x

Stand Together Now, Carry On

Three

Keith didn't sleep that night.

He'd crept back into the dorm room, silently changed into pajamas, and then crawled into the cot and pulled the blankets up fully over him, hiding both himself and the papers from view.

The papers that proved everything the boys had said.

He'd read them huddled at the base of the bathroom counter, eyes tearing over every line and record. Shiro and his team had placed second in their last run and it had been marked as a pilot error for the fault that cost them the score. The logbook showed that Shiro, normally at the simulations once a day, hadn't gone a single time since Keith had arrived at the Garrison. They showed test scores and where Shiro's had fallen to. All of the lower scores were dated in the few days leading up to his arrival and then after it.

He…

He really was hurting Shiro.

And Shiro didn't even realize it.

Keith hadn't known how to broach the topic when Shiro "woke" him up for breakfast, opting to feign sleep as the last thing Shiro needed to learn was that he hadn't slept all night and then he'd be worried going into his calculus final and then he'd do poorly and it would be all Keith's fault.

Shiro didn't seem to notice that Keith was being quieter than normal, mumbling formulas under his breath as they made their way to the cafeteria, and Keith was prepared to say he'd stayed up too late watching anime if it came up.

Shiro had steered them to an open table after fixing bowls of oatmeal and english muffins with jam, still mumbling, but Keith had frozen and nearly lost his grip on his breakfast tray.

Because sitting at the table right next to the one Shiro was already settling down at were the three boys from last night and Keith was hit with their words as though they were hissing them right into his ear.

"He's distracting Shiro."

"Didn't what? Realize you're ruining Shiro's life?"

"You are going to cost him this chance."

"You're hurting him."

"Leave before you ruin his chances anymore."

"-eith?"

Keith jolted at the sound of Shiro's voice, dragging his eyes to where warm charcoal were wide with concern.

Oh no. Oh no. Shiro couldn't be worried over him. Not now.

"You okay?" Shiro asked gently.

"Y-yeah," he managed, realizing then he was still standing in front of the table and took a seat, just in time as his legs were trembling.

Shiro did not look convinced and leaned over, pressing a cool hand up under Keith's bangs. Keith's cheeks darkened as the other boys' eyes narrowed at him from over Shiro's shoulder. "You're a little warm,"he murmured. "Do you feel sick? We can go see Dr. Bai-"

"I'm fine," Keith cut in. "Just… just didn't sleep well."

Shiro chuckled at that. "I don't normally sleep half as well as I did before a big test like this." He reached out and ruffled Keith's hair. "Apparently I gave you some of those nerves, huh? Sorry, buddy, but thanks the assist."

Keith's stomach twisted. Shiro was thanking him. Him, the boy who was screwing up Shiro's chances to live his dream.

Shiro's expression morphed back to concern and Keith swallowed thickly. He was really messing up this morning.

"You really don't look good," Shiro's hands was back on his forehead. "A little clammy too." He nodded, decision made. "I think we need to visit the med bay."

"N-no," Keith stuttered out. "Shiro, your final-"

"Can wait," Shiro interrupted firmly. His tone softened. "You're my top priority, Keith."

Keith felt his stomach turn again and he pressed his hands to it. The words were meant to be comforting, he knew, but they just made him feel worse.

"And now you are definitely looking a little green," Shiro stood up, breakfast abandoned. "Come on, buddy. Let's get you to the doctor."

Keith had no choice but to go then and his stomach was knotting itself so bad he really thought he might be sick.

"I...I can go myself," he whispered as Shiro directed him to the elevator. "Your final-"

"Can keep waiting," Shiro hit the button to go downstairs. "I'm in no particular hurry to spend the next few hours doing math problems anyway."

"But-"

"Keith," Shiro didn't quite crouch down as they waited for the elevator, but he lowered himself closer to Keith's height. "It's all right. I promise. The final will still be there when I get to class. Okay?"

Keith managed a nod. Protesting was useless at this point and he couldn't find the words to explain what was really causing him to not feel well.

The medical bay was surprisingly busy when they arrived, a number of students sitting in the waiting room and looking decidedly peakish.

"First year jitters," Shiro whispered to him quietly as they got into line behind a student who kept coughing into her hand. "And," he amended his statement as one student sneezed so loud that Keith jumped, "some colds too."

Helen was one of the nurses on duty and she sent a beaming smile their way that Shiro returned but Keith could barely twitch his lips up when they reached the desk.

"Poor thing," Helen clucked her tongue. "Coming down with something, hm? Let's see what we can do."

She led Keith and Shiro into an empty exam room and gestured for Keith to sit on the table. He did so, hunching over his now painfully twisted stomach, made worse as Shiro came to stand next to him and rub his back comfortingly.

"Let me just grab a quick temperature," Helen said, smoothing Keith's hair away from his ear and placing the thermometer in. A quick beep later and she gave a nod at the display. "Ninety-nine point four. A little warm but nothing too bad. Did you sleep all right, sweetheart?"

"...not really," Keith admitted. Or, really, not at all.

Helen hummed. "Your stomach looks like it's hurting too, huh? Anything else?"

Keith mutely shook his head.

"Have you felt the urge to vomit? Any bowel issues?"

Keith colored slightly but shook his head. He wasn't sick. Well, not from any bug. He was sick with guilt but there was no easily fixing that.

"And when did this start?"

"Last night," came the whisper.

"Some rest and fluids is what I'd recommend for now and see if this doesn't clear itself up," Helen said. "We have some beds in back if you'd like to lie down here, or you can return to your room…" she trailed off as Shiro shook his head at that.

