#let hunk and shay get married

[kingofthewilderwest]

hey psssst, gimme 3 and 4 in that ask game for Voltron, and maybe another fandom of your choosing for hornet's nest purposes XD

Fandom Ask Game

OH BOOYEAH HORNETS!!!! LET'S A-GO!

I don't know if I can successfully make spice for you, especially because I fear I'm mentioning ships you like, but we'll give honest answers. XD

3. VLD NOTP?

Lotura. By the time Lotor was a developed character in VLD, I'd been through DotU, Devil's Due, and other Voltron materials. How I see Lotura is colored by how their dynamics were set up across broader Voltron lore: a leetle lottle rapey.

Now. Let's be clear. I am open to people shipping or writing about anything (oh, here's spice for the crowd that I never thought I'd admit on tumblr main: if you asked me, I'd defend RPF slash). I think that fandom communities are in boon for tackling any and all topics. Shipping does not mean you are endorsing ethical frameworks... it means you like playing with a dynamic - and that can be any dynamic... because different dynamics are interesting in fiction and can be written for a variety of effects, purposes, colors, explorations, enjoyments, reflections, and ends.

But for me, VLD!Lotura shippers overall investigated it as a sincere ship. And I get that VLD Lotura is not DotU Lotor and Allura. I get that most haven't seen DotU. And I get that people can also reimagine characters any way they want - as more messed up or less messed up or so messed up a tornado is jealous of their destruction. But it means it vibes weird to me. I can't see past Lotor's weird sexual obsessions with Allura across the spans of Voltrondom, and that's not a thing I'm personally fawning over in a ship. But that's just me, and for all people who have a good time, please keep having your good time. ^.^

4. Is there a popular pairing you don’t necessarily dislike but aren’t too invested in?

These fall under the spectrum from "dislike" to "decidedly tepid."

Any ship with Pidge and any ship with Hunk that's not Hunk x Shay. My VLD ships have concentrated around characters like Keith, Matt, Shiro, and a little bit of Lance as a byproduct. But as someone who doesn't like everyone paired off, I tend to be rigid about wanting certain enclaves to remain gloriously platonic, as platonic is the end-all best-all type of relationship to me. There's a specific type of platonic dynamic that I like writing in all my works and that type of platonic dynamic is something I don't want tampered with when I find it in media I consume. So that means we don't touch the space engineers. Pidge and Hunk work endlessly great as a BROTP and I don't want that to change. Their BROTP is so, so, so good. I also headcanon Pidge rather ace-ly, so I just don't want her in a ship.

Also, Allurance. This is again colored by broader Voltrondom. I go in, Kallura has been the deal for decades, I like Kallura, they're friggin getting married in one comic I mean come on, I am preprogrammed to not think Lance and Allura could be an item. Showrunners changing the one canon relationship that's been around from the near-beginning would be wild, amirite? And yet they did. And there's nothing wrong with it! It doesn't bother me. It's cool they explored something new and kudos. But there was nothing in broader Voltrondom to make me care about it, nor did I find Lance and Allura's relationship compelling enough in VLD proper. I get why Lance and Allura connect up in VLD and it's fine, it's perfectly fine, it's just not sparking for me.

I have talked your socks off about VLD alone so I'll end it there, but feel free to poke me again if you want me to opine on another fandom. XD Whether or not people like my takes, I'll admit it's fun to acknowledge how I feel on these ones.

[hijacks-klance-posts]

Lance can't really say he was expecting anything to happen between him and his love interest, but every time Keith would even glance his direction, his nerves would act up.

Once the valentines party was announced, Keith suddenly became strange, whike he use to follow Lance around like a confused puppy now he was running around hiding, going out- he did a lot of things that just weren't Keith. And it made Lance self-conscious even if it was just for a split second. He'd almost felt like this whole liking each other thing was a joke to Keith. Lance had tried so many times to ask the other out, and he tried cute, cringe, blunt... not so blunt ways to ask the other out. But every offer he made was rejected instantly with a soft chuckle and shake of the others head.

It infuriated Lance, especially the fact that Keith made no such effort to ask the other, he hadn't even tried once. Making Lance feel as if this relationship would become one-sided and he really couldn't go through that again.

And today of all days was the worst, Keith and Lance even arrived separately. And hadn't said a word to eachother all day. No matter how much Lance attempted to make his way to the mullet headed male, Pidge or hunk would always somehow pull him away with some excuse.

Lance was now sat. Basically alone as Pidge stayed glued to their phone. Hunk trying and failing terribly to flirt with Shay, him being a flustered mess while Shay just smiled sweetly.

He could feel the back of his head burn with looks from all different types of people. Mostly, girls approached him, asking him for this or that, refusing all of them with a soft smile and a polite "I like somebody else." Every time someone came over to him, he could feel Keith's gaze lock onto them frustratedly before always looking away when Lance would reject them. Lance seemed to notice this as the next person to ask, and he indulged them, not before telling him his plan, of course.

Lance explained to the girl, Jess that he wanted to make his 'crush' jealous as she happily accepted. He grabbed her hand with a soft and fake smile, pulling her to the dance floor in a heart beat. He'd been dying to dance, but decided not to until Keith asked him, but it's a bit late for that now. He swung her around easily as he chatted and laughed with the girl, all the stories he told being about him and Keith. Not that Keith knew they were being completely platonic. As he stood up in haste. Quickly making his way towards Lance and pulling him away, Lance happily getting dragged away by the other.

"What the fuck Lance?!" Keith whispered shouted as they made it outside the building into a beautifully decorated garden where you had the best view of the multi coloured sky. "What?" Lance looked towards him with a smirk, it instantly hitting Keith What Lance was up to as he let out a shaky breath. Lance placed his hand on the others shoulder gently, this time showing a genuine smile. "I got you to talk to me, didn't I?" He spoke confidently only earning a half chuckle from the other. "You dumbass." Keith spoke eyes glued to the floor as Lance just smiled over at him. "Not my fault you refused to talk to me and was being all weird and mysterious~" Lance spoke doing slight Jazz hands as he eyed Keith suspiciously. "It's a surpise Lance." Keith groaned stepping away from Lance slightly. "C'mon Keith, you know I hate surprises they make me all nervy-" Lance stated crossing his arms looking like a grumpy toddler.

"Fucks sake Lance you had to ruin it." Keith laughed as his hands dived into his pockets as Keith watched him suspiciously. "The fuck you doing, purposing?" Lance joked only to be met with a ring box in Keith's hands. "Woah, woah! When I said marry me I didn't mean it-" Lance backes up slightly shaking his hands infront of his face. Keith cocked his eyebrow with a chuckle. "Blue, I'd be on my knee if I was purposing you idiot." Keith flicked the others head before opening the box which consisted of two promise rings. "So you're not proposing?" Lance spoke slightly disappointed as he eyed the objects suspiciously. "Lance shut the fuck up for a minute." Keith snapped playfully as the other did as he was told. He takes a deep breath hands shaking slightly as he locks eyes with the confused freckled face I front of him.

"| get angry too easily. I say mean

things just to hurt people sometimes, even

though always regret it. - have a ridiculously

minuscule amount of impulse control,

forget important dates and anniversaries -

you'll probably have to remind me every year

several times. I regularly forget to eat and

shower. I'm just as much of a mess as you,

nae salang. But I want you with me, Lance,

always. I want us, I know I can be oblivious and ignorant to things sometimes but that's WHY I need you. You level me out, and I'm so close to falling inlove with you. Not yet the Love, donr want to boost your ego too much.." Keith laughed, well choke laughed as he tried to stop a tear form as he watched Lance break into a ball of tears.

"The fuck? Who told you to be so cute?" Lance laughed as he wiped his eyes with his now damp sleeve. Keith pulled the other into a loose hug as Lance stood frozen in place as he sobbed softly. "Thank you Red." Lance finally spoke as he wrapped his arms tightly around the other afraid to let go. "I want you too Keith." Lance spoke, pulling away only slightly from the hug just to close the gap between them, a kiss, it wasn't anything over the top or special but it was perfect for the pair. "I get to be the one purposing now. Since you beat me to it." Lance joked his nose still sniffly and eyes slightly red, Keith only nodded taking in the sight of his new and very handsome boyfriend. He couldn't help but pull him into his embrace once again.

[mothmanavenue]

headcanon - After the war ends, Lance and Keith take on space exploration all around the universe, travelling together on a ship with Kosmo, with the paladins initially living together - they were too used to it after years on the castleship and developed pretty bad separation anxiety - and then slowly branching out to take on various projects.

Allura and Coran and the Alteans form New Altea, Allura finally taking her rightful place as Queen of a thriving race of people. The paladins all attended the coronation and fussed over her the entire night. Coran crowned her, and knighted them. A portrait of Allura on her throne, surrounded by the paladins and Coran takes pride of place in the halls of the docked castleship.

Pidge settles on Olkarion, learning under Ryner and the rest of the Olkari, often travelling back and forth between Earth, New Altea and Olkarion. Colleen, a notable biologist joins Pidge out of not just curiosity but the refusal to let her daughter leave her again so soon.

Hunk spends time on the Balmera before he and Shay travel to New Altea, where he assists Allura as a diplomat, his confidence having grown significantly during the war, and is now a beloved public figure. He and Shay often join Keith and Lance’s voyages, indulging Shay’s natural curiosity.

Adam lives, and the Earth hasn’t been overrun by Galrans. He and Shiro get married one month after Shiro returns to Earth. They grab their friends and Commander Holt marries them on the bridge of the castleship in the middle of the night. Shiro becomes the ambassador for Earth, but after a while decides to settle permanently on New Altea, giving up the position to Veronica.

Keith and Lance travel. They see the stars and play stupid competitions, and at night Keith pulls out his books and easels and paints the galaxy they’re in while Lance video calls the Paladins and Kosmo tries to get Keith to give him scritches while he works

[just-my-fandom]

Could we possibly get some Paladin dating HC's? (with your choice of characters)

Date started; January 15, 2021

Date posted; January 28, 2021

Oof, I haven’t written for them in such a long time. Might be a little rusty. I did my main three favorites, Keith, Pidge and Hunk. Xx

We’re finally getting things posted, folks.

Keith

You and Keith met before the paladins were put together.

Went through the Garrison together; both hotheads- and somehow you both clicked

Maybe it’s cause you both got a punch out of James Griffin

When the team was brought together and Allura and Coran started training everyone, you and Keith would share looks of dread.

