30 - something with Keith and Kosmo ?
30 - A kiss as comfort (my dumb brain wrote “a Keith as comfort” hah!)
I’m sorry it took so long ‘nony, I hope this isn’t too far from what you had in mind!!
Things on Earth had settled down; people were recovering from the invasion and working together to rebuild homes that were destroyed by the Galrans. Shiro, now the leader of the Atlas ship, was busying himself in organizing scout teams that were looking for any survivors. Days and nights, he would lead various teams in towns, forests, and deserts, and they would often come back with people who had escaped and hide from the aliens. To the former Paladin, it was never enough, and to the people who knew him well, it was easy to see what was going on. Shiro was looking for a closure. Adam had been reported dead in the fight, but his body hadn’t been found among the remains. To the white-haired man, this meant there was still hope to find him alive. Not knowing was worse than accepting his death.
Meanwhile, after being released from the hospital, the team helped wherever they could. Pidge and Hunk with advanced technical damages, Lance and the Alteans with reuniting families. They even looked for the poor lost Fluffy from the old lady living down the street.
And as for Keith?
Keith felt out of place.
While he actively took part in the rebuild of the town, he couldn’t shake the feeling he did not belong here. At night, he would sit with Kosmo curled next to him and stare at the starry sky. One hand stroking lazily the wolf’s fur, the young man thought of the years he spent in the vast galaxy. He missed it. He missed the adrenaline, the adventures, the discoveries and the bonding moments with his friends.He could hear a voice whisper ideas in his head. Now they had defeated the Galrans, what would happen to the lions? What would happen to them?
He knew Allura would eventually leave to seek her people with Romelle and Coran’s help. Pidge, brilliant Pidge, had received a proposal to work alongside their brother and father to develop a better defense system to protect Earth. Hunk and his family had been offered a home close to the Garrison, and the commanders had requested he shares any Intel collected during the Paladins’ time in space. Shiro was looking for Adam. Lance had made it clear he was going to move back home with his family.
Keith could still feel the knot in his stomach at the blue paladin’s words. If he was being honest, it didn’t come out as a surprise. Lance had been homesick since the first day they left their planet; he had longed to return to his family. While he was happy to see the Cuban shine an honest smile, Keith had hoped he could have spent more time with the man. Thinking back, Lance and him had gone through a lot together. From rivalries, constant arguing to an indestructible bond of friendship and trust. They were allies, brothers in arms who had each other’s back.
They had won the war. They had gone home. Lance had his family back and Keith had his own. In many species’ eyes, they were heroes. They had saved the Universe.
So why did it feel like he had lost everything when they set foot on their planet?
The half-Galran didn’t notice the tears running down his cheeks until a small whine startled him back onto the present. Purple eyes met with concerned yellows, Kosmo’s tongue ran gently through the palm of his hand. It felt wet and soft, but the man didn’t mind.
“It’s okay buddy,” he muttered, “I’m okay.”
The cosmic wolf didn’t seem to believe in his words, his body moving so he could snuggle closer to his human. The wolf felt the hand petting him tremble, and he could see Keith’s weak smile shatter as Kosmo’s nose inched closer to his face. He kissed his cheeks, picking the salty tears off of them with a lick or two before Keith’s arms wrapped around the wolf’s fluffy body and he broke into a sob.
Whispering thanks in his companion’s ears, Keith felt a little less alone.
