Arrival (Voltron: Legendary Defender Fanfic)

Dorm Room

"Just so you know, I didn't do that on purpose," Takashi said when they arrived at the garrison. "It hadn't even crossed my mind someone might mistake you for Keith. Well, sort of."

Ryo sent a glare his older brother's way, far from pleased at the rambling, which in his mind sounded like Takashi, despite what he said, had done that on purpose.

Takashi sighed, running fingers through his hair while his other hand gripped the steering wheel. "I mean, it was Lance we ran into, so it should have crossed my mind to some level that he'd react the way he did." The corner of his mouth twitched as the fingers in Takashi's hair tightened, his eyes closing in frustration. "Actually..."

"Can we just not?" Ryo said, looking out the window. "I can find my own way to my dorm accommodations." He reached a hand for the inside handle of the car door when he heard the lock mechanism click. He turned his head, eyes wide, looking at his older brother. "Takashi. Are you serious?"

"Can you let me finish?" Takashi said. "It's kind of important." Then, Takashi shook his head. "No, it is important. Something you should be aware of."

"What? What else do I need to be aware of?" Ryo felt a tightening in his throat as he fought to hold back yelling at his older brother.

"Lance will likely still insist you're Keith the next time he sees you."

"What?" Ryo's eyes blinked.

"Actually, I'm already imagining him wondering why there are two Keiths in front of him, but that should give you an idea," Takashi said, only to stop. He frowned. "No. He considers himself Keith's rival as well."

"Look. Don't expect me to acknowledge some ridiculous rivalry between the two of them," Ryo muttered, continuing to look out the window, hoping Takashi would let him go soon.

"Yeah. Neither does Keith," Takashi said, gripping the stirring wheel. "Lance is actually all talk, no game. He's actually waiting for a spot to open up in the main program so he can move up from cargo pilot."

Ryo sighed, finally turning to look at his older brother. "Oh, great. With me here, he's now going to have to wait for two spots to open up, so he'll have that to hold against me."

"Yeah, well," Takashi frowned. "If he does clue into the fact you're my younger brother, that you're Ryo Shirogane, you might actually have an easier time of it than Keith does."

"And why's that?"

Takashi winced like he did when the cadet named Lance ran up to them. There was an audible shudder. "Obsessive fanboy."

"Is that better or worse than obsessive fangirls?" Ryo asked, his eyes widening, curiosity getting the better of him.

Takashi blinked, then turned to look at Ryo. He swallowed. "I'd forgotten. But now that I think of it, how did you work that into your plans?"

"Told my agent I'm taking time off for personal reasons," Ryo sighed, looking out the window. "Thank you for the reminder you've not been a part of my life."

"You know I've been busy dealing with Keith, being the closest thing he has to a parent since dad died. And you weren't exactly keen on talking to me when you thought," Takashi started saying. "Look. I'm not blaming you, but you didn't exactly make things easier, either. Keith has his own set of feelings about the matter."

"What?" Ryo sat up. "I thought you weren't bringing up, well, you know."

"I didn't," Takashi said. "But Keith did overhear one side of our conversation a few times." He turned, clicking the button, then turned back. "I guess that's it on what I need to fill you in on. Or at least what I can think of, outside, of course, what I think Keith should tell you himself. Good luck."