Chapter 15

October 19th

"Ok. Not that I mind hanging out with you two but where exactly are we going?" asked Pidge.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure this is considering kidnapping," said Keith. They were both sitting in the back of Matt's mustang, while Shiro and her brother sat up front.

"If I was going to kidnap a child, it wouldn't be you," commented Shiro, amusement lacing his voice. "And we are just going to our place. We are redecorating and need a little help."

The brunette raised an eyebrow at her brother through the rear view mirror. "Your dorm is the size of a small bedroom, what is there to redecorate?"

"There lying to us, Pidge. They are just tired of being alone and decided to steal children so that they can finally have a family of their own," Keith joked, crossing his arms and kicking his older brother's seat.

"Oh ha ha. We just want to spend time with our siblings. Is that so bad?" Asked Matt, looking in the mirror to meet his little sister's eyes. "Don't you guys want to spend the day with us?"

Of course she did. And even if Keith acted like he'd rather die, she knew he did too.

She had been so excited when she woke up to find Matt sitting at her computer desk. A bit curious as to what he was doing in her room, but excited when he finally explained that he was taking up her Saturday to hang out with him.

She missed hanging out with him. He was home a lot, sure. But she noticed due to classes and large assignments, it was lesser than usual. Not to mention her own school time intervened.

"No, you're both old and lame," Keith insulted jokingly.

"And by the way, If we are heading to your dorm then why are we going this way?"

"Yeah I've never been this way before," the brunette said. She and Keith had driven to the boy's college dorm multiple times before and she didn't recognize the route they were taking.

"We have to stop by Walmart to get a couple things to redecorate with and some snacks for later," Matt told her.

Keith leaned against the window and placed his legs into his friend's lap. "Whatever but I'm getting bagel bites."

Shiro laughed, "You honestly think I already wouldn't have them?"

A vibration from Pidge's jean pocket goes off and she reached for her phone.

Loverboy: What's our plans for the day, Pidgey? I've got a clear schedule.

Crap, Lance wanted to hang out and she wasn't home.

Pidgeon: Sorry, Lance. Hanging out at Shiro and Matt's dorm. They picked Keith and I up this morning.

An instant reply popped onto her screen before she could even look up from her phone.

L: what?!

L: You chose mullet over me?!

She sighed. Of course he would see it that way.

P: Didn't really have a choice. They didn't even tell us where we were going until now.

"They better be pepperoni."

Shiro turned in his chair, looking at Keith. "As if there is anything better."

The brunette rolled her eyes.

L: what for?

P: Keith is convinced it's abduction but they just want some help decorating their dorm.

"Why does it matter? Aren't they all the same?"Matt asked, pulling into the Walmart parking lot.

The other two boys gasped. "Shiro, I know you love him," the asian started, leaning forward to place a hand on his brother's shoulder. "But i'm afraid you're going to have to break up with him."

"What?! Over pizza? It's just pizza," Her brother yelled in question, looking between the road and his boyfriend.

L: My niece and nephew's room is bigger than that shoe box.

"Ok, Matt, I love you. You are my wonderful and amazing boyfriend. But you're crossing the line."

P: Apparently they want a better shoe box.

The mustang came to a stop as they parked but the boys continued to bicker.

"It's just bread with pizza sauce, cheese, and meat."

Keith shook his head, dramatically grabbing his brother. "Don't listen to him, he's evil. Bagel bites are a Godsend."

Oh lord.

L: Pidgey! I made sure today was free for you.

P: I'll make it up to you, I promise:)

"Oh my God, I can't listen to this. Pidge, let's go inside before I lose my mind," Matt said, tightening his Ponytail and climbing out from behind the wheel.

L: You better. I need my Pidgeon time.

Blushing, Pidge tucked her phone back into her pants as her brother opened her door for her.

"Pidge don't go with that monster!" Her friend shouted as Matt took her arm.

The brunette laughed, linking her arm with her sibling's and pulling her hood over her head.

The cold day was a rainy one and she had no choice but to wear Lance's jacket again. Which brought a lot of teasing from her emo friend.

Walking in through the large sliding doors, Matt grabbed a cart and let his sister climb into it, just like she always did when out with friends.

It was a better alternative than walking.

"Ok, so what are we getting first?" She asked, cuddling deeper into the jacket as she pulled her arms out of the sleeves and against her chest.

"Paint," Shiro said simply, coming up behind his boyfriend.

Keith followed him in but stopped beside her, leaning over to grab her limp sleeves.

"You can paint your dorm?"

