Matt and Keith: Garrison Years

[tookashirototheknee]

Matt has always said that the biggest reason he's actually at the Garrison is that they needed to inflate their academic numbers. He realizes that isn't entirely true, but he'll go with that for now.

His first couple years, he was mostly just That Nerd who took every science class he was allowed to take, avoiding the practical piloting classes like the plague. He also had a secret that he was trying to keep: That he was Commander Sam Holt's son. He'd rather do things on his own merits (or lack thereof) and not because he's his father's kid. Mostly it worked. Iverson still hated him, but he tried not to care.

Now, though, a couple years on, his secret was out, and he'd made some good friends. This particular night, he is in his room, working on some reading for a biochem project that he'd really rather not be doing. His door's always open, though, for people to come in and bother him, or ask for help. Matt never minds helping people with their work.

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[whatsacactus]

People who want to bother him and ask for help by the name of Keith. He walks in, not bothering to knock or announce himself properly or even say hi. He's got his face buried in papers because that's just how things have gone for the last few months. He's smart, but not book smart. Matt and Shiro are. Give Keith piloting or fighting and he's your guy. Anything else? Over his head.

"I don't know why they bother giving me these guides, they know I don't get it." He stops by Matt's desk and holds the study guide out. It's for the most basic introductory physics - things he has to take for piloting, has to know how this stuff works scientifically, even if he can just know it instinctively. Instinct doesn't mean anything on paper or something.

[tookashirototheknee]

"Hi to you too." Matt looks up from his homework and sighs, shaking his head. "They give you the guides in the hope that you'll actually use the grey matter in that brain of yours."

There's an amused smirk on Matt's face for a moment. "Alright. The usual soda's in the fridge. Grab one, and I'll see what I can help explain." A pause. "Unless there's something else that you'd rather do. I... can't say I'd turn down a bit of procrastination."

[whatsacactus]

Matt takes the papers, so Keith moves to sit on the bed. He's clearly keyed up about something but hasn't gotten around to finding the right words yet. He appreciates Matt and Shiro tolerating him at all - this quiet underclassman with no family and a lot of fight in him. Not many in the Garrison are that brave. Or stupid.

"I really think they know I can't do whatever that is. Still don't get why I have to know all that to pilot."

He's just sulking now. A routine eighteen year old sulk.

[tookashirototheknee]

"You can totally do this, Keith." Matt sits down on the bed next to him, and pulls his feet up. "We'll go slow, and I'll show you the applications of this. I know you'll be fine." A pause. "Is there more than just physics homework, though? You're... extra fussy." Or so it seems.

[whatsacactus]

Keith sprawls back on the bed staring at the ceiling. It's stupid, and he's letting it get to him more than it used to.

"It's almost holidays."

They're a military academy, it's not like they go home or anything. But it's still rough to think about with military families all around him.

[tookashirototheknee]

The ceiling would stare back at him, but all that's up there are the glowstars (in correct constellations) that Matt has always had there.

Matt leans back against the wall, and takes a breath. Oh.

"Oh. Yeah, it is, isn't it?" A long pause. "Do you want to come over for that weekend? Mom, Dad, and Katie would love to have you."

[whatsacactus]

Keith is quiet for a long time. He knows those constellations are wrong and he doesn't care about it enough to say anything. He wouldn't ever think to ask if he could join someone else's family for a holiday. Too weird, too out of place.

"Wasn't sure you'd be going back."

Soulmates AU

[tookashirototheknee]

[It's been one hell of a battle. Matt had been given a group of rebels to infiltrate a Galra base. However, it hadn't gone according to plan. They'd walked in... on a battle. He wasn't even sure who was fighting who, as it seemed the Galra at times were fighting themselves.

Before he can give them an order, his group runs into the fray, masks up. Grumbling, he flares his staff and runs into the battle. Damnit, damnit, damnit.]

[whatsacactus]

[It was supposed to be an easy mission. Simple infiltration, get information, get out. He wasn't supposed to have to worry about fighting anyone, and they had intel on a weapon being transported the Blades needed.

Which, of course, means it went to shit almost immediately. Somehow, one of the drones caught Keith on the scanners as he was running through. Then a single gunfire, then it was all hell breaking loose. The other blades gave him cover while he tried to get what they needed. He had three minutes and they would leave him. More drones and some actual soldiers came. Fine, no problem. He's been training for this. It's when more Galra soldiers came on his way out that he started to get worried.

