#(it is because they are both galra. neither of them are aware of this)

[discordiansamba]

following up on the previous idea, in order to cover up the fact that they have an alien at the Galaxy Garrison, Sam ends up working with Shiro to rig up some tech that makes him look superficially human. He basically hides in plain sight, using the alias of Takashi Shirogane to pose as a flight instructor (and maybe exploiting it to go with Adam on the things he calls 'dates').

Matt was not in the loop on this.

When the Castle of Lions arrives on Earth following the signal of the blue lion, it wormholes there, bypassing their sensors by Kerberos. It lands in a secluded area of the desert, and they eventually establish that the blue lion is in possession of something called a... Galaxy Garrison. It's a space exploration program, apparently.

Matt did not come with them. He needed to help the rebels, and didn't know until after the fact that their destination was Earth. It's just Allura, Keith, Coran, and Pidge. Pidge comes up with a brilliant plan to sneak into the Garrison, thankfully. They've got two shapeshifters on board! They can pretend to be humans and Pidge can hack into the Galaxy Garrison's servers and enroll them as transfer students. This will work flawlessly.

Keith and Allura Kogane are registered as half-siblings. They are relying entirely on Pidge's secondhand knowledge of humans to help them blend in. They are incredibly bad at this, but nobody expects a pair of transfer students to essentially be spies planning on stealing an ancient superweapon.

Three disguised aliens are on a collision course with one another, and they don't even know it.

[lilflowerpot]

I'm re reading Little Blade and I realized that Allura didin't recognize Lotor?

Does that mean she was born after him and never found out about him because Alfor and Zarkon were at war?

So the answer to this is actually scattered throughout LB (I’ll include the relevant excerpts beneath the cut for brevity’s sake) but the short answer is that Allura actually was born before Lotor,, they simply never met.

In my lifespans post I said that Allura is currently 201 ADP / 122 years old, and by my reckoning it has—by chapter 23—been little over 1.6 ADP / 1 year since the events of VLD began (ie. since Allura was awoken, courtesy of the paladins’ arrival on the Castle of Lions), meaning that when Allura was put into stasis by Alfor, she was approximately 199 ADP / 121 years old. Meanwhile Lotor is presently ~50 IDP / 93 ADP / 57 years old (see 14 below), but was himself placed into stasis by Zarkon when he was only 24 IDP / 45 ADP / 27 years old (see 12 below). This occurred immediately before the Emperor took Honerva into the rift to try and save her which, we can safely assume, was at most a year before Altea’s destruction, seeing as zombie-Zarkon’s first instinct upon waking to find Daibazaal destroyed was to wage war on Alfor in retribution.

Ergo, Lotor was 45 ADP when Allura was 198 ADP, meaning when Lotor was born Allura was 153 ADP / 82 IDP / 93 years old—16.8% of her natural lifespan, or the human equivalent of 13—so easily old enough to be aware that Honerva was sickly and pregnant with Zarkon’s child, but due to how strained political relations had become by that time (see 01 below) Allura & Lotor were never given the opportunity to meet.

Chapter 01:

“You’re Honerva’s son.” It’s a quiet observation, subdued in its delivery, but it sets every nerve in Lotor’s body alight with adrenaline he thought he’d long since exhausted. The prince feels the sharp jump of his jaw muscle, and can only hope that the room’s occupants are too dull-witted to have noticed the strength of his reaction. [...] “She was sickly during the pregnancy,” the man’s tone is sagely, “I wasn’t sure the babe had survived much beyond delivery, and, relations between our people being strained as they were, King Alfor thought it tactless to ask.”

Chapter 12:

“I was born on-planet, and spent my formative years there before the Sa Tskept came to pass. [...] My mother was an exceptional woman. She was handpicked by King Alfor himself to study the rift created by the comet that would later be known as Voltron, ergo her understanding of quintessence and its origin was near-unparalleled. Working so closely to that much raw energy, however, began to take its toll, and by the time she birthed me she was…” another steadying breath, “neither she nor I were long for this world. Being what I am, it was unlikely I would survive past infancy regardless, but having spent the entirety of my gestation in close proximity to that much raw quintessence…”

Being what I am, brings questions to Keith’s mind, but before he can ask them Lotor is shrugging, nonchalant, as if the topic at hand is of little consequence.

“She never gave up on me. Despite her own ill-health she persisted, determined to cure me of my genetic inevitability despite King Alfor’s demands that she cease her meddling and close the rift. Alfor warned both her and my father that if they continued down this path, Sa would swallow the entirety of Daibazaal, and he was right,” there’s a grim softness to Lotor that Keith couldn’t describe if he tried, “but outsiders will never understand how deeply our love—the galra sense of devotion—runs. [...] Little by little,” Lotor continues, “my health began to improve. My mother’s alchemy was a success, but it was also tailored to the specific needs of a child of dual lineage—both galra and altean—meaning that when she took an abrupt turn for the worse, the two-dozen decaphoebs of research that she’d dedicated to me were entirely useless in curing her.”

Two-dozen. Keith doesn’t know the precise equivalent of galra decaphoebs as opposed to altean ones, or how much either of those equate to in Earth years, but he does recall Kolivan’s begrudging acceptance of the Blade’s collective determination to celebrate his two hundredth cycle; in comparison to that, twenty-four decaphoebs is a mere fraction of a life.

“So Zarkon asked Alfor for his help,” Keith fills in what he knows slowly, “and took Honerva into the rift to try and save her.”

Chapter 14:

“You were born not all that long after I was,” the princess watches him warily, hugging herself close in an impossible attempt at self-comfort, “Zarkon has been alive for over ten thousand decaphoebs, and now you say that you’re dying?”

It’s unclear whether or not that is an accusation, and so Lotor is careful in correcting her.

“I am not dying, per se, I am aging at approximately twice the rate I ought. Negligible though it may be, there is a difference.” He sees the incoming question, and answers it before she asks: “I spent a disproportionate amount of time in cryostasis, as you did, and am at present fifty imperial decaphoebs in age,” or so he thinks. It’s the closest estimate he has, considering how fragmented an experience his time in Haggar’s lab was.

[shirophantomvox]

A Night on the Town- Hisoka x Illumi (Hisoillu)

What’s up y’all? Per an anon request, here is a Hisoillu story. Hisoka and Illumi go to dinner at a fancy restaurant to talk about a business contract when a single phrase or word causes them to change the subject. This story will see how they stand on their relationship. Are they only meant to be “friends” or more than? “A night on the town” is a British phrase that simply means someone going to a club or hanging out all night long. Boujee is an abbreviation of the French "bourgeois." A critical term used to describe people, things, and places that are definitively high-class. I am going to try my best to keep this in character. They feel comfortable to joke around each other only. I use places like Earth, Mars, and the US because I assume Yorknew is another name for New York. Yes, I mentioned some Voltron elements too. I love crossovers! Enjoy! Feel free to inbox me. FYI, there’s nothing wrong with eating chicken fingers as an adult. I hate steak and haven’t eaten it in over 15 years. Onto the story!

Rain fell from the sky hard as ever. The sound of the raindrops hitting multiple surfaces sounded like quarters hitting metal. Thunder clapped what seemed like every 60 seconds followed by an alarming amount of lightning. The white and red LED lights lit up the sidewalk in front, casting heavenly shadows on just about everyone that made their way in. “La Lune” is a 5 star restaurant located in the heart of Yorknew City. Tons of celebrities have had dinner there! Madonna, Rihanna, Beyonce, and so many more had taken funny photos with the chef and his wife, creating a memorable moment for everyone involved. Many take the atmosphere of this restaurant as something romantic. The lights were dimmed and the tables were lit by candle light. It seemed like everyone was being serenaded by their lover, except for these two of course. Their occasion was something far from being romantic. Both gentlemen agreed to talk about a mission that would require both of their efforts because if one did not agree, the other would parish. This mission drove them mad. Hisoka lost a few days of sleep just thinking about it!

You see, one of the country’s best space explorers has been running rampant through the streets. These students attended the Galaxy Garrison, a space college and were launched into space. While trying to bring back samples from Kerberos, they were attacked by aliens (known as the Galra), kept in another dimension, and once they returned they began to inflict pain on Earthlings just like how the Galra did to them. These students must have been experimented on because they possessed power that no Nen user could defeat.

Both gentlemen walked to the hostess desk and waited for their attention. Hisoka’s hair was covering part of his eyes. Many people found him attractive; so attractive that people would nudge him on the arm and mimic a “call me” motion with their fingers. What was it about him that people would just swoon over? Illumi stood behind Hisoka with his hands in his pants pocket, impatiently waiting to be seated. You can’t discuss aliens and brats on an empty stomach.

“How may I help you?’” The hostess smiled big as she cupped her hands waiting for his response. Her teeth were pearly white, almost appearing to be fake. But one thing was off about this woman. She stared mighty hard at his face and continued to smile. She seemed robotic. A smile appeared on his face as well; he swore she was undressing him with her eyes.

“Reservation for Gittarackur~♠?” Hisoka nearly said Illumi’s name instead.

“Right this way.”

She led them through a series of staircases and made her way to the rooftop. This building wasn’t too tall, but it was high enough. The roof was decorated with red table umbrellas, glass tables, candles, and hanging LED lights.

This is a little too romantic, Illumi. What gives?

She handed them the menu and walked away. Illumi looked to his right and left to ensure no one was close enough to hear what he was going to say. But before he could say anything, Hisoka opened his mouth and began to make unnecessary comments that got under Illumi’s skin.

“You tend to pick the restaurants with a noticeable romantic atmosphere. Care to tell~♥.?”

Illumi pressed his lips together.

“I do not pay attention to the atmosphere. I pay attention to good ratings and decent prices.”

“Oh! So, you’re a cheap date~♠!”

“This isn’t a date, Hisoka. We are talking about a mission that if it gets out of control, the whole human race will cease to exist as we know it.”

A waitress came over, introduced herself, and offered them a bottle of wine.

Did you plan this, Illumi?

Of course they accepted! Rosé was Hisoka’s go-to. The wine mellowed him out, made him more relaxed and bearable. He placed his thin fingers and sharp nails around the wide-mouth glass and sipped his drink. He smiled as Illumi disclosed more details of the mission.

“What are you saying, Illumi? I’m afraid I do not understand~♠.”

“Listen carefully. These groups of young adults have been experimented on by the Galra. Since their return, they've been stealing, beating, and even killing innocent people. Their excuse for this is by saying that “those people were bad people” based on rumors they’ve heard. They’re a menace to society, not to mention extremely dangerous. For the first time in 22 years, I’m a little worried.”

The waitress came back to take their order. Hisoka had never tried a streak before, so that is what he ordered. Illumi, the picky eater on the other hand, ordered an adult size of chicken fingers and fries. Hisoka gave him the shittiest look of the century. He placed his large hand over his face as he humiliatingly closed his eyes. Illumi squinted trying to ignore Hisoka’s stupid reactions.

“What’s the matter?”

“You embarrass me, Illumi~♠.”

“How?! What did I do?”

“We’re at a nice, romantic restaurant and all you order is chicken fingers, fries, and ranch?! Ma’am could you give us a moment~♠?”

“Absolutely.” Poor girl. Why did she have to witness that?

“What’s your problem, Hisoka?”

“You could have at least ordered the steak, salad, or both! Look around you! You’re going to be the laughing stock of this town! Try strawberry vinaigrette~♠!”

“Well, excuse me, Mr. Boujee! Chicken fingers are delicious and anyone can order them! Why would I order salad when I have lettuce at home?”

“Because it’s good for you~♠!”

“Salad doesn’t fill me up and neither does strawberry vinaigrette!”

They began to talk about the mission again. Illumi hid his fear behind his resting bitch face, but he didn’t know if he truly wanted to go through with this mission or not.

“I’m feeling cautious.”

“What for? I’m sure you can handle it~♣.”

“I can’t. I don't even think my grandfather can beat them.”

“Why so?” Hisoka drank from his glass again. Illumi did not disclose much info because he knew how Hisoka becomes when he’s tipsy. He begins to laugh and talk too much.

“They have an ability that can wipe out a Nen user within seconds.”

“Oh~♥?”

“Yes. They can disappear in the blink of an eye, they have this purple electricity shooting from their hands, and these specific men I see with gray masks that remind me of a plague doctor. They have no faces and they’re purple. Once that electricity hits you, it’s game over. They have the ability to determine if it's fatal or not.”

“Ouch. What’s the plan~♣?”

“Someone that I used to know will infiltrate the base that they’re hiding in. It will be difficult because they guard it but that is when my needles will come in handy.”

“But you didn’t have to cut me off…~♣” Hisoka sang.

“What? What was that, that you did just then?” Illumi was serious. This was no time to be joking around.

“What? I just finished what you started~♣.”

“What did I start?”

“You said ‘someone that I used to know’ and I responded ‘but you didn’t have to cut me off’. Don’t tell me you’re not aware of that song~♣.”

Hisoka smiled something softer than usual and laughed at Illumi’s clueless look. This was something he adored about him; the carelessness made him laugh so hard that he forgot about his troubles...if he had any.

“I understand why you brought me here to talk about stopping the Galra, but let’s enjoy this moment. Just you and I~♥.”

“Why? They are dangerous. They could be planning on destroying us as we speak.”

“You worry too much. Besides, everyone knows of your talent and even if they seem more powerful, I’m sure they’re keeping their distance from you.”

“I thought you’d be overjoyed at this opportunity. You can finally put those chrome cards to play.”

“Who said I wasn’t? I am but I’ve learned to hide my arousal rather well~♥.”

“You didn’t hide it well just a few seconds ago.”

“Touché’. But I was not talking about fighting then, I was talking about you~♥.”

“Hmm.” Illumi didn’t know what to say but one thing is for sure. Many, many feelings and thoughts clouded his mind and body but he didn’t know how to respond to them. He has known Hisoka for some time now and he knew of his ways; if he would just tell him how he felt, he might be surprised by his reaction. Hisoka has flirted and with him several times but for some reason he felt like if he responded he may not get a desired response.

Hisoka began to chuckle, more of a tipsy chuckle. He couldn’t hold back his laughter as he noticed how Illumi’s attitude began to change. Illumi immediately placed his wine glass on the table and squinted in confusion.

“What’s so funny, now?” He sounded a bit irritated but deep inside he was happy he asked.

“You’re blushing~♥.”

“What?”

Damn.

Was it that noticeable?

Sure was.

“I’m good! I never thought that I could make the oldest son of the Zoldyck family blush from my passes. That’s an achievement for me. So tell me Illu, do you dream about me too~♥?”

“Be quiet, would you?��

The magician couldn’t help but to release a hearty laugh so loud that people began to glance in their direction. Illumi frowned and crouched low towards the table.

“Stop it. People are staring.”

“What? I love it when people stare. That means I look good~♥.”

Hisoka continued to laugh. To add to Illumi’s social demise, he stood up from his chair, took a photo on his phone and captioned it: “Best date ever♦”.

“Don’t send that!”

“Oops. Sorry not sorry,” Hisoka gloated covering his mouth. “Guess you’ll have to catch me~♥.”

He continued to laugh but his laughter slowly began to come to a halt and wired down. Now he laid his head on the table, slightly drooling. Illumi decided that he had enough excitement for the night, so he threw three pins in his right leg, which was conveniently under the table. Hisoka had hinted earlier that he would be fine if Illumi ever made that decision. Following behind him for his entire life would be to die for. Illumi smiled as he looked at the man before him, finally silent.

“This might actually work,” he whispered to himself.

The moonlight casted a shadow on him as he admired the star on the sleeping magician’s face.

[willadisastercry]

Shiro cauterizing Keith’s wounds during a mission and absolutely hating it

tw: not too vivid but still there depiction of intentionally burning someone’s skin

The soldier had Keith in a precarious hold. This wouldn’t end well if someone didn’t do something, but Keith couldn’t do much and Shiro was trying to stall. Hunk thinks he can get the message to the others that shit has gone down, but how hurt is Keith going to get before they can get to them?

“Drop your weapons or the red paladin dies!”

The last galra soldier that remained from the group that ambushed them twisted Keith’s arm until there was a crack soon drowned out entirely by his scream as his bayard finally fell from his grip. With a sickening snarl the soldier then pressed the tip of his gun further into Keith’s cheek.

“Okay, okay!” Shiro placated with his hands out in front of him.

“Hunk, put it down!”

“But Shiro...”

The soldier took Keith’s arm from where it had fallen limp against his side and pulled it behind his back. His scream was raw, his throat already hoarse.

“Put it down.”

Hunk obeyed this time, tossing his bayard away from him where it reverted back into its plain form.

“Now, let’s discuss how this is going to work...”

Hunk tuned everything else out, letting Shiro handle the negotiating so he could listen in on Pidge and Lance’s conversation over the coms. Keith’s helmet had long since been knocked off but he wasn’t sure why they couldn’t hear the conversation on Shiro’s end.

They were in the next squadrant over, waiting for an order that would never come. Shiro and the soldier continued to trade useless banter, knowing full well Shiro was stalling but the soldier seemed to be as well, probably waiting for reinforcements. He got an idea then and focused on the scene in front of him.

“... Emporer Zarkon will be most pleased to have a paladin so dear to the Champion in his possession—“

“I am not the Champion anymore.”

Shiro spoke evenly, his voice strong and sure as the soldier smiled.

“You’ll always be the Champion.”

Hunk could’ve sworn he saw a spark of purple from Shiro’s prosthetic hand, his heart hammering at the sight and all the more with what he was about to do. But he steeled himself and spoke before the others started again.

“Shiro isn’t your Champion...” he gulped, unable to hide the tremor in his voice as other voices of concern came over the com and Shiro’s admonishing gaze urged him to be quiet.

“What’s that yellow paladin? Speak up!” the soldier adjusted his grip on the blaster pointed at Keith.

He was a picture of calm, breath almost as even as Shiro’s but when his eyes met Hunk’s they shone wide with fear, the usual warm indigo a deep, pleading violet.

What they were pleading for he couldn’t be sure, but he assumed something along the lines of what Shiro’s were.

“HUNK! What’s happening?”

But Hunk was determined. He knew what he was doing.

“You heard me...”

“Pidge—“

“Triangulating their location now...”

Hunk stood up straighter than he’d been standing before and looked to the soldier once more.

“Shiro isn’t your Champion.”

Shiro looked like Hunk usually did, like he wanted to throw up.

“Got it! We’re on our way now, hold on!”

Keith’s face fell with the same sort of gut wrenching despair.

“He’s the Black Paladin and he’s a hero, no thanks to you or...”

“Or who?” the soldiers smirk twisted up even more, the excitement in his eyes flaring at the exchange.

“Or Zarkon.”

“Emporer Zarkon,” the soldier spat. “And he’s hardly a Black Paladin, he doesn’t even hav—yes? Come in, this is...”

While the soldier communicated with someone in his own com system Hunk shared a look with Shiro, neither daring to move an inch otherwise as Hunk mouthed something to him with a steady watch back on the soldier.

When Hunk looked back to Shiro his face seemed more hopeful and set with something else. He met Hunk’s eyes with admiration and nodded. A new plan seemed to be brewing that Hunk wasn’t entirely sure he was aware of, but he’d set something into motion.

Of what, he didn’t know, but he didn’t need to. He’d trusted his unruly gut for once and it had payed off.

“You two!” the soldier faced them again.

“Turn around and start walking.”

“Why would we do that?” Shiro questioned smugly.

The soldier only laughed and in one swift motion traded the blaster at Keith’s face for his giant hand around his throat. They both cried out when he clawed at the hold as the soldier choked him, not letting go until his hand fell away and he sagged against him, breathless but still conscious. His choking grip turned into a threatening one, the claws of his massive hand pressing down instead.

“You will do what I say because if you don’t, the red paladin dies.”

The blaster was now pointed at them. Shiro met Keith’s weary eyes now, half lidded and lazy as the redness left his face.

“Hunk,” Shiro motioned for him to turn around with him, their hands raising to rest on the back of their heads.

“Walk!”

They walked and Hunk listened to Lance and Pidge over their coms as they closed the distance between them, apparently not encountering much resistance as they did of which was unanimously decided, not a good thing.

“They’re moving, shit!”

“Well, that means they’re not in a cell or anything yet... we still have time.”

“According to this schematic the hallway they’re in is pretty long... we’d be pretty exposed if we came up this way... hey, this room has a second entrance... if we hurry—“

“But we don’t know how many soldiers are with them, it’s no use if we’re all captured. We need a less conspicuous way, maybe somewhere I can snipe...”

“Hm, less conspicuous... I wonder...”

“GAH!”

Keith wailed and the two boys in front of him stopped dead in their tracks but didn’t dare turn around when the blaster they knew was pointed at them buzzed to life.

“Resisting is pointless, boy.”

“Not... r’sisting...” Keith grumbled scratchily, if his voice had sounded hoarse before it was well past wrecked now.

Four beads of blood made their way down his neck from where the soldier had broken the skin after Keith had tripped over his own feet, still lightheaded from before and not able to keep up with the soldier’s footsteps.

“What’s that?” his pressure on the now open wounds on his throat increased and more blood spilled down.

“N’thing.”

“That’s what I thought, keep walking!”

“Hunk?! We have a plan! Keep stalling if you can, just don’t let them get you into a cell or anything.”

He didn’t respond, he just keep walking with his hands at the back of his head.

The soldier would shove Keith occasionally if he stumbled or slowed. His throat had stopped bleeding for the most part and he’d caught his breath, but his arm remained twisted back so if the soldier shoved him too hard or walked too fast he had to shift to keep from crying out.

And when he couldn’t help but grunt or wince, the soldier would twist it further. He was certain something was broken with the way it throbbed and pulsed but couldn’t do much except try and anticipate what would end up making it hurt worse.

They walked for another minute until anything else happened. The soldier halting the group once again to speak into his communication device. Hunk hadn’t heard anything directed at him from Lance and Pidge from a while, just hushed acknowledgments and questions and orders.

“...what do you mean the doors are jammed, the doors don’t jam!”

Pidge.

“...yes, I still have them in my possession... I will be waiting at the east entrance then... well, update me when you do know!”

Yeesh. Hunk would have thought he was overhearing a domestic if he didn’t know better, smiling outwardly that Pidge’s hacking could muster up such frustration in the supposedly infallible galra soldiers.

It was a moment later when they had started walking again that Hunk heard what he’d been desperately hoping to hear.

“Hunk! It’s time. Please make sure no one tries to be a hero, thanks... okay, Pidge inbound in 3... 2...”

Hunk thought he might be as sick as Shiro had looked when he first started all this as he waited for whatever was about to happen to happen. He wasn’t sure what made him certain whatever was going to happen would be in front of them, so he wasn’t feigning the terror in his shriek when a door behind them clattered to the ground with a booming thud.

The soldier whipped around instantly, planting his back to the wall so he could eye what had just happened behind them while keeping his blaster trained on Shiro and Hunk.

There was nothing for a moment until Pidge’s grappling hook came hurtling towards them at the same time a vent above them clattered down. The soldier was bewildered at first but it soon became more that he was extremely pissed off and so he turned his gun back to Keith, the nozzle aimed at his leg.

“Welcome, green and blue paladins of voltron. Do come out and greet us properly, you’re just in time for the show,” the soldier delivered, firing his blaster before Pidge’s bayard wrapped itself around it and wrenched it from his grip.

Keith let out an inhuman sound before his legs gave out beneath him, but the galra lifted him before he could crumple entirely, maneuvering his writhing form so that he covered everything vital, effectively obscuring any shot Lance could find from his position in the air duct above them.

“Damnit,” he huffed over the coms, “Hunk I have no shot... not, not without going through Keith.”

Understanding washed over Hunk like he’d been flattened by a cement truck. He seriously would have to heave at some point, but knew that the next few moments were vital with the soldier’s claws still pressed to Keith’s neck.

Shiro was trying to reason with the soldier again, but everyone knew it was futile. The only reason Keith was still breathing was because he was holding out for backup, but with the circumstances growing worse and worse for the soldier, their hearts sank knowing full well the only way it would end for both of them.

The galra soldier would kill Keith if he grew desperate enough, in turn killing himself.

The hand that held the blaster moved to Keith’s side. The soldier couldn’t threaten to claw anywhere terribly vital with the awkward grip he had him in, all of his weight was being supported with the soldier’s arms under his armpits.

He had to bend his own neck to angle himself behind Keith’s hanging head, the paling boy only meeting the massive soldier’s chest with his shoulders.

Keith was eyeing the hint of blue peaking out of the vent above them, his face scrunching up with something other than pain for a moment before he met Hunk’s gaze.

“If there is one,” he croaked, his words now directed at the vent, “take it.”

“Sorry man,” Lance breathed.

Shiro didn’t even have time to make sense of what had just been said before the sound of a blaster echoed from the metal of the small vent above them.

Keith’s shoulder jerked forward violently as the blast tore through it, the soldier making a horrible gurgling sound before releasing him. He tumbled forward listlessly into Shiro who clutched him close and lowered him down slowly, a pool of blood forming quickly beneath him from the gaping wounds in his thigh and shoulder.

“We’ve gotcha buddy, everything’s okay now—“

“Shit, shit, shit!”

“What’s wrong Pidge?!”

The sound of metal clanging against metal rang through the hallway from where Pidge had been stationed.

“I’ve got... company... someone get here now!”

“I got it, you guys help the mullet,” Lance stated resolutely, tossing his bayard to the floor before gripping the edge of the vent, dangling his legs down and jumping.

He landed in a crouch, snatched the discarded blaster up as well as his own weapon and took off sprinting.

Hunk took one look at the scene in front of him and had to choke back bile. The dead galra soldier was slumped next to a lifeless Keith and agonized Shiro.

“-nk, HUNK! Come here, I need your help now!”

His feet moved without him even meaning them to, carrying him unsteadily to kneel beside his friends, his back to the soldier.

Parts of his armor were missing to reveal the still burning flesh of his blaster wounds, the black undershirt adequately melted into his flesh. Hunk’s stomach turned again.

There was so much blood beneath him...

And Keith was so pale.

The boy didn’t have much tint to begin with, but now his porcelain complexion resembled more of a grey, decaying one. Like he was already dead. Hunk fought more bile coming up his throat before he heard Shiro’s voice again.

“Did you hear what I just said? I need you to hold him down—“

“What?! Why?!”

“He’s bleeding too much... the blaster went clean through his armor from such a close range...”

Shiro’s eyes were focused but his face was set in a grimace, his tone solemn and finite.

“I-I have to cauterize the wounds...”

Oh...

Shiro looked at his prosthetic arm with disgust and Hunk realized what he was about to do.

“...or he’ll bleed out before we even get to the lions, not to mention getting out of here is going to be trickier than we planned... so I need you to hold him, can you do that?”

Hunk swallowed the salvia collecting in his mouth and nodded. His job wasn’t done yet. He’d set the rescue into motion, but his friends still needed him.

His gut was what saved them, Hunk wasn’t going to let it be what killed Keith.

“His leg first, it’s bleeding the most...”