Keith was a minor and as such could not be left unattended other than trips to the bathroom. Normally he'd be at the tutoring center but it was closed during finals week so Shiro had made arrangements for Keith to have a table at the research library under the eye of the librarian and his staff while he was taking his finals. He'd brought his laptop with so Keith could browse online or watch more anime but the idea of sitting him up there in one of the hard-backed chairs and tables while he wasn't feeling well…

"You okay to stay here?" Shiro asked, rubbing the thin shoulder that he could feel trembling slightly. "I'll pick you up around noon and see if you're feeling up for lunch. Sound good?"

Keith nodded.

"All right." Shiro bent his head and pressed a kiss to the top of Keith's head, an action that he'd repeated every night except the previous since Keith had moved in. This time though, instead of leaning into the touch Keith's shoulders bunched below his hand and he pulled the slightest bit away.

Germs, Shiro reasoned. Of course Keith wouldn't want him to catch anything if he was indeed sick.

His own stomach twinged though as Keith kept his eyes lowered. Was Keith upset with him? About going to the medical bay?

"Okay," Shiro cleared his throat, gathering up his book bag but leaving the laptop behind. "I'll see you in a few hours then. Hope you feel better."

"Shiro?"

Keith's voice sounded small, but at least a pair of amethyst eyes were meeting his own again. "Um, good luck."

Shiro chuckled. "Thanks, buddy. I'm gonna need it."

Keith's expression shuttered at that and Shiro blinked.

What… had just happened?

Keith just wasn't feeling well, he reassured himself. That was all this was.

Everything would be back to normal by lunch.

He was sure of it.

xxx

When Shiro came back at noon after a grueling morning of both the calculus final and one of two engineering finals, it was to find Keith sound asleep on one of the medical bay beds, curled up around a spare pillow and bedding bunched in his hands.

"I don't think he slept much at all last night," Helen said, standing next to Shiro as he gazed at the slumbering figure. "Fell asleep within the hour of you leaving and hasn't so much as moved since."

"I've probably been stressing him out with all this studying," Shiro said softly. "He's picking up on my nerves, I think."

"My orders then are a relaxing evening," Helen instructed.

Shiro gave her a look. "I have finals," he stressed. "I have to study."

"And what, pray tell, are you going to learn tonight that you haven't during the semester?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Shiro chuckled at that. "You have a point."

"Of course I do."

Shiro didn't really have anything to study for tonight anyways. Tomorrow morning he had his second engineering final and then navigation; both of which were practical application and if he didn't know it now he wasn't going to. Then that evening he had the piloting simulation; both solo and with his team and there really wasn't anything to do to prepare except a good night's rest. Keith would appreciate the break too, he was sure, as while the younger boy hadn't had any real finals he'd been non-stop reading the texts Shiro had provided for his own exam in February.

"Keith," Shiro gave Keith's shoulder a gentle shake. "Keith."

Other than a soft mumble Keith didn't react.

"Keith…"

He was well and truly out of it, Shiro realized. And even in sleep he looked tired, face still drawn.

Well, there was an easy solution to this.

Shiro adjusted his messenger bag to one side after putting the laptop back in, and then slipped one hand beneath Keith's shoulders and the other under the bend of his knees. In one mostly smooth movement, Keith still holding tight to the pillow, Shiro lifted the young teen into his arms, adjusting his grip so Keith's head was pillowed against his chest and securing his hand more tightly around Keith's shoulders.

He was so small.

"He's put on two pounds since he got here," Helen said, apparently able to read minds. "It's not much but with continued regular meals it will go up, and his height hopefully to follow."

"Thanks for taking care of him," Shiro said, gazing fondly down at the dark head.

"I should be saying that to you," Helen countered. She patted Shiro's upper arm. "You're doing an amazing thing for this boy, Takashi."

"Well, he's an amazing kid," Shiro said. An amazing kid who even at a light ninety some pounds was starting to get a little heavy the longer he was standing there.

"Get out of here," Helen gave him a gentle nudge. "And don't let me see you until after the holidays. Have a good one, dear."

"You too."

Shiro made his way slowly through the halls, keeping his gait as steady as possible so he didn't wake Keith who outside of another sleepy mumble had not so much as twitched.

Within the minute Shiro was aware they were attracting stares. He was used to them; the awe somehow still never fading from his fellow Garrison cadets despite how hard he tried to show that he was a student just like them.

These were different though. He felt his cheeks heating at the clearly distinct cooing sounds a good chunk of the female population was making and the quiet, but fond, chuckles from others.

Most still had no idea who Keith was although Matt had informed him the rumor mill had pegged it accurately as a kid from the big brother program as it had been no secret that Shiro and many other seniors had been a part of it although why Keith was staying in the dorms was another question and one that Shiro had not personally been asked and had no desire to answer.

Still, despite never saying anything those that got into the Garrison were generally a smart bunch. If they'd seen Keith with the neon bruise on his face and knew what program Shiro had been volunteering at it wouldn't take too much to put two and two together. He had no desire though to comment on rumors or even the truth; all that mattered was that Keith was here, he was going to be admitted into the program in February, and from there the rumor mill would go in another direction about Shiro likely recruiting Keith for his insane talent and that would be Keith's start here.

By the time Shiro made it back to the elevators to the residence floors he had managed to will his cheeks back to pale from the continued smiles and awws that followed him, meeting many with his own smile. With an assist from a passing student to summon the elevator and then get to the right floor, Shiro made it without incident to his room. He had to awkwardly bobble Keith in his arms to reach the keypad - passcode still the same as Matt had yet to crack this one - but managed without rousing Keith.

Shiro settled the sleeping form down onto the cot, hospital pillow still clutched in his arms. He pulled the blanket up, pressed a kiss to Keith's forehead, and then headed for his own bed, more tired than hungry for lunch.

Besides, he'd been told to relax and there was nothing more relaxing than sleeping and who was he to ignore very sound medical advice?

