#For real though the PRT is bad at their jobs. I constantly see them making poor decisions or just being horribly mismanaged.

[cairavende]

Worm Arc 16 first part thoughts (through defeating Dragon and Defiant interlude) cause it seemed likely there is going to be something major happening in the rest of the arc and I might as well split it here:

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!

MY BABIES ARE FIGHTING!!!!!

I might not have made the best choice in adopting both Taylor and Dragon

Ok so it's not technically my babies fighting. It's Taylor fighting simple AI Dragon created. But close enough.

Drone robot fucked up a perfectly good barbecue. That's just criminal.

I love that the robot sent after Bitch was basically designed to get fucked up over and over. Work with what you have.

Also Bitch was so willing to listen to Skitter! Not just listen but "come up with a plan like you usually do, we’ll make it happen"! She fucking trusts her so much! GAAAAAAAYYYY!

You put Skitter in charge and she is just instantly "Ok we're going to attack the Wards, the Protectorate, the PRT, and some of Dragon's robots. All at the same time. Cause I always gotta go BIGGER!"

I will give her this though - solo teleporting into the middle of the Protectorate and Wards (except for Clockblocker) and having Trickster swap her around while she just FUCKED SHIT UP? That was badass.

And throwing herself out the fucking window? TWICE? I'm very glad Trickster was on point there cause I would have fucking murdered him if he dropped my daughter.

Piggot trying to be all high and mighty and superior. Fuck off lady. You just a cop. You're like, the worst cop. I already called you out for having a full blown villain internal monologue in your first interlude. Some of the PRT might be trying to do right. Maybe. But you are just evil.

I will give Piggot one thing. She is good at what she does. It's just that what she does is not "leading the Brockton Bay PRT and Wards to better take care of the people of the city", but instead "be a terrible and manipulative person who would absolutely set of a nuke if she thought it would kill enough capes".

Also Trickster don't be an asshole. Being disgusted when Piggot admits she's fat and doesn't sound ashamed about it. Fuck off with that. She's a terrible person, there are so many better things to attack than her appearance.

Like the fact that she upset Tattletale! She made Tattletale sad! FUCK PIGGOT I HATE HER FOR THAT ALONE NOW!

Sticking a bunch of glass in some doors and riding around town on them oh my god. These are like, the scariest super villains in town. And they are door surfing. I love it.

Azazel is fucking fancy! I'm sad it got melted down in the end.

Dragon just needed a guy badly cosplaying as a DS9 starship for a few minutes and then she builds infinitely better shit than he ever could. Cause she is awesome.

Ok so I know it was technically being run by an AI that Dragon built but I'm counting it as Dragon. For one reason.

Skitter asking Azazel stupid questions until it broke was just a little sister annoying their older sister with really stupid questions! She starts off with some somewhat reasonable ones and just gets wild with it. It was perfect. That is the type of fighting I can tolerate from my daughters.

I'm a little worried about Imp clearly crushing on Regent. He hasn't had the best moral character in the past.

Wasn't expecting them to just *have* the city after beating Dragon. Definitely wasn't expecting that to happen mid arc.

“She’s out of it. Tattletale broke Skitter when she said we won” - GAY. Look sure there's lots of reasons Skitter would be distracted after hearing that the city was theirs and they had won. But Tattletale said it and there's something about a girl you like telling you "we won" that can just stop brain from working. Besides I wasn't getting enough Chatterbug content this arc so I'll find it wherever I need it.

So coming into this arc I had been making lots of jokes about Monarch referencing Skitter vs Dragon (both were controlling lots of minions, want to control the city, they're siblings cause I adopted both of them so they fight for the crown, etc) but Dragon is out of the city for now. So I really should have been focusing on Coil vs Skitter. Which is what I expect the rest of the arc to be.

It'll be fine.

I'm sure there won't be any issues at city hall with her dad. Nope.

PRT squad interlude (Piggot interlude round 2) thoughts:

Nilbog is terrifying but god his power is wild.

I had Left 4 Dead in my head the entire time. First thing they killed was a boomer. There was a spitter later as well. And they got the swarm once they shot the flare up for the evac.

PRT is endlessly badly managed. Given the unknowns they could have been more careful and used a better strategy. If they have the resources to wall off the town they have the resources to have done things better.

There is no way Thomas Calvert isn't Coil (more specifically becomes Coil). There is NO way. It has to be him. I don't technically have any proof but I know. It's him. (The way he is described, the way he talks, just everything about him. I could write up an entire post just on why I'm 100% positive he is Coil.)

I already knew Piggot was a horrible person to be running the Brockton Bay PRT and the Wards so this interlude didn't really give new information there. But it does just lock that down on an extra level.

Frank Miller's Armsmaster interlude thoughts:

I'm very sad I had to have this interlude from his perspective instead of Dragon's perspective. But I'll live.

Sucks to be this small town.

PRT failure again. It was made clear that the police of this town in no way expected the SH9. But the PRT knew when SH9 left BB and had a loose idea of their potential travel speed. And they knew SH9's M.O. in this situation of staying to back roads and hitting small towns. So every police department in every small town within a certain distance of BB should have known to be on alert. Like ya they aren't going to be able to stop the Nine, but they might be able to reduce losses a little. PRT is just bad at it's job. (Almost like Alexandria doesn't have the right priorities.)

I KNEW DRAGON WAS A TRUE TINKER! I HAD ALREADY MADE IT MY HEADCANON THAT SHE TRIGGERED WHEN LEVIATHAN ATTACKED NEWFOUNDLAND AND I'M SO HAPPY IT'S REAL!

Plugging my ears when I Was Insecure So I Made My Stick Even Longer Man talks about playing "ten by ten" with my robot daughter. Look she can do what she wants, no shame, but I do not want to hear about it from him if I can avoid it.

Of course Dragon knows about Cauldron. I should have expected that she did. My daughter is brilliant (and also maybe doesn't have a concept of privacy so gets all the information she can without explicitly doing something illegal and goes has a little bit of a "Big Sister is watching you" vibe).

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Caramel Skin Under A Purple Rain prt 38 took an abrupt turn that I still don’t know if I want to keep