And then there was this other faction. He didn't recognize the colors or the suits. Not one of theirs, not one of ours. He didn't know who it is, but they were fighting both Galra and Blades. So did it matter? They're between him and his extraction point, so Keith jumps in, doing more to get to the exit than to take anyone out. They can't know he has the information.

But then he gets caught against one with a staff. That was never his expertise in fighting against, but he tries. Keith doesn't say anything, but he goes low and rushes in, aiming to jab a blow with the butt of his blade against the fighter's side so he can get through.]

[tookashirototheknee]

[What even is this mess? Matt gives his group a silent order over their comms to start pulling back, that no information is worth this fierce of a battle.

But then there's this guy. He's a little short for a Galra soldier, but he's certainly fierce enough for one. He takes a breath, but before he can react, the other rushes him... but to his surprise and shock, the blow glances off of his side.

He spins, going for a similar whack from his staff to the other fighter's side... but it just glances off again. Wait... is it possible?

Matt freezes, staff in his hands, not even wanting to give voice to what he's thinking.]

[whatsacactus]

[That blow should have hit. Keith knows his fighting, has it on instinct and a lifetime of training, he knows his mark. Keith turns to look at him, not seeing the beginning of the Blades retreat, hears them over their comm channel, We're leaving in 30 ticks.

He's dazed for a second, only a second, when the staff comes for him and he braces... for nothing. It glances right off without so much a breadth. Keith looks at where it should have hit, then at the fighter.

No.

He turns to the extraction point, then at the fighter. Nods his head in that direction. Please. Please follow him, he has no other way out of here, but he has to know.]

[tookashirototheknee]

[Is... is it possible? There's no way they both missed. It's obvious this other fighter is extremely well-trained, better than he is, if he were to admit it.

But... the other fights like a Galra, and is dressed like a Galra... well, sort of.

However, at the communication, he just nods and follows, hand tightening on his staff, not sure if he should be afraid, or excited.]

[whatsacactus]

[He gets to the extraction chest heaving and... it's too late.

His team's gone, watching the ship go. He mutters a curse under his breath and looks around for anything he can use. But this isn't a destroyed ship. There's no rubble he can propel himself with.

If this fighter isn't who he thinks he is, that's fine, he can grab a ship and get himself back to the Blades later. But he has to know for sure, and he can't let his mask down while still on the enemy ship.

But he'll risk this. He switches his external comm on, voice low so he doesn't draw the Galra to them.]

You have a ride? Mine just ditched me.

soulmates 2: injured boo

[whatsacactus]

[This keeps happening to him. Things that are supposed to be simple getting complicated too fast for him to make plans for. All he had to do this time was meet Kolivan at the rendezvous point, hand over the information he got from the mission, and explain Matt and work on some kind of agreement that Keith can still work with the Blades but not leave Matt. That's all. It's all he wanted.

Except.

The place chosen was supposed to be clear. It was supposed to be nondescript. Keith got them there and it was swarming. Somehow, it'd become a stop on a trading route for the Galra and Keith didn't realize until they were on top of them.

It feels like hours, and a lot of shouting when he finally got them to a place to stop and wait. He's missed the meet up time, but making sure Matt got there with him was a priority. And he was having to go slow.]

Matt, hang on. Just-- Hold on okay.

[tookashirototheknee]

[What Keith didn't completely realize was that Matt was worse off than he was letting on. He'd caught a blaster bolt in his side, but also, before Keith could realize it, one in his bad knee. Due to the way his pants fall, it's not really obvious, but he's limping and losing more blood than he probably should.

When they're finally able to stop, he leans against the wall, closing his eyes, and finally releasing his death grip on his staff.]

'm sorry, Keith. Some help I am. Probably should go back to the Blades.

[whatsacactus]

No. [It's blunt and that's all there is to it. Keith keeps one hand on his shoulder, trying to help balance him.]

I told you already, I'm not leaving you. Just -- [He carefully starts guiding Matt to slide down the wall to sit.] Just rest while we wait for him, okay? If he's bringing the crew, then they'll have first aid with them, I'll grab it.

[tookashirototheknee]

Alright. Do what you have to, Keith, ok?

[Matt sighs. Always too weak. Never strong enough to really do what he has to. He closes his eyes, mentally beating himself up even more.]

[whatsacactus]

Hey. [Once Matt's down and sitting, Keith moves to get in his face so Matt can't look away, letting the mask drop.] Don't do that. This wasn't your fault, and you made it this far. So don't do that.

