Inertia Chapter 3
Read on Ao3
[...]
Adam stops and raises incredulous eyes to Shiro. ‘His mom? Shiro, isn’t Keith… Isn't he an orphan or close to it? His mom skidaddled, no?’
Distracted, Shiro sucks down another burning mouthful of coffee. ‘Something like that… She's...’ An alien. It's not his news to tell and more than that, there is something in the plainness of the morning and Adam's forced homeliness that gives Shiro pause. Would he understand? Would the Garrison?
‘I didn't see anyone that might have been his mom. Asked him to tag along but kid hung back to watch the lions or something. He’s still as glum as I remember. Guess he –’
‘Can you drive me back?’
Adam sputters. ‘Back? Shiro, you just woke up. You need to rest. Your arm...’
Shiro is already dropping from his stool. His new kit bag is leaning against the wall, Garrison fatigues peeping out. He strides over to it and pulls out a pair of joggers. ‘I have to go back. Can you drive me back?’ There is no response, so he looks up and asks again, voice edging into panic as he struggles into the joggers.
‘Shiro…’ Adam entreats, mouth gaping like a fish. He gestures at the breakfast. ‘You have to eat.’
‘I have to go.’