The team didn’t even know you two were together tbh

Lance found out first ofc

He’d run into Keith’s room to wake him up to go to the upside down pool or something

And find you and Keith both in Keith’s bed

Lances first reaction is shouting at you and waking you up, you confused and drowsy while Keith is just irritated for getting woken up,

Keith quickly realizes you don’t have a shirt on

Protect Keith where he pulls you against him and demands Lance to leave in the next five seconds

The team lets you hear it at breakfast

“Since when was this happening?” -Pidge

“Since before we even knew you existed,” -You

“Okay, not completely surprised. You’re literally different genders of each other,” -Hunk

“I thought you guys were siblings,” -Lance, while face palming

The team then realizes that the way Keith is protective over you isn’t just friendship

When you find out Keith is part Galra, you honestly aren’t phased,

“This doesn’t bother you?” -Keith

“Should it?” -You

You meeting Krolia and getting along instantly

“What do you see in him?” -Krolia

“Honestly, idk,” -You

“I’m literally right here,” -Keith

When the team sets down on Earth, you and Keith don’t really have anyone to come home to besides the Commander

(Your family left you on your own at a young age. Another reason why you get along with Keith)

You, Keith and James all making up

James teasing about how you and Keith finally getting together

Ofc Keith gets jealous once you and James become actual friends

“Babe, it’s only you,” -You

Once Earth is saved, you and Keith get a place together and just settle on it being just you two

Plus Kosmo ofc

Pidge

You met Pidge when the Paladins were brought together

You figured out pretty quickly that Pidge was indeed a female

You promised to keep it secret until she was ready to out the rest of the team ofc.

Y’all didn’t realize your feelings for one another until one of you almost died on a mission

After that, you both struggle with separation anxiety for each other

While it’s cute you guys are always at the hip, it can get annoying sometimes when they need one of you specifically for a part of a mission

You meet her family when you all touch down to Earth.

Pidges mother is already in love with you.

Matt just loves the fact that he basically has two sisters now

Her dad is happy as long as Pidge is happy

You both definitely cry tears of joy when Zarkon is defeated.

Hug each other for hours.

Once Earth is saved, you and Pidge get an apartment together.

Snuggles

Kisses

Stealing Pidges glasses although they fuck up your vision

The cute shit you know?

Hunk

You and Hunk grew up together.

Went to the Garrison together, got lost in space together, you know the drill.

It takes a lot of time to get you two to actually start dating.

You’re worried your mental health will break you two apart after being away from home for so many years

He’s worried of being rejected and losing your friendship of over ten years.

You don’t actually start “dating” until Hunk finds you homesick, and one thing leads to another and you’re kissing.

Lots of teary giggles in that moment.

“Wait, you like like me?”

“Yes, Hunk, I like like you,”

You and Hunk cook together. Him meals and you sweets.

You get low key jealous when Hunk tells you about Shay.

“You’re not gonna ditch me for her, are you?”

“Babe, no one can replace you,”

His mother is ecstatic when she finds out you’re together

“Dios mio, finally!!” [Oh my god]

“Mom,”

Hunk proposes to you literally during battle.

“Y/N, if we make it out of here, Imma marry you,”

“Are you seriously proposing right now?”

“Yes?”

“Guess we gettin’ married then,”

You do. Like literally two weeks after battle.

Y’all would have cute kids no joke.

Okay I’m done.

[ya-boi-is-spaced]

Klance fic ideas: Cinderella AU

Okay so this has probably been done before but I had some ideas. This is more loosely based around Cinderella and I love it so here goes:

Keith is the dumb prince duh

Keith is complaining to Pidge, his butler, about not finding any of his marriage offers attractive

Side note: just like in the show Pidge is a girl who pretends to be a dude to sneak into the garrison, or in this case, the castle. She snuck in bc Matt is a knight and he's also kindof a dumbass so she wants to look out for him

Pidge is heckin smart obviously and asks: "Hey what about dudes?"

Keith is dumbstruck. He'd never thought about it before.

Then he thinks about it.

"My dear friend, I have reason to believe you might like dudes."

Keith's a blushing mess but looks at Pidge and says: "I think... I think you may be right..."

K: "What do I do?! How am I ever going to meet the right guy if I can only ever be seen flirting with chicks?!"

Thus is born the Ball.

P: "Throw a bigass Ball for the whole kingdom and sneak away with a hot guy who's also into guys. Simple."

K: "NOT SIMPLE!! ....but you may be onto something..."

So they plan to throw a Ball and invite the whole kingdom.

They obviously tell Shiro, because Shiro is awesome and also a raging homosexual.

Poor Shiro's in the same boat

He is definitely NOT smitten with his butler Adam. Who also happens to be a badass knight.

He's 100% on board and they convince their parents to let them host a Ball so they can get to know their citizens and form a good relationship with their kingdom.

Krolia and Texas agree, because obviously Texas was just gonna go with whatever his badass amazing wife Queen said, and she's awesome so she said yes, so then they get to planning and it's awesome.

More on Texas and Krolia: Texas is born into the royal family, Krolia was a general in their army. Texas fell in love with Krolia, and thankfully she returned his feelings bc he was absolutely head over heels for this wonderful woman. She might have also been very smitten with the big hearted young prince. They got married and had Shiro then Keith. They're very good to their people and Texas has always had a great relationship with his kingdom. He loves and cares for all of them very much. He does his best to assure everyone is employed, housed, fed, and doing well in general. He spends a lot of his spare time in the villages helping his people. Krolia allows this because she's always been better at handling diplomatic things, so it's a win-win for the both of them and they're both very happy with their jobs. It's a very good kingdom bc I said rights for the royals and they made good decisions for their people.

Anyways,

Keith, Pidge, and Shiro decide on a masquerade ball so that it'll be easier for them to sneak away.

The plan is set and they begin preparations.

Shiro decides he's finally going to confess his love to Adam at the ball once they can slip away from the crowd.

Pidge, having lived in the village nearby, had some connections to the common folk and can make her special preparations under the radar of the castle's staff

Coran, Allura, and Hunk are witches in the same coven as Pidge, so that's exactly who she goes to for advice.

Coran & Allura's backstory: Coran is an eccentric older Man who was secretly the lover of Alfor, a witch and healer in the village. Allura is Alfor's daughter. Coran is the only parent she's ever known because her mother died in childbirth (which is why Alfor began practicing witchcraft and healing, so that no one else had to share his pain of losing someone to misfortune) and Alfor was hanged for witchcraft when Allura was too young to remember him. Coran, being Allura's godfather and therefore next of kin, adopted her and claimed to know nothing of Alfor's participation with witchcraft. He raised her and taught her about magic and the good it can bring and to stay away from the dark magic.

Pidge decides to make Keith a good luck charm to ease his nerves about the whole ordeal.

Hunk decides he's going to do the same thing for his closest friend, who is excited and nervous about attending the ball.

Can you guess who that is? Let's backtrack for a minute.

Lance is a peasant and lives with his bigass family who love him very much. They're all tailors.

But he's a closeted raging bisexual who happens to love dresses and makeup and men just as much as the next maiden

He can't always show his love of fashion, which sucks.

His mother knows her son's vanity well, and buys him a pair of simple silver earrings for his birthday about two years ago

It's his favorite thing that he owns and he hasn't taken them off since his mother pieced his ears for him on his 17th birthday

He's ecstatic when his family receives the invitation letter.

It states that all members of the household are welcome and encouraged to attend the Royal Masquerade Ball hosted by the Princes. The Queen and King will be in attendance as well, and the royal family is beyond ecstatic to welcome the kingdom into their home for a night of dancing and fun.

Hell yeah, Lance loves dressing up and dancing and fun

Lance also lo- ADMIRES- ahem. Yes. Admires the younger prince very much.

He's quiet and kindof mysterious and broody, but something about that just does it for Lance

Lance is determined to capture the prince's attention. He's had his fair share of crushes, but he's never felt his heartstrings pulled like he does when it comes to Prince Keith.

Lance assumes Prince Keith is probably straight (thank you, heteronormativity) and decides to go to Hunk for help with his crazy idea.

Hunk loves and supports Lance, even when he's being crazy, and goes along with it.

And Hunk is a witch. So he's gonna work his magic on Lance.

In preparation for the ball, Hunk and Lance spend hours practicing the spell and getting Lance's measurements right.

Hunk (and his family and his lovely girlfriend Shay) is one of the caterers for the event.

There's no way the royal chefs would be able to prepare that much food, so a bunch of chefs from the kingdom stepped up to help

Lance's whole family is booked making outfits for other villagers too. Of course they save time to make their own outfits as well.

Lance has always loved being the center of attention so his outfit, his hair, everything has to be perfect.

Hunk agrees that his best friend is going to outshine even the royal family

He's so proud of his bestie and so happy to help him like how Lance helped him with Shay (long story short, Lance is the best wingman ever) and Hunk wants to return the favor)

Lance makes himself a gorgeous blue tux for Hunk to enchant so he looks equally as stunning when the magic inevitably wears off.

Remember that good luck charm mentioned earlier? Hunk decides to give Lance luck from head to toe, so he gifts Lance with a silver hairpiece encrusted with sapphires to match prized silver earrings, and heels made of Opal.

Lance is awestruck and cries to Hunk about how he's the best man in the whole world ("I'd marry you myself if I could, Hunk. Seriously, Shay might just have to share." XD)

TO BE CONTINUED

[hushman]

Trapped under Mistletoe

Here is my plance secret santa for @funtryandthepaladudes They had asked for it to include the trope of being trapped under the mistletoe. I ended up taking the trope in a slightly different direction. I hope you like it.

@plancesecretsanta

“Come and get it!” 

Hunk and Shay walked in from the kitchen, wearing matching christmas themed aprons and carrying plates of freshly baked cookies. Everyone attending the event came in to get some of the cookies, though not before Hunk and Shay took a big one. They started eating it from different ends before meeting in the middle for a kiss. 

“Could you two be any more sickenly sweet as a couple?” Keith asked with an eye roll.

Hunk looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

“Dude, you and Allura are wearing matching sweaters.”

Keith looked took down at the identically gaudy christmas sweaters that he and Allura were wearing.

“This hadn’t been my idea,” Keith defiantly.

“Oh hush Keith,” Allura said as she gave her boyfriend a friendly shove.

It was the annual Voltron christmas party, where the Paladins of Voltron as well as close friends and family got together to celebrate the festive season. It was always fun a time and Hunk loved being the driving force behind this annual holiday tradition.

Unfortunately there was another annual holiday closely tied with this that Hunk was a little less fond of. 

Right on cue a silence filled the air as Lance and Pidge locked eyes. Lance pulled out a some breath spray to freshen his breath while Pidge scoffed. It was clear to everyone that Pidge and Lance’s annual game of Mistletoe was about to begin.

“Uh guys, how about we skip Mistletoe this year and just go straight to the eggnog?” Hunk pleaded.

This happened every year. Lance would try to get Pidge under some mistletoe for a kiss. Even though the two were dating, even though by this point they had kissed hundreds if not thousands of time, even though Pidge had initiated at least half those kisses, she still refused to kiss Lance under the mistletoe. No one knew for certain why Pidge insisted on refusing the kiss or why Lance insisted on trying to get that kiss but every year they would play this battle of wills.

“Sorry Hunk, you know we can’t do that,” Lance replied.

“Yeah, I can’t help it that Lance doesn’t know when to give up,” Pidge added.

“Oh you eating those words,” Lance shot. “As well as my face when this all over.”

“Seriously Lance?” Keith asked in disgust.

Hunk let out a defeated sigh.

“Alright, but just to remind everyone of the rules,” he said. “Lance has until midnight to get Pidge under the mistletoe for a kiss. No weapons, no tech, no lions, no outside help from friends or family members, no explosives, no setting things on fire, no throat punches, no nut shots and no eating the mistletoe.” He gave Coran a pointed look.

“That happened one time,” Coran replied with a huff.

“Begin!”