Sleep was upon him in seconds.

xxx

He awoke a few hours later to the soft sounds of Matt cursing and he jolted upright at that, bleary eyes zooming in on where Matt was sitting on the floor across from Keith and clearly losing in whatever card game they were playing.

"Language," he slurred.

Matt laughed out loud at that, which turned into a bark when Shiro continued to stare. "You're serious," he gaped after a moment. "You're seriously telling me not to swear."

"I'm not a kid," Keith fixed him with a look that had Shiro smiling despite the narrowed gaze.

"Of course not," he agreed. "But still, no swearing."

"How badly did that calculus final mess with you?" Matt scrambled to his feet and pressed a hand to Shiro's forehead.

"Um… how did the final go?" Keith piped up, meeting Shiro's eyes for a split second before glancing away.

"Not as bad as I thought it was going to be," Shiro replied. "Although not sure I'm going to get an 'A'. Maybe, but it'll be close." He let out a rueful laugh. "Probably should have hit the books a bit earlier."

Keith's eyes dipped down with a quiet, "oh."

"Well, you can't be perfect all the time," Matt clapped a hand on Shiro's back. "A 'B' will be humbling for you."

"Gee, thanks," but a smile tugged on his lips. He glanced over to Keith, who was focused on his cards and the smile fell.

Matt followed his gaze, caught Shiro's eye and then gave a tiny shrug of his shoulders. Meaning that Keith had not been pulling the wallflower act just a few minutes ago and that meant… whatever was going on was because of Shiro.

"Hey, buddy," he joined Keith on the ground, bumping their knees together. "You feeling all right?"

"I'm fine."

Shiro did not like that answer, nor the way Keith was still not meeting his eyes. "Did… I do something?" he put forth carefully. He couldn't fix the problem if he had no idea what it was, even though other than a possible forced trip to the medical wing he had no idea what would have caused this.

That garnered a reaction and Keith flipped his head up, eyes wide. "No! No. You…" his voice trailed off. "No. I… I…" Keith wiped a hand across his face. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"There's nothing to apologize for," Shiro said, placing a hand on Keith's shoulder. "If something is bothering you though you know I'm always here to listen, right?"

Keith swallowed thickly. "Did… did you really get a 'B'?"

Matt sighed dramatically. "And Shiro has officially fallen from his pedestal. His perfect record tarnished, no longer an idol to be worshipped. Oh, the horror."

But the display didn't draw a smile from Keith as Shiro had expected. Instead his eyes became a tad bright and Matt looked aghast at the reaction.

"I don't know yet," Shiro said quietly, "but even if I did it's not for you to worry about, all right?"

"But… what about Kerberos?"

Shiro blinked. What?

"One little 'B' isn't going to affect Shiro's chances," Matt cut in, clearly understanding how Kerberos equaled calculus, "especially in a non-core like calc for a fighter pilot… Now, if he went on a downward spiral on his navigation and piloting courses - which will never happen - there'd be some concern, but this? Nothing to worry about."

Keith finally raised his head. "If… if I hadn't made you late, would-"

"No, buddy," Shiro interrupted that time. "None of that. And I had plenty of time to finish, promise. The trip to the med bay had nothing to do with my score. Okay?"

"...okay."

And while Keith still wasn't smiling he was meeting Shiro's eyes again and the pinched look had vanished from between his eyes.

"Good," Shiro reached over and ruffled Keith's hair, relieved when this time Keith leaned into it instead of away as kiss had prompted that morning. "How about we head down for dinner? Don't know about you guys, but I am starving."

Keith nodded and accepted Shiro's hand to pull him to his feet. Shiro's words and Matt's reassurances had forced the worst of the sick feeling away again and he had to try and keep it that way. He did not want Shiro worrying over him again because it would only distract him from other more important things, like his big simulation finals tomorrow. And maybe... maybe the other boys were wrong. Yes, Shiro's scores had dropped but a B on his calculus final didn't sound like it would actually hurt his chances. Maybe things were actually going to be okay.

As if hearing his thoughts Shiro grinned and nudged Keith as they headed for the cafeteria. "Guess what? I got permission for you to sit with the other students to watch the simulations."

Keith's feet ground to a halt and he stared up at Shiro, mouth agape but this time with pure excitement that overrode the rest of the unease. He actually got to see Shiro fly?

"Really?"

"Really."

"You'll get to see everyone's, actually," Shiro explained, stepping into the food line. "Solo simulations for pilots first and then the group simulations with the teams after. It'll be a bit of a long night, but-"

But he needn't have worried. Keith was practically vibrating with excitement and Shiro chuckled.

"What's the simulation like? What are you flying? Does your ship have guns? What are you fighting? Do you go into space? What-?"

"Whoa, breathe, buddy," Shiro cautioned even as he laughed with delight. There was Keith again; bright and inquisitive and happy. Whatever had been bothering him before seemed to have vanished as sure as the stomachache.

"Oh boy, here we go," Matt bemoaned, but he was smiling too and settled down at the table with them and his overflowing tray of food.

"Okay, so," Shiro began, turning to his eager-eyed audience, "the simulation starts…"

xxx

Keith gripped the railing overlooking the simulation chamber, eyes affixed on the giant screen overhead and the score flashing across it.

1898. The highest score that had yet come across and above it was the name Shirogane, Takashi and to the side were a list of other numbers from previous simulation run Shiro had done in ascending date order.

1845. 1888. 1946. 2001.

The audience all around him was applauding loudly as Shiro exited the metal simulation room even though Shiro had told Keith earlier that the observation deck was soundproofed and those on the simulator floor could not hear any of the noise.

But Keith…

Keith was not cheering.

Because that score?

That score was not Shiro's best. Not even close. Shiro had been amazing to watch, that Keith acknowledged. Compared to the other pilots his flying had seemed effortless as he directed the simulation through the skies of both Earth and then transitioned into various space atmospheres of varying gravities and densities with a whole host of navigational challenges. Keith could have watched him fly forever.