Matt answered her with a slow and hesitant nod. He seemed unsure of her question. Shouldn't he know before he did it?

Ignoring it, Pidge looked down to see that Keith had tied her sleeves into a small bow around her chest. "Really?" He smiled brightly at her, climbing onto the lip at the bottom of the cart and holding on behind her head.

The brunette tilted her head backwards to look at him. "Are you gonna untie me?"

"Nope," he smirked. "You're on your own Houdini."

Great.

"So what color are we getting?" she sighed, not even bothering to untangle the sleeves.

They got beige. Which is a good color. A very mature color.

What was weird about it though, was that they got two large cans. Plus 5 more, of different colors.

Why on earth would you need 6 colors and 7 large cans of paint for a 4 walled room? They didn't even have a bathroom! The dorm had a communal shower for the entire hall.

Which also raised questions on why they needed a shower rack and bathroom mats.

Something is up, she thought. Keith was probably right.

Not about the kidnapping thing but about the lying.

She doubted they were just painting a dorm.

"We're here," Matt announced. They were parked outside a large building, about a couple blocks from the university. The place they should have been at.

"Where is here?" Keith asked beside her, tilting his head up to look at the large complex in front of them.

"Well…," her brother started, hesitantly. He and Shiro both tuned so they could all see each other. "We uh, we-"

"I asked Matt to live with me," Shiro said, interrupting his nervous boyfriend and taking over the talking. Matt smiled in thanks.

"Didn't you already live together?" The asian asked, confused.

"Well yeah. But we were sharing a small dorm. A simple room."

"Now we have an actual place. Somewhere that's a home more than just a place to rest our head in between classes," her brother said. Shiro reached a hand over and grabbed Matt's hand in his. The brunette could see as they tightened their grip around each other. "It's a place we can start our future."

Pidge had never seen them more happy as they smiled at each other.

"Ew. Can you not make lovey dovey eyes in front of me," Keith complained, scrunching up his face in mock disgust.

"Thanks for ruining the moment you little ass," Shiro cursed, making the other three laugh.

"Your welcome," the emo smirked.

Shiro shook his head at his little brother. "Let's Just go."

The trek up the stairs was long and tiring, especially carrying the paint. Pidge complained the minute Matt told her that there was no elevator, which apparently they were ok with because it was a nice place for cheap.

She's pretty sure it was cheap for the very reason of having to go up three flights of stairs but chose not to say anything.

As long as they are happy.

The brunette carried up multiple bags of heavy house items, just to prevent having to go back down the steps to retrieve more and do everything again.

One trip was enough for her short legs.

She almost crashed on their carpeted floor from exhaustion when Shiro unlocked the door.

"Let me get those," the college student laughed, taking the bags from his boyfriend's little sister. He placed everything down beside the cans of paint he brought in.

There was absolutely no furniture set up. Everything was still in boxes up against the far wall of the living room, leaning beside the large French doors that led to the balcony.

A freaking balcony.

How could they afford a place with a balcony?!

The living room was spacious, the kitchen was open, except for a small breakfast bar that had stools and next to the door on her right was a small hallway that seemed to have 3 white doors.

As a matter of fact, everything was white. The walls, doors, window frames. Only thing that had a bit of color was the tan carpeting and stainless steel kitchen appliances.

"No wonder you guys wanted some paint," she commented, running a hand across the bare walls.

"Yeah, it's a bit plain," spoke Mattfrom where he was beside her. Most likely gauging her reaction on his first place. She knew her opinion was important to him.

"Luckily though, we got a pretty nice landlord and he agreed to let us decorate as long as we paint it back when we leave," Shiro said, flattening out a plastic tarp on the floor.

"How did you even get such a nice place? You're both broke college kids," asked Keith from the counter where he sat.

"Well we aren't actually that broke. And we did say it was pretty cheap," Shiro told his brother.

"What do you mean you aren't that broke?" Asked the brunette.

"Shiro got a good job that helps him with his schooling. Kinda like an internship." Her brother started unpacking the Walmart bags as he continued. "The hospital down from the school allowed him to be a filer for them and sometimes assist on some of the patient valuations."

"It's good pay and helps me get to know the inner workings of a hospital."

"So wait, do they offer this to other students?" Keith asked eagerly.

Pidge knew he was interested in the medical field. He hadn't admitted it to anyone but the signs were there. His father brought him many stories that he loved to listen to and sometimes she caught him going through his brother's medical study books when he was home.

Wouldn't be a complete shocker for the entire family to be doctors.

