You're My Brother

Reflection

   Two years ago, Keith learned of the Kerberos mission.
   Two years ago, he learned he would be without his biggest ally for months. Long, boring, lonely months.
   Four years ago, he entered the Garrison, and instantly became the top pilot in his year.
   Seven years before that, he was put in an orphanage, a place he called The Home.
   It's safe to say, that from the age of six to, now, seventeen, a lot has happened.
   Keith went from being a bad tempered child, to a—somewhat— disciplined young man.
   Of course, he still has a few anger issues, and will always have a short temper, but he has matured and grown.
   Most of his development is because of Shiro, the one person who never gave up on Keith. The one person who never will.
   Shiro has stayed by Keith's side from the day they met— for the second time —at the Garrison. Shiro saw the potential in Keith. He saw the boy's skills, his intellect, his talent, and a side of Keith that even the cadet himself never saw.
   Ever since Keith set foot in the Garrison four years ago, he has changed significantly. For better or for worse, he has changed.
   But now, as a senior cadet, one who is two years from graduating, Keith has a new problem to face. One he isn't prepared for.
   Keith always knew that eventually he would have to manage everything on his own, but why so soon?
For the past four years, he has had help managing his temper. He has had help inside and outside of the simulator.
   It feels like only yesterday he learned that Shiro would go to Kerberos. He was given two years.
   Two years is supposed to be a long time.
   So why is it here already? How has it been two years?
   If two years is seven hundred and thirty days, how could it be here already?
   Keith found himself standing in the launch zone, waiting for Shiro to come out and say goodbye.
   Of course, he'd see him again in about three years, that's good.
   So... If that's a good thing... Why is there a feeling of loneliness in Keith's heart?
   He's not being left behind. Shiro will be back.
If he knows this, why doesn't this feel right?
Why does this seem wrong?
Shiro will be back.
He made a promise.
Shiro is the best pilot the Garrison, maybe even the world, has to offer.
Nothing is going to happen.
Unless...
Unless you count that one thing.
Keith had heard Admiral Sanda, Commander Holt and Shiro talking about the mission a few days back.

**

"This man is sick!"
Those were the Admiral's words.
   That's the last thing Keith heard from the discussion he most definitely should not have been listening in on. The last thing he heard before running off was the fact that Shiro was sick.
   "How?! How sick?!" He questioned as he walked mindlessly through the halls. "Virus sick? Or deathly?!" Keith, being one who only ever had a handful of people he ever felt he could rely on, began running through every possible outcome. Worst case, death. Best case, he just misses the mission, or it's postponed.
   Keith had a general idea that Shiro wouldn't die. Medicine has come too far to let someone as physically healthy as Shiro just drop dead.
   But how was he sick? What was it? Internal? External? What was it?!
   From the corner of his eye, Keith saw Shiro leaving the building.
   The cadet knew he shouldn't follow him. He probably needs his space after being told he couldn't go on the mission.
   But Keith had to figure out what was wrong!
   Cautiously, Keith snuck out the front doors, slowly following the Officer, keeping his distance to make sure he wasn't spotted.
   Hiding from Shiro was an odd thing to do, but Keith was not a stalker, and he did not want to be labeled as one.
   Regardless, he had to figure out what was wrong with Shiro and how sick he was.

***

   Motor neuron disease. That's what Shiro was diagnosed with. He had two years to retain his peak condition. And about two or three after that before his life would end.
   That's why Keith was so worried.
   He would only have about a year after Shiro returned before he never saw him again. Only one year until he could never speak to him again.
   Keith never took abandonment well, and he took death much worse.
   He had already been abandoned by his mother.
   He lost his father when he was just a boy.
   And now he might lose Shiro before he graduates.
   Life without Shiro is, for Keith, impossible. Shiro is his only ally. Not one other person on this planet has looked out for him like Shiro has.
   Yes, medicine has advanced since this disease was first discovered, and yes, predictions could be wrong. Shiro could live for another twenty years.
   But if predictions could be wrong, then Shiro could die in space.
   This might be the last day Keith sees Shiro.
   This might be the last time he ever talks to him.
   Keith isn't ready to accept that, but he knows it's a possibility.
   The sound of voices behind the cadet made him turn his head.
   There, he saw Commander Hold, Matt and their family. The commander's wife and Matt's little sister.
   Keith smiled a little at their happiness, wishing he could feel the same way. But of course, he could not. He was worried about Shiro and had no time to really care about anyone else.
   The one thing about their family that did make Keith envy them, was their dog. He did have a dog once. Comet. But Comet was tragically hit by a car.
   Keith has always liked dogs, and Shiro had promised to but Keith a dog of his own if he ever graduated from the Garrison. Other than being an official fighter pilot, the possibility of a dog was a nice incentive.
   But...
   He might not get the dog from Shiro.
   Shiro could end up dying before reaching Kerberos.
   Keith could care less about getting the dog. All he cared about was Shiro.
   Shiro never turned his back on Keith.
   Shiro was by his side through all of his troubles.
   Shiro helped Keith become a young man, one who can keep his temper.
   Shiro never gave up on Keith.
   Keith won't give up on him.
   But eventually, he'll have to let him go... Sometimes, the best things in life can't stay.
   Keith lost his father. As a young boy, he lost the most important person to him. A few years later, he had to say goodbye to his best friend, his only companion, Comet. And now, he has to be prepared to do the same for Shiro.
   It's hard letting go, but sometimes, you have to let someone go. Sometimes you have to accept the reality that people don't live for ever, and some die young.
   Keith had focused his attention on the Spacecraft some time ago.
   He was completely lost in thought when he felt someone touch his shoulder.
   Jumping slightly, he didn't bother to look up, assuming it was Commander Holt.
   But his assumptions were wrong.
   In the same, kind, mentor-like voice they always used, Shiro simply said, "she's amazing, isn't she?"
   She was the spacecraft.
   Keith couldn't look up. He couldn't look at Shiro. He was afraid. This was the last time he might ever see him.
   "Yeah... She is..." The cadet muttered.
   "I get to fly all the way to Kerberos. And in a ship this grand... Pretty amazing isn't it?"
   "Yeah. It's pretty amazing."
   The cadet forced themselves to overcome their fear. Slowly, he tilted his head to look at Shiro. His worried expression was met with an excited, compassionate smile.
   There wasn't a hint of fear in Shiro's eyes.
   The lack of fear from Shiro, made Keith feel safe, and he was soon smiling.