Pidge entered combat pose while Lance held a more casual stance. Everyone looked on as the two circled each other.

“Remind me again why they do this every year?” Allura asked Keith.

“By this point I think it’s more stubborn pride than anything,” He replied.

Lance and Pidge continued to circle each other.

“I don’t see any mistletoe hanging out,” Pidge said. “Hiding it in your pocket again?”

“Nope,” Lance replied as he pulled out his pockets to prove it. “Found a bet way this year to get it where it needed to be.”

He let out whistle. A bunch of space caterpillars came floating in, each with a piece of mistletoe tied to them. 

“You fuzzy traitors!” Pidge exclaimed as she tried scurry across the room to avoid them.

Pidge ran out of the room, followed closely by Lance and the space caterpillars.

In that moment Allura and Keith looked up to see a space caterpillar floating above them with a piece of mistletoe. Allura developed a cheeky grin as she picked up Kieth.

“It’s about time I took part in this earth custom,” She said. “Though it may take a few tries before I can be sure I’m doing it right.”

Pidge ran outside, only to see hundreds of space caterpillars floating in the air, all with mistletoe tied to them.

“Oh I may have asked for help from the extended family.”

Pidge ran for dear life, but the sheer amount of the floating fuzzy creatures meant she was fast running out of options.

Out of desperation Pidge ducked into a nearby open door. She quickly closed the door.

“Wow, I’m almost surprised this worked.”

Pidge turned and even in the low light could see Lance standing there. She trying to open the door but realised it was locked.

“Yeah, that door isn’t going to open again without the key. In the meantime...” Lance flicked a switch.

The lights turned on, revealing that the entire ceiling was covered in mistletoe. Frantically Pidge eyes darted across the room as she tried to find a means of escape. Finally realisation sunk in. There was no way out of this. Pidge was at long last trapped under the mistletoe. She let out a dramatic sigh.

“Alright Lance, you win, do your worst.”

She closed her eyes and prepared for the barrage of kisses that she expected to follow. Deep down she loved it when Lance showered her with affection but she really hated admitting defeat. 

She soon realised that nothing was happening. Finally she peeked open an eye and saw Lance down on one knee holding a ring.

“Pidge, I love you,” Lance said. “You are amazing in so many ways. I would chase you to the end of the universe because there is no one else I want to spend my life with. Will you marry me?”

There was a moment of silence as Pidge started to tear up. She then leapt into Lance’s arms and started bombarding him with kisses. 

“So is that a yes?” Lance asked between kisses.

“YES!”

***

It was well past midnight when Lance and Pidge arrived back at the party.

“So who won this year?” Allura asked.

“I did,” Lance declared. “Twice.”

“Twice?”

Lance responded by lifting up Pidge’s hand that was now wearing the ring he had given her. Several gasps were heard as the friends descended on the couple, offering them congratulations and wanting to get a better look at the ring. The moment of revelry and good cheer abated slightly when Keith said something that was on his mind.

“You do realise what this means though?” he asked.

“What?”

“By tying it in with his proposal, no matter how many more years you guys play this little mistletoe game, the year everyone will remember is the year he won.”

As realisation dawned on Pidge she turned to Lance.

“You bastard!”

Lance shrugged.

“You told me to do my worst.”

“That’s it!” Pidge said as she pulled out her bayard. “I’m calling off the no weapons rule!”

Lance ran for dear life with Pidge closely behind while their friends watched on.

“Well,” Hunk said with a shrug. “At least we know that marriage isn’t going to change them.”

[voyager-into-the-unknown]

This is another chapter of my ongoing Plance fic. This chapter has more hints of Kallura and Hunay, and be please be advised, there’s a very hot Plance makeout session in this chapter. 🔥💦🌱 The boys have a serious discussion about their future plans, including marriage and family. Also, Loverboy Lance is super sexy in this installment. 😉 You’ve been warned. Please leave a comment if you like this fic.

Here’s the previous chapter if you missed it. https://truegryffindorforever2.tumblr.com/post/188917892600/truegryffindorforever2

Chapter 10: After the Training Mission

After the success of the morning’s simulation on the training deck, the Paladins headed toward the locker rooms, where they could strip off their armor, shower, and change into their Garrison uniforms. As Keith, Allura, and Hunk walked ahead of them, Lance and Pidge lagged behind, holding hands. Lance felt a little tug as Pidge led him toward a vacant supply room. “I need to talk to you about something in private,” she said as she led him inside and shut the door.

“Sure. What is it?” Lance asked as they set their helmets down on a nearby crate. She put her hands on his chest plate and looked up at him adoringly. Even without makeup and with sweat matting the loose strands of the hair that framed her face she looked beautiful. He felt his heart beating a little faster.

“You were incredible in the training simulation just now. Shiro was right, you know. We have never seen you fight like that before. It was amazing.”

Lance felt his face heat up. “Well, it’s like I said. I had the right motivation. My mission was to keep you safe.” He reached down to cup her face in his gloved hands. His voice deepened. “I had to protect the woman I love.” Lance gave her his most smoldering look, and Pidge’s blush was visible, even in the dim lighting.

He leaned down to kiss her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck to draw him closer as their lips came together in a passionate kiss. The room was small and Pidge was already near the wall. She backed into it, and Lance picked her up, bracing her against the wall. She wrapped her legs around his waist, holding onto him as she had when they were tumbling through the simulation of deep space. He kissed her as if she were the breath of life itself, with an urgency neither of them had ever experienced before, and she kissed him back with just as much passion. When their lips parted, they were both panting. She then kissed him everywhere she could reach—cheeks, temples, forehead, and chin. He closed his eyes and allowed her to cover his face with sweet little kisses. “I love you,” she whispered as she kissed the corner of his mouth. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too,” whispered to her. He covered her face with the same soft little kisses she had given him. She closed her eyes, smiling and savoring the sensation. “You were brilliant today, as always,” he whispered in her ear, then kissed her there, then nibbled at her earlobe. She giggled at this new sensation. This was all so new to her, to both of them. He set her down, then kissed the top of her head. “We shouldn’t get too carried away,” he said.

“Right. Matt doesn’t want us to have to name any little garbage poofs after him just yet, remember?”

Lance laughed. “Well, I was going to take a hot shower to relax my aching muscles, but right now I think I need a cold shower first.” Pidge looked down, suddenly comprehending the meaning of his words. She blushed scarlet.

“I—I didn’t know I could cause that to happen,” she looked away from the place below his belt line where she had been staring. “Sorry.”

Lance picked up his helmet, and turned to leave. “I’m not.” He gazed at her from the now open doorway, silhouetted by the light from hallway beyond. He flashed her his sexiest lopsided grin, unashamed of himself, but secretly hoping that no one would pass by and see how uncomfortably tight his under suit was at the moment. Pidge looked adorably embarrassed, and averted her gaze. She grabbed her helmet and followed him out of the room.

They held hands again on the way to the locker rooms, and upon arrival, they finally parted from each other. “See you at lunch,” he told her, and he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before they went their separate ways.

Hunk was putting on his uniform when Lance arrived in the locker room, and Keith, who had just come from the shower, had wet hair and was wrapped in only a towel. “What took you so long?”

“Uh, Pidge wanted to discuss the mission,” Lance said, as he turned away to begin removing his armor.

Hunk laughed. “Don’t let him fool you. He was probably making out with his girlfriend again.”

“Girlfriend? Lance finally has a girlfriend?!” Keith said in disbelief.

“Yes, I do have a girlfriend, Keith. Don’t be so shocked by that fact.” Lance sounded a bit offended.

“So, is she someone I know?” Keith was curious.

Hunk laughed. “Still Clueless Keith.”

“Typical,” Lance agreed. “I told you I was discussing the mission with her.”

“You mean Pidge?! She’s just a kid!”

“She’s eighteen now, and way more mature than any of us were at that age.”

“Listen, Loverboy. Pidge is a very important member of our team, and she’s also like a little sister to me, so if you are just messing around and trying to take advantage of her feelings—“

“I have already had this discussion with Matt, so back off, Keith. Mind your own business!” Lance yelled. Keith growled at him.

“Whoa! Calm down, both of you,” said Hunk. “For your information, Keith, I have had this talk with Lance, too, and he is handling things very maturely. Don’t jump to conclusions.”

Lance sat on the nearest bench, clad only in the bottom half of his under armor. He exhaled. “Thanks, Hunk.” He looked at Keith, then looked away. “I love her, okay? And she loves me. We are in a committed relationship, and that’s a bit scary for both of us. We have just survived the most brutal war that the universe has ever seen, and all of us have nearly died at one time or another. We aren’t doing anything stupid or irresponsible. We have actually discussed our future together.” Lance looked up at both of his friends. “Pidge and I want it all—marriage, a home, kids...a normal life. We both love being Paladins and serving the universe in the cause of freedom and all that, but we both want something for ourselves too. I think we deserve that. All of us deserve that.”

Keith sat down on the bench beside him. “I’m sorry. You’re right. And you and Pidge aren’t the only ones who have thought about the future in those terms,” he admitted. His expression has softened a great deal.

“Things are getting pretty serious between me and Shay,” Hunk confessed.

“Things between me and Allura are just getting started,” Keith added. “She’s lost nearly everything, and I know she thinks of all of us as her family, but I also know it would make her happy if she had a family of her own.” Keith looked away, embarrassed. “We have both submitted DNA samples to the exobiology lab for testing. There’s a very good chance that an Altean female can produce hybrid offspring with a male who is half human and half Galra.” Keith was blushing so deeply that he couldn’t meet their eyes.

“Shay and I haven’t even thought that far ahead,” Hunk said quietly. “But I still want to be with her even if we can’t have children. I love her.”

“Then you guys do understand. None of us are kids anymore.” Lance said. “And of the original Paladins, we know that Zarkon and Alfor had families of their own. If they can marry the women that they loved, why can’t we?”

“It’s not that easy, Lance,” Keith responded. “As far as we know, Trigel didn’t have any children of her own. Maybe she had to give that up to be a female Paladin. If Voltron is needed again someday, how would we go into battle if Pidge or Allura gets pregnant? Supposed one of them is going into labor when the universe needs us the most.”

There was a long silence. “I hadn’t thought about that before,” Lance admitted. He looked away, lost in thought.

“We have switched lions before,” Hunk mused aloud. “Shiro and Keith have both flown Black, Keith and Lance have both flown Red, and Lance and Allura have both flown Blue. Green has even accepted Matt as her co-pilot. Maybe Blue and Green would accept another pilot if Allura or Pidge were unable to fly for a period of time.”

“That’s a good point, Hunk. I think you could be right.” Keith looked hopeful.

Lance smiled. “I think we should discuss this with the girls, and with the lions,” he said. “And I’m gonna hit the shower before I miss lunch.”

Hunk was finished dressing. “See you guys there.”

Lance grabbed his towel and grooming kit and headed toward the stalls. He had a lot to think about.

Keith smiled to himself, lost in thought as he grabbed a smaller towel to dry his wet hair. He really hoped that Hunk was right. He daydreamed for a bit, wondering how his mother would react to having a grandchild that was half Altean. Then he found himself wishing his father could have lived long enough to meet Allura and the little family that they might someday have. He sighed and began combing his hair.

