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“You’re an asshole.” Joe said.“If you haven’t noticed, dear brother,” Carter said, slinging an arm around Joe’s shoulder as if imparting an important lesson. “We’re a family of assholes.”“And Robbie.” Joe said.“And Robbie.” Carter agreed.Robbie looked between the two of them, opening and closing his mouth. He was holding Kelly’s hand beneath the table, the coffee shop bustling around them. He used the other hand to push up his glasses, still trying to find his words.Joe was watching him now, amusement clear in not only his expression but also the bonds between them all. Joe tilted back, giving Robbie time to rebuke and totally not to watch Ox waiting in line with a practically vibrating Gavin.“I can be an asshole!”Carter laughed outright then, slamming a hand on the table and nearly spilling his coffee.“I can be!” Robbie insisted. “Kelly, tell them I can be an asshole.”While Carter tried to take in a breath, Joe’s lips ticked up in a smile while Kelly took a long sip of his hot chocolate.“Kelly.” Robbie said. “Kelly tell them. Kelly. Kelly. Ke-““Yeah Kelly,” Carter wheezed. “Tell us. Tell us just how much of an ass your dear mate can be.”Robbie twisted fully to Kelly who was pointedly looking anywhere but at Robbie. It was only when Robbie tried to let go of his hand that Kelly rolled his eyes, pecking Robbie on the cheek.“You are many things, Robbie Fontaine.” Kelly said. “You’re amazing, you’re incredible, you’re kind, you commit fully to every single thing you do and Carter don’t you dare twist my words or I will end you.”“But I’m not an asshole?”God, Robbie’s lip was even trembling. He was really hung up on just a little teasing and Kelly sent him reassurances through their bond.At last Gavin and Ox were back, carrying with them both bright pink frosted cookies and new coffees and hot chocolates.“I don’t want to talk about assholes.” Gavin proclaimed. “Carter won’t stop asking questions.”Carter balked, choking on his drink while Gavin grinned wickedly.Ox set down the tray of desserts on the table, handing them out before taking his place in the booth. Joe instantly was snuggled up against him, looking more content than Kelly had ever imagined Joe being when they were kids.This was good, all of this. The six of them, brothers and mates and family all, at last able to just go to a coffee shop without one of them missing. They were safe and while they were outside of Green Creek, they hadn’t left their territory due to a threat or a danger or because of grief and revenge but because they simply felt like it.A road trip, some time for them to just be them.They had promised to call their Mom of course, with her and Mark and the others keeping the territory safe in Ox’s absence as Alpha. This was not like that three years, one month and twenty six days, nor was it like Robbie or Gavin being gone. They were going to call her, just as soon as they got to the motel for the night because while she had been the one to suggest they take some time to be young adults, Kelly had seen and felt her worry.It almost rivalled his own worry when all of them spilled out of the booth to go to the park and Robbie stayed right where he was.“Are you coming?” Kelly asked.“Fine.” Robbie said. Then he sat a little straighter, looking Kelly straight in the eye. “I am fine, thank you for asking.”“Okay,” Kelly droned, tilting his head. “What’s going on?”“Kels, I’m-““Robbie.” Kelly said.Robbie’s shoulders dipped.Kelly sat back down beside him, nodding for the others to go on without them. Joe looked uncertain but that eased the moment Ox hooked an arm around Joe’s waist. Ox nodded to Kelly, trusting him to handle whatever was going on.Ox probably felt it too, Kelly realised, whatever it was that Robbie was trying to hold back.Kelly took Robbie’s hand into his own, squeezing tightly.“No more secrets,” Kelly said. “I think we’ve all had enough of them to last a lifetime.”Robbie took in a shaking breath and Kelly’s own breath caught, realising that Robbie’s eyes were wet.“What’s going on?” Kelly asked gently.“I just… I don’t feel very well?”“Headache again?”Robbie shrugged.With his free hand, he pushed up his glasses. While Robbie didn’t medically need them, the comfort and strength that his Mother’s glasses gave him meant everything. But Robbie was wincing a little, as if the lights were too bright.When one of the coffee machines started screeching, Robbie flinched hard.While over time things had gotten easier, ever since Livingstone took Robbie from them, from Kelly, Robbie had had too many headaches to count, sometimes developing into outright migraines. Even with Livingstone long dead and Robbie’s memories at last returned, they were starting to think that this was just going to be Robbie’s normal even if Kelly hated to see his mate hurting.“We can go to the motel early.” Kelly said. “I feel like a nap anyway.”Robbie went to shake his head but he stopped, wincing.“Robbie,” Kelly said. “If you’re not feeling okay, let’s just take it easy, okay?”“Kelly?” Robbie whispered.He sounded wounded suddenly, or like he was scared.“I’m right here.” Kelly soothed him. “We are in a cafe. Ox and Joe and Carter and Gavin are just outside. You’re safe, Robbie, and you’re loved too, okay?”Robbie blinked quickly, but then he forced himself to take in a deep breath as he absorbed Kelly’s words. He tried to give Kelly a smile, Kelly knew he did, but it only worried Kelly more because it came off instead as a grimace. Robbie was pale, more pale than Kelly had seen him for a long time.