Life was over as he knew it. Four quintants in the infirmary wasn’t without its dramas. Two seizures due to not being able to take his medication that Daehra had formulated, then finding out that what had been left had been destroyed in case it’d been tainted, followed by two certain annoying visitors left Lance cranky. Keith had been kicked out. Kosmo evicted. His back and hips hurt from constantly sitting up, his stomach felt uncomfortable, his skin itchy from trailing his suspected allergens on him, and Veronica was still a bitch. Throw in a nightmare from Keith where his husband had given him a black eye sending in him into the holy mother of panic attacks, because his messed up mind couldn’t comprehend that it’d been his actual husband who’d punched him and not someone trying to kill him, and Keith’s guilt over it... Lance wasn’t sure he was in better condition than when he arrived there. Veronica had binged all things baby and pregnancy, getting on his case over his weight and lack of eating... which wasn’t his fault. He was on a bland and basic diet while they conducted their allergy tests... from which he learned he’d developed an allergy to the “Solanaceae” family. Whatever that was. On the plus side, he wasn’t allergic to everything, on the not so plus side, he was allergic to everything that made his Mami’s cooking amazing. No more chillies, capsicums, or anything that actually gave good flavour. He had a slight allergy to wheat, the rest were all slight allergies too but to his over dramatic arse, it sucked intergalactic testicles and his life was ruined. The real issue was his newly found allergy to aloe vera. He wasn’t allergic enough to cause anaphylaxis, no, simply allergic enough to cause blotchy red welty hives that drove him crazy. It also explained the reaction he’d had to Krolia’s suggested bubble bath, the main ingredient being aloe vera. Everything else on his list just made him nauseous and, or, vomit, though could worsen and could also be a permanent thing, so he needed to be constantly careful. Krolia had someone working on some kind of scanner for him. Lance strongly felt that that would be Pidge too, yet his mother-in-law didn’t say as much. Keith was worried stupid, yet again, another reason why his husband was evicted. He was taking things badly after hitting him. They’d talked a little over the test results, which preceded Veronica talking all things baby and all the risks that came with having a baby. Somewhere around the talk of signs of symptoms he needed to be paying close attention to, he’d lost his head and started screaming at her. He didn’t need all her facts and figures. That’d started his first seizure. Veronica gone when he woke, while he felt like an arse for yelling at her when she was trying her hardest to understand and to make sure he was educated over things that were “wrong”. Drowsy from his seizure, he’d fallen asleep in Keith’s arms. Keith had them had his nightmare, no doubt thanks to all the shit the doctors and Veronica had put in his head, then mid-panic attack, he’d ended up having his second seizure. He had no memory of the panic attack or seizure, only the lasting pain from his contracting muscles. Keith was on edge from having been constantly left to support him through all the freakin’ tests they’d had to do. Sending him away was the kindest thing Lance could do. If his husband apologised one more time, he was tempted to throw him out the nearest open window. They’d both hit each other before, coming out of attacks or nightmares, so they had a silent “agreement” that though it might feel quiznak, they understood that after all they’d been through, things like this might happen and the best way to get through it was to talk. Keith hadn’t wanted to talk about his nightmare, yet slowly and surely Lance had coaxed it from his husband’s lips, if he had open up about all his messed up dreams and feelings there was no way that Keith wasn’t. He’d been in labour, but instead of pushing out one of their twins, it’d been some octopus thing, which he’d promptly punched in the face. Laughing had been the wrong answer. Keith getting huffy. It was bad enough that his husband seemed scared to cuddle him, afraid he might fall asleep and punch another octopus in his sleep. So his eviction was for his own good... Before his allergy test on the morning of the second day imprisoned, Zethrid and Ezor had come to visit. The pair of them were painfully loud and annoying, though they did bring him the Galra equivalent of a “get well soon” balloon bouquet, buying themselves some good will and favour as the balloons were unexpected and broke the monotony of grey walls. Chatting away with him about the up coming tour, Ezor was merciless as she teased Keith over being “the prince of Daibazaal”. She also teased him over his lack of training, and getting slow and fat because of it. Unable to currently take the joke, Ezor pushed Keith into a “half-shift” where his eyes went yellow and his fingernails began to extend. Until then, Lance had kind of enjoyed the conversation. Not the loudness of it. Ezor and Zethrid both seemed to be speaking as if they thought him deaf, no. It was more the fact that they hadn’t apologised for what happened. They didn’t make a fuss other than the balloons. Nor did they repeatedly ask if he was feeling ok. It was as if they’d simply shrugged their shoulders at the whole matter as it didn’t involve their personal lives. He loved them for it. The pair frog jumping Acxa and Veronica in his mental list. Acxa had wanted to come but understood that he might not want too many visitors so had sent a card... A card he didn’t get until after it’d landed in the hands of Ezor and Zethrid. Ezor had gotten her gum between the fold, and Zethrid had let it be scrunched in her pocket. He couldn’t really be mad about either thing. His siblings had done far worse as they were growing up. The annoying bit came from Ezor’s screechy laugh of Keith’s partial transformation. His anger on behalf of his husband who was dealing with enough as it was. After they’d been politely evicted with a little showmanship, he’d gagged as clamped a hand to his mouth like he was going to vomit causing Ezor to wrinkle her face in disgust and drag her girlfriend away, Keith had brooded in the corner until Krolia came with Shiro at lunch. Noticing how Keith was, Lance had whisper begged Shiro to drag Keith off for a brotherly chat. Keith refused to go, his husband climbing back into bed next to him as if he was having a sit in protest. Shiro had whispered that he’d check in with Keith later that night, to which Lance had asked him to take him back to his room for some rest. After Shiro had left Veronica had visited, in time for the results and it’d all taken a sharp left hand turn into a pile of quiznakking quiznak. The allergy skin testing started. The results came back... and well, everything else happened. Finally escaping, Lance was forced to allow himself to be wheeled back to Keith’s quarters. Keith felt he shouldn’t be walking, while Lance felt that he should keep his mouth shut lest he be returned to the same stupid hospital bed. Having slept in his own bed, Keith seemed refreshed. His skin and hair weren’t as oily as they had been, nor did apologise. There was a spring in his step that Lance was envious of, seeing all his body wanted was for him to go back to sleep. Having come for the walk, Kosmo was on his best behaviour, walking beside the wheelchair so Lance could keep one hand on his back to act as his grounding. The whole time Keith wheeled him, he focused on his breathing rather than the people they passed. His anxieties were trying to get the better of him, as he knew they all must think him a weak failure. Reaching Keith’s quarters, Lance wasn’t sure if he was disappointed or not to find no one waiting. He was finally free, but he had no one to celebrate his freedom with. He wanted to go for a job or even a run. Sparring practice sounded divine, yet his body was too exhausted to do much of anything. It was demanding he slept, despite the sedatives they’d given him so could sleep without tossing and turning. Wheeling him right over to the edge of the bed, Keith put the brakes on. Stubbornly wanting to do things himself, he climbed from the chair then flopped down on Keith’s bed, nuzzling into the blankets that smelt so much of his husband. “Pidge and Hunk suggested a party, but Curtis overruled them. I know it’s not much, but I’m happy you’re back here” Jumping at Keith’s voice, Kosmo yipped as if he’d noticed the action. Teleporting onto the bed the space wolf curled up behind, resting his muzzle on Lance’s hip “Mmm. Me too. It’s fine, honestly. I’m so drowsy I think I’m about to fall back to sleep�� “I have to go out for about a varga, will you be ok on your own?” Keith was going out? He was free and now his husband was running away? What was the point of having Keith there if all he was going to do was sleep. It was better Keith was keeping busy and not watching over him... He didn’t especially want to be alone, but having Keith do something that wasn’t related to him was super appealing “Babe, I’m fine. You take as long as you need” “I know you just got out...” “And you know how much I appreciate a good bed. Say “hi” to Mumma K for me. Tell her I want that thing too. She’ll know what it is” Keith gave a hum, then there was a long paused, followed by his husband clicking off the brakes on the wheelchair and the balloon bouquet being evicted to beside the bed “Ok. I’ll try and be back soon” “No n-ne-ed to rush. Love you” “You too” Without so much as a kiss or fussing of the blankets, Keith left him. Yawning again, as he’d done mid-reply, Lance wriggled back against Kosmo, trying not to let Keith leaving bother him. He wasn’t about to admit how touch starved he felt, nor how horny his body decided he needed to be. He needed something to work off this excess energy, but wasn’t sure where to even begin. After a good varga of trying to sleep, Lance gave up. His mind was too sleepy to comprehend words or full sentences, yet he did his best to message both Daehra and Marco and let them know that he and the twins were alright. Words were hard enough when he wasn’t sure what words to use in the first place. Comms and typing didn’t work well, not when he dropped his comms on his face mid-sentence. With his plan for a nap abandoned, he climbed out of bed carefully, Kosmo cautiously following as he shuffled to the bathroom to start running the bath. Jumping up over the side, Kosmo decided he wanted a bath on his own accord, tail wagging as his tongue lolled from his mouth. An exceptionally pleased look on his fur sons face as he stared at him. Without anything else to do, washing Kosmo seemed as good if a plan as any... until Kosmo decided he didn’t actually want a bath. Half soaped up, Kosmo made his escape. Teleporting out the bath, he shook himself off, proceeding to cover everything with water and wrecking the bathroom as he teleported away from Lance who first forced to gingerly find his feet, then hold onto the bathroom counter so he wouldn’t slip in the mess. Not liking being scolded and ordered back in the bath, his only companion gave a yip than deserted him. Unable to rush after him, he opened the door to Keith’s room to find Kosmo rolling about in the middle of the bed. Tired and feeling somewhat hormonal and abandoned, he was soon crying as yelled at Kosmo for making a mess. Not used to being yelled at, Kosmo teleported out the room, leaving Lance to deal with the mess his son had made of everything. Unable to stop himself from “catastrophying” the situation, he wasn’t able to laugh of what had happened like he would have been able to if Keith was there. If his husband had been there, Keith would chased after Kosmo while Lance laughed at the pair of them. Stripping the wet mess of blankets off, he found the sheet had escaped the drenching. Both their pillows were wet from where Kosmo had presumably wiped his nose against them, trying to get the bubbles out from where he’d attempted to eat them. Cold and wet, Lance curled up into himself on the stripped remains of the bed, determined not to call anyone for help. Keith would most likely scold him for trying to wash Kosmo without when, after promising to nap. * Keith felt like an arsehole deserting Lance almost the tick he came out of the infirmary, but it was for his husband’s own good. Lance trusted Daehra with his health, and other than the times he’d been able to voice his own opinions, he’d been stuck taking Galra based medication that hadn’t included anything for his seizures. The two he’d had scared the quiznak out of him. His husband passing two doboshes on both instances. As much as he’d wanted to, and argued for, Keith wasn’t able to bring Daehra to Daibazaal, instead he was overseeing two medical technicians and Daehra instructed them on how to prepare Lance’s morning shakes, as well as the preparation of an injection should Lance go into premature labour again. This was all supposed to have been done before Lance was released, only when Shiro noticed the time he shooed him out. Returning to stand by his adopted brother, Shiro tilted his head slightly as he looked to him “I thought you were picking Lance up?” “He wanted to nap. He’s with Kosmo. Kosmo’s not going to let anything happen to him” “You left him there alone?” “Right now, this more important. He can’t keep having seizures that severe” “He handled his seizures well before. What changed?” “They’ve been worse since he got clean... I think they’ve even gotten worse since he fell pregnant, then again, it might be stress too. Before this... the only time I’d seen him seize before was due to too many drugs in his system. He can’t take pills, it makes him gag. Injections he’s not too fond of either” “I’d say that would be for the best. Have you thought about the baby shower?” Keith didn’t want a baby shower. He didn’t want to have one. Not on Daibazaal. Not on the Atlas. He didn’t want to force the whole thing on Lance. Sure, he wanted to show Lance how loved and supported he was, but Lance didn’t love parties anymore. He was no longer “Lancey-Lance” or “Loverboy Lance”. He was Lance who would rather be working or running a mission than socialising. Besides, all he’d done was come inside his husband, Lance was doing all the hard work of carrying their twins. What would he be doing at the party other than being reminded that he was a “horn dog”? Maybe should he pop a banner up saying “we forgot the contraceptives because we left it to each other, and now we’re having twins, only we don’t know how we’re actually going to deliver them, or if Lance can carry to full term”. It seemed a bit long for a banner. Lance would probably be pissed at him if he did. “I don’t think Lance would want a baby shower” Shiro frowned deeply “Are you sure? With everything happening, I think it’d be a nice gesture” “I’m not even sure he’s coping with being pregnant, let alone up for making a fuss over it” “Then this could be what he needs. To see that no one thinks and less of him” “Other than Hunk...” Things with Hunk were so awkward that Keith wanted to grab both he and his husband and smack their heads together “This shower may be for Lance, but I’m thinking of Hunk too. You haven’t been on the Atlas, he’s been baking” Crossing his arms and squaring his shoulders, Keith tried to ignore the pull of sympathy tugging on his heart “Hunk’s always baking” “He’s been baking enough for there to be left overs, despite the size of the crew. The tick he heard about Lance’s allergies, he’s started baking a whole new range of allergy friendly things, then works himself up thinking Lance will reject him if he tried to talk to him. He doesn’t understand how they drifted so far apart, and he also misses him” “Then he shouldn’t have thrown his friendship with him away. You know how hard it’s been to get Lance to let you all back in” “He seems alright with Pidge” A dry huff of laughter escaped Keith’s lips “Then you don’t know him very well. He’s trying to do the right thing by everyone but himself. He gets paranoid when he’s talking to her, thinks he’s going to say the wrong thing or that Pidge is only looking for information over how he managed to fall pregnant. He’s only here because of me, but he’s made it abundantly clear that if I fuck up again, he’s gone” “I doubt he’d actually leave. He adores you” “And what have I done for him? I gave him a black eye. Made him feel like a slut over being raped and accused him of cheating on me with you. I don’t know why, but when we’re with everyone, it all seems to fall apart. I’m exhausted. He’s exhausted. He’s only doing this tour for me. He’s doing all of this for me” “Then you should let us do this for him. I know Coran would love to be there. He’s been calling for daily updates since the attack. He wanted to come but you were having enough trouble with your Galra side” “It’s not like I wanted to be like that. I couldn’t calm down with him hurt. I’m sick to death of seeing him hurt. I’m sick to death of him holding his tongue and letting himself be hurt further. I don’t think a baby shower is a good idea. He wouldn’t want the fuss” “He might not want it, but I think he’d cherish the memories when he’s not feeling so depressed. He wants nothing more than to want this. He wants his twins. He wants to know that it’s ok for him to want this, and that there’s nothing wrong with him for wanting it. I saw him on Erathus. I saw the way his hand went to his stomach each time he saw a child or something in a passing store that he thought would be perfect for your children. He’s not comfortable in his own skin, and he won’t be until he accepts that we all still care about him” Keith was struck dumb. Lance was around 16 movements... or weeks... he’d have to do the math again after their stay at the outpost. His husband wasn’t comfortable. He knew that. He knew that his changing body left Lance frustrated and confused. His husband always wanted a family and now his anxieties were hampering his happiness. These were their twins. With their tiny hands and noses... the way they seemed to be sucking on their thumbs in the scan... God. He’s pay good GAC to see Lance happy over them again. “I want him to be happy” “I know you do” “If I say yes, can we give it a few quintants? He’s still shaken by the attack” “We have about a movement before we’ll make another formal announcement over the tour. Then it should start within a couple of quintants. Is there anything in particular you guys want or need?” Keith closed his eyes, racking his brain before opening his eyes at the memory “A chest of drawers. For the outpost. We’ve got blankets, clothes and soft toys, but the wardrobe wasn’t quite right” “I think I can manage that. Have you got a change mat?” “I don’t think so?” Keith’s tone was one of questioning confusion. He’d neglected the baby book with everything that had happened. He didn’t understand why people needed change tables and all the fancy things if it was literally a place for changing poopy nappies “I’ll talk to Curtis, and to Hunk. Shay’s worried over both of them. She doesn’t want Lance to feel awkward over helping her with Earth wedding things” For all his awkwardness with words, Keith was certain that all of this could have been sorted sooner if Hunk or Shay had come to them to talk about things. Lance wouldn’t be miserable and Hunk wouldn’t be baking Shiro out of the Atlas “I’m sure he’d be happy to have something to do. He can’t sit still. It’ll distract him from the tour” “Plus, he’ll be ready for when Curtis asks him to be part of his wedding party” Taking half a step back, Keith gaped at his adoptive brother. Laughing at his reaction, Shiro clamped his robotic hand down on Keith’s left shoulder “I haven’t asked him yet. We have talked about it though. Two more years, then retirement. Two years is more realistic than hoping to retire by this time next year, plus, it’ll give us time to make sure Veronica is adequately trained to accept the position” Recovering, Keith nodded. Everyone was growing and moving on. The ugly feeling of abandonment reared its unwanted head. There was a time when everyone moved on, their relationship wasn’t through blood... But if anyone deserved the “happily ever after” it was Shiro... Veronica stepping up as commander barely registered “That’s great, man” Shiro let his shock slide, knowing him his brother already knew where his mind had gone “Maybe it’ll help if you two marry again, and... you know have an actual ceremony with your friends. So we can watch, and laugh...” “We might not have known we were married, but I wouldn’t change that night” Lance was so happy. The wine had been awful, and Annla had tricked them both, but Lance had been so happy with their union “Think about the rest of us. You would have been a nervous wreck if you’d known what was going on” “I’m not sure I know what’s going on, even now” “You should have more faith” “Keith? Are you paying attention? Of course you’re not. I am trying to talk to you” On the screen at the end of the lab, Daehra was glaring at both he and Shiro. Daehra’s “Mum” look was enough to make him shift his weight in guilt. He’d insisted on overseeing Lance’s medication being created, yet let himself be distracted by his brother. He should have just had Shiro take the Atlas out to the outpost and picked up personally. It’d all have been faster and simpler than this “Sorry, Daehra” “As you should be. I have been trying to tell you Lance just sent me a message. I’m afraid it doesn’t make much sense” Keith cleared his throat “He was pretty tired. He was going for a nap” Glancing down, Daehra’s lips moved as she silently reread the message “That’s makes sense now. Please tell him to sleep, then to reread his message. I’m not completely sure, but I do believe that “Keith estupido” translates to stupid Keith . I really do wish he’d teach me at least a little Spanish. His full message reads “Keith, ese estúpido esposo mío no está aquí, estoy tan cansado. Te llamaré después de haber tomado una siesta”. I’m sure he’s going to have a laugh at that one... whatever that means” Daehra butchered the Spanish so spectacularly that Keith couldn’t find it in him to be mad. He might not be all that great at Spanish, yet he knew enough to know “siesta” was a “sleep”? or a “nap”? “He said he’s tired and going to take