Chapter Text
It was truly heartbreaking to see him in such a state. It seemed like all the effort he put to be able to open up to them vanished into thin air, just like that.
Well, she knew it was because of Shiro's disappearance, but wasn't he aware they were there to support each other?
That she was there.
Pidge only wanted the best for him, to see him happy.
He deserved it so much. Even if he wasn't perfect, the girl could tell he was trying his best to be a good leader. Keith just wasn't able to believe in himself, making him doubt every decision he made.
She could help. Maybe. It wasn't a secret to anyone, but Pidge was never the member of the team that was the most emotionally open. Hunk and Lance were probably better options.
However, for him, she'd do anything.
(It wasn't time to think about why she felt that way, he was the current priority. Not her feelings.)
*******
While all her dreams since the Kerberos mission were about her father and brother, seeing them die, alive, hurt or in different situations, tonight, it concerned other people. As usual, she was able to remember every single detail, but an exchange stayed in her head.
"If I recall correctly, your birthday is the 23rd of October, right?"
"Uhm yeah, what about it?"
"Well, according to the calendar that Pidge and Hunk made so we could tell what time it was on earth, it's pretty soon, we should do something."
It was the memory of a conversation she had stumbled upon on a random night between Shiro and Keith, about a week before he vanished...
She had completely forgotten about it, or what happened after.
Perhaps that could cheer him up?
*******
He didn't want to be around them, that much was clear. Judging from his stance and the eye bags, Keith was exhausted. He was giving her competition as title holder of the team's night owl. So maybe organizing something with all of their friends wouldn't be welcomed.
It was fine, she had about a week and a half to figure something out. How hard could this be?
*******
Hunk was going to have her head.
Birthday cakes were always one of hers and Matt's favorite part of that special day that only occurred once a year. She remembers sitting at the kitchen table, eating the cake her family had put all of their love in for her and feeling better about everything. That's why she thought Keith might appreciate one to... Too bad her three trials exploded in the oven.
How was it even possible to be this bad?
With the time she had left, Pidge doubted she'd get the hang of it. And with the ingredients she had in hand... It was going to be even more difficult to accomplish, she didn't even know what half of them tasted like or what reaction that would have together!
Well, apart from blowing up under heat.
She thought about asking Hunk for help, but there was no way he wasn't going to inquire as to why she needed to learn to bake out of nowhere.
Plus, if she told him the truth, she knew the yellow paladin, he'd cave soon and tell Lance or the mice could possibly overhear them and go report to Allura.
She wasn't risking it, she could come up with other ideas.
Back to her current problem, thank God she still had three vargas to clean before anyone would wake up!
*******
What did Keith like?
Maybe if she found something that had to do with his interest, she could gift it to him? But what exactly?
Lance liked to pamper himself while listening to music (with the headphones he stole from her) while Hunk enjoyed cooking. Coran preferred to do Coran type of things and Allura liked... gossiping with the mice?
Pidge wasn't actually sure what the alteans did in their free time, but the point was that everyone had something they did to relax.
And Keith...
She saw him train often, but if she made a system for him, would he take it badly? Would he believe she created this because she wants him to know he isn't good enough in her opinion, thinking that he needs to improve his skills way more for her to truly consider him her leader?
If he asked her, she'd happily do it. That wasn't the case.
Quiznack, she was desperately running out of time.
*******
Everything was awful. Not only was Keith's birthday tomorrow, it was currently around 11 p.m. and she still had no idea what to do for him.
Oh yeah and today was a total disaster.
She doesn't exactly know what occurred, but from what Hunk told her, their new leader had an argument with Allura about whatever. Then, Lance and Coran got involved and sided with the princess. In the end, Keith isolated himself once more from the team and Pidge doubted he would magically be in a better mood by the following day.
She had seen him angrily walk away from the lounge and all she could think of was how sad his expression was.
What type of friend ('cause that's definitely all she wants to be) would she be if she didn't do anything to make sure he woke up with a smile on his face the morning of his special day?
So, if anyone asked what she was doing wordlessly staring at his door late at night, Pidge would use that reason. She was still confronting the same problem. What could she do- Oh, maybe she could have thought about that sooner!
The green paladin didn't bother knocking loudly, he was most probably still awake. "It's Pidge, can we talk for a moment."
Nothing. It didn't matter, she wasn't quitting before seeing him. "I'll wait here until you decide to answer me."
...
"Keith-" "If you're also mad at me, you can leave, I'm not in the mood."
He really sounded sad, almost completely defeated. "I'm not, I promise."
It was truly unfair. From what she knew, his whole life had been full of loss and still, he tried. He never gives up. He's one of the last people that deserves to be treated so badly by this universe.
When the door slid open, his nearly red eyes- Was he crying?- met hers. "What can I do for you?" "What?"
Knowing him, Pidge had to convince him, Keith wasn't the type to show his emotions so easily with everyone. She had to prove to him she wanted only the best for him, she wasn't going to judge.
"You try so hard for our sake, I want to do something to put a smile on your face in return. That's why I'll do anything you wish for, except leave." He blinked at her, surprised before stepping aside, letting her into his dark room.
Though she never said it out loud, the green paladin always thought it looked kind of depressing. There wasn't any trace of his presence here except the boots on the floor, his vest on a chair and a currently unmade bed. During the day. Anyone could believe this place was vacant. "Is this about earlier?" "Not really. I just want to be there for you. You may not think it, but you're a good leader."
"So you wouldn't mind staging for a while, even if I don't want to talk?" Pidge nodded in response. Keith had never seemed so vulnerable in front of her, practically whispering each word that came out of his mouth.
She observed him as he sat back down on his bed, hesitating for a few ticks before lying down. He was still avoiding looking her way, as he left a space big enough for her. She accepted the invitation.
He was so tense, making sure there was no contact between them. She could help him a bit. "Need a hug?"
Sometimes, Pidge forgot just how fast Keith could move. Before she could blink, his strong arms had pulled her toward him, holding her tight at the waist as he buried his face in her neck.
She didn't say anything when he began shaking, or when she felt tears drop on her skin. All she did was gently stroke his hair, her eyes never leaving the ceiling.
"I miss him, I wish it would have been me instead."
"Don't say that, I miss him too, but I would have missed you just as much. The others too, including him."
In hindsight she should have thought about doing this sooner rather than spending all this time figuring out what to do to help him. Even if he doesn't believe he knows how to lead them, people usually have a way they prefer to be comforted. She simply had to give him the opportunity to have someone consol him.
After some time had passed, she turned her head to the side to read the clock she had gifted him a while ago, 12 a.m.
"Happy birthday, Keith."
*******
Huh? How did she know?
It wasn't important at the moment.
This was the most relaxed he had felt in a while, like a heavy weight was lifted off his shoulders. He was really glad she was there.
"Thanks."
Keith could only hope she couldn't feel his heart beat at one hundred miles an hour.