And it's not that Shiro had made any glaring mistakes. But his ship had been clipped by an asteroid. He'd lost points for one of the landings that wasn't as smooth as it could have been. His timestamp had been ticking slower in some parts than any previous. And while Shiro had told him the simulations were never the same it was still a large enough of a gap score.

And Keith had the sinking feeling he knew why.

Shiro hadn't been practicing. He had the logs to prove it.

And he was the reason why.

A body pressed up next to Keith and he paid it no mind – everyone was jostling at the front of the deck – his eyes still affixed to the board and stomach twisting.

"You better hope he aces the group sim."

Keith startled, blood freezing as he knew that voice. Ever so slowly he turned his head, taking in the large profile of the boy who had pinned him up against the counter. His hands tightened on the railing.

"See him?" the student nodded his head to the right and Keith followed the gaze to where a middle-aged man dressed not in the Garrison uniform but a suit and tie was standing. "He's on the board of directors for Kerberos. He's scouting Shirogane. And that performance?" The dark gaze turned back to Keith. "Not good enough. And I wonder why."

Keith swallowed, summoning what little courage he had, comforted by the fact he was surrounded by others. This older boy… he wouldn't do anything here, right? "He… he still got the best score."

"But he's not competing against these people for Kerberos, now is he?"

Keith had nothing to say to that.

"Good job screwing up Shiro's life," the boy sneered, stepping away. "I hope you can live with yourself."

Keith remained at the railing, heart thumping so loudly the excited chatter of the students and staff around him became white noise.

Had he… had he already ruined Shiro's chances?

He looked again to the suited man, whose large lips were pushed out in a frown. He did not look happy.

What… What had Keith done?

He had hurt Shiro. He had. Even if Shiro didn't realize it that was what Keith had done.

He had to fix it.

He had to fix all of it.

He…

He had to go.

He was a distraction. He was going to cost Shiro the one chance to live his dream, to go to Kerberos.

Shiro had given him so much.

He couldn't let him give any more.

He had to go.

Keith slipped away from the railing and through the crowds. No one would miss him, too busy with the other simulations. And he had to get away before Shiro found out and tried to stop him. Because Shiro didn't know how to be selfish and Keith couldn't take any more of his life away from him.

He had to go.

xxx

"Shiro."

The greeting was curt and Shiro looked up from shrugging off his flight suit following his solo simulation run and preparing to get dressed in the team version. He had done well, very well, the best of the class. But it hadn't been his personal best and Shiro was trying hard not to beat himself up about it and the few mistakes he'd made that should never have happened. He couldn't outdo his record every time after all and he was still going to pass at the top and with an A. That was all he could ask for.

Adam, a sandy haired fellow senior and also in the fighter pilot track, who had scored much lower but a still respectable B-, was standing next to the bench with a frown.

Shiro found himself frowning too. Adam was normally cheerful, greeting him every morning in the hall. Shiro knew the other boy admired him, (he was what Matt called a "fanboy") but such a thing didn't even phase Shiro anymore. He couldn't control what people thought of him; all he could do was keep putting his best foot forward with a smile and try to keep being this person the Garrison wanted him to be.

"What's up?" Shiro asked, shooting him a small smile but Adam's expression didn't change.

"Do you want to go to Kerberos?"

Shiro blinked at the question, meeting the dark brown gaze. "Of course." That was a dream that both he and the Garrison shared.

"And you're willing to do anything to make that a reality, right?"

Shiro didn't like the emphasis there, the almost accusatory stare. He cut right to it, in no mood for games. "What are you asking, Adam?"

Adam jerked his head towards Shiro's open locker where a number of photos of family and friends hung, but his gaze was angled at the shot of Shiro and Keith taken selfie style with the penguins at the zoo. If you looked closely you could see that Keith's eyes were still a tad red from crying on the bench a little bit before, but his smile was wide and carefree and he was happy, his expression only matched by Shiro's grin behind him.

"Who is that kid to you, Shiro? Is he worth Kerberos?" The coldness in Adam's tone sent chills down Shiro's spine and his own gaze narrowed.

Shiro glanced at the photo, at Keith's bright smile that hid still sad eyes. That picture was all the answer he needed.

Charcoal eyes met snapping brown with a cool fire."Yes."

Adam's frown morphed into a scowl. "You'd give up everything for some kid off the streets?"

Shiro's lips thinned. "What I do with my life is up to me. And I never said anything about giving up." Not on Keith. Not on Kerberos. Not on his own dreams. He had no idea where this was coming from but he did not care for it. Not one bit. "My future is my own, Adam," his tone was sharper than Shiro normally allowed himself to be, always conscious of his role and image, but this needed said and it needed to be said clearly. "Not yours. Not anyone else's."

If Shiro wasn't selected for Kerberos he knew the Galaxy Garrison would be disappointed. He'd be disappointed too. Even if another pilot from the Garrison was chosen, and there were some excellent candidates that it very well could be, Shiro had been their rising star, their literal face, for the last four years and onwards.

But there had never been a guarantee no matter how talented he was or how much support he had been given. The odds were in his favor but it wasn't a done deal. Shiro had known that, had accepted it.

Apparently not everyone had and they were looking for a scapegoat if things went south. And Shiro would not allow Keith to be pegged as such.

Adam shook his head. "You're a good person, Shiro. Too good. And maybe it's time you got a little selfish before you lose everything you've worked for."

And before Shiro could even think of a proper response Adam was leaving, the locker room door slamming shut behind him. Shiro stared after it, lips pulled into a tight line.

Is that what people thought? That Keith was hurting Shiro's chances of going to Kerberos?