Hunk slid down to Keith’s lower half. The wound was worse up close, angry and precise, the hole perfectly circular all the way through. He switched to breathing through his mouth before he discovered what burning flesh smelled like and compromised the whole effort.

Shiro’s hand blazed to life and his face fell over Keith’s, his eyes were slitted and glassy but very much open. Both boys wishing silently that he wouldn’t remain conscious for long once Shiro started.

“Keith? Hey, buddy. I have to do something to help you and I need you to stay as still as you can...”

Shiro shifted back into place at his legs once he nodded as best he could.

“This is going to hurt...” he moved his hand to hover over the wound and Keith closed his eyes.

“S’okay,” he assured with a shudder.

“I’m sorry.”

The sound that filled the hallway was earpeiercing. Hunk would have been concerned about it revealing their whereabouts had they not already been known.

Keith shook steadily, his entire body drenched in sweat within seconds. His eyes remained pressed closed and his hands were balled up in as much of a fist as they could make despite injuries to both arms.

Shiro was lifting his leg at the knee and pressing over the exit wound before Keith could regain his breath. The next scream was more of a howl, the pitch rising into something somehow more piercing than the last.

“Almost done,” Shiro offered as both of them repositioned themselves at Keith’s chest, Hunk’s hands falling to his good shoulder and opposite collarbone.

“Gimme... a second...” he huffed uneasily, fighting unconsciousness for the sake of the alternative, being woken up by yet another scorching burn from his brother’s alien prosthesis.

“M’kay... d-do it—“

Hunk was closer this time and had to use more leverage to pin Keith down, so he wasn’t as lucky when it came to avoiding the smell. He was forced to breathe in the terrible heat of his friend’s burning skin when the sight of the steam and melting flesh set him off and had him clamping his lips together before he spewed everywhere. He barely managed to choke his sick back down when the smell assaulted him seconds after.

All the while fighting his own reaction he also had to keep Keith steady. He was slighter than Hunk and injured but gave his friend a run of his money as he writhed. There was a pang in his chest at the thought of his grip leaving bruises with how forceful he had to be so Shiro could finish his work on the front of his shoulder.

Keith slumped down almost immediately after Shiro lifted his hand the third time, his head turning from side to side like he wanted to cry as he fought to stay awake again.

“Help me roll him on his side,” Shiro ordered as he began gently lifting Keith’s body. Hunk pulled at the same time and caught him, holding him in a sort of embrace when his trembling hand came to grab at his leg, letting his head fall against it once he found purchase.

He didn’t even complain about being pushed onto his broken arm, that pain was barely identifiable then.

“Last one...”

Keith didn’t cry out this time. He’d finally passed out, his head limp on Hunk’s leg as Shiro seered into his back with his purple heat.

Hunk couldn’t hold it back any longer and turned his head to the side to vomit. He thought he could hear Shiro choking down gags as well but waved the thought away as he tried his best to aim his mess away from the injured Keith still collapsed on his leg.

When he returned Shiro looked as green as him as he moved to slide his arms under Keith.

“We should go help the others, I’ll hang back with him while you cover us.”

Shiro spoke mechanically, like something else had taken over for the time being. Hunk didn’t question any of it though, he just let Keith be taken up and activated his bayard.

The scene they found where Pidge had been was an impressive one, their teammates hunched over on their knees in front of a dozen sentries sprawled in heaps and still smoking.

“Woah, d’the mullet look that bad before...?” Lance asked through thick inhales. Pidge looked up from her own recovery position and surveyed Keith’s limp form, her mind working over the missing armor now piled on his stomach and the dark patches that should be bleeding blaster wounds.

“He’s okay for now—we, er, handled the worst of it,” Hunk offered when Shiro remained quiet.

“We should start making our way to the next quadrant before the next wave arrives, from there it’s a straight shoot to our lions...” Pidge stated, “what are we doing about Red though?”

“She’ll know what to do, she probably knows something’s wrong, and if not Black can tow her, let’s move.”

They only met one other wave of sentries on their way to their lions, effortlessly slipping out of the galra ship before they could reconcile the systems Pidge jammed and detain them.

No one spoke much, Lance too weary to ask what had everyone so solemn and Pidge too wise for her own good, piecing it together on her own and knowing better than to open that can of worms there.

Hunk was as silent and withdrawn as Shiro, neither boy appearing all that present, though Hunk would respond when pulled back to reality with a question. Shiro didn’t. He held onto Keith like he was his lifeline, like if he let go the younger boy would disappear.

His gaze was unfocused and his jaw was set, like if he spoke or unfurled his brows he’d break.

Because he would. He held Keith the entire way back to the castle, Black and Red piloting for them both when he crumbled as soon as he’d set foot on Black’s ramp, finally letting loose the tears of guilt he harbored over having to hurt Keith who was basically his brother.

He was the closest thing to home Keith ever had. Not the house kind, more of the solid and unwavering warmth in knowing you have somewhere to come back to kind. Except for Keith his home was a someone.

All of that in one person... who’d abandoned him... twice.

And now he’d caused him unspeakable agony.

Sure it was to save him from bleeding out, but that detail meant nothing to Shiro then. You weren’t supposed to hurt family, not the way he had.

He held Keith close and wept. He wept for them both. He wept for it all. For the tragedies of their terrible pasts. For the scars scored into the uncertainty of their futures. For everything that was and everything that could be.

The tears were unrelenting. They fell over how the unwanted contraption that had saved his life was what saved Keith’s in the most excruciating way possible. The place where the alien metal met his flesh burned as he imagined Keith’s might, a crawling, itching fury that made him tremble.

His body shook for the fact that he had to lead a group of teenagers into war when they were far too young for such a responsibility. Eyes burned for how he had to do this so soon after his own hellish tragedy. His chest ached, his head pounded, his body tingled. He felt all of the feeling he had to push away to be stoic for them, for himself, because if he wasn’t... than who would be?

It was cathartic and healing. The guilt he had for hurting Keith still very much there and raw but the edge had been taken off so that it didn’t feel so heavy and horrible. He knew that he’d had to do it, he could see that now.

He composed himself just before Black landed, combing back the stringy rivulets of damp hair that blocked Keith’s eyes from view. They were closed and fluttering peacefully, his entire face so relaxed and free of anguish that it looked like he was dreaming. Shiro hoped it was something nice. Something not close to this, any of this.

Hunk looked like a massive weight had been lifted from his shoulders when he saw Shiro emerge from Black with a sad smile on his face and not a blank, pained stare.

Allura and Coran were shocked to find Keith’s wounds in the state they were in once they got him to the infirmary, the entire team in awe of of all three of them once they discovered what he and Hunk did to save him.

“That explains the blood-curdling screams we were hearing,” Lance gaped.

“We were scared more sentries had dropped in on you after we heard the first one... figured something like that was going on though,” Pidge added.

“It might take a tick longer to get him into a cryosuit... the under armor suit is melted pretty severely into his skin. No fault to you, Shiro, it was likely already in such a way from the initial blast.”

“R-right...” he turned away then, stumbling as he tried to find a trash can but his stomach was churning and he couldn’t help it when he only managed to make it a couple feet away from the others before vomitting.

“Hey,” Allura stepped away from the exam table Keith was on, a slew of carts around him with instruments and supplies to take on the predicament.

“Don’t you think for a second that you are allowed to feel guilty about this.”

Her tone was firm and her voice soft as she pulled Shiro from the hole he’d slipped back into, her hand on his back as he wiped his mouth with the towel she’d handed him.

“You saved Keith’s life. He knows how you feel about your hand and that you’d do anything for him. You proved that is all. You should be proud of yourself, and of him for believing in you, like we all are.”

Shiro let out the air he’d been holding in, the breath felt like a rubber band snapping, any residual weight from guilt evaporating as if it’d never been there.

“Th-thank you, Allura.”

She smiled at him fondly, her hand cuping his face before moving to his shoulder and guiding him back to the table to assist in separating Keith from his under suit.

The three of them and Pidge all taking a wound, Lance and Hunk fishing them tools and cleaning away the debris they uncovered. Pidge’s tiny fingers proved more than useful when it came to the ridiculously precise bits.

Everyone was exhausted by the time his singed skin was free of all melted fabric.

“Good work back there guys, seriously,” Shiro directed his statement at Lance and Pidge once they’d gotten Keith in a pod and settled in for the long night, everyone pretty much refusing to leave his side for the foreseeable future.

“We would’ve been in some deep shit if you hadn’t taken over...”

Shiro leaned his head back against the door of the cryopod next to Keith’s, Pidge settled in his lap like a cat, her legs wrapped around Lance who was leaned heavily against an already half asleep Hunk.

“Well you’d stolen Pidge’s gig when you went all McGyver mode, but turns out she can hold her own just fine as the interim front line of voltron, who knew?—Owwh!”

“If anyone wants to congratulate me for withholding my vomit until after Shiro was done cauterizing Keith’s wounds,” Hunk yawned with a stretch, “I won’t stop you!”

“You did great Hunk, you orchestrated the entire rescue while I tried to play diplomat. Sometimes I forget whose supposed to be leading who sometimes.”

“We all learn from each other everyday we’re up here,” Allura mused as she draped several blankets over the bunch, tucking one in around Pidge and wrapping another over Shiro’s shoulders.

“Yeah, and you’re just the one we keep around because you have a valid license in case anyone asks—AHA, stop! I’m gonna cry, stop tickling me!”

Shiro eventually stopped, but only after she got the hiccoughs from laughing too aggressively.

The group fell asleep in a heap of blankets that night and returned to said heap the next night and the night after that. Shiro was the only one awake when Keith’s pod whooshed open early in the morning on the third day.

Coran couldn’t estimate when he’d pop out once it passed the time it suggested he’d needed for the internal stuff, staying in for 9 more hours to fully repair the burns and replenish his blood count.

He’d said he would probably be drained when he got out so Shiro being there was the only reason he hadn’t fallen straight to his face.

“Finally,” he laughed as he brought them both to the ground.

“Lance wouldn’t stop going on about how you’d chosen now of all times to listen to him about getting ‘proper beauty sleep’.”

Keith smiled tiredly, his eyes barely cracked open, heavy with exhaustion now rather than pain.

“Thanks for doing that back there... didn’t feel too great at the time—ha, but it was very needed.”

“Well someone’s gotta keep you idiots alive.”

“Glad it’s you, Shiro... hey... can-can I sleep now? M’really tired...”

“Yeah, you can sleep. I’ve gotcha, buddy. I’ve always got you.”

[avidbeader]

CW: Voltron S8 talk, VLD S8 talk, Shiro’s marriage, ship wars

I’ve been seeing an influx of new VLD fans in the last several months – guess people have more time to watch shows – and it’s brought in a new wave of Sheith fans. And that’s lovely – having more people to create and cheer is a good thing. I know I’ve pointed a lot of people at “Sheith the Movie” so they can have just the Sheith (all 3.5 hours of their scenes with some context) if they want.

However, even if the new fans have been aware of how toxic the klanti shippers were (Klance fans who resorted to slander, harassment, and threats to both other fans and the show’s cast and crew in an attempt to force the studio to make their ship canon), I’m seeing some conflict crop up because some new fans aren’t aware of just how ugly things got in 2018, that most of the people who embraced Shiro and the random groom as a ship were the same people who had spent the previous two years attacking Sheith fans.

In June, we had Season 6. Keith and Lance interaction was at an all-time low. Keith said “I love you” to Shiro in what he thought was a dying confession. Yes, it was preceded by “You’re my brother (in arms)”, but interviews with showrunners like story editor Josh Hamilton made it clear that Keith was trying his best to encapsulate just how important Shiro was to him (without saying that they almost certainly had to include the “brother” line to give DW executives plausible deniability).

In July, we had the SDCC showing of Season 7’s first episode and the confirmation that Shiro is an LGBT character. Klance fans jumped all over the character of Shiro’s ex-boyfriend Adam, because in their minds he would be the key to invalidating Sheith. The media properly observed that Shiro and Adam had broken up over very profound issues and drew the conclusion that if Shiro were to get an on-screen romance in the remainder of the series, Keith was the obvious choice.

In August, we had Season 7. Instead of the heartfelt Shiro/Adam reunion klantis were salivating for, we saw Adam get killed in the Galra invasion. And the klantis rose up, hurling so many unjustified accusations of “fridging” or “bury your gays” over a minor character with a total of maybe three minutes of screen time, that JDS actually had to put his name to an unnecessary apology from the studio.

We also had Keith and Shiro’s backstory, showing just how close of friends they became after Shiro helped Keith join the Garrison, AND Keith saving Shiro yet again. While Lance and Allura continued to grow closer. Because it was clear that the producers had never once considered making Keith and Lance a thing, klanti fans went ballistic with their slander, accusing Sheith of being pedophilic and incestuous when neither accusation has any canon basis at all.

And in December, we got Season 8. Season 8 with a mostly new set of writers who didn’t do their research. Season 8 that tried to cram in too much excess content while finishing up a major plotline. Season 8 that finally showed that the producers had never fully thought through or sought input for handling Shiro, a character they’d originally planned to kill off, decided to make their LGBT rep when told to keep him, and then failed to pick up the strong story arcs he had in the first seasons. And because studio execs gave JDS and LM a single day to change their epilogue cards from minor characters to the main team, we got the very bad decision to marry Shiro off to a random character.

(And the character was random. Stills were leaked that showed Shiro kissing a character that had been seen once in the very first episode, but was too obviously a reference to a character in another series. It clearly didn’t matter to JDS/LM or the people above them who Shiro married as long as it wasn’t another main character. Because we’ve barely passed the point where we can have more than one character of a certain race in the main cast, much less multiple LGBT characters.)

Like they did with Adam, klantis jumped all over “Curtis” as their savior, because to them this should have killed Sheith fandom. And a great many Sheith fans did leave, angry and hurt, not because their ship wasn’t canon (very few Sheith fans expected more than an open ending) but because the concept of Shiro marrying some random character with absolutely no buildup undercut the notion of Shiro as a strong example of LGBT rep. Because those endcards erased every single character’s growth through the series, not just Shiro’s.

Media saw the ploy for what it was, a clumsy attempt to try and reach for a historic milestone when today’s audiences aren’t looking for milestones anymore. Today’s audiences want to be included in the entire narrative. No one talks about Shiro’s wedding as a good example of rep. In mainstream pop media, no one talks about Shiro at all, in contrast to the celebrations post-SDCC. When articles are written about progress in children’s media, Shiro is never included on the list. It’s only this past June, 2020, that DreamWorks shoved Shiro into the background of a collage of LGBT characters from their cartoons, WITHOUT his desultory groom.

LGBT fans, especially gay men, saw the ploy for what it was. Just as the media collectively set Shiro’s wedding aside when talking about positive LGBT rep, gay men spoke out against it. Too bad they didn’t get any kind of apology from DW and the best JDS/LM could say on their one appearance on an “Afterbuzz” was “But we tried! Something was better than nothing!”

And the majority of Sheith fans who remained in the fandom collectively jettisoned Season 8 and began producing even more content. There have been schisms and fallouts, mainly over whether/how carefully to tag for content that includes Adam or “Curtis”, but the fandom as a whole has continued to produce fic, art, vids, and merch. There’s a reason people outside the fandom groan “Sheith in 2020?” There’s a reason antis continue to push their lies about the ship. We haven’t let go of what we love, we continue to create, and we continue to attract new fans.

But most of us do not want to engage in any way with “Curtis” content unless a fix-it is involved (and sometimes not even then – for many of us, Season 8 does not exist). We don’t care about a character who had zero interaction with Shiro before the endcard, whose name isn’t even spoken once in the show’s dialogue – the only reasons we know it are the IMDB credits and one reference in the close-captions identifying who is speaking (and there’s stronger evidence to show that “Curtis” is a last name, not a first name).

If other people find enough of an attachment to this character to ship him, fine. You do you. But most Sheith fans expect those who support Shiro’s wedding to be klantis and therefore look to avoid conflict by minimizing contact. We do not forget. We do not forgive. We just want to be left alone to enjoy our ship in peace.

[impfiltration-archive2]

about pidge and allura

okay, first off, not to overuse the baby crush subplot, but pidge would’ve developed at least a tiny crush on allura if they didn’t have such a turbulent relationship. she looks pretty and sounds fancy

focusing more on the main canon, though, there’s two big reasons why pidge dislikes allura. 1.) she’s an authority figure and 2.) she assumes connection

re: allura being an authority figure. after the garrison covered up her family’s abduction, pidge began to associate authority figures with conspiracy. when allura introduces herself as princess, and then tries to apply that sovereignty to the team, pidge immediately assumes her to a conspirator. someway, somehow, allura is trying to wrong her

regular, old teen rebellion plays a factor in this, too, though, if only because allura is most definitely not her mom

re: allura assuming connection. pidge is in deep, deep denial about her family’s mortality. even though she knows space is an ever-crushing vacuum, she’s sure that they can find a way through it. even though she learns about the brutality of the galra empire firsthand, she’s sure that they can tough it out. allura, on the other hand, has had to accept the death of her people—most notably her father. she is in the mourning phase, and pidge wants nothing to do with it, because her family’s not dead. for her, to commiserate with allura about the loss of their fathers—even with the distinction between temporary loss and eternal loss—is the same as accepting the garrison’s lies that her family is dead

another big disconnect between them is that pidge just doesn’t comprehend the tremendous tragedies allura has suffered. when you put it on paper, pidge has experienced some rough things: having her family abducted, having her government cover up their disappearance, having to stall her search for them to fight an intergalactic war. however, in comparison to allura having both her people killed off and planet destroyed (not to mention personally getting displaced by 10,000 years), pidge is more or less a lost kid

despite still very much having her people and planet (As well as getting to stay in her own timeline), pidge considers herself one of the most wronged people in the universe

which, comparatively speaking, is ridiculous, but again, it’s a matter of comprehension. because pidge is aware that these horrible things have happened to allura, but pidge neither has any frame of reference to better understand the weight of those tragedies nor any motive to try to liken herself to allura

pidge and allura are in the position to bond—like a lot. pidge hates this for all of the reasons above, though, and tends to tear down any bridges allura tries to build

granted, pidge doesn’t hate allura herself, since pidge will apologize for any especially vicious grievances—like that crack she made about still having a living father. however, pidge will also run away from these moments the second she spits out of her rushed apology, because while she doesn’t want to be cruel, she still doesn’t want to be close

of course, there’s also the matter of them being the only girls on the team, but honestly, this is something pidge wouldn’t really care about until she has hair trouble (especially with this in play). lance likes cosmetics, and shiro tends to be a mother hen, so pidge wouldn’t really seek allura as a source of femininity—especially with pidge only being so feminine herself. she just knows that allura has a lot of hair to deal with, so maybe she’s willing to spare a few hair clips

overall, pidge dislikes allura not because of any personal character flaw, but the authority and loss that she represents

[loveafterthefact]

Love After the Fact Chapter 5: Let’s Start a Garden

Lance takes a moment alone with Keith, and they figure out what they want from each other.

First  Previous  Next

Lance keeps a grip on Keith’s hand as he leads him through the seemingly endless hallways. Keith's grateful, albeit begrudgingly. He'd get lost in seconds without the Altean.

“I want to show you something,” Lance whispers. “I suspect neither of us wanted this, but still. You are far from home, and I’ve given much thought to making you comfortable.”

Keith says nothing.

“I hope the circlet is okay.” Lance tries again. “I told my resident genius to make sure it wouldn’t bother your ears.”

Keith falters a bit, not having considered that Lance might have put any special thought into the piece. It's nice, he assumes, gold with a red stone of some kind in the center of it, it dips down a spot or two in the front and back and settles between his ears. Lance's wraps all the way around, a flawless circle siting lightly on his head, that glowing blue stone perfect in color.

Perfect, like the rest of him. An overbred little whore.

“It doesn’t bother me,” he whispers, truthfully. “One like yours would, but this one is fine.”

Lance seems fairly pleased with that. "Good, because Pidge nearly strangled me when I asked them to change it."

They reach a set of double doors.

“These are our quarters. You’re not at all confined to them, but do remember where you are. And where this room is. You may need it.” Keith nods, tension coiling in his stomach like a heavy rope. He feels sick. It’s good he hadn’t been able to eat the food. "The scanner, here-" Lance gestures gracefully to a scanner next to the doors. "Will only recognize your hand print and mine. And Adam's, but if he didn't have access, he'd have Pidge break him in. And Pidge can get into pretty much anything. I'll show you their space as soon as I can, in case you need anything or need to snoop around."

Lance opens the door, still gripping his hand tight. Keith’s not sure if he feels comforted or trapped. The guards standing watch follow him with their eyes. He notices that the one on the left has milky white orbs instead of opalescent irises.

“I imagined you would spend a lot of your time here while you grow accustomed to living here. I tried to make it more suited to your tastes.”

Lance guides him into the room. Before Keith can take a look around, Lance draws him closer, undoing the clasps on Keith’s vest, slipping it off for him. Keith sighs, pinching the fabric of his close-fitting shirt. It’s not the sort of thing he’s used to, but he can bend his spine again, which is a definite improvement.

He turns, looking around the room. Behind him, Lance removes his own vest, pulls a bottle of something from a drawer in the wall, applying it to a cloth to clean the paint from his face.

It’s nice. The enormous, round, four-poster canopy bed notwithstanding, the quarters have a great deal of open space, with room for Keith to pace. He notices a ladder leading to a second floor of sorts, a simple ledge around the circular tower that contains the main room. A warm fireplace, already burning in front of a sofa and some chairs. There's no smell, so Keith assumes it smells sweet in here.

There’s a tray of food on an end table.

“I've been told that Galra like high places, despite living in dens. That space up there is yours to furnish. Just let me know what you want and I’ll procure it. Or I can show you how, and you can do it yourself. There is a pile of cushions up there by the window already, in case you want to get away.

“This switch here will dim the lights,” Lance explains, lifting their re-joined hands to a dial on the wall. “It should be more comfortable for your eyes. I’ve heard that they’re sensitive. Through that door-” Lance gestures with their hands. “-is the bathroom. And through there-” Lance gestures again. “-is a garden. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before, or so I expect. I hope you like it.”

Lance begins fiddling with the many pieces of gold in his ears, the caps covering the pointed tips. There’s a sigh of relief as he removes some of the heavier pieces. Of course he has the audacity to complain about earrings when Keith-

Keith slips away, taking small, cautious steps to the garden door. He lifts his hand to the gilded handle, hesitates, turns back for permission.

Lance smiles, gesturing with his hand. “All of this ours, Keith. Do as you like.”

It’s a garden, to be sure, but not at all familiar to Keith. There’s a strange, curling tree with green wood, it’s swirling branches hanging overhead, heavy with long strands of blue leaves. At its base, flowering plants with purple, yellow, and red petals. Small, pale, glowing... things... hover among the branches, slipping in and out of the flowers’ deep throats. The moss is soft beneath Keith’s weird, tall shoes.

Keith reaches up, trailing a leafy tendril between his fingers, and the leaves chime a soft, tinkling melody like wind chimes. Keith gasps, snatching his hand back. He smiles, small but still there.

Lance quite suddenly looms behind him, and Keith tenses. The smile is gone, his cuticles tingling as he resists extending him claws. He has a duty.

Remember where you are.

“It’s a singing tree. Romelle really likes wind chimes. She told me about them. I thought this might be a decent substitute. Our quarters are unorthodox. Normally, and before now, my quarters were near the center of the castle, in a high tower. I relocated out here to the corner with this invention in mind. There are places where the walls open and let in a breeze. I thought you might find it pleasant, but still safe if you wish to hide yourself away in here-” Lance stops talking quite suddenly.

Lance is clearly trying (and failing) not to talk his ear off, perhaps aware that Keith isn’t much of a talker. “It’s... nice. Thank you.”

Lance doesn’t respond.

Keith winces. “Sorry. I do like it. I just…” He couldn’t have sounded any less sincere. He tries to hide his dismay, his fatigue. A hand finds the small of his back and Keith jumps, instincts kicking in before he can push them down.

“You really think I’m going to touch you, don’t you?” Lance sounds disappointed.

“You are touching me!” Keith protests. “You’re doing it right now!”

“That’s not what I meant. You know that.” Lance regards him, those opalescent blue eyes gazing hard into Keith’s face. The Altean has layers. “You’re not a fool, though you are a poor actor.”

“You have a reputation. I don’t expect you to care.” Keith bristles, the strip of longer fur down his spine ruffling beneath his snug clothes. Lance just sighs, carefully drawing away.

“It’s a farce, Keith. See, I’ve spent much of my time fooling about. Openly. Brazenly. No one expects anything at all from me anymore except more fooling about. Now, I am married, and have new duties to my spouse and new duties to my people and yours, lifting a heavy burden from my aging fathers’ shoulders. Imagine how delighted the people will be when I cease my foolery and rise to the occasion. It will be much easier to gain their favor if I seem to perform some small miracle.”

Keith remembers quite suddenly that the word Prince Lotor, Princess Allura, and Romelle used to describe Lance had been “complicated.”

“So... you’re not actually a pervert?” Keith asks. Lance blanches, then relaxes. Keith averts his gaze. He needs to learn how not to talk to people. Or how to talk to people. The first is probably more feasible.

“No, Keith. And I’m not about to do anything to you that you don’t want.”

You already have.

It’s not your fault.

“Eventually, my father will either order me to, or we won’t be able to avoid the need for progeny but... For now, your body is your own, and only your own. Either way, I will never take anything from you by force.”

“You couldn’t if you tried,” Keith growls, ears pinned back against his head. He bares his teeth at the Altean.

Lance raises a silver-white eyebrow, eyes chilling. “Oh?”

“I’m a Galra, Lance. I’ve been trained to kill Alteans.”

“And you think I haven’t been trained how to kill Galra?” Keith's ear twitches. Lance sighs. “Listen, I want us to-”

“If you’re going to say you want us to be a real couple, don’t bother. We’re not.” Keith grimaces again. Adam will likely forbid him to speak in public at this rate.

Lance glares, frustrated. “No. I don’t expect that. However, I would like us to work together. Maybe... friends?” The Altean is losing patience. Keith heaves in a breath. That really doesn’t sound unreasonable. Or too terrible. “We may be the only ones we can trust now. We’re enemies of both our peoples, Keith.”

“Okay. We- We have a common goal in mind, right? Take care of our people?” Keith glances up to the prince. Lance nods in affirmation. “Then yeah, we can work together and maybe be friends. I don’t know how to lead, but I do have practical knowledge. I’m sure I can be good for something.”

Lance breaks into a dazzling grin, the soft scales on his face glowing faintly with quintessence. Lance must be a powerful alchemist, if his quintessence rises that willingly. And not a very experienced one, if his control is so lacking.

“Great! So... What do you like to do?” Lance bends down to gently play with one of the little glowing-ball-creature-things. Keith wilts. How’s he supposed to answer that?

He decides to start with what he’s good at instead.

“Um... I’m a good tracker. An excellent fighter. I’m very good with a blade. I’m fast. I have good instincts.”

