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When Keith returned to earth, he was waiting for one person, the one person that made life on earth tolerable and worth living. The man who would make mushroom stew with rice and they'd eat it by the window whenever it was raining.
The man who taught him how to do basic first aid, and because of that, it has saved the other Paladins life more than once. Or the man who always make sure that Keith would tell him why the fight even happened in the first place.
Shiro had disappeared from the crown and everyone was being wary about his mother. It was to be expected though.
So when Commander Iverson gave him an envelope, he did not expect the handwriting to be Adams, the same messy handwriting that used to be on the whiteboards. The same one that wrote sticky notes around the house reminding Keith to do stuff.
To my dear boy Keith.
If you are reading this letter, I am afraid I am not able to welcome you home.
My choice in flying that plane into the battlefield was my decision, and mine only. If I could buy time for you to return home, then so be it.
Keith.
Oh Keith.
The night you went missing, I couldn't breathe. You were my son, and in every way, my dearest boy. You were always plaguing my thoughts. I knew you were investigating that cave, and when I found it collapsed, I felt myself collapse.
If this letter does make it to you, I hope you know that I do not blame you. You were always a little different from the rest
Too responsible and too mature for your age. If only you got to be more of a kid when I was still taking care of you. I made dinner for you every night and had to force myself to eat it, or not you would somehow still find a way to yell at me.
Our last conversations were not kind words to one another, and for that I will always apologise. I was wrong to call you selfish and a burden. It was Takashi who was in the wrong, yet I took my anger out on you.
You are still a child. You should not have to fight in this meaningless war. You should be learning how to pilot a plane, or biking your hoverbike in these dunes.
If you are still angry with me, I will always understand that. All I can hope for is that someday you will forgive me for my immaturity during our time of grievance. Maybe I never really grieved Takashi the way you did.
Yes, we were to be married, but even before that, our relationship started failing. You were just an unfortunate variable that fell in between the already cracking floor. The mission just broke it. My dear boy, do not blame yourself for that.
If you are hungry, I left some food in the fridge for you as well as some of my recipes on the bookshelf if you want to learn how to make them in my absence. Takashi can find his wedding ring in the case by the key holder.
I made your bed, and helped tidy up your father's shack in the desert. I hope it hasn't gotten too dusty while I was gone.
Do not eat too much before bed, and always drink water, not the radioactive caffeine drinks that you drink for some reason.
I will always be waiting for you, and I will always watch over you.
Like I always said, when I die, I will be one of the stars in the sky. Perhaps you will fly by me one day, in your fancy alien lion cat things. Haha this letter is getting too long now.
I know I'm dead. I did not expect to return from this mission alive if I were to be honest. All I hope is that my death was not in vain, or at least, did something to help humanity.
Once this war is over, please finish your education. You have never let me down one moment, Keith Kogane, and I will always be proud of you.
I love you, Keith. And I'll always be on your side.
Adam Wright
No.
Keith shoved the envelope into Iverson's arms and ran. Ran to where? He can't remember where Adams dorm in the Garrison was anymore. But he just ran.
He found himself at the rooftop, tucking himself in the corner, sobbing.
No no no. Why? Why did this happen? Why? Why? Why?!
Sendak. Sendak Sendak Sendak- why?
Why did the most compassionate and gentle man that Keith has ever known, die to the war. Why? Why why why?
Krolia found him a few hours later and Sanda had called everyone to the debriefing room. Keith saw Shiros eyes, slightly red from crying as well. Or maybe the tears never left Shiros eyes.
They had watched the footage and Keith wanted to vomit.
"Jefferson!? Do you copy?" Adams voice yelled through the video.
"Captain Jefferson is down..." A flight operators voice mumbles in horror.
"Fall back!" Another voice yelled.
"Don't!" Sandas voice yelled back.
Keith knew what Adams plane looked like. He always places the same bumper sticker on the wing. And Keith watched that plane be cut in half by a galra laser before crashing into the crowd.
All Keith can hope for is that Adam had died a quick and painless death.
They couldn't recover the bodies, and all they could do was place his name on a small plate among the others who had died.
Keith will not let Adams death be in vain, it was for humanities last defence.
...
When Shiro heated up the stew in the fridge, Keith sobbed after taking a bite of it. God it tastes the same. It was the exact same taste.
Maybe the taste changed a little, considering it was in the fridge for almost a month now. The mushrooms were too soggy, the rice was dry but it still tasted good.
Adams apartment was as clean as always, and every book was annotated and every power was marked and stacked neatly. Keith found more picture frames of him and Shiro around the house as compared to the last time. He could understand why.
Keith found a framed picture of him and Adam. It was when they went to the water park with Shiro and Keith had tackled Adam in the pool, and Shiro managed to take a picture of it.
How did his laugh sound like that day?
...
She sent them out there knowing that she was the reason for their death.
Why?
Adam died... For nothing.
Keith had sobbed after Sanda died. Why did she get the easy way out. She should have- she. Why.
...
Iverson passed the envelope to Keith before he left for earth again. Confused, he took it.
"Keep it. It's the last piece of him you have left." Iverson said and then passed Keith a dog tag.
"What...?' Keith croaked as Iverson sighed.
"We found his body, after the war. He was dead before he hit the ground, but still managed to pilot it enough to ensure his body wouldn't perish that bad." Iverson explained. "Shiro didn't want it." Hah! What did Shiro not want? Keith thought Shiro wanted it all.
Wright
Adam
[]
B-
Atheist
Keith held onto the dog tag and then nodded. Thanking Iverson for it. If Krolia found the dog tag around Keith's neck, who was she to judge and ask?
...