He let out a soft snort. They were foolish if they thought so. Shiro would fail or succeed on his own merit. It was only if he was offered the position that things might change depending on whether Keith would be okay to be left behind without him. But Shiro had seen how much Keith had grown in just the couple weeks he'd been at the Garrison, opening up more to not just Shiro but to Matt and Sara and joining in conversations at dinner when a larger group – still mainly of the big brother program but also Shiro's teammates for simulations; engineer and programmer Kaylee and communications liaison Gabriel – was present.

Shiro had gotten reports from all of Keith's tutors that he was doing well in all areas of study and all had said how pleasant he was to teach. The big brother program had finished the past Saturday and in those last few sessions Shiro had watched Keith be the first to reach out on a number of occasions to another kid, to shyly instigate a game of kickball on the still warm enough December day.

Keith was going to be just fine when (if) Shiro went to Kerberos. Shiro had no doubts about that.

He was going to need to talk with Keith about this, he realized with a deep sigh. If Keith got wind of this sort of sentiment Shiro knew he would blame himself. He'd already seen how Keith had reacted thinking that his trip to the medical bay for a stomachache had cost Shiro a possible A on his calculus exam and unless Keith was the one who had invented calculus then he had nothing to feel bad about.

After the second simulation they would have a talk. Nip this in the bud before Keith heard something and got the wrong idea.

But right now… Shiro reached into his locker and grabbed his new suit.

Right now he had to concentrate on his group simulation. Although, he couldn't help the grin, he couldn't wait to see what Keith thought of it.

Time to go put on a good show.

xxx

"Shiro!"

Matt's exuberant shout of his name as Shiro exited the locker room for the second time had him looking up with a grin. He had a lot to smile about. His team had aced the simulation. A perfect score. It had never been done before.

It wasn't just Matt filling the hallway though. It seemed as though half the Garrison had turned out to crowd in to congratulate him. It was why Shiro had let his teammates go ahead of him so they got the accolades they were due too for their work as he had come to learn that no matter how much of a team effort his successes were it was always the pilot that everyone wanted to talk to.

Shiro accepted the praise and congratulations with a smile even as his eyes were roving about for the one face he really wanted to see.

And while he knew Keith was short and would be hard to spot amongst all of the taller students there was only a giant wall of cream and orange that was distinctly lacking the red zip-up Keith had been wearing earlier that day.

His smile started to fall although he forced himself to maintain some semblance of one as cameras flashed and everyone continued to crowd. He managed to get to Matt's side but there was no dark head next to him and under the pretense of giving Matt a huge hug (that was eagerly returned with loud whooping) he whispered in his ear, "Where's Keith?"

Matt pulled back, eyes serious behind his glasses and a complete turnaround from the joy of a moment before. "I thought he was with you?"

Shiro's stomach bottomed out with a dread he could not fully explain.

It must have shown as the next moment Matt had a hand gripped tight around Shiro's arm and was shouting, "Make way, make way! Garrison's most amazing but very tired and hungry pilot coming through, back it up people!"

Shiro heard his name being shouted and flashbulbs going off, momentarily blinding him, shouting for him to for a comment. He resisted the urge to raise a hand to shield his eyes against the onslaught. He had to say something, he realized. It was expected of him and as much as he wanted nothing more than to flee the cameras and the smiles and the eyes he couldn't. This is what the Garrison wanted of him and he couldn't shirk in those expectations, not after all they had done for him. And so swallowing against the sick feeling coiling inside him he paused, halting Matt, and cleared his throat.

Immediately the hall quieted and Shiro pasted on the best smile he could manage even as his eyes continued to search the hallway for a telltale dark head. "I thank you all very much for the show of support," he said, eliciting cheers. "History has been made today at the Galaxy Garrison." More cheers and clapping.

"I can only take one third of the credit though," Shiro continued and to his relief he spotted Kaylee pushing her way towards him. "This was a team simulation and a pilot is only as good as the rest of his crew. Please, give it up for Kaylee Dodd and Gabriel Sanchez."

Wild applause broke out then as Kaylee reached his side and Gabriel a moment later, shoving his glasses up and offering a tentative wave. "All I did was fly the ship," Shiro said, to chuckles, "these two are the real heroes of our rescue simulation."

"Shiro is too modest," Kaylee said, elbowing him in the ribs to loud laughter. "But we all love him for it, don't we?"

More cheers and Shiro reached down to give Kaylee a hug and she squeezed him back tight. "What's wrong?" she whispered and he could have kissed her. Kaylee's sharp eyes didn't miss much, making her the best engineer he'd ever met, even though she insisted it was the ships speaking to her that gave her that edge.

"Can't find Keith."

She pulled back, honey brown eyes understanding, and turned to the crowd. "To quote a famous pig, even more famous than Shiro, that's all folks! We've got finals to study for tomorrow and a good night's sleep is on the docket. Thank you!"

"Thank you," Shiro whispered to her as the crowd started to disperse with last congratulations and good lucks for finals and even those realizing with sharp inhales that they too still had to study.

"Get going."

Shiro didn't need told twice.

He hurried through the throng, Matt plastered at his side.

"I just caught the last minute of your last sim," Matt explained, "And I didn't see Keith in the deck but there were so many people." He was panting a bit as Shiro broke into a jog as they exited the building. "I figured he'd snuck out to see you in the locker room, but… maybe he wasn't feeling well again? Went back to the room?"

"Adam said something to me," Shiro said, picking up the pace. It was still going to be ten minutes back to the dorms.

"Fan…boy… Adam?" Matt gasped, hand pressed to his face to keep his glasses on.

"I'm worried."

That was all Shiro was capable of disclosing and Matt was too out of breath to push further. The ride up to the dorm room was too slow and as soon as the elevator dinged open Shiro tore down the hall to his room, fingers stabbing out the passcode. Matt didn't even make a mention to finally seeing how stupidly simple it was.

