Clones and Despair

Experiment

       "I'm so glad Shiro is back." Pidge said happily. "Yeah... something just seems off to me." Keith said as he looked down. "What do you mean?" Asked Pidge. "It's hard to explain, it's just some things he does are different. Like he's never touched me with his Galra hand before- not that it bothers me but in the past, he made sure not to do it." Replied Keith. "Well he's been through a lot, maybe he just didn't think about it this time." Pidge said concerned, knowing Keith was right. Lance joined in on the conversation, "Not even just that, do you see what he's wearing now? He can't even dress himself anymore. Not that he could even do it in the first place, but that's not my point." "Really, Lance?" Keith stared at Lance. Lance scoffed, "Like you're one to talk, Mullet." Keith glared at Lance, " Anyways, Pidge, it might just be me, but something is off and I know it." Pidge looked down, disappointed that she didn't realize that Shiro was acting differently. "I was just so happy to have him back I didn't even realize..." Pidge trailed off. Hunk entered the room, "Hey guys! I made some cookies! Wait what's wrong guys?" Hunk started to look concerned when no one answered. "Guys?" Keith was the first one to move, "We're fine, sorry to worry you." Keith put his hand on Hunk's shoulder and left the room. Hunk felt awkward but tried to make the atmosphere in the room lighter, "Pidge, wanna try some of the cookies I made?" Pidge smiled slightly, "Sure Hunk, thank you." Hunk turned to Lance, "What about you, sharpshooter?" "No thanks." Said Lance as he left the room, not even reacting to the nick name. Hunk looked disappointed, he just wanted to make everyone happy.

Keith went up to Allura and Coran, "Hey guys." "Hello, Keith." They both replied. "What do you need?" Asked Coran. "I have a theoretical question." Replied Keith. "Theoretical? Isn't that Pidge's forte?" Asked Allura jokingly. Coran laughed at the joke. Keith sighed "Can I just ask my question?" "Yes, go ahead, sorry." Said Allura. "Say, if there were such things as clones, would there be a way to find out?" Asked Keith, hoping that there was a way. "Cloning? What is that?" Asked Allura. Keith, clearly disappointed, said "Don't worry about it's not that important anyways." Keith started to walk away when Coran stopped him. "Keith, wait." Keith turned around, "What is it, Coran?" "You didn't even let me respond." Coran chuckled. Allura looked at Coran, "You know what cloning is?" "Well, yes I do. Clone is a human word for an artificial twin." Stated Coran. "Is that even possible?" Asked Allura. "With much scientifical advancement I'm sure it is possible, such the fact that we were asleep for 10,000 years, I'm still not sure with all the new developments." Coran went on, "There was an old Altean legend, for the people who were scared of sorcerers. The legend was that a sorcerer would abduct and kill your family members and replace them with the artificial twin." "That doesn't really even make sense but go on." Said Keith "Well not all legends make much sense, anyways to get to the point, there is an experiment that might work to find out if a loved one has been replaced." Said Coran. "Do you happen to know what the experiment is?" Asked Keith. Before Coran could answer Shiro walked into the room. "Hey guys, what are you getting so lively about?" "Oh nothing much, just talking about some old Altean legends. Keith sighed and slowly back out of the room, no one noticed he left.

Pidge sighed happily, "Those cookies were amazing, Hunk. Although I ate too many." "Well I'm glad you liked them." Hunk smiled, glad that he at least made Pidge happy. "Say... what were you, Keith, and Lance talking about earlier?" Hunk asked with caution. Pidge avoided making eye contact with Hunk, "It was just about Shiro and how he is acting differently since he's been back." "Oh." Was all Hunk said, he didn't want to pry more into it. Changing the topic, "What should I bake next?" Asked Hunk. "Hmm..." Pidge pondered the idea "How about some brownies? I haven't had those since I last saw my brother... those were his favorite..." Pidge trailed off. Hunk pulled Pidge into an embrace, "Sure, I'll make some brownies." Pidge looked up at Hunk a little teary eyed, "Thanks, Hunk."