“Okay... But what do you like?” The Altean doesn’t look up. Keith sighs, wrapping his arms around himself, tail and ears wilting. Growing up, he only had time to like one thing: living to see tomorrow.

“I don’t really know.” He hates how small he sounds at that. “I just... do my thing and that’s about it.”

“Well what would you choose to do if it were up to you?” Lance is clearly starting to get frustrated again, if the tiny huff and the annoyed angle of his ears were anything to go by. The tips are sticking out of his soft-looking white hair. Everything about Lance looks soft, at least at first.

The prince changes so fast, emotions so fleeting and wild. A capricious creature, born of a capricious species.

“...Train. Oh! Sometimes, I read books or explore the wilds. I usually go off by myself when I’m out hunting.”

Keith finds himself hoping that there’s something in there that Lance might like about him. At least let this pretty, dangerous creature like something about him. Even if just something small.

“I like exploring too. And I can show you where the library is tomorrow, if you want.” Lance’s quintessence reaches out, hopeful and gentle, but Keith draws away even as relief flooded his veins. Lance wants this to work. He wants them to not hate each other, or be strangers. Thank the gods. His relief must show on his face, because Lance continues. “I’m not so good with a sword, if we’re being honest. But I’m an excellent shot with a bow.”

Keith lets himself grow a little more hopeful. “I’m a terrible shot,” he admits. “Perhaps we can teach each other.”

“I’m not opposed.” Lance rises, turning to look at him. “Perhaps we’ll learn to get along.”

“Oh.” Keith’s heart sinks. “Are we not getting along?”

“You think we are? We’ve done nothing but warn and threaten each other, and getting anything from you is like pulling teeth.” Lance sighs. He doesn't like Keith. Keith is sure of it now. How does this man change his emotions so fast? It’s frightening.

Keith bristles, curls his fingers into fists. “Well, yes. But at least you’re not lying out of your ass right now.”

“Excuse me?”

“‘He means the world to me'?” Keith grumbles, ears pinned tight against his head. “What a load of rubbish.”

“It’s not. You do mean the world to me,” Lance says, frigidly cold, stiff, hands at his sides. “I married you, and now my people will be safe. Your people will be safe. Our people are allies, and no longer at war. We have secured the safety of five billion people. And those people, Keith, mean the world to me.”

Keith’s tail, his face, his ears fall, his expression wilting. “You had a choice in this, didn’t you?”

“Technically, yes. Practically, I’d say no.”

“You chose this? Even though you didn’t want it?”

“Yes, we’ve established this.”

“And they gave you a useless runt who’s been a lord for all of a phoeb.” Keith sighs. Despite his seeming lack of patience and his... inconsistencies... that really need further exploring, Lance deserves better. He deserves a legitimate member of nobility. Not some stunted (both physically and emotionally) little Galra who isn’t even full-grown.

Lance waves a hand, dismissive. “It hardly matters to me, to be honest. The point is, we are married, in a horribly rushed, unorthodox, soulless ceremony that will have half of the population questioning if there’s going to be a famine on one of our planets and the other half wondering if I accidentally got you pregnant. Either way, we’re a means to an end, and the end has been achieved.”

“About that... I am capable-”

“Yes, I gleaned as much when Zarkon mentioned your season.” Keith’s grateful his fur can hide his blush. “Which means you’ll have a violent growth spurt, and spend a movement or two doing nothing but sleeping and eating. Then you’ll spike a vicious fever and-”

“How do you know all of this? About lights and wind chimes and-”

Lance blushes furiously beneath his scales. “I went to my sister for information. About Galra in general. As people, as opposed to an enemy or a society.” Lance sits down, and Keith joins him, taking the opportunity to touch the soft blue-green moss. It feels nice, just like he’d thought. He smiles, ears perking with delight. “I just... wanted to make it better for you. I knew nothing about you, but I figured you’d end up resenting me for all of this one way or another, so... here we are.”

Keith fiddles with the moss, avoiding the prince’s blue-opal gaze. “Here we are... I like Allura. She was very nice to me. She's nice to everyone.”

“I miss her. Romelle, too.” Lance murmurs, gazing up at the stars above. Keith hadn’t noticed the room had a glass roof.

"I didn't meet Romelle. She wasn't well when Emperor Zarkon invited me for dinner."

“We grew up together, you know? Only a couple decaphoebs apart. My constant companions. My dearest friends.”

Keith takes a deep breath. “Shiro. He... My mother was a soldier, until Allura and Lotor married. My father died, and I was alone. My mother couldn’t exactly lower her sword for me, so Shiro took me in. He’s been Captain of the Guard for a centaphoeb now...

“I’m really going to miss him,” Keith whispers, swallowing as his eyes began to sting. A small chirp makes its way past his lips. “And my mother. She couldn’t even be here.”

“You’ll see them again, Keith.” Lance places a hand on his shoulder, squeezing lightly. This time, Keith doesn’t shrink away. “I promise you. I’ll make sure you see them as often as possible.”

Keith imagines that that will still be never, but he believes Lance means it. Next to him, the Altean lies back, and one of the little flying lights, a blue one, lands on his nose. It's some kind of animal, with glass-like wings and tiny claws.

It pinches the end of Lance's nose, and the prince smiles, poking the creature gently. It seems to lean into his touch.

Keith quite suddenly remembers something Shiro told him about aesthetic beauty, and how captivating it can be. He wonders if that gentle, affectionate finger counts.

[annoyinglyjovialbird]

Voltron: Next Generation

Eventful Days: III

Word Count: 2937

Caleb had turned around to lift his hands in mock surrender. There was no way for him to see what had happened. 

Two soldiers, dressed in identical gray armor with purple insignias on the front chest plate, had taken Caleb by surprise. One of them knocked the butt of their weapon into Caleb's back, holding him down at gunpoint. The other had charged towards Kova, still sitting in the cruiser. With a boost from her jet pack, Kova had jumped away from the soldier chasing her. Unfortunately, she couldn't see inside the screen of the helmet, but they could see her. The crew onboard the Galra ship took quick pictures to send to their Emperor. 

While Captain Scars-a-lot had said he would get the girl, he never specified which. He had only assumed. Even now, he wasn't sure that she was the girl. 

"Captain," A voice from the doorway said. The Captain turned, already growling at the wormling who would have to grovel at his feet for interrupting him, but the threats quickly died on his tongue. The broad-shouldered man strode to the helm where the live feed of the soldiers' helmet cams was rolling. 

"My Emperor." The Captain bowed his head, placing a closed hand over his heart. "I was not aware of your presence." 

"If your men are incapable of handling her," The Emperor said, staring at the wincing Captain. "I will not hold it against you." The Captain's eyes opened in surprise, expecting a threat. 

"She is but a little girl." The 'little girl' had come out of her initial shock and summoned a shield, pushing the soldier away from her. With a backflip and an assist from her jet pack, she had landed just behind the other soldier and beat them away from the young man they were holding down. With both soldiers barely standing and the boy out of commission for a while, the girl summoned her bayard. It formed into a long, curved sword. 

"That 'little girl' is Paladin of the Black Lion," The Emperor crossed his hands behind his back. "Her skills in combat are almost unrivaled, by human or otherwise."

"Who could rival her?"

"The young man your soldiers beat to the ground." The Emperor's smile, the only thing not covered by a dark shadow, had grown across his face. "And he's only there because he was caught by surprise."

Back on the space rock, Kova was shielding Caleb from above while glaring at the pair of Fire soldiers. Caleb, on the other hand, was trying to blink away the double vision. Groggily, Caleb lifted his head, taking out his bayard in return. Balancing it precariously on his knee, Caleb aimed and fired. He didn't know which of the three small soldiers he had hit, but he hit one of them. 

"Jax to Coeus, I need assistance." Caleb fired another shot, missing the smaller soldier by a few inches. "Repeat, Jax to Coeus, I need assistance."

"Coeus to Jax, we hear you." Activating her helmet cam to show the bridge what she was seeing, Caleb fired one more time. He had hit the smaller soldier directly in the chest plate, sending them back with a scream. The taller one of the two, the one that had come after Kova, hadn't been deterred by this. Instead, he sped up. Kova's shield had blocked the soldier from attacking her head-on, but it took away protection from Caleb. As the tall soldier landed in a crouch, he grabbed Caleb's leg and pulled. With almost no effort, Caleb had been thrown to the other side of the cliff. Kova honestly didn't want to stab someone today, but if she had to. The sword in her hand glinted dangerously, much to the soldier's dismay. With bold, almost clean strokes, Kova lowered her shield, grabbed the handle of the bayard, and swung at the soldier. He jumped away, thinking he had jumped away just in time, evading Kova's erratic swings. He took one last jump backward before getting his head knocked on by a rock in Caleb's hand. Turning around, Caleb and Kova were back to back as the smaller soldier ran around them in circles, pushing them further from the edge. 

"Locate the Galra ship." Kova was panting. 

"Liz."

"On it." Liz had busily been typing away codes for each of the cameras on the outside of the Coeus. There was nothing but deep, dark, and lonely space around them. "I don't see anything, Colonel."

"Keep trying." Shiro had summoned the other teens and Kenny into the bridge when Kova's plea came through. "Hang in there. Remember your summer training sessions."

"This isn't desert sand being thrown in our faces, Dad," Caleb muttered. "It's space rock dust that refuses to fall completely." 

"Oh, hello there," Kova said, her bayard morphing again. It changed into a sharpshooter rifle, similar to the one Uncle Lance had taught her to use a few years back. Aiming, Kova found the body of the smaller soldier and fired. The soldier fell to the ground as Kova's bayard returned to its original form. "On the count of three, jump out. Ready?" Caleb nodded his head behind her and steeled himself. 

"One?"

"Two."

"Three!" The pair shouted at the same time, jumping out of the dust cloud. Kova was apprehensive, searching around the hole for anyone else. She had noticed the soldiers were gone, but it didn't put her at ease. 

"Gah!" Caleb's voice. Directly behind her. Turning around, Kova could only glare. 

Caleb was held in a chokehold with his hands pressed into his back by someone else. The man had dark brown eyes and dark hair that bordered on black. The man's pale arms were exposed in a sleeveless gray vest and tight dark gray pants tucked into calf-length boots. As he turned up to stare the girl, he made sure Kova saw the sharp fangs in the man's exposed smile. Switching hands on her bayard, Kova held it up as it morphed again. It elongated vertically to form a longbow. Pulling the string back, an arrow made of purple quintessence had formed. 

The teens onboard the Coeus were on the edges of their seats, hoping the audio wasn't as bad in quality as the video. Neither Shiro nor Kenny could make out the face of the strange man holding Caleb captive. 

"What do you want?" Kova growled, glaring at the man with intensity. Liz glanced at Shiro before looking back. Kova knew this guy?

"Oh, come on now," The man said much too casually for Kova's taste. "I'm just seeing what I was replaced with. No need to throw a fuss."

"Let. Him. Go. I won't ask again."

"I'm sure." The man's smile never wavered, even when the quintessence arrow created a dent in the wall just behind his head. Kova pulled back the string, another arrow forming. 

"That was your only warning." 

"You're no fun, Ky." The man grabbed both of Caleb's cheeks and turned this face towards his own. "Tell me the truth, is she always like this?" Caleb didn't respond. With an exasperated sigh, the man turned to meet Kova's glare. "I have every intention of letting him go."

"Then do it."

"I will." The man shifted on his foot. "As soon as you answer a burning question of mine."

"No."

"Then say goodbye to your so-called brother."

"You wouldn't dare." Kova aimed at the man's head. Caleb knew Kova's aim was good, but that was on Earth. How good would quintessence arrows hit him in zero gravity? The man froze behind Caleb, studying Kova's movements. 

"How about a proposition?"

"No."

"Oh, come on, Ky. You'll like it."

"Stop calling me that."

"You can ask me your question first if you'd like." The man's toothy grin returned, watching Kova try not to have a brain aneurysm. She stood unwavering for a few minutes, thinking carefully. "She always did this," the man whispered to the teen in his clutches. "Think so hard, her brain explodes from the pressure."

"If you are who I think you are," Kova started her question and the man perked up. "Are you the leader of the Fire?" 

"Aww, I knew your question would be carefully worded like that." The man, who had been resting his head on Caleb's shoulder stood to his full height, showing off two long scars on his cheeks. "I am who you think I am, and I am Emperor Yorak of the Fire." 

On the Coeus, Shiro slammed his fist onto the face of the console at the helm, making everyone jump. Kenny was startled, but he couldn't tear his eyes from the screen. Soon enough, every teens' eyes returned to the screen. To Kova's encounter. 

Kova was shaking her head, wrinkling her nose. Yorak, as they had come to find out, was tilting his head to the side, almost as though he was trying to figure out what Kova was doing. Caleb tried shaking himself free from Yorak's grasp, but it was instead tightened. 

"Little Ky doesn't know what to do now that her greatest fear was confirmed," Yorak said mockingly. 

"Stop calling me that!" Kova all but shouted. "What's your question?"

"Finally." Yorak overdramatically sighed and rolled his eyes. "My question is simple, Kyla." Kova sneered, almost near tempted to fire again. 

"Kova, don't," Caleb whispered, hoping he could hear her. 

"Yes, Kyla, listen to your so-called brother." Kova stayed silent, trying to press down her anger. "Tell me, Kyla. Have you forgiven our dear old parents and me for leaving you behind and alone?"

Kova thought she was prepared for the question. She thought she could handle it, but knowing Kenny was onboard and listening made it harder. 

Pulling back the string harder and letting it go, the arrow flew towards Yorak's stupid smiling face as he let go and pushed Caleb forward. Beaming himself up, he wasn't around to see Kova's internal and soon physical struggle as she collapsed onto her knees. 

Yorak had arrived in his private chambers as the Captain looked on. The quintessence arrow hit its mark, leaving a small slice on Yorak's right cheek. 

"My Lord!" The Captain had been watching the entire exchange. "I'll have soldiers deployed immediately! The girl should have answered your question!"

"There's no need, Seklok," Yorak said, wiping the blood from his cheek. "This was answer enough." 

"But my Lord—"

"Are you questioning me?" Yorak had turned to look down on the Captain, who had bowed his head. 

"No, milord." They stood there for a few seconds. Seklok, or Captain Scars-a-lot, whichever you prefer, was afraid the Emperor would punish him for disobeying orders. 

"Leave me be."

"Yes sir." Quicker than space mice afraid of the light, Yorak was alone. At least he had the satisfaction of breaking her down. 

The Lions had returned to the Coeus, and all Kova wanted to do was sleep. She was walking with a limp because unbeknownst to her, Caleb hadn't properly set up his weapon. The pushback had fallen entirely on Kova's knee, which the initial adrenaline had numbed. 

"Kova, Caleb." Shiro's stern voice came from down the hallway. "In my quarters. Now." 

Following Shiro, the door closed behind them. The room they had walked into was a room the teens had just passed by since it was in the way of the bedroom. Set up like his office back home, Shiro stood behind the console that stood in for his desk and laid his hands on it. Staring at the teens, he was trying to find a point to start his tirade. 

Outside the closed doors, the other teens had their ears pressed into the crack, hoping to pick up on some sort of conversation. Allie thought it was strange, but she joined right in. Kenny hadn't moved from the chair in the bridge, staring ahead blankly and no one wanted to bother him while he was lost in thought. 

"Where do I even begin?" Shiro began. There were no chairs, so the teens were forced to stand. Kova had her head bowed while Caleb was staring at a spot in the wall. "You can't just decide that you can pick and leave without informing me first. I had to find out from Ken. What would've happened if I hadn't responded to your call in time?" 

"Dad, can we—" Caleb tried to say.

"I don't ask for much. Just to be informed is enough, but then this bombshell happens." Shiro turned to Kova's bowed head. "How are you going to explain this one away? It's one thing to disobey my orders, but it's another if you don't deny what he said."

Kova mumbled something under her breath, leaving Caleb wide-eyed. Turning her head up a little, Shiro could see Kova's eyes were closed. 

"What was that?" Shiro fed into the anger she was trying to control. 

"Open the classified trio," Kova said, opening her eyes. Caleb could swear that you could've heard a pin drop if there was one. 

"No." Shiro's voice was a warning. 

"I told you before, this team won't fight against an enemy they know nothing about."

"Why do you need the files opened? What's your evidence?"

"What more evidence do you need?" Kova scoffed. "Keith is alive after all these years, Yorak is Emperor of the Fire, and this marks our third Fire attack." Kova's voice grew louder with every word, with more power than the last. 

"Those files are classified for a reason!" 

"And the team should've been informed from the start!" 

"Opening the trio will expose too many loose threads."

"And opening only one will lead to forcibly opening the others!"

"Kova, I'm not opening any of the case files."

"He called me out by birth name. Did you let me stare at his picture for fun?" 

"Kova."

"Opening the trio will do us more good than harm. We'll know what we're looking for."

"You were allowed to look at the files because you're my kids."

"Oh, so not because I'm part of the problem?"

"You aren't part of the problem."

"Then authorize. The opening. Of the files." Even limping, Kova didn't lose her attitude. Shiro didn't appreciate it as much. 

"I'm your dad. This is for your safety, Kova."

"It's a good thing I'm not even your kid then!" Caleb clapped a hand over his mouth watching as hurt filled Shiro's eyes. Kova had looked away from his eyes, knowing she'd break otherwise. She was breathing hard. The teens outside had looks of shock on their faces. No one said a word for a good minute. The constant hum of the ship filled the void, but it wasn't enough. It wasn't enough to drown out the voices of the past. 

"Kova," Shiro began. 

"Open the case files," Kova muttered, refusing to meet Shiro's eyes. "Cake needs to know what happened to his dad." She looked up to meet Shiro's eyes, fighting back tears. "Kenny needs to know what his brother got into." At the mention of Kenny, Shiro shook himself out of his stupor. 

"I am not authorizing the release of the trio."

"Give the team the full authorization," Kova's threat began. Her fists were balled at her sides. "Or officially expel me from the Garrison." 

Outside the doors, Cake and Liz audibly gasped under their breath. Allie was shocked too but confused at the reactions of the others. Liz, who had been listening from above Cake's head, pushed herself away from the door. Cake met her eyes and nodded her understanding. An unspoken agreement between the engineers. With a deep breath, Liz calmed her thoughts and returned her ear to the door. 

"One way or the other, I'm telling them." Kova hadn't moved. Neither had Caleb, who was frozen in place at Kova's ultimatum. Shiro's eyes widened briefly before he sighed and broke his gaze from Kova. 

"To your rooms. We'll reconvene in the morning." Shiro watched as the teens walked towards the door and left. 

Liz, Cake, and Allie had ducked to either side of the doorframe, hoping the Colonel wouldn't see them. Kova and Caleb marched past them without a word, nor any sort of acknowledgment they were there. Kova looked angrier than any of them had ever seen her. In a rash attempt for some sort of information, Liz grabbed Caleb's arm before the pair entered their respective rooms. Caleb's baby blues met Liz's brown ones and she visibly became more flustered. 

"I'm sorry, Cap, I just, uh," Liz looked on in a wide-eyed stare. A shake of her head and the words came more smoothly. "We had a few questions." Caleb sighed, leaning on the doorframe outside his room. Kova had already gone inside. 

"Is her threat real?" Cake asked, and Caleb's shoulders sagged. He nodded, resting his head on the wall. 

"Will those files help us defeat the Fire?" Liz asked. Caleb nodded again. Allie knew it was her turn, but she couldn't think of a good question. Not when Caleb looked exhausted. 

"Will the opening of the files delay our arrival at the space mall?" She asked. Caleb could only stare at her, lifting his head. He smiled and let a small laugh escape. He shook his head. Pushing himself off the wall, he waved at the other teens and walked into his room. Allie, Cake, and Liz stood in the hallway. When they left, Allie insisted on taking the first shift. Between her and Liz, they should be able to care for Keith until he wakes up from this coma, taking a few hour shifts. 

If he ever wakes up.

[rigb0ner]

Okay, you guys asked for it! I hope you enjoy reading! :)

***

In order for Lance and Shiro to make it out alive from the Blade of Marmora trials, they have only two choices:

1. to fuck

or

2. to fight

However, Lance doesn't want to fight, and Shiro doesn't want to fuck.

***

a.k.a. an AU where Lance accompanies Shiro to the Blade of Marmora instead of Keith, and there is no "Knowledge or death" but a choice to "Fuck or fight".

***

Shiro's behavior has been rather... aggressive, especially towards Lance in the last few days. Neither of the two could conclude the reason why though. However, Lance had a few ideas. He knew he was annoying at times. The groans he often earned from his teammates where more than enough proof, but he was harmless. Lance was the Blue Paladin, the heart of Voltron. He was a huge asset to the team, not because he had the ability to easily lift their spirits with his silliness and contagious smile, but because he cared. He valued his teammates' concerns over his own. Yes, he was arrogant, but he was also, and mostly, considerate.

But, for some reason, he wasn't able to lift everyone's spirits. He liked to think that he had a specific bond with each of his teammates, even Keith. Aside from all the daily bickering over very ridiculous topics, there was mutual fondness and respect between them both. However, it was Shiro who gave him the darkest of glares and the most disgusted of sighs. It hurt, to think that someone whom he deeply admired since he first enlisted in the Garrison, would treat him so condescendingly. He was his hero, and it killed Lance to be scorned so often by him, for reasons unknown. But Lance wasn't an idiot. He knew when to stop himself from escalating situations from bad to worse.

And now, with no one else to be by Shiro's side, due to having their own tasks that were specifically correlated with their lions, Lance would stand by his leader. And he would be there for him, no matter how difficult the situation, to help him, and maybe, to prove himself to Shiro that he wasn't careless, and that he actually gave a shit. But he could tell by the look on Shiro's face that he was not at all excited to have him as his only choice. The Blue Paladin did well to resist the urge to scoff and cross his arms in irritation, and stood tall, prepared to begin for their mission.

***

Lance and Shiro had learned that the Blade of Marmora were a secretive rebel group fighting against the Galra Empire, and the only way they could form an alliance was to attempt several trials to become members to fight along side each other when it was time for battle. The two Paladins would endure intense battles in each of the several rooms, together. They would be stripped from their Paladin uniforms, and any bayard would be confiscated.

Lance knew bringing their personal weapons was forbidden, but he thought he'd bring his bayard just in case. However, like Shiro, he was given a new suit, as well as a new weapon. Lance's hand now tightened around the tang of his blade—an item that felt so foreign in his hand—feeling his palms sweating as his legs trembled. This was definitely not his usual weapon of choice. It didn't feel right. But the Blue Paladin watched Shiro in awe, standing in place as his leader suddenly let out a battle cry, then clashed his blade with their opponent's. He moved swiftly, dodged quickly, and stabbed mercilessly, leading them to the next chamber. Lance couldn't feel more useless. To his amazement, however, Shiro clearly knew what he was doing, taking down each opponent with the intention to succeed, with or without Lance. The Blue Paladin felt pathetic to say the least.

But as they continued to press onward from each room prior to the next, Lance had noticed that their opponents grew more numerous. Shiro, now bruised and bloody, slowly losing his strength and breath, was struggling to fight, as their opponents came at them in full force. Lance had to do something. He needed to help. But what could he, an inexperienced fighter, do to help his leader? It was obvious that he couldn't just stand there and watch. So, with a firm grip around his weapon, Lance breathed in shakily, suddenly bracing himself, then ran fast, and lunged forward—although clumsily—at their opponent with his blade, hearing Shiro immediately shout his name. Lance ignored him, or perhaps, he didn't hear. However, his weapon clashed with his opponent's, steel scraping against each other as their blades collided.

Despite Shiro's strength receding, he continued to slice and kick with all the might he had left, watching Lance from his peripheral vision as his opponent's limp body fell to the floor. His heart was racing with adrenaline as he heaved a heavy breath. But then the sound of a painful hiss caught Shiro's attention as his face turned completely towards Lance's direction. The sight of blood oozing from his partner's shoulder made him run fast, stabbing the opponents’ abdomens without hesitation. When he withdrew his blade he stared at Lance with the slightest bit of concern before scowling. "Why did you interfere?" he questioned breathlessly, although raising his voice. 

Lance held his painful shoulder upright, not appreciating Shiro's tone and glare whatsoever. He inhaled a sharp breath and pumped up his chest defiantly, brows narrowing in irritation. "Stop treating me like I'm your bitch," he hissed, slightly surprising himself from the sudden outburst. "What kind of question is that? Did you just expect me to stand there and watch you get hurt? Whether you want me here or not, I want to help you! Why is that such a problem? You can't die on us!"

"Watch your tone," Shiro retorted, scowling at Lance's disobedience. "I can take care of myself!" he added. Lance scoffed, "Yeah. Of course you can." He dared to give Shiro the most annoyed look before breaking eye contact, walking towards the next chamber as the doors slid open.

So stubborn, they thought.

***

This next chamber they entered, Lance noticed, was smaller, unlike the previous ones. There was another thing his eyes caught sight of; a bed, in the middle of the empty room. It was the strangest thing he’d seen since they entered the Blade’s headquarters. The uneasiness in his stomach only grew when the sudden flash of a hologram appeared in front of them, revealing the face of Kolivan, the leader of the Blade of Marmora. He then spoke, "You have made it to the final trial, upon which you have succeeded on the previous challenges. But, for this last trial, however, you have two choices to make."

"What are they?" Lance questioned anxiously, not quite understanding the small curve forming on Kolivan's lips as he spoke. 

"You two must choose to fight, or to bond," Kolivan explained. 

"Wait," said the Blue Paladin, "what do you mean 'to bond'?"

Shiro's expression looked just as perplexed, and then there was a slight pause, before Kolivan elaborated. "You must join together to breed. If not, you must fight each other. There is no other option."

Lance gawked at Shiro in horror, beyond bewildered.

No.

No way.

No freaking way is this happening!

I don't want to fight, but I...

"Make a choice," Kolivan said, before the hologram subsequently disappeared. Lance couldn't help but quiver in fear, feeling unbelievably gawky as he stood subconsciously close next to Shiro, hearing the doors close from behind them. How ridiculous he'd felt.

Fuck, fuck, fuck!

What do we do?

"Lance," Shiro spoke suddenly in a deep tone, earning the Blue Paladin's attention, who’d hesitated before responding nervously.

"Yeah, Shiro?"

Oh my god! Does he actually want to do this with me? 

"Are you ready?"

Holy shit!

"U-um... actually, I... I've never done this before," Lance admitted bashfully, watching Shiro narrow his brows in response.

"What do you mean? Of course you have. Did you forget about all the battles we've been through? Or, perhaps, our training?" Shiro questioned.

The Blue Paladin's eyes widened, realizing they were clearly not on the same page. "Wait. Shiro... do you actually want to fight me?" he asked in an obviously frightened tone.

Shiro laughed. "Well, I'm certainly not going to fuck you."

Lance couldn't ignore the unsettling feeling in his chest as his leader said those anxiety-inducing words. "But, I... I don't want to fight!" he exclaimed, watching Shiro draw out his blade. 

"What are you suggesting?" his leader questioned in a warning tone, watching him squirm in place. The Blue Paladin was clearly contemplating on what to say, but he couldn't form any words. 