Lance stood under the hot water, no longer needing the cold shower. He washed his hair and lathered his body while considering talk he had just had with Hunk and Keith. Pidge, pregnant? Colleen and his mother would make such as fuss over her and the baby. Lance secretly hoped that the child would inherit the Holt family’s intelligence. What would it be like to be father to a genius? He imagined Sam would give the baby his or her first scientific educational toys. His own dad would probably pass out the finest Cuban cigars to all of their friends and family, even though none of them smoked. He smiled at the thought of all of the aunts and uncles the baby would have, spoiling the child with love and affection: Matt, Veronica, Rachel, Marco, Luis and Lisa...and the team...he imagined his baby being doted upon by Shiro, Coran, Keith, Allura, and especially Hunk. The thought of it made him so happy he began to cry a little. His mind wandered back to the training mission and how tightly he and Pidge clung to each other when they hurled through space, and that led to thoughts of how she had her arms and legs wrapped so tightly around him when they kissed in the supply room afterwards. What would her body feel like so close to his if they hadn’t been wearing armor? Soft, he thought. Smooth. He had held her in his arms when they danced and kissed before. Even though she had grown considerably taller since they had gone into space, compared to him, she was still so tiny. He would have to be very gentle with her the first time that they... No, he mustn’t indulge in those thoughts right now. He turned the temperature of the water down several degrees, and shut his eyes as it poured over him like cool spring rain.

[emphasis-all-mine]

13 for Klance if you’re still taking prompts please!!

Keep sending them, I’ll keep doing them! (Two more on the way bbs!)

(Check my #writing prompt meme tag for all the others!)

13. things you said at the kitchen table

**

“Cereal first, or milk first?”

Keith swallows his bite of toast. “Uhhh… Cereal?”

Lance nods, another checkmark going on his list.

“Does it count that it’s almond milk?” Keith asks, trying to peer across the table.

Lance covers his notepad with his hand. “No peeking! Okay scrambled eggs or fried eggs?”

“I mean, I like omelets? And whichever is closest to over-easy,” Keith shrugs. “I like the runny yolk.”

“Ooh, yeah, you ever do bacon Mac & Cheese with a fried egg on top? Pop the yolk and let it run down, it’s amazing.”

“No but that sound like it’d be worth the lactaid or however long I’d be stuck in the bathroom afterwards.”

“Right, lactose intolerant…” Lance notes it down. “I mean, it’s more like do you like your eggs to have the whites and yolks mixed together like with a scramble or omelet, or if you want them not blended?”

“Over easy?”

“So not blended, like a fried egg, got it. Hmm, coffee or tea?”

“Tea.”

“Really?” Lance leans forward.

“Yeah?”

“But you’re drinking coffee right now.”

“You make coffee, I’ll drink coffee. You make tea, I’ll drink tea. Make both and I’ll pick tea.”

“Wow, I didn’t realize that,” Lance sighs. “Damn. Do you want me to make you tea?”

Keith takes a drink of his coffee. “Nah, I’m good. I like your coffee, Lance. Relax.”

“Tomorrow I’ll make tea. What kind of—”

“Prince of Wales.”

“Is that like, Lipton?”

Keith grins. “I’ll pick some up next time we get groceries.”

Lance nods and makes another note. “Uhh, hold on, most of these are moot because they don’t apply. ‘Favorite pizza topping’, you don’t eat pizza because you don’t eat cheese. Ice-cream flavor? Non-existant, I guess they might say sorbet? Hmm.”

“Where did you get these questions again?” Keith asks, finishing off his buttered toast and leaning back in his chair.

“Nothing.”

“Lance.”

Lance taps his fingers on the kitchen table. “Hunk and Shay challenged us.”

“Oh?”

“You and me, them, Adam and Shiro. Next game night we’re doing a take on the old dating/engaged/newlywed game. Pidge is hosting and Allura is apparently researching a bunch of questions for us. I might be doing a little bit of prep work.“ 

“Huh, so you’re cheating.”

Lance rolls his eyes. “I’m researching.”

“Shouldn’t you have let me in on this so I could prep my answers also?”

“Keith you and I both know you don’t need it. My memory is the one that folds under pressure,” Lance sighs. “Do I put the cereal in before the milk?”

“No you pour a glass of milk and dip a spoonful of dry cereal in for each bite and then you take the leftover cereal milk and you cover it with plastic wrap and stick it in the fridge for your coffee the next day–oh wow. Okay, yeah I do know all these answers.”

Lance smirks. “Go on.”

“You like pizza with fresh garlic, basil and serrano ham and your favorite ice-cream is vanilla raspberry truffle and you do like fried eggs but you love a Denver omelet so you’d say scrambled over fried.”

“See, you’re going to be fine. I just need to quiz you a bunch so I feel more prepared,” Lance worries his thumbnail. “I really should have known that tea thing. I’m gonna grab my laptop and look up more questions.”

Keith nods and pulls the notepad closer. “Hey Lance?”

“Yeah?” Lance answers from their bedroom.

“I know Adam and Shiro are married, but when did Shay and Hunk get engaged?”

“They didn’t,” Lance says, walking back to the kitchen table. “I mean, not that I know of.”

“So if they’re the dating couple, who’s supposed to be the engaged couple in the game?”

Lance waits for a beat as a look of realization crosses Keith’s face.

“Oh,” Keith says.

“Yeah,” Lance smiles. “I think there’s something in my notes there about that.”

Keith flips through Lance’s notebook, until he sees the shiny silver ring hidden in-between the pages.

**

From the Writing Prompt Meme!

[neflor-hnoss]

Five years after Allura’s sacrifice, they’re all living the life they choose but keeping in contact with each other and reuniting every year on the anniversary of her death. During those years Shiro and Curtis dated, got married and adopted a little boy, Hunk and Romelle started dating (in my head, but Hunk and Shay is fine too) and their restaurant chain became the most loved and popular in the whole galaxy, Pidge came out as non binary and started dating Ina and they were widely known as the ultimate science power couple and used to disappear for days when they were researching for something, Keith became the face of the BOM and everybody in the whole universe knew about him and his team of half galra women and Lance lived the simple life he wanted and became more and more quiet and contemplative. All the members of the team went to see him when they could and one time Lance’s mother told Keith that Lance was more like his old self when one of the paladins was around, so he made a point of going to see him every time he had a bit of free time. The McClain’s farm almost became his second home and they spent a lot of time together just hanging out in the flower fields. 

Buuut, as I was saying, five years after Allura’s death, they all feel this weird sensation, something similar to the mind connection with the lions, and it is warm and fond, yes, but it feels urgent, like a warning. Lance is the only one who recognizes Allura and he starts to frantically call the others. Keith is the only one who doesn’t answer immediately but, when he finally joins the group call, he brings bad news: there’s a new danger for the universe (I don’t even know what). While he explains what’s happening, they all hear a loud growl. The lions are back (I didn’t even take the time to think about how that’s gonna work. Don’t even care. I just want them back as a team of Defenders for a last time).

They all clearly feel this energy urging them to move and it clearly feels like Allura telling them that they need to save the universe.

They leave. All the MFE pilots, the three half galra ladies, Romelle and Matt and gf go with them. Curtis stays back with the baby but understands why Shiro must go. They agree to videocall every time they can. Coran stays back too to look on Altea but he’s involved in every strategic meeting.

They find their old dynamic easily but there’s an Allura-shaped hole and they all miss her more than ever, Lance even more than the others. But they all feel her.

During that time, Lance is very cheerful and smiley. He is suffering a lot but he tries to put his old mask back on, just less flirty and loud. He misses Allura, he’s kinda jealous of all the happy couples he has around him (meanwhile even Veronica and Acxa got together) and he feels bad for that.

Everybody sees right though his act but they don’t know what to do.

Keith, who’s been in love with him for a very long time but just silently stepped aside, stays with him and quietly supports him though the grief.

They spend more and more time together, just them or with the others, and Lance feels more and more loved and his mask starts to crumble. Until one day he just breaks and cries his eyes out in front of the whole team.

They all comfort him.

Even Blue.

Even Red.

Even Allura’s energy.

Then it starts to get better and he starts to slowly heal.

When he realizes he’s in love with Keith and that a very well-hidden part of him always was, he panics. He feels guilty and like he’s betraying Allura’s memory, so he pushes Keith away and starts avoiding him.

Keith believes that Lance noticed his feelings for him and gives him space, understanding why he might want to distance himself.

They still fight together and they still have each other’s back in battle but they don’t hang out anymore.

Lance comes up with the strategy to finally beat the “enemy” (yeah, it was all to give him his moment to shine in battle. Sorry not sorry) and after winning the final battle they all hug and congratulate him, minus Keith. He just pats him on the shoulder and smile, telling him he did great.

Lance finds himself longing for that hug but suppresses the thought.

The mysterious energy just disappears and they take their time to mourn the loss again during their journey back.

After six months, they are finally back to their previous life.

Shiro is back with his husband and son.

Pidge, Ina, Matt, N-7, Veronica, James, Ryan and Nadia come back to the Legendary Defenders project. Hunk and Romelle join them.

Keith, Ezor and Zethrid are back with the BOM. Acxa too, but she spends half of her time on Earth with Veronica.

Lance goes back to the farm and is left confronting his feelings for Keith and his feelings for Allura.

it’s during one of Shiro and his family’s visits that he finally decides to let go and openly talk about his feelings.

Shiro and Lance talk about Adam and Allura, about loss and about the strength needed to move on. They talk about Curtis and Keith. It’s then that Lance feels that energy again. It’s warm, loving, supporting and Lance understands immediately what it means.

He loved Allura, still does and in a way always will.

But he can love someone else. He does love someone else. And it’s different.

He feels hope for the future, his future, for the first time since Allura’s death.

But he needs closure, so the next day he goes to visit Coran, the one who was closer to Allura and her only family left, and ask for forgiveness. Coran tells him that there’s nothing to forgive, that Allura would have never wanted for him to spend his life mourning and that he deserves to be happy too.

So, he goes to see Veronica and Acxa. When the latter departs for the BOM, he goes with her.

Keith is stunned to see Lance, even more when he hugs him.

They talk for a long time, finally confess their feelings for each other and kiss.

After that moment, they spend half of their time with the Bom and half with Lance’s family at the farm.

They marry two years later and they retire to live in Lance’s farm, except for Keith’s occasional mission.

One year after their wedding, they adopt a baby girl (in my head she’s a little, curly-haired, dark-skinned earthling) and name her Allura.

Five years later, Allura wakes them up very early in the morning. She has a very serious look in her dark eyes.

“Papa” she says to Lance “The beautiful white-haired lady wanted me to tell you that she is proud of you. And she wanted me to tell dad she says thank you.”

Lance and Keith are both stunned and Lance’s eyes start to water, but they’re both smiling.

“Allura” Lance says “Do you want to hear the story of the woman you’re named after? She was the bravest, strongest person I’ve ever met…”

Keith watches his husband pull their daughter on his lap and smiles.

They’re happy.

Alternate, very self-indulgent, ending:

Pidge and Ina, after working on this for the seven years after Allura sacrificed herself, find a way to bring her back using the lions’ quintessence, altean magic and the energy she left inside Lance.

