#NINETEEN#

"Where are they going?" Shiro asked, Adam out of breath beside him. "It's like they're runni-running away from us on purpose." Adam panted, taking off his glasses to run his hand over his face. Shiro groaned, "What did we do?" He asked.

Adam gave a small shrug, then sat down. Shiro saw and frowned. "What are you doing?" He questioned, head tilted down. Adam coughed and swallowed loudly. "Sitting." The man answered, Shiro gave a chuckle. "Nice." He replied sarcastically before sitting down himself.

"You think they're hiding out in our room?"

Shiro nodded, "Either there or the kitchens. Hunk makes some mean comfort foods." Adam grinned and adjusted his knees. He pressed them to his chest and wrapped his arms around them. Shiro scooted closer and put his head in the crook of Adam's neck.

"We should find them." Shiro decided but remained unmoving. Adam hummed. "Maybe. But they ran off from us for a reason." This time Shiro hummed.

"I'm still going to search," Shiro told Adam as he started to walk away. Adam winced and silently followed his lead. Shiro ignored his presence as he paced down the halls.

Then, he caught a flash of colors. They merged into a blob and Shiro could clearly see them.

"Lance!" He called out jogging to the group.

When he caught up, the paladins had dispersed. Keith was sandwiched next to Hunk and Lance. Pidge was in front of him, toying with his left hand. Her small palm and slender fingers briefly touching Keith's fingers. Shivers were sent down Keith's spine by her warm, but soft touch.

Shiro settled himself next to Lance and averted his attention to the Cuban.

"How's he doing?" Shrio asked as Lance winced.

"Not so good. He's been holding in a lot." 

Shiro could see Keith's eyes shine with unshed tears. Hunk had pulled out a small tumblewear dish and held it out. Shiro instantly recognized the goo he had stores inside. Hunk gave the group a sad smile.

"Do you guys want to mourn Kroila while eating food goo?" Keith snorted as his lips perked up to a smile. Pidge smirked and cocked an eyebrow. Shiro saw Adam in the distance.

\"I thought he wasn't going to follow..." Shiro murmured to himself. The others didn't hear him in favor of Hunk doing a terrible French accent. 

"Now, oui oui oui, we have zeeeee food goo made with..." Lance did a small drumroll on the floor. Pidge doing a small bounce in anticipation as keith observed. He was smiling again.

Hunk looked around and then pointed to Adam, who had just came into the others sights.

Adam was caught off guard and had no clue of what to say. Hunk took the hint but decided to get more laughs for Keith.

"What izzz zisss made of, baguette, de la pizza, young Adam!"

Adam looked uncomfortable and slowly sat down.

"You okay Keith?" Shieo felt the mood dampen significantly.

Keith's smile was dropped and his shoulders hunched up. he was tense.

"He's fine," Pidge answered before keith could speak. Their tone was snappish, and the Green Paladin looked almost angered by Adam's interference. Adam furred his eyebrows together and placed his stare on Keith.

"I was asking Keith, not you." His reply was rather rude and hunk placed a hand on Pidge's shoulder. Pidge let out a slow breath, their nose scrunched up and their eyes peering at Adam.

"I'm fine, Adam." Keith answered after a few awkward silences.

"Hey," Shiro began.

"Let's head back to the sleeping quarters. No need for Keith to deck Iverson." Shiro said.

"Again." Lance added. Keith grinned with heartfelt smile that made his eyes squint a bit. 

"Well, McClain, guess who doesn't get the left side tonight." Lance half laughed and half gaped.

"You wouldn't..."

"I so would."

"Enough!" Hunk jokingly exclaimed. His hands went to his hips and he leaned in towards the group.

"Lance, Keith, you're too young to be sharing a bed." Shiro said as Hunk had exclaimed his point; "I want the left side!" Pidge giggled and stuck their tongue out.

"Losers, I've claimed the left side!" This got Shiro to laugh.

"Jokes on you," Keith said. "I slashed up the left side."

"And there goes my boyfriend, slaughtering beds and causing havoc on government property."

Keith did a small bow with a cheeky look on his face.

A/n: I just realized I haven't updated this in like... 2 years. Whoops? Well y'all, thanks for the support. I'm trying to arrange a writing schedule since corona fucked up my old one. Hopefully will have weekly updates for this, but we'll see. Again, thank you all for the support and I love all of you! I promise a longer chapter next time, 794 words isn't my best...

- BridgetDiAngelo