Don't say it, you idiot!

He doesn't want to hear it! 

Shiro cocked a brow, feeling impatient as his weapon was now pointing directly towards the Blue Paladin. "Well?"

"Please, Shiro," Lance begged, arms surrendering over his chest as the tip of the blade brushed against his palm. "Don't. I don't want to fight."

Backing away slowly from his leader, his hand tightening around the tang of his own blade, completely unwilling to use it against Shiro. He couldn't. Not when he was aware of his leader's capability to take him down so easily. He could certainly try, though, but he thought it was pointless. Shiro scoffed, but oddly wore a small smirk on his face. His unusual behavior was all too concerning for the Blue Paladin. "Come on, Lance," he began. "Let's put your training to the test."

But Lance looked troubled, pedaling back once again as Shiro slowly stepped forward. "I'm not going to fight you, Shiro," he stated. "I won't!"

The smirk on his leader's face suddenly faltered, staring at the boy's frightened but immune expression, which was pleading him to reconsider. Lance clearly wasn't going to quit, and it only pissed Shiro off. But Lance stayed still, watching the older Paladin come closer, slowly lowering his outstretched hand in front of him. However, the young Paladin couldn't exactly pinpoint the intention behind his leader's fervent stare. Whatever it was, though, Lance couldn't help but feel excited, and cautious, as Shiro walked into his personal space, hand tightening around the weapon next to his thigh. Then, Lance felt a hand cup his chin — Shiro's dark gray eyes never leaving his blue ones. "You're not a cadet anymore, Lance. You're a Paladin of Voltron, a defender of the universe. And as such, it is your job to protect the innocent," his leader explained, leaning in close to the boy's face. "Isn't that right? Don't you want to protect the ones you love?"

Lance simply nodded, feeling desperate and confused, although entranced by Shiro's thumb caressing his lips, which trembled slightly from the contact. "For someone with so much potential, your carelessness overwhelms it all. I just can't seem to get any peace and quiet with you around." The Black Paladin sighed subsequently, but in an eerily relieved kind of way that Lance didn't understand.

"You don't mean that," the younger Paladin retorted, voice shaking. "I know that I can be irritating at times, but Shiro, I'm more than that! You know that it's..."

"That's enough already!" Shiro interrupted, suddenly shoving Lance away, causing him to trip on his feet and fall on his back.

***

WIP #2: Sharpshooter

Lance experiences his very first blowjob with the Captain of the IGF-Atlas—Takashi Shirogane—also known as his longtime hero and crush ever since he enlisted in the Galaxy Garrison.

***

“Good morning, Cadet.”

Lance furrowed his brows in confusion, turning his head to see—Commander Iverson, and, oh, some things just never change.

“Good morning, Sir,” he cleared his throat, “but, with all due respect, it’s Lieutenant, now.”

Commander Iverson chuckled. “Indeed. How you’ve grown.”

Lance nodded. “Yes. I’d say so.”

A sudden tension filled the air.

”Sir?”

“I... um, I believe I owe you an apology.”

Lance pretended not to understand. After all, he’d hoped this moment would come. He knew that he’d prove himself eventually.

“What for, Sir?”

”For not seeing your greatness within.”

Now, that—that wasn’t what Lance was expecting to hear. Those exact words... he’d heard them before, but not like this. It was strange, to say the least. But nevertheless, it flattered him. And yet, he didn’t care. Commander Iverson never cared, and Lance was sure those words were meaningless.

But... it’s all in the past, now. Lance knew that he couldn’t please everybody. Although, having other people’s respect, especially from those who doubted him, was, admittedly, very satisfying. That was all he ever wanted—besides flying.

Lance broke the silence. “It’s fine, Sir. I know that my behavior in the past wasn’t the best, but, as you can see, I am pretty great now.“

Commander Iverson cleared his throat. “You are. Thank you for your service, Lance.”

The Lieutenant offered a smiled in response. “Thank you for giving me the opportunity.”

Despite your lack of faith.

“Anyway, what are my duties for today, Commander?”

”Oh, well, perhaps you can start by checking inventory.”

”Okay.”

“Actually, before you do that, Lieutenant McClain...”

“Yes?”

“Captain Shirogane wants to see you.”

***

He was stalling himself...

Lance wasn’t really sure why, but all he knew was that he was actually nervous to see his Captain. In fact, he was taking all the precious time in the world, with the intent of distracting himself by whatever means necessary.

And, truth be told, he felt absolutely ridiculous.

The Lieutenant hadn’t realized how tight his grip around the clipboard was. He was clutching it for dear life, but why?

Lance wandered around the building, uncertain of where he was going, passing by instructors and other commanding officers—until, he reached an empty corridor. It was slightly dim, and quiet. Good. He needed a moment to himself.

The Lieutenant sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. His mind was suddenly flooding with dreadful thoughts:

Why am I hiding? We’ve been dating for a few weeks now! But...

“God,” he muttered under his breath, resting his head back against the wall, “I’m so pathetic.”

And that’s when he realized, it had been a while since they’ve communicated, which was understandable, considering the fact that they’ve both been very busy with their own individual assignments. Lance missed him, of course. Lance rarely got to see the Captain during the day.

They didn’t always get to see each other everyday, but sometimes they were given the chance to share a few minutes of conversation with each other—mostly during lunch, and meetings, however.

But now, Shiro had asked to see Lance personally. And, despite what people may think of him, Lance wasn’t such a fool as certain people claimed. He’d noticed the expression on Shiro’s face the last few times they’ve interacted, and it sent shivers down his spine. Although, his Captain was very clever at covering it up with that polite and handsome smile. It was the look of lust. That was definitely the look Shiro giving him. Lance knew it because he’d been staring at him the same way.

Granted, again, they’ve only been dating for a few weeks, and their busy schedules gave them less time to communicate and spend time together, even when they were both free. But make no mistake, there was clearly tension between the two of them whenever they were in the same room, and Lance liked it, but he also feared it because of how powerful Shiro’s presence was whenever he entered the room. Everybody would stand immediately in respect, whether Shiro expected it or not. And Lance wasn’t surprised, but he didn’t know what to think. He loved his Captain’s intimating side, but at the same time, he feared it.

***

And... that’s all I’ve got, if it weren’t for my damn writer’s block!!! :’(

Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed reading the progress of these fics because I honestly enjoyed writing them. I would have loved to finish them but I just can’t anymore... it sucks, I know, but that’s how it is! I love you all <333

[mermaider00]

Kiss the Girl || A Ventor Story

(Inspired by this gif) 

From the banks of the lake, an annoyed pair of yellow feline eyes watched closely through tall wet grass. The moon was out and the stars blinked above and the only sounds were the drifting of the water and the creatures of the night, but the fact that there wasn’t also lively conversation joining those sounds was a very annoying thing, indeed. Behind him, his tail swished and those yellow eyes narrowed. 

His purple princely kitten thought he could confine him to the temporary home on this wild planet, but Kova could always find a way out to check on him. His boy was motherless and practically fatherless, and Kova decided it was time for Lotor to no longer be without a mate as well. The green woman with antenna chosen as his aide was also perfect to be that mate. 

His kitten was a fool not to see how she wanted him. 

There they were, Kova thought, his unblinking eyes locked on them through the tall grass at the edge of the lake. In a small simple boat because the green woman had talked him into a little ride to help ease the stresses of their very busy day before they would head off to bed, alone. The cat wouldn’t place not one of his paws into the water so he could swim for a better look, but Kova could see them perfectly in the dark with his superior eyesight. His kitten, usually very attractive to females, was simply glancing at their surroundings as if studying like a scholar. The sky, the water, the foliage around them, what night creatures he could spot that would swim or fly on by, he wanted to see it all. 

His kitten was looking at everything but the lovely woman literally sitting right in front of him. 

Lady Ven’tar was the opposite, Kova saw. So much beauty around her... and she only wanted to keep her eyes on the prince. 

Silly kitten, Kova thought, rolling his eyes a bit. He would have to make things better for Lotor again. But Kova also knew that Lotor was afraid at this point in his life to allow anyone close to him, especially in these stressful times as Emperor Zarkon awaited the quintessence his son would take from this planet. 

Kova knew his kitten desired the green woman, so the cat decided to give him what he wanted. What they both wanted. 

He lifted himself from his crouching position along the banks, kept his long body low as if hunting for a small creature, and walked the perimeter of the lake while keeping his focused gaze on the boat in the water. The green woman was an empath, but Kova’s own powers given to him by quintessence were just as great. Reaching out to her, he helped tickle her susceptible mind with courage to talk to Lotor. 

“What do you like, liege?” Ven’tar suddenly said, surprised by the sound of her own voice. She felt a presence and even looked to the banks, but saw nothing there. 

Lotor looked to her, one white brow lifting. “What do I... like?” 

“Yes.” With one wave of her hand, Ven’tar used her power of manipulating water to create a current underneath their boat. Neither of them had to row or steer, but her power kept them moving along the surface. “What do you like doing with your time? When you’re not burdened by your princely duties or attempting to save my planet from destruction.” 

“I will save your planet from destruction.” 

Ven smiled at him. So close to the water, her eyes held the faintest glow. “I believe you. But when you aren’t doing such things, what do you enjoy? I feel as if I forced you into this boat. My intention wasn’t to make you uncomfortable, I assure you.” 

“I wasn’t uncomfortable,” he told her, his back straight and hands in his lap. “I’ve never been in a boat before.” 

“No?” She perked up, her antenna twitching a bit in excitement at his confession. “I suppose that makes sense. The Galra are a star-faring race, after all.” 

“I have been in numerous designs of ships meant for space travel and land vehicles... but never a small boat.” And how small it was, Lotor thought, glancing at the water of the lake they drifted upon. One small bump and they might tip over, which would be disastrous, and possibly even dangerous. His blue eyes flicked back to her. “I enjoy reading when I have free time.” 

Ven’tar wore a simple long white dress with sleeveless straps and her usual cape over it. The white of her dress and green of her skin brought out the bright red of her eyes. “What about eating? I love to eat.” 

Lotor chuckled. “I’ve noticed. And it certainly doesn’t show on your slender frame. I eat when I must for nourishment and energy.” 

“Dancing?” 

“Only at banquets, when I’m forced to entertain those high in our ranks.” 

“Singing?” 

Lotor only stared at her and simply answered, “No.” 

Ven sighed softly, and glanced away to look at a passing tree growing from underneath the water of the lake. 

From the shore, Kova scrunched up his little nose. His kitten was dedicated and noble and driven to succeed, but he had lost himself to survival. An understandable thing, Kova knew, but Lotor was not allowing himself to enjoy anything around him, even a romantic boat ride with a lovely woman who desired him tremendously. 

Perhaps it wasn’t romantic enough, the cat mused. 

Up in a nearby tree, Kova spotted a flock of nighttime song birds, and rushed to climb the trunk with his claws swiftly before either his kitten or the green woman could spot him since they weren’t looking at each other. Balancing on the branches, he batted out one paw, his yellow eyes flashed as he sent out some quintessence stored inside him. 

The birds began to sing, some even flying over to other trees to surround the pair in the boat with a soft soothing song. Kova glanced down below from the branches as the boat glided under him. 

Ven drifted her fingertips through the water. “I like to swim,” she said softly. Her eyes then found the trees when she heard the birds begin to sing. “You might like swimming. I like to play with the lilypogs and feel the warm water on my skin.” 

Kova didn’t miss the way his kitten’s eyes fell to the green skin of her neck in longing. “I’m afraid I don’t know how to swim,” Lotor said to her. 

Her gaze found his, and for some reason she thought this new fact about him incredibly charming. She grinned. “No wonder you were apprehensive to a boat ride.” 

He lifted a shoulder. “I’ve never been given the opportunity to learn, unfortunately. I may only stand on the shore, but I enjoy watching you swim when we take a moment to rest.” 

The long dark lashes over her eyes batted some. A flirtatious gesture, Kova knew as he watched from the branches above. “I could teach you, if you’d like... Lotor.” 

He seemed to perk up at the mere suggestion. To be able to swim would come in handy, should he need such a skill. He was barely aware that she’d called him by his given name and not a title. “Could you?” 

Ven’tar beamed. “Oh yes! I would love to.” 

She was happy, so very happy, Kova saw. And with one click, she unhooked the latch and brushed the cape from her shoulders to bare them to him. Another flirtatious gesture. She was desperate to show him she was interested, and maybe seeing more of her skin would do it. 

Kova was quick to capitalize on this new development, and jumped from the overhanging branches onto a nearby tiny island sitting in the middle of the lake after they drifted on by. On the island grew light blue flowers, and with the gentle breeze, he swatted at them when the timing was right so that their petals would break off and be picked up within the wind. The breeze carried the petals to the water, and surrounded the boat in color. 

The song birds continued to sing around them. 

“I’m sure you would be an outstanding teacher, Ven’tar,” Lotor said. 

Not only was the water suddenly filled with flowers, but a few petals had dropped into their boat as well. Ven hardly saw them, her gaze was only for him. She even scooted forward a little to be closer to him. “Are you afraid?” she asked softly. 

A beam of bright moonlight reflected in her gaze. “No,” he answered, not minding their new closeness. “Should I be?” 

Ven shook her head, and her eyes glanced down at his mouth before returning to his blue hues again. “I would never let you drown.” 

Kova’s long blue ears twitched as he watched from the small island and anticipation bubbled inside him. They were so close, soon their mouths would meet and then they could finally mate. All this work would mean something and then he could take a nap and know his kitten would have a good night with the woman he desired and felt safe with. 

Ven’s eyelids lowered some as she stared at him, her lips puckered up for a kiss. She even leaned closer so he could meet her halfway. 

Nerves or fear or something else grabbed hold of Lotor, and with a slight frown, he pulled back and glanced away. 

Kova, even more annoyed than before, growled softly at his kitten for his foolishness. 

Ven’tar looked like she wanted to groan in disappointment, but only eased away to give him back his space as she continued to move the boat with her ability. On another soft sigh, she set her chin in her hand. 

What did a cat have to do around here to get these two buffoons to kiss? He’d already provided some very romantic atmosphere for them to spice up their boat ride on a lovely twinkling lake on the most beautiful planet he and his kitten had ever set foot on. Why wouldn’t he kiss her when her lips were puckered up and ready to receive his own? Why wouldn’t she just tell him how she felt? The woman was an empath, surely she knew how he felt in return? Why were they being silly and wasting time? Kova lifted himself high on his legs, swished his tail, dug his claws into the earth under him. He needed more, and leapt from the small island back to shore. His back paw flicked out when it slightly touched some of the disgustingly wet water. 

“Do you really mean that?” 

Ven blinked, then realized of course Lotor was speaking to her because they were the only ones around. “Really mean what?” she asked. 

He was quiet for a moment before he decided to answer instead of backtrack. With a slight swallow in his throat, he finally uttered, “When you said you would... never let me drown?” 

She drew her brows together as she pondered over his question. Kova, as he prowled the banks of the lake, knew she had to be smart and astute enough to know the meaning behind his words. She must know that he was asking her because he’d been drowning for a long time, with no one to grab him and pull him from the water where he could not breathe. That he was slowly suffocating in the dark and quiet and lonely depths. 

Kova then stopped, turned his head and peered at her through the grass. 

He watched as Ven took his kitten’s hand, held it gently in her own. 

“I mean it,” she told him softly, her lashes batting again. “I would do anything I could to save you. I... would do anything for you, Lotor.” 

Kova started purring when he saw Lotor grip her hand back, hold on tightly. His expression was intense as he stared at the green woman, as if nothing else around them mattered. 

Like if he blinked then she would vanish, and he would be left to drown. 

“Ven’tar,” Lotor said almost in a whisper. She was close to him again, and this time he wouldn’t back away. “I believe you.” 

Swift on his four paws, Kova spotted the perfect addition, and leapt into a nearby cluster of glow bugs to send them flying into the air. With the song birds singing and the wind and water carrying flowers and little twinkling lights of glow bugs blinking around them, Kova crouched down low, watched carefully. This is it, he thought. Please let this be it, he didn’t know what to do for them next. 

With her hand clutched in his, Lotor stared into her eyes now glittering with the light of glow bugs. He leaned forward when he watched those pretty eyes begin to close, when those pretty lips puckered up again. He couldn't seem to resist her now. Something about her, something about where they were, just the two of them. He closed his eyes, went for her mouth waiting for him. He could almost taste her already... 

The boat was still moving from the currents she was still controlling. Kova braced in excitement when their lips lightly touched. 

None of them saw the boulder jutting out from underneath the lake. And with Ven so distracted... 

Before they could properly kiss, the boat crashed into the boulder and flipped it over, flinging them both right into the water on a yelp. 

Oh no. 

Fear and worry had Kova standing up, his yellow eyes frantically searching the surface of the water and as far underneath it as he could see in the dark. The glow bugs flew away, the song birds did too, and the lake’s surface that had been nicely decorated with blue flowers was now very disturbed. Kova couldn’t swim, neither could his kitten. He paced back and forth in intense concern at the edge of the water as his little heart hammered inside him, desperate to see Lotor come up for air. 

He meowed in worry. Paced some more. Meowed again, hoping someone would come to help. 

Anxious now, he waited. 

Beneath the surface, the lake was deep and warm and dark. The Galra were solid beings and instantly Lotor felt like he was sinking to the floor of the lake, however far away it actually was. His armor and his boots weren’t helping him attempt to paw to the surface. His hair was in his eyes, and the only small bit of light he could manage to see was the dot of the pale moon. 

Of course this would be his death, he thought, feeling his lungs burn for air. Just as he makes the decision to learn to swim, he drowns. 

Of course he would die by drowning right before he kisses the one woman he’s been longing to kiss. 

Lotor felt a rush of water then, a quick current that sped over him, and a zip of white and green. When the floating tendrils of his hair moved away from his eyes, he saw Ven’tar coming for him. The white of her dress billowed around her like water wings, her long legs and little claw feet moving effortlessly as if she were flying in the air. Her eyes, somehow both frantic and relieved, glowed yellow in the water as she swam to him. The tips of her antenna gleamed too, probably reaching out for the emotional state of him. 

Swimming appeared to be as easy for her as walking upon the land. 

They reached out for each other at the same time. Ven grabbed him under his arms, instantly began kicking her claw feet towards the surface with large and powerful strokes to get him back to the air as quickly as she could. It didn’t matter where they breached the surface, only that they got there so he could fill his lungs with oxygen. 

Ven pushed him up first. Lotor sucked in as much air as he could on a great and loud gasp. His drenched hair was in his eyes and his claws instantly reached up, sinking into the wood of the capsized boat that hovered over them like a shelter so he wouldn’t sink again. 

“Are you okay?” Ven asked him, needing only her long legs to keep her above the surface, unlike him. As he continued to take deep breaths, she pushed his wet hair from his face, smoothing it all back. “You’re all right. Just breathe.” 

“You saved me,” he sighed, tightening his hold on the wood above him. If it weren’t for the boat over them like a dome, she would need to hold him up herself. 

“I told you I wouldn’t let you drown. And this wasn’t a very ideal way to begin swimming lessons, but look down at my legs. Just kick back and forth, back and forth.” 

Lotor copied her movements, though his legs didn’t yet look as graceful as hers in the water. The skirt of her white dress floated behind her like ghostly tendrils. 

“You’re okay,” she told him, smiling brightly. She could sense the pounding of his heart. “You’ll live to fight another day, my prince.” 

“Thanks to you, Ven’tar.” 

She set her hands on his shoulders, felt the constricting muscles there as he held himself up by the overturned boat. They just floated in the water like that, hidden under a dome of wood. “Perhaps we should begin those lessons tomorrow in the shallow pools back at home. I don’t mind rescuing you, of course, but in case I’m no longer with you, I couldn’t bear it if you sunk again.” 

They were so close, closer than when they sat in the boat. Mere inches apart and their legs practically tangled together in the lake. He’d almost drowned and would have had it not been for her. Lotor couldn’t stop staring at her, the only woman to save him because she couldn’t bear it if he sunk. 

He would sink without her, he realized then. 

His arms may not be able to hold her at the moment, but nothing would stop him now. So slowly he leaned in, slow enough that Ven knew he would kiss her. With her arms wrapping around his neck now, she met his lips with her own. 

Now her heart was pounding too, and it was a marvelous sensation. 

They both tasted like the fresh water of the lake, but also something hot and needy and desirable. It wasn’t the most romantic first kiss, or maybe it was the most romantic one either would ever have. And it was perfect, she thought as he kissed her. They may be half soaked under a useless boat and one of them unable to swim to shore by himself and her white dress may be clinging to the willowy curves of her body, but it was the most perfect moment she’d been waiting patiently for. 

Lotor deepened the kiss, forgot momentarily where he was. His instincts told him to hold her the way she was holding him, so he attempted to wrap his arms around her waist, forgetting completely he’d been holding onto the boat. 

Before he could sink again, his quick reflexes instantly wrapped around her middle in panic, groaning as his cheek now pressed against her drenched breasts. Ven had grabbed the boat in record time to keep them both up, and laughed at his sweet attempt to hold her. He held onto her middle as if his life depended on it, not caring one side of his face was right against an intimate part of her body. 

Ven only kissed the top of his head. “Let’s get you out of this lake and back on dry land where you belong.” 

On the banks, Kova kept meowing, even managed to get two front paws into the water in worry for his kitten, though the sensation was awful. Quickly he stopped when he saw two heads pop out of the surface from beneath the capsized boat, slowly making their way to the shore closest to them. Great relief filled him when he saw Lotor was alive and well and not a drowned corpse, being held and guided by the green woman who was getting them to land. Kova ducked low again, watched when their feet were able to touch the ground and Lotor took over to help her instead. Safe and sound and out of the water now, the two of them wrung out their soaked clothes, Ven’tar using her power to rid them of as much water as she could. She even helped dry his long hair. 

Something happened, Kova decided as he watched the two touch each other tenderly. Something under the boat maybe, after the green woman had saved his kitten from drowning. 

The woman then reached up to hold one of Lotor’s cheeks, and softly pecked his lips. 

Kova’s tail swished in glee and success. 

Apparently they hadn’t needed a romantic atmosphere or any kind of encouragement from a cat. Maybe it was just the mere thought of being without the other that drove them to confess their feelings, and act on them. 

It’s about time, Kova thought. 

But even though his kitten was safe and alive, Kova still kept his distance and silently followed them back to the home they all shared while stationed on this planet. Their hands were intertwined the entire way, he saw, Lotor’s claws locked with Ven’tar’s own long and nimble fingers. His kitten accompanied her to her room when they finally entered their home, his hand still holding hers as they said goodnight. 

Peeking around the corner in the dark hallway, Kova watched them kiss again, and couldn’t hear whatever it was Ven’tar whispered to him. With a knowing and beautiful smile, Ven opened her doors behind her, glided inside her room with one hand beckoning him. 

Enchanted by her, Lotor followed her inside and closed the doors behind them. 

Kova breathed out a sigh and finally sat to lick his paws. With great pride, he decided to take all the credit for giving his kitten a very memorable night with the woman he’d longed for. 

--------------------------------------

Thanks for reading, and reblogs are appreciated <3

[bearly-writing]

Hi I’ve read a lot of bad things happen in my time lol but yours is by FAR the best I’ve ever read. They’re all so good!!! Especially your Shiro centered works! It would be amazing to see nerve damage with Shiro. I can’t wait to read whatever you wrote next!!!

Thank you so much! There are so many great bad things happen fics so this is really a huge compliment! I’m so sorry this took so long but I really hope you enjoy it anyway! :)

All of my prompts have now been requested! Thank you everyone who’s requested something - I know I’m getting through these painfully slowly, but I promise I am getting through them! :)

Catch Me When I Fall

Fandom: Voltron: Legendary Defender

Prompt: Nerve Damage

Characters: Shiro, Hunk, Lance, Keith, Pidge

Warnings: Injury, (briefly implied) Torture, Flashbacks, PTSD

Summary: For the briefest whisper of time, his fingers brush nothing but air. Then there’s solid metal against his palm as Shiro catches the railing they had plunged over in his hand.

They’re falling and then, abruptly, they aren’t.

Read it on AO3 here!

The ground drops. There’s the grinding screech of metal-on-metal, a rumble that vibrates all the way through Shiro’s body, reverberating in his chest. There’s one brief, suspended moment, where Shiro catches Hunk’s eyes, wide with the dawning realisation of what’s happening, before the metal platform underneath them lurches to one side.

Shiro drops like a stone, landing hard on the cold metal. Gravity catches at him, greedy fingers digging in and dragging down. For a moment, Shiro fights against it. His prosthetic scrabbles for purchase almost without input from his brain, but it finds none. Shiro slides towards the inky blackness below him, a gaping void waiting to swallow him whole.

Below him, Hunk is sliding too. Shiro catches a glance of his face, his mouth wide and dark with fear, his eyes white. One hand is scrabbling at smooth metal, just as Shiro’s had been and just as uselessly. The other is still clutching Lance close against his side, the Blue Paladin limp and lifeless and utterly unaware of the danger they’re in.

“Hunk!” Shiro yells. The shout is almost lost beneath the awful screech of rending metal, but Hunk tilts his face up towards him anyway.

The drop rises behind Hunk like an open mouth. He’s about to go over - him and Lance, who Hunk, even in his blind terror, hasn’t let go of. Shiro can’t let that happen. The EMP the Galra had set of earlier fried their jet packs as well as their communications. If Hunk falls, neither he nor Lance will make it.

So, instead of fighting against gravity, Shiro let’s it take him. Lifts one leg up to push himself downwards, against all survival instincts, with one, powerful kick. He reaches desperately with his prosthetic. Then he’s practically on top of them, his Galra arm clamping tight around both Hunk and Lance, crushing them against his side. Hunk squeaks in terror before they hit the slanted railing hard, knocking the breath from his lungs and clattering against Shiro’s prosthetic.

Then they’re flying straight over it, launched into vacant space, the only solid ground very, very far below them.

Shiro reaches desperately with the arm not clamped around his friends. For the briefest whisper of time, his fingers brush nothing but air. Then there’s solid metal against his palm as Shiro catches the railing they had plunged over in his hand.

They’re falling and then, abruptly, they aren’t.

The weight of them jerks to a halt at the end of Shiro’s human arm. Something like electricity sparks in his chest, crackling across his ribs, up through his shoulder, all the way to his fingers. It sends a strange spasm through his dangling body. A noise that might be a scream tries to rise through his throat and Shiro only just manages to grind it to bits behind his teeth. Below him, pressed into his chest, Hunk gasps, a tight sound of surprise and pain.

“Are you OK?” Shiro manages, although his voice sounds wrong, even to his own ears.

“Errr…no,” Hunk manages to squeak. His face is pressed into Shiro’s chest, muffling the words. Shiro risks glancing down and is relieved to see him still dangling in Shiro’s grip, one of his arms wrapped tight around Lance, the other clutching at Shiro’s waist. “Do you think you can pull us up?”

“Maybe.”