a nap before he calls you. And that Keith isn’t with him” Daehra huffed out a sigh at Shiro. Keith felt annoyed at his own shortcomings with the language of his family “He should have said that then. Marco is busy with Lucteal. They’ve gone to visit with Yule... You’re both terrible at keeping us in the loop. Marco found out that Lance had been attacked while watching the live stream. Miriam’s call was another three vargas later, and that was because Krolia had called her. Wherever he is, he’s always finding trouble” “I’m sorry, Dae. Things here have been hectic. You’re right though. I promise to have Lance call you” “Good. Three movements with very little news over both of you is not good for ones nerves. Marco has the same flare for dramatics as his brother” “I don’t know about that...” “Then try living with him. Now, the compound is nearly complete. Make sure he resumes the same daily routine as before. The injection requires another varga until it’s completion. There is enough for three doses, all to be injected preferably into his thigh. I am entrusting the injections to you, and I want a copy of his latest medical reports for my files” “I’ll ask Krolia how to go about sending them through. If Marco’s being too annoying, we can always transfer him out here with us” Despite Acxa basically being his sister, Keith would trade Marco for Veronica happily. Veronica’s love caused continual head butting, whereas once Marco had cooled his heels, he and Lance had gone back to being tight “He has his moments. He’s not as natural around here as Lance was, nor is he that adept working trade, yet things are running smoothly... mostly. We’ve taken on the two staff Lance authorised for me, there is a more detailed report on his comms, in accompaniment with his movement report. I know there’s no use, but please tell him not to worry. The outpost is still functioning, which is the main thing” “Good. I guess we’ll see you... maybe during the tour? Of after...” “We’re all looking forward to seeing you and he on screen. You never look comfortable in front of the camera. It is quite entertaining” “Remind me again, why exactly have I missed you?” Daehra shrugged her shoulders “It’s not my fault you left with Lance. Please make sure he rests before you call” Doing his best impression of Lance, Keith put his his hands on hips as over exaggerated the sass in his simple reply “Yes, Dae. I wouldn’t dream of letting my husband rest. I’m so relieved you gave me this vital suggestion” Nudging him, Shiro shot him a scowl “Ignore him, Daehra. He’s been in a mood since the attack. Thank you for this, we’re all worried over Lance’s seizures. I’m sure you must have work to do, so we’ll let you get back to it. Thanks again, right, Keith?” Daehra looked amused. They’d moved past politeness into a comfortable banter like relationship “Yeah. Right. Thanks, Dae. I’ll talk to you later” “Bye, Keith. Thank you, Shiro. I’m happy our idiots have someone with a brain cell looking after them” Daehra cut the call as Shiro turned to him “Would it hurt you to be polite to your friends?” “You have no idea what you’ve just done. She’s never going to let me live this down” “What did I do? Unlike you, I was polite” Keith sighed “That’s just it. Daehra and I are past the polite stage. She’s nearly as sassy as Lance. Did you see how happy she was that you were scolding me? She’s a monster” Shiro rolled his eyes at him “I’m sure you’re imagining all of this. She’s a perfectly nice young lady” “Riiight. This coming from “Silver Fox”. Of course you can do no wrong. She doesn’t know you like I do” “What’s that supposed to mean?” “You’re too polite for my good. I’m going to stay, but you can go ahead if you want. I doubt Lance will take anything that I took my eyes off” “Do you mind if stop in to check on Lance. If he’s sleeping I’ll leave him sleeping” It’d kind of been a douche move to leave Lance the moment he got out of the infirmary... He’d wanted a nap, and Keith didn’t want to interfere with his husband resting. Unconsciously his top lip curled up slightly so he was baring his teeth at his brother “No waking him up if he’s sleeping and no complaining if Kosmo bites you” Shiro held his hands up in surrender “I’m simply going to make sure he’s not upset that you’re not there. I’m not going to bring the baby shower up... or the attack” “Make sure you don’t. He hasn’t taken his medication. I want him resting as much as possible before the tour begins. The last thing we need is him having a public seizure. He’d feel too guilty to carry on in public if he thought he’d insulted our hosts” “I really hope you didn’t say it to him like that. You know he can’t control his seizures” “Like what? You know he anxious he gets over things” “Saying it like that sounds pretty accusatory. Think about it, it’ll come to you. I’m going to head off now. I’ll see you later” Keith was stuck brooding on his wording. Lance would be crippled emotionally if he thought he’d insulted the people they were visiting or scared them with a seizure... What was wrong with his wording? He was worried for his husband, so he didn’t want him having a seizure and being upset... So why had Shiro told him to think about his words? He simply didn’t understand how it could be accusatory. He wasn’t accusing Lance of intentionally having a seizure... Deciding he was getting nowhere, Keith kept himself in a self hug as he watched Lance’s injections being synthesised. * Cold and annoyed, Lance wasn’t impressed with his fur son at all. After huffing off, the Cuban had thought he wouldn’t be seeing the cause of his current troubles so soon. Either sulky because he’d been sent back to the human who’d growled at him, or miserable because his fur was soapy, Keith’s wolf had teleported back half a varga or so after he’d given up on life and proceeded to sulk on the stripped bed. With Kosmo’s cold body against his, Lance was left shivering, not game to venture back into the wet bathroom, nor was interested in playing games with Kosmo over bath time. Disturbed by a soft knock on his door, Kosmo’s lazy arse didn’t move as Lance failed to reply. If it wasn’t Keith, he wasn’t sure he wanted to see them, or for anyone to see how badly he’d messed up immediately upon release. With a soft “swoosh” the bedroom door opened, with the figure at the doorway clearing their throat “Lance? Are you awake? Something seems to have happened to your room” Shiro’s voice was soft and level, Lance hating how happy it made him to have someone come check on him, despite the fact it wasn’t Keith. Up until the moment had spoken he’d wanted to be alone in his misery, now he couldn’t be more grateful to Shiro for being there. Slowly pushing himself up, Lance blinked his eyes clear before sighing softly to himself. His clothes were damp, smelling like wet dog... said wet “dog” wore an expression of shame, though Lance wasn’t ready to forgive him quite so readily “Hey, Shiro... yeah, I’m awake. Sorry the room’s a mess... things... things went to quiznak” Moving his hands to his stomach, Lance drew his legs up to cross them. Shiro moving across the room to sit on the edge of the bed, taking the unsaid invitation in his stride “Want to tell me what happened?” “Kosmo hijacked my bath, then decided halfway through he didn’t want a bath” Receiving no love from Lance, Kosmo dragged himself up with exaggerated patheticness as he settled with his head next to Shiro’s leg “Ah. That explains a few things. Keith said you were going to nap?” “One of the joys of pregnancy I’ve learned that sometimes, no matter how quiznakking tired you are, sleep refuses to come. Plus... I’ve already messed everything up” With a soft smile, Shiro shook his head “Not everything. I’ve got some time if you want some help? Maybe we can get everything sorted before Keith comes back? I can hold him while you wash him” For an instant Lance’s mind went to “Shiro holding Keith while Lance bathed him like a dog”, before his thoughts kindly reminded him that Shiro meant Kosmo “The bathroom’s too wet... Keith would kill me if I ended up back in the infirmary so soon” With a laugh, Shiro held an arm out. Lance completely uncoordinated as he climbed from his spot to hug his brother-in-law. It wasn’t as good as a Keith hug, but fuck if he didn’t need a hug. Hiding his face against Shiro’s shoulder, he let out a shaky breath “Thank you... Keith left so soon... and I think he’s mad at me” “Nah. He’s not mad at you. He was in the middle of something, and thought you’d be napping while he took care of it. Nothing bad. When he’s done he’s coming straight back” “Are you sure?” “I promise you he’s not mad. I’ll take Kosmo for his bath. Are you up for helping?” “I don’t want him to see how I fucked up so fast” “You didn’t “fuck up”. Kosmo’s the one who’s in trouble here. Bathing him may not have been the best idea, but you did say he stole your bath. How about I get you fresh clothes to begin with? I’ll washing him while you get changed then we’ll sort your bed out together. Keith’s not going to be back for another varga. That’s plenty of time to get things straightened out” A varga seemed like a lifetime. He didn’t trust his body not to decide to betray him. All the wanted now was to cuddle with his husband. He’d wanted to clean, but it’d been too much effort alone, leaving him mentally dreading a confrontation or scolding when he wanted Keith so badly. Hugging Shiro had killed his libido the moment his arms had wrapped around the older man. His instincts said Shiro wasn’t “safe”, not like Keith, though it wasn’t like he’d been planning on sleeping with Shiro as it was “Thank you. I didn’t mean to cause all this chaos” “Lance, trust me, if you’d seen the state of mine and Curtis’s room, you’d know this is nothing. I’ve left it worse... and learned my lesson for it... though it might have taken a while” Lance wrinkled his face, pushing Shiro away as he did “I don’t need to know about your kinks. Gross. You’re my Space Dad” “There was nothing kinky about waking to find each of my dirty socks collected and left by my face. The point I was trying to make is that Keith is less scary than Curtis over mess” “Curtis is domesticated. He’s too good for the three of us” “That he is. I’m happy you like him so much” “He’s kind of easy. I mean... he knew and he accepted things. He didn’t pry or try to pry... and when I talked, he actually listened. It meant a lot to me” “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you have a crush” Lance rolled his eyes “Nope. Moment over. He’s all yours. I leave the demon mutt to you. I’ve got clothes in the bedside drawers here... I think. I’ve at least got underwear in there and that’s a start” Reaching out, Shiro ruffled his hair “That it is. Call me if you need help? I really don’t...” Brushing Shiro off, he reminded himself that he had to do better than he had been. He was being too clingy, needing too much attention. Shiro would be in the next room and he wasn’t so much of an invalid that he needed everything done for him “I’ll manage. I’d rather Kosmo be washed off properly. I don’t want him making more of a mess with his sulking back to our bed” Shiro flexed his robotic arm “I’ve got this” Shiro did not “have this”. Kosmo simply teleported around the bathroom with Shiro’s robotic hand still firmly holding onto Kosmo collar. Their precious varga passed with Shiro attempting to corral Kosmo, while Lance was sitting on the toilet lid enjoying the show. He didn’t enjoy Kosmo further messing up the bathroom, but he did enjoy knowing he wasn’t the only one Kosmo was misbehaving for. Lance harboured no doubts that if Shiro had wanted, he easily could have brought Kosmo back under control. Yet, Shiro let the silly scene play out, Kosmo thinking it all a game teleported to his side then teleported them both into the bath where Shiro promptly lost his footing causing him to fall into the bubbles. Coming up, he looked unimpressed, leading to Lance laughing so hard he was wheezing. Licking at his face, Kosmo settled himself down in Shiro’s lap triumphantly “Lance, this isn’t funny. He’s a menace” With his face burning hot, Lance could only shake his head. A tick or two passing before Shiro started laughing too. The pair of them laughing like idiots over the shenanigans that’d crippled Lance with anxiety earlier. Not that he’d gone swimming with Kosmo, nor had his robotic arm gone for a ride on Kosmo’s collar. Laughing until his stomach hurt and he’d slightly wet himself, Lance couldn’t glance Shiro’s way as each time he did fresh laughter bubbled up. That was how Keith found them. Opening the bathroom door, Keith stepped into chaos. In the bath Shiro was recovering better than him, deciding that if he was going to be soaked, he might as well be soaked and washing Kosmo as he did. Raising an eyebrow, his husband crossed his arms “What the quiznak is going on here?” Lance sucked in his bottom lip, his body shaking slightly from the repressed laughter “Hey, Keith. The thing is... we were going to bath Kosmo... but I think I’m the one who ended up having the bath instead” A squeak escaped, Keith’s eyes flashing from Shiro to him “Babe? I thought you wanted to take a nap. Why’s the bed wet and why are you sitting on the toilet?” “I’m... Kosmo decided that he wanted a bath and didn’t at the same time. You should have seen it... he had Shiro’s arm...” Doubling over in laughter, his stomach cramped painfully, he wanted to stop laughing but couldn’t get the image of Shiro’s arm out of his head “What he means is, Kosmo attempted to steal my arm mid bath. He messed up the bed trying to escape, so we got him back into the bathroom then this happened” Keith sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes and shook his head for a tick, before fixing his gaze almost coldly on his brother “I thought I told you to let him sleep. Not get him all worked up” A chill ran down Lance’s spine as his laughter came to an abrupt halt. Why was Keith so mad when the situation was clearly hilarious “Lance was awake when I got here. He couldn’t sleep, and Kosmo hijacked the bath he was going to have. That’s why we tried to give him a bath” “Babe, you know you need to be resting. I trusted that you wanted to nap” “I did, but I had too much energy. Shiro didn’t do anything wrong. He was trying to get the shampoo out of Kosmo‘s fur when Kosmo turned it into a game. I’ve been sitting over here” “And what if you’d had a seizure while they were messing about?” Lance’s heart gave an uncomfortable beat. He hadn’t really thought about having a seizure while sitting. He’d thought himself kind of safe because he was simply watching and not overexerting himself. Keith should know better than to think he was looking to hurt himself or the twins. He was doing his best and trying his hardest to ignore all his past impulses, not wanting to cause his husband any unnecessary pain or worry “Kosmo’s good at warning me, and I’m already sitting. The real question is why are you so mad? No one got hurt... the bed and the bathroom got a little wet, and Shiro was arm-napped, but I wasn’t hurt” “But you could have been. I made sure everything was perfect for you, and now I come back to our room destroyed and you... you don’t laugh like that when I’m around. I had this planned in my head and this wasn’t the plan... you... I spent the morning synthesising your medication with Daehra on call... and I come back to you having fun with my brother” Lance’s hurt swayed to anger, then to bitterly hurt anger with tears. How many times did he have to tell Keith nothing was going on? “Newsflash, you dumped me here and left. You didn’t explain where you were going, only that you had to go out again. I wanted to come back here and cuddle my husband who started neglecting himself because he was too caught up in looking after me. And I wanted to hold you and make sure you were ok. That you were feeling better and make sure you understood I only did it because I was worried about your stupid mulleted arse. I’m sorry I’m such a goddamn burden to you and I’m sorry that I was happy when Shiro came to see me because I was fucking lonely. I’m sorry I can’t even wash your wolf properly. That I let him teleport out to your bed where he rolled around. I’m sorry I didn’t clean up your precious bathroom because I didn’t want to fucking slip and cost you your kids. I’m sorry that I can’t do anything fucking right... all I want is to be good for you, but I’m fucking useless” Clutching his stomach, Lance was well aware that he was ugly crying over his baby bump. Why was he in trouble? If Keith had been here for all the shenanigans Kosmo had put Shiro through, he would have been laughing just as hard as that “Babe... that not what I was saying. I was worried about you. You haven’t had your medication in days...” “So because I’m fucked up you don’t want to k-know m-me if I’m not drugged?” “I’m not saying that. Please, you need to calm down...” “Fuck you! Fuck you and your dick! You knocked me up! I’m doing everything I can for your kids... maybe they should have just killed the three of us...” His words were a bitter poison that choked his throat and stung at his tongue. He didn’t want to be saying these things. Keith swayed on the spot, a hand going to the door frame as Shiro stood up in the bath tub “Don’t... you don’t... you don’t mean that. You don’t mean that, Lance. We’re supposed to be starting a family” “Some fucking family when your husband’s a whore! Go fuck Krystaal! He’s in love with you and you’ve obvious got a crush on him! Go be happy with him! He doesn’t burden you like I do!” “I don’t have a crush on Krystaal! This is why I didn’t tell you he was a guy! Because I knew you’d be like this!” “What? Jealous that he’s everything I’m not!?” “No, because you get it in your head that you’re worthless then tell me to go him! What am I supposed to do, Lance? All I want is you to be happy!” Lance let out a raspy sob, his hands moving from his stomach to wipe at his face “That’s what I want too. I’m sick of us fighting! I’m sick of it! I want my husband back! The man who knew I trusted him, and that he was the only person I want to be with! I just want my husband back... I want to be happy with you again... not ruining your life all the time...” Taking the few steps across the space, Keith went to take his hand, Lance snatching it back before he could “Babe... I don’t want to fight either. I’m worried about you” Dios. Why did he have to worry? Everything had been fine until he’d left him. He’d been bad. He didn’t deserve Keith’s love “Don’t touch me. I don’t want you to touch me” If Keith touched him, he’d cave. He’d throw himself into the embrace and cry it all out on Keith’s shoulder “I love you. I’m sorry. I’m scared you’re going to have another seizure and you’re going to end up hurt” “It was fine until you came back. I’m sorry you I couldn’t fall asleep. I’ll... I’ll organise something. Somewhere to stay until the tour... I was feeling so lonely without you, but now it hurts so bad I don’t know if I can look at you” “I’m sorry...” “You don’t have to apologise to something like me. Shiro, can I stay on the Atlas... actually, never mind. I’ll ask Krolia to let me go to Altea. I’m sorry...” With great pain, Lance rose to his feet, ignoring avoiding Keith as he tried to help. They’d been so on top of each other since they’d gotten back together that they’d been smothering each other without knowing. Or at least Lance knew he was smothering Keith by needing his constant love and support. All he’d done was continually stuff up. “Babe... please. You haven’t done anything wrong. I’m the one who did. I didn’t listen about the photos. I didn’t listen about the photos with Klearo. I told you I trust your gut then chose the easy way out because I was scared of the truth. I’m fucking terrified of you leaving me. I get so scared that I get angry... and jealous... because... because you’re my husband. You’re my husband and I can’t make everything better for you. I hate it. I hate you not being you. Everyone fucking shattered you, and you still put us all first. You... you were my friend... and I didn’t even care about your feelings when I came back. I noticed things were different and I ran from it because I didn’t know what to say because I loved you... and I was so cruel to you. You’ve been working so hard and I’ve done nothing. I’m not a better leader. I’m not a good husband. I still hate public and formal events and I’m happy to dump the royal duties on my unborn sibling. I don’t know how to be... me. I don’t want to hurt you. I want to spend every morning waking up with you. I want to hold you. I want to see new things out there in space with you. I want to see the way your face lights up... I... I love you... I’ve loved you for so long...” “The person you fell in love with no longer exists. Everything that happened to me, I deserved... everyone simply noticed how unworthy I was before you. Now you’re seeing it, but you don’t know how to leave...” Their was an air of indifference in Lance’s tone. His heart was breaking at his husband’s words. He knew Keith had his issues. He knew Keith was terrified but this clinging thing... it... it was held together with duct tape and paper clips. Keith was working his hardest, but it seemed lately all it took was a few misspoken words and the same fight would flare into life. The Atlas would have been preferable to Daibazaal purely because it would have been easier to lift a ship under Shiro’s nose rather than the whole Galra empire. Krolia understood what Keith was going through... his step mother would stress and want them to talk it out. He’d used all his spare time while recovering sleeping, rewatching the attack, and worrying over Keith’s state of mind, and the way he’d given up and neglected himself. That wasn’t what he wanted. He wanted Keith to be able to do his own thing. To chase after his dreams “... I’m going to find Mumma K. Shiro, can you please not tell Veronica about any of this. Mami has enough to worry about. And take care of Keith. He really needs a friend” Shuffling out the bathroom, Lance left everything where it was. He vaguely remembered how to get to Krolia’s quarters, and if he got lost, he was sure to find someone who could direct him to her. Besides, he may get lucky and be assassinated before he could ruin things for Keith further.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