They talk with the others and they all decide to try it.

They succeed.

Allura is with them again and she brought Lotor with her, so he too has another chance at life.

They didn’t age a day and still look like twenty years old while Lance and the others are older, but it doesn’t matter. They cry and hug and they’re incredibly happy to be together again.

Lance and Allura look at each other and smile. They’ve both moved on and that’s fine, maybe for the better.

They still love each other.

And they love all of their team.

They’re family.

[ma-tsu-the-male-goddess]

Stories up for adoption: Part 1

These are in no particular order, and this is NOT all i have for each story. If any of them interest you, please let me know! I’d be happy to collaborate and hear from you!

(Up for adoption, coauthor, or even just brainstorming some more ideas for the story)

Detective Conan / Magic Kaito

1. A 3-part story: Hakuba has a minor crisis when he realizes his new friend is already friends with his prime subject for Kaito Kid. He’s really got to find a way to tell him.

‘When he’d first caught sight of the teenager in the cafe window, he had thought it was Kuroba. It was only as he entered to confront him that he realized that the hair was too well-kept to be the magician. Then, he’d seen the book in the stranger’s hand. Definitely not Kid, the thief wouldn’t be caught dead reading a Sherlock Holmes book. That only left…

“Kudo Shinichi?”

When he had left his house that morning, Sugaru hadn’t thought he’d be meeting a world-famous detective. He’d heard tell that he’d returned to Japan after a three-year absence, but hadn’t really made the connection that the detective was in close proximity to Ekoda.’

Voltron

2. A one-shot, could be stretched: The newest teacher at the Garrison has caused quite a stir. They say she - builds killer robots for fun, is actually a child genius, is a HUGE fan of the old Voltron team (seriously, apparently her room is covered in paraphernalia). Whoever she is, she seems awfully excited for the surprise guest she’s got coming in next week. Here’s hoping nothing explodes.

‘The man who walks in the room seems awfully boring for all the hype he’s caused. He’s kind of slouchy, grumpy for sure. Did their teacher blackmail him into showing up today? 

Their teacher looks vaguely disappointed for some reason. Anyone with good sense is vaguely terrified. Geoffrey, up in the front row, inches his chair back a little. Dr. Kittiopas steps forward, clapping her hands and clutching them in front of her like an overexcited game show host.

“Alright children, welcome our guest! He’s come a long way to provide you all with quite a few stories!” She drops the manic grin that’s made it’s way on to her face, “So sit down quietly, and shut up.”

The man beside her stumbles forward a few paces, like he’s been shoved from behind, and clears his throat, semi-awkwardly.

“I’m Keith. It’s nice to meet you. Um, all of you.”’

3. A series of letter & videos sent back home to Earth as they make their way through the Voltron series, mostly not canon.

Team Voltron. They sing songs and take pictures periodically throughout their adventures. Whenever they are in the area, or have few free ticks, they find a way to email/drop off/send pics and videos of their ridiculous adventures so their families know they are safe. They visit sometimes, or call when they can. Pictures include Pidge looking pretty with Allura after a makeover, for which Allura and Lance helped with the make up because he has sisters. Hunk did her hair and Keith did her nails. There is another picture of Shiro standing with the paladin(s) looking like a proud dad. There is one of Hunk dressed up nice with Shay. (getting married maybe?) 

The kids all include letters with the stuff they drop off and Hunk tells his mom how much she would love her. For a while, Keith stops sending pictures of himself, and his letters sound like he’s holding something back. Then he sends a letter and attached to it is a closed up envelope. 

“Something happened a while ago. I didn’t want you to see at first, mostly because it freaked me out too. I found out why I was in that orphanage. My dad, he’s Galran, an alien. I started to change, I guess, and now I don’t really look human unless I’m trying. There is a picture inside the envelope. I just wanted to explain first. Anyway, I miss you all. Please tell (little sister) I love her.”   

Sharkboy and Lavagirl

4. A complete AU of the movie, featuring a spunky alien hero out on a mission. The boy she meets seems a bit feral at first but she’s sure they’ll be great friends, if she could only get him to stop chewing on the upholstery. 

Features some fun characters:

- Lavagirl is a hero/warrior from her home planet, chosen to be one of the youngest that the galaxy has seen in centuries. She has a heart of stone, most literally, carved from one of oldest volcanoes still active today. However, she’s well-known as being kind beyond her years, though not quite wise. On cooler planets and when she’s excited, the steam that rises up from her torso gathers in her face so she’s often very animated, pacing or waving her hands about in an effort to ‘clear the air’ so to speak.

- Sharkboy is boy long separated from his bio-scientist father, raised by the sharks he calls his family. Over time, he’s become the local friendly cryptid around the seaside town, referred to as the Shark Boy, and many people are happy to spare some scraps. Lavagirl finds him on an away mission, and immediately invites him along, near adopting him on site. Though they do sometimes argue, they’re like family to each other. Sharkboy is a Spiny Dogfish (technically a shark), but he always tells people he’s going to be a Great White someday, like his family. Lavagirl teases him for it.

- Max is a poor boy on a very traditional planet, and the Hero duo has visited during a time of festivities - it’s nearing the date that the reincarnation of the new God will be revealed! For generations, the line has been within one family, and Lavagirl is here to meet the newest addition. Imagine everyone’s surprise when Max is given the powers instead! Max becomes buddies with the 2 of them and helps them out when he can. The first thing Sharkboy asks is if he can make him taller. Max looks exactly the same but with yellow eyes to match his hair.

Plot follows Lavagirl meeting Sharkboy, the 2 meeting Max, the near throwdown that happens when Lavagirl finds Sharkboy’s father, and an escaped Mr. Electric out to seek revenge.

- PS: There is an image to go with Sharkboy and Lavagirl, created by @tharkflark1! I don’t wanna post it w/o her permission, and it sounds like she might be asleep rn whoops, BUT you can message her about them, she’ll be happy to share or direct you to me!

More to come in a part 2, let me know if anything interests you! I won’t ‘close’ them so to speak, I just want the chance to read whatever amazing things you guys come up with, have fun! 

I’m here for questions as well, I have more info on each.

[b-kitsune]

Many ways to say I love you: Day Twenty Four.

Kidge-a-palooza 2019 Prompt: Prophecy. Pairing: Kidge (VLD) Universe: Fantasy!AU. Status: Part 2/3

He made his way through the crowd of people who were at the Holt family's house, ordering the last details of the wedding to be held in a few more hours. People were running hurriedly while they waited for Matt who had headed deep into the forest during the early hours of the morning, looking for the ideal flower to complement his wedding gown, a millenary tradition by his race from which Pidge had Spoken a few weeks ago.

Everyone was eager and excited for the new union. Keith was too, his dearest friend was going to marry the man he had loved for most of his life, but everything seemed too strange and uncomfortable as he searched for a suitable place to rest properly. Natural beings used to be extremely bustling with family matters, except for the dark elves, that everything developed in the most reserved and discreet way possible. Living together with the Holt family had been an adventure for him. But Keith wasn't regretted in the least. He just needed a couple of minutes in silence.

When he left the house and began to walk through the large branches of the tree that held the residence, he watched carefully as everything connected wonderfully.

For many years, Keith heard from his parents about Olkarion as a mythical place where natural beings of different races lived in balance, united with nature in a tall city that was supported by large tree hundreds of years old. Keith thought his parents were exaggerating, but when he arrived many days ago in the city for the celebration of marriage between Shiro and Matt, he couldn't take his eyes off the entire structure. The houses were attached to the branches in such a way that it seemed that the same tree was responsible for protecting them, while everything was connected through the branches and pulley systems. The floor looked far beneath his feet like he walked to find somewhere to sit.

Certainly, the person who dared to visit the city of heights, as his mother told him when he told her about Olkarion, didn't have to suffer some kind of vertigo.

He walked away enough not to hear the cries of the house, and in the distance, he could see a hair he would recognize anywhere in the world. With an ornate hairstyle in several metal flowers that crossed over a braid to give the appearance of a crown, and an orange dress like the leaves of the city covered up her feet in an elegant fall, reminding him of autumn, while her wings were covered by lightweight material. Pidge looked to his way when see him approach her place with a wide smile. Keith thought that at any moment she would disappear from the world.

''What?'' Pidge asked once she saw that Keith was only by her side without saying a word. ''Do I look very different?''

''You look like a nymph.'' Keith said suddenly, Pidge laughed loudly releasing a loud throat that came from the bottom of her throat.

''I'm a nymph, Keith.'' He under distressing sight knew she was a nymph, but at that moment that reality had never hit him in the face. ''I guess I look very different without my armor and my helmet.''

''The armor hides your appearance to defend yourself, that's what is made for, Katie.'' Keith took one of the strands that fell on her face to take it behind her ear. ''You look good, really.''

''Well it was enough to leave you speechless for a moment, so I guess so.''

They entwined their hands as they sat together on the branch, the view was towards a meadow where the leaves fell when the wind blew, and houses were lost insight to the horizon where hundreds of colors mixed, it was certainly a wonderful sight.

''I hope Matt is not so nervous...'' Pidge said softly, Keith snorted when he remembered the house as complete chaos before leaving. ''Before he went to look for the flower it seemed that at any moment he would have a heart attack.''

''I can imagine it; I went to see Shiro a few hours ago and Lance could barely comb his hair.''

''Oh gods...'''' Pidge laughed trying to imagine. ''I hope they don't end up crying while reading their vows.''

''That will make Hunk start to cry.'' Keith added. ''And if Hunk cries, Lance will too.''

''This will be as terrible as when Hunk married with Shay three years ago.''

''Was here?'' Keith asked interestedly, it had been long before he joined his group. Pidge nodded animatedly releasing her hand to draw figures in the air when she spoke.

''They were so nervous that they stumbled when they left the chapel. Shay was stepping on Hunk's feet during the first dance, it was a spectacle.''

''I will pray to the gods for Matt to step on Shiro's feet during the dance.''

''Keith, how bad you are!'' They began to laugh imagining that situation in the next few hours.

''I want to have those memories with you too.'' Keith said taking her girlfriend's hand again. ''Besides, I've never been to a marriage.''

''Seriously?'' Pidge questioned incredulously; Keith nodded. ''Dark elves don't marry or what?''

''We do, it is just that it is a very personal ceremony, and no one can enter the room when two people are joined by the ancestors.'' Keith looked up when he heard the leaves move in a strong breeze, Pidge watched him patiently. ''What happens inside those walls, is one of the greatest mysteries of my people.''

''And you can't ask them when they leave?'' Keith laughed at Pidge's curious gaze, he didn't understand her interest in his people, but he loves it. In general, they were avoided by everyone because of the prejudices they had for being exiled beings from the kingdom of Alfheim.

''It's like disrespect to do that, it would be like asking someone to undress in front of you.''

''Ahh, I see, uncomfortable and everything.''

''Exactly.''

Keith sat up closer to Pidge when he brought her to his body to hug her and fit her face over her head, the ornaments of her hair felt cold on her skin and although for a moment thought he would dishevel her, but she settled into his chest to get closer to him. Soon the dream began to affect him, yawning hard while complaining. Although he had become slightly accustomed to staying awake when the sun was rising while traveling with his friends, Keith was still a dark elf, and being awake during the day was extremely difficult for him.