[He carefully moves one hand to put light pressure on the wound in his side, trying to help until he hears someone behind him. He doesn't bother with the mask when he turns to look.

It's just Kolivan.

Kolivan standing there looking ominous, like a father who sat in the dark waiting for his child to come home late.

You're late.]

Kind of gave me a bad location.

[tookashirototheknee]

[Matt puts a hand over Keith's, more for the comfort than the pressure, but startles when he sees Kolivan. For all Keith has told him that Kolivan is one of the good guys, seeing a stern Galra brings back emotions that he thought he'd left behind.

Taking a breath, Matt manages to squash it all down, and trying to ignore the panic and flashback that's trying to sneak up on him. Looking up, he manages a smile.]

Hello, sir. I, uh, was hoping to make a better impression.

soulmates 3: origin story

[whatsacactus]

The Garrison is always more of a stepping stone for anyone there. Not many stay there, and the ones that do find they aren't happy. Iverson is proof enough of that. It's been a year, and Keith isn't entirely sure how he's lasted this long given his temperament and discipline problems. His simulation scores are top of the class, he's picking his way to the lead in combat, his actual test scores are decent. He wants to get up there, he wants to get into space and find... Whatever it is out there.

He knows he'll do it with Matt and Shiro too. In the year he's been here, the two of them looked at each other, then stuck to him like glue. He almost feels like a whole person, getting to laugh and be eighteen. But Shiro's still a year or so ahead and has a lot more going on than they do. He's alone with Matt, laughing about something and shoves with his elbow.

"If you really wanna surprise him, you-- I should show you, but you could pin him or something."

[tookashirototheknee]

Matt's always been the quiet one, top of his class in anything academic, abysmal in the pilot's chair in the simulators, but stellar as the comms officer, and tolerable in combat or physical skills. He'd met Shiro the first day when he moved in, and they became friends quickly. Keith he'd met a bit later in a class, but once they really started talking, it was just natural between them.

When Keith shoves him, he topples over, possibly theatrically, possibly not, looking up at Keith with a grin. "Oh, heck yes. Show me how to do it."

[whatsacactus]

Keith's tired, and this entire conversation is just taking a break from cramming. Matt had given him some good study tips that really helped, so it's only fair he gives back what he's skilled at. And if it happens to get at Shiro a little bit, why not? He could tell they maybe had something but who knew if it'd go anywhere. He didn't much care beyond 'not going to happen to him' (or maybe he was overthinking it, like he does a lot of things that isn't explained in explicit terms).

He tugs on Matt's arm to get him up right and to his feet. "C'mon. Here."

There's plenty of open space in the room, and Keith moves to one side trying to think. Matt's almost as tall as Shiro, so there are different moves he could use. Just which one? Shiro beats them both on sheer muscle strength alone, but Keith doesn't know Matt's speed or agility; they're never on the training floor at the same time.

He's staring intensely at Matt, looking him up and down trying to size him up without a word.

[tookashirototheknee]

"Ok."

Matt stands, looking a bit awkward in a space camp t-shirt and some grey shorts, but ready for whatever Keith might toss at him. He's surprisingly fast and agile, having some experience on a cross-country track team.

He's always liked watching Keith spar. Even though there's not on the training floor at the same time, there have been a few times that he's in the next group and just watched his friend. There's a passion and determination to him when he fights that Matt just... really likes. He doesn't actually think his friend would ever see him as anything but a good friend, unfortunately, but he'll take the friendship.

[whatsacactus]

Keith is still looking him over.

"It'd make sense to go low," he doesn't usually think out loud, not really. But for Matt's benefit, he figures he should at least verbalize the process. "But that's expected, and easy to guess once you move in. If you can get around him though... Yeah."

He smirks a little to himself. Shiro's not the fastest at pivoting, relying on strength and his size where he currently is. With that decided, he bends at his knees and motions for Matt to do the same.

"Feint like you're going in low, then," he starts, already on the move to Matt's front, then ducks to the left. "Use the momentum to swing around on-" he pivots on the ball of right foot, now facing Matt's back and grabbing for his right arm.

"You can do a lot from here."

[tookashirototheknee]

He knows a few more things than he lets on, and as Keith ducks to the left, he pivots around as well, sweeping low with his leg, to try to catch the back of his knees.

"How about that?" He can't help the mischievious expression on his face, and the quickly-growing smirk.