#latkennyparson

Keith Kogane, one of the most promising pilots the Garrison has had in years, is a topic well loved by the academy’s gossip channels.  From what he’s heard, the guy is a loner that exudes natural talent, but has problems with authority.

And apparently has problems with physics too, if the F Hunk notices on their last exam is anything to go by.

Hunk wants to help--he’s tutored before, in high school--but it’s difficult to tell if the kid will take him up on his offer.  He’s got to at least give it a shot though.

So as soon as their next lecture ends, Hunk catches his attention before Keith can run off to whatever class he has next.  “Hey, so I accidentally saw your test grade last class…”

Keith’s dark eyes narrow and he gives Hunk a look close to a snarl.  “It’s hilarious isn’t it?  The pilot prodigy sucks at physics?”

“Um no,” Hunk remarks, caught off-guard a little by Keith’s defensiveness.  “I just wanted to know if you’d like some help.”

Keith just blankly stares at him for a moment, surprised by the offer.  “You… want to help me?”

“Sure,” Hunk smiles, “You like flying, right?  It would suck to get put on academic probation or something.”

Keith narrows his eyes as he considers Hunk, looking him up and down for some sign of trickery.  “So what do you want?”

“To help, I guess.  I don’t really want anything out of it.”

Keith stares at him again, still searching for the catch before he finally shrugs.  “Help would be nice, I guess.”

…

“I just want to be a pilot, why do I need physics anyway?”  Keith groans, ducking his head in his folded arms where they rest on the library table.  Hunk can’t help but chuckle at the remark, glad to see that after two weeks of meeting up to study in the library, Keith is finally beginning to open up to him and stop being so guarded.  Now that he complains and gripes just like everyone else, and even cracks jokes once in awhile, he seems just like anyone else.  It’s nice to gradually get to know the real Keith, past all the rumors.

“They want their pilots and engineers to be well rounded I think, so they can be prepared for anything.”  

“Honestly, flying is easier.”  Keith sighs again as he looks over the new set of practice problems Hunk had made.  He’s halfway done with the page, but it seems like the problems stretch on forever.

“You’ve gotten a lot better at it though!” Hunk insists.

“That’s because you teach better than the old fart.”

Despite himself, Hunk laughs as he searches to make sure none of the other instructors are within earshot.

“He just moves too quickly through the lessons,” Hunk admits, “He assumes the class has experience with the subject.”

“And doesn’t bother to teach the other half of us,” Keith deadpans.  “Lucky us.  He knows anyone who fails won’t be assessed by any of the other instructors.”  

“You're not failing though,” Hunk rebukes.  “We’re going to keep studying twice a week and you’ll get a great grade that you can rub in his face.”

“I can’t wait,” Keith smirks.  

Just as predicted, the exam goes great.  Maybe a little too well, actually.  The class after their next exam, Hunk gets called into their instructor’s office, where he is greeted by the sight of Keith getting questioned by a set of administrators.

“Is it true,” the instructor questions, his tone lightening at Hunk’s presence, “that you’ve been tutoring Kogane for the past few months and that he didn’t cheat off your exam?”

In hindsight, maybe they should have expected this.  But at the same time, they were far more focused on raising his grade than on the possible reaction to such a drastic change.

“Yes, we’ve been studying together.  You can ask the librarian; we request the same table twice a week.  In fact, I even have a practice test he completed that I graded in my bag.”

The instructor studies the practice test, cross-referencing the handwriting to the actual exam.  He studies it intensely, as if trying to catch them in a lie.  But eventually he begrudgingly giving it back.  “Congrats on your A, Kogane.”

Keith accepts his exam with the cheekiest smile Hunk has ever seen and he has to bite his lip to prevent himself from laughing in front of the administration.  The situation isn’t the most ideal, but he’s really glad that he got to see Keith rub his grade in their instructor’s face.

Once they’re out of the room, Keith gives him a wide earnest smile, the most genuine smile Hunk has ever seen from him.  “Thanks, Hunk.  I couldn't have done it without you.”