''You better rest a little more Keith.'' Pidge said moving away from a little more to look directly at him. ''The ceremony will be during the afternoon; you don't have to be up all day.''

''No.'' He looked away a little sorry for his words. ''I want to see where you come from, that's why I woke up earlier than I considered.''

''Ohh...'' This time it was Pidge's turn to look the other way, feeling her cheeks feel red with shame. ''Well if you want ... I could take you to an important place in Olkarion.''

''That would be good, let's go tomorrow.'' Pidge shook her head before rising abruptly and falling down the branch with force while using her wings to lean on without falling, with a look that asked him to follow her, his chest felt warm, he loved her energy. ''Pidge, I don't think we have time.''

''Don't worry about that, where we go there is no need to worry about time.''

 ...

 They walked for various minutes through the dense weeds that didn't allow passage easily, moving away from houses and the city. Pidge said nothing at any time and Keith began to get a little impatient about the very enigmatic way in which his girlfriend was acting.

His eyes could easily move down the road once sunlight was lost between the vines, although Pidge's wings clinked a faint light to indicate where he was. After a couple of minutes of walking in an unknown direction, Pidge stopped.

A moonlight was seen from the distance, there was a room in which several fireflies flew around while only the dripping water was heard somewhere along the way. He didn't realize that a silver-haired woman who contrasted sharply with her skin was in front of them until she moved from their way, like an elegant breeze that barely made a small noise.

Keith was impressed that she was able to find herself in that place without problems. Pidge, however, ran to hug her tightly.

''Good to see you again Allura.''

''Likewise, Pidge. I see you have grown quite a lot.''

''Not really, I remain exactly the same since the last time.'' Pidge approached along with Allura towards Keith with emotion. ''He is Keith, he has joined us for almost a year.''

''Oh! Lance came the other day to tell me about him, it's a pleasure.'' They held hands for a moment, but Keith was able to feel the overwhelming magic of her body. She was not a normal woman.

''A pleasure.''

''Allura is an apprentice to be Altea's oracle. She stays in this cave to learn to manage her powers and will integrate into the marriage during the night.''

''Does the sun affect your powers?''' Keith asked, she nodded politely.

''I can go out from time to time, but I am in a stage of my training in which I feel very sensitive sunlight, so I stay hidden in this room until I get a better balance.'' Keith nodded, watching Pidge talk to her about his last adventures. They seemed really close and he was happy that Pidge was so excited.

''Do you know Keith? This place is something very sacred to my people.''

''Seriously?'' He returned to her when he was pushed towards the center of the room.

''Here you can ask the gods about the future of an important decision in your life.''

''How a prediction?''

''No, the prediction usually conjectures that something is going to happen. This is much more accurate, considering that seeing the future of beings whose freedom makes decisions vary, this is pretty cool.'' Keith nodded when he watched her smile excitedly about what she was telling him.

''So, it's something like...''

''A prophecy.'' Allura interrupted as she moved closer to him, her eyes looked slightly cloudy, as if a spell had reached her. ''And I can feel that the gods have something to tell you, Keith...''

''Allura?''

Pidge tried to reach her to see if her friend was fine, but Allura held Keith's arm so tightly that the moonlight on the walls darkened for a few seconds while her boyfriend's eyes clouded in an instant. After a few seconds, they both separated with surprise.

''Sorry, I still don't know how to use my powers correctly.'' Allura apologized, but Keith brought her hands to his body, somewhat altered.

''It's okay.'' He said after a few seconds in silence, Pidge approached him fearfully.

''Did you see anything?''

''Yes, I ... I saw something that I thought would be impossible.'' He looked up at Allura, who still looked worried. ''Are you sure it's something that will happen?''

''Of course.'' Answered determined. ''I've never been wrong about what I've predicted.''

''How are you so sure?'' Keith questioned; this time more worried. ''The future can change with every decision; it is not possible to be so reliable.''

''Excuse me?'' Allura put her hand to her chest, clearly disgusted by Keith's words. ''That you have seen something that hasn't been to your liking does not mean that my skills are mediocre. I always succeed!''

''That doesn't mean that your powers may fail from time to time.''

''Keith.'' Pidge stopped him when she saw that both would begin a strong discussion. ''Allura tells the truth, she is always right.''

''How are you so sure?'' He asked annoyed, but she looked away at her friend, there was sadness in her eyes.

''Because my prophecy was fulfilled.''

''What?'' Keith asked confused. This time it was part of Allura to be scared, taking Pidge's hands, worried.

''Don't tell me that…''

''No.'' Pidge stopped her friend's train of thoughts. ''They didn't hurt me, Keith arrived before it happened.''

''What are you talking about Pidge?''

''Do you remember the night we met?''

Keith nodded slowly, scared about what his girlfriend was trying to make him understand. Many times, she woke up in the middle of the night, sweating and completely frightened when she remembered the time he had saved her from a mortal destiny.

Pidge smiled warmly.

''My prophecy was that, if I traveled the world, no matter how strong it made me, I would find my death in the hands of a group of goblins cause of my imprudence. And only a man of the night would be able to stop my destiny.''

''So…''

''Basically, it was my destiny to die that night.'' Pidge answered heavily; Keith's heart flipped in pain at the thought. ''But thanks to you being there, everything changed.''

''The prophecies always have outputs.'' Allura added a little quieter. ''And you know yours, Keith. When it's time, use it.''

''Yeah...'' He whispered awkwardly; Pidge took his hand hard to direct him to the exit.

''Time doesn't run here, but we better go home. The road will take a while.''

''Yes, you're right. ''He was still thinking about what he had seen. Before leaving, he looked at Allura with a soft look. ''Thanks, Allura.'' She smiled back while watching them leave.

''You're welcome, Keith. See you at night.'' And with a nod from both of them, they left the caves to go outside. Allura felt her mice perch on her shoulder, looking curiously at the couple as they recriminated her. ''I know that I also predicted that this man was going to be Pidge's soulmate, but I couldn't contradict her at that moment!

[kcwcommentary]

VLD8x13 – “The End is the Beginning” (part 2)

8x13 – “The End is the Beginning”

(This is a continuation from part 1.)

“One Year Later…”

Keith, Cosmo, Kolivan, and Krolia are at the Kral Zera. Keith is being broadcast across the Galra Empire and he gives a speech, “With the return of Planet Daibazaal, the Galra Empire is at a crossroads. For too long, the people of this extraordinary civilization have been manipulated by a dictatorship that placed a misguided sense of self-preservation above all else. It was a tragic, unfortunate series of events that led us down this dark, never-ending path of power and greed. But now, we, the citizens of the Galra Empire have an opportunity to make right all of the injustices set into motion by our forefathers. Because of the sacrifice made by Princess Allura, we have been given a second chance to come together in rebuilding the Galra Empire by joining the Galactic Coalition and ushering in a new era of peace across the universe.” Everyone cheers for him. It’s interesting that he says “we, the citizens of the Galra Empire.” I guess Keith now considers himself to be not just half-Galra but to be part of the Empire.

Cut to the Atlas, who’s hosting some contentious diplomatic talks. Hunk serves them dinner. It’s a satisfying end for Hunk’s character to combine cooking and diplomacy. Hunk is thankful of the diversity of his cooking crew, which includes Shay, Sal from Vrepit Sal’s, Sal’s chef’s hat-looking android (I think it’s an android), and Romelle. Hunk says, “Princess Allura, the very person we celebrate on this day, once said, we are always stronger together. If the people of your planets work together, so much more can be achieved.” Shiro stands up from the table and concurs with Hunk, “Honor her by following in her footsteps and walking the path towards peace.”

Cut to Pidge is working with Matt to build an android. Matt does not look like Matt. I know his hair cut, but his body, the shape of his face does not quite look like him to me. Colleen comes in to tell Pidge that Sam has the teludav is ready for her. Pidge tells Matt to wait until she gets back before initializing the android, who she’s named Chip, because she wants “to witness Chip’s first moments of consciousness” and she places Matt’s old glasses on the android.

Pidge in the Green Lion takes off and travels through a wormhole.

Cut to Altea. Merla tells Coran, “Construction is on course.” They’re building a new castle. He asks her, “How are preparations for tonight’s feast coming? It has to be perfect. It will be the first celebration of Allura, the first of many to come.” Coran is excited. And this just makes me think about how Allura died and we did not get a moment for her to say goodbye to Coran. Coran, who has been there for her more than anyone else, really. The show didn’t even write her to tell the others to say anything to Coran on her behalf. We get nothing to see how Coran reacted to learning that Allura died. Given how Coran has been depicted in this show, it must have broken his heart.

Up the hill, in front of a large statue of Allura, Lance is talking to a bunch of kids. “And had Princess Allura not seen that there was still good left in Honerva, we most likely would not be sitting here today. She grew to understand that there is good in everyone.” I have such a huge problem with this portrayal of Honerva being good. It just feels so offensive. One kid asks, “Even Emperor Zarkon?” and Lance slightly laughs, “Yes, even Emperor Zarkon.” The kid asks, “Do you miss her?” and Lance says, “I do. Very much. But, I’m reminded of her everywhere I look. So in that way, she’s still very much with me. With all of us, actually.”

Another kid asks him what he does now that he doesn’t pilot the Red Lion. Why does he not pilot the Red Lion? I don’t understand the logic behind this show saying that Voltron is no longer needed. Lance answers, “Well, I help run a small farm back on my home planet with my family. It’s a simple life, just the way I like it.” I am torn on this. It does make some sense in that Lance has a history of missing his family, so I could see him wanting to spend a lot of time with them now that he can. I can even understand that he would have something to do with farming since we got that one scene a long time ago wherein Lance milked Kaltenecker. Lance being a farmer does feel like it doesn’t match the core of his character that drove him to want to be a fighter pilot and proud to be a sharpshooter though. I think for me this works because I can still imagine that Lance only working as a farmer with his family for a while, a few years maybe, before he gets an urge to go once more into the universe.

Pidge arrives on Altea.

Coran, Shiro, Lance, Hunk, Pidge, and Keith have a meal together that night in front of Allura’s statue. Pidge says that Earth has become a hub for alien activity since her father has built a teludav there. What powers it, I wonder. Wormholes were created throughout this show specifically by Allura. So where does the power come from? Shiro is pleased because the teludav will help him in his responsibilities as captain of the Atlas. Hunk comments about his use of food with diplomacy and says, “This diplomacy thing isn’t as easy as Allura made it look.” (I don’t actually think she made it look easy, but okay.) Keith says, “But then she did make everything look easy.”

Shiro asks Keith how things are on Daibazaal. Keith says there’s going to be an election for a Galra representative for the Galactic Coalition. Lance says, “Let me guess, they asked you to be their leader and you said no?” Keith says, “Yeah, pretty much.” The Galra, with their long history and culture that rigidly promotes Galra-supremacism, wanted Keith to be their leader? That does not feel in any way realistic. Lance sarcastically responds, “Classic Keith.” I guess Lance’s comment is supposed to reflect back to when Keith left the group in 4x01 “Code of Honor.” It doesn’t quite feel like an accurate response. In that episode, they weren’t exactly asking Keith to lead them, they were criticizing him for being away on intelligence gathering missions with the Blades while the Paladins were having parades. Whatever.

