Chapter Text
Life at the garrison for Keith was not perfect however it was better than what he had going for him in the past six years after his father died. Keith was only seven when he was given the brutal news that life as he knew it was never going to be the same again. Because of this, his memories of a better life felt like nothing more than a dream. All memories of that life were far behind him and felt muddled if he tried to think back on them for too long. He was told he would heal from the trauma. Keith has trouble figuring out if he healed. Does not thinking about it at all mean he is healed? Does forgetting and ignoring his feelings mean he is getting better? Keith doesn’t really have an answer for that. He never really had time to grieve if Keith is being honest to himself. He had to worry more about survival in the boy's home and countless abusive foster families.
The garrison has been the best place for him so far. Shiro is nothing but supportive and the closest thing to a father figure Keith has had since that wicked day. No fists or belts are used. Only words of support. Shiro’s fiance is a bit more distant to Keith but has never stooped so low as to hurt him. The distance is painful but it’s better than the alternative. Other people at the garrison are awful though and Keith’s situation has manifested itself like a monster in the shadows. Mrs.Holt is a friend of Shiro’s he came to learn and Keith really does like her as well as her husband and son. Keith never met their daughter but if the rest of the family is anything to go off of he would assume she is just as amazing. However the rest of the garrison are similar to a hungry pack of wolves that have made Keith their prey. James Griffin is here for whatever reason Keith can’t truly comprehend. Maybe the universe just hates him. Sure he punched Griffin but it wasn’t like it was Keith’s fault. Griffin just needed to be a little humbled for talking shit. Iverson is another one Keith can’t stand. Mr.Iverson seemed to be a man of principle and obviously has earned a lot of respect from those around him. Maybe Keith was missing something. Maybe he wasn’t. All Keith knew was that Iverson declared that one more infraction would lead to expulsion from the school. To Keith expulsion was so much more than what any other student saw it as. To some it meant nothing. To others it meant tears and packing up to go to another school. To Keith It didn’t just mean having his future turn to nothing but dust. It meant being ripped away from Shiro. Keith couldn’t be expelled. Shiro’s guardianship of him was like a single thread ready to be torn. The school had the majority of guardianship over Keith and Shiro had very limited rights when it came to caring for Keith. He couldn’t even get a passport for Keith so Shiro could take him to see family due to the garrison denying the request. Keith had no doubt in his mind that Shiro would lose all custody of Keith if he were to be expelled.
The rule was that Shiro and Adam would keep Keith with them in their on base apartment during weekends and breaks while Keith stayed in the dorms during the week. Who knew those pesky dorm rooms would cause so much trouble. The incident with Griffin was a couple months ago. Keith thought he would be okay but he wasn’t. Keith was in trouble again and Shiro looked close to having a stroke. This time it really wasn’t anything Keith did. Griffin’s friends blocked his path as he was walking down the long hallway to get to his dorm room. The goons beat him to a pulp but Keith didn’t fight back at all. He couldn’t. Shiro never lost his cool but now it’s like years of pent up rage is slowly being let out. Shiro didn’t seem to be mad at him but it didn’t change the situation. Apparently a zero tolerance policy is even more bullshit than anticipated as the adults discuss a proper “punishment” with the word “expulsion” hanging over everyone’s consciousness. “What do you mean you have no proof he didn’t throw a punch? Look at his knuckles! There are no bruises! And why can’t you just get the security footage?” Shiro argued loudly as he presented Keith’s balled up fists to everyone in the stuffy room. The room was filled with too much chaos for Keith to handle. His bruises and cuts from his run in earlier smart and his ears are ringing from the shouting all around him. Keith does his best to clock out from everything. As soon as Adam walks in the whole room is settled within five minutes and Keith and Shiro alongside Adam walk out with no marks on Keith’s record.
The walk to Keith’s dorm was silent and somehow that made it worse. Shiro still looked stressed and angry and the longer the look stayed on his face the more anxious Keith felt. “Hey Keith” Shiro started. Keith looked at Shiro with anticipation. “Don’t forget about the pilot demonstration tomorrow bud” Shiro continued. The piloting demonstration was now more important than ever. As far as Keith understands the event is where a bunch of so-called important people come in and judge him with empty dead eyes to see what he learned so far at the garrison. After today's events Keith really had to prove himself. Not just for his future but for Shiro. He will do this for Shiro. He will make him proud. “I won’t forget! Goodnight!” Keith said as he walked through the door into his small dorm room. Shiro stood outside the now closed sliding door and let out a sigh but somehow not relaxing his shoulders. The sensor around his wrist made a concerning beeping noise prompting Adam to help Shiro with his medication. Adam didn’t need to ask what Takashi was feeling because he felt it too. They were scared. Not just for the present but for the future too. Keith on the other side of the door started to get ready for bed. As Keith laid on the too hard bed he felt his left arm go numb. He put no thought into it as he fell asleep. Just a nasty bruise he thought with confidence. When would Keith ever learn that his confidence only ever hurt him.