Wings of Home (Voltron: Legendary Defender/One Day at a Time 2017 Crossover)

Strange Changes

The fact he wasn't being punished didn't stop Keith from feeling like he was being punished, nor did knowing stop the other negative feelings rushing through his head. Lance's words from that morning stuck with him, but in so many ways Keith believed those words. The fact Shiro came to his rescue that morning with the commander who was interrogating him didn't help how he felt.

More importantly, Lance, the person his older brother wanted him to make friends with was even more pissed off with him than he was before, yet Keith honestly didn't understand what he'd done wrong this time. In fact, he didn't understand how he started the "antagonist" against Lance, but the way Lance spoke to him made him feel like the antagonist of the situation.

As such he didn't want to tell Shiro they were invited over to Penelope's, for in Keith's mind this would only make the situation worse. The garrison psychiatrist – after kicking her own brother out of her office and heading to one of the conference rooms to counsel students to oversee and help the councilors who were seeing to grief counseling as she did between when they rescued him from the commander and her lunch break.

It was a long time for being alone in a room even though he did say he would be fine on his own.

Shiro, of course, called Penelope while Keith remained silent but didn't ask Keith's opinion on the matter. The prospect of meeting new people was nerve-wracking, but Ryo somehow managed to get out of having to participate because of his job. Keith wished he might attend an online school like his supposed twin did because he wouldn't then have the hassle of dealing with people and not knowing how to act.

Shiro knocked on the door without hesitation. The woman that the strange man identified as Lance's grandmother opened the door with a flourish. "Welcome! Welcome!"

If this hadn't caught Keith off guard the next thing to happen did. The woman opened her arms wide before wrapping them around Keith. Keith tensed up at the sudden touch and invasion of his personal space, while Shiro seemed a bit nervous. The woman then ushered them in by pushing lightly on the middle of Keith's back.

"Come in. Come in. Our home is your home, so make yourself at home."

Keith tensed up and stood frozen in the living room area. Lance's grandmother bustled over to the kitchen where she was finishing preparing the meal and Keith slowly stuck his hands into his pockets. For some reason, the strange man was in the room sitting at the kitchen table. "Hola! When they say their home is your home they mean it."

Penelope came out of the hallway smiling. "Says the person who knows how to overstay his welcome." Keith's eyes widened in confusion only for him to wince when Penelope yelled down the hallway. "Kids. Keith and his older brother are here."

Keith didn't know when he stepped behind Shiro, but when the teenagers – two girls and a boy – came out, he was hiding behind Shiro. The girl he'd not met yet came over and grabbed his hand and shook it enthusiastically. "Hi! I'm Syd. I'm Elena's significant other."

"Syd uses they/them pronouns." The girl Keith did know spoke up.

"Why?" He watched Elena's face twist as if what he said upset her.

"I identify as non-binary."

"Identify..." Keith's mouth twisted a little. "What does non-binary mean?"

Elena's facial features changed from being upset to being surprised while her brother Alex started laughing. "What? You don't know what non-binary means?"

"No."

"It means Syd doesn't identify as male or female," Alex let out a laugh.

"So, I should not use the word she, or call them a girl either?" Keith's eyes widened in amazement. If I did, that would be rude and improper?"

"Yes." Elena's lips pushed together.

"Okay. Good. I don't like knowing that kind of thing." For some reason what Keith said made the – girl and them – scream in a shrill manner.

"Mom. If I didn't know this was the guy who punched our cousin out, I'd be asking where you found him. He's absolutely adorable!"

Alex's lip twisted into a pout. "What about me?"

"You stopped being so innocent and naïve a long time ago."

Lydia waved from the kitchen. "Come here papito. I still think you're adorable."

"I was joking abuela." Alex walked over and let his grandmother give him a hug. Soon dishes were placed at the table and they sat down. Lydia set out explaining each dish to their guests, but Keith for some reason found himself relaxing around the family despite how loud they were.

"So, what's up with that red jacket you're wearing?" Alex asked. "I've never seen anything like it before."

"This?" Keith glanced down at his jacket. "Shiro and I go out to the desert to ride hoverbikes."

One of Penelope's eyebrows shot up. "The garrison lets you do that."

Shiro cleared his throat. "Keith's already flying the actual aircraft like I am, but we also use our dad's old one a lot." Shiro turned his head slightly. "Actually, I think it was him who got Keith the jacket."

"Wow." Alex waved his hands. "That's like, awesome."

"Yeah. I know." Schneider nodded his head in agreement.

"Do you like Doctor Who?" Syd piped up. Their comment made Penelope and Alex startle.

Elena piped up. "Yeah. Do you like Doctor Who?"

"Who is this doctor you are asking if I like? Are you talking about your cousin? She's nice to me."

Alex leaned into his food in an attempt at hiding a laugh. Elena and Syd looked at each other before turning and blurting out exactly what Doctor Who was. Keith's eyes widened in amazement, but when they finished, he asked, "Do you believe aliens are real?"

This made Syd and Elena look at each other in amusement while Alex looked at him like he'd grown a head. The adults in the room excluding Shiro stared in confusion. "Keith..."

The tone in Shiro's voice reminded him of something important. "Oh. Right. Mom's not an alien." The looks on the faces of the adults switched from confusion to surprise while Alex now stared in shock. Elena and Syd squealed as they had before indicating they found his answer cute and adorable. While Keith didn't like looking cute and adorable, the reaction he received as far better than the ones he got before. "So, you don't mind the fact I'm weird."

"Of course not." Penelope piped up.

Alex let out a laugh. "You're not the weirdest person here."

"Hey!" Elena glared at her brother as did Syd.

"I meant that as a compliment. "Alex shook his head in amusement while taking more food. "I wouldn't change you two for the world."

"Oh." A thought crossed Keith's mind and he leaned over and whispered something into Shiro's ear. Shiro gave him a funny look. "Wait? Does that mean the answer is no?"

"No. It's just not like you to take the initiative like this."

"Is it possible."

"Well, I certainly can pull some strings to make it happen, but it also depends on what Ms. Penelope says."

"I told you. Penelope is fine. What is it Keith is asking?"

"You have experience with the garrison, so you know about the stay over program for friends and family of the enlisted officers and cadets, right?" Keith watched Penelope's eyebrows shoot up. "Well, Keith was wanting to know if I could arrange for a stay over for Alex, Elena, and Syd. Of course, only if it's not to much trouble."

Penelope frowned as if she were going to say no, but Schneider piped up. "I could chaperone if you want and make sure there is no hanky panky."

"Yes." Lydia piped up. "I'll even make food for everyone."

"Why not." Penelope let out a laugh, but she seemed pleased for some reason Keith couldn't figure out. Another squeal came from Elena and Syd, while Alex made a motion saying he was excited.