Starfighter

"DADDY! DADDY! WATCH ME!"

He laughed as he barrelled down the hill, kicking his legs out to let the wheels on his bike, that while it was much too large for him, he still found a way and still loved every minute of riding it. Even if he still needed a stool to get up onto the thing he didn't care.

Even so, he was gliding, imagining he was flying. That instead of grassy hills and tall grass, he was flying through stars and solar systems. Passing by alien ships and challenging mysterious beings to a race, his fire engine red bike becoming a ship around him.

"Look! Look!" He cheered again, glancing back behind him to see where his father was standing, the man having a warm look in his eyes as he watched his only child.

"That's my boy Keith! That's my boy!"

Keith let out a whoop of excitement, turning his bike to glide back where he had started. He couldn't wait to show off to the kids at the park. The big kids who always said he was too little to do anything.

He would show 'em!

"Can I go to the park later?"

"Tomorrow bud. We're going out later."

He wasn't quite sure how he got where he was. He vaguely remembered something about going to pick up something for his father's mechanic shop. A client's motorcycle maybe?

Keith's head hurt. It hurt a lot and so did his neck. He lifted his head despite it, looking around blearily, still not sure how he got there.

He knew one thing. He had to find his father. His hands fumbled with the seatbelt before it finally released.

Opening the truck door gingerly, he dropped out, stumbling as a wave of nausea gripped him.

No… I gotta find Daddy.

"Hey!"

He heard the voice before he saw who owned it. He tried to run but more nausea gripped him as he grasped onto the open door to steady himself.

He saw a man in a uniform running over, a duffle bag slung over his shoulder. The man's eyes were full of concern. "Don't move."

Keith backed up, trying to kick the door into his face when he got closer. "NO! I gotta find Daddy!" The man stopped the door from hitting him without any effort.

The man's gaze softened, kneeling to his level. "I know buddy but you can't look when you're all scratched up like that. Doesn't it hurt?"

Unconsciously, Keith's hand went to his sore neck. His head was still aching too.

"I-I guess." He mumbled.

The man offered a hand to him. "Why don't you let me take a look? I'm a doctor."

Keith gave him an unsure look.

"I promise I'm not gonna hurt you."

"And I can see Daddy?"

"You can see your dad real soon. Promise."

Keith's vision blurred as he stumbled forward, his right foot getting tangled in the lace of his left as he tripped.

I gotta find… I gotta…

oooooo

Keith was now hiding. He had woken up in the hospital. They still wouldn't let him see his dad and he was getting angry. One of them had even said his dad was dead! That was crazy!

He had kicked the guy and got a lecture about it. The first couple of days he had been sore and tired all the time.

Now, he was biding his time, waiting for an escape. He was holding a butter knife from lunch in his hands, back pressed up against the wall, waiting for someone to open the door to the ward.

But in Keith's eyes this was a very different place. It was dark and scary. This wasn't a hospital. This was a spaceship. He was trapped with these aliens who wouldn't let him leave and kept experimenting on him.

He didn't trust them. Not really.

He paused in his vigil, humming in thought. Who were these aliens exactly?

Hm… Something pure evil. Something dark and scary.

They need a name…

Hm…

Oh!

Keith grinned. Galra. A fierce race of aliens who made humans do battle after abducting them from their worlds. That they did whatever they wanted and no one could stop them.

Well, he could stop them. He was different. He was tough! His dad always said so, so it had be true and he was going to defeat the galra. Every last one of them.

He nodded to himself at this choice, feeling… better about things. If his dad was gone, he'd find out when he got out of here.

He didn't notice the two people watching him. Keith thought he had picked a pretty good hiding place… which was just behind a potted plant.

"He's really intent on you guys not working on him anymore huh, Thace?" A young man asked, crossing his arms as they watched, an amused look in his eyes mixed with sympathy.

The doctor beside him sighed, running a hand through shaggy hair. "He is the most stubborn kid I ever met. He's just a kid though. Kids come around generally but… this is one who's totally fine with imagining the worst scenario possible. He said we must be in alliance with Emperor Zarkon whoever that is and need to let him go to his planet."

Takashi chuckled a bit. "He's five. He'll come around… but you sure it's okay for me to take him?"

"It's either release him to you or an orphanage. Good luck getting him to talk to you though."

Takashi hummed in thought before he made his way over as the boy's eyes glanced up. Takashi made a dramatic show of looking around before slumping against the wall Keith was near, sliding down to his level.

"So, who are you hiding from?" He whispered.

Keith studied him for a moment before looking around, whispering to him. "The Galra. All of 'em. Are you galra?"

"Am I galra? What does a galra do?" Takashi asked in a hushed tone, making his eyes appear wide and full of fear. Keith looked around again before pointing to Thace as Takashi tried so hard not to chuckle.

"That's a galra. They stick you with needles and say lies and make you sleepy then when you wake up you got bandages all over you. They make people fight and they're… Well, evil!" Keith explained. He held up his butter knife. "If you're galra then I gotta make you go 'way."

Takashi gasped loudly. "No, I'm not a galra. I don't have any skills with needles or lie and I certainly don't make people fight." He shook his head. "So, I'm human, just like you."

