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He tries not to show it, but part of Keith is really eager to get back to Earth.
He’s been listening to Lance talk about his feelings about going home as they fly through space, nearing Earth. How he’s nervous and excited all at the same time. It’s cute how expressive he’s being, hands flailing around and eyes practically sparkling, even through the slightly grainy camera of the comms.
He had asked Keith how he’s feeling beforehand but Keith didn’t feel like getting into it right then, so he may have reflected the question. Lance already knows a little bit about his life on Earth and in turn knows a bit about Adam.
What he doesn’t know is that Keith is currently being eaten alive with anticipation and anxiety. The last time they had been face-to-face wasn’t exactly a proud moment.
He’d already ran away to the desert despite Adam’s wishes, (which was a whole other event. They were both fuelled by grief and anger and were arguing. Keith had definitely said some things he didn’t mean), but he still needed to go into town to work his part time job and buy food. It was inevitable that one day, while grocery shopping with the little money he earned, he was going to run into him.
He had been leaving the grocery store when he spotted a familiar head of hair and glasses. He panicked, unsure of what to do. He kind of wanted to approach him and apologise, tell him how when he felt extra lonely he’d think about how Adam used to check up on him in his room before going to bed himself, how he wasn’t always asleep and sometimes felt the fingers carding through his hair and heard the hushed “goodnight darling”.
And then Adam spotted him and he lost all his courage and ducked out of the store without so much as a second glance.
Yeah. So. Forgive him if he’s a little worried about what his reaction might be when he sees Keith.
If he’s even there- yeah, no, not going down that train of thought.
Then, before his mind can betray him and start thinking along those lines regardless, a “Keith?” snaps him out of his thoughts.
He blinks once. “Hm?” he hums, cocking his head to the side slightly.
Lance gives him a fond smile. “You okay there? You started spacing out on me, mullet.”
Oh, right, he was supposed to be listening to Lance. “Sorry, what were you saying?”
“Nothing, just asking if you’re ready. We should be reaching Earth soon.”
Keith holds back a sigh. Not that he’s irritated or anything, just a lot more anxious than he’d like.
“Yeah. Ready as I’ll ever be.”
——-
Lance has had a death grip on Keith’s hand ever since they got into the car that’s bringing them to the Garrison. He doesn’t mind it and the pressure is reassuring, but he’s getting antsy and needs a way to move his hands. He resides to rhythmically tapping his fingers on the back of Lance’s hand.
“I feel like I’m going to be sick.” Lance says as the Garrison comes into view. Keith leans his head into Lance’s shoulder briefly to plant a light kiss there.
“It’s gonna be okay.” he assures, though he’s feeling something similar.
Pidge groans, “gross. Enough with the pda”, but it’s light hearted.
Lance looks like he’s about to whip back with a smart remark, but the car stops and he snaps his mouth shut.
“We’re here” Shiro announces as if it wasn’t especially obvious by the way the whole car was suddenly silent.
Hunk audibly swallows.
Everything that happens next seems to be in a blur.
The car doors are opened and everyone stumbles out, greeted initially by Iverson.
Pidge ignores him completely, immediately jumping into their mothers arms.
Lance spots his family and let’s go of Keith’s hand so he can run to greet them.
Hunk’s moms rush over before he can even comprehend that they’re actually there.
and Keith…Keith suddenly feels very out of place and goes to stand closely beside Krolia.
He feels kinda out of place there, too, and remembers that he's kind of the leader and should probably be helping out, so he makes his way over to Shiro but stops dead in his tracks before he can reach him.
Because he’s not alone anymore. Right there in Shiro’s embrace is Adam.
Oh.
He distantly hears Lance call out to him to meet his family, but quickly retracts the offer as he sees what’s going on. Keith glances over at him and Lance gives him a thumbs up. Dork.
Keith looks at Adam over Shiro’s shoulder and his chest hurts. So many feelings arise at once and when they lock eyes, he feels tears gather behind his own.
He’s okay. His family is okay.
Adam instantly breaks out of Shiro’s hold and hurries his way over to Keith. Keith wants to move forward, meet him in the middle, but he feels frozen in place. He’s shocked and happy and it roots him to the ground. Adam doesn’t seem to mind Keith’s lack of movement as he quickly strides over to him, cupping Keith’s face in his hands for a moment before pulling him into a bruising hug.
Keith doesn’t hesitate in wrapping his arms around him tightly. He may be taller than he was the last time they hugged, but still manages to tuck his face into the comfort of Adam’s shoulder like he used to.
“Keith, darling, oh my god” he whispers, dropping a few small kisses into the boy’s hair.
“Hi” he whispers back, but it comes out more choked up than he intended. In any other instance he would have tried to fight the tears gathering in his eyes, but just this once he let them fall. He doesn’t make a sound as they fall down his face, only quietly hiccuping in a breath when needed.
After what was probably a full minute of hugging and crying, he isn’t really sure, Adam pulls back slightly, keeping his hands lightly grasped on Keith’s arms like he now thinks he isn’t going to slip away, but isn’t entirely convinced.
Keith belatedly realises Adam had been crying too as he reaches one hand up to his face to wipe his tears.
Adam didn't say anything for a moment, just gently rubbed Keith’s arms, so Keith spoke up.
“I’m”, he clears his throat. “I’m so sorry, Adam.”
Adam’s mouth opened slightly before he firmly shook his head. “No, Keith, no- you have nothing to be sorry for. I’m the one who needs to apologise to you.”
It’s Keith’s turn to shake his head. “No, I-“ he tries, but is immediately cut off.
“I’m the parent, I was supposed to take care of you and keep you safe, but I didn’t. I’m sorry, my love.” He pulls Keith back into his arms. Keith easily allows it to happen.
“I love you, and I'm sorry I let you down.” He says, and Keith hears in his voice that he’s trying not to cry again.
“You didn’t. I’m just glad to be back, and,” he takes a breath. ”I love you too.” He really means it, and it isn’t as hard to say anymore.
“God, you’ve grown up so much. When did you get so tall?” He sounds so bewildered and Keith isn’t sure what to say.
He doesn’t have to say anything though because then Adam is pulling back to look at his face again and his own face falls.
Keith wonders why as he feels Adam carefully trace a line on his face and- oh.
Keith worries he’s going to ask what happened or press for answers but instead he pulls Keith into his side by the shoulders and turns to face Shiro.
“Takashi, I can’t believe you.”
Keith’s suddenly so confused. What?
“What?” Shiro speaks his thoughts aloud.
“Not only did you let yourself get into so many dangerous situations despite your condition, you let Keith be part of them too?” He sounds exasperated and angry and kind somehow all at the same time, Keith can’t help but snort.
He makes eye contact with Shiro as he does so, who also huffs out a quiet laugh. It’s kind of ridiculous, Adam clinging to Keith and reprimanding Shiro for nothing, and it’s so familiar and nice that Keith can’t remember why he was so worried.
Adam gives Shiro a pointed look. “Is there something funny about putting a teenage boy in life threatening situations, Takashi?” His tone is harsh for a second and Shiro looks down a little in shame but Adam just shakes his head.
“Come here, you idiot.”
Then Keith is forced into a group hug and Shiro’s hand hits his behind Adam’s back so he hits back and Shiro laughs again, this time a hearty chuckle.
“I missed you. I thought my boys were gone and I’d never see you again.”
“We’re here now”, Shiro comforts, “And we’re not going anywhere right now.”
“Damn right you’re not. I’m not letting you two out of my sight ever again.”
Keith smiles. Things might not be totally fixed between the three of them, they still have a lot to talk about, but for now, everything is okay. They’re still a family.