#Yall can't convince me Kolivan hasn't pulled something like this before

[some-cookie-crumbz]

Collector’s Edition

Collector’s Edition - Kidge Month Day 13 Prompt Fill Fandom: Voltron: Legendary Defender Pairing: Kidge Summary: When Kolivan assigns Keith to go collect an important artifact the Blade has been tracking, he’s initially excited because it means he gets to spend time with Pidge. But when he gets a third and fourth wheel tacked on? Not so much. Standard Disclaimer: If you read and enjoy this, please give it a like/ reblog so I know if I should write more.

Despite his parting from Team Voltron, Keith was grateful that he still had times where he could collaborate with them. With how much they could all grate on his nerves, he still cared about them and valued their skills. Lance, despite being brash and arrogant, was a fast learner and rather skilled tactician, when the mood struck him. Plus, he was rather skilled at rolling with a last-minute plan pretty well. And Hunk, though a bit of a coward, was a powerhouse with a heart of gold. He would put his own fear aside to protect innocent people. Allura, despite being royalty, was far from someone who feared the idea of getting involved in the fray. Her diplomacy skills were just as honed as he fighting capabilities, which he couldn’t help but admire. He and Shiro had a history and he knew his qualifications quite well. Excluding him, he had to say that Pidge was probably the person he enjoyed interacting and working with on the team the most.

And that wasn’t just because the two of them had started a relationship underneath everyone else’s noses.

So, when Kolivan asked him if he’d mind working with Voltron for the mission, he had jumped at the chance. He suggested Pidge specifically, since it sounded like it was a more covert operation. Green Lion would be incredibly useful in the situation, and he wasn’t going to complain about getting some much needed one-on-one time with Pidge. They hadn’t been able to take the time and catch up on what was new in each other’s lives lately, after all.

Instead, he’d been crammed into the Green Lion with Pidge, Hunk and Lance. And forced to suffer through Lance singing the entirety of “99 Bottles” two and a half times.

"Okay, see, this seems a lot more like a potential black market!" Lance said, gesturing widely around them at the small shops and booths set up around them. All three of them had been decked out in Blade garb to help keep them from standing out. The last thing they needed was to be wandering around a market like this with the three decked out in their full Paladin armor.

Hunk was a few paces behind him, looking incredibly uncomfortable as he peered around at the various liens around them. "Is that really something we should be celebrating about? Aren't black markets supposed to be, you know, super sketchy?"

“Considering there's a Blade informant around here, doing Blade tasks? Probably," Pidge chimed in. Then, with a small huff that Keith knew meant she was smirking, she turned and walked backwards along. "Probably super dangerous, too. I mean, Kolivan said the agent that that agent they assigned out here had to be put through rigorous, intense torture training."

"Wait, what? Nobody told me that!"

Keith could feel his eye twitch as he peered around himself, trying to look for any sign of a Blade nearby. "Pidge, stop trying to freak Hunk out," he said flatly. He then tilted his head back and to address the other man. "She's exaggerating, Hunk."

"Exaggerating? So he did have to be put through torture training?"

Lance snorted a bit, a clear indication that he was going to join in on Pidge’s game, too. "Wouldn't surprise me. I mean, have you ever actually listened to some of Nihaar's stories?"

"Oh, did she tell you about the Blade who ripped one of his own teeth out?"

"Oh God!" Hunk choked out.

"Would you three knock it off?" Keith barked as he wheeled around to face them. They all skid to a stop and turned to look at him. Part of the problem with having Lance, Hunk or both of them around was that the three of them tended to feed on one another. If one of them was riffing on one of the others? Then the third one had to join in so it was a game of two against one. It was exhausting in situations such as this. He couldn’t see their faces, but he took comfort in knowing they were paying attention to him. "Look, Nihaar tends to embellish some of the stuff she's seen. I've been working with the Blade a while and, aside from the initial trials I went through, I haven't had to do any extra training like pulling out teeth or being tortured or whatever else you're thinking goes on."

"Well of course Keith would say that," Lance said, leaning over to faux-whisper to Hunk "since he’s had to take the Blade of Marmora vow of silence."

"That or they put a device in his head to control his thought process," Pidge chimed in, her voice surprisingly chipper. "Did you see any surgical scars by either of his temples? That's how we'll know for sure."

"Oh, God, I’m pretty sure I saw one!"

"I am so sick of all of you," Keith snarled lowly, throwing his hands up and turning to stomp away.

"Aw, Keef~! Wait up!" Pidge called, all giggles as she chased after him. It took her a moment to catch up, given he was taller and had gotten a head start. "Chill out, dude. We're just teasing."

"What you're doing is being obnoxious and making this mission way harder than it needs to be! And attracting tons of attention!" He hissed out quietly, indicating the crowd around them with a nod of his head. A few of the other patrons wandering around had started glancing over at Hunk, Lance and Pidge’s theatrics, their eyes glued to them. When Pidge lifted her head and peered around, though, they all quickly averted their gaze, trying to avoid getting caught.