Shiro threw open the door, rattling the frame, and looked into the darkened room.

No Keith.

But there was a slip of white paper sitting on Shiro's bed, his name visible on the fold even from here.

Shiro's heart leapt into his throat.

A note.

A note could only mean one thing.

Trembling hands flipped it open and Shiro scanned the page, Matt at his shoulder and reading it as well.

Shiro,

I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to ruin your life. I know how much you want to go to Kerberos. It's your dream. I don't want you to give that up. Not for me. I can't begin to say thank you for all you've done for me. I have to do this for you. I'm sorry. I took $40 from your wallet but I promise, I'll pay it back when I can. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I love you. And thank you.

I'm so sorry.

Keith.

The entire thing was stained with smudges, likely tear drops, and the writing became shakier and shakier towards the end.

Only Matt's horrified inhale kept Shiro from collapsing right then and there as he continued to stare at the desperate good bye note.

"What is this about?" Matt whispered. "Shiro, he…"

"Adam," Shiro growled out the name like it was a curse.

"What?"

"He said something to me about Keith." Shiro's hand crumpled the note. "About how Keith was going to ruin my chances for Kerberos. He must have… but, but when did he talk to Keith?" When had he filled Keith's head with such poisonous, hurtful words?

"You went to sleep early Sunday," Matt whispered. "Maybe then?"

That would make sense. Keith had been acting a bit off since Monday morning. And then the whole thing with the calculus grade…

He hadn't even realized.

"Goddamnit," he swore. He was going to kill Adam.

Later.

Right now he had to find Keith.

Keith, who had probably left following Shiro's first simulation, somehow blaming himself for the score that Shiro knew was lower than it should have been, which meant he had a two hour head start. Shiro bent down and pulled open the bottom drawer of the dresser; it was completely cleaned out, save for a carefully folded red jacket with white and yellow accents.

Shiro pulled it free, holding it to his chest and trying not to give voice to the sob building in his throat.

"He's running away," Shiro whispered, still clutching the jacket. "God, Matt, he's fourteen and he's running away." Because there was no way Keith was going to go back to the foster system, to the group home. He would take his chances on the outside and no matter how resourceful Keith was, how mature, he was a kid all alone in a world where there were plenty of people who were not kind and would not hesitate to take advantage of him. And Keith was so small. Did he even know how to fight? To defend himself?

Would he somehow end up somewhere even worse than the group home he hated so much?

Shiro felt like he was going to be sick.

"He can't have gotten far," Matt said, cutting into Shiro's beginning to run wild imagination. "He took money, right? Probably headed for the bus station in town. He's walking so he's probably still on the road. We can catch up." His hands descended on Shiro's shoulders. "We'll get him back, Shiro."

Shiro straightened. Matt was right. They could still fix this. It wasn't too late.

"Let's go."

Shiro snagged Vanessa's keys from his desk and strode from the room. Matt hurried on his heels.

They made it down to the first floor and Shiro made to beeline for the parking lot where he'd parked his motorcycle, but the red and blue strobe lights of a police car halted him. What the…?

He changed direction towards it, where an officer was standing outside the squad with what looked like a high schooler wearing a hat for a local sandwich company.

"—told you, I was gone for two minutes tops," the kid said, gripping the back of his head. "Oh man, my mom is going to kill me."

"And the keys were in the ignition?" the officer clarified.

"Yeah, I told you, it was just for a couple minutes. And this is the Garrison man, no one here would steal my bike!"

Shiro and Matt both sucked in a breath at the same time.

They knew someone who would be in need of transportation and had taken bikes before.

"When did this happen?" Shiro was asking the question before he'd even finished approaching the duo. The police officer gave him a narrowed glare but the delivery boy's eyes widened.

"You're Takashi Shirogane!" he gasped. "Dude, man, you're like my hero."

Shiro gave him a tight smile. "When did this happen?" he repeated.

"About forty minutes ago," the teenager said, still staring in awe at Shiro. "Dude, can I—?"

"I'll get your bike back," Shiro said, pivoting on his heel.

"Do you know something about this theft, young man?" the officer called out.

"Nothing, nothing at all," Matt said, waving a nervous hand. "Just, uh, going to go, uh, over here…" He caught up to Shiro. "What are we going to do, exactly?"

"He'll still head for the bus," Shiro said, throwing his leg over Vanessa and ignoring the officer shouting at him from behind and yanking his helmet on. "He needs to get out of the area and the bike won't be enough. I'll find him there."

He didn't give voice to the fear that with the increased transportation Keith may have already boarded a bus and left.

"I'll take care of this," Matt nodded a head at the officer demanding that they stop. "You bring Keith home."

Shiro met Matt's eyes, grief and relief and hope warring in them. "We'll be back soon," is what he promised and with a roar of the engines he took off.

Speed limits were optional on his race into town. Shiro spent the entire thirty minute trip (which should have been closer to fifty) praying under his breath that Keith was at the bus station, that he hadn't left yet, that he was safe and Kami-sama, please let him be okay. Please let him be there.

Shiro had never prayed for anything so hard in his life.

He had to slow his speed as he entered town, cursing at every stoplight he was forced to halt at as time ticked down. Every minute was one too long.

If Keith had left…

Shiro would never forgive himself.

The bus depot was there then, relatively busy despite the late hour. Shiro felt a mixture of fear and relief as he spotted a motorcycle with a decal for the sandwich shop parked in one of the open spots. Keith was here then.

Or, he had been.

The keys had been removed from the ignition but a quick glance showed them to be sitting in the crate where the food was likely carried. Shiro pocketed them for safekeeping and then hurried towards the curbside pickup where a number of covered benches sat in front of the building.

A bus was pulling up to the one furthest down the line and Shiro's eyes went straight to it as he dodged around people and luggage.