"Hm… Okay. Then you're my ally." Keith studied the man before him for a moment. "I'm Keith. What's your name?"

"Takashi Shirogane. But everyone calls me Shiro."

"Shiro? I like that." The boy grinned. "Let's escape then."

"Whoa there, Little Warrior. I'm gonna get you out of here but I gotta sign some peace treaties with the aliens first so you can leave." Shiro replied, offering Keith his hand as he stood up.

Keith hesitated before taking the hand offered as he was helped up. "O-Okay. You sure they're not gonna turn on you?"

"I'm friends with this galra. They're not all bad." Shiro smiled reassuringly, Keith huddled behind him a little, his brave look fading to a more nervous one. "It's gonna be just fine. I'm gonna take care of you now."

"And no more galra prisons?"

Shiro bit back a laugh as Thace looked more annoyed from what he was overhearing. "No more galra prisons and I got ya something better than those hospital clothes-I mean prison uniforms."

"Keep talking Shiro, just keep talking. I'm gonna remember this!"

"Hope you do ,Thace."

Keith scoffed. "Don't be mean to Shiro!"

Thace smirked, sliding over the release forms for Shiro to sign. "You got a spitfire now. Hope you're happy."

"Oh, I am. I'm gonna use this for years to come." Shiro signed them, sliding the clipboard back. "Wish I could've stopped to say hi to Ulaz but I really gotta get going."

"Good luck."

"Appreciate it."

Keith tugged on his jacket, holding his arms up. Shiro scooped him up into his arms as the boy buried his face.

He walked off, stroking his back. "You okay?"

"... Daddy's not comin' back, is he?"

Shiro frowned, holding him a bit tighter, feeling Keith's shoulders shake as he sniffled. "No… I'm sorry Keith. I'm so sorry."

Keith dug his nails into Shiro's jacket, holding on. "You're not gonna leave too right?"

"Never. I'm gonna take care of you forever." Shiro promised as Keith looked up a little, surprise in his eyes. Shiro had a gentle look in his, stroking Keith's back as he curled up. "I promise Keith."

"And… no more hospital?"

"No more hospital unless you're sick or hurt… or when you need a checkup. Promise. Though I heard there's galra here too."

"Then we gotta avoid 'em."

Shiro kept him close.

It wouldn't be easy. He figured as such when he started this process but he wanted to give kids like Keith a second chance. Give them a home and see them grow up happy and strong.

"I'm gonna take real good care of you. I promise."

"A-And I can get my bike and my toys? And my favorite jacket?"

"All that and then some and my house has a big backyard and we live near a huge park with a lake."

"Ooo…"

Keith settled down, looking up at Shiro, imagining once more a different scenario. One where Shiro was a warrior in armor, come to save the day. For anyone, big, small, weak or strong.

I think he's gonna be awesome.

oooooo

Keith was hesitant as he explored Shiro's home, confusion in his eyes as he saw how many rooms the house had. Wasn't it just them? Why would they need this many rooms?

"Keith, you pick out your bedroom yet?"

Keith turned to see Shiro leaning against the wall, a grin on his face.

"Um… Whichever one lets me see the stars." He replied quietly.

"A room with a starside view huh?" Shiro hummed in thought before snapping his fingers. "Right this way."

Keith fell into step behind him, the five year old looking around seeing some photos on the wall along with some medals in frames.

He wanted to ask but his father's words echoed in his mind.

"People of all kinds have skeletons in their closet. Don't drag them up."

He had meant it about their neighbor's odd amassing of cats but he figured it applied to Shiro too.

"Here we are."

The door to the room was swung open with flourish as Keith let an audible gasp out. The room was full of posters on space, from planetary charts to constellations on the ceiling in paint. There was a telescope set up next to one of the windows. Shiro pointed above it as Keith rushed over, seeing there was a skylight and he could see the cloudy sky above them.

"I can have this room?" He asked, whirling around. Shiro gave a sheepish look.

"Well… truth be told, I did hear about your interest in space from Ulaz. I thought you'd like it but I wanted you to have a choice too."

Keith was quiet before he clamped a hand over his mouth, trying not to laugh. Soon enough though it was bubbling up and escaping as he doubled over.

"Ahahaha!" He laughed harder, pointing at Shiro who raised an eyebrow, chuckling himself. "You're such a dork! Haha!"

Shiro smirked. "Oh yeah? I'm a dork?"

"... Uh oh." Keith let out a small squeal, darting for the closet but Shiro was much faster. He scooped Keith up, ruffling his hair up.

"RAWR!"

"Ahhh! The lion's gonna eat me!" Keith squealed, laughing as he kicked out, trying to get away. "Don't eat me!"

Shiro laughed, nuzzling him. "Nope. The lion doesn't eat his cubs."

Keith chuckled, nuzzling back. "I'm your cub? Really?" He asked, his eyes lighting up.

Shiro smiled giving a nod. "You're my cub."

Keith looped his arm around Shiro's neck, leaning back, looking at his new room and then back at his adoptive father.

"I think I'm gonna like it here."

"I'm glad, Keith. Welcome home."

No one said being a dad is gonna be easy.

But it's worth it.

Especially to see that smile on his face.