Shiro smiled at his little brother's earnestness. "No, but I'm sure if anyone was really interested I could probably leave a good recommendation. That is, when they start college." He smirked when Keith blushed at his remark and she figured the older brother knew about his secret fascination. He wasn't being very subtle about already knowing, though.

"So you brought us here to paint?" She asked.

"We brought you here to let you guys know we got a place. You are the only ones we told," said Matt.

"Why?"

Her brother scratched his head, cringing slightly. "We don't really want mom flipping out and starting on marriage plans."

Pidge laughed, "I can't wait until you two actually do decide to get married. Mom will have a field day."

The couple blushed, "With you it'll be worse. Mom will have to take you dress shopping. That's her favorite thing to do."

"Not to mention wedding dresses are a much bigger deal than sun dress shopping," said Keith.

The brunette crossed her arms and leaned against the white wall behind her, "Who says i'll ever get married?"

Shiro looked at her with a confused expression, "Why wouldn't you?"

"I don't think there is really someone alive who wants to, or who could, deal with me for a lifetime."

"I've dealt with you for a life-" Matt started but was cut off by his sister.

"I mean romantically."

Keith scoffed, "I can think of someone who could and would enjoy it."

She rolled her eyes, "Shut up, emo. You don't know that."

"You mean, Lance," Shiro said bluntly, popping open a can of beige paint.

"How did you know?!" The brunette yelled, throwing her arms down by her side and straightening up from the wall.

"I have eyes, Pidge."

"Hold on, what do you mean "lance"?" asked her brother.

"Matt apparently doesn't, though," commented Keith, smiling as the older brother looked between his boyfriend and little sister

in question.

"She's in love with her best friend," said Shiro. He handed a paint brush to his significant other who stood, now gaping, at his sibling.

"You love Lance?!"

"First off, it's a crush, Shiro." The older college student rolled his eyes. "And second, it's nothing big. It's something that will eventually pass."

"So she thinks," the asian laughed, stripping off his jacket to go help his brother.

"But you didn't tell me!" Her brother whined. "We tell each other everything."

"I don't think something that won't last is worth telling."

"They'll get married and have evil genius children," Keith nonchalantly commented from beside Shiro. The two had already begun stroking the brushes on the wall, backs facing the other two siblings and Shiro chuckled lightly.

"Shut up, Mullet!" She yelled. He wasn't helping with his jokes. Her brother looked like he was going to practically stutter into a void at the comment.

He didn't really have much practice when it came to handling boys around her. At least not on a level that was more than friendship.

"Oh my God. Lance uses that nickname for Keith. Not you, you use emo!" Matt said, pointing at her in hysterics. "He's rubbing off on you like couples do!"

"Soon he'll be rubbing off on her in more ways than one."

"Keith!" The Holt siblings yelled, making the other two laugh against the wall.

"Matt there is nothing going on between Lance and I. He doesn't even like me back."

"Why wouldn't he like you back?!"

Wait, what?

"He should be pining for your affection."

Now he's angry because there isn't anything between us?

"Weren't you just mad over the fact that he might have liked me?" She asked, confused.

"Only because I don't think he deserves you. Nobody is worthy of my little sister. Doesn't mean guys shouldn't be pining over you, though."

"Matty," she spoke softly, using her brother's nickname. "I don't think you have to worry about guys liking me as much as you think they do."

"Why shouldn't he?" Asked Keith as he turned to look at her. He gave her an expression that dared her to belittle herself in front of him. She stared at him for only a second before meeting Matt's gaze again, continuing with what she was gonna say.

"Guys aren't into me like that. I'm not attractive with long legs and clear skin. I don't dress or act like a traditional girl. I'm not a traditional girl and that's what boys like."

"That's what makes you great, though. That's why I think no guy in existence is worthy of you." Matt told her. He looked disappointed that someone he thought so highly of and cared so much for, talked so lowly of themselves.

It wasn't like she meant to. She simply was just stating what she thought was a fact. She wasn't pretty. She wasn't beautiful or sexually interesting to the male population. She was Pidge. Just Pidge. She hung out with a group of boys and one girl. She didn't wear makeup or girl clothes. Converse and boots were a preference over heels. Dresses were a monstrosity to her tomboyish nature.

She wasn't a girly girl.

"You're unique. Some guys appreciate that, more than sex appeal. Guys like Lance. And as of late and from what I can tell, guys like Griffin," Keith said. He was fully facing her, painting forgotten as he gave her his full attention.

"Who's Griffin?" Matt asked, looking to be on the verge of losing his mind on questioning her about another dude.

"No one, Matt. Just a guy."

