You're My Brother

Return

Months of waiting had passed. Long, terrible months. Keith had survived his first year and a half at the Garrison. Barely. Ever since Shiro had left, his behavior had become increasingly worse. He had no one to go to. Not in the same way that he could go to Shiro.
But today was an important day. Today, Shiro and his crew had returned from their year long voyage. Being a cadet, he wasn't allowed to meet Shiro when he landed. Unlike Adam and Matt, who were high ranking officers.
However, Shiro had promised that he would stop by Keith's dorm room as soon as the interviews had been completed.
Half of the day had gone by and not one person had come to chat with Keith. Not Adam, not Matt, and not Takashi Shirogane. Giving up on the idea and hope of seeing Shiro that day, Keith made his way to the front entrance, deciding a walk outside would be better than to wait for someone who wouldn't ever show up.
The Garrison was completely empty, except for the security guards, Professors, officers and Admiral Sanda. Though Keith never formally met her, he knew to stay out if her way. The reason there were no Cadets on the Garrison property, was because it was the holiday season. Thanksgiving was just around the corner, and the students were allowed to go back home to spend a week with their families. They all had somewhere to be, all if them except Keith, who started at the Garrison no matter what holiday it was.
It is quite obvious as to why Keith is still here. He has no family, no home to return to.
His mother left him when he was an infant, and his father died eight years ago.
He found a quiet place to sit, just outside the outer walls. Crossing his legs beneath him, he slid down the wall until he was sitting comfortably.
Keith always liked the peaceful atmosphere of the desert. He had grown up out here until he was about six years old, when he was sent to The Home.
But that doesn't matter much to him now. He got over the loss of his father and has more or less so moved on. He's not a kid anymore, he's fourteen and knows better than to live in the past. Besides, he has Shiro to confide in. Assuming he still cares about the cadet after the voyage to Mars.
After an hour or so, Keith could swear he heard voices. Familiar ones. Adam and Matt.
Maybe they were looking for him.
As Keith got to his feet, he thought there was a third voice among them.
With a sigh, he shoved his hands deep into his pockets and began walking towards the sound of voices.
He was right, it was just Adam and Matt. Nothing special. The third voice must've been his own imagination.
"There you are!" Matt exclaimed, running up to Keith and pushing him towards the Garrison. "We've been searching all over for you!"
"Where's Shiro?!" Keith asked, defiantly pulling away from the officer.
"He's inside, looking for you." Adam informed the Cadet, motioning for Keith to follow him. "Come on. I know you missed him."
Keith huffed, following behind Matt and Adam, keeping his distance.
Once inside, the Officers led Keith down multiple hallways and into the teacher's lounge. The Cadet took a seat and waited for Shiro to enter.
He wasn't eager to see him. He wasn't really feeling anything. Keith did, in some way, miss Shiro. But not with any sort if affection.
With his back turned to the door, he didn't see it open, nor did he see the man who entered.
"Did you find him?"
"Yeah," Matt told the man. "He's over there, pretending to be the loner kid, as always."
Keith turned his head, somehow surprised to see Shiro standing behind him. "Shiro..."
"Keith. It's so good to see you again."
Suddenly, Keith leapt off the couch, and punched Shiro's arm hard. "That's for taking so damn long to see me!" His expression softened and he slowly smiled, "but thanks for coming back..."
Shiro tussled the boy's hair, "You're very welcome. Iverson said your scores are improving well. Though your teamwork skills are still a little low."
"I don't work well with others. I'm not a leader. I'm only here because I want to be a fighter pilot. I'm not like you."
"We'll work on your teamwork skills. Especially after you let Lance McClain 'die' in a simulator."
Keith shot a glance at Adam, knowing he broke his promise and told Shiro of his actions.
"You disobeyed an order." Adam said, shrugging his shoulders. "I had no choice but to tell Takashi."
"It's no big deal." Shiro quickly said, covering for the cadet. "It was a pretty bad mistake, but we can work around it."
"You're too soft on him..." Matt grumbled, "you're the reason why he's doing these things. He knows he can get away with it."
"I'm not doing it on purpose!" The cadet shouted, defending himself. "I don't work well with others. That's not my fault!"
Shiro placed a hand on his shoulders, giving a comforting smile. "It's alright, Keith. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. I won't give up on you. I'll help you to become a better team player and a better pilot."
"Thanks, but you don't have to."
"No, he does." Adam chimed in. "You need someone's help. I don't have the patience and... Well Matt is a terrible teacher. He's a disaster. But Takashi is a good teacher and he has the patience. Besides, you know you want his help."
Keith couldn't deny that. He wanted Shiro's help. He needed Shiro's help.
Maybe he could become another ace pilot, one who has patience, skill, and unsurpassable abilities. A pilot like Shiro.
To do this, however, he would need help. Shiro's help. And with him back from Mars, he would have the help he needs to succeed.