Shiro shook his head, smiling sadly, "No, he isn't. He simply doesn't know how to let people in to see the real him."

""I guess I understand to some point. Maybe he think if people see the real him they won't respect him as mch. I don't know much about him and his past before Voltron but I respect the instincts he has." Pidge smiled. Shiro smiled, leaning back against the wall, "I could tell you a little if you want." Pidge nodded, "Please."

Shiro nodded, "I can't tell you everything. Keith wouldn't forgive me, but I can tell you a little."

"Whatever you can please." She sat back on the floor and gave Shiro her attention.

"Well, I didn't meet Keith until he was seven. But I know that he had been in orphanages and foster homes for about three years before that. Some of the places he stayed weren't... nice." Shiro frowned deeply, but moved on quickly. "So Keith became really untrustful when it came to meeting anyone. He was good at fighting because he had to learn so the other kids at the orphanage wouldn't bully him."

Pidge's eyes widened a little, "I-I couldn't imagine."

Shiro nodded, "Because he didn't stay at foster homes for long, by the time we got him he didn't believe we'd actually keep him. He thought we'd give him back like everyone else."

"BUt you didn't right? I would hope not. Probably not since you two are so close and you know all this." Shiro laughed a little,

"No, we kept him. We grew really close. But... my parents died when I was eighteen. The courts wouldn't let me take care of Keith myself. I was already in the Garrison and I didn't have a steady income..." Shiro frowned deeply again, looking at Keith sadly, "He got put back in the system."

"Oh no." These stories made more of Pidge's feminine side come out in her responses, "That is terrible. He has really had a rough time." Shiro nodded, "We kept in touch, but.. I couldn't be there for him like I wanted to." Pidge nodded and put a hand on Shiro's. Shiro smiled softly at her, "He never gave up though. He got a scholarship to the Garrison and enlisted. He was there for almost half a year before I got sent out to Kerberos."

"Did he drop after that? I remember hearing that he was a dropout. All the students and teachers there were really mad about that."

Shiro nodded, "After the Garrison blamed me for the "crash" Keith, uh, punched an instructor who tried to use me as a bad example." Shiro half smiled.

"He did what?" Pidge was surprised, "I mean I knew he was a hot-head and he had the fighting experience but to do that? He must have really loved you Shiro." Shiro laughed, "Yeah, he went out to his shack after that. Started looking for Blue." Pidge sat back shocked, "I never... that is just... wow." Shiro laughed again a little quieter, "Yeah. He's pretty amazing." Pidge looked over at Keith and she had a new respect for him.

"I'm proud of him. He really pulled through for me when I was gone. Even if he got hit, he was doing it to protect his team." Pidge nodded not looking away, "He is a great leader Shiro. Even though he has problems with his temper which can cause some issues, but he holds the team together by being so cool in the heat of battle." Shiro smiled, looking at Keith, "Hear that buddy? Gotta stop saying you're not fit to lead Voltron." Pidge giggled, "Yeah. But we need you too Shiro. We all do. If something happened-"

Shiro smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry KAtie. I don't plan on disappearing ever again." She smiled and got up to hug Shiro again, "Thanks again Shiro." Shiro smiled, hugging her back and ruffling her hair a little, "Of course Pidge."

"You are the only one who understands me to a point. No one will but at least you know."

Shiro hugged her tighter, "I'm here for you Katie. We'll find them. Maybe you and Keith can talk about it. Keith knows what it's like. He lost me."

"Maybe. One day maybe I can sit in here and talk to him you think? Do you think he'll say anything?" Shiro frowned thoughtfully. "Maybe. You may have to do most of the talking though."

"I can always talk." She giggled, "We can always try..." Shiro smiled at her, "I'm sure he'd like it, even if not at first. He's not the best at making friends." She nodded, "Well, he made two with Hunk and I." Shiro smiled, "I hope he knows that." She smiled in return, "I do to. Do you think when he gets better we could talk? Or when his guard is down." Shiro thought about it for a minute, "When he is better would be best."

"We just can't forget."

Shiro nodded seriously, "We won't." The two talked a little more. Shiro eventually noticed Pidge starting to tire out. He smiled gently, "It's getting late. You should go to bed."

"Do I have to Shiro? You need rest too." She tried to make her face look not as tired but her whole body ached for bed. Shiro smiled, "I'll be fine here. Young geniuses like you need sleep though."

"I can relieve you tomorrow morning okay?"

"Sure, now get to bed." Shiro got up and gently pulled her up. She nodded and smiled before leaving, "Night Shiro."

