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[tookashirototheknee]

Childhood friends AU!

Matt and Keith have been friends forever, and Colleen is the Black Paladin.

Comments

Dad's working late again

[tinymullet]

[Keith is proud of his dad being a firefighter because it means he's a hero. A boring desk job where all he did was suck up to a boss and wear boring suits and ties wouldn't fit him, plus Dad's so nice and he's always helping other people anyway.

But when Dad has to work extra late or gets called for an emergency, Keith gets worried. So far Dad's always come back safe and sound or at least alive, and while he's grateful for it he also knows about the kids whose parents are cops or firemen and one day they didn't come home. Even if they didn't die, one girl's cop mother and her partner got taken hostage for three days and that old lady would have probably killed them, the news story said.

Dad promises he'll never let something like that happen to him, that he'll never be in that kind of danger. But right now, as he and Matt watch TV in his room, he can't help being worried and distracted.]

[tookashirototheknee]

[Matt's usually pretty happy when Keith's dad has to work late, because that means Keith comes over and stays the night.

He can understand why his friend is worried, though. There are times that Mom gets really worried when Dad goes to space and doesn't send a message back for a few days. He turns to his friend, and looks worried himself, wondering how he can help.]

Hey. I know your dad's gonna be ok. He's smart and strong and knows what he's doing.

[tinymullet]

[To be fair, Keith enjoys getting to stay the night with the Holts, too. Even tiny little Katie is getting to be fun to play with, and they usually end up letting her follow them around.

He turns to Matt, leaning against him a little.]

I know. He's always come back before, and he's really good at his job...I feel kinda dumb for worrying so much sometimes.

[tookashirototheknee]

Sometimes you can't help worrying. Mom and Dad have been together forever, and Mom still worries about Dad when he goes to space. It'll be ok.

[Matt leans back, thoughtfully. He's kinda glad that Katie isn't bumbling around today, sometimes she says just the wrong things at the wrong time and makes everyone fussy.]

[tinymullet]

[Keith doesn't mind a three-year-old bumbling around, kids his own age have done way more embarrassing things and they're supposed to be old enough to know better. But it's nice when he can just be alone with Matt, too.]

Dad says he can't help worrying about me at school, too, or when we go on field trips even if the teachers never let anything happen to us.

[tookashirototheknee]

It's fine at school! There's all kinds of adults around who know what to do if something happens. I don't think Mom worries about me there.

Katie tends to run off when we go to the store, though. One time she ran off in the grocery, and we found her cuddling a cereal box.

[tinymullet]

Yeah, and the teachers are usually good about stopping bullies. Even the mean ones don't let them get away with anything.

[Keith laughs.]

That's not so bad. I did the same thing with a sack of flour when I was her age...well, more like laid down for a nap and used it as a pillow. The thing with cereal boxes is they're not that soft.

[The manager didn't mind that as much as she did the teenagers building a fort out of tampon boxes and canned tuna, at least.]

[tookashirototheknee]

Yeah. I get some nasty comments at me, but people mostly ignore me.

[It's not a big deal to him. It's just how it is.

He giggles a bit, smiling at his friend.]

That's silly! I think Katie wanted that particular box because she wanted the same kind of cereal I got.

[tinymullet]

She wants to do everything you're doing. She really looks up to you!

[Keith nestles a little closer, relaxing more. Talking about silly little things like this always helps.]

Sometimes I wish I had a little sibling. I know Katie can be a handful, but still.

[tookashirototheknee]

Yeah, she can be a bit much, but I'm glad we have her. She's just fun to be around.

[Matt smiles, laughing a bit at something on the TV]

Do you ever think your dad will have any more kids? Your mom's gone, right?

[He's curious, not mean like some kids can be.]

[tinymullet]

[Keith laughs, too, then his face turns serious and a bit sad.]

I dunno. He told me she just "left," she's not dead or anything, but he doesn't date other women and he's never told me anything but good stuff about my mom. He won't explain why she left, though. It's...weird.

I guess maybe if she comes back they will, though.

[tookashirototheknee]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories.

Huh. I wonder why he won't tell you. He tells you pretty much everything. Maybe she's a spy, and he can't tell you because you can't know in case the bad guys come and ask you questions!