But even as he says it, Shiro knows he won’t be able to. He’s barely managing to cling on at all. Shiro is strong but the combined weight of Hunk and Lance and his own heavy body is testing even his limit, and he’s painfully aware that he’s holding them up with his very human arm and its very human strength. His chest aches like he’s taken a blow and an awful, burning, electric sort of numbness is racing up and down his arm. He feels paralysed. He’s certain that the only reason they haven’t dropped to their death is because Shiro isn’t entirely sure he can uncurl his fingers. Physically.

But he tries. Straining against the pain and the weight and…nothing happens. The muscles in his arm feel stretched beyond repair, too weak to function. He’s sweating under his armour, slick and sour. His arm trembles.

He can’t tell Hunk that, though. Not while they’re dangling over a deep black void with nothing but Shiro’s grip to save them.

“Shiro-“ Hunk starts. And Shiro isn’t sure if he’s about to call him out on his weakness, or if he has some solution to offer that will get them out of this nightmare, but he doesn’t get to find out because he’s cut off by a sudden jerk, a sharp inhale of breath, then Lance squawking like a frightened bird.

“What the-“

They slip. Lance’s squawk turns into a scream. Shiro clamps his prosthetic so tight around them that it strangles Hunk’s own desperate noise in his chest.

They’re not falling, exactly, but Shiro’s grip is slowly failing and they will be, soon. Shiro tries to readjust, to tighten his grip, but his fingers don’t seem to want to respond. When he glances down again, both Paladins are staring up at him with wide, wet eyes, fear plastered across their faces.

“Pull us up!” Lance gasps, clutching back at Hunk now that he’s conscious enough to do so. Shiro kind of wishes that he hadn’t woken up.

“I can’t,” Shiro admits, through gritted teeth. It costs him to do so, something small and hard rolling loose in his chest. His arm trembles harder and, for a moment, Shiro is worried they’re about to be jarred loose.

“What about Keith and Pidge?” Hunk asks, desperately. “They should be -“

They slip. Shiro’s fingers burn like there’s a fire under his skin, a strange, aching not-sensation. He can barely feel them, but he knows they’re slipping. That his grip is failing. This time, they fall.

There’s one breathless moment of free fall. Then -

Someone grabs Shiro’s wrist. Shiro’s breath catches in his chest as he jerks to another halt. He opens his eyes. When did he close them? When they fell? When Shiro had, not for the first time in his life, accepted that maybe this was it, the end?

When he glances up, Keith’s face fills the space above him, white and strained, his helmet covering his dark mop of hair, but his visor up. The Red Paladin is pressed flat against the railing, both arms outstretched to catch Shiro as he fell. Behind him, Pidge is clutching at his waist. Both of their jetpacks are whirring against the strain. They hadn’t been hit by the EMP then.

Shiro could weep with relief.

“Hold on,” Keith grits out. “We’re gonna pull you up.”

Slowly, inch by painful inch, Keith and Pidge drag them over the railing. Shiro’s feet scrabble against metal, then they’re dragging them further, both grunting with the effort, until all five of them can collapse onto solid ground again.

Shiro lies flat on his back for longer than he probably should. Beside him, Hunk is pressed into the ground, his lips to the dirt, sobbing quietly in relief. Lance has one arm draped over his friend’s back, the other hand spread out flat beside them. Keith and Pidge are both standing over them, Keith’s brow drawn low with concern, Pidge shifting anxiously from foot-to-foot.

When Shiro finally sits up, he feels dizzy.

“What happened?” Keith asks when Shiro is upright enough to meet his gaze.

“Our jetpacks are fried,” Shiro tells him, and is surprised by how calm he sounds. “Helmets too. I think the Galra set off some kind of EMP. A bomb too, maybe. There was an explosion. It took out the platform we were standing on.”

“Shiro caught us,” Hunk adds, a strange mix of awe and the remnants of fear in his voice. “Otherwise we would have - oh quiznak, I think I’m gonna hurl.”

Lance pats Hunk’s back sympathetically before leaning over to latch onto Shiro’s human arm. A strange sensation jolts through Shiro’s skin beneath his armour: a crackling, electric burn shooting from his elbow to his pinky finger. Lance’s hands feel strangely distant - even accounting for the armour - the same sort of curious sensation as when his leg falls asleep, as if his limb has shrunk inside itself and the flesh around it is only an unfeeling case.

It’s not a sensation he particularly likes and, more than that, it worries him. When he glances down at it, his arm doesn’t look any different from normal, although his fingers are still curled into a strange claw-like shape, his pinky pressed right into his palm.

“Shiro’s beefy muscles saved our butts,” Lance is saying, squeezing at Shiro’s arm. There’s a tremble in his voice that Shiro should be concerned about and his hands are shaking against Shiro’s armour but -

Shiro tries to uncurl his fingers. They don’t move.

Something like panic claws up his throat, huge and painful and heavy. There’s a darkness at the edges of his vision. Claws in his head, in his brain, trying to drag him down as surely as gravity had just a few moments earlier. Shiro fights against it. Tries again to uncurl his fingers - if he can just get them flat - but this time they only twitch a little.

”Be still, Champion,” Haggar hisses, the words dark tendrils squirming through his skull. “The connection needs to be made correctly.”

Shiro turns his head, although he knows he shouldn’t. That awful metal monstrosity lies limp beside him, attached at the mangled stump of what’s left of his arm - his arm, God. The fingers are curled limply, like a spider on its back. When claw-tipped hands close over the metal, he can’t feel it, although it looks as though it should be a part of him.

“Still,” Haggar hisses again. Nails rake through his hair, that strange white streak that’s coming in at his bangs, then her fingers twist, pressing him against the metal table at his back.

Shiro struggles, flexing against her grip and the restraints holding him still, but there’s no give. Hands close around his shoulder, still swollen and sore and Shiro cuts a cry of pain off between his teeth. Then: agony. Fire, racing up from some unknown source, spearing through his shoulder, his throat, straight through his brain. Shiro’s screaming. He knows he’s screaming but he can’t stop.

“Shiro?”

Shiro blinks, disoriented. The world around him seems blurry and unreal. Where’s Haggar? Haggar was here and she was hurting him.

There’s pressure at his shoulder - his left one, the one that isn’t grafted to metal and machinery - and Shiro starts but…it doesn’t hurt. No one is hurting him.

“Shiro?” Lance asks again, leaning close. He’s pressed against Shiro’s arm, looking at him with concern. Shiro can barely feel him, and that has another spark of panic throbbing in his throat.

“What?” He manages. It’s Lance, he reminds himself, as the world becomes more real around him. It’s Lance and the other Paladins, crowding close around him. There’s no Haggar here.

“I said we should get going,” Keith says, with a frown. He tilts his head, eyes flickering between Shiro’s curled-up hand, still lying limply on his knee, and his face. “Are you OK?”

Shiro hadn’t actually been screaming then, at least.

“Fine,” he says, too shortly. Keith’s eyes narrow, but he doesn’t push. “You’re right, we should get going. We don’t know what else the Galra might have taken out.”

He heaves himself to his feet, using his prosthetic for leverage. Lance slides away as he does, whining for Hunk to help him to his feet once the Yellow Paladin is standing too.

Now that he’s upright, Shiro can feel how awkwardly he’s holding his arm. It’s not limp, exactly, but stiff, as if he doesn’t quite have control over it. Shiro tries to move it, subtly, and it seems to obey when he rolls his shoulder. When he tries to flex his elbow, though, it resists, and Shiro has given up on his fingers, balled like a fist.

Shiro isn’t stupid. He knows the fall must have damaged it - catching all the weight, stopping so suddenly. It feels like it might be damaged nerves, and Shiro would know what that feels like after all, and the thought almost has his throat sealing up.

The cryo pods will fix it, Shiro tells himself. They’ve fixed worse injuries than a damaged arm. Still, Shiro feels a cold sweat beading on his forehead nonetheless. He can’t be down an arm. He can’t. Not after everything. Not while the other Paladins still need him.

“The lions are this way,” Pidge says, snapping Shiro out of that cold fear. There’s a crude sort of map projecting from her armour, a bright little blinking spot marking out the spot where they had left their lions before this mission had gone totally to shit.

Shiro nods. He clears his throat, trying to ensure that his voice is even before he says: “OK, step carefully.”

Pidge takes the lead. The others hang back, obviously waiting for Shiro to take point beside her and Shiro would rather do anything but that because he knows his arm will be obvious to anyone who looks at it for more than a moment, but he doesn’t want to draw attention by hanging back either. So he falls into step beside her, holding his Galra arm at the ready to make up for the fact that his left arm is basically useless.

“It looks like the Galra set some charges further up too,” Pidge mutters, eyes on her hologram rather than her feet. “We’ll have to turn left here.”

Shiro follows her obediently, taking a sharp turn at the next corner, and runs straight into a sentry. There’s a dull thud of flesh against metal, a startled breath from beside him. Then the sound of Pidge drawing her bayard, but Shiro has already lit his prosthetic and buried it into the sentry’s chest.

There are two more behind it. Pidge takes out one of them with minimal effort, then Keith is sliding between them, jostling against Shiro’s numb arm when he fails to move it out of the way, taking out the other with a quick slice.

“Are you alright, Shiro?” He says, tightly, once the sentries are lifeless hunks of metal at their feet.

“I’m fine,” Shiro says again.

“No you’re not,” Pidge interrupts, voice sharp. “What’s wrong with your arm?”

Nothing’s wrong with my arm, Shiro nearly says, but he bites it back before the words slip out. It’s an instinctual reaction to lie to them, to keep them safe from any painful truths. But it’s too late if they’ve already noticed it and it’s a liability that they should be aware of.

Shiro tries to flex it again and winces at the awkward movement. “It’s stiff,” is what he finally says. “I think the nerves are damaged. From the fall probably. It’s basically useless.”

Keith’s face is white. “Nerves damaged?” He asks, voice as stiff as Shiro’s arm.

“That sounds bad,” Lance says from behind them. “That sounds really bad.”

Shiro tries to shrug and regrets it. Truth be told, it isn’t even that bad of an injury. Back on Earth it would be, perhaps. It doesn’t hurt though, really - or, it does, a burning, achy sort of pain that feels as if it’s coming from deep down in his bones - but in the grand scheme of injuries Shiro has sustained it’s practically nothing, more numbness than anything. It’s the restriction in his mobility that’s the real problem, but the pods will fix that. They will.

“Nothing that the pods can’t fix,” Shiro says tightly. “We just need to get back to the lions.”

“OK,” Keith says. “Come on then. The sooner we get back, the sooner you can get in a pod and get fixed up.”

“They can fix nerve damage, right?” Lance asks, small and frightened.

Shiro sets his jaw and doesn’t reply. That’s the million dollar question, because he doesn’t know. The pods can’t fix everything - they haven’t erased his scars after all, or brought back his arm. But this injury is fresh and it’s not as though he’s lost anything. The pods will work.

They have to.

“Of course they can,” he says, keeping his voice light.

No one disagrees with him.

[linipik]

I saw your Keith and Lance headcanons and now I wanna ask for Keith AND Kosmo headcanons even though you spoke bout Kosmo in Keith's

AAA of course i can talk to you about big pupper!!SO here is a special edition of my hc with Kosmo and Keith (and trying to focus on them)

Keith takes GOOD care of kosmo…but he is not the kind of person who brushes his fur every day or really insist in training him to be obedient, c’mon. Kosmo is Keith’s first pet (like real pet and not captured lizard from the desert) and like that , Kosmo has a LOT of questionable habits like drooling, jumping ON keith, sleeping with him wherever he is and Keith will excuse it or make it sounds like it is complete normal

 Kosmo is used to sleep with Keith , like on the same bed…even when he becomes horse sized wolf, even when keith is sleeping with someone else. and nothing would stop him. If the bed is too small or it is a couch, he will sleep on top of keith or even push keith of of the bed. 

 Keith is that person who tries to be strict with his dog but can’t. And he tries and everyone is aware he tries but Kosmo just does whatever he wants.

THAT goes to the part where Keith actually likes Kosmo has a strong personality because A) makes him worry less about him since Kosmo can and will take care of himself and B) he is not docile himself and could never deal with a terribly soft  pupper when he himself doesn’t like to deal with leading every step of the way. For him it is a partnership. 

also an related, 

kosmo is not blindly defensive of keith either even tho kosmo will remain at keith’s side in any situation

and that’s why they fight well together (like with druid guy on s7) 

 BUT it all goes to another point of their relationship; Kosmo shreds alright? and Keith’s clothes are a good percentage kosmic wolf fur and it is impossible to get rid of it. That is life now. (and it is mildly suspicious when Lance’s general persona has cosmic wolf fur on it often)

Kosmo loves earth but doesn’t like earth animals much

Also, Keith and Kosmo share some traits and no one really knows if that is something kosmo learnt from keith, keith kind of got from kosmo after years or some universe’s joke that just put them together. both are bit staby and defensive with strangers and work on instinct. That Kosmo can transport only adds to Keith’s talent of ghosting people and it is worse when keith ghosts people BY transporting with kosmo…. at the same time kosmo is (seemingly) more cuddly and eager to collaborate than keith. BUt honestly Keith is just AS cuddly 

Kosmo steals keith’s stuff when he wants keith to do something or get his undivided attention.

Keith at some point in the Atlas: “if you dont like the name kosmo you gotta tell me or they will keep calling you like that, would you tell me? yes you would tell me-”

kosmo would bite the head of anyone who tries putting a leash on him

one of keiths biggest achievements was being able to fit horse sized kosmo in his hooverbike.

when kosmo feels more confident with people , he shows his life long mission of making keith look bad in front of the others. (Ex: Keith: Kosmo is cuddly - Kosmo: doesn’t let people get near him. Keith: kosmo will get us there - Kosmo: transports alone some meters away and growls, etc)

Them good ol’ puppy eyes work on keith every damn time. Keith knows they work so well that he just…does what kosmo wants BEFORE he even start with the puppy eyes

Kosmo loves Krolia so much he gets restless the first times she is not around in missions.And keith tells him stuff like “she is fine “don’t worry””remember when she thought us about surviving on that whale?”  and it also helps him keep levelheaded. 

and Yes. Keith talks to Kosmo way more than he would like to admit (and not ina puppy voice but it is such a cheerful tone it is endearing af)

The legend says that voltron fearless Leader, the Red Paladin, the half human who fought the galra empire, has a terrible beast able to destroy pirate fighters and kill on command. Reality says that it all is true but also they play fetch (or try to) and horse sized kosmo will sleep on keith’s lap after a mission when they are going back home.

keith buries his face in kosmo’s fur when he is particularly annoyed

SO YEAH, generally if you get Keith you get Kosmo by default and neither of them would have it other way.AND now that I am here…if someone knows a fic like this please sne dit my way

i want a long cheesy fic where kosmo gets hurt or something and needs some time recovering so he stays with lance on earth and keith  visits really often and kosmo gets really attached to Lance and lowkey Keith wants to have an excuse to come so often and Klance happens 

Thank you for your attention and sorry it took me long to answer, my writing mojo is low but my love for kosmo is big

