Chapter Text
Keith was not excited for this camp. He wasn't even religious, why was he here?! His brother had been pushing him to get into something --whether it be a youth group to photography club. According to him Keith was too "unsociable" and "angsty." So when he saw the poster for Oceans: Religious Camp for Youth in his school's cafeteria, he begrudgingly took a second look. Keith had heard some classmates talk about this camp before and how fun it was. Apparently the rectors gave a whole new view to Christianity. All denominations were welcome, so Keith, being raised in a very accepting Catholic home, was intrigued to find out what that meant exactly. Even though he didn't exactly believe in God, he respected people who did. He really didn't expect this camp to change his views, but who knows? His views might change and he could possibly get some friends out of it.
He took down the flyer and grabbed an application and put it in his book bag to bring home with him later. Lunch went about as well as it always did, he sat with some acquaintances and finished last minute English homework while listening to music with one headphone in. Keith had three more class periods until he could leave school and go home. He tried his best to pay attention during his classes, not wanting to get behind. His notes were organized and if he was being honest, above what was needed . After his last class of the day, study hall (he did all his homework there), he scuffed his shoes slightly on the way to get on his bus and waited impatiently to be dropped off at his house. When Keith finally got home, unlocked the front door and slid his shoes off, he made his way into the kitchen where Shiro was sitting at the table, with reading glasses on and hair in his eyes. Shiro always managed to get home before him, always waiting at the kitchen table for Keith to return so he could ask him the daily questions about school. Even though Shiro was Keith's older brother, he could be strangely paternal when needed (and not needed). All the same, Keith sighed and answered the daily "How was school? Do anything exciting? How's this class going?" with little annoyance.
After Shiro was satisfied with Keith's short answers, he gave his younger brother a small smile and told him he could leave. Keith returned the smile and grabbed an apple and his bookbag before glancing over at Shiro's tired, unguarded expression and leaving for his room. When in his room, he set down his bookbag and opened it. He pulled the flyer and candidate application from the confines of it and read both over carefully. He laid against his headboard as he scanned the flyer for a second time. It shouted phrases like, "God loves you! He won't let you down!" and reviews from past campers, "the experience is life changing, even if you aren't immersed in faith." Now Keith was becoming more and more interested. The important information was in bold letters in the middle of the page. The grades allowed to participate were ninth through twelfth and luckily, Keith was in eleventh. He grabbed his phone off his dresser and pulled Oceans up on his phone to check more reviews, blogs, and anything that could explain if he would-- ironically-- be in hell for the weekend.
After getting lost in his research and texting a few people back, he heard Shiro call him down for dinner. Keith hesitantly closed the tab on his phone showing the camp's Facebook page. Keith sighed and pushed himself up from his bed and made his way towards the clattering of pots and pans, bringing the flyer and application with him.
Keith trudged into the kitchen and the sight before him was the same as everyday. Shiro had set out the normal two plates and silverware.
"Shiro, can you sign this for me?" Keith murmured, leaning against the wall leading into the kitchen. Shiro looked up from setting two waters down on the table and rubbed his hands on his jeans before standing up straight and crossing his arms over his chest.
"What's it for?" Shiro asked, his expression wary. Keith never wanted to do anything outside of going to the gym. And he barely did that, he mostly stayed at the house and used home workouts. The look that Keith gave Shiro could kill, but he was used to it.
"It's just some camp that people at school were talking about," Keith shifts his weight onto the other foot, "a bible camp. Eye-opening, y'know? Seems kinda cool." Shiro hesitates but eventually drops his arms and reaches his hand out for the two papers. Keith hands them to him and watches carefully as Shiro reads over both papers.
Shiro raises an eyebrow and repeats one of the blurbs, eyeing Keith like he can't believe this is real. "'God loves you! He won't let you down!' huh? You really want to go to this? There's no phones allowed. For three days." Keith rolls his eyes and grabs the flyer back.
"Will you please just sign the application? I would do it myself but I need a guardian's signature. Which I could totally forge, but I figured you might begin to worry when I leave for three days." Keith says with a weak yet still smug smile on his face.
Shiro sighs and says, "I'm going to research this place after we eat. If it meets my standards and I'm convinced this place isn't actually a cult in disguise, I'll sign the form. Now sit down and eat."
So they eat. Small talk and genuine laughs echo through the kitchen. This is Keith's favorite part of the day, hanging out with his brother and talking through each of their day's respectively. Their food was great, as usual. Shiro had always been a good cook. It's comforting, if Keith's being honest. After they finish eating and their day has been thoroughly talked about, Keith begins washing the dishes while Shiro dries them. They tell stupid jokes and flick water at each other for the most part.
An hour later, Shiro knocks on Keith's door and enters before he hears an affirmative to continue. Keith is at his desk listening to music and mouthing along as he sketches. "So, I did my research and this place actually seems pretty cool. The reviews were all positive and you'll apparently make 'lifelong friends' so that's a bonus." Keith made a gesture as to say 'go on' so Shiro did. He made an exaggerated sigh and said in his most pained voice, "I guess I can fill out your form." Keith felt himself grin. He gave Shiro a half smile and thanked him before going back to his sketchbook.
Around ten o'clock, Shiro came into Keith's room once again (this time Keith was asleep) and dropped the now filled out application on his desk. He was proud of Keith for putting himself out there. He knew Keith didn't get along well with others, mostly because of his off putting attitude and not thinking before doing. Shiro hoped this was good for him. He pulled the blankets further up around Keith's neck and smiled down at his younger brother before quietly moving out of his room and shutting the door.