Down Memory Lane - Voltron

Chapter 8 - Shiro

/* I figured this part was short enough not to be split up (1536 words).  TW: Bullying, abuse, death */

Shiro's POV

Shiro walks into the new cavern first. All of these stupid rooms look the same, for all they know they've been walking into the same one over and over. He enters first, worried about Keith. His little brother has been through some shit, and he'd rather go next and maybe spare Keith his turn. As he expected, he's alone in the middle of the room. He glances at the others stuck behind the clear divider.

Light flashes behind Shiro, attracting his attention to the source. He's back in his childhood home. His father sits on the couch watching TV and knocking back beers. His mother is in the kitchen cleaning, her face a picture of misery and depression.

"Boy! What are you doing in the corner? Grab me another bottle," his father shouts, tossing his empty bottle to in the growing pile on the floor. Shiro, scared to get on his father's bad side, rushes to do his bidding. He hands his father the fresh bottle, the scent of alcohol making him lightheaded.

"I don't have my fucking bottle-opener; you're supposed to open it before bringing it to me. You can't do anything can you, stupid idiot?" his father spits, cuffing Shiro's head. Shiro snatches the bottle and opens it in the kitchen. His mother does nothing, just silently continues to clean and ignore her family.

When Shiro goes back into the living room, the TV commercials turn to an advertisement for the Galaxy Garrison. Join today! And become a world-renowned pilot! Shiro desperately wants to sign up. His father catches his affixion with the ad.

"Ha! Little boy wants to be a pilot, huh? Good luck with that. They want smart people, and you don't have much rattling around that head of yours, do ya? Ha, Shiro a pilot. The idea kills me," his father laughs and chugs his beer. Shiro blushes, determination rising in his chest. He will make himself the best pilot ever, and then his father will see.

"You'll see. I'll be a great pilot. I'll study hard, just watch me," Shiro declares. His father just guffaws.

"Whatever, fly boy. Get me another beer, and be sure to open it this time, yeah?" he sneers. When Shiro enters the kitchen, the kitchen is gone. In its place is a doctor's office. Not knowing what else to do, he sits on the sterile bed. A doctor comes in, holding some files and reading them carefully.

"Hello, Shiro. Bad news I'm afraid. You have a rare illness, and you won't be in peak condition for much longer. Here's a prescription for a medication bracelet. You need to wear it on your arm at all times. You can still pilot for right now, but that could change any time. I'm super sorry," the doctor says. Shiro is shocked. Sure, he's broken some records, but he isn't nearly done with what he wants to accomplish. He can't be losing his edge so soon; his mind is blurred, and his mouth gapes open.

Shiro stands up and leaves the room, away from the doctor, away from the false sterility of the hospital, away from the sympathetic looks from the nurses.

He goes to the apartment he shares with Adam. Strangely, the doctor's office is connected straight to their living room, but Shiro pays no attention to it.

Adam is sitting at the bar eating some food. The TV is on in the living room. Shiro can hear the news lady speaking. Takashi Shirogane, the best pilot in the Garrison, has bravely accepted to fly the Kerberos mission with Samuel and Matthew Holt. That's right. General Sanda finally gave in and allowed him to be on the mission, the farthest they have ever traveled.