CSUAVS prt 39 update

Taking the Telula from the Atlas to New Altea, via direct wormhole, Lance had missed his girl. He was up on his feet and on crutches... after the wheelchair they tried to stick him in mysteriously ended up taking a trip out the airlock at Lance's earliest convenience. Crutches weren't without their problems, like the way they irritated his shoulder and his even more fucked up left hand, but there was no way he was parting with them. He was out of the miserable medical room, and off the Atlas... A free man with the whole universe at his bare feet. Shoes were too much effort. Besides, what was the point of forcing himself into shoes when he was going straight to the hospital after they landed on Altea. Coran now knew about his drug problem... in detailish. Not just that the red liquid helped with pain, but that it was a combination of medications he'd been using to cope. They'd talked a little when he'd seen Daehra giving him injections before he was moved up to the Atlas with that stupid chest infection. It would have only hurt Coran to know that he'd been raped repeatedly for vargas at a time, so he'd smoothly told him that they addicted him while torturing him, which was the real truth of it all. Coran had still cried. Wailed hard enough that the nursing staff on the floor had thought something was wrong and sent Keith in to investigate. Keith, who finally reunited with Kosmo. Kosmo having been in his mother's care to keep him out of everyone's way while both Lance and Keith recovered. Lance had suggested that Keith take him for a walk so he could rest without his head getting stupid again. Landing the Telula in the area designated, Lance stared out at the splendour of New Altea, Allura's statue glowing beneath the golden sun as a beacon of hope for all the planets inhabitants. Lance could find no hope in it. All he could find were bitter memories, and reminders of how weak he was. Besides, it wasn't as if he hadn't seen enough of Allura since she died to have accepted she was never coming back. Turning away from the sight, Lance made his way forward on the crutches. It wasn't like his legs were busted, or the pain between his legs hadn't healed, he was simply too weak after spending four movements in bed to go far without support. If he'd asked, Keith would have been by his side in an instant, but he wanted to do this alone. He wanted to get up and move his body, feel the ache from his protesting wounds and tender sides. He wanted to feel something more than a patient and a burden... "Are you ready, my boy?" Nodding at Coran, Lance moved on. Steps were a bit of bitch, but again, he stubbornly wanted to do things himself. He'd been forced to rely on everyone around him for far too long. All of this... "Voltron family thing" wasn't him anymore. So while he'd racked up a debt to Shiro that he had no idea how to ever pay back, he wasn't able to mend any bridges between him and Hunk. Or Shay... and definitely not with Keith's team. When the initial upset of having Shiro invade his privacy had faded with laughter and a shower with the most amazing man he'd ever met, had passed, it'd all reared its angry head again when he had time to process it all. The fact that Shiro had sent someone to go through his things, his private things, and his ship, make him feel violated all over again. The Telula was his sanctuary. His safe space. The troubles of constantly living in fear of someone who'd raped him magically still being alive and after him, faded away when he was in his quarters. He knew his ship. He knew she'd protect him, like a lion of his making. Now he had to live with the knowledge she'd been violated too. People wouldn't understand if he told him. To them she was just a hulking lump of metal and wires, but to him... she was as good as any flesh and blood person. She'd seen him, night after night, as he cried. She'd listened to him venting over and over, caught his fist when it all became too much and snapped, and helped him build a new family against the evils of the space they shared. It didn't matter that she wasn't the newest or fastest ship out there, because he wasn't the smartest or greatest commander. He loved her for all she was. Leaning heavily on his crutches, Lance decided that going down the ramp was definitely worse than going down the stairs, especially when your boyfriend had a solid bite on his bottom lip and a worried gaze the whole time. How was he supposed to regain strength and all that, if everyone kept doing things for him? He would have felt a tiny bit proud of himself for making it down, if Keith hadn't moved to wrap an arm around his waist the moment the tips of the crutches touched the gravel of the landing area. Staring at his feet, he ignored the feelings of eyes on him. His gaze slowly shifting up to his left hand, which felt like it'd started bleeding again. Like the stupid idiot he was, he'd had a panic attack in the shower, slipping and smacking his left hand into the white tiles... all because he'd heard the steps of one of the nurses delivering something for him and Keith to eat. It had not been his finest varga. He'd lost it completely, back handed Keith, then torn out the cannula from the back of his within a few ticks of slipping. His little finger taking the worst of the damage as he wanted the feeling around his wrist to vanish, and yanked the bandages too hard. After being cleaned up by Daehra, he'd decided his left hand was as good as dead to him for betraying him and not healing fast enough for his own liking... or like it previously would have, had he not turned himself into a walking wound. "Mijo!" Jolting at the familiar voice, Keith leaned in to whisper "Your mother's here..." She was what now? No one had told him about this... Why had they even bothered too? He was supposed to be going straight into surgery, then into a pod, then disappearing in the middle of the night so he could go find out more about those connected to Kre'el. Shiro might have benched him, but that didn't mean he was giving up on finding out answers for himself. He had but a few ticks before his mother was wrapping her arms around him "Mami?" "Oh, my baby. Why didn't you tell me how badly injured you were?" "Mami..." "Veronica let me know all about you being transferred out here for surgery... Your poor shoulder. Your poor hand... oh, my baby boy" Standing stock still, Lance felt like he couldn't breathe. He was making her worry again. He didn't want her to worry. He didn't want to tear his family apart again "Mrs..." Releasing him, Lance's mother drew Keith into a firm hug "None of that, call me mami. It must have been so awful for you too, my dear boy. Thank you for getting my Lance out of there" "Uh... um... Lance was the one who saved me... its my fault he was injured" Keith stuttered out his reply, obviously not knowing how to accept the hug from his mother-in-law "Veronica told me how you made those calls. I don't know what that Kolivan was thinking, not sending help immediately" "There was a miscommunication. Because the address for the comms was unknown, he wasn't able to confirm it wasn't a trap for other Blade operatives. And I don't know what Veronica said, but it was Lance who saved us. He got me out of my cuffs and helped me subdue our captors. It was him who took their comms, and him who stopped us from ending up in the middle of nowhere with a psychopath... I only wish I'd been stronger..." Releasing Keith, his mother looked to him "You did that? You saved both of you?" Hesitantly, Lance nodded "Oh, Mijo... you've always been reckless and impulsive, but you've always known the right thing to do. I might not understand the details, but you did a good job, my son. We can discuss your grounding once you've been through your operation..." Dabbing at his eyes, his mother's words didn't feel real. He'd done a "good job". He. The man who kept fucking up. The one Veronica thought a burden... had done a "good job" "He did more than a good job. He saved a lot of people with his actions" "Spoken like a proud boyfriend. You two did finally..." Lance spluttered, his cheeks dusting red "Oh my god, mami! You can't just ask that" "Why not? It is so good to see you with someone who treasures you for who you are. You've always had such a kind heart, despite your antics. I can't say I approve such dangerous work, but I do sleep easier knowing Keith is there with you" This was a dream. He was freaking dreaming. He'd probably fallen down the ramp and smacked his head or something "And what have I told you about taking our Lord's name in vain" Nope. Not a dream. At least not at she smacked his arm lightly, and scolded him over saying "god" like that "Sorry, mami" "That's better. I'm sorry, Coran. You must be tired from dealing with these two. Both as bad as each other from what Veronica tells me" "Keith isn't as bad as Acxa. She's just upset that she's not the only one in the family dating someone part Galra" "She's quite taken by Acxa, but I didn't know it was all official. She didn't mention that they were finally dating. They're as bad as you two" Keith laughed. Both Lance and his mother looking to him for an explanation "You totally dobbed your sister in" Lance huffed. It was the same at all "So what? She apparently gives running reports to our mother. At least she doesn't know where dating" "That's because we're still working us out before we make everything official. Though with the amount of people in on the secret, I'm sure it'll be everywhere in no time" Clearing his throat, Coran bowed towards Lance's mother "It's an honour to see you again. I'm afraid it seems Altea is to blame for all of this. Lance and Keith were both very brave and carried out there mission with courage" "That's good to hear. We do worry for them both. Oh dear me, Lance. Should you really be on crutches?" "No, he's supposed to be in a wheelchair..." Lance elbowed Keith harder than he intended "Dobber" "I'm not the one who put the wheelchair out the airlock. Don't think I don't know what you did" Lance gaped, before quickly recovering "I was setting it free. You know, releasing it back to the wild. It's happier out there" "It's happier, or you're happier?" "Can't it be both? I'm fine on the crutches. I hurt my arm and my hand, not my legs" Lance's mother gave a light laugh, Coran gave more of a nervous chuckle "We really should be heading into the medical centre" "It's ok if you've got things to do Coran, I know where it is. Plus, someone needs to show my team around. Daehra is particularly interested in Altea" "Are you sure, my boy?" "I'll be fine. You already sent everything through ahead of time. Go tell Allura I'll stop by to see her later" "Alright. Have them call me if there's any trouble at all" "I will" Hobbling away with Keith on one side and his mother on the other, Keith shook his head at him "You totally threw Daehra under the bus just now" "I don't know what you mean" "I didn't hear her say anything on the trip here" "That's because she was in shock. Trust me. She's internally nerding out. Plus, I'm hoping Coran will have something to keep Zak busy. I don't my girl blowing up" "Always the schemer" "When it comes to escaping being smothered. Speaking of which, what else did Veronica tell you?" Looking to his mother, his mother sighed at him "She's just worried about you" "No. She's being nosy" "You were hurt" "And? Did she tell you we had a fight? That she wants me to come back home and stop getting in the way?" "Not in so many words..." Veronica was definitely off the Christmas card list this year "She worries for you" "There's worrying and then there's treating someone like they don't know how to do their job. The only reason she's got to be cranky is the whole heap of bad guys we dropped in their lap" "She said your nightmares came back" "Mami, its fine. I mean, yeah. But I'm having less of them, and I've got Keith now. I'm not coming back home because Veronica says I have to. I'll come back when I feel like I'm ready to. You understand that, don't you?" "Unfortunately. You spent half your life looking up at the stars. I know how lonely you've been not being out here. I just wish you'd take more care" "I know, mami. But it's not just me out here. The people my teams been helping are the like how Earth was under Galra control. They're still scared. They don't know how to help themselves or who to turn to. It feels good being out there" "It's alright to help mijo, but you can't help anyone if you're dead" "I know, mami. I know. Keith's been doing a good job keeping me alive" "I'm most grateful he has. Though I wish you'd fattened him up a bit. You're too thin, my love" "I know. Space doesn't have your delicious cooking" "Then you should come to Earth. Not to stay, if you don't want to, but for a family dinner. Let your father meet Keith properly and let me cook for you" "Mami" "Don't "mami" me in that tone. You always used to give me that tone when I was intruding" "Because you are. Everything's been so busy, we haven't had the time to just sit down and breathe. You know the moment papi sees how strong Keith is, he'll have out there working" "Come now, Lance. Your father isn't that bad. You've missed the junipers blooming, it was beautiful" As if being back on New Altea wasn't enough, now his mother was bringing up the junipers. As far as he was concerned, the whole lot could go up in flames. Not literally, of course. They were a source of income for his parents, who's farm had been struggling before the invasion of Earth. He regretted planting so many, knowing that each plant he'd planted was a silent prayer for Allura to return. It didn't sit right with him to be talking about it all in front of Keith. Keith was his future, and Allura was his past. That was how things needed to stay, and that was how he wanted things to stay. He was now with someone who understood him, all his bad points, who stood on their two feet and wouldn't... hopefully wouldn't leave him. If he'd loved Allura, then he had no words for the depth of love he felt for Keith... Keith who knew his dirtiest secrets, and stayed for some reason. He couldn't quite believe it... part of him didn't believe it, but it was easier to hide that now. It was easier when he was one there for Keith. To calm him. To soothe him with soft whispers after a nightmare. When Keith would get flustered over "not having the right words". Things were easier when the focus wasn't on him... and he felt equal in their relationship... or rather, not a useless burden like he was at the moment. "That sounds nice. How are things on Earth? It's been a while since I went back" "Busy. There's still a lot of cleanup, and organisation of those migrating there permanently. Thanks to Veronica's position on the Atlas, we're still kept in the loop. I ran into Katie while I was waiting for my shuttle. She says "hello, and tells you to call more often". Something about the both of you "flaking from Hunk's party"?" "She doesn't even remember Hunk's party" Mumbling under his breath, Lance was grateful that Keith was covering for him by talking to his mother "What was that?" "Nothing, mami. Keith and I were there" "I know you were dear. Still, you all went through so much together. Sometimes I have to pinch myself because I can't believe it" "It was a lot, but we couldn't have made it through without Lance. You raised an amazing man" Lance blushed, his bare feet suddenly exceptionally interesting "I can't take all the credit. Still, you must come for dinner. When you two are ready. Rachel will no doubt pester you. She has a had of riling Lance's feathers. Then again, he's always given as much as he's gotten. There was this one time when she convinced him mud pies were real pies" Oh god. It was date night with Allura all over again "That might explain his love of mud mask" Noooo. Keith wasn't allowed to join in with this "Guys. I'm right here" Leaning in, Keith kissed his cheek "I know, babe. But I'm not going anywhere, ever, so isn't it better if I get along with your family?" Increasing his hobbling speed, Lance threw back over his shoulder "I hate both of you" Sharing a look, Keith and his mother seemed to instantly be on the same wavelength. For