"Yeah, a guy that has taken a great interest in you lately," her friend spoke again. He didn't look pleased when he mentioned the player. Not like he did when Lance was brought up.

"Not to change the subject," Shiro said, interrupting their conversation. "But who says you aren't attractive? You could knock any girl out of the water with just a smile." The other two nodded in agreement.

"No offense, but you all are gay."

"Exactly. Which means we are the most honest when it comes to looks. We connect with both sides of the gender spectrum," Keith smiled.

"Yes, queen," said her brother with a dramatic finger snap. He walked like a runway model all the way until he reached her, making her laugh. He enveloped her into a large, "My little sister is the most beautiful and unique girl I have ever met. And I couldn't be more grateful to have the privilege of being your brother."

Pidge sniffled slightly against her brother's chest, tears filling her eyes but not falling. She refused to release them in front of her friends. Her family. "Shut up," she teasingly said, laughing softly and hitting her brother on the shoulder.

"But that still doesn't mean I won't interrogate anyone who tries to put the moves on you."

She laughed harder, squeezing her brother. She had missed him. Even if he was a dork and a pain in her ass.

It was 6pm when they had finally finished the living room.

The plastic was pulled up and placed in the bathrooms for the couple to start on the next day and blankets were unpacked from some of the boxes. They were all laying out in front of the TV that was finally plugged up and Pidge was spread out as the boys fussed over how long the bagel bites should be cooked for.

They were going to sit down for a movie and snacks before Matt took them home, Shiro having to work in the morning.

Loverboy: How has your day been, Pidgeon?

The message dinged on her phone as she was scrolling through a book she downloaded.

Pidgeon: Good. We painted. It was nice to have some time with them. Even if I did miss you the entire time;)

It wasn't a lie. He was on her mind a lot.

L: I missed you as well, querida.Probably way more.

She blushed at the nickname.

"Are you sure he isn't interested in you too?"

She jumped, not realizing that Shiro had sat down beside and looked over her screen as she typed. "Shiro, that's rude," she lightly scolded.

"Sorry," he held up two hands in surrender, backing up from her screen. "You just were so smiley and in your own world. I got curious," he admitted.

She had to be out of it. She didn't even hear him sit down. "It's fine. My fault I wasn't paying attention."

"You didn't answer me by the way?" She raised an eyebrow in question. "Are you sure he doesn't like you?"

"Why would you ask that?"

"I took Spanish in highschool so I know what querida means. It's an endearment. It could mean honey or darling, even dear. It's usually used in a romantic way," he told her.

"I don't think he means it that way." she could feel her ear burn with embarrassment.

"And if he does?"

She couldn't afford to think like that. She could get her hopes up on something that was never going to happen.

"He doesn't," the brunette said, sighing. The exhale made her slouch a bit and she felt her posture fit her mood at the moment. Just the thought of how her crush didn't return her feelings. How her best friend didn't even find her appealing, was depressing.

Shiro gave her a look of sympathy and she realized that was exactly why she didn't want people to know of her infatuation. Because sympathy was all she was going to get for being so stupid in liking someone like Lance McClain. He was way out of her lead.

There was a reason they started as friends and not a couple.

Sure, she didn't like him that way at first but she still found him cute at his age. He was nowhere as handsome as he was now. She had Barely changed though. And if he didn't like her then, he most certainly didn't now.

A arm crossed her shoulders as she was pulled into the large male's side. "I'm here if you need me. You know that, right? I may not be your brother or Keith. But I'm here. Always."

Pidge smiled, snuggling in closer to him.

"Let's get this movie on a roll," Matt said. He had a bowl of popcorn and the remote for the DVD player that was next to the flat screen. Keith came around she and his brother and plopped down in front of her, reclining his head back into her lap. He was spread out with a plate of bagel bites settled on his stomach.

Grabbing a pillow behind her, she placed it under her friends head so he could see the tv and eat comfortably.

Eventually after hitting play and messing with the remote, Matt sat down beside her and cuddled up to her side, leaning up against her as she was cuddled up into his boyfriend's side.

She was officially being squished between three very tall boys and she loved every second of it.

As the beginning credits played, the brunette started to run her fingers through Keith's long black hair. The boy nudged deeper into her fingers. And it was in that moment, the moment that Shiro laid his head on top of her own and Matt hugged her side more tightly, that she realized she was very loved. That she was very lucky. Not only to have one great brother but three.

Three sweet and kind brothers. Who were also dorky and sometimes evil little asses that would nag her and aggravate her to the very end of the earth. But still wonderful brother's who meant just as much to her as she meant to them.

And she really wouldn't have it any other way.