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

CSUAPR prt 40 start

“You’re doing it again” “Am not” “Are too. It’s perfect. You don’t need to keep moving it” “I think it’s too far to the left” “I’m telling you it’s not” “And I’m telling you it is” “Lance, you’re being impossible” “Then tell me dear husband, why is the “T” not over the middle? I drew on the mantle remember?” “Because the letters aren’t the same size” “What kind of lazy arse company doesn’t make the letters the same size!?” “In this case I think it’s the fault of the English alphabet. Now, will you please get off the damn ladder already!” “Not if you’re going to be grumpy!” “You’re the one being grumpy” “Am not” “Are too! It looks perfect!” “It’s crooked!” “Boys! Now, now. No fighting. Lance, please get down from that ladder. I’m having guppies watching you up there” Rolling his eyes, Lance sighed as he climbed back down the ladder, Keith quick to move it away from the wall so he couldn’t climb back up there to fix the damn hanging sign. None of this had been his idea, but if he was going to be forced to spend the afternoon with everyone, then it had to be perfect “It’s “kittens”, Coran. The expression is having “kittens”. If you were both going to get so annoying over the ladder, why did you let me up there in the first place?” “Because Coran said I need to let you do more things without worrying” “I wasn’t aware how stressing it would be” Pointing at both Keith and Coran, Lance huffed “You both suck. You both suck and everyone’s going to be here soon” Hissing slightly as he rubbed his stomach, Lance was having so many regrets. Why did he agree to a baby shower? Why couldn’t Krolia have a baby shower? She was the one nearly due. He could have had cake. He could have watched her be happy, while being forced to socialise. Gazing around the room they’d be loaned for the afternoon, nothing seemed to have been done, other than the “congratulations” sign, that was glaringly crooked. The balloons seemed stupid where they were and Coran was maintaining a safe distance away from him as he continued inflating them. “Hey, guys! What do you need?” “Oh thank god...” Carrying their present in between them, Lance was happy as Keith to see Shiro and Curtis. Keith was happy to see Shiro because apparently “he was grumpy”. Lance was happy to see Curtis because there was no way that Keith, or Coran, would tell him off when Lance sent him back up the ladder to fix the damn sign. Shooting his husband a glare Keith didn’t notice, Shiro chuckling as he and Curtis placed their wrapped gifts relatively close to the door “It looks great...” Keith cut him off, Lance was certain nothing looked great “No. Don’t go there. Lance says otherwise” “You two aren’t fighting again, are you?” “Keith won’t admit the banner is crooked” Groaning Keith crossed his arms, sounded physically pained over the state of the sign “It’s not crooked” Snapping back, Lance didn’t understand how his husband couldn’t see it was! “It’s not straight either!” “Neither are we!” Curtis was met with three heavy eye rolls, and a wave of invisible annoyance that made him take a literal step back with his hands held up on surrender “Tough crowd. Lance, do you need some help?” Thank the Lord for Curtis “Yes. Please. Keith won’t listen. Do you think that “congratulations” banner is crooked?” “It looks higher on the left...” Keith facepalmed, Lance’s glaring at the offending sign. He’d had it. Things were going sideways before the party even started. Stalking the few steps back to the banner, he reached up and grabbed the “G”. Before he could tear it down, Keith was grabbing him around the stomach and lifting him off his feet. Carrying over the sofa, he stood him down in front of it. Man handled into sitting, Keith lifted his legs to force him to lay down instead. His hands moved to rest on his stomach. Surely he hadn’t been so annoying that he had to been put in a “time out” “Curtis will fix it. You. Sit down, and take a breather. You’re stressing me out watching you stressing yourself out” “You said I could do the decorations!” “Because you said you’d only have a baby shower if you could help set up!” “I was! Red, Keith. Red” The day was their last day before the tour finally started. Lance would like to say everything had been alright since returning to Keith’s quarters. Having Keith’s full attentions for the day and night had been soothing. Not simply the sex, but the lazy cuddles and kissing. The fact they had nowhere to be, and no one interrupting their alone time until early evening. Crying out his shitty feelings, Keith had changed the top sheet they’d messed up, then they’d cuddled as his husband played on his hand held game, while Lance laid in his arms and watched. Proving “help” when he could. Krolia had had dinner sent to them, delivered by Coran. Reassuring them that they could talk the following day, Coran had kept his word, coming a little after breakfast which Lance bullied Keith into making the effort to eat with everyone else. It was Coran’s idea to have a “pause” word. A word of warning for both of them when things were starting to devolve into another fight. Keith had hit the “Red Zone” twice that morning. Lance was worried enough about the tour, his nerves on edge when he’d climbed out of bed to throw up. Fussing over him, Lance had felt smothered, using “Red” to “pause” Keith long enough to tell him that he was feeling smothered. His husband had hit “Red” again when he tried to put him on the sofa while he and Coran started hanging up the directions Shiro had procured. Lance had already made it clear that he wanted to do the set up. He wanted to ensure there wasn’t any form of surveillance without being called paranoid. This was Keith’s third “Red”. “Me, red? You red!” “Me? How?” He was about start crying. His eyes glossy with unshed tears “You’re worrying yourself into a panic” He wasn’t panicking. He was angry because apparently people couldn’t make a freakin’ banner “I want things to be perfect. I want everyone to have a good time” “They’re here to hang out with you. No one cares if the sign is crooked” “I do!” “And now you’re crying. Babe. You don’t have to stress about this. They’re our friends” “Who are all going to focusing... Red. I’m being Red. I don’t want to talk about it” Who would be focusing on what a freak he was. Keith had banned the term during their talk with Coran. He was not a freak. He just a little different, and no different from when Keith’s Galra side showed. Leaning down, Keith kissed his forehead “You’re not being Red. Maybe we both were a little Red, but the banner looked good. Yo me it looked good. I know you’re worried, but it’s just going to be our friends” “That’s why I’m worried. They’ve seen too much bad stuff. Seizures. Panic attacks. Now I’m pregnant and... and...” Keith kissed his forehead again. Since their “make up” sex, his husband had been trying to be more intimate with his touches, trying to deal with his fear of accidentally hurting him again. It seemed to help both their instincts. Keith had calmed down considerably, thought that might have been due to the fact that they couldn’t wake up normally. Sometimes he’d wake first, or Keith would wake first, they’d silently lay there marvelling in each other and what they had... then morning wake up kisses would evolve into taking the morning slow with plenty of cuddling, nuzzling and fooling around if Lance was feeling up for it. Which he was... he couldn’t help the flood of hormones or the way the weight of his pregnancy pushed down against his prostate. Plus, having Keith so clearly want him was helping him feel better about his changing body. Sometimes it didn’t have to be something sexual that sent him sky high with love for his idiot. Before they’d left to start setting up, he’d leaked through his bra and shirt without noticing. Keith had stepped in, finding him nursing pads sent over by Krolia to stuff in his bra and helped him change his shirt. Things weren’t perfect. Sometimes despite a good morning they were snapping at each other by lunch, but this whole colour system helped. A word to say everything they were feeling was too much or they’d gone too close to too far “And you’re beautiful. I’m here with you. You don’t have to answer anything at all that makes you uncomfortable. If you have to lie, lie. I’ll support it” “I’m scared they’re going to ask how I learned I could pregnant. I’m scared they’re going to work it all out” “They already know it’s thanks to Allura. Anything more than that... we can just say it was a surprise” “More like a shock” “That too. Do you want something to drink? Or something to eat?” His stomach said a firm no to both options “No. I’m ok. I’m sorry I’m so stressed. I really want this to be perfect for everyone” “Babe. This is about you. We’re all hanging out to be with you. All everyone is going to care about is that you’re having a good time. I know you’re anxiety levels are sky high, but if you tell me “Red” at any point, we can take a breather. No one’s going to be upset or offended” “Tell that to my stupid head” “I am. Do you want to cuddle a bit before everyone gets here? Coran’s doing the balloons and from the looks of Curtis and Shiro are hanging up the rest of the decorations. There’s not much else to do until everyone gets here” “I feel like I should be helping” “Babe. You literally went crazy hanging up everything you could as soon as we got here. You’re allowed to take a break” Hanging up streamers, paper chains and banners hardly counted as hard work. But if he had an anxiety attack before, or as soon as, everyone arrived, it’d only ruin things for their friends “Maybe for a little bit” “Skooch over then. I’m coming in” “You already did that this morning” Keith blushed slightly as Lance drew his legs up to make space then climbed into his husband’s lap. Almost immediately, Keith started rubbing his wrist against his neck, trying to smother him with his scent. It sucked no longer being able to wear Keith’s clothes for comfort. He could detect the traces of anger of their little fight about the banner on him, as well as his own anxieties and feel the tenseness from the fear of his anxieties flaring into a fit of jealousy. Perhaps because Coran was older, Keith had been able to keep his unintended insults to a minimum around Coran. He’d growled a few small growls each time Coran had hugged him, or Coran had reached to take his hand before Keith’s brain caught up to the fact it was to be comforting and not to hurt him “I’ll be doing it tonight too” “Mmmm. Depends how tired I am. I think I’m only going to be up for some heavy snuggling and a bad alien rom-com when we get back” “Does it have to be a rom-com?” Keith didn’t understand romantic comedies. Not that Lance could blame him, alien rom-coms were weird as hell. The one they’d watched a few nights ago bordered on tentacle porn... really hot tentacle porn, yet really creepy at the same time. His arse took enough abuse from his husband, he was certain he wouldn’t be able to take 10 tentacles up there without splitting in two, and had prayed to God they weren’t going to meet the race that made the film “No. If we ask Shiro, he might have something more Earthy” “We need to invest in more movies. There’s the space at the outpost, we could turn it into a cinema” “My emo edge-lord husband’s becoming to trendy. Whatever am I going to do with you?” Keith dropped to a sullen mumble “I thought it’d make you happy” “You make me happy. We’ll figure it out. For now cuddles and hiding when everyone comes in” “You’re in my lap. You’re not exactly hiding” Sure he was. His back was towards the party preparations “Fiiiiine. Cuddles” “Cuddly octopus cuddles?” Dropping his hand to Lance’s stomach, Keith tickled him lightly. Lance sighing deeply. Keith with tentacles decided to come to mind... his brain straight out “noping” at the thought “No. You can do that later. Normal cuddles” “Normal cuddles it is” “Thank you” “You’re welcome. Wait. What am I being thanked for?” “Cuddles, Keith. Thank you for the cuddles” “Oh. No worries” He wasn’t out of the “Red Zone”, but for a time out, cuddles weren’t a bad way to be “punished”. He was still anxious as quiznak over the party, he hated that he wasn’t hanging up decorations or fussing over the balloons, but Keith was right. He’d been stressing since the night before and now he ran the risk of an attack. He needed to sit down and breathe. He knew he everyone coming. There were no hidden surveillance devices. These were the people who were supposed to be their friends... so he needed to relax. * Pidge was the first of their friends to arrive, having put herself in charge of entertainment, she was fast to deposit her gift in Lance’s lap with a “what’s up, losers?”, then bail to the main table to get things sorted. Keith’s team, plus Veronica were next. Again, with presents. Ezor had her arms full until she dumped them down in Lance’s lap, only for Veronica to get antsy and take them all away, before telling him to get out of Keith’s lap and sit normally. Hunk and Shay were hot on their heels, wheeling in a trolley absolutely laden with food, forcing Pidge from the table to the spare seat beside them, her informing them that all the food was safe and allergen free. That left Krolia the last to arrive, though according to Keith she had a few jobs to do before she came. With a questionable playlist playing in the background, Pidge had pulled up his ultrasound scans. Her projector set up on top of Curtis and Shiro’s gift, beaming onto the wall where the banner he’d had so much trouble getting placed, had been relocated from. Curtis had taken offence, after all, he’d gotten it perfectly centred and aligned just before Pidge bossed him into taking it down. Coran was continuing to “have kittens” in the background. His balloons were being moved by Veronica, who’d taken over rearranging the whole room for no good reason. If he’d been in the “Red Zone” his sister was in the “Black Zone” and going deeper by the dobosh. Things hadn’t truly started yet, so it felt a little premature to call “Red”, yet, Keith did. Ezor popping up from behind the sofa, popping her pink gum so loudly they both jumped with a flinch. Lance’s hand went to grab at his boot knife, that wasn’t there, as Keith’s hand went to his side to grab his blade that also wasn’t there. Taking Keith’s hand, Lance excused them. Shiro following them as they slipped from the room and into the hall. Ignoring his brother-in-law’s presence, Lance slung his arms over his husband’s shoulders, nuzzling at his face. His heart was still racing, and Ezor didn’t want to know what he wanted to do with her gum “Breathe with me” “I’m ok. She took me by surprise” “Keith, take a breath” His husband took an unnecessarily deep breathe, exhaling loudly. Lance snorting, resorting to humour in an attempt to make him feel better “Ok. Ok. You can breathe, you dick” “I don’t know why I...” Keith sounded as if he’d committed some great sin, Lance wasn’t standing for it “I did the same” “Yeah, but I’m used to her popping her gum” “And the sound came out of nowhere. She’s probably in there laughing her arse off” “I thought it was a shot...” “I did too. V hasn’t helped” “No. I’m... I think I’m “Red”” “You’re not “Red”. Maybe pink, but not “Red”” “She changed everything. It made me mad” “She annoyed me too, but I’m trying” “It’s your baby shower. I don’t get why she had to change everything we set up” Yeah. He was miffed about that. Everything he’d done was undone by his sister as if he didn’t have an eye for this kind of thing “I don’t either. I’m proud though. You didn’t lose your temper, not even when Pidge sat next to me” “It put me on edge” Nuzzling his husband’s cheek, Lance pressed a kiss to Keith’s scar tip. He hadn’t been able to look at Hunk, but this was Keith calling “Red”, not him. He didn’t want to stress his love further by mentioning his anxieties decided today he couldn’t meet Hunk’s gaze, let alone actually greet him like a friend. No. Keith would worry too much if he knew... “But you didn’t snap. You recognised the symptoms and you took a breath. That’s the main thing. Are you ready to go back in?” “Yeah... Yeah. Mum should be here soon” Keith didn’t sound enthused about heading back in “Do you want to stay out here until she comes?” “No. I’m fine, Shiro. You can head in if you want” “Drawn” into their conversation, Shiro pulled them both into a hug. Lance and Keith both screwing their faces up in fake revolt “I’m so proud of you guys. You talked it out instead of fighting. I don’t know what this “Red” means, but it seems to be working” Keith let out a growl tinged squeak as he tried to push Shiro off. Lance scared that his husband was going to snap, instead he sounded annoyed “It’s a Coran thing. Can you stop squashing my husband? He’s pregnant” “Plus, Keith is “Pink” right now. I think we’re both a bit “Pink” thanks to Veronica” “To think she’ll be taking over as Captain of the Atlas. I want you both to know I’m happy for you. I can’t rein your sister in. I’m afraid you’re going to need to be patient with her. Patience yields focus” You could take Shiro out of space, but you couldn’t take the “Space Dad” out of Shiro “Ok. Noted. Now let go” Shiro finally let go, ruffling Keith’s hair as he did, Keith swatting at him “Our two father’s to be” “That’s enough” “Lance and Keith...” Stepping on Shiro’s toes, Keith scowled are his brother. Lance widely staying out of their bickering “You’re acting like Coran. You’ve know for movements now that Lance is pregnant. No more teasing us” “I can’t help it. My little brother...” Taking him by the hand, Keith tugged him back towards the baby shower “Ignore him. He’s broken” “But I’m gonna be an uncle” “I’m not letting you near our kids unless you settle down” “I can’t help it. Pidge has your ultrasounds playing. What happened to the Keith that was excited by their tiny hands?” “Get your eyes off their tiny hands” Hitting the hand reader, the door opened before them. They’re friends all making themselves busy around the food in an attempt to hide the fact they’d been trying to eavesdrop. Their friends were wankers. Shiro gently propelling them both in the room before they could escape. Walking over to them with a plate load of food, Veronica narrowed her eyes at him “What was that?” “What was what?” Trying to play dumb caused Veronica to narrow her eyes further “You walked out of your own baby shower. Is something wrong? Do we need to take you to the infirmary?” “What? No. I needed to ask Keith something without everyone listening” “Is there something we should know that you’re hiding from us?” “Dios, V. Calm down. Dad here already came out with us” Mentally Lance continued his sentence, annoyed he couldn’t have a private word with husband without everyone thinking he needed to be supervised “You’ve already rearranged the whole baby shower as it is, why don’t we just celebrate you for the quintant and call it a night” He was dying to say it. The plate in front of him was piled up because Veronica clearly thought he wasn’t being fed or something... or maybe she didn’t trust him to feed himself “I’m worried about you” “I’m fine, V. You’re making a scene” “You should be resting” “Which I would be if you weren’t questioning me. I’m fine. I can get my own food, and make it to the sofa perfectly fine. It’s a party” “You stepped out... I want to know it’s not due to something medical” “It wasn’t. I’m fine. They’re fine. We’re all fine. Keith, let’s grab something to eat” “I got you a plate...” “Thanks, but I can choose what I want to eat, and that’s way too much food” All of it sided on healthy. Healthy might have been the better idea, but he’d seen the purple iced cupcakes Hunk had baked. They were calling his name with their sweet sugary goodness “You need to eat. You’re too thin” Keith squeezed his hand firmly, tugging him back as he put himself slightly between them. Great. Keith’s instincts were playing up as it was “Dios, V! Stop it! You are not Mami. You’re being rude. The twins are perfectly healthy. Now you’re stressing me out with your worrying, and I just wanna relax” “Why are we all standing in the doorway? Don’t tell me you started the party games without us” Spinning around, Keith was pulled along. His husband wrapping his arms around him as they both found Shiro had stepped back for Marco, Daehra, Lucteal and Krolia “Marco! What you doing here?!” “You didn’t think I was going to miss my baby brother’s baby shower, did you!?” Given Keith wouldn’t let him go, he was dragged the few steps as Lance threw his arms his brother “How!?” “That’s up to Krolia to tell you. You’re looking better than the last time I saw you” “I’m looking fatter!” “That too. Now, there better be food left. I can’t remember the last time I tasted Hunk’s cooking” “There’s plenty of food. Come on in already. Keith and I were about to grab something ridiculously sugary” “I would eat a shoe if Hunk cooked it” “We know. Make sure you say thank you to Shay while you’re stuffing your face” Giving him a playful shove, Marco nodded at Keith as he passed, making a beeline for the food with the comment “I will” Daehra and Lucteal both stood in front of Krolia looking nervous, reaching out, the two siblings reluctantly returned his hug. Lance was no empathy, yet he knew the aura his husband was casting. If Veronica wasn’t his sister, than his sister would be nursing a broken nose by now. His siblings took overbearing to the maximum “Sorry about Keith. I’m so happy to have you here. Come in, find somewhere to sit. No one told me you were coming. How’s the outpost? How’s Zak and Tobias? And Th’al? Have you heard from her? What about Yule?” He was happy. Happier than when everyone else had arrived. He missed his team. He missed working for his GAC and leading them on crazy adventures. He missed his outpost and everything he’d worked his arse off to build out of nothing. None of his old friends or team could say they helped him. Keith had had minimal contribution to the outpost too. It was his baby. The proof he wasn’t the useless seventh wheel “First you to tell me to sit, now you ask me question after question. You’re the one who needs to spill. How could you worry us like that!? I had hoped you two idiots would stay out of trouble. Yet, you manage to get into a fight. I had a good mind to come here and shoot you for worrying us” “Aw, Daehra. I missed you too. It was a minor scuffle. I’m all healed up now” “You’re still in trouble. As for your questions, everyone, and the outpost are adequate. Marco has managed not to screw up majorly in the last movement, though we did have the Erathus police pay us a visit. Two bounties, people trafficking. They refused to take the captives back to their home planet so we bribed them to get them back to Erathus. Th’al organised safe passage home” “That’s my girl! Man, I’m missing so much. Right. Go get something to eat and drink, then I want to hear all about this” Daehra hadn’t told him of this, Lance kind of annoyed that she’d keep something that big from him, but so quiznakking proud of them. Taking a hit to the bounty meant nothing when it helped get people safely back to their home planets and resulted in less scum flying around their sector. Moving back, with Keith still “octopusing” him, the two siblings stepped into the party where Acxa was quick to make them feel welcomed. Finally Krolia entered, leaving space for Shiro to slip in behind her. Hugging his mother-in-law, she gave him a firm squeeze before breaking the embrace “Like your surprise?” “Are you kidding me? I love it. How are they here?” “I may have decided that you needed a wormhole generator at your outpost so I could visit my grandchildren easier” “Are you serious?!” That was a costly bit of tech. Complicated too “We scrapped a cruiser not that long ago. We were going to install it in one of our newer ships, but then Keith mentioned having a baby shower and I knew I had to set it up on your end. Miriam will be ecstatic when she hears. She did want to be here...” “And here she is” “Mami!” Carrying what seemed to be a heavy present, his mother shuffled around the doorway. Shiro player the perfect gentleman by taking the package from her. Thanking him, his mother found herself in a bear hug as Keith finally let go from around his waist and Lance pounced on his mother “What are you doing here? I thought you and Papi would be busy on the farm?” “I couldn’t miss your baby shower, Mijo. Krolia called me to organise the whole thing. Papi wishes he was here, but you know your father’s not one for baby showers. He’s fine, and sends his love” “And the farm?” “The farm is just fine, Mijo. Now let me hug my other son” Lance pouted as his mother dumped him in favour of Keith. His husband hugging her without a single ounce of self awkwardness. The hug was brief but loving. Lance loving the way his husband could finally hug Miriam without awkwardly hovering his hands above her back because he was too unsure where to put them “Mami. I didn’t know you were coming. Thanks for being here” “I’m only here for a couple of hours, Mijo... oops, vargas. I wanted to see both of you after that horrible attack and all those horrible lies. They make me so livid” Slinging his arm over his mother’s shoulder, Lance didn’t want to think about the attack now that his mother was there, nor did he want Keith worrying over it and triggering his instincts by accident “Alright, Mami. It’s a party. Hunk and Shay did all the cooking. Pidge is on entertainment. Coran did the balloons and Veronica did the redecorating. Shiro and Curtis tried to help but when the girls got here that went out the window” His mother laughed “Oh dear! I’m sure it was wonderful before hand. Oh, Mijo. It’s so good to see you off those crutches and looking better” “I’m feeling better. My stomach hasn’t felt as gross now that I’m not accidentally eating things I’m allergic too” “I’m glad it was figured out. You lost so much weight. Have you put any on?” “I’m rounder, does that count?” His mother shook her head “No. Though you do look as if you’re about 22 weeks, if I didn’t know it was twins, I’d think you much further along. Is that a Galra trait?” “Galra pups do tend to be slightly larger than human babies, but given Lance is full human and Keith is only half-Galra, they’re more likely to be a healthy human size” Krolia piped up from behind them. Lance feeling rude having his back towards her thank to hugging his mother “At least you won’t need to worry about a natural delivery. Now, let me get some of this delicious food and let’s all get comfortable” The sofa was dragged across closer to the table as the room was rearranged to fit everyone more comfortably. Lance ended up sitting between Keith and his mother, directly across from where Marco was slowly driving Veronica crazy by stealthily flicking small berries at her. Acxa teaming up with Marco to flick the berries that missed his target back to him. On his bump sat his cupcake, each time he’d gone to take a bite, someone would say something that took extra attention to focus on. Before he knew it, he was pressed as hard to Keith as he could be, and out of nerves he’d reduced his precious cupcake to rubble. Not one to say no to cuddles, his husband was holding him firmly against him, Keith feeding him a bite of his own cupcake after deciding it was too sweet for him. To Lance the frosting was delicious in every way he needed butter, sugar, and bubblegum flavouring to be. The cupcake was a moist lemonade base, that failed to capture his interests. He knew he was probably being a horrible friend by not commenting on how amazing the cupcakes truly were. Closer inspection had revealed a shimmering silver swirl through the piped purple icing, inside was like a mini-galaxy with lines of blues, greens and hot pink. Like everything Hunk baked, he’d worked hard and took pride in his work... only now he’d reduced one to rubble and wasn’t sure what to do with the debris. Not noticing his mother leave his, it was as if she read his mind as she placed a fork down next to demolished cupcake. Laughing at Mami’s actions, Keith drew his attention up from his plate “What?” “Nothing. It’s fine now” “Huh?” He was lost. Very lost. Why was Keith smiling at him? Drawing his brow in confusion, Keith kissed his forehead before explaining “You were staring at your cupcake so intently you looked like you were about to cry. Mami asked if you wanted a spoon, but you didn’t reply. Then you said out loud that you wished you had a fork” He had? Here he thought he’d been doing a good job keeping up with everyone... maybe he hadn’t “Oh” His cheeks reddened, their friends laughing lightly at his absent mindedness. Why did they have to laugh? “It’s a good cupcake?” “Yeah. They’re amazing cupcakes... this whole baby shower is amazing... Th-thank you” Fuck. Quiznak. He was crying. His Mami taking his plate while Keith nuzzled his hair “Sorry... I’m just really grateful you’re all here” No one had said anything overly annoying other than Veronica. No one was making a fuss, happy to talk to each other while he listened on. Keith was warm and soothing at his side, his husband’s scent spiking from time to time, but overall even. His husband had kept his temper and by being called out he’d been able to say that Hunk’s cupcakes were amazing. This was all he wanted. No one making him feel like the centre of attention. No one asking him a million and one questions over his pregnancy. He had his Mami and his team... and other than the over all theme of it being a baby shower, it was kind of just like hanging out... with cupcakes. “Red?” Whispering in his ear, Lance gave a small shake of his head “No. A little but no. Nerves” “You don’t need to be nervous” “I destroyed a cupcake” A great cupcake. A cupcake Hunk had probably spent vargas perfecting after he’s spent vargas thinking them up “So? Marco’s been destroying Veronica’s mood this whole time. It’s not a big deal” “I know. I... I think I’m happy... but I don’t know” “You’ve done nothing wrong and you’ve said nothing wrong. Everyone’s having a good time” “Are they? I thought I was paying attention but apparently I zoned out” “You’re nervous. It’s ok” “Do you think it’s alright if I go to the bathroom? Or would it be rude?” “Nope. You’re pregnant. You’ve normally peed by now” “I’m kind of disturbed you know how often I’ve peed. Plus, I haven’t drunk anything” “Babe!” “Shhh... I didn’t say it so you’d yell at me. We all sat down and I kind of felt bad about getting up again” “Idiot. Guys, I’m borrowing my husband for a tick. We’ll be back soon. Veronica, don’t kill Marco while we’re gone. Coran, you’re in charge” Grabbing two glasses of something random off the table, Keith led him out the room again. Pausing a few steps into the hall, Keith then let his hand go to offer him one of the glasses “I have no idea what’s in here, but you need the fluids” “I only wanted to wash my face” That was true-ish. He didn’t want the fuss, nor did he want them to keep watching him while he cried in his husband’s arms “Drink. That one. Then this one. Then we’ll walk to the bathroom” “You sound like you’re trying to get me drunk” “As much as I wish you could drink, it’s not happening” Poking his tongue out, he then took the first glass “This better not be that god awful wine” “I promise I’ll drink the second glass if it is” Throwing it back like a shot, if Lance’s eyes weren’t watering before, they were now. His breath robbed from him as he hunched over to cough and wheeze “Lance!?” “Nunvil. Fuck... that was nunvil...” Keith didn’t seem to believe him, yet shot his drink as a sign of support. Coughing, Keith took his glass for him, placing them both together on the floor “Pidge fucking spiked it” “Why us?” “I don’t know. She’s not being Godmother” “Dios, no. She’s already decided they’re her minions” “Are we having God Parents?” Lance jerked slightly, now wasn’t the time to be asking that, yet his reply came automatically “Shiro and Curtis” Straightening up, Keith seemed to forget they were both recovering from being temporarily winded “Shiro and Curtis? Are you sure?” “Yeah. Yeah, I really am. Are you not?” “No. No. I didn’t know you’d thought about it” “I hadn’t. Not today. They’re... I didn’t even have to think about it. So yeah... I mean, only if you’re ok with it” “I just don’t want you to be just saying that because you think that’s what I want?” “No. Space Dad would be an amazing dad. He’s gonna be an amazing dad. He straightened you out for the most part” Keith raised his hand to his hair, dragging his fingers through the top and ruining the loose ponytail he had his hair in. His husband sounded a little awestruck “Are you really sure?” Lance nodded, his emotions yo-yoing to something akin to a ridiculous happiness he couldn’t define “Yeah. Yeah. I am. Do we tell them? When do we tell them? Is now good? I don’t know the protocol for this kind of thing” “I’m sure not drinking spiked juice is in the baby shower protocol guideline. But yeah. Yeah, when we get back we can tell everyone. Make it official” “Shiro and Curtis are going to make great parents...” Reaching for Keith, he drew him into a tight hug, nuzzling and kissing his neck. God Parents. Shiro and Curtis were going to be God Parents. Official. Like actually tell them properly in front of everyone, God Parents “We’re going to make great parents” “Are we?” “We can’t be worse than Marco or Veronica” Snorting, Lance leaned back, Keith quick to kiss him the tick his face was clear of his neck. Shoving him off, Keith was smiling like an idiot, tugging him back against him, his lips ghosting across Lance’s as he dropped to a whisper “I’ll continue that later” God. If he wasn’t half hard before, he was now. Kisses and laughter had him wanting to run away back to Keith’s room for the remainder of the quintant, yet they couldn’t do that “You better. No more kisses until after the party or we’re never going to make it back” “I’m surprisingly ok with that” “I thought you might be. Now, I want to wash my face and I don’t need an escort...” “You’re getting an escort, whether you liked it or not” “Just keep your hands out my pants” “What about my mouth?” “Keeeeith. Quit it. We can’t be gone that long or everyone is going to know what we got up to” “Let them” He’d been defeated. Completely defeated by his husband “I give up. You’re impossible. You’re having a time out buddy. No coming into the bathroom” “Why?” “Because you’re being impossible” Throwing up his hands, Lance turned to walk away before realising something “Babe, do you actually know where the bathroom is?” Keith messaged Krolia for directions, leading to Krolia chaperoning them too and from the bathroom. His mother-in-law didn’t say anything, but that in it’s self was saying a lot. Lance felt as if she’d right through to the fact they’d been flirting and discussing Blow Jobs in the bathroom right before she stepped out.

[willadisastercry]

the boys of voltron when pidge is on her period

TW: description of things to do with mestraution, reference to blood, and depiction of vomiting and passing out

SUMMARY: so basically the boys are absolutely clueless when it comes to Pidge being on her period, only some of them make the connection at times but they kind of eventually forget completely that she even gets it and allura can’t necessarily relate... good thing Pidge’s periods haven’t been particularly painful while she’s been in space, until this one is and she is not at all prepared.

{2:27 am}

Pidge woke up drenched in sweat.

“What the f...?” she mused groggily, blinking dumbly in the dark trying to figure out what was wrong until she felt it, the throbbing ache in her stomach just above her bladder that somehow spread insttantly to her lower back and made her hips feel like they were being wrenched apart.

“Ooowwh,” she groaned queasily, rolling to her side and hugging her stomach tightly.

Shit.

Pidge hadn’t had a heavy period since she’d been in space, she had been so busy with voltron, so physically active that it had lightened substantially and she almost forgot how painful they could be. It was sort of a blessing, that aspect at least.

But then the fact that she was in space at all was entirely inconvenient. No one got to pack before they became the universe’s greatest defender and the castle wasn’t necessarily toting the supplies humans needed, especially supplies specific to female humans. And they just didn’t carry pads or tampons in any Earth souvenir shops because why the fuck would they. 

So, it was awkward enough having to explain to Allura the intricacies of the female reproductive system when she found stained painties in her bin after her first offfical space period, let alone having to relay that to Coran in order for him to create sanitary products for her. Pidge would be utterly mortified if she ever had to ask him for more than the additional supply or additionally medicine to take away the horrible cramps and other unpleasant symptoms. But she hadn’t needed to yet, so she had never worried about it.

Until now. Because now she was crying from the excruciating agony of cramps after not having any for who knew how long.

Voltron had been relatively inactive doing promotions on planets they freed from the Galra, so they hadn’t been on a particularly taxing mission in weeks. Pidge had never even considered the sudden decrease in physical activity could cause her period to come back in full force. She should have considered it. She could’ve ask Coran before... she could’ve made something to...

FUCK.

She almost cried out as the onset of another wave of cramps made her stomach churn. This was bad. Her head was already pounding and her back ached dully, for the moment overshadowed by how foul her stomach and uterus felt, taking turns pulsing but both succeeding in making her want to profusely vomit up all of the green alien goop she’d had for dinner earlier.

The boys had remarked at just how much she was eating that night. Now she knew why. And now she was really regretting it.

Pidge pulled herself up to a hunch and waited a beat as the movement ran its course, a new flare of pain spreading down her back and making its way to the joints of her hips.

She needed to do something. The pain was unbearable. Everything that could hurt, did. She blinked back dots, a small whimper escaping her lips at the thought of it not ceasing anytime soon and so she got to her feet to begin making her way to the kitchen to search for something, anything before the next wave landed and she lost her resolve.

The hallway outside of her room was dark, the only light coming from a lamp in the common room. She made her way swiftly. First to the bathroom with Coran’s alien solution of a pad. Pausing only to wash her hands before trudging on. And then she could feel her stomach pulling, getting ready for another gush of pain. She walked quicker after that, despite the deep ache in her back that threatened the contents in her stomach once more.

When Pidge finally made it to the kitchen she was blinking back more dots and leaning heavily on the counter as she reached for a glass, her hands shaking holding the pitcher as she filled it. She takes a couple of sips. Her headache was splitting now.

There’s nothing in the cabinets for pain relief, there’s usually tea... some sort of herb thing. But there’s nothing, she’ll have to go to the infirmary. And then the realization that she’ll have to drag herself all the way across the ship while she felt like this made her head spin.

Like genuinely spin. Pidge couldn’t decipher why she suddenly felt so faint, she’d eaten more than enough that night, yea sure it hurt but this didn’t warrant-

And before Pidge knew it her mind had gone blank. She didn’t remember letting go of her glass or falling but suddenly the floor was rushing up to meet her face very quickly.

The floor tile of the castle was very cold against her clamy skin and it was very helpful in reviving her, so was the insessant shaking.

Pidge blinked in confusion, but the pain that followed her renewed consciousness prevented any sort of protest. She looked up to see a very worried Keith shaking her shoulders slightly.

“Pidge! What the fuck?! Are you okay?” he rambled off quickly, his eyes working her over trying to deduce what could possibly be the problem.

“Yeah...” she said sort of sadly, but before she could even consider how to start explaining she made a humph sound and lurched forward, narrowly clamping a hand over her mouth to choke back down the saliva that had welled up in her mouth, just as Lance nearly tipped himself over with how fast he had raced to discover the source of commotion.

“What the fuck was that?” he inquired surveying the strange sight, “uh, you guys having a party or something?”

Neither of them answered as Keith scrambled to shove the bowl that previously held earth veggies under Pidge’s chin and helped her sit up before she began aggressively losing the contents of her stomach.

“Holy-“

“Lance, shut up! Pidge passed out... I don’t think she’s feeling great,” Keith explained, rubbing circles on Pidge’s back, her whole body trembling while she retched.

“Oh,” Lance softened, a pang of worry apparnt in his gut when he moved closer to check her out for himself.

He then got to work sweeping the broken glass away from where his friends sat before he lowered himself down as well. When Pidge finally came up for air she reddened immediately. This was just not ideal.

“I’m-i’m done, I think,” she rested her head back against the cabinet and held her stomach.

“So... what the heck was that?” Lance asked taking the bowl away to empty it.

“Uh, nothing—”

“Bull,” Keith interrupted. Pidge wasn’t expecting that, but then again she was talking to the king of hiding injuries and ailments and feelings, especially pain.

“No! I’m fine, really—“

“Yeahhh i’m just not buying it.” 

Pidge’s heart dropped as she realized Keith wasn’t going to just let it go. Crap.

“You passed out and then almost threw up all over me, you’re not fine Pidge. You can tell us what’s wrong... it’s not like we’ll judge or anything,” Keith said gingerly and she knew he meant it. Fuck.

Am I really about to confide in these two boneheads about my period? In space?!

“You can’t laugh,” she choked as another ache stole her breath. It was looking like she would in fact have to admit she was on her period if she wanted any sort of remedy, of which she really really did.

UGH.

“We won’t, we promise,” Lance assured. She didn’t expect that either. From him at least.

“I’m on my fucking period,” she whispered almost inaudibly. Keith nodded in understanding.

“Oh! Well that explains it,” Lance breathed, “I thought you were like deathly ill or something.”

“Juries still out on that one,” Pidge grimaced, squirming as she tried to find a more comfortable position, one that didn’t put so much pressure on her hips or her stomach or her back.

“Oh, c’mon—“

“I wouldn’t finish that statement if I were you buddy,” Keith tried to hold back his laugh.

“Listen to the mullet,” Pidge warned, her death stare shutting the boy up instantly, “because only when you can handle feeling your uterus shedding its own skin without what just happened occurring can you then talk, otherwise please save it.”

Whether it was her subtle threat or the way her voice shook with her last plead, Lance did as he was told.

“So, how can we help you?” Keith offered, “I don’t feel comfortable leaving you like this, like... I mean I know you’re not traditionally sick but for all intents and purposes sure seem to be. So what can we do?”

Pidge shifted uncomfortably, unable to keep a straight face now.

“You can help me find some sort of medicine to take. Anything, literally anything. For pain, or sleep, or death, I don’t care. I’m good with whatever you can find.”

“Damn, I’m sorry Pidge. I’ve never seen you like this over your... your period before,” Lance apologized and scratched his head.

“Yeah, because it’s never been this bad,” she tried to steady her breath and shut her eyes, swaying her knees slowly from side to side because she was so freaking antsy and in such pain it was all she could to do to somewhat soothe herself.

“She look pale to you?” Pidge was barely aware of Lance hushing his worry under his breath.

“Yeah, but she’s like flushed too.”

“Hm...”

And then there was the back of a cold hand against her forehead and an exclamation of concern.

The boys looked at each other worriedly like “shit, this is bad” and then launched into a discussion on how they were going to proceed. Pidge didn’t listen to the conversation that followed, she could only focus on keeping her fist pressed against the right spot on her lower back and refraining from crying out as the pain rose and dulled and rose again.

And then Lance was nudging her, his hands out for her to take. He helped her to her feet, his hands firm on her back when she stopped to wait for the blood rush to dissipate and then guided her over to the sunken couch. Keith must’ve been asleep on it before because there was a pillow and unraveled blanket next to a curled up Kosmo.

She laid down slowly while the boys bustled around her, not having enough energy to accurately produce any theories explaining why Keith would be sleeping in here and not in his own room, saving the thought for later.

Then she was aware that the boys had gone off to wherever and she was alone with a peaceful Kosmo as another horrible pain flared up in her back and travelled to her hips.