someone who couldn't find the right words, Keith had managed to completely whoo his mother over... but then again, he knew they'd talked before... but how many times had Keith called her? Would it be weird if his accidental-husband was secretly best friends with his mother? Oh god... they both had more than embarrassing story they could share... Even affectionately, he couldn't handle it right now. His anxieties were starting to bubble up, because it wasn't like he was having surgery that damn day and was nervous as hell about that. Nope. As long as those two were content picking on him, he stood no chance. * Almost the moment they reached the hospital reception, a nurse was ushering Lance into a wheel chair, a second carrying a holopad as they started walking somewhere. Keith had expected a wait. There were all kinds of aliens in the waiting room, even with Lance being scheduled, Keith felt like they were cutting the line or something... Lance's mother seemed to think the same as she carried the crutches Lance had been using with a growingly worried look on her face. His boyfriend had grown quiet after he'd limped off in front of them. Keith hadn't meant to overstep, he knew how anxious Lance was over the sudden arrival of his mother, he could smell wafting in the air and taste it on his tongue. Neither of them expected her to be there, but it wasn't like they could simply send her home. She was Lance's mother, and she was clearly worried for her son. Wanting to take the pressure of Lance, he'd stepped up the best he could, semi-terrified that she was going to yell at him for Lance's injuries, thankfully she hadn't... but the surgery was still to come. "Alright Lance, we can take you straight through. Coran has sent through the data on your injuries. A few more scans and then we'll be good to go" What now? Blinking at his boyfriend, Lance was tugging on the fabric of the loose shirt he was wearing. His nerves getting the better of him "Sorry, do you mind if I come in with him?" The nurse looked down at the holopad "You're listed here as his emergency contact and have been given authorisation over his medical decisions. I'm sorry, but we can only bring one of you through" Hanging his head, Keith was sure that had to have hurt Lance's mother to hear. They were acting like she wasn't there at all. She should be there for her son. She'd probably worried herself sick night after night, after hearing Lance had been wounded, after disappearing again. Feeling a warm hand on his shoulder, Lance's mother had a soft smile on her face "No need to feel guilty. Heaven knows you've been by his side out here" "You're his mother..." "And he trusts you. This has been a traumatic time for both of you. Just make sure you let me know what's going on" "Between the scans and the surgery, am I going to get see both of them?" Lance's soft voice interrupted them. The nurse tapping on her holopad "Yes, for a few doboshes" "Then I'll go for the scans alone please" Lance's mother's expression told Keith she wanted to object "Mijo..." "Mami, it'll be ok. It's just scans. Why don't you get Keith to call Veronica for you? So you can tell her you've arrived safely" "I'd rather someone be with you" "It's only scans. We both know all they're going to say is that my shoulder's stuffed and needs operating on, then it's off to the pod for my beauty sleep. It's not like they're going to steal my absurdly good looks while neither of you are looking" Keith groaned, but Lance's mother gave a smile "Then you have to tell us both everything they say" "Yes, yes. Now, can we get this done?" Keith felt like he should say something. Lance was nervous. What if he had a panic attack? Or the scans revealed something that Daehra hadn't picked up. What if Lance was sicker than he was letting on? Or hurt worse than what they knew "Babe, are you sure? I don't mind" "You two are as bad as each other. You're making me nervous, everything will be fine... I love you two, so go away already" "Are you sure?" "Yes. You heard the nurse, scans, then a quick visit and off to surgery. There's a plan" "Ok... I... uh, love you" "I love you too. Mami, can you make sure he doesn't get too cranky while he's waiting? He gets cranky when he has to wait" "If raising you lot hasn't taught me the meaning of patience, nothing ever will. We'll be waiting here for you" "Right. Let's go!" Giving them a wave, Lance let himself be pushed off towards a set of white doors. The nurse with the holopad lingering "If you'd like to please wait in the waiting room, I will come and collect you once the scans are complete" Lance was right, Keith hated waiting. Lance's mother insisted that she didn't need to check in with Veronica, before asking if he needed anything. A question she repeated half a dozen times as they waited. The half-Galra felt like he should be in there, his gaze firmly fixed in the direction of the hall they'd parted in. Though unfair to the Altean species, Keith couldn't help it as he mentally blamed them for Lance's trauma, wondering if relations to Kre'el existed on the planet. Each Altean could have been working for her... Each of the aliens in the waiting room could be working for one of her associates... Yes, he knew he was being ridiculous. His mind often jumped to worse case scenarios when forced to wait. He knew it stemmed from waiting for his father to come home, only to learn he was dead and that no one out there wanted him... The memories of standing in front of his father's grave morphed with the idea of Lance being dead... His eyes tearing as he was pulled into a warm hug that felt more comforting than he wanted to admit "Lance will cry if he sees those tears. My son will be fine" "I'm sorry. He's right about this waiting thing. I'm not made for it" "Keith, can I ask you honestly, what happened out there? Did you catch the people who hurt my son? Who hurt both my sons?" Both her... oh... she meant him as well as Lance "Yeah. Yeah, we caught the person behind it all. He was... betrayed by a friend who wanted him for his Altean marks. He's been pretty down because he's been on bed rest instead of participating in the investigation..." "They hurt him?" "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry... I was right there and I wasn't enough for him..." "You stop that. Lance is hurting, but the look on his face when he looks at you. You mean the world to him. I know we've teased him his whole life, and I know he's taken it upon himself to always be there to support other, but he's let you. And I thank you for that. Allura was sweet, and very pretty, but after hearing everything that happened, I can't help but feel she didn't understand Lance like you do" "I don't know what I'd do without him. I'm sorry. I'm not normally like this" Crying on a woman who was still pretty much a stranger... How lower could he get? Lance wasn't going to die. Coran would have ensured Lance got the absolutely best care he could have. Lance's mother patted his knee "You're worried for him. I am too" "How are you so calm?" "I don't know how much Lance has told you, but there's always children in and out of our house. I can't count the number of times it's been trips down to the emergency room for something or other. We might not be on Earth, but I have no doubt Lance will be just fine" Keith nodded, sniffling lightly "You're right. He's going to be alright... Like you said, it was a lot. And I'm still worried about him. I know it's been hard on him after his fight with Veronica" "Veronica has loved Lance from the moment she first held him. Many times when he'd hurt himself playing as a kid, he'd go to her so I wouldn't find out" "He did mention the pink slipper" Laughing, Lance's mother rubbed his arm "He mentioned that?" "He says he still lives in fear of it" "Oh my... I doubt it'd have much affect on him these days. Veronica was at a loss when you were all missing. She didn't believe he was dead, then when he returned, he held himself with the aura of someone who didn't need to rely on others. He was our boy, our good boy, who missed watching growing into a man. I know she worried, I may not have helped there. Did he tell you how he was after Allura?" "Yeah... all of it" "So you know he had troubles?" "Yeah. We're working through things. We had been until... our mission went sideways" "Then you know he is strong. All these fancy machines, he should be done before we even know it" Nodding, Keith had no idea how he was going to last through the surgery if he was this nervous right now. Lance probably would cry if he saw he'd been crying. He didn't want Lance heading into surgery worrying about him "Is it ok... if we just stay like this for a little longer?" "Of course, my boy. You're already part of the family" The scans took roughly half a varga, before they were finally called through to a white room where Lance was laying on an examination bed. His shirt had been swapped for a white gown that sat nestled under his right arm as to expose his shoulder, and everything below the waist was covered "Hey guys. You're just in time" Shoved forward by Lance's mum, Keith stumbled over his feet as he made his way to Lance, taking his hand in his. Squeezing firmly, Lance met his eyes "You've been crying, Mullet. Don't tell me you interrogating him" "No, your mum was really nice. What did they say about you?" "Oh... shoulder's stuffed and they're kind of amazed I'm still using it. It's a pretty simple procedure, a varga at the most, then into the healing pod. They don't know how long I'll be in, until I'm actually in there" "So... nothing else major?" Keith asked, although he knew Lance wouldn't answer anything more in depth with his mother in the room "They're going to tidy up my finger a little more... anything else will be healed up by the pod. There's probably going to be a couple of scars, like this bad boy" "Mijo, how did this happen?" With his eyes on Lance, Keith hadn't heard his mother moving to stand just behind him "It was a blaster shot, only grazing. It got a little infected. Daehra took really good care of it. Stitched it up all be herself. It wasn't her fault it got infected" The inch long pink wound was mostly a scar now, with a small sliver of unhealed greeny scab in the middle of it "Of course. You and those guns. You do know you're supposed to be shooting them, not being shot" "I know, mami. They'll clean it up too. The rest of the scans were all ok. So you don't need to worry. There going to be here in a tick, so this is where you tell me you love me" Leaning in, Lance's mother kissed the top of his head "I do, my boy. I'll let you and Keith have a moment" "Thanks, mami. You should make the most of being on Altea. There's supposed to be a day spa around you" "And what am I going to do there?" "Spoil yourself? You deserve it, mami. You came all this way, you should make the most of it while you can" "You know I've never needed anything fancy" "That's why you need to take the chance. Plus, I'm sure you need the rest" "I will think about it" Lance beamed up at his mother "Good. I'll see you really soon" "I hope so, mijo" When the door to the room closed, Keith gently kissed Lance's forehead "How did it really go?" "Alright. Daehra would love their scanners. If you thought hers were scarily intimate, you haven't seen the ones here. They show you every single scar, and tell you how you got them" "Wow..." "Yeah... mami would have had a heart attack if she was there. Now, tell me why you're crying?" "I wasn't crying... much. I was just worried about you" "I'm fine... mostly. But you knew that" "Is there anything I should know, about your scans?" "I have amazingly high quintessence? And some scars and stuff... the pod won't take them away" "You know I don't mind your scars, don't you?" Lance looked to his lap "I want to say I do... but I'm really fucking nervous... they're going to knock me out for it... then into the pod... I... I'm scared I won't wake up. Or if I do, you won't be here" "Babe, no. You're going to be fine. I promised you a date, remember. And your mum wants us to go to family dinner" "The scans..." Cupping Lance's cheek, Keith rubbed at the soft skin under his thumb "Babe..." "They knew what had happened. There was some kind of scarring internally... apparently I don't heal as well as I think I do... or maybe it was because it happened before I really got into the drugs... that... yellow stuff mixed with the herbs speeds up my flow quintessence... which is already running faster than it should. That's why I heal faster than I should. It's not how it works on normal people. They... said it was fascinating..." Mumbling at him, Lance seemed to shrink before him. He suddenly seemed that much more frail than he'd realised "Babe, we're going to get through this. You're going to come through this surgery, then have your beauty nap in the pod. When you come out, we can have that bath together. Bubbles and all" Lance nuzzled into his touch, pressing a kiss to the heel of Keith's palm "Thanks... I don't feel that great about it. Knowing that I'm going to lose more time again..." "I know... I'm not going off planet without you" "I'm really... fucking scared" Leaning in, Keith kissed Lance gently. His hand still resting on Lance's cheek as Lance drew in a shaky breath "I know. I know your mum being here wasn't planned, but you did so good. She loves you, and I love you. We're going to be here" "You... can go you know. If you have to, or if I'm going to be in for phoebs. I don't want you to be stuck again" "I'm not stuck, and even if you think I am, I'm not" "But what if Shiro needs you?" "He can wait" "No. You should go if he does..." "Lance, I want to be there the moment that glass lid slides back. So you're not waking up alone" Stealing another kiss, Keith was confused as Lance deepened it. Slowly it morphed into one of the deepest kisses they'd shared. If it wasn't such a bittersweet moment, Keith would have been over the moon. Yet, he knew the kiss was Lance's way of saying goodbye on the off chance something went wrong. Lance wasn't ready for kisses like this. They were still working their way up to it. When the kiss came to an end, Keith rested his forehead against Lance's, staring into his ridiculously blue eyes "You're going to be fine. You're going to come through this and you're going to be fine. I love you, babe" "I love you, too. So much... so much, babe" "I know... I'm so proud of you" "I don't feel like you should be" "Then it's a good thing I can think for myself" "Someone has to be able to think. We'd be screwed otherwise" Nodding, Keith sighed softly "I wish I could trade places with you" "I'm glad it's me, and not you. I couldn't keep sane if something happened to you" "Since when have you been sane?" Lance let out a soft laugh "Touché..." As the nurse had said, they only had a few moments to themselves before they came in to collect Lance for surgery. Walking by the side of the bed, Keith stayed as close to Lance as he could until he was told he couldn't come through with them. Forced to stop, he watched Lance be wheeled away from him. His whole body shaking with fear that he wouldn't se his husband again. Coming up behind him, Lance's mother wrapped her arm around him "Come mijo. They will call us with news when there is news" "Yeah. You're right. I don't know what to do now" "We can wait in the waiting room, maybe you'd like to go for a walk?" "No. I'm not going anywhere until I know his surgery went alright" "Then would you like to humour this old lady, and get a cup of tea with me in the cafeteria" "You do know my mother's much older than you, don't you?" "Good answer. I'd like to know more about her, if you'll tell me" Bringing up his tragic past wasn't appealing. He wanted to find somewhere to sink down and hide until Lance was out of the pod. Nodding glumly, he let Lance's mother guide him. It was strange how close to Lance's scents hers was, her entirely different at the same time... like something was wrong with it. She was calming and soothing in a "mum" way, but wasn't what he wanted right now. This was going to be a long day.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Caramel Skin Under a Vanilla Sky prt 40 full draft

