already curled up on the bed, snoring once again, he slips back next to her before switching the lamp off to get that lie in they both wanted.
-
K: We need to talk.
L: I know.
K: I'll pick u up in 10 mins?
L: *thumbs up*
-
Lance is already stood in the parking lot as Keith pulls up, he tosses him a helmet and Lance hops on the back, his hands back where they were last night.
The revs of the motorcycle crackle as they drive off to somewhere, anywhere private.
Keith pulls up at a parking lot near the coast, he turns the bike off and nods towards a bench. The two sit down, helmets on the floor in front of them.
"So about last night." Keith breaks the silence.
"Look man, I don't know what happened, I was a little drunk." Lance laughs nervously.
"A little? Dude I've got to see you shitfaced."
"Fuck off." Lance rolls his eyes, "I'm really sorry, I fucked up and I completely understand if you want to just pretend you don't know me."
Keith ponders, "why would I want to do that? People do stupid things when they're drunk all the time. I've seen every state of drunk pidge could be, what you did hasn't been the worst thing ever."
"So you don't hate me?"
"No. But, I didn't fall in love with you either."
"Aw Keith you broke my heart." Lance feigns, "maybe, in another universe, I'm your true loves kiss who breaks the spell of Emo from your poor soul."
"Do you wanna walk home?" Keith glares at him.
"No I don't."
-
P: how'd it go?
K: I let him down gently (you can tell hunk) but he seemed to be on the same page. He claimed to be 'a little drunk'.
P: oh yeah I've seen him worse.
K: Jesus.
P: so you guys aren't gonna be awkward when we hang out? Or at work?
K: not from my end.
P: Great!
"They sorted it out." Pidge shouts from the couch. "They were both on the same page about it and Keith let him down lightly."
"Good." Hunk says from the kitchen.
-
One Year Later..