An older man was boarding, followed by a woman with two children, a young woman with a large hat and behind her…

"Keith!" Shiro screamed, voice breaking.

The dark head jerked up and amethyst eyes met charcoal gray.

The person behind Keith gave a shove forward, muttering something intelligible from Shiro's distance, and Keith's gaze broke away from Shiro's towards the bus, hand tightening on his duffel bag strap.

Oh hell no.

"Keith! Keith, stop!"

Shiro was drawing attention now, hearing a few low gasps as some recognized him. He ignored them all, eyes only for Keith who had paused again, one foot on the low step of the bus.

And as Shiro's heart prepared to leap out of his throat Keith took a step…

Backwards.

Keith slipped out of the line of people waiting to board, head down and shoulders hunched and heart racing.

Shiro.

Shiro was here. At the bus stop.

Why? What was he doing here?

Why was he trying to stop him?

And more importantly, why was Keith letting him? He needed to go.

He shifted - get on the bus, get on the bus, he chanted to himself – but before he could step back towards it Shiro was there, arms wrapping about him and pressing him tight to his chest as though any less and Keith would disappear.

Keith stiffened – he had to go – but Shiro's grip only increased. He could feel Shiro's heart racing beneath his head, the breathy murmurs of his name. And although he knew it was wrong, that he shouldn't be here, he needed to let Shiro have his life back, his own breath hitched and his hands came up to wrap as far as they could around Shiro.

He never wanted to let go.

"Sh-Shiro," he whispered.

"I've got you. I've got you," Shiro choked out.

Behind them Keith heard the bus groan to a start and he made to pull back, but Shiro held him somehow even closer, one hand pressing into Keith's hair and keeping him there. A few seconds later the bus was gone. His chance to leave was gone.

Keith was torn between relief and horror.

Shiro lowered his arms from the hug but he didn't relinquish his hold, one arm snug over Keith's shoulders and he physically steered him away from the curb and towards the now empty bench, sitting down and forcing Keith to do the same.

And although the setting was completely different, Keith could not help but think of the last time Shiro had guided him to sit on a bench and more tears made an appearance.

"I got your note," Shiro broke the silence and Keith winced.

"I'm sorry," he managed, unable to meet Shiro's eyes. "I'm so s-sorry."

Shiro's hand was moving to cup his face then and Keith had no choice as Shiro tilted it up to meet his gaze. There was no anger though. Just relief and the glimmer of tears.

"You have nothing to apologize for," Shiro murmured, thumb brushing below Keith's eye and rubbing away a tear. "I'm just…" he swallowed thickly, "so relieved I wasn't too late. Keith… I thought I lost you."

Keith cut his eyes to the side, no longer able to meet Shiro's. "Why did you come after me?" he whispered.

"Because you're my brother and I love you."

Keith choked on his next breath and swiveled to look at Shiro again.

What?

"I love you," Shiro repeated, voice thick. "And I don't want you to go."

"But… but I'm… I'm…"

"Ruining my life?" Shiro put in and Keith's eyes lowered with guilt. "Keith, buddy, look at me." Keith mutely shook his head.

Shiro sighed and Keith winced again.

"You are one of the best things to ever happen to me," Shiro said quietly. "You are not ruining my life. You've made it better."

"But Kerber—"

"Is amazing, yes," Shiro cut in. "It's a dream come true. But it's not set in stone that I'm going and it is not your fault if I'm not selected. That's on me and only me, understand?"

"But I… the simulation score…"

"Maybe I should have been practicing a bit more," Shiro admitted. "But Keith, you are not the cause of that score. I made the decision on how to spend my time the last couple of weeks and you know what? I wouldn't change a single minute of it."

"How can you say that?" Keith met Shiro's eyes then. "I'm the reason you weren't practicing. Or, or studying. And now… now…"

"And now what?" Shiro asked, rubbing his thumb back under Keith's eye. "You think I won't be selected for the Kerberos Mission because of some lower scores?"

"...yes."

Even as he said it though Keith felt an inkling of doubt on the word, a whisper that he had been wrong here. That Shiro had never made any remark that Keith was hurting him. Or a bother. Or unwanted. Or that Keith was ruining his chances for Kerberos and that he wanted him to leave.

A few students that Keith didn't even know had told him that and Keith… Keith had believed them.

He'd believed them over Shiro.

He had been so stupid. And reckless. And if he'd gotten on that bus, then… then…

Keith wasn't aware he was sobbing until he heard the sounds coming out of his throat and Shiro's gentle murmurs as he was pulled forward into strong arms.

"I'm s-sorry," he cried. "I'm sorry."

"Shh," Shiro murmured, rubbing a hand up and down his trembling back. "It's all right."

"It's n-not," Keith whimpered, clutching Shiro's jacket in his hands. "I messed up, Sh-Shiro."

"We both did," Shiro said quietly. Keith started, a protest forming on his lips but Shiro shook his head. "I did. I didn't think about how others might see you and your relationship to me and given my role in the Garrison… I should have. Kerberos is my dream, Keith, but if I don't get it there will be other opportunities. I'll be upset, yes, but not at you. I'm sorry I didn't realize what was going on."

"But I… I ran away," Keith whispered. "I stole from you. I…" his eyes widened. "I st-stole a bike, Shiro. I—!"

"Easy, easy, breathe," Shiro rubbed Keith's back. "I'll take care of that, okay? The owner isn't even going to press charges."

"...what?"

"Trust me," Shiro said and Keith gave a slow nod followed by another sniffle.

He did trust Shiro.

Except, apparently not when it mattered. He'd believed someone else's lies without even asking Shiro about them. He'd hinted at it, yes, but Shiro wouldn't have picked up on it because to Shiro there wasn't even an issue. And then when Shiro had asked him if there was anything wrong, had said he was always there to listen, Keith hadn't told him about what the students had said, hadn't asked if any of it was true. He had just assumed the worst because up until Shiro it was all he had known.