"Oh, come on. We're just having a little fun with you," She said, stepping closer so that she was beside him. "I mean, we don't get to tease you like we used to anymore. We gotta get our fill when we can find the time."

"Gee, thanks. I feel so loved," he quipped sarcastically.

Pidge laughed outright at his dry response. "As you should! We only do it because we care and miss you,"

"You have a real funny way of showing it," He paused to turn his head and watch as Lance and Hunk started trying to catch up, flailing their arms and shouting gibberish at them. They had gotten a decent breath of space between them. "Well, when these two are around, anyway."

"It's not my fault we're keeping things on the DL," she huffed as they started the trek again. She peered around at a booth that seemed to have some kind of glass wares available. "I take it that the rumor is true, though?"

"Rumor?"

"I overheard Shiro and Coran talking. You originally asked Kolivan to approve me alone for the mission?"

He could feel his cheeks flushing under the mask. "Oh, that," he mumbled shyly. "Well, yeah. I figured it'd make more sense to go in a small, covert group. Plus, Green Lion has that cloaking device, so she's good in situations like this." He explained. He caught the subtle droop of her shoulders and shifted, nudging her with his hip. "And, you know, I thought it'd be nice to spend time with you, one-on-one."

"Aw, you're a big softie," she hummed, reaching out to shove his arm playfully. Her hand lingered, though. It was the most they could do with Hunk and Lance with them, after all. "But I'm surprised Kolivan didn't agree. I mean, that's some pretty sound logic you were using."

He shrugged. "He said it's because whatever we've been sent to collect isn't going to be an easy fare. I'm assuming that, whatever it is, must be pretty important if he wants so much extra coverage," he said. He wasn’t completely sure on the details, as Kolivan had implied it was a rather sensitive situation. His lips twisted down in a small scowl as his mind whirled with another thought as to why his commander had picked a slightly larger group. "Well, either that, or he thinks we need babysitters."

"Jokes on him; none of us here are mature enough to keep the others in line," she scoffed, stretching her arms above her head. There was a small pop of her back followed by a soft sigh. "If he wanted people who behave then he should have sent, like, Shiro or Adwru or someone like that along."

Keith opened his mouth to say something else when they heard a loud, alarmed shout behind them. They turned to find Lance and Hunk, both in cuffs, surrounded by a small group of some kind of guards. They weren’t wearing Galran armor, but the armor they did have had some kind of strange, bright orange symbol on it, like an opened eye surrounded by sun beams. Three more guards had turned to look at them.

"Hey, you two! Come with us!" One of the guards shouted, lifting one hand to reveal something that resembled a cattle prod in their hand.

"Run!" Keith snapped, shoving Pidge’s shoulder in the direction they’d been going.

The guards darted after them, snapping about how important bringing them in was. A pit formed in his stomach. Were they aware of what to expect from Blade members in regards to dress? Or had they figured out who, exactly, Pidge, Hunk and Lance were? He knew that some time back Pidge had gone snooping around from underground swap to swap, chasing leads on where she could find Matt and Sam. Had word of her movements traveled and left security at these sorts of places on high alert?

It would be something he’d need to loom in to later, he decided. Right now, they had to figure out how to shake their pursuers and free the other two. Seeming to be on the same page as him, Pidge called out her bayard and flipped around. She fired her hook shot out, slamming right into a large chandelier. It came crashing down, narrowly missing hitting the guards chasing them, and making a decent mess between them. "Ha! Nice shot!" He praised.

"Thanks!" She said, turning to start running again before freezing. She lifted her bayard again and prepared to launch it out again. "Keith, duck!" She shouted, but before she could let the shot fly, she was seized up by two sets of large arms. She started thrashing, flinging her head back in an attempt to headbutt her captor. "Let go of me!”

"Pidge!" He shouted, pulling out his Blade dagger and starting to charge forward. He was tackled from the side by one of the other guards who had found their way around the smashed chandelier. He threw his elbow behind him, managing to clip the other in their trunk-like nose, in an attempt to get his Blade free enough to make a move with it. Instead, the guard grabbed the wrist and pinned it down.

The one holding Pidge fished out a laser gun with one hand and held it to her head. “Stop fighting, or your little friend here is gonna suffer the consequences,” They snarled at him.

Keith glared up at them but didn’t say anything or try to fight it as they looped the cuffs on the wrist still clutching his dagger. The guard pinning him perked up, leaning over to get a closer look at his dagger, before letting out a small hum. “These are definitely the ones boss told us to keep an eye out for,”

“Good,” The one hold Pidge said gruffly. Another guard approached and helped him to cuff her as well. Once the two were cuffed properly, the guards that had caught Hunk and Lance approached, leading the duo along with guns to their backs. “You all are going to have the delight of meeting the big boss himself for your actions. You should feel honored.” He sneered.