Taking the Telula from the Atlas to New Altea, via direct wormhole, Lance had missed his girl. He was up on his feet and on crutches... after the wheelchair they tried to stick him in mysteriously ended up taking a trip out the airlock at Lance's earliest convenience. Crutches weren't without their problems, like the way they irritated his shoulder and his even more fucked up left hand, but there was no way he was parting with them. He was out of the miserable medical room, and off the Atlas... A free man with the whole universe at his bare feet. Shoes were too much effort. Besides, what was the point of forcing himself into shoes when he was going straight to the hospital after they landed on Altea. Coran now knew about his drug problem... in detailish. Not just that the red liquid helped with pain, but that it was a combination of medications he'd been using to cope. They'd talked a little when he'd seen Daehra giving him injections before he was moved up to the Atlas with that stupid chest infection. It would have only hurt Coran to know that he'd been raped repeatedly for vargas at a time, so he'd smoothly told him that they addicted him while torturing him, which was the real truth of it all. Coran had still cried. Wailed hard enough that the nursing staff on the floor had thought something was wrong and sent Keith in to investigate. Keith, who finally reunited with Kosmo. Kosmo having been in his mother's care to keep him out of everyone's way while both Lance and Keith recovered. Lance had suggested that Keith take him for a walk so he could rest without his head getting stupid again. Landing the Telula in the area designated, Lance stared out at the splendour of New Altea, Allura's statue glowing beneath the golden sun as a beacon of hope for all the planets inhabitants. Lance could find no hope in it. All he could find were bitter memories, and reminders of how weak he was. Besides, it wasn't as if he hadn't seen enough of Allura since she died to have accepted she was never coming back. Turning away from the sight, Lance made his way forward on the crutches. It wasn't like his legs were busted, or the pain between his legs hadn't healed, he was simply too weak after spending four movements in bed to go far without support. If he'd asked, Keith would have been by his side in an instant, but he wanted to do this alone. He wanted to get up and move his body, feel the ache from his protesting wounds and tender sides. He wanted to feel something more than a patient and a burden... "Are you ready, my boy?" Nodding at Coran, Lance moved on. Steps were a bit of bitch, but again, he stubbornly wanted to do things himself. He'd been forced to rely on everyone around him for far too long. All of this... "Voltron family thing" wasn't him anymore. So while he'd racked up a debt to Shiro that he had no idea how to ever pay back, he wasn't able to mend any bridges between him and Hunk. Or Shay... and definitely not with Keith's team. When the initial upset of having Shiro invade his privacy had faded with laughter and a shower with the most amazing man he'd ever met, had passed, it'd all reared its angry head again when he had time to process it all. The fact that Shiro had sent someone to go through his things, his private things, and his ship, make him feel violated all over again. The Telula was his sanctuary. His safe space. The troubles of constantly living in fear of someone who'd raped him magically still being alive and after him, faded away when he was in his quarters. He knew his ship. He knew she'd protect him, like a lion of his making. Now he had to live with the knowledge she'd been violated too. People wouldn't understand if he told him. To them she was just a hulking lump of metal and wires, but to him... she was as good as any flesh and blood person. She'd seen him, night after night, as he cried. She'd listened to him venting over and over, caught his fist when it all became too much and snapped, and helped him build a new family against the evils of the space they shared. It didn't matter that she wasn't the newest or fastest ship out there, because he wasn't the smartest or greatest commander. He loved her for all she was. Leaning heavily on his crutches, Lance decided that going down the ramp was definitely worse than going down the stairs, especially when your boyfriend had a solid bite on his bottom lip and a worried gaze the whole time. How was he supposed to regain strength and all that, if everyone kept doing things for him? He would have felt a tiny bit proud of himself for making it down, if Keith hadn't moved to wrap an arm around his waist the moment the tips of the crutches touched the gravel of the landing area. Staring at his feet, he ignored the feelings of eyes on him. His gaze slowly shifting up to his left hand, which felt like it'd started bleeding again. Like the stupid idiot he was, he'd had a panic attack in the shower, slipping and smacking his left hand into the white tiles... all because he'd heard the steps of one of the nurses delivering something for him and Keith to eat. It had not been his finest varga. He'd lost it completely, back handed Keith, then torn out the cannula from the back of his within a few ticks of slipping. His little finger taking the worst of the damage as he wanted the feeling around his wrist to vanish, and yanked the bandages too hard. After being cleaned up by Daehra, he'd decided his left hand was as good as dead to him for betraying him and not healing fast enough for his own liking... or like it previously would have, had he not turned himself into a walking wound. "Mijo!" Jolting at the familiar voice, Keith leaned in to whisper "Your mother's here..." She was what now? No one had told him about this... Why had they even bothered too? He was supposed to be going straight into surgery, then into a pod, then disappearing in the middle of the night so he could go find out more about those connected to Kre'el. Shiro might have benched him, but that didn't mean he was giving up on finding out answers for himself. He had but a few ticks before his mother was wrapping her arms around him "Mami?" "Oh, my baby. Why didn't you tell me how badly injured you were?" "Mami..." "Veronica let me know all about you being transferred out here for surgery... Your poor shoulder. Your poor hand... oh, my baby boy" Standing stock still, Lance felt like he couldn't breathe. He was making her worry again. He didn't want her to worry. He didn't want to tear his family apart again "Mrs..." Releasing him, Lance's mother drew Keith into a firm hug "None of that, call me mami. It must have been so awful for you too, my dear boy. Thank you for getting my Lance out of there" "Uh... um... Lance was the one who saved me... its my fault he was injured" Keith stuttered out his reply, obviously not knowing how to accept the hug from his mother-in-law "Veronica told me how you made those calls. I don't know what that Kolivan was thinking, not sending help immediately" "There was a miscommunication. Because the address for the comms was unknown, he wasn't able to confirm it wasn't a trap for other Blade operatives. And I don't know what Veronica said, but it was Lance who saved us. He got me out of my cuffs and helped me subdue our captors. It was him who took their comms, and him who stopped us from ending up in the middle of nowhere with a psychopath... I only wish I'd been stronger..." Releasing Keith, his mother looked to him "You did that? You saved both of you?" Hesitantly, Lance nodded "Oh, Mijo... you've always been reckless and impulsive, but you've always known the right thing to do. I might not understand the details, but you did a good job, my son. We can discuss your grounding once you've been through your operation..." Dabbing at his eyes, his mother's words didn't feel real. He'd done a "good job". He. The man who kept fucking up. The one Veronica thought a burden... had done a "good job" "He did more than a good job. He saved a lot of people with his actions" "Spoken like a proud boyfriend. You two did finally..." Lance spluttered, his cheeks dusting red "Oh my god, mami! You can't just ask that" "Why not? It is so good to see you with someone who treasures you for who you are. You've always had such a kind heart, despite your antics. I can't say I approve such dangerous work, but I do sleep easier knowing Keith is there with you" This was a dream. He was freaking dreaming. He'd probably fallen down the ramp and smacked his head or something "And what have I told you about taking our Lord's name in vain" Nope. Not a dream. At least not at she smacked his arm lightly, and scolded him over saying "god" like that "Sorry, mami" "That's better. I'm sorry, Coran. You must be tired from dealing with these two. Both as bad as each other from what Veronica tells me" "Keith isn't as bad as Acxa. She's just upset that she's not the only one in the family dating someone part Galra" "She's quite taken by Acxa, but I didn't know it was all official. She didn't mention that they were finally dating. They're as bad as you two" Keith laughed. Both Lance and his mother looking to him for an explanation "You totally dobbed your sister in" Lance huffed. It was the same at all "So what? She apparently gives running reports to our mother. At least she doesn't know where dating" "That's because we're still working us out before we make everything official. Though with the amount of people in on the secret, I'm sure it'll be everywhere in no time" Clearing his throat, Coran bowed towards Lance's mother "It's an honour to see you again. I'm afraid it seems Altea is to blame for all of this. Lance and Keith were both very brave and carried out there mission with courage" "That's good to hear. We do worry for them both. Oh dear me, Lance. Should you really be on crutches?" "No, he's supposed to be in a wheelchair..." Lance elbowed Keith harder than he intended "Dobber" "I'm not the one who put the wheelchair out the airlock. Don't think I don't know what you did" Lance gaped, before quickly recovering "I was setting it free. You know, releasing it back to the wild. It's happier out there" "It's happier, or you're happier?" "Can't it be both? I'm fine on the crutches. I hurt my arm and my hand, not my legs" Lance's mother gave a light laugh, Coran gave more of a nervous chuckle "We really should be heading into the medical centre" "It's ok if you've got things to do Coran, I know where it is. Plus, someone needs to show my team around. Daehra is particularly interested in Altea" "Are you sure, my boy?" "I'll be fine. You already sent everything through ahead of time. Go tell Allura I'll stop by to see her later" "Alright. Have them call me if there's any trouble at all" "I will" Hobbling away with Keith on one side and his mother on the other, Keith shook his head at him "You totally threw Daehra under the bus just now" "I don't know what you mean" "I didn't hear her say anything on the trip here" "That's because she was in shock. Trust me. She's internally nerding out. Plus, I'm hoping Coran will have something to keep Zak busy. I don't my girl blowing up" "Always the schemer" "When it comes to escaping being smothered. Speaking of which, what else did Veronica tell you?" Looking to his mother, his mother sighed at him "She's just worried about you" "No. She's being nosy" "You were hurt" "And? Did she tell you we had a fight? That she wants me to come back home and stop getting in the way?" "Not in so many words..." Veronica was definitely off the Christmas card list this year "She worries for you" "There's worrying and then there's treating someone like they don't know how to do their job. The only reason she's got to be cranky is the whole heap of bad guys we dropped in their lap" "She said your nightmares came back" "Mami, its fine. I mean, yeah. But I'm having less of them, and I've got Keith now. I'm not coming back home because Veronica says I have to. I'll come back when I feel like I'm ready to. You understand that, don't you?" "Unfortunately. You spent half your life looking up at the stars. I know how lonely you've been not being out here. I just wish you'd take more care" "I know, mami. But it's not just me out here. The people my teams been helping are the like how Earth was under Galra control. They're still scared. They don't know how to help themselves or who to turn to. It feels good being out there" "It's alright to help mijo, but you can't help anyone if you're dead" "I know, mami. I know. Keith's been doing a good job keeping me alive" "I'm most grateful he has. Though I wish you'd fattened him up a bit. You're too thin, my love" "I know. Space doesn't have your delicious cooking" "Then you should come to Earth. Not to stay, if you don't want to, but for a family dinner. Let your father meet Keith properly and let me cook for you" "Mami" "Don't "mami" me in that tone. You always used to give me that tone when I was intruding" "Because you are. Everything's been so busy, we haven't had the time to just sit down and breathe. You know the moment papi sees how strong Keith is, he'll have out there working" "Come now, Lance. Your father isn't that bad. You've missed the junipers blooming, it was beautiful" As if being back on New Altea wasn't enough, now his mother was bringing up the junipers. As far as he was concerned, the whole lot could go up in flames. Not literally, of course. They were a source of income for his parents, who's farm had been struggling before the invasion of Earth. He regretted planting so many, knowing that each plant he'd planted was a silent prayer for Allura to return. It didn't sit right with him to be talking about it all in front of Keith. Keith was his future, and Allura was his past. That was how things needed to stay, and that was how he wanted things to stay. He was now with someone who understood him, all his bad points, who stood on their two feet and wouldn't... hopefully wouldn't leave him. If he'd loved Allura, then he had no words for the depth of love he felt for Keith... Keith who knew his dirtiest secrets, and stayed for some reason. He couldn't quite believe it... part of him didn't believe it, but it was easier to hide that now. It was easier when he was one there for Keith. To calm him. To soothe him with soft whispers after a nightmare. When Keith would get flustered over "not having the right words". Things were easier when the focus wasn't on him... and he felt equal in their relationship... or rather, not a useless burden like he was at the moment. "That sounds nice. How are things on Earth? It's been a while since I went back" "Busy. There's still a lot of cleanup, and organisation of those migrating there permanently. Thanks to Veronica's position on the Atlas, we're still kept in the loop. I ran into Katie while I was waiting for my shuttle. She says "hello, and tells you to call more often". Something about the both of you "flaking from Hunk's party"?" "She doesn't even remember Hunk's party" Mumbling under his breath, Lance was grateful that Keith was covering for him by talking to his mother "What was that?" "Nothing, mami. Keith and I were there" "I know you were dear. Still, you all went through so much together. Sometimes I have to pinch myself because I can't believe it" "It was a lot, but we couldn't have made it through without Lance. You raised an amazing man" Lance blushed, his bare feet suddenly exceptionally interesting "I can't take all the credit. Still, you must come for dinner. When you two are ready. Rachel will no doubt pester you. She has a had of riling Lance's feathers. Then again, he's always given as much as he's gotten. There was this one time when she convinced him mud pies were real pies" Oh god. It was date night with Allura all over again "That might explain his love of mud mask" Noooo. Keith wasn't allowed to join in with this "Guys. I'm right here" Leaning in, Keith kissed his cheek "I know, babe. But I'm not going anywhere, ever, so isn't it better if I get along with your family?" Increasing his hobbling speed, Lance threw back over his shoulder "I hate both of you" Sharing a look, Keith and his mother seemed to instantly be on the same