Ok, y’all, I’m sorry for starting with a hug microfic that wasn’t prompted when I have so many great fluffy hug prompts but… here’s an angsty Keith-and-Hunk hug set some handwavy time around “Blade of Mormora.”

Keith stood at the bathroom mirror, poking at the bruises that covered his torso instead of smoothing the healing salve on them like he was supposed to be doing.  He’d bandaged up the cut on his shoulder, because that actually did hurt, though not as much as he thought it would have if it weren’t for the suit the Blades had provided.  Had it been able to close the wound because he was Galra?  He knew the deep purples scattered across his skin weren’t Galra, but every time he touched one and felt another spike of pain it was more reassurance that they were bruises, and he was human, and maybe, maybe, maybe the Blades were wrong.

He was too lost in thought to notice Hunk’s footsteps in the hallway until the door swung open beside him, and then halfway closed again.  "Whoops!“

Keith wasn’t sure whether to say “I’m in here” or “Don’t come in,” but before he could decide, Hunk figured out what he’d seen.

“Wait -” the door swung open again and Hunk was looking worriedly at him, “That’s a lot of bruises.  What did they do to you over there?”

Keith’s heart jumped a beat.  He didn’t know.  Shiro hadn’t gotten there yet, or Hunk hadn’t been listening, or he hadn’t - he didn’t know.

“I -” he stuttered, “It was a test, I-”

Hunk’s face darkened.  "It was a test?  What the heck?  Who does that?  Those Galra-“

Keith tried not to flinch.  "It’s not their fault,” he interrupted, “I volunteered.  I wanted-”

He’d wanted to know about his heritage.  What a surreal thing to remember.  Now he’d give anything not to know about it.

Hunk’s face softened again, as Keith gestured wordlessly, unable to explain himself.

“Well, it still looks like it hurts.  I’m glad you’re ok.”

Hunk stepped into the bathroom and wrapped his arms carefully around Keith, avoiding the cut on his shoulder and most of the bigger bruises.

Keith froze for a moment, but when he felt Hunk pulling away, it suddenly occurred to him that this might be the last hug he ever got.  Shiro was going to make it through the rest of the story, or the Blades were going to mention his heritage, and then everyone would know and this might be his last hug.  He wrapped his arms around Hunk, stopping him from letting go, and squeezed tight.

Hunk seemed surprised, but didn’t let go, letting Keith half melt into him like he didn’t usually let himself do.  Hunk’s arms were strong and firm and solid, and Keith just wanted to breathe in the leftover cooking smells hovering around Hunk’s clothes and never let go.

“Oh man,” Hunk said, tightening the hug just a little bit once he decided he could do it without hurting Keith.  "It must have been really rough.“

Hunk had no idea.  When they finally broke apart, Keith had to fight back tears, and only managed not to sprint away by clenching his stomach to make him feel stronger at his core.  It only mostly worked.