many things - keith tribute

many things

Their compliments ring within his ears. Intelligent, skilled, the best. Their compliments should make him happy. Their compliments should make him feel proud of himself. They don't. Instead, they cause him pain.

The compliments make his relationships with his peers deteriorate. "Not everyone is able to spot the mistakes as quickly as you, Keith," one of his classmates growl, annoyed by the fact that Keith has answered one of their teacher's questions, yet again. "Keep your hand down and give the rest of the class a chance to think."

The compliments make his relationships with his peers crack and crumble... They crack and crumble until there is a chasm between them. A chasm that he continuously tries to cross, even though he gets pushed back into it. "Not everyone is as naturally gifted as you. Not everyone can be as perfect as you. Don't get mad at us because we can't meet your expectations!"

For a while, Keith doesn't mind this. After all, he is not completely alone. After all, he still has Shiro. He will continue to have Shiro, even if the stars separate them. Shiro promised he would email him every day. "The mission comes first, but I will always find time to email you."

Shiro emails him every day, except for one... Over time, one day leads to two. Over time, two days lead to many more.

The words missing and presumed dead ring throughout his ears. Keith is now alone. His only friend... Or rather, his only friend that that understood that he is not perfect, is gone... Is dead.

Keith is now alone. Truly and completely alone.

The words wasted potential and troublemaker ring throughout his ears. They ring throughout his ears for months before he drops out. Or perhaps more accurately, before he gets kicked out.

Keith isn't sure what to do with his newfound time. In the past, he would be studying. He would be in the comfort of his dorm room, textbook open, notebook out and pencil in hand. He would sit at his desk for hours, his eyes scanning the pages while his hand sprints, trying its best to keep up. After studying for hours he would rise and stretch. He would wiggle his limbs, stretch his arms and his legs before jogging to the fight simulator room. He would stay there for hours. Well, he would stay there until Shiro kicked him out.

Intelligent, skilled, the best. Compliments that he use to receive ring throughout his ears. How could he be intelligent, skilled and the best if he can't find his best friend? How can he be intelligent, skilled and the best if he can't, at the very least, confirm that Shiro is dead?

Wasted potential and troublemaker ring through his ears. Perhaps they are right.

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Rival. Why would Lance consider him rival? Keith isn't as smart or talented as everyone thinks he is. He's had to study and practice for hours, for days, for years to get where he is now. Why would Lance consider him, someone who has struggled so long and hard a rival?

Teammate. Why do they consider him a teammate? His anger and lack of impulse control has gotten them into many difficult situations... Situations that even the mighty Voltron has struggled to get out of.

Hero. By taking lives, he's saved lives. Heroes aren't suppose to kill! Heroes are supposed to arrest villains. Most importantly, heroes aren't' supposed to be the villain.

You fight like a Galra soldier. He could've been a Galra soldier. He may as well be a Galra soldier. His main emotion is anger. He fights with surrender rarely ever coming to mind. He can growl, hiss and claw. He can even look like them. When he is especially tired, stressed or frustrated, he shifts.

Dark eyes are replaced with haunting yellow eyes.

Pale skin is replaced by shiny purple fur.

Friend. Even after they find out... Even though it takes some time to get use to, everyone, even Coran and Allura accept him. They love him.

Leader. Keith was forced into the role after Shiro's disappearance. No one particularly likes the shift in leadership. However, they go with it because it was what Shiro wanted. It was Shiro's last order. Or rather, it could be Shiro's last order.

Intelligent, skilled, the best.

Wasted potential and troublemaker.

Rival.

Teammate.

Hero.

Galra.

Friend.

Leader.

Keith is many things, but a quitter is not one of them.