wavelength. For someone who couldn't find the right words, Keith had managed to completely whoo his mother over... but then again, he knew they'd talked before... but how many times had Keith called her? Would it be weird if his accidental-husband was secretly best friends with his mother? Oh god... they both had more than embarrassing story they could share... Even affectionately, he couldn't handle it right now. His anxieties were starting to bubble up, because it wasn't like he was having surgery that damn day and was nervous as hell about that. Nope. As long as those two were content picking on him, he stood no chance. * Almost the moment they reached the hospital reception, a nurse was ushering Lance into a wheel chair, a second carrying a holopad as they started walking somewhere. Keith had expected a wait. There were all kinds of aliens in the waiting room, even with Lance being scheduled, Keith felt like they were cutting the line or something... Lance's mother seemed to think the same as she carried the crutches Lance had been using with a growingly worried look on her face. His boyfriend had grown quiet after he'd limped off in front of them. Keith hadn't meant to overstep, he knew how anxious Lance was over the sudden arrival of his mother, he could smell wafting in the air and taste it on his tongue. Neither of them expected her to be there, but it wasn't like they could simply send her home. She was Lance's mother, and she was clearly worried for her son. Wanting to take the pressure of Lance, he'd stepped up the best he could, semi-terrified that she was going to yell at him for Lance's injuries, thankfully she hadn't... but the surgery was still to come. "Alright Lance, we can take you straight through. Coran has sent through the data on your injuries. A few more scans and then we'll be good to go" What now? Blinking at his boyfriend, Lance was tugging on the fabric of the loose shirt he was wearing. His nerves getting the better of him "Sorry, do you mind if I come in with him?" The nurse looked down at the holopad "You're listed here as his emergency contact and have been given authorisation over his medical decisions. I'm sorry, but we can only bring one of you through" Hanging his head, Keith was sure that had to have hurt Lance's mother to hear. They were acting like she wasn't there at all. She should be there for her son. She'd probably worried herself sick night after night, after hearing Lance had been wounded, after disappearing again. Feeling a warm hand on his shoulder, Lance's mother had a soft smile on her face "No need to feel guilty. Heaven knows you've been by his side out here" "You're his mother..." "And he trusts you. This has been a traumatic time for both of you. Just make sure you let me know what's going on" "Between the scans and the surgery, am I going to get see both of them?" Lance's soft voice interrupted them. The nurse tapping on her holopad "Yes, for a few doboshes" "Then I'll go for the scans alone please" Lance's mother's expression told Keith she wanted to object "Mijo..." "Mami, it'll be ok. It's just scans. Why don't you get Keith to call Veronica for you? So you can tell her you've arrived safely" "I'd rather someone be with you" "It's only scans. We both know all they're going to say is that my shoulder's stuffed and needs operating on, then it's off to the pod for my beauty sleep. It's not like they're going to steal my absurdly good looks while neither of you are looking" Keith groaned, but Lance's mother gave a smile "Then you have to tell us both everything they say" "Yes, yes. Now, can we get this done?" Keith felt like he should say something. Lance was nervous. What if he had a panic attack? Or the scans revealed something that Daehra hadn't picked up. What if Lance was sicker than he was letting on? Or hurt worse than what they knew "Babe, are you sure? I don't mind" "You two are as bad as each other. You're making me nervous, everything will be fine... I love you two, so go away already" "Are you sure?" "Yes. You heard the nurse, scans, then a quick visit and off to surgery. There's a plan" "Ok... I... uh, love you" "I love you too. Mami, can you make sure he doesn't get too cranky while he's waiting? He gets cranky when he has to wait" "If raising you lot hasn't taught me the meaning of patience, nothing ever will. We'll be waiting here for you" "Right. Let's go!" Giving them a wave, Lance let himself be pushed off towards a set of white doors. The nurse with the holopad lingering "If you'd like to please wait in the waiting room, I will come and collect you once the scans are complete" Lance was right, Keith hated waiting. Lance's mother insisted that she didn't need to check in with Veronica, before asking if he needed anything. A question she repeated half a dozen times as they waited. The half-Galra felt like he should be in there, his gaze firmly fixed in the direction of the hall they'd parted in. Though unfair to the Altean species, Keith couldn't help it as he mentally blamed them for Lance's trauma, wondering if relations to Kre'el existed on the planet. Each Altean could have been working for her... Each of the aliens in the waiting room could be working for one of her associates... Yes, he knew he was being ridiculous. His mind often jumped to worse case scenarios when forced to wait. He knew it stemmed from waiting for his father to come home, only to learn he was dead and that no one out there wanted him... The memories of standing in front of his father's grave morphed with the idea of Lance being dead... His eyes tearing as he was pulled into a warm hug that felt more comforting than he wanted to admit "Lance will cry if he sees those tears. My son will be fine" "I'm sorry. He's right about this waiting thing. I'm not made for it" "Keith, can I ask you honestly, what happened out there? Did you catch the people who hurt my son? Who hurt both my sons?" Both her... oh... she meant him as well as Lance "Yeah. Yeah, we caught the person behind it all. He was... betrayed by a friend who wanted him for his Altean marks. He's been pretty down because he's been on bed rest instead of participating in the investigation..." "They hurt him?" "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry... I was right there and I wasn't enough for him..." "You stop that. Lance is hurting, but the look on his face when he looks at you. You mean the world to him. I know we've teased him his whole life, and I know he's taken it upon himself to always be there to support other, but he's let you. And I thank you for that. Allura was sweet, and very pretty, but after hearing everything that happened, I can't help but feel she didn't understand Lance like you do" "I don't know what I'd do without him. I'm sorry. I'm not normally like this" Crying on a woman who was still pretty much a stranger... How lower could he get? Lance wasn't going to die. Coran would have ensured Lance got the absolutely best care he could have. Lance's mother patted his knee "You're worried for him. I am too" "How are you so calm?" "I don't know how much Lance has told you, but there's always children in and out of our house. I can't count the number of times it's been trips down to the emergency room for something or other. We might not be on Earth, but I have no doubt Lance will be just fine" Keith nodded, sniffling lightly "You're right. He's going to be alright... Like you said, it was a lot. And I'm still worried about him. I know it's been hard on him after his fight with Veronica" "Veronica has loved Lance from the moment she first held him. Many times when he'd hurt himself playing as a kid, he'd go to her so I wouldn't find out" "He did mention the pink slipper" Laughing, Lance's mother rubbed his arm "He mentioned that?" "He says he still lives in fear of it" "Oh my... I doubt it'd have much affect on him these days. Veronica was at a loss when you were all missing. She didn't believe he was dead, then when he returned, he held himself with the aura of someone who didn't need to rely on others. He was our boy, our good boy, who missed watching growing into a man. I know she worried, I may not have helped there. Did he tell you how he was after Allura?" "Yeah... all of it" "So you know he had troubles?" "Yeah. We're working through things. We had been until... our mission went sideways" "Then you know he is strong. All these fancy machines, he should be done before we even know it" Nodding, Keith had no idea how he was going to last through the surgery if he was this nervous right now. Lance probably would cry if he saw he'd been crying. He didn't want Lance heading into surgery worrying about him "Is it ok... if we just stay like this for a little longer?" "Of course, my boy. You're already part of the family" The scans took roughly half a varga, before they were finally called through to a white room where Lance was laying on an examination bed. His shirt had been swapped for a white gown that sat nestled under his right arm as to expose his shoulder, and everything below the waist was covered "Hey guys. You're just in time" Shoved forward by Lance's mum, Keith stumbled over his feet as he made his way to Lance, taking his hand in his. Squeezing firmly, Lance met his eyes "You've been crying, Mullet. Don't tell me you interrogating him" "No, your mum was really nice. What did they say about you?" "Oh... shoulder's stuffed and they're kind of amazed I'm still using it. It's a pretty simple procedure, a varga at the most, then into the healing pod. They don't know how long I'll be in, until I'm actually in there" "So... nothing else major?" Keith asked, although he knew Lance wouldn't answer anything more in depth with his mother in the room "They're going to tidy up my finger a little more... anything else will be healed up by the pod. There's probably going to be a couple of scars, like this bad boy" "Mijo, how did this happen?" With his eyes on Lance, Keith hadn't heard his mother moving to stand just behind him "It was a blaster shot, only grazing. It got a little infected. Daehra took really good care of it. Stitched it up all be herself. It wasn't her fault it got infected" The inch long pink wound was mostly a scar now, with a small sliver of unhealed greeny scab in the middle of it "Of course. You and those guns. You do know you're supposed to be shooting them, not being shot" "I know, mami. They'll clean it up too. The rest of the scans were all ok. So you don't need to worry. There going to be here in a tick, so this is where you tell me you love me" Leaning in, Lance's mother kissed the top of his head "I do, my boy. I'll let you and Keith have a moment" "Thanks, mami. You should make the most of being on Altea. There's supposed to be a day spa around you" "And what am I going to do there?" "Spoil yourself? You deserve it, mami. You came all this way, you should make the most of it while you can" "You know I've never needed anything fancy" "That's why you need to take the chance. Plus, I'm sure you need the rest" "I will think about it" Lance beamed up at his mother "Good. I'll see you really soon" "I hope so, mijo" When the door to the room closed, Keith gently kissed Lance's forehead "How did it really go?" "Alright. Daehra would love their scanners. If you thought hers were scarily intimate, you haven't seen the ones here. They show you every single scar, and tell you how you got them" "Wow..." "Yeah... mami would have had a heart attack if she was there. Now, tell me why you're crying?" "I wasn't crying... much. I was just worried about you" "I'm fine... mostly. But you knew that" "Is there anything I should know, about your scans?" "I have amazingly high quintessence? And some scars and stuff... the pod won't take them away" "You know I don't mind your scars, don't you?" Lance looked to his lap "I want to say I do... but I'm really fucking nervous... they're going to knock me out for it... then into the pod... I... I'm scared I won't wake up. Or if I do, you won't be here" "Babe, no. You're going to be fine. I promised you a date, remember. And your mum wants us to go to family dinner" "The scans..." Cupping Lance's cheek, Keith rubbed at the soft skin under his thumb "Babe..." "They knew what had happened. There was some kind of scarring internally... apparently I don't heal as well as I think I do... or maybe it was because it happened before I really got into the drugs... that... yellow stuff mixed with the herbs speeds up my flow quintessence... which is already running faster than it should. That's why I heal faster than I should. It's not how it works on normal people. They... said it was fascinating..." Mumbling at him, Lance seemed to shrink before him. He suddenly seemed that much more frail than he'd realised "Babe, we're going to get through this. You're going to come through this surgery, then have your beauty nap in the pod. When you come out, we can have that bath together. Bubbles and all" Lance nuzzled into his touch, pressing a kiss to the heel of Keith's palm "Thanks... I don't feel that great about it. Knowing that I'm going to lose more time again..." "I know... I'm not going off planet without you" "I'm really... fucking scared" Leaning in, Keith kissed Lance gently. His hand still resting on Lance's cheek as Lance drew in a shaky breath "I know. I know your mum being here wasn't planned, but you did so good. She loves you, and I love you. We're going to be here" "You... can go you know. If you have to, or if I'm going to be in for phoebs. I don't want you to be stuck again" "I'm not stuck, and even if you think I am, I'm not" "But what if Shiro needs you?" "He can wait" "No. You should go if he does..." "Lance, I want to be there the moment that glass lid slides back. So you're not waking up alone" Stealing another kiss, Keith was confused as Lance deepened it. Slowly it morphed into one of the deepest kisses they'd shared. If it wasn't such a bittersweet moment, Keith would have been over the moon. Yet, he knew the kiss was Lance's way of saying goodbye on the off chance something went wrong. Lance wasn't ready for kisses like this. They were still working their way up to it. When the kiss came to an end, Keith rested his forehead against Lance's, staring into his ridiculously blue eyes "You're going to be fine. You're going to come through this and you're going to be fine. I love you, babe" "I love you, too. So much... so much, babe" "I know... I'm so proud of you" "I don't feel like you should be" "Then it's a good thing I can think for myself" "Someone has to be able to think. We'd be screwed otherwise" Nodding, Keith sighed softly "I wish I could trade places with you" "I'm glad it's me, and not you. I couldn't keep sane if something happened to you" "Since when have you been sane?" Lance let out a soft laugh "Touché..." As the nurse had said, they only had a few moments to themselves before they came in to collect Lance for surgery. Walking by the side of the bed, Keith stayed as close to Lance as he could until he was told he couldn't come through with them. Forced to stop, he watched Lance be wheeled away from him. His whole body shaking with fear that he wouldn't se his husband again. Coming up behind him, Lance's mother wrapped her arm around him "Come mijo. They will call us with news when there is news" "Yeah. You're right. I don't know what to do now" "We can wait in the waiting room, maybe you'd like to go for a walk?" "No. I'm not going anywhere until I know his surgery went alright" "Then would you like to humour this old lady, and get a cup of tea with me in the cafeteria" "You do know my mother's much older than you, don't you?" "Good answer. I'd like to know more about her, if you'll tell me" Bringing up his tragic past wasn't appealing. He wanted to find somewhere to sink down and hide until Lance was out of the pod. Nodding glumly, he let Lance's mother guide him. It was strange how close to Lance's scents hers was, her entirely different at the same time... like something was wrong with it. She was calming and soothing in a "mum" way, but wasn't what he wanted right now. This was going to be a long day.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