[tinymullet]

No, it's okay! You were just asking, I know you better than that.

[Keith smiles a little.]

That'd be really cool if she was! I bet that's it, otherwise Dad would've told me everything. But he can still tell me anyway, I can keep secrets!

Sent home sick

[tinymullet]

[Keith doesn't like missing school now that he's got a best friend there he can see every day. Sure, he doesn't always love classes and work, but recess is fun. And gym. And of course, Matt. Who's in his class this year.

Besides, he just had a little sniffle when he woke up this morning. And a cough. But he'd convinced Dad he felt well enough to go to school.

It's eleven now, and he's not feeling much better...actually, he's feeling worse. He's drowsy, his head hurts, he keeps coughing, and he can barely focus on the ditto sheet the teacher just gave them.]

[tookashirototheknee]

[Matt's been concerned about Keith ever since he saw him this morning. It's clear that his friend has something nasty, probably the flu or a cold or something.

Glancing over, he grabs a piece of paper and writes a note, sticking it on his desk.]

Keith,

You need to go home. You look terrible. If your dad's not there, I'm sure my mom would come get you!

-Matt

[tinymullet]

[It takes a moment for Keith to see the note and grab it, before scribbling one back to Matt. His handwriting is a bit of a mess, but should be legible.]

Dad's working all day. Can't be home alone.

No big deal. Just a sniffle.

-K

[He stifles a sneeze as he tries to look back at his paper, but his focus is...pretty broken. He really feels awful.]

[tookashirototheknee]

[Matt shakes his head and writes back.]

I know Mom would come get you. Please, Keith. I know your dad told the school that my mom and dad could pick you up if he couldn't.

-M

[tinymullet]

He did, but really, it's nothing, I've just gotta make it till lunch. Maybe I'll feel better once I eat something.

-K

[But as he's passing the note to Matt, the teacher happens to be walking by the desk. She snatches the note, opens it, and for a second Keith is sure she's going to read it out loud just like he's seen happen in lots of sitcoms. But instead, she gives Keith a long look before frowning at him.

Matt, take him to the nurse's office. Right now. I should have a word with his father, sending a sick kid off to-]

He didn't send me...he wanted me to stay home, too, but I didn't wanna- [he coughs into his sleeve] I thought I'd feel better once I got here.

Randomly using my favorite elementary school teacher because she was awesome.

[tookashirototheknee]

He's just stubborn, Mrs. Gustafson. I'll have the nurse call my mom and she'll come get him.

[Matt stands up, grabs his bag and shoves stuff into his desk.]

C'mon, Keith. It'll be fine.

Nice :3

[tinymullet]

[Keith's about to protest again when a coughing fit overcomes him. Okay, so maybe it's more than a sniffle. And he feels too crappy to focus on anything, and Mrs. Gustafson looks really worried.

He lets Matt help him up, leaning against him.]

Okay.

[tookashirototheknee]

[Matt nods to the teacher, then pulls Keith out into the hall and on the way to the nurse.]

How long have you been feeling awful? You look like hell, and it's obvious that you can't concentrate.

[tinymullet]

Since I woke up. I think...I guess last night my head hurt a little, but I thought I'd just been staring at my 3DS too long. Eyestrain or something.

[He sniffles, rubbing his nose on his free hand]

[tookashirototheknee]

You're probably coming down with something nasty. Mom'll get you soup and call your dad. It'll be fine.

[They get to the nurse's office pretty quickly, and Matt walks up to the desk, looking for the nurse.]

[tinymullet]

[The nurse shows up less than a minute after they do. Ms. Masters is a bit of a battleaxe (a lot of kids try to fake sick to go home early or skip classes), but when she sees Keith she doesn't even bother to ask questions. Well, other than why did you come in if you're obviously not up to it and do I need to have a talk with your father.]

Don't yell at Dad. Really, I'm the one that wanted to come in...he's working all day anyway so he couldn't stay home with me.

[He would have, but if Dad doesn't work he doesn't get paid. Keith doesn't know a ton about the adult world but he knows bills kinda HAVE to be paid on time.]

[tookashirototheknee]

My mom's allowed to pick him up if his dad can't. If you call her, she'll come get him.

[Matt looks very concerned, glancing over at Keith a couple times.]

He's just stubborn.