All the vendors and patrons around them watched in wide-eyed intrigue as the group was led away. They were loaded up into the back of a small vehicle and driven out of the main bazaar, out towards a large building a few miles away. Judging by its placement and the other vehicles coming and going, Keith was willing to wager this was the building where seller’s permits, security agents, and other such matters were handled. Once they entered the building, they were taken past a reception area in the front, down a long corridor, and into an office. A figure settled at a desk in the room perked up at their entrance, a toothy grin turning up on their lips.

"Ah, so you lot are the group Kolivan sent, hm? Pretty impressive struggle you put up out there. Been a while since my men were given a run for their money like that," he said with a laugh, waving one hand at his guards as he pushed out of his seat and approached. He was clearly part Galra, given his pupil less yellow eyes and the purple-blue hue of the fur he had. His ears were reminiscent of Sendak’s, being large and wide and attached completely to his head, though they grew more narrowed and furless leading up towards the tips. His nose pointed out a bit, somewhat like the snout of a rodent, and was furred all the way up to the tip. The fur along their head had been grown out and down, leaving them with fur that functioned much like sideburns, but were clearly well-maintained and groomed. Unlike the normal Blade or Galran armor, or even the more simple robes most merchants sported, he was wearing a burgundy colored suit with silver detail work along the lapels and cuffs. At his indication, the guards set to removing the shackles they’d placed them in just moments before. “Though I certainly hope that none of you were harmed. We have to put on an impressive, believable show for the other merchants, but that doesn’t mean we go out of our way to hurt you.”

Keith blinked as his wrist were freed, reaching up to gently rub at the left one. "Wait, you're our informant?"

"Indeed I am. You may address me as Reylt," he said, offering him a hand.

While Keith shook his hand, Hunk poked his head over, unbound and seeming significantly less unnerved. "Wait, you're the Blade guy? But you don't look like you've been through rigorous, agonizing torture,"

Reytl cocked his head in confusion before shaking it. "I... I beg your pardon? I am a Blade who was ill-suited for combat, but excelled in other fields that are just as necessary," He then turned and indicated they follow him to yet another elevator at the other end of the room. Three of his guards followed along while the rest fell back and took watch by the main office entrance and elevator respectively. "Though I can't blame you for being confused. Those who know of the Blade tend to only know about the main activities they engage in." He clicked the lowest button and, after a small cream of gears, began its descent.

"Information gathering seems pretty commonplace for the Blades, though I'm sure you get a pretty diverse selection, given your location," Pidge chimed in, waggling her fingers at her sides.

Reytl hummed before holding one hand up and waffling it side to side. "It varies, if I am honest. Information also isn't my expertise, though I will offer up anything of notoriety that I find," The elevator dinged as it reached the floor, the door gliding open smoothly. They were greeted with huge, large shelves filled decorated with various goods decorating them. "Come along. My men will help you transport the goods back to your vehicle."

“Goods?" Hunk asked skeptically as they all slipped out.

The young Blade cast them a quick, curious glance over his shoulder. "Yes. Kolivan did explain what, exactly, he sent you to retrieve, did he not?"

"Well, he said it was vital equipment we were coming to get," Lance scoffed.

"Equipment, goods, feh. It's a yularis, yularis matter at that point," Reytl snorted, emphasizing an ‘e’ sound the first time he said the word, and then emphasizing an ‘i’ sound.

"Uh... What?" Lance drawled out.

Hunk hummed quietly, tilting his head. "I think that's their version of tomato, tomatoe,"

"Ah, brilliant," Pidge said flatly.

“So, where is this item? We really need to get going before they start thinking something bad has happened to us,” Keith cut in, walking alongside Reytl and his guard.

“Right this way. Also, I must say, Kolivan has exquisite taste. Finding this little number was not easy, but I’m sure that it will be well worth it,” He commented, leading them through the shelves of goods until he reached one of the larger items. A huge grin turned up on his lips as he pulled out a tablet, clicked in some information, and then smiled as one of the larger items from the top shelf was slowly pressed out on a moving platform and lower. “Tahdah!” He held his arms out with flourish at the item before them.

“... U-Uh,” Hunk trailed, looking from the item to the others.

“Oh, my God,” Pidge choked out, the noise sounding like a cross between a laugh and a groan.

Keith swallowed hard, looking at the item and then Reytl. “Is… Is that… A desk?”

“Well, it isn’t just a desk! It is a desk made of the finest windeler wood, crafted by the craftsmen Quin’clu’tarf! It’s a one-of-a-kind antique!”

Lance let out a low groan, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Are you serious?”

“Um… Are you sure this is what we were sent here for?” Keith asked, shaking his head a bit. He couldn’t believe that this was what they were sent for.

However, Reytl nodded, a serious scowl forming on his face. “Oh, absolutely. I have been trying to find this desk at his request for ages now!” He turned to look at the item again, then back to the team. “Now, do you need any equipment to help you with transporting it?”

The ride in Green Lion to return was incredibly quiet and tense, leaving Keith almost wishing the others would start acting up again.