“Fuck!” she exclaimed, unable to surpress the tears as they rolled down her face, her breath hitching now. Pidge rolled to her stomach and brought her legs under her in a sort of mock child’s pose, accidentally waking Kosmo up in the process. But to her surprise, he didn’t seem annoyed at the disturbance like he normally would’ve been, he’d stretched out in front of her and licked her face instead.

Pidge could’ve sworn he looked genuinely worried, somehow sensing that the salty wetness of her face and contorted breathing meant anguish, because he then went to comfort her. This is right about when Keith and Lance turned up with Coran and some strange alien goodies in the heat of an enlightening conversation about how a cryopod likely wouldn’t make a lick of a difference in this situation.

“Good boy,” Keith commended, petting his wolf’s head who was in a vice grip in Pidge’s arms, but he didn’t seem to mind in the least.

“Little one, I am displeased to hear of your great discomfort. If I had known these menstrautions could be accompanied by such horrible pains I would’ve something prepared sooner... but fear not, my girl, because I may very well have a few remedies that might do the trick.”

Pidge sighed and heaved herself to a sitting position, Kosmo turning himself around and nestling in her lap. The boys silently remarking at how she’d somehow looked worse than before.

Her face and eyes were blotchy and puffy from crying and her trembling was more apparent now, either from the cold of the common room or her abnormal temperature, regardless she looked like she was really going through it.

And she was because as soon as she straightened up her face fell. Keith didn’t wait even a tick before he took off barreling for the veggie bowl, vaulting over the couch just in time to once again shove the bowl under Pidge’s chin.

Kosmo whined in distress.

“My girl...” Coran lamented, fussing with the supplies they had gathered in Lance’s arms.

“Here, once you’ve calmed down try this, it’ll make you sleepy but it should ease the pain for now,” Coran had a thick blue leaf in his hands.

Pidge nodded, Keith’s hand behind her neck gripping her solidly in case she tipped over because she looked like she was about to. Her face was ashen, almost tinged green.

“I’ll get you something to wash that down with,” Lance stated and headed for the kitchen. Coran headed off somewhere too.

It took her a minute to be sure she was done but when she was she shivered and sat back, Kosmo nudging his head under her arm.

“You cold? Or just shaky?”

“Cold. I run fevers sometimes but only usually the first day and then I spew when the cramps pick up... hey look, I’m sorry to be making such a fuss so late and keep you all up for something so stup—“

“Are you kidding?” Keith seemed genuinely taken back as he draped the blanket he was using earlier around the tiny girl’s shoulders.

“Wha—don’t apologize!! You know we’d all do anything to make sure you’re okay, your Pidge! You’re like our nerdy little sister, how can we not fuss over you?” Lance said when he returned with a little laugh. Pidge managed a smile while she gnawed on the oddly textured leaf, gulping it down quickly with the water Lance brought.

“And I was up anyway,” Keith started “I couldn’t sleep so I came out to hang with Kosmo. I was surprised you didn’t yell at me for being awake when you first came in. And then I heard the glass break followed by a sloid thud, so naturally I needed to see if ya know you were alive.”

They all laughed at that. Pidge let out a big yawn.

“I forgot you even get your period, Pidge. You never let on that you’re in pain, like ever. That’s freaky, that’s like a superpower holy--”

“I’ve got just what you need, my girl!” Coran beamed, effectively shutting down Lance’s tangent.

Coran presented Pidge with a blanket.

“Uhh, thanks?” she took it from him and rubbed at her eyes.

He then held up a remote and pressed a button. The blanket started to glow, it was getting warm.

“Oh, yes! You’re the best, Coran.” 

Pidge gave Keith’s blanket back and wrapped Coran’s around her middle, Kosmo seemed to like it to because he nuzzled into it and pawed at her for more of it to cover him.

“I don’t get it, if she’s feverish isn’t she gonna over heat?” Keith asked, more confused than anything, and maybe a little sad that his blanket was rejected.

“From what Allura has told me, heat sometimes soothes the cramps associated with a female human’s menstruation! It is quite fascinating, but it makes perfect sense, you see the release of the hormone prostaglandin is a hypothermic process so--”

“Okay, spare us and our simple minds. Anyway let’s be quieter, I think she’s finally asleep,” Lance pointed to a very peaceful Pidge curled up in her new blanket with Kosmo, her mouth hung open and steadily blowing on a tuft of hair with each breath.

“I think it’s time for you boys to retire as well,” Coran suggested, settling down at the other end of the couch, “I’m sure our Pidgeon has greatly appreciated all of your assistance, but you both need to rest, I can watch over her from here.”

Keith and Lance shared a look.

“What’s the harm is staying with her a bit longer, just to make sure she doesn’t get sick again or anything, ya know?” Keith postured.

“Yeah, I don’t see anything wrong with staying just a little while longer,” Lance said stretching out at Pidge’s feet, she was nestled in the corner of the couch, so Keith took to the other part of the couch by Kosmo and rubbed his nose.

And within no time the two boneheads were out. Lance’s head resting on Pidge’s leg as a pillow, limbs strewn all about, snoring like an old man. While Keith was cacooned himself in his own blanket all but his arm because it was trapped under both Pidge and Kosmo.

This was the scene that Allura walked into early that morning. She was very confused to say the least.

[eldunea]

quick facts about the planet altea!

it’s almost as old as the universe. it was one of the first things created by the white lion, other than the stars--and it is wise as it is old.

it is psychic, empathic and fully sapient. alteans can literally have conversations with it if they concentrate hard enough and reach out with their psychic empathy. the conversations aren’t really held with words, however, because it speaks in an eldritch language that no one except the divine can understand (though the alteans have tried for hundreds of thousands of years to crack the code). conversations are more held with feelings, sensations and visions--ways of speaking that both parties can comprehend.

it responds to any pronouns. some people get more of a “masculine” sense from it, some get more of a “feminine” sense, others feel it as both, neither or anything in between. the responses vary in the same way that a UPG in paganism varies from person to person.

it is one of the most intelligent and magically powerful creatures in the universe, so much so that even the average 200+ IQ alteans can’t fully comprehend it. its cognitive capacity has been tested, and it has outpaced even the universe’s best AI supercomputers; its magic was unsurpassed in the universe until the galra created a weapon that could destroy it. its intelligence combined with its magical control over everything on its surface (it can change the landscape at will) has led alteans (and many other species) to believe that it is a god.

it is genetically related to the alteans, sharing 50% of its DNA with them. which on the surface might sound far-fetched, but humans literally share 50% of our DNA with bananas so why the hell not. in altean spiritual beliefs, altea is considered to be either a parent or an older sibling, or both.

most of the planet has no outward-facing flesh, but rather a scaly crust on which soil, rock, and other terrain features can form. there are vast plains where the flesh is exposed, as well as great “grasslands” of fur. (man @spycopoth​ u REALLY HAD ME INSPIRED XDDDD)

it lives on starlight/photosynthesis and pure quintessence, the latter of which it siphons from neighboring stars and planets. unlike most animals, it is smart enough to only take as much as it needs, so as not to deplete its food sources. since one of its food sources is photosynthesis, there are giant forests of plantlike growths that function like solar panels to power the entire planet.

it uses astral projection to instantaneously commune with other living planets, such as the balmera. one of the reasons why balmera are so willing to give up their crystals to alteans is because their planets are all friends with altea. 

its core is not molten rock, but rather a massive pulsating brain. alteans of all cultures--whether founded on altea or not--make sacred pilgrimages beneath the crust, traveling through its blood vessels and into the open spaces within its body to reach the source of enlightenment within. photographing or otherwise depicting altea’s brain is culturally illegal because it is a sacred site, but even if it were allowed, no mere image would do it justice.

it has a very soft, parental personality. though it is terrifying and intimidating in many ways due to its incomprehensibility and intelligence, it loves every living thing that inhabits its surface--particularly the alteans that it is most closely related to. it is fully aware from witnessing other planets’ pain that many other sapient species do not honor the land they live on, and feels grateful that it is inhabited by those who respect its ecosystems and its raw power--in return for the alteans’ love of it, it wants to love them back. for billions of years it drifted alone in the universe, longing for the white lion to make children for it to love and protect, and from its point of view the alteans are the best children it could have asked for; even though humans are notoriously shitty at taking care of our own planet, it loves humans just as much bc it sees us as grandchildren and hates to see humans and alteans fighting. basically what i’m saying is that altea is a big soft eldritch mama who cherishes their billions of babies, no matter who or where in the universe they are.

during emperor zarkon’s attack, it put up a fight. the creature managed to hold off the barrage of annihilating fire from galra ships long enough for most of the alteans to escape. when the galra finally destroyed it, they murdered a highly sensitive being with wisdom far beyond that of any race that has ever walked the universe, wisdom that even after a million years its inhabitants were only scratching the surface of. its last thought before dying was the crushing sadness it felt that now it could no longer live to protect the ones it loved most.

[chancellormatt]

Voltron Rewrite Episode Eleven - The Coalition Strikes Back

Prince Lotor walks carefully, as if on eggshells, into the planning room of his father. Zarkon has his back to Lotor, staring at a display showing a holographic sequence of a teleduv opening, and lines of energy coursing out. A readout of numerical calculations are projected alongside.

   Lotor waits for his father to speak. Zarkon says nothing. Lotor’s hands clench and unclench, as he continues to wait. Zarkon just keeps staring at projection, watching the numbers change as the calculations continue.

   Finally, after what seems like an eternity, Zarkon speaks.

   “You failed.” The voice sounds neither angry nor surprised.

   “...yes.” Lotor says, forcing the word out.

   Neither says anything for several long moments.

   “...your mother took the teleduv to a secondary location for some preliminary tests. You will go to her.”

   “...for what purpose?”

   “To be out of the way.”

   Lotor flinches. “...and...my punishment?”

   Zarkon finally turns around to face Lotor.

   “There is nothing I think I can do, that is worse than the dishonor you have laid upon yourself. You know what a failure you are. Do I have to hammer in what is already clear to see?”

   Lotor’s eyes bore into the floor, tightening his fists so hard the knuckles go white.

“Leave me. Do not return until you have something of value to offer.”

With a jaw clenched so tight the words can barely be heard, Lotor says:

“...yes father.”

With that, he leaves.

***

    Pidge gazes intently at a display showing frequency readings. She sits inside a laboratory in the Garrison base, at a computer terminal. She types a few keys on the board and more frequencies appear, overlaying on top of the existing ones. Her expression grows harder.

   The door slides open, and Keith walks in.

   “Hey, Pidge. You wanted to show me something?”

   “Take a look.” She nods to the screen.

   Keith walks over, and looks down at the display.

   “So uh...you wanna tell me what I’m looking at right now?”

   She sighs. “When we first got back to Earth, I had them tune the astro spectrometers to look for quintessence, and other unique energy signatures.”

   “And lemme guess: You picked up some?”

   “You could say that. I’m getting some crazy readings all over the place. Been using my spare time trying to locate the epicenter, which I finally did. Check it out.”

   A map of celestial bodies appears on the display.

   “This,” she says, pointing to a highlighted spot, “is the source of these energy readouts. And this,” she points to another spot, “is the Quantum Abyss. Just a couple of lightyears away. I’m betting that’s not a coincidence.”

   “Me either.” Keith says, eyes narrowing. “It's got to be Zarkon.”

   “So...what do we do?”

   “For now, just keep an eye on things. Let me know if anything changes. I’m going to ask the Blades and the Warlords if they know, or can find anything about this.”

   “Roger that.” Pidge says, returning the display to the readouts. “Oh and Keith?”

   “Yeah?”

   “Whatever this is...it's big. These readings...I can’t even begin to describe how scary they are. Whatever Zarkon and the other Dark Paladins are planning...we have to do everything possible to stop it.”

   “We will.” Keith says confidently.

   “How can you be so sure? We sure got beaten last time.”

   “Because we’re the Paladins of Voltron. That’s why.”

   Pidge nods, seeming to accept this answer. With that Keith leaves her to her work.

***

   Lance walks inside an open hanger, towards Hunk, who’s back is to him. The big man is talking to a group of cadets that surround him. Lance smiles as he approaches, hearing his friend’s words.

   “-rookie mistake. I used to make it all the time. Those gyroscopic stabilizers can get a little wonky once you get past three G’s. Talk to your engineer about it, they should be able to adjust the compensators, to make that a little-”

   “There he is!” Lance calls out, for the whole hangar to hear. “The man, the myth, the legend: Hunk Garrett!”

   Hunk cringes, but the cadets seem all the more excited.

   “Don’t you think you’re exaggerating a little bit…?” Hunk says, as Lance walks up to throw an arm over his friend’s shoulders.

   “Not even a little! Ya know this guy always talks about how scared he is? Turns out he’s a real heroic one. Totally called it.”

   “Come on, I was the last one to even get in the fight.”

   “Yep. Real thematic entrance, too. I’m proud of you buddy.”

   The Cadets start to clamor, asking questions and swarming them. Hunk, however, cuts them off with a wave of his hand.

   “Alright, alright. Cool down guys. We aren’t going anywhere. You all on the other hand, are due for flight drills if I’m not mistaken? I’d get to your fighters before your drill sergeant starts to wonder what’s taking so long.”

   The cadets get a wave of panicked looks, and quickly disperse, calling out farewells as they run.

   “Amazing.” Lance says shaking his head. “Just hold one of your eyes shut and you really would just be the spitting image of Iverson.”

   “Oh stop it.” Hunk says shrugging off Lance. “I was just running their tests on the Yellow Lion, and after seeing Voltron firsthand they wanted to ask me stuff.”

   “Uh huh. So in other words, you’ve become their beloved hero-pilot.” Lance sighs exaggeratedly. “Man, how come no one ever notices how heroic I am?”

   “Well I’m sure before long they’ll all be singing the praises of ‘Lance the Sharpshooter.”

   “Guess we’ll just have to see…” Lance grumbles. A slight quirk of his lips indicates that he is not as downcast as he pretends.

   Hunk chuckles.

   “What’s so funny?”

   “Nothing. Just glad I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”

   Suddenly a wide grin grows on Lance’s face. “Not yet ya aren’t.”

   “What do you mean?”

   “Well buddy, I think it's time we both got some well deserved R&R. Whatcha say we sneak out of this place before another alien invasion or something happens, and go hit the town? Yaknow, for old time’s sake.”

   “That does sound like it could be fun.” Hunk admits.

   “Great! Now let’s just make sure Keith doesn’t-”

   Both of their communicators squak to life, with the sound of Keith’s voice.

   “All Paladins, gather in the usual meeting room. Follow up on the attack, and discussing where to move from here on. Attendance is non-negotiable.”

   They both sigh.

   “Well he’s sure got ordering people around down.” Lance says.

***

   The five Paladins of Voltron, Shiro, Coran, Matt and Sam Holt, Admiral Sanda, and all the other various leaders of both Coalition and Garrison sides sit in the large meeting room.

   Admiral Sand sighs long and hard, before standing up to speak.

   “The council has agreed to support the Coalition in their efforts to stop Zarkon and the Galra forces he controls-”

   Before she can continue the room erupts into a cheer. She gives an annoyed look, though a slight tug at the corner of her mouth seems to tell a different story.

   “-this means that we will supply the Coalition with all our resources.” She goes on once the cheers die down.“Most important of these, is our own military forces which, when necessary, will join the Coalition in deep space, and assist in the fighting.This includes the Atlas mecha, and all the currently battle-worth starfighters we possess. That is all.” Sanda sits back down.

   “Oh come on Sanda, it's okay to get excited!” Matt says with a smirk. “This means we can finally officially work together again! I know you’ve missed my sense of humor.”

   “With how much time you spent hanging around base, one could be convinced you never left.” Sanda sniffs. The comment however, is lacking it's usual bite. Though reserved, she does seem pleased.

   “Thank you, Sanda. Really.” Shiro says. “Delays aside, I know you fought hard for this. We all owe you for this.”

   “Pay me back by finishing this war quick. Oh and try not to bang up the Atlas any more than you already have. Speaking of, how are the repairs coming along?”

   “Just about finished, actually.” Sam Holt replies. “While the arm came off, the actual damage was relatively minimal. Plus Coran showed us how to implement some Altean technology that expedite the repair work. Should even make upgrades easier, too.”

   “Ah yes, modular construction.” Coran says, massaging his mustache.“Very helpful in building the Castle. Interestingly enough a version of the same tech was instrumental in Voltron’s-”

   “I’ll leave the details to the engineers.” Sanda cuts in. “As long as it's back to being battle ready. I don’t want us to be caught with our pants down, again.”

   Keith clears his throat. All eyes turn on him.

   “On the subject of battles...I think we should probably discuss what we’re doing next. Moving forward with the war, I mean.”

   “I’m all ears. You’re in command here now.” Sanda says simply.

   Keith looks taken aback by that, but recovers quickly.

   “Right. So, I’ve been thinking lately that we’ve been fighting a little too defensively. So far we’ve just waited for our opponents to show up first, then deal with the aftermath. But we’ll never win like that. I think it's time we attacked, and put them on the defensive.”

   “A good decision.” Sanda nods approvingly. “But my question would be, where? As far as I understood it, you were not aware of your...our, enemy’s precise whereabouts.”

   “That’s not...exactly true.” Keith says carefully. “We know that at the very least they’ve taken over the Altean Colony in the Quantum Abyss. The Blades have confirmed as much. They also verified that a lot of enemy galra activity is centering around there, so it's a safe bet that they’re using the colony, or a place very nearby as their headquarters.”

   “So we attack this ‘Quantum Abyss,’ then? Cut the head off the snake, as it were?” Sanda asks.

   “Tempting as that is, we don’t really have enough info to make that kind of attack, yet. We have no idea what kind of defenses they have, how they have their forces situated, or any of that. The Blades, unfortunately, haven’t been able to get close enough to get a read on the place.”

   “Do you have an alternative suggestion then?”

   Keith nods. “Over the past few days, Pidge has been monitoring some suspicious energy readings coming from an area not far from the Abyss. Just recently I was informed by the Blades that there is, in fact, a large compound there, with a significant amount of security guarding it. We think they might be testing some kind of new weapon.”

   “Whatever this thing is, it’s a big deal. I can tell that from the readings alone. We’ve got to figure out what they’re doing there, and stop it if we can.” Pidge explains.

   “I assume you have a plan?” Sanda asks.

   “So far, the idea is we launch a good portion of our forces to attack this thing. We’ll have a ton of ships, Atlas, and a few Lions, but not Voltron. The reason for this, is because the attack is just a distraction. While our forces are attacking outside, one of the Paladins is going to sneak in, hack their computer and take every scrap of data on what’s going on in there, then evac. Then we’ll pull out, before reinforcements can arrive.”

   “Wait a minute.” Lance cuts in. “Hack in? That means the one going in will be…”

   “Me.” Pidge says, as if it were obvious. “I’ve got the computer skills, plus Green already has cloaking abilities, so getting in should be easy. I’m going to be the one sneaking in.”

   “...alone?” Lance asks, looking confused.

   “Well yeah, that’s the idea. We don’t exactly want them to find out the real reason we’re there.”

   “Why don’t we send in some of those Marmoran Blade guys, too? They’re all space ninja-ey.”

   Pidge sighs. “The more people we send in the more likely it is we’ll get noticed. As good as the Blades are, adding more people will just make sneaking harder. Besides, they”

   “If...you say so.” Lance says, uncertainly.

   We can discuss the finer details later.”  Keith cuts in. “But, right now this seems to be the right move. We’ll deal a blow to our enemy, and gain some much needed intel, in one move. Any more questions?”

   There are none.

   “Alright, then. Let’s get ready for battle everyone.”

***

   Prince Lotor, inside the Dark Red Lion, flies towards a massive space station. It is built in a gigantic, flat, ring shape. At the center of the ring, is the teleduv, with six robeasts hovering over it.

   Lotor pulls into the station’s hangar bay, and lands his Lion. He steps outside, and is met by Raimon, standing there, in his usual maroon armor.

   “Raimon.” Lotor nods.

   The other man nods back, ever so slightly.

   “I suppose this is where Zarkon is sending all those he wishes to punish. Though, I should hope I never do something to earn as much ire from him as you.”

   Raimon does not reply.

   Lotor sighs. “Ever the quiet one, my friend. Very well, take me to my mother.”

   “Yes sir.”

***

   Lotor and Raimon step inside a room, where the far wall is one long viewport. The viewport is built into the inside of the station’s ring, giving it a clear view of the teleduv and the robeasts hovering over it. Honvera stands in front of the port, looking out, unmoving.

   “Mother.” Lotor greets.

   “Son.” She replies. “How did it go with your father?”

   “He didn’t throw anything at me, so I suppose that’s something. Just told me to get out of his way, and stay like that. Almost makes me more worried, that he didn’t do something worse.”

    Honvera pauses before replying. “...I see. Well that aside, your timing is impeccable. Come, we are about to start the next test.”

   Lotor walks over to stand next to his mother. “How goes your mad plan to open the quintessence field with the teleduv?”

   “So far the readings have been promising. By using the robeasts, and by extension, the altean pilots, we can more easily control the rate of quintessence draw.”

Violet lighting begins to crackle along the teleduv’s surface, then begins to arc out to connect with the robeasts.

   “...does it hurt the pilots?” Lotor asks after a moment.

   “Yes. I suppose it does.” Honvera says unconcerned. “I believe it only takes a few hours to recover, however. No one’s died yet, so it shouldn’t be a resource concern.”

   Lotor winces, but his mother doesn’t seem to notice. The crackling grows more intense. A glyph appears at the center of the teleduv.

   “...what is the purpose of today’s test?” He eventually asks.

   “I’m trying to solve a rather interesting conundrum.”

   “Interesting how?”

   “After the first few tests, the outputs suddenly changed. It appears as though there is some kind of block in the quintessence field. Like a large stone obstructing a stream. Quintessence still pours out, but not nearly as much as we should be getting.”

   “What could be causing that?”

   “My best hypothesis, is that there is something physical stuck in the quintessence field, and due to the nature of reality, it is trying to slip out every time we open the teleduv.”

   “Something physical…” Lotor muses. “...could they have tried to make another-”

   “Mistress! Something is coming through!” A voice crackles over comms.

   Honvera narrows her eyes. “Expand the portal, and run stabilization. I don’t want it-”

   There is an explosion of violet light, sending several of the robeasts flying. The violet lightning grows more erratic, striking out at the station itself, causing the whole facility to shudder.

“Shut it down!” Lotor calls out.

“It does not appear to be responding.” Honvera replies, fingers flying across a holographic keypad.

The crackling grows more intense. Lotor grabs his mother’s arm and makes as if to run for it.

Then, all at once, the energy crackles to nothing, an all is dark. Honvera tests the comms.

“Report.” She says.

   “Damage was minimal, mistress. Just a power surge from all the quintessence. We’ll have things back up and running soon.”

   “The pilots?” Lotor asks.

   “Two dead. Rest are in critical condition. Reeling them in now.” The operator replies.

   Lotor’s eye twitches at that.

   “Prioritize getting me a visual.” Honvera says. “I want to see what we just dragged into the physical universe.”

   After a few moments, lights from the station come on, illuminating the thing in the center of the teleduv.

   A mecha of dark armor, with a long segmented tail, hangs limply in space.

   “What…” Lotor says carefully. “...is that?”

***

   Lance runs through a crowd of Coalition and Garrison personnel. They are standing in a crowd around Keith and the other Paladins.

   “...the Atlas is going to be flanked by Garrison fighters. Now remember, as good as you guys think you are, you’re still at a technological disadvantage, so don’t take unnecessary risks…”

   “Sure cutting it close huh?” Hunk whispers.

   “Just psyching myself up, before the battle, as usual.”

   Hunk gives him an odd look.

   “What? Do you not do that?”

   “I usually just pretend we aren’t actually fighting until the last minute. That way I don’t have time to think about how terrifying it really is.” Hunk shrugs.

“...Meanwhile our Galran allies will attack from another angle. Finally us Paladins in the Lions will attack from a third angle. This should convince them we really mean business. Meanwhile Pidge will be commencing her operation. ONce this begins, Lance and Hunk will board the ship as well, but in less covert fashion...”

“He means awesomely.” Lance whispers.

“I think he means make a bunch of noise.” Hunk corrects.

“This, hopefully, will keep them for looking for other intruders, by giving them a false lead. After that, it's just a matter of waiting for Pidge to get the data…”

Lance shoots a look over at Pidge, but she doesn’t seem to notice.

“...destroy as much as you can on the way out. And, I’ll say this again, but no unnecessary risks. The more people we lose today, the fewer we have to fight Zarkon tomorrow. That’s all. To your posts.”

The group disperses, to head for their respective ships. Lance however, instead of heading to his own Lion, walks over to Pidge.

“So, going in there all commando style, gonna steal the glory from the rest of us, eh?

“Glory’s got nothing to do with it. It's just the logical move.” Pidge shrugs.

“Riiight.” He smirks. “I think you just decided video games aren’t enough you gotta beat me at being a hero, right?”

“Oh sure, we’re all just trying to beat you Lance, but you’re just too hard to one up. Really we all feel inadequate with you around.” She rolls her eyes exaggeratedly.

Lance chuckles. “Glad someone recognizes me…” his expression suddenly get serious. “But uh...be careful.”

“Where’s this coming from?”

“It's just...these guys are dangerous. Really dangerous.” He glances down at his hand, as if expecting it to star shaking. “ I wouldn’t want…” He shakes his head, and his smile reappears “...I wouldn’t want to have to come rescue you. It’d be really embarrassing for you.”

Pidge snorts. “Yeah, sure.” She moves to enter her Lion, then hesitates. “I’ll...try to look out.”

Lance nods. “Good luck, then.”

Then, he turns around, and heads over to his own Lion. Pidge watches him go. After a moment she shakes her head, and steps inside the Green Lion.

***

   Prince Lotor watches, as the strange mecha is laid down inside a hanger on the station. Workers using laser-torches make vain attempts at opening the hull.

   “Where do you think it came from?” Lotor asks.

   “I do not know.” Raimon replies.

   “Best guess then.”

   “I have no guesses.”

   Lotor narrows his eyes at the other Paladin. “My father really did a number on you didn’t he?”

   Raimon remains silent. Lotor sighs.

   “Wherever it came from, hopefully what's left of the pilot or onboard computer will tell us more.”

   “What is that?” A voice suddenly says.

   Lotor and Raimon turn to see Sendak approaching.

   “Sendak.” Lotor smiles. “What brings you around here?”

   “Routine inspection of the contingent I left here. I heard something of note had been found but…” He gazes up at the mecha. “...this is something.”

   “It is, isn’t it.” Lotor muses. “I must say I like the color choice…”

   “Hold a tick.” Sendak says, as his communicator beings pinging. “This is Sendak, report.”

   “Sir! Enemy activity detected!”

   Lotor perks up, with interest.

“Numerous enemy ships on a course towards our location.” The office goes on.“It seems they are approaching the compound in force.  Lions have been spotted but no Voltron as of yet.