Kelly slowly raised a hand, giving Robbie plenty of time to move away from him. Robbie didn’t, even when Kelly brushed away his hair. It took all of Kelly’s self control not to stiffen when he felt the heat emanating from Robbie’s forehead. Werewolves run hot but not like this, never like this.“Take your time.” Kelly said. “I’m right here. I’m right here and I see you, okay? So just take your time to stand and we can go get some rest together.”Robbie ducked his head, taking in another deep shaking breath and Kelly shifted back a little, teetering on the edge of the booth but never once letting go of Robbie’s hand. Robbie braced himself on the table with his remaining hand and Kelly didn’t comment on how much Robbie was shaking.Kelly felt some of the other patrons watching them and he held back a growl, focusing solely on getting Robbie standing fully.“That’s it,” Kelly mumbled. “That’s it, Robbie, good job.”While Robbie would normally perk up at any and all praise, he was too busy clutching onto Kelly as if Kelly was the only thing keeping him from falling. Whatever Robbie was feeling, it was getting worse and quickly.It was slow getting to the door but Kelly let Robbie take all the time he needed, sending him reassurances through their bond.He says, RobbieLoveMate
He says, i am here and you are safe because i am here i am here i am here
He says, RobbieLoveMate you are safe and i see you i love you and i see you.And the others must be feeling Robbie’s suffering too because it’s not just Kelly’s voice, not anymore.Ox says, PackPackPackJoe says, Robbie, Safe, LoveCarter says, Brother, Friend, LoveGavin says, was it the cookies?Kelly would have laughed if Robbie’s steps hadn’t faltered. Kelly compensated easily, setting Robbie’s arm around his shoulder while the other hand rested on Robbie’s hip.This wasn’t just a migraine, Kelly realised coldly. Something was wrong, something was genuinely wrong with Robbie but Wolves don’t get sick and they were all finally okay for the first time in years and yet now something was wrong again and Kelly was just so tired.He was tired of things going wrong, he was tired of how every time things seemed to be finally okay something would inevitably go wrong.Ox held open the door wide for them. Joe was hovering close by, giving Kelly a reassuring nod, but Kelly could see the tension in his brother’s muscles as if he was expecting a fight. Carter was already starting up the truck, while Gavin watched them all anxiously from a distance, prowling like a wild animal.Kelly glanced down at Robbie, finding his Mates eyes squeezed tightly against the bright sun. Kelly gave him a few moments to adjust, Robbie still too pale as a bead of sweat rolled down his face, before continuing onto the truck.Easing Robbie into the back seat was harder than expected, especially because Robbie was clutching onto Kelly as if expecting him to disappear the moment he let go. They let Robbie lie down, his head in Kelly’s lap as Kelly ran fingers through his hair. Robbie whimpered when Ox tried to take his glasses but after a moment he relented.“I’ll keep them safe.” Ox promised.With Carter driving, Ox was riding shotgun and Robbie taking up two spots in the back, Gavin and Joe took the tray. Joe didn’t complain and while Kelly felt as though Gavin was considering shifting, he didn’t, simply climbing up into the tray and banging a hand on the roof as if to ask why Carter wasn’t already moving.Carter cursed quietly, huffing out a breath, but when he reversed Kelly could tell he was being careful.“Almost there.” Kelly mumbled.Robbie leaned into his touch, his whole body trembling.To think just a little while ago, Robbie had been okay. Except maybe even then he hadn’t been, when the others were teasing him Robbie didn’t brush it off, he had seemed genuinely hurt by their words even if it had all been in good fun. Robbie hadn’t been feeling well for a while, he had just fought hard to keep them from noticing.Kelly felt terrible, not having noticed that Robbie had been holding his discomfort back, most likely because Robbie didn’t want to worry them, worry him. But now Robbie was whimpering in his lap, his symptoms worsening drastically the moment he acknowledged that something was wrong. He had a fever, higher than Kelly had ever felt.Kelly was worried, of course he was, because this was the love of his life and he was hurting and there was nothing Kelly could do about it except comb fingers through his hair.Robbie smelled like home but it was like that home was on fire and it was tearing Kelly’s heart apart.He barely even registered just how long it took to get to the motel, Robbie whimpering each time there was a blaring of a horn as Ox weaved through traffic. He trembled in Kelly’s lap but Kelly kept Robbie as comfortable as he could.Getting Robbie out of the truck was less of an issue than getting him into it because as soon as they had pulled into carpark, Ox was out of the drivers seat and opening the door on Kelly’s side so quickly that he nearly tore it off its hinges.While Kelly yearned to be the one to help Robbie, it felt right for their Alpha to take Robbie into his arms.Robbie moaned, burying his head into Ox’s chest, while the whole lot of them scrambled towards the motel. Kelly