Wings of Home II: Wings of Change

A Beginning of Sorts

She found herself exchanging one uniform for another. A frown twisted across her face, her eyes taking in the bright orange uniform of the garrison cadet, her mind taking in the fact she was transferring schools so she might be available when the team was needed.

"You know, as much as I would have liked getting into that school, I've got to admit that uniform is butt ugly."

Elena turned, glaring at her younger brother. "It's not ugly! I mean, it's unisex."

Alex let out a sigh, before heading over to the breakfast table. "Only you would be pleased with something like that. I'm surprised they're not having you stay at the garrison."

"I would have put my foot down." Elena turned her head so she could look at her mother in her eye, smiling at how fierce her mother was. Their abuela bustled about the kitchen, placing food onto the table for her family.

"Yes, but would you put your foot down if that meant they couldn't call her, or the others up at a moment's notice simply because most of the team is away from that garrison thing."

Her heart sunk, knowing her grandmother was right. She stared into her food, frowning. Her mother's smile faltered. "Well, if we're on high alert, we're on high alert. There's nothing we can do about it."

Lydia walked over, patting her granddaughter's cheek. "Don't worry. Thinks will be alright, but you have people you know to look out for you at the garrison, so you should settle in fast."

"I hope so." After finishing her meal, she headed down the flight of stairs to the floor below, her hand knocking on the door, hoping her ride was ready to go already.

Shiro opened the door, toothbrush in his mouth. "Morning. Come on in. Keith's almost finished eating and just needs to brush his teeth, then we can go."

She watched Shiro turn his head so he might look at Keith, who was sitting across from his twin with a bowl of cereal in front of him, sitting, not taking a single bite. His twin seemed perturbed by the fact Keith was staring, not eating his food either. That person was Ryo, the one who bagged on the family night they'd invited the brothers to, yet there was no denying the fact the two were identical, their clothing and hairstyles setting them apart.

"Okay. You're really weirding me out right now."

"I'm weirding you out? I'm getting weirded out by the fact you're not getting mad at me or telling me how much of a nuisance I am."

Ryo pointed his spoon at Keith's cereal, letting out a sigh. "Your cereal's getting soggy, so you might want to just make some toast and not worry about brushing your teeth this morning. That way you won't be late for class."

Elena watched a grin break across Shiro's face. She pointed her thumb at Shiro. "This may just be me, but the one weirding me out is your older brother."

Keith and Ryo turned their heads to look at Shiro, taking in his grin. Ryo's eyebrow twitched, but he stood up, pointing a finger at Shiro, his tone of voice rising. "Don't you dare say we're acting cute and adorable Takashi! We're not little kids anymore."

"It's an older brother's prerogative to embarrass their younger siblings." Shiro continued smiling, speaking in a sing-song voice.

Ryo let out a deep breath, grabbing Keith's bowl of cereal and heading over towards the sink, while Keith's eyes widened. "Hey!"

"I'm going to make you some toast. Go brush your teeth already." Something about the way Ryo's face twisted made Elena think he wasn't used to acting this way.

"You know, you don't have to be civil just because a guest is here." Elena narrowed her eyes.

"Yeah. He has been acting weird ever since we got back yesterday. It's really weirding me out Ryo."

Shiro let out a deep breath, the smile faltering. "How about we not ruin the mood with the two of you having an argument, please? It's really nice, the fact you two are getting along. Keith, go brush your teeth, even though doing so before you eat is a bit backward."

By the time Keith got out of the bathroom, Ryo had the toast ready and handed the item to Keith. "I'm sorry I was such an asshole to you." Keith took the toast, his mind still taking in what Ryo said. "I'm going to hug you now, okay?"

"W... no!"

"Keith, let him."

Elena watched Keith completely tense up while Ryo gently hugged him. She glanced over at Shiro, yet the look on her face – she didn't know if she should worry or not. Taking a deep breath, she headed downstairs while Keith stared at the toast, his own mind still trying to take in what was going on – even she could see that.

Finally, when they were in the car, Keith spoke up. "Shiro..."

"Yes?"

"What's Ryo up to."

"What do you mean?"

"He's being nice. He's never nice to me."

"I think I need some time to think of an answer for you buddy. I mean, I know why he's doing it, and that he's not actually up to anything, but – yeah, I can't think of a way to convince you of that, so let me have some time to think."

Elena watched from the backseat, unsure what to think of the family dynamic which unfolded in front of her, but she found herself worried about her future as a paladin of Voltron, particularly when there was a better candidate – her cousin Lance, not to mention so many others at the garrison she'd not yet met.