"Night Katie." Shiro smiled at the auburn haired female as she left. She went to bed and fell asleep with a giant smile on her face. Shiro sighed softly and laid down closing his eyes. Sleep came quickly for once, exhaustion creeping up on him.

The next morning early Pidge went to Keith's room and peeked in. Shiro had fallen halfway to the floor during the middle of the night, just his upper torso against the bed. She giggled quietly and went to get some food for her and Keith then went back. Shiro stirred as her light footsteps entered the room. PIdge walked over and started eating. He opened his eyes slowly, "Mornin' Katie."

"Morning Shiro."

He yawned and sat up, cracking his neck, "Sleep good?" She nodded, "Very good. You really helped me yesterday." Shiro smiled warmly at her, "I'm glad I helped."

"Now time for me to help you." She smiled, "You know Shiro? I am glad I can be me with you. As Katie..." Shiro smiled, laying a hand on her knee, "You can be yourself with all of us Katie."

"Not as Katie I feel though."

"Even as Katie. All you have to do is ask everyone to call you by your real name."

"Should I Shiro? Won't it annoy people that I am a girl?"

"Katie. They already know that. Just because you acted like a guy back at the Garrison doesn't mean you have to here. You're Katie. You always have been. The others know that." Pidge took a deep breath, "Okay... I'll do it." She nodded affirmatively. Shiro grinned and hugged her, "Now everyone can know the real you, just like Keith." She hugged him back. As he let go Pidge giggled, "Now, go to breakfast and don't tell anyone to call me Katie yet, I want to do it." Shiro chuckled and stood up, "Yes ma'am." He saluted her and walked out.

Katie giggled, happy to be free and sat down. Keith woke up a while later, shifting to his side. Katie smiled as his eyes opened. Keith registered her after a moment, "Hey Pidge."

"Who is Pidge? I am Katie." She giggled. Keith blinked for a second then smiled, "Oh. Hey Katie. Going by your real name now?" She nodded, "Yeah, I want to be me. Not Pidge. How are you feeling?" Keith made a so so noise, "I'm okay."

"Good. I have food in case you want more than water." Keith shook his head, "Not hungry but thanks."

"Of course. Tell me if you want anything. I sent Shiro to breakfast and take a break. You are stuck with me."

Keith smiled, "At least you're not Lance." He joked, not really meaning it. "I guess." She ignored the comment. Happy he was joking around and smiling. After talking a while Keith turned serious, "Katie, is Shiro okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"Shiro said the Black Lion transported him because he was too stressed after I got hurt. But he came back to me being worse and I'm worried about him."

Katie took a moment to compose her thoughts, "Well Keith, in all honesty, Shiro is taking this pretty hard. He is just concerned when he sees you spasm harshly and when you pass out. I don't know whether he will disappear again but I think he won't because he is integral to your progress. When I found you unconscious he felt that you died, and he was close to tears..." She said quietly. Katie held some back since she didn't want to overwhelm Keith.

Keith frowned deeply, knowing it was hard on Shiro but not knowing it was that bad, "I shouldn't have trained so hard. I didn't want Shiro to worry so much over me."

"I know Keith. I know you didn't have the family and care we offer so it can be had to take it but we want you better. I don't think Shiro has slept in days."

Keith frowned deeper, "Katie... will you promise me something?"

"What?"

"If... If I don't get better-" Keith started before being cut off.

"Don't even start Keith. You will get better. You. will. The whole crew will make sure you do!" Katie interrupted him and emphasized her point by pointing at him. Keith stared at her, wide eyed at how vehemently she said that. He opened his mouth, but was so shocked that nothing came out.

"I am your friend and I care about you. Everyone does. Shiro, Lance, Hunk, even Allura cares about you. We need you to pilot Red and you hold the team together. Don't make the assumption that you won't get better because it isn't true."

Keith blinked, nodding slowly. He bit the inside of his cheek for a minute, "You...we're friends?" She nodded, "Yes. I hope we are. I like hanging out with you, even though you are in pain and you didn't judge me. And... we are similar I guess. I don't want to see you hurt more Keith so can you please just take the care."

Kith lost his voice it seemed as he just stared at her like a confused puppy. But slowly he seemed to snap out of it and agreed softly, "Y-Yeah, sure."

Katie let out a breath and bit her lip, "Sorry I went at you like that." She looked down but smiled afterwards, "Man, that felt good to say and get out." Keith smiled slowly, "Thanks Katie."

"Anytime Keith." She smiled up at him.