CSUAVS prt 39 start

Taking the Telula from the Atlas to New Altea, via direct wormhole, Lance had missed his girl. He was up on his feet and on crutches... after the wheelchair they tried to stick him in mysteriously ended up taking a trip out the airlock at Lance's earliest convenience. Crutches weren't without their problems, like the way they irritated his shoulder and his even more fucked up left hand, but there was no way he was parting with them. He was out of the miserable medical room, and off the Atlas... A free man with the whole universe at his bare feet. Shoes were too much effort. Besides, what was the point of forcing himself into shoes when he was going straight to the hospital after they landed on Altea. Coran now knew about his drug problem... in detailish. Not just that the red liquid helped with pain, but that it was a combination of medications he'd been using to cope. They'd talked a little when he'd seen Daehra giving him injections before he was moved up to the Atlas with that stupid chest infection. It would have only hurt Coran to know that he'd been raped repeatedly for vargas at a time, so he'd smoothly told him that they addicted him while torturing him, which was the real truth of it all. Coran had still cried. Wailed hard enough that the nursing staff on the floor had thought something was wrong and sent Keith in to investigate. Keith, who finally reunited with Kosmo. Kosmo having been in his mother's care to keep him out of everyone's way while both Lance and Keith recovered. Lance had suggested that Keith take him for a walk so he could rest without his head getting stupid again. Landing the Telula in the area designated, Lance stared out at the splendour of New Altea, Allura's statue glowing beneath the golden sun as a beacon of hope for all the planets inhabitants. Lance could find no hope in it. All he could find were bitter memories, and reminders of how weak he was. Besides, it wasn't as if he hadn't seen enough of Allura since she died to have accepted she was never coming back. Turning away from the sight, Lance made his way forward on the crutches. It wasn't like his legs were busted, or the pain between his legs hadn't healed, he was simply too weak after spending four movements in bed to go far without support. If he'd asked, Keith would have been by his side in an instant, but he wanted to do this alone. He wanted to get up and move his body, feel the ache from his protesting wounds and tender sides. He wanted to feel something more than a patient and a burden... "Are you ready, my boy?" Nodding at Coran, Lance moved on. Steps were a bit of bitch, but again, he stubbornly wanted to do things himself. He'd been forced to rely on everyone around him for far too long. All of this... "Voltron family thing" wasn't him anymore. So while he'd racked up a debt to Shiro that he had no idea how to ever pay back, he wasn't able to mend any bridges between him and Hunk. Or Shay... and definitely not with Keith's team. When the initial upset of having Shiro invade his privacy had faded with laughter and a shower with the most amazing man he'd ever met, had passed, it'd all reared its angry head again when he had time to process it all. The fact that Shiro had sent someone to go through his things, his private things, and his ship, make him feel violated all over again. The Telula was his sanctuary. His safe space. The troubles of constantly living in fear of someone who'd raped him magically still being alive and after him, faded away when he was in his quarters. He knew his ship. He knew she'd protect him, like a lion of his making. Now he had to live with the knowledge she'd been violated too. People wouldn't understand if he told him. To them she was just a hulking lump of metal and wires, but to him... she was as good as any flesh and blood person. She'd seen him, night after night, as he cried. She'd listened to him venting over and over, caught his fist when it all became too much and snapped, and helped him build a new family against the evils of the space they shared. It didn't matter that she wasn't the newest or fastest ship out there, because he wasn't the smartest or greatest commander. He loved her for all she was. Leaning heavily on his crutches, Lance decided that going down the ramp was definitely worse than going down the stairs, especially when your boyfriend had a solid bite on his bottom lip and a worried gaze the whole time. How was he supposed to regain strength and all that, if everyone kept doing things for him? He would have felt a tiny bit proud of himself for making it down, if Keith hadn't moved to wrap an arm around his waist the moment the tips of the crutches touched the gravel of the landing area. Staring at his feet, he ignored the feelings of eyes on him. His gaze slowly shifting up to his left hand, which felt like it'd started bleeding again. Like the stupid idiot he was, he'd had a panic attack in the shower, slipping and smacking his left hand into the white tiles... all because he'd heard the steps of one of the nurses delivering something for him and Keith to eat. It had not been his finest varga. He'd lost it completely, back handed Keith, then torn out the cannula from the back of his within a few ticks of slipping. His little finger taking the worst of the damage as he wanted the feeling around his wrist to vanish, and yanked the bandages too hard. After being cleaned up by Daehra, he'd decided his left hand was as good as dead to him for betraying him and not healing fast enough for his own liking... or like it previously would have, had he not turned himself into a walking wound. "Mijo!" Jolting at the familiar voice, Keith leaned in to whisper "Your mother's here..." She was what now? No one had told him about this... Why had they even bothered too? He was supposed to be going straight into surgery, then into a pod, then disappearing in the middle of the night so he could go find out more about those connected to Kre'el. Shiro might have benched him, but that didn't mean he was giving up on finding out answers for himself. He had but a few ticks before his mother was wrapping her arms around him "Mami?" "Oh, my baby. Why didn't you tell me how badly injured you were?" "Mami..." "Veronica let me know all about you being transferred out here for surgery... Your poor shoulder. Your poor hand... oh, my baby boy" Standing stock still, Lance felt like he couldn't breathe. He was making her worry again. He didn't want her to worry. He didn't want to tear his family apart again "Mrs..." Releasing him, Lance's mother drew Keith into a firm hug "None of that, call me mami. It must have been so awful for you too, my dear boy. Thank you for getting my Lance out of there" "Uh... um... Lance was the one who saved me... its my fault he was injured" Keith stuttered out his reply, obviously not knowing how to accept the hug from his mother-in-law "Veronica told me how you made those calls. I don't know what that Kolivan was thinking, not sending help immediately" "There was a miscommunication. Because the address for the comms was unknown, he wasn't able to confirm it wasn't a trap for other Blade operatives. And I don't know what Veronica said, but it was Lance who saved us. He got me out of my cuffs and helped me subdue our captors. It was him who took their comms, and him who stopped us from ending up in the middle of nowhere with a psychopath... I only wish I'd been stronger..." Releasing Keith, his mother looked to him "You did that? You saved both of you?" Hesitantly, Lance nodded "Oh, Mijo... you've always been reckless and impulsive, but you've always known the right thing to do. I might not understand the details, but you did a good job, my son. We can discuss your grounding once you've been through your operation..." Dabbing at his eyes, his mother's words didn't feel real. He'd done a "good job". He. The man who kept fucking up. The one Veronica thought a burden... had done a "good job" "He did more than a good job. He saved a lot of people with his actions" "Spoken like a proud boyfriend. You two did finally..." Lance spluttered, his cheeks dusting red "Oh my god, mami! You can't just ask that" "Why not? It is so good to see you with someone who treasures you for who you are. You've always had such a kind heart, despite your antics. I can't say I approve such dangerous work, but I do sleep easier knowing Keith is there with you" This was a dream. He was freaking dreaming. He'd probably fallen down the ramp and smacked his head or something "And what have I told you about taking our Lord's name in vain" Nope. Not a dream. At least not at she smacked his arm lightly, and scolded him over saying "god" like that "Sorry, mami" "That's better. I'm sorry, Coran. You must be tired from dealing with these two. Both as bad as each other from what Veronica tells me" "Keith isn't as bad as Acxa. She's just upset that she's not the only one in the family dating someone part Galra" "She never told me that!" Keith laughed. Both Lance and his mother looking to him for an explanation "You totally dobbed your sister in" Lance huffed. It was the same at all "So what? She apparently gives running reports to our mother. At least she doesn't know where dating" "That's because we're still working us out before we make everything official. Though with the amount of people in on the secret, I'm sure it'll be everywhere in no time" Clearing his throat, Coran bowed towards Lance's mother "It's an honour to see you again. I'm afraid it seems Altea is to blame for all of this. Lance and Keith were both very brave and carried out there mission with courage" "That's good to hear. We do worry for them both. Oh dear me, Lance. Should you really be on crutches?" "No, he's supposed to be in a wheelchair..." Lance elbowed Keith harder than he intended "Dobber" "I'm not the one who put the wheelchair out the airlock. Don't think I don't know what you did" Lance gaped, before quickly recovering "I was setting it free. You know, releasing it back to the wild. It's happier out there" "It's happier, or you're happier?" "Can't it be both? I'm fine on the crutches. I hurt my arm and my hand, not my legs" Lance's mother gave a light laugh, Coran gave more of a nervous chuckle "We really should be heading into the medical centre" "It's ok if you've got things to do Coran, I know where it is. Plus, someone needs to show my team around. Daehra is particularly interested in Altea" "Are you sure, my boy?" "I'll be fine. You already sent everything through ahead of time. Go tell Allura I'll stop by to see her later" "Alright. Have them call me if there's any trouble at all" "I will" Hobbling away with Keith on one side and his mother on the other, Keith shook his head at him "You totally threw Daehra under the bus just now" "I don't know what you mean" "I didn't hear her say anything on the trip here" "That's because she was in shock. Trust me. She's internally nerding out. Plus, I'm hoping Coran will have something to keep Zak busy. I don't my girl blowing up" "Always the schemer" "When it comes to escaping being smothered. Speaking of which, what else did Veronica tell you?" Looking to his mother, his mother sighed at him "She's just worried about you" "No. She's being nosy" "You were hurt" "And? Did she tell you we had a fight? That she wants me to come back home and stop getting in the way?" "Not in so many words..." Veronica was definitely off the Christmas card list this year "She worries for you" "There's worrying and then there's treating someone like they don't know how to do their job. The only reason she's got to be cranky is the whole heap of bad guys we dropped in their lap" "She said your nightmares came back" "Mami, its fine. I mean, yeah. But I'm having less of them, and I've got Keith now. I'm not coming back home because Veronica says I have to. I'll come back when I feel like I'm ready to. You understand that, don't you?" "Unfortunately. You spent half your life looking up at the stars. I know how lonely you've been not being out here. I just wish you'd take more care" "I know, mami. But it's not just me out here. The people my teams been helping are the like how Earth was under Galra control. They're still scared. They don't know how to help themselves or who to turn to. It feels good being out there" "It's alright to help mijo, but you can't help anyone if you're dead" "I know, mami. I know. Keith's been doing a good job keeping me alive" "I'm most grateful he has. Though I wish you'd fattened him up a bit. You're too thin, my love" "I know. Space doesn't have your delicious cooking" "Then you should come to Earth. Not to stay, if you don't want to, but for a family dinner. Let your father meet Keith properly and let me cook for you" "Mami" "Don't "mami" me in that tone. You always used to give me that tone when I was intruding" "Because you are. Everything's been so busy, we haven't had the time to just sit down and breathe. You know the moment papi sees how strong Keith is, he'll have out there working" "Come now, Lance. Your father isn't that bad. You've missed the junipers blooming, it was beautiful" As if being back on New Altea wasn't enough, now his mother was bringing up the junipers. As far as he was concerned, the whole lot could go up in flames. Not literally, of course. They were a source of income for his parents, who's farm had been struggling before the invasion of Earth. He regretted planting so many, knowing that each plant he'd planted was a silent prayer for Allura to return. It didn't sit right with him to be talking about it all in front of Keith. Keith was his future, and Allura was his past. That was how things needed to stay, and that was how he wanted things to stay.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

CSUAPR prt 38 start

Life was over as he knew it. Four quintants in the infirmary wasn’t without its dramas. Two seizures due to not being able to take his medication that Daehra had formulated, then finding out that what had been left had been destroyed in case it’d been tainted, followed by two certain annoying visitors left Lance cranky. Keith had been kicked out. Kosmo evicted. His back and hips hurt from constantly sitting up, his stomach felt uncomfortable, his skin itchy from trailing his suspected allergens on him, and Veronica was still a bitch. Throw in a nightmare from Keith where his husband had given him a black eye sending in him into the holy mother of panic attacks, because his messed up mind couldn’t comprehend that it’d been his actual husband who’d punched him and not someone trying to kill him, and Keith’s guilt over it... Lance wasn’t sure he was in better condition than when he arrived there. Veronica had binged all things baby and pregnancy, getting on his case over his weight and lack of eating... which wasn’t his fault. He was on a bland and basic diet while they conducted their allergy tests... from which he learned he’d developed an allergy to the “Solanaceae” family. Whatever that was. On the plus side, he wasn’t allergic to everything, on the not so plus side, he was allergic to everything that made his Mami’s cooking amazing. No more chillies, capsicums, or anything that actually gave good flavour. He had a slight allergy to wheat, the rest were all slight allergies too but to his over dramatic arse, it sucked intergalactic testicles and his life was ruined. The real issue was his newly found allergy to aloe vera. He wasn’t allergic enough to cause anaphylaxis, no, simply allergic enough to cause blotchy red welty hives that drove him crazy. It also explained the reaction he’d had to Krolia’s suggested bubble bath, the main ingredient being aloe vera. Everything else on his list just made him nauseous and, or, vomit, though could worsen and could also be a permanent thing, so he needed to be constantly careful. Krolia had someone working on some kind of scanner for him. Lance strongly felt that that would be Pidge too, yet his mother-in-law didn’t say as much.

Keith was worried stupid, yet again, another reason why his husband was evicted. He was taking things badly after hitting him. They’d talked a little over the test results, which preceded Veronica talking all things baby and all the risks that came with having a baby. Somewhere around the talk of signs of symptoms he needed to be paying close attention to, he’d lost his head and started screaming at her. He didn’t need all her facts and figures. That’d started his first seizure. Veronica gone when he woke, while he felt like an arse for yelling at her when she was trying her hardest to understand and to make sure he was educated over things that were “wrong”. Drowsy from his seizure, he’d fallen asleep in Keith’s arms. Keith had them had his nightmare, no doubt thanks to all the shit the doctors and Veronica had put in his head, then mid-panic attack, he’d ended up having his second seizure. He had no memory of the panic attack or seizure, only the lasting pain from his contracting muscles. Keith was on edge from having been constantly left to support him through all the freakin’ tests they’d had to do. Sending him away was the kindest thing Lance could do. If his husband apologised one more time, he was tempted to throw him out the nearest open window. They’d both hit each other before, coming out of attacks or nightmares, so they had a silent “agreement” that though it might feel quiznak, they understood that after all they’d been through, things like this might happen and the best way to get through it was to talk. Keith hadn’t wanted to talk about his nightmare, yet slowly and surely Lance had coaxed it from his husband’s lips, if he had open up about all his messed up dreams and feelings there was no way that Keith wasn’t. He’d been in labour, but instead of pushing out one of their twins, it’d been some octopus thing, which he’d promptly punched in the face. Laughing had been the wrong answer. Keith getting huffy. It was bad enough that his husband seemed scared to cuddle him, afraid he might fall asleep and punch another octopus in his sleep. So his eviction was for his own good...

Before his allergy test on the morning of the second day imprisoned, Zethrid and Ezor had come to visit. The pair of them were painfully loud and annoying, though they did bring him the Galra equivalent of a “get well soon” balloon bouquet, buying themselves some good will and favour as the balloons were unexpected and broke the monotony of grey walls. Chatting away with him about the up coming tour, Ezor was merciless as she teased Keith over being “the prince of Daibazaal”. She also teased him over his lack of training, and getting slow and fat because of it. Unable to currently take the joke, Ezor pushed Keith into a “half-shift” where his eyes went yellow and his fingernails began to extend. Until then, Lance had kind of enjoyed the conversation. Not the loudness of it. Ezor and Zethrid both seemed to be speaking as if they thought him deaf, no. It was more the fact that they hadn’t apologised for what happened. They didn’t make a fuss other than the balloons. Nor did they repeatedly ask if he was feeling ok. It was as if they’d simply shrugged their shoulders at the whole matter as it didn’t involve their personal lives. He loved them for it. The pair frog jumping Acxa and Veronica in his mental list. Acxa had wanted to come but understood that he might not want too many visitors so had sent a card... A card he didn’t get until after it’d landed in the hands of Ezor and Zethrid. Ezor had gotten her gum between the fold, and Zethrid had let it be scrunched in her pocket. He couldn’t really be mad about either thing. His siblings had done far worse as they were growing up. The annoying bit came from Ezor’s screechy laugh of Keith’s partial transformation. His anger on behalf of his husband who was dealing with enough as it was. After they’d been politely evicted with a little showmanship, he’d gagged as clamped a hand to his mouth like he was going to vomit causing Ezor to wrinkle her face in disgust and drag her girlfriend away, Keith had brooded in the corner until Krolia came with Shiro at lunch. Noticing how Keith was, Lance had whisper begged Shiro to drag Keith off for a brotherly chat. Keith refused to go, his husband climbing back into bed next to him as if he was having a sit in protest. Shiro had whispered that he’d check in with Keith later that night, to which Lance had asked him to take him back to his room for some rest. After Shiro had left Veronica had visited, in time for the results and it’d all taken a sharp left hand turn into a pile of quiznakking quiznak. The allergy skin testing started. The results came back... and well, everything else happened.

Finally escaping, Lance was forced to allow himself to be wheeled back to Keith’s quarters. Keith felt he shouldn’t be walking, while Lance felt that he should keep his mouth shut lest he be returned to the same stupid hospital bed. Having slept in his own bed, Keith seemed refreshed. His skin and hair weren’t as oily as they had been, nor did apologise. There was a spring in his step that Lance was envious of, seeing all his body wanted was for him to go back to sleep. Having come for the walk, Kosmo was on his best behaviour, walking beside the wheelchair so Lance could keep one hand on his back to act as his grounding. The whole time Keith wheeled him, he focused on his breathing rather than the people they passed. His anxieties were trying to get the better of him, as he knew they all must think him a weak failure.

Reaching Keith’s quarters, Lance wasn’t sure if he was disappointed or not to find no one waiting. He was finally free, but he had no one to celebrate his freedom with. He wanted to go for a job or even a run. Sparring practice sounded divine, yet his body was too exhausted to do much of anything. It was demanding he slept, despite the sedatives they’d given him so could sleep without tossing and turning. Wheeling him right over to the edge of the bed, Keith put the brakes on. Stubbornly wanting to do things himself, he climbed from the chair then flopped down on Keith’s bed, nuzzling into the blankets that smelt so much of his husband.

“Pidge and Hunk suggested a party, but Curtis overruled them. I know it’s not much, but I’m happy you’re back here”

Jumping at Keith’s voice, Kosmo yipped as if he’d noticed the action. Teleporting onto the bed the space wolf curled up behind, resting his muzzle on Lance’s hip

“Mmm. Me too. It’s fine, honestly. I’m so drowsy I think I’m about to fall back to sleep”

“I have to go out for about a varga, will you be ok on your own?”

Keith was going out? He was free and now his husband was running away? What was the point of having Keith there if all he was going to do was sleep. It was better Keith was keeping busy and not watching over him... He didn’t especially want to be alone, but having Keith do something that wasn’t related to him was super appealing

“Babe, I’m fine. You take as long as you need”

“I know you just got out...”

“And you know how much I appreciate a good bed. Say “hi” to Mumma K for me. Tell her I want that thing too. She’ll know what it is”

Keith gave a hum, then there was a long paused, followed by his husband clicking off the brakes on the wheelchair and the balloon bouquet being evicted to beside the bed

“Ok. I’ll try and be back soon”

“No n-ne-ed to rush. Love you”

“You too”

Without so much as a kiss or fussing of the blankets, Keith left him. Yawning again, as he’d done mid-reply, Lance wriggled back against Kosmo, trying not to let Keith leaving bother him. He wasn’t about to admit how touch starved he felt, nor how horny his body decided he needed to be. He