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.

Comments

[tookashirototheknee]

True. He sure does eat, doesn't he?

[Matt laughs, which turns into a huge grin.]

It's actually my biggest dream to be able to have a mission the three of us. Just us and space. It'll be so freaking amazing.

[whatsacactus]

Yeah?

[He smiles at Matt, watching the sunset colors play on his face as it goes down.]

Give me a couple more years and I'll be there with you.

[tookashirototheknee]

I'll give you all the time you need.

[Without thinking, he moves a bit closer to Keith, watching the wind gently rustling his friend's hair.]

It'll make it all the better.

[whatsacactus]

[It's really picturesque, the colors and the wind and being close like this. It's a shame he isn't one to think much of it.]

We'll be great.

[He's quiet, then sighs through his nose.]

But we should probably get you back.

[tookashirototheknee]

[He shrugs a bit.]

It's the weekend. I don't think I really care right now. And I'm not ready to go.

[He puts his elbows on his knees and leans forward, chin in his hands.]

I'm perfectly fine right here.

[whatsacactus]

Yeah?

[Keith realizes... now... how close Matt's gotten. Weird.]

Then we'll stay right here.

[tookashirototheknee]

Good. I really like the quiet and the company.

[Matt sighs, just falling silent and watching the last of the sunset.]

It's just so peaceful out here in contrast to the chaos of the Garrison.

[whatsacactus]

Yeah...

Though I'm pretty sure we're part of the problem with the chaos.

[tookashirototheknee]

Oh, shush, you.

[Matt laughs, leaning against Keith just a bit without thinking. Oops.]

[whatsacactus]

[Keith leans with him, not really getting much significance of it but enjoying the closeness. This poor, touch-starved fool.]

I'm just saying! We cause a lot of messes.

[tookashirototheknee]

[Oh, well. He's enjoying the closeness, and just stays where he is, laughing cheerfully.]

You and eating everything in sight, Shiro's macaroni fiasco....

[whatsacactus]

[Okay, Matt laughs but Keith doesn't really get how it's a joke.]

Wrong to waste food. [That food had to be eaten!]

[tookashirototheknee]

[He shakes his head, rolling his eyes a bit.]

Some of what you eat is so old it's... almost dangerous! I don't want you to get sick!

[whatsacactus]

Haven't gotten sick yet.

[Maybe one day he'll actually learn about better food.]

[tookashirototheknee]

Just because you haven't, doesn't mean you won't. Besides, there's a lot of things you haven't done that maybe you should.

[Matt pauses and shakes his head.]

Er, sorry. I don't even know what I'm talking about.

[whatsacactus]

[Wait.]

... What should I be doing? [He's straight up lost here, buddy.]

[tookashirototheknee]

Nothing. Never mind. I just... started rambling.

[He shakes his head, facepalming.]

Just... ignore me.

[whatsacactus]

[Matt no don't unlock this, now he's gotta know. He turns to face Matt properly, brows scrunched up a little.]

No, what is it. I-- I wanna know.

[tookashirototheknee]

Just my stupid mind wandering on things that things that won't ever happen. Don't mind me. Really.

[He looks over at Keith, resisting the temptation to just reach over and hug him tight.]

[whatsacactus]

[Meanwhile, Keith isn't exactly forgiving in that. He reaches and touches at Matt's shoulder.]

You... know what Shiro would say.

[A beat.]

It's okay to talk about it.

[tookashirototheknee]

[Matt reaches up and puts a hand on Keith's, shaking his head.]

I know it's alright to talk about it. I just... don't know how to start.

[whatsacactus]

Well..

[Keith's not much better, but he can try.]

Start easy. Are you dying?

[tookashirototheknee]

Oh, dear stars and planets, no!

[Matt stares for a moment.]

I'm not hurt, I'm not sick.

[whatsacactus]

[Keith smiles.]

Okay. Then you started. [It's easy, Matt, look at that.]

[tookashirototheknee]

[There's something about that smile that makes Matt go all melty inside. There's something amazing knowing that even as prickly as Keith is, he still cares. Deeply.]

Huh. So I did. I'm not sick, I'm not failing classes, I'm not... well, it's not really that negative. Uh.