tried not to think about all the motels he had stayed in with Carter, Joe and Gordo all those years ago but he couldn’t help it as a familiar dread sank deep into his chest.This wasn’t the same.This wasn’t the same because Robbie was not dying. It was a migraine. It was a fucking migraine and a fever, this wasn’t like Kelly’s Dad, Kelly wasn’t going to lose him. No. Robbie was going to be fine. He had to be fine.They had been through too much, fought too hard.Robbie was going to be okay because Kelly was going to be right there with him no matter what.Kelly barely even registered the process of getting their room key, not even caring about the weird look the receptionist gave them, his sole focus was staying as close as possible to Robbie while sending reassurances though their bond.He says, RobbieLoveMateHe says, i love you i love you i love youHe says, you are safe you are okay because i am hereHe says, i am here and you are safe because i am here and i love youHe says, i see youIt was Joe who opened the door but Kelly couldn’t even thank his brother, too much in a rush to be with his Mate.Ox eased Robbie onto the bed, smoothing his hair away from his face.“Joe,” Ox said.But Joe was already in the small bathroom wetting a cloth. He was back just as Kelly grabbed onto Robbie’s hand and squeezed tightly.Ox’s Alpha presence helped calm both Kelly and Robbie alike and when Kelly felt Carter set a hand on his shoulder Kelly felt even steadier still knowing that his tether was right there with him too.Robbie whimpered but Kelly was right there with him, pressing a gentle kiss to his temple.Kelly shifted back a little, letting Joe wipe the sweat from Robbie’s face, but he didn’t so much as consider letting go of Robbie’s hand.Robbie was going to be okay.He had to be.Robbie was going to be fine and he was going to be just fine because Kelly was right here with him and there was no way in hell Kelly was going to have it any other way. “How are you feeling?” Kelly asked.Robbie buried further into the blankets.“I can close the curtains…” Kelly said.When he went to stand, a hand stopped him. Kelly shifted closer towards Robbie, squeezing Robbie’s hand. For the first time in twelve hours, Robbie’s eyes had cracked open.“Hey… Hi…” Kelly said. “Hello.”Robbie’s smile was strained but Kelly was still glad to see it.“Lay with me?” Robbie croaked.Kelly fully climbed up onto the bed. They readjusted, Robbie’s elbow accidentally going into Kelly’s rib, but soon enough they were both comfortable with Robbie’s head rested up against Kelly’s shoulder while Kelly played with his hair.“Kelly?”“Yeah?”“I can be an asshole.”Kelly’s chuckle rumbled deep in his chest.“Sure,” Kelly said. “You can be the absolute worst. I mean, I’m pretty sure you nearly gave Mrs. Johnson a heart attack when you told her how much her service was going to cost.”While Robbie gave off a weak laugh, he was obviously still sensitive because he flinched at the sound. Kelly soothed him, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.“You can be an asshole.” Kelly said. “But… I see you, you know? Asshole and all. And Carter I swear to fuck if you make a asshole joke right now, I’m going to kill you.”Robbie moved a little in Kelly’s arms, confused, until he was able to see the shadows at the doorway. Robbie grimaced, probably cursing himself for not having detected the crowd earlier but Kelly just held him a little tighter.“Hey,” Carter said. “I am way too sophisticated to make a ‘you’ve seen my brothers asshole’ joke. Don’t you know, brother mine, that I am so sophisticated that I won’t even mention the fact that you both smell terrible right now.”Kelly threw a pillow at Carter but Carter ducked easily. Ox, who had been standing behind Carter, caught the pillow and hit the back of Carter’s head.“Hey!”“Robbie needs quiet right now.” Ox reminded.“I can be quiet.” Carter growled.It was Joe who gave off a loud scoff so Carter turned his righteous fury towards the youngest Bennet.“You can’t be quiet when you’re-”“What happened to being sophisticated?” Joe asked, his grin wicked.When Carter reached down to grab the pillow, Gavin in wolf form stole it first and whacked it against Carter’s leg. Before Carter could even take a swipe at Gavin, he was coming fully into the room.Without waiting for permission, Gavin jumped right up onto the bed, curling up on top of Robbie’s feet.Kelly glared at him, worried that Robbie was going to get too overwhelmed, but when he looked down at his mate he found that Robbie was smiling.Once Gavin was comfortable, the other boys came into the room too and started climbing up onto the very quickly crowded bed and while Joe very almost fell off when he tried to curl up against Ox, Joe’s hand on one of Robbie’s, it wasn’t long before Robbie started drifting off to sleep.Kelly stayed awake even as his family started drifting off around him. It had been a long day yesterday, worrying about Robbie, but it felt good to be here with him even if he wasn’t yet fully back to his normal self.Robbie would recover in time, this migraine just another one of those things they had to endure together. While this motel room wasn’t home, Kelly still felt like he was home surrounded by brothers and nestled up close to Robbie.