Coran says, “Allura would be proud of your decision Keith. I think she knew that you would always be the key to the Galra’s future.” But Keith’s decision was to not accept the position of leadership of the Galra, so what is Coran talking about? Also, there is nothing in this show where Allura expresses a thought that Keith would one day be key to the Galra’s future. I mean, Lance in 7x04 “The Fued!” said that he thought that Keith was “the future,” but I can’t think of anything from Allura where she thought Keith would make Galra culture less aggressive.

Coran continues, “Just around this table I see so many lives touched by her actions. For some of us, she was a diplomat, a teacher, a leader, and a friend. But to those of us around this table, she will always be family.” He stands, holds his glass forth, and toasts, “To Allura!” I really do like Coran. The others join him in the toast.

Later that night, Lance wakes to a light through his window and the sound of a Lion roaring. He goes outside and is followed by the others. Blue is sitting on the ground while the other Lions are floating in the air. There’s a sequence of juxtapositions of Lions and Paladins. Yellow and Hunk. Green and Pidge. Black and Shiro and Keith. Red and Blue with Lance. Lance’s Altean facial marks glow. Why do they glow?

The Lions blast off. The camera zooms out from Altea.

Then cut to two photographs of the group at Allura’s statue. One from this night’s dinner and one from some undefined time later.

Then there’s the infamous epilogue. In one of their interviews earlier this year, JDS and LM said that the epilogue was originally going to be full of silly things about background characters, not about the main characters. If that’s true, then as bothersome as the epilogue is because of the last-minute change to have Shiro marry Curtis, at least it resulted in them changing the epilogue to focus on the show’s main characters.

An image of Pidge, Matt, and members of the Galaxy Garrison in a hangar with the caption, “The Holt family established the next generation of Legendary Defenders.”

An image of Hunk with a large cooking staff of many different species with the caption, “Hunk created a culinary empire, bringing the universe together, one meal at a time.”

An image of Lance on the farm with Altean juniberry flowers and the caption, “Lance continued to spread Allrua’s message while he surrounded himself with the things he loved.”

An image of Kolivan giving a meeting with the caption, “Kolivan and Krolia became the Galra representatives to the Galactic Coalition.”

An image of Keith in a Blade of Marmora outfit with Axca, Zethrid, and Ezor helping him hand out supplies with the caption, “Keith helped to transition The Blade of Marmora to a humanitarian relief organization.”

An image of Shiro and Curtis in white tuxes with friends behind them with the caption, “Shiro found his happiness and finally left the battle behind.” About this caption, I feel I need details. If this means that Shiro retired specifically from military combat service, then I’m okay with that. Shiro wasn’t ever specifically trying to be a soldier. There might have been some military components to his being a member of the Galaxy Garrison, but his goals were always about conducting space exploration missions. So, if his having “left the battle behind” means he’s returned to space exploration specifically and not military leadership, then I’m okay with that. If his having “left the battle behind” is a reference to him being able to feel restored and whole in dealing with PTSD, I can be okay with that too. If this all means that Shiro gave up everything that had made him happy in the past for this relationship, which is what Adam had wanted him to do, then I’m not okay with that.

The image frame opens up, Curtis moves in and he and Shiro kiss while everyone cheers for them. I’m going to admit, watching it now is making me cry. As a gay man from the United States, I actually never thought that I would ever be able to get married. I’m not married, but maybe one day. But that I am legally able to do so now means a lot to me. I am older than this show’s target audience, but I still love animated storytelling. Had I been able to see a male character have a same-sex relationship like this when I was young, it would have had a huge effect on me. Growing up, I was not taught that it was okay to be gay. I was taught the precise opposite, actually. It was really hard for me. I got to the point of suicide over it. So, I think a lot about queer youth, and I don’t want any of them to go through what I went through. This show has had serious flaws in how poorly it has depicted Shiro being gay. But I really hope that if this show could have any positive effect that it has helped and continues to help kids who are like I was, help them feel that it’s okay for them to be who they are.

After the credits, there’s a shot of the Lions flying toward a nebula that looks like Allura.

Thank you to everyone who has read, liked, reblogged, commented, and talked with me about this show while I’ve done this series of commentaries. I really appreciate it.

[captainharunanase]

Sigh...

I had Allurance for a moment only for vld to make it a ghost ship with Lance now forever pining after Allura's death.

Shiro was finally able to be the "White Paladin" of the team but he barely interacted with them or even looked at Keith.

Hunk and Pidge had amazing screentime but Matt and a few others got sidelined and forgotten.

And Keith? He apparently wasn't even in Shiro's "wedding" with that rando--Curtis--even though he pretty much has been implying since s1 that Shiro is his family and his guiding light so therefore someone he would always be there for especially in his ups and downs of life.

Sheith held on all this time only to act like coworkers in the finale but not anything more like they have forgotten how to be best friends until it was convenient for the plot.

And Allura? The girl who lost everything? She ended up being almost like Honerva--sacrificing everything that is her to help her new family get their happy endings even though she could never attain hers.

I loved the fighting, the mecha transformations, the development of the MFEs, the plot, and the final showdown against Haggar but--

--To give Lance and Allura happiness and hint on giving her a new belonging only to stripe it away as a "price" all while "subtlety" diminishing Keith and Shiro's importance to each other to make their disjointed individual endings "make sense" outside of their s1-s7 buildup and somehow mesh both ships to fail in the end as a "this was the only way to save the universe" ploy-----

--Despite the damn show constantly paralleling the lesson on how Zaggar's love turned to a twisted hate that destroyed the universe and it was up to literally Allurance and even Sheith's love that actually saved the galaxy throughout the series--

----Only to rip both ships off as a sacrifice to satisfy the plot just enough to "justify" their demise as a means to an end. That metaphorical 'smoking gun' we expected to go off at the end? Over Allurance and Sheith? Was nothing but an illusion and wasn't even loaded to begin with apparently.

It is aggravating and disappointing.

I really loved this whole season but that last episode completely went against it's own theme.

They wouldn't have let Allura sake herself let alone let her do it alone--even with Honerva.

Lance wouldn't have even accepted the thought of Allura with that dark entity in her for long or even allow her to die or even worse be forced to love her ghost for the rest of his human life.

Allura wouldn't have wanted Lance to pine after her and not move on from her. She wouldn't have asked that of him by giving him her marks as a way of keeping a part of her quintessence in him.

Keith wouldn't just estrange himself from the one person that made up his whole universe especially after his oath to Shiro of always being there. He, at least, should have been the best man in the wedding if he was the selfless type to watch the canonical love of his life get with someone else.

And Shiro? He wouldn't have remained sidelined til the very end when they only needed him for his Atlas to only help boost Voltron and he clearly, while became a pseudo-Paladin for a moment, did not make any direct change or impact on the 6-man team. He especially should have had a direct moment of any form of romantic attraction with someone in the show and not as a damn fucking footnote of a "One Year Later" offscreen and unwritten romance with a character we didn't even know the name of at first nor should Shiro's final arc be seen as a "oh btw he got married and retired? Idk we keeping it vague so we give you lgbt rep!"

Despite the clearly, already written in the show, deeper bond he has had with Keith since even before s1 and that now makes his supposed bond with Keith a moot point and now unnecessary since it did not deliver in any way or reach a pinnacle in the climax nor did it have any proper closure to even indicate whether it could have or couldn't have been in the first place.

I have a lot of amazing points I would have shared earlier if I hadn't watched the last episode but that last scene completely turned the whole s8 around it's own head and practically told it to go fuck itself.

They try to amend it with a cheap superficial "Praise Allura Day" and despite a few of the team indeed having some form of ending--the main cast which consists of Keith, Shiro, Allura and yes Lance too by his association with her as her boyfriend--was literally given the short end of the stick.

Keith was sidelined and not allowed to act but be an observer at the end with none of his usual prowess, Lance now forever will chase after Allura's ghost and be haunted by her, Allura, herself, died for literally no reason than to right Honerva and Zarkon's wrongs, and Shiro wasn't allowed to even be a part of his paladin family and only there to remind people--at the last 5 seconds--that he's gay and apparently not single anymore with literally a no-name guy (actually it's Curtis but I had to look that shit up) that looked too much like Adam for my liking and while completely disregarding everything he did for Keith and vise versa.

Man that last episode is like Bleach's last chapter.

A completely different almost rewritten reality from the entire series itself. It overturned all the canonization of seven seasons under one episode.

And whether it was DreamWorks or JDS & LM's doing is irrelevant.

While it was an incredibly impactful season it did it with a fucking high cost.

Not about the ships per say--except Allurance for why make it happen only to destroy them immediately later?--but rather the complete turn arounds it had to do to try and justify why they made it that way.

That is what's so aggravating and disappointing.

Not the plot.

But the writing standpoint of trying to explain plotpoint A to upside down B. In a way, they became Haggar themselves and rewrote B and inverted it to make no sense whatsoever but pretend that it was "the only way" for it to end.

I expected an open ending for Sheith or actual development of Keith with Acxa and Shiro with Curtis if need be--and it had to be extremely good--but they couldn't even do that right.

And Allurance? They planned for Lance and Allura since the beginning but apparently the price Lance had to pay for his happy ending was her life out of the blue and at the last second.

And that hurts me.

This isn't as bad as Bleach's notorious ending but this is a definite close second at how they completely turned things around to try and make the ships happen just so they can fail while preaching how the theme of vld is found family and true love saving the universe.

Too bad the main trio--plus Lance now too--weren't allowed to partake in that lesson or in true happiness.

I still love Allurance and I will always love Sheith.

But what they did to Allura and Shiro completely ruined both Lance and Keith's endings.

And that breaks my heart to see it as the price they paid for daring to love them and trying to make them happy.

Lance can't truly be happy now since he can't move on and let Allura go or rather he won't to keep her memory alive in him.

And Keith didn't even get to watch the man he loved get with someone else and is now estranged from his best friend he swore he loved so much he literally was willing to die with Shiro and allow the universe to pay for it.

And what of Pidge and Hunk? We know what they accomplished but what about their personal lives? Is Hunk with Shay? Is Pidge still single? Is Matt still with his girlfriend? What of Acxa and the others? It is so vague with no clear answer and that is also disheartening.

Ah, sorry for my ramble. I stayed up to watch it from 3am and it's now almost 9am as I finish typing this jumbled vent post.

I'm both happy it's over and saddened it ended that way. While I didn't expect Sheith to happen I never imagined it like this and while I hoped for Allurance I didn't want them to pay the price for loving each other to the point of ending them.

I'm sad but I won't take it out on the writers--idk if I trust them at the moment--but I am still grateful they gave me Shiro and so many other characters to love.

I just hope they understand what they did and how much they disappointed nearly everyone with this "twist" ending.

Imma go sleep now I still have a lot to process.

I thought we'd get to see them all get happy endings but apparently only half of them did.

And last but not least no one suffered more than Coran when he found out--I feel so broken for him the most since he couldn't keep the promise to King Alfor to keep Allura safe--which is what his whole point in life was and what defined him as both a mentor and father-uncle figure to Allura and his new family.

And I think that's the one that hurts the most.