   Sednak furrows his brow. “ETA?”

   “Just under a varga.”

   “Understood. Launch defenses, and prepare for assault.”

   “I will be in my Lion. I suggest you do the same. Perhaps a good performance here could...improve your situation.” Sendak says carefully.

   Lotor hesitates. “...no. Don’t get in your Lion.

   Sendak quirks his head looking confused. “...forgive me, Prince Lotor, but you are not currently in command here.”

   “Fine. Take it as a suggestion, then. I don’t think we should go out. At least not yet. If we wait to show ourselves, we’ll get a better hand on what their goal here is. More than that, we’ll be able to upset their rhythm. They launched a surprise attack on this station. Seems only fitting we should return the favor.”

   Sendak stares at Lotor for several long moments, before finally nodding. “Your words are wise, Prince. Let us try this plan…”

***

   The forces of the Voltron Coalition open fire on the ring-shaped space station. Defense turrets and galra cruisers return fire. Swarms of fighters on both sides pour over the battlefield. Four of the Lions of Voltron tear through the battle. Energy-fire from all sides turns the whole scene into a lightshow.

Pidge ignores all this, engaging her Lion’s cloaking ability and disappearing from sight. She guides Green in a careful trajectory, weaving around and out of the way of all the other ships, friendly or enemy.

She makes it all the way to the station’s surface without incident, touching down on the dark metal.

“On the surface, gonna see about getting inside, now.” She reports.

“Roger that. Lance, Hunk, time to move.” Keith orders

“You got it!” Lance yells over the comms. “Gonna hit these guys so hard they crawl back to Zarkon and tell ‘em stories of ‘Lance, the Greatest Paladin that ever lived!’”

Pidge smiles and shakes her head.

The Red and Yellow Lions tear their way through the battlefield, aiming for a hangar bay that fighters are streaming out of.

Pidge picks her way long the surface of the station, still unnoticed. She comes upon a hatch built into the top of the station.

“Found the maintenance hatch.” She reports, inserting a wire from her wrist into a side-panel. “Just making sure they don’t notice me entering…” The hatch pops open. Pidge slips inside, and the hatch closes after, shrouding her in darkness. There is a hiss as the compartment fills with air. “...I’m in.”

***

   Lance and Hunk glide their Lions inside the hangar bay, mouth beams blasting all the way. Dozens of enemy fighters are destroyed, and galra sentries go flying.

   After a few more rounds of shooting, they both land.

   Lance dashes out of his Lion, rifle at the ready. “We just made our entrance. And with a lot of style, too.”

   “Good work, now go make some noise.” Keith says.

   Lance and Hunk share a look and nod. Hunk hefts his bayard cannon, and opens fire on a door at the end of the room. After a few shots, it crumples, and falls to the floor. They dash through, to find a squad of sentries running up to meet them.

   “Well buddy guess it’s just you and me against the world.” Lance says, taking aim.

   “More like against the universe.” Hunk corrects.

   “I guess so. Thinking about running away, yet?”

   Hunk blasts apart a pair of sentries before they can get shots off. “Not a chance.”

   “I thought so.” Lance smiles.

***

   Pidge sneaks down a long corridor. She stops just before an intersection of hallways. Across the gap, on the next wall over there is an access panel. She starts to move across, glancing around the corner, before jumping back into cover.

   A pair of sentries walk down a parallel hallway. She waits several moments before peeking around the corner again. Nothing. She runs across and plugs into the panel. She types on a holographic pad for several moments before a light turns green, and her wrist projects a virtual image of the station’s inner layout. She zooms in on one location.

   “Central servers. Got ya.” Pidge smirks, unplugging from the panel.

   She resumes her creeping down the hallway.

***

   Lotor watches the battle being waged outside. The Black and Blue Lions still tear their way through fighters and cruisers. On the other side, Atlas is wreaking havok on the station’s defenses. Yet another feed shows Hunk and Lance shooting their way through the inside of the station.

   “Tell my mother and Raimon to fly out and engage the Lions outside.” Lotor says. “I assume you should be able to handle those two making a mess inside?”

   “Do not insult me Lotor.” Sendak scoffs. “But even still, where will you be?”

   “I’m going to go confirm a hunch.” Lotor says, walking out of the command room. “If I’m wrong it's galran ale on me for you and all the men.”

   “Very well, sir.” Sendak says a slight smile touching his lips. “Happy hunting.”

   “And you.”

***

   Keith and Allura fly in a tight pair, keeping the fighters off each other, and blasting lines through the enemy fighters.

   “Two more on your six!” Keith warns.

   Allura fires the Blue Lion’s tail laser, taking out one. Keith finishes off the other.

   “Thanks!”

   “Don’t thank me just yet. We got trouble.”

   Sure enough, the Dark Blue and Green Lions fly out from the station, opening fire. Keith and Allura dive into evasive maneuvers, narrowly dodging the blasts.

   “Let me take the Blue one. We have unfinished business.” Allura says narrowing her eyes.

   “Careful.” He warns, letting out a blast that is aimed at the Green Lion, but is evaded. “These guys are no joke.”

   “I’m well aware.” Allura says, dodging a blast. She fires her sonic cannon, to stun the other Lion. She follows up with a mouth beam, but despite the previous blast, her opponent is still able to move enough to make the shot only grazing.

   The other Lion then replies, by firing with his own mouth blast, forcing Allura to dodge into his second shot from his tail.

   Allura shakes off the hit, and punches her Lion back into motion, facing off against the Dark Blue Lion.

***

   Pidge creeps up to a corner, around which is a short hallway, ending in a door guarded by two sentries. She notes these on her map. Biting her lip, she dismisses the map, and pulls out her bayard. She takes a deep breath, then dashes around the corner.

   The sentries notice immediately, raising their weapons to fire. Pidge is faster. She fires her bayard, it's blade taking the first in the chest. She reels in the line at the same time, dragging herself and the sentry towards each other. An energy shot from the other one flies over her head, narrowly missing. Pidge kicks off the first sentry, leaving it a broken mess on the floor, and freeing her bayard to stab at the second. It's weapon cleaves in two. The sentinel tries for a punch at Pidge’s head, but she slips under it and drives her bayard’s blade upwards. The sentinel’s head shears off, and it collapses.

   Pidge admires her handywork, giving a self satisfied smile. Hacking through the door takes only a moment, and she steps into the room beyond.

   Long columns, from floor to ceiling, with blinking lights fill the room. The central and thickest columb is the one Pidge moves for. She immediately sets to work on the terminal built into the side of it.

   “Guys, I’m in the server room now. Should only be a few minutes now.” She says, fingers typing quickly.

   “G-” there is the sound of an explosion over the comms. “Good work!” Keith manages to get out. “Just make it quick, these guys are putting up a fight!”

   “Will do.” Pidge pulls a drive out from inside her armor, and inserts it into the server. “Gonna copy everything I can down. Until then…” She opens one of the files on the terminal display. “...let’s see if we can’t take a peek as what you guys have been up to…”

   Pidge opens another file, scanning it before closing it and opening another. She does this for several minutes, before finding one file that is different. When she opens this one, her eyes immediately widen with shock. She nearly falls as she stumbles back from surprise.

   Sincline. Lying in a hanger, held in the very same station she stands inside.

   “I take it that you recognize that machine.” A voice says from behind.

   Pidge whirls around, throwing up her bayard.

   Standing barely two dozen feet away, is Prince Lotor.

   “When did you…?” Pidge says with confusion.

   “Oh, I was here from the start. Just, waiting for you to show up.” Lotor explains causally. “To be honest, my first thought was that you’d go after the power. But, that’d be too well guarded, with too man redundancies. After I thought about it for a moment, I knew that you’d have to actually be here for information.”

   Pidge’s eyes flicker to the drive, still slotted into the server.

   “Tell me little one. That mecha there, do you know where it’s from? I’m betting you do. If you tell me outright I promise to make sure my mother doesn’t torture you too badly. I might even let you live after that, though perhaps that would not be much of a mercy. My mother does do nasty work when it suits her-”

   Pidge dives, snatching the drive free and rolling across the floor. Lotor summons his bayard, cracking against the spot she just vacated. The energy whip slashes a glowing tear in the column, having missed Pidge by inches. Lotor cracks the whip again, and Pidge only barely dives behind another column in time.

   “Prepare to disengage!”She yells over the comms. “I was discovered, evacing with as much data as I could get!” Then, as an afterthought, she adds. “Keith, Allura, blow a hole in the hangar on the third quadrant, and see what’s inside. You’ll understand when you see.”

   “Roger that.” Keith replies.

   “Wait, discovered?” Lance asks. “You need help evacing?”

   “Negative! Evac with Hunk as planned!” Pidge is forced to dive again, as Lotor’s whip slices the column she was hiding behind in half.

She makes for the door, sprinting as fast as she can. Lotor’s whip slashes across the floor in front of her, cutting off her exit. She spins, bringing her bayard up and firing at Lotor. He smiles, shifting his bayard into it’s curved sword form, and knocks the green blade aside. Then he launches himself at Pidge, blade swinging. She tries to dodge, but the blade connects.

Pidge cries out as her helmet is knocked from her head, and she tumbles across the floor.  

   “What was that? Pidge? Pidge!” A suppressed voice says from her helmet lying several feet away.

Pidge looks up, fear in her eyes, as the towering Lotor approaches.

   “...you realize, of course, that I cannot let you leave with that data.” He explains, twirling his sword experimentally. “Not that I was ever going to let you leave anyway…”

***

   “Pidge? Pidge!” Lance repeats over the comms. “Pick up, quiznak it!”

No response. He shoots Hunk a worried look. He opens his mouth as if to speak, but is cut off when a door ahead of them is blown out of the wall. Sendak steps through, staring them down. Hunk and Lance raise their weapons, but no one yet fires yet.

    “At last,” Sendak says. “I get to test myself against the Paladins of this realm. It is one things to fight in Lions, or Voltron itself. But there’s nothing quite like beating a man with your hands.” Sendak clenches his large robot hand into a fist, as if for emphasis.

   “We should evac.” Hunk says.

   Lance nods slowly. His gaze shifts away from Sendak, past him, deeper into the station’s bowles. Hunk notices this. He takes a breath, and turns back to Sendak.

   “Go.”

   “What?” Lance asks with confusion.

   “I’ll keep this guy busy. Go find Pidge. Make sure she’s all right. And if she’s not, get her out of here in once piece.”

   Lance hesitates only a moment before nodding. “...okay.”

   Sendak laughs. “That assumes I will let you do such a thing.”

   “Go!” Hunk repeats,

   Lance does, dashing down the hall, towards the doorway Sendak blocks. Sendak throws out his fist, hurling the metal hand right for Lance. It is blasted off course by a shot from Hunk’s cannon. Hunk fires the next shot at Sendak himself. Sendak activates his bayard in shield mode, blocking Hunk’s blasts. Lance dashes past Sendak, not even giving the galra a second glance.

    Sendak turns to throw his arm at Lance’s back. His shot his thrown off balance when something slams into his shield, pushing him back. Sendak looks up to see Hunk, standing there with a large hammer having replaced his cannon.

   “I’m not going to let you stop my friend.” Hunk says, hefting the hammer.

   “Interesting…” Sendak says, pacing back and forth. “...and do you really think you’re strong enough? Can you can defeat me with what pitiful power you have? You’d be better off running. At least you’d live a little longer.”

   Hunk sighes. “You know, not so long ago, I might’ve taken you up on that. But here’s the thing: I realized that bad guys like you don’t just go away. Someone’s gotta step in your way. Someone’s got to stop you. And today, that’s me. No one else is gonna do it, so I’ll have to. To answer your question, I don’t know if I’m strong enough. Let’s find out.” Hunk raises the hammer to his shoulder.

   Sendak grins hungrily. “Yes...show me your strength…” He turns his bayard into an axe. The two Paladins of the Yellow Lions charge each other.

***

  Lance dashes for a group of galra guards. He shoots the first two sentinels down before they can even react. His third shot misses, but the following one lands, taking another sentinel in the head. The fourth and final guard’s shot glances off Lance’s energy shield, as he crashes into the guard. They tumble and Lance comes up on top. He shifts his bayard into a sword, and holds it to the guard’s neck.

  “Oh, a living one, not just a bot. Good.” Lance says, noticing the flesh of the guard’s mouth and chin from the gap in the helmet’s chin. He presses his sword against its throat, making the guard swallow in fear.

In a very cold voice Lance says: “Tell me where the server room is, and you’ll get to keep your head where it is.”

***    

   Keith and Allura spins their Lions around, avoiding fire from the enemy Lions, while letting out blasts of their own. They try disengaging from the fight, but the Dark Lions give them no opportunity to escape.

   “Dangit, we can’t shake these guys!” Keith calls out.

   “What about that part of the station Pidge told us to find?” Allura asks.

   Keith looks out at the enemy Lions, as if deciding what to do. He moves to intercept the Dark Blue Lion, which is gunning for Allura. The Dark Green Lion fires a crackling Violet shot from its mouth to stop Keith. He evades easily, but oddly the bolt of energy, once past him, loops back around to strike Keith’s Lion in the back.

  Meanwhile, Allura fires three quick shots in succession, all of which are deftly avoided by her enemy. The Dark Blue LIon blasts Allura, sending her flying back.

   The two Dark Lions are moving in, about to strike on their weakened foes. Before they get a chance, the Atlas flies in blasting both sending them tumbling backwards.

“Need a hand?” Shiro’s voice asks.

“Sure can!” Keith replies. “Just hold them as long as you can.”

“Roger that.” Shiro says raising both of the Atlas’ fists.

He flies up to meet the now charging Dark Lions, while Keith and Allura slip away, to further down the station.

***

   Pidge dodges out of the way of Prince Lotor’s latest attack. He chases after her, wicked sword in hand, an even wicked her smile on his face. It is all Pidge can do to avoid getting her head taken off. Her armor already features many scores, where the blade has grazed her. Panic is in her eyes.

   She keeps glancing back at the doorway, searching for a path to escape. She makes as if to duck around to the side of Lotor, then jumps back to dash around the other side.

   Lotor sees through this, and puts a kick into Pidge’s gut that throws her halfway across the room. He back slams into the side of a server column. Pidge seethes with pain. Despite this, she manages to push herself up, and takes aim with her bayard. She fires at the open doorway, the green tethered blade sailing for freedom.

   Lotor knocks the blade off course with his sword, then with his free hand grabs hold of the tether, and yanks hard. Pidge is dragged across the floor, sliding to a stop just in front of Lotor. He smiles down at her.    

   Pidge tries to scramble back up to her feet. Lotor slams a foot down into her chest, holding her there. The blow makes her cough and gasp for air.

   “Finally.” Lotor sighs. “You Paladins of this reality are so slippery. Just when we think we’ve got a hold on you, you manage to worm yourselves away. Pathetic.”

   While he is talking Pidge tries to drive the tip of her bayard into Lotor’s leg. Before she can he slams his other foot down onto her arm, pinning it.

   “Do you know how much trouble you lot have cause me?” He sneers. “How many of my atleans I sacrificed, by sending them on futile attacks? How much of my father’s ire I earned with the failure at your hands? It's worse that you aren’t even very competent. You;re just children, playing at an adult’s game. We should have finished you off when we had the chance.”

   “These...these children are gonna kick your ass!” Pidge glares up with defiance.

   “I don’t think so.” Lotor says, lifting his sword.

   He drives the blade down into Pidge’s shoulder. She screams. Blood starts to pool where the blade enters her suit. Pidge tries to squirm, but Lotor presses his foot down harder on her chest, making her gag. He leans down, so their faces are only about a foot away.

  “You shouldn’t have come here alone. Maybe then you’d have stood a chance. Probably not, though. But to your credit, at least the only screams you’ll hear, when my mother questions you, will be your own.”

   Pidge, with tears in her eyes, looks up with absolute terror at Lotor.

   Suddenly, there is the sound of an energy rifle being fired.

Lotor leaps back, pulling his sword free as he does. A bolt of blue energy blasts into the column, where Lotor’s head had been just a moment prior.

   “Don’t. You. Touch. HER!”

   Lance stands in the doorway, rifle held in his grip, fury in his eyes.

   “...Lance.” Pidge says with shock. She winces throwing a hand over the bloody wound on her shoulder. “L-Lance get out of here! He’ll kill you!”

Lotor smiles. “Your friend knows what she’s talking about. Go on then. Abandon her. Leave her to-”

Lance fires again, aiming for the Prince’s skull. Lotor blocks the shot with the edge of his sword. “...I was really hoping you’d do that.”

Lotor charges. Lance fires two more shots, both blocked by Lotor’s blade. Cursing, Lance lowers his rifle, and shifts it into a sword. Then, letting out a battle-cry, he meets Lotor’s charge.

Blades clash, throwing up sparks in their wake. Lance pushes the offense, throwing rage-fueled blow after rage-fueled blow. Lotor blocks, deflects and dodges each of the strikes. Lance continues to hammer down on Lotor, but the Prince moves like water, with none of the blows coming close to hitting.

“You really don’t know how to use that thing do you?” Lotor asks, amusement written on his face.

“Shut up!” Lance barks, swinging to take Lotor’s head off, but meeting only air.

Lotor deflect’s Lance’s next strike, an overextended thrust, and slams a fist into the boy’s ribs in reply. Lotor then steps forward, and lands a slice on Lance’s wrist. Lance retreats back, clutching his arm. He looks down to see his bracelet, the one Pidge made, in two broken pieces on the floor. He looks back up at Lotor, not masking the utter rage in his gaze, and raises his sword again,  

   “Lance stop!” Pidge cries out, struggling to sit up. “You can’t beat him! He’s been fighting with that sword longer than we’ve been alive!”

   “You think I don’t know that!?” He retorts. “But like hell I’m going to use that as an excuse to leave you!”

   Pidge can only stare, unable to muster a reply.

   Growling, Lance charges at Lotor again. This time, the Prince does no playing around. Every strike Lance throws Lotor counters with one of his own. Lance thrust forward. Lotor parries, and lands a hit on his Lance’s arm. Lance swings overhead. Lotor blocks, and slams a foot into Lance’s chest. Lance tries a wild trio of blows, Lotor deflects each of them, before slicing into Lance’s side. Lance steps back, wincing from the shallow, but painful wounds.

   Lotor pounces, unleashing an onslaught of sword strikes at Lance’s guard. Lance is barely able to defend, only partially blocking most of the strikes, and earning multiple scores along his armor, and some biting into the skin below. Lance is forced to retreat backwards, as Lotor’s flurry does not let up.

“Is this really all you can do!?” Lotor demands, sharp teeth revealed in a grin. “Is this all that this reality’s Paladins can offer!?”

   Lotor smashes Lance’s sword to the side, and drives his own blade into Lance’s leg. Lance cries out, stumbling back into a column. He brings his sword back up, in a weak guard. Lotor chuckles and shakes his head. The Prince raises his sword and motions for Lance to come forward.

   “Come on. Face your end like a man. I only need one of you.”

Narrowing his eyes Lance moves forward. He nearly stumbles, from the leg wound, as he strikes out.

“Pathetic.” Lotor knocks the blow aside.

Gritting his teeth, Lance strikes again.

“Weak.” Lotor uses a lazy backhand to fling Lance’s strike off course.

Yelling, Lance launches himself forward, for one more swing.

Lotor moves to sidestep the blow. “Honestly, you really are-”

Pidge fires her bayard along the floor, tether blocking Lotor’s feet.

Lotor stumbles, and for a moment his guard opens. Lance’s sword swings forward, slicing across one of Lotor’s eyes.

The Prince howls with back, stumbling back. He falls to his back, clutching his wounded eye, fury filling the other.

“Let’s go!” Pidge yells, running over to Lance. He stumbles, but she supports him as they dash for the exit.

Lotor lashes out, shifting his sword to a whip, but he just misses them, as they slip out the door.

“We’ve...gotta get out of here…” Lance says, wincing as he forced to run on his bad leg.

“This way!” Pidge say guiding them down a side hallway. She leads them to a large panel on the lower half of the wall. “Blast it.”

Lance complies, raising his bayard, shifting it to a rifle and firing. It blows apart the panel, showing a small vent beyond.

“Service tunnel. Short cut.” She explains in a tired voice. Lance nods weakly.

Clutching to each other, they leap down.

***

   Keith and Allura blow apart the blast door holding the hanger close. They guide their Lions inside.

   “Now what could be so important that...oh.” Keith says, seeing what lies in the hangar.

   “It...it can’t be…” Allura gasps.

   Sincline sits in the hangar. Galra workers scatter at the presence of the Lions, leaving the mecha behind.

   “Lotor. Our Lotor. They...they freed him. Why? How?” Allura asks.

   “Dunno, and at the moment, don’t care. Come on.” Keith flies his Lion up to Sincline.

   “What are you doing?"

   “Taking him with us. Friend or foe, we can’t let Zarkon use Lotor for whatever he’s got planned. Get the other arm.” Keith says, locking his Lion’s mouth around one of the mecha’s arms.

    Allura hesitates for a long moment, staring at the Dark metal of Lotor’s mecha. “...you’re right.” She finally says. “We can’t leave him.”

   She moves her Lion over to grab onto Sincline’s other arm, and together they haul the mecha out of the hangar.

***

   Lance and Pidge move down the hallway, each keeping the other from stumbling and falling.

   “...sorry about that bracelet you made for my hand. I broke it.” Lance laughs hollowly.

   “I don’t care about that idiot!” Pidge scolds. “You almost just got yourself killed! What’d you do that for!?”

   “You’re one to talk.” He scoffs. “And here I thought you said you’d be perfectly fine by yourself.”

   “I’m serious!” She elbows him in the ribs. Both of them wince. “Sorry.” She apologizes.

   “It's fine. What’s a little more pain, on top of the rest?”

   Pidge gets a sick look. “...I mean it, though. Why did do that. Come rescue me?”

   “Why wouldn’t I?”

   “That’s not an answer. We had the mission. I told you guys you should all get out.  But then, not only did you come after me, but you tried to fight Lotor! With a sword! How insane do you have to be to do that!?”

   “Oh come on, Pidge. As if I’d leave another Paladin behind.”

   “And that’s just it?” Pidge scoffs. “You’d be and idiot and try to save any one of us in that situation? It’d be the exact same, and you’d do the same dumb thing?”

   Lance seems to think about it. Pidge studies him as he ponders.

   “...no.” He says finally. “I mean, yeah I’d still try to save them if it were Hunk or Allura or Keith. That’s just the kind of guy I am. But, no, it wouldn’t be the same.”

   “Wh...what do you mean?”

   “I mean, that when I saw you sitting there, blood on your armor, Lotor standing over you, I lost it. I just...I couldn’t stand the idea that I’d lose you.”

   Pidge looks up, eyes widening.

He goes on:“In that moment, no one, not Lotor, not an army of galra soldiers, not even Zarkon himself wouldn’t have stopped me from trying to save you. You are the one person I can’t lose no matter what.”  He looks down at her, as if having realized something for the first time.

For a moment, they just stand there staring at each other.  Then, they both blush and avert their gazes. Pidge gaze flickers back to Lance, studying him one more time. She sighs.

“...dang you Matt.”

“Huh?” Lance asks.

“Nothing.” Pidge shakes her head. “I just...know something, now.”

***

   Several minutes later, Lance and Pidge shamble past the scene of Hunk and Sendak’s fight. The two combatants slam powerful blows against each other, both looking beaten and weary. Despite this, Sendak is smiling.

   “So you do have power! And here I thought there were no worth adversaries in this reality!”

   “Well...sorry to cut things short then…” Hunk backs away to his retreating friends.

   “It's not over yet!” Sendak sneers. He pulls back his fist to strike, and throws it towards Hunk, and the other retreating Paladins.

   Hunk stands directly in front of it, and shifts his bayard into a shield. The fist bounces off. Sendak doesn’t even look mad, as Hunk slams the door shut and destroys the panel

   “What happened to you guys!?” Hunk asks as the run.

   “Lotor.” Pidge winces. “He was waiting.”

   “I…” Lance cringes as he steps too hard with his bad leg. “...had to come in and save the say, as usual.”

   Hunk eyes them warily but doesn’t question them further. He runs inside Yellow, while Lance and Pidge stumble into Red.

   “Drop me off at Green.” Pidge says.

   “Can you fly like you are?” He asks, nodding to her shoulder.

   “I’ll...be fine.” She says, covering the wound.

   Reluctantly, Lance nods, and pulls the Blue Lion out of the hangar bay. He dodges the odd fighter as he brings Lion around the station, to where Pidge directs.

   Pidge hits a button on her wrist and the Green Lion appears. She moves to leave the Blue Lion, then stops. Then, she spins around and hugs Lance from the back of his chair.

“...thank you, Lance. For saving me.” She whispers.

   Lance blushes and lets out a strangled cough. “You uh...you saved me too. So, really I think we’re even.”

   “I...guess so.”

   Then, before either of the can say anything more, Pidge pulls back, and turns to leave.  She jumps out of one Lion, and into the other.

   Back inside her own Lion, Pidge immediately winces as she tries to move the throttle with her bad arm. “Gonna be a fun ride home…” She opens her other hand, and allows a slight smile. She still holds the drive.

   “Keith...I got it. Mission was a success.”

   Then, gritting her teeth, she pushes the Lion into motion.

   She rejoins the rest of the now retreating Coalition forces. There is still some exchanging of fire, but the Coalition breaks away, and one by one, jump out of sight.

***

    Prince Lotor watches them go. His right eye now shut, with a deep cut running through it. Sendak, Raimon and Honvera are also in the room, watching the display.

   “Zarkon will not be pleased.” Sendak notes.

   Honerva’s eye twitches ever so slightly at this comment.

   “No...he wont.” Lotor turns around, facing the others. “Which is why I won’t be here when he arrives.”

   “Running, Prince?” Sendak asks. “That is...unlike you.”

   “Not running.” Lotor shakes is head. “But I’m not going back to him empty handed, either.”

   “What then?” Honvera asks.

   “I think...I’ll have to go after them myself.” Lotor says, as if coming to a decision. “We know where they are now, and I think I’ve begun to understand how they think. It’ll take a subtler touch. I don’t think I’ll manage it alone. They seem to work well together...” He rubs his new scar, absently. “...Raimon?”

   “...yes?” The armored man replies.

   “Will you come with me?”

   The man does not reply.

   “Sendak is occupied with the armies. My mother is occupied elsewhere. It's just you and me. The two ones Zarkon hasn’t deemed fit more much else.”

   Still, Raimon remains silent.

“Oh come on. I know you’ve got your dedication to Zarkon, but he hasn’t give you orders yet. If he hasn’t given you orders you can’t defy him, right?”

   Raimon gives the barest of nods.

   “Then come with me. The two of us, we can show Zarkon why he needs us, what we bring to the table. We might even deliver the critical blow to our enemy in the process. What do you say, old friend?”

   Raimon seems to hesitate, as if torn. After a long pause he finally says in a quiet voice: “...I will join you.”

   “Good.” Lotor says, narrowing his good eye. “Let’s go hunting.”