He'd been so stupid.

Keith buried his face against the broad chest to hide his next sob.

"Hey, hey, it's all right," Shiro comforted. "Everything is going to be okay."

Shiro rocked the small boy in his arms, murmuring random noises and what he hoped were comforting words as Keith continued to cry. He was rapidly blinking his own eyes to keep them from falling and was grateful that despite his frantic and loud run over no one was interrupting them.

It had been too close. One more stoplight and Keith would have been on the bus and it would have been hours until they could get a hold of the security footage, assuming it was any good, and by then Keith could have hopped onto another and Shiro would have never seen him again.

And the thought of Keith walking out of his life… it hurt more than losing out on all of the Kerberos missions in the world.

It could have been minutes, it could have been an hour, Shiro held Keith until the shudders stopped and even then continued the embrace until he felt Keith shift backwards.

The boy's eyes were puffy and red and he wiped his jacket sleeve across them and his nose. When he met Shiro's gaze though they were steady and clear.

"Shiro, I…, um… thank you," he managed. "I…" he trailed off, fingers picking at his sleeve cuffs.

Shiro waited, just as he had before. Patience would yield the truth. It always did.

"I'm… I'm sorry," Keith continued. "For… for leaving. For thinking that. For not… not telling you. I, just… you're… you're… the b-best thing that's ever hap-p-pened to me and I…I didn't want to h-hurt you. I…" Keith swallowed thickly, bringing his eyes back to meet Shiro's. "I love you."

"Come here," Shiro opened his arms and Keith leaned back into them, settling against Shiro's heart with a little sigh. Shiro pressed a kiss atop the dark head and Keith snuggled in closer. "I love you too," Shiro said. "And no matter what happens now we're in it together, all right? Kerberos. School. Your entrance exams. All of it. If you're not feeling well or you feel scared or hurt or confused, you tell me. And I'll do the same. Because I can't - I won't - lose you, Keith. Never again."

He felt a nod against his chest.

"Do you remember what I told you earlier?" he asked gently, carding his hand through the dark hair. "I will never give up on you. But more importantly you can't give up on yourself. And that applies to me too. I'm not going to give up on Kerberos and you're not going to let me. You'll help me get there, won't you?"

Keith picked his head up, eyes bright. "Yes," he breathed. "Of course."

"And I'm going to help you be the best pilot the Garrison has ever seen," Shiro smiled, pressing his forehead against Keith's. "Because I know you can be. You're going to do amazing things. I believe that with all of my heart."

"You too," Keith said quietly. "You're… you're going to go to Kerberos. And you're going to be amazing too."

"Thanks, buddy," Shiro smiled. He sat up and Keith sat back, rubbing again at his eyes. "Ready to head back to the Garrison? I've got quite the story to tell you when we get there."

Keith cocked his head ever so and Shiro grinned. "You left before my group simulation," and at Keith's wince he gave the arm a tender squeeze of reassurance he wasn't upset, "so you missed seeing the first perfect score in Garrison history."

It took Keith all of a second to realize what had been said and Shiro grinned as Keith's mouth dropped. "A what?"

"You heard me," Shiro teased, getting to his feet and Keith clambering to his. "Perfect score. I'm sure I can get a copy of the video tonight and I can give you the full play-by-play if you-"

"Yes!" Keith interrupted, practically vibrating with excitement next to him. "Shiro! That's… that's…"

"You're telling me," he laughed, allowing himself for the first time since the immediate completion of the simulation before he realized Keith was missing, to react to that statement.

A perfect score.

"You're telling me," he repeated, weakly, missing his next step and tripping off the curb, fortunately catching himself before he faceplanted. "Wow, I… wow."

And Keith laughed. A beautiful, bright thing that had Shiro laughing too out of sheer delight.

"Are you okay to drive?" Keith asked, lilt in his voice and it just made Shiro smile wider. There was Keith.

"Drunk on happiness is not the same as being drunk," he retorted, gesturing at Vanessa and the side bag where he stored the extra helmet and where Keith knew to put his duffel. "I'm more than perfectly okay to drive." Saying so he swung onto the bike and patted the seat behind him. "Hop on."

"Um, what about the, um, other bike?"

"You are not legally allowed to drive it," Shiro pointed out. "Doesn't matter if you drive better than adults double your age, the law is the law. And I think there's been enough of testing it for today."

Keith nodded somberly. He knew he'd messed up and Shiro knew he knew. There was no need to make any more of a deal out of it than that. Shiro had the keys so no one else would be taking it and Shiro was sure he could arrange someway to transport the delivery driver back to it… along with an autograph.

Keith slipped onto the motorcycle a moment later behind Shiro, arms wrapping snugly about his waist, the complete opposite of Keith's first ride.

"Ready?" he asked Keith, flipping the ignition.

"Ready," came the answer and the grip tightened into a hug.

Before they pulled out of the parking lot, Shiro tugged his phone free, noting several missed calls from Matt and finally with a text that said, "All good here. See you guys soon."

Shiro smiled and typed back a response. He shoved the phone back into his pocket and revved the engine, pulling out of the parking lot and headed back to the Garrison.

The phone screen remained lit up with his message, a simple one but meaning so, so much.

"We're coming home."

xxx

Author's Notes:

This story kind of got away from me. But in a good way! This is the final-final saga to this series and I couldn't imagine it ending any other way. The road is not always smooth but what matters is not the obstacles but whether you can overcome them. And Shiro and Keith? There's no such thing as a dead end.

Thank you to all who left comments on this fic and its predecessors. It means a lot to me. Please do take a final moment to leave one more. I would absolutely love to hear from you. Thank you so much.

(Like my works? Keep up with me on Tumblr, icypantherwrites)