Okay I'm tired and sleepy so I'll be sure to interact with yall later for better analysis of s8 when I'm in a better state of mind.

Peace out yall.

Edit: Keith apparently IS in the wedding but he’s literally behind Shiro the whole time that it took me a few rewinds to see his ponytail and slight show of his profile. Geez way to hide him from the camera angle DW it almost made it look like he wasn’t even there if you didn’t pay attention behind Shiro and gave us the impression he wasn't there to begin with.

[brunettereader]

save your first and last dance for me

Fandom: Voltron: Legendary Defender Pairing: Keith/Lance Rated: G | 1,662 words | title from BWU by tegan and sara

Keith plops down on the sidewalk, too tired and hot to keep walking. Despite the exhaustion creeping through his body, he's so damn happy.

It is, after all, Pride.

This is his fourth Pride with his group of friends. Shiro and Adam had dragged him out the first year, and he'd quickly become fast friends with the group as a whole. There's Pidge, who is a lovely, spitfire ace. Hunk is pan, but his girlfriend Shay is super straight and wonderful. Allura is their lipstick lesbian, who brought her girlfriend Romelle for the first time this year. 

And then… there's Lance.

The first year, they'd bickered. Turns out, Keith had a class with Lance, and he… may have accidentally ignored him. Possibly. After Lance hit on him. But how was he supposed to know the guy was bi!?

That all changed during that first Pride, when some dick started yelling at Pidge about how ace spec people weren't technically LGBT. Pidge could have defended herself, but Keith and Lance didn't give the douche a chance. They eviscerated the guy.

At the end of the day, Lance had asked him on a date. 

He'd said yes immediately.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Now, he's sitting on a sidewalk after the parade while the rest of the group figures out their next move. He's kicking some rainbow confetti on the street when he feels something cool press against the back of his neck, under his braid.

"Babe, drink some water," Lance says as he sits down next to him. "You're looking a little hot." He winks at him, but Keith can tell when his boyfriend is concerned.

Keith takes the bottle of water and drains it in one go. He tosses the water bottle into an open trash can and then leans his head on his boyfriend's shoulder.

"Tired?" Lance asks as he rests his head on the top of Keith's.

"Yeah," he answers. "You know I love Pride, but all the people…"

"They wear you out," Lance finishes.

Keith nods. He closes his eyes and lets the conversation of his friends and the steady presence of Lance wash over him.

He's broken from his reverie when Lance nudges him carefully. 

"Hey," he says. "I got you something."

Keith opens his eyes. From Lance's other side, he pulls up a bouquet of rainbow-dyed daisies. Keith smiles.

"You don't have to do this every year, you know," he says as he takes the flowers from Lance. Despite his words, he carefully touches the petals.

He loves these flowers. Lance had gotten him a bouquet of rainbow daisies during their first Pride together. Last year, he did the same thing, but he tied a key to his apartment in the twine holding them together before shyly asking Keith to move in with him. 

"I don't mind," Lance says. "You love them."

Keith nods as he buries his face in the petals. "It's going to be hard to top last year's bouquet," Keith replies as he looks back at his boyfriend.

Lance chuckles nervously, reaches to grip the back of his neck. "Well, I'm hoping I can beat it this year," Lance mutters.

Keith scrunches his face up, suddenly confused. "What do you mean?" he asks as he looks down at the stems, searching the twine.

When he finds it, he gasps.

There, tied up in the twine is a simple silver band with blue inlay.

"Lance," Keith breathes out. "Is this—"

Lance reaches for the flowers. "Let me say this first," he says as he carefully undoes the twine and pulls the ring off. He holds it out to Keith, and Keith wraps both hands around Lance's before nodding.

"Keith," Lance starts. "When I first saw you four years ago, I was struck immediately by how beautiful you were. You instantly captured my heart. And then, I got to know you. The way you instantly defend people, even if you barely know them. Your patience with me and letting me be my loud self. Your mind, which never stops looking for solutions to problems. Your soul that feels like the missing half of mine. Your kind and giving heart, which loves me harder and harder every day."

Lance swallows, and Keith's eyes well with tears. Their friends have stopped talking, probably waiting with bated breath, but Keith only has eyes for his Lance.

"I want to spend the rest of my days with you," Lance continues. "I want to wake up next to you every morning and curl up beside you every night. I want to be a parent with you. I want to go to a hundred more Pride parades with you. But, most importantly, I want to spend every day falling more and more in love with you."

Keith squeezes Lance's hands tight, tight, tight. Lance swallows. They both know what's coming next, but they want to savor this moment.

Finally, Lance speaks.

"My partner in crime, my starshine, my one and only, the love of my life," Lance says. "Keith, will you marry me?"

The tears spill over Keith's cheeks as he nods vehemently. "Yes," he replies earnestly. "Yes, yes, yes."

Lance laughs, and his tears spill over, too. He slides the ring onto Keith's finger before surging forward and kissing him hard.

Behind them, their friends erupt into cheers and shouts of "They're getting married!"

Keith and Lance pay them no mind, too busy wrapped up in each other.

*******************************************************************************************

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[spiftynifty]

Hey there! I’m the same anon that sent that confusion ask to jojo. I saw your reply and Read your post about LGBT in kids shows and how (at the time) it seemed probable for a m|m canon. I wanted to ask what your thoughts are now? I personally think it seems most likely that Keith will end in a het. Relationship (despite it seeming a little rushed and lm and jds saying they wouldn’t) Keith ending with no one when such a strong relationship with shiro was built up just doesn’t seem likely either..

To be honest, I was worried about Kacxa at first too. Many, many other hetero romances have started with less than that and seeing underdeveloped relationships just happen because “he was a boy, she was a girl, can I make it any more obvious” is something we are extremely accustomed to. Heck the show kind of plays right into this with Hunk/Shay.

But Keith is different, he is a far more developed and story-focused character than Hunk is, and thus if he’s to be given a romantic partner then it needs to match that flow and level of development. One of the “rules” that we often get in media is that “romance is a higher level on the relationship chart than friendship”. And at this point, and even after 13 more episodes, there’s just no context this show could offer me where I could honestly believe that Keith could regard Acxa with a similar level of affection to how he regards Shiro, let alone higher. This was the biggest reason I stopped worrying; to be blunt, Kacxa doesn’t make sense on a narrative or character level. Keith aside, Acxa deserves to have a story told that doesn’t involve her following dudes around.

Also, revisiting the show I’m quite convinced that Keith is canonically in love with Shiro, that his feelings for him were intended to be read as so many of us do. There’s a reason so many people in and outside the fandom have written about their relationship with optimism and curiosity about where the show is taking it. It’s there, even for those who have never been looking for it. I know a lot of straight guys who have picked up on it despite never realizing Korrasami was a thing. 

But we definitely do a lot of speculating here in the Sheith fandom and I’ve seen some pretty elaborate meta for scenes that didn’t particularly resonate as shippy for me. So stepping back, shipping goggles off, speaking as a viewer and as someone who works in animation, there are really… 3.5 sequences that give me pause, that are so heavily coded and so… interestingly storyboarded and animated that I find it increasingly impossible to believe the showrunners and directors never intended for their relationship to be read romantically. They are:

Because there is something inherently romantic about the slow zoom on their smiles before the slow drift of them towards each other, the castle forgotten

Because this is blatantly highlighting how beautiful Shiro is and Keith staring at him in awe before he closes his eyes for the last time, resigned to their joint fate

Because I have run all the permutations and scenarios in my mind and there is literally no reason for Keith to stop mid lean, with his eye direction shifting lower than Shiro’s eyeline. It would have been faster and way less work to show him just hugging him without the pause.

And then this is the 0.5:

Because while the canon tempers this moment with “you’re my brother”, I am beyond convinced that that line was added because the scene was too romantically coded without it. And if you don’t believe me, check out this edit someone made of what the scene sounds like without the brother line. It’s incredible. 

But will we SEE canon Sheith? that’s… a little more complicated. 

My post ages ago about LGBT in cartoons was pretty optimistic but where I failed was considering the differences in studios. Some companies are a lot more chill about LGBT content in their shows. But they also aren’t the Big Two: Disney and Dreamworks, whose records of LGBT characters are utterly abysmal. Here are the two they had prior to July 2018: LeFou from live action Beauty and the Beast, and Gobber from HTTYD2 in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it line that was ad-libbed by the actor and left in. Arguments could also be made for the Sheriffs in Gravity Falls (that had to be Dumbledore’d after the fact by the show creator who alluded to there being a fight over it).

NOT great, especially when you consider Disney is not just Disney: none, NONE of the 19 Marvel movies feature an LGBT character, nor do ANY of the Star Wars movies. It’s utterly inexcusable. Shareholders in these companies make things more complicated because they help dictate the direction a company will take and if a large portion of their major shareholders are say, more conservative, we’re going to notice that there is one area on the diversity checklist that is repeatedly getting passed over. The bigger the company, the more complicated the relationship is with shareholders. That’s why it’s difficult to compare Korra’s achievement, through Nickelodeon, to the potential of an LGBT relationship on Dreamworks. We should absolutely hold them to the same standards regardless of company size but we can’t expect to get an endgame LGBT relationship just because Korra did, or because of the giant 20-gayteen celebration going on for two wlw ships at Cartoon Network.

But we also got THIS on Voltron.  

And it’s a start. I think it outlines pretty clearly where the limits are for Dreamworks at this time, especially since many casual viewers seemed to miss the romantic implications of Zethrid/Ezor, and a more alarming number somehow walked away from Adam/Shiro’s fight completely unaware they were a couple. Which honestly, was certainly Dreamworks’ goal. Keep it vague enough to fool the shareholders, but implicative enough to pat themselves on the back for their achievement. Even though it only exists because JDS and LM fought tooth and nail for it. But at the end of the day, we still have Shiro, Shiro our canonically gay rep, and that’s so huge. I don’t think people realize how huge that is, and I wish his coming out party hadn’t been so marred by toxic antis and even non-antis who decided to take a really big moment in cartoon history and make it all about themselves and their own pain over the “more” that they didn’t get. 

It’s incredible that we are getting LGBT in cartoons finally, properly. 2018 celebrated three massive historical achievement in kid’s animation: A strong, muscular, leader hero was revealed to be gay and have had a boyfriends, and two wlw couples kissed–one of them got married, onscreen. 

This is HUGE. Prior to 2018 the biggest LGBT cartoon moment we had was Korra and Asami four years ago. 

It was like for four years everyone fought and fought and fought and 2018 was the breaking point and we got this glorious explosion of LGBT romance as a result. Audience reception to these couples has been immensely supportive, which is something the companies are definitely noting if it’s translating into dollar signs. It’s something that makes me much more optimistic for the future of cartoons in years to come. 

But I’m just going to come out and say it: the road to mlm is just a little bit harder. There are a ton of reasons for this but I’d say the biggest two boil down to: classic, gendered homophobia (the white conservative straight dudes with money supporting the studios have an easier time with the idea of two women making out, cuz that’s “hot” than two men, cuz that’s “weird”), and also because it is easier for people to accept that two overly-touchy women are “just good friends” than it is for them to accept that two male characters doing the same thing are. Guys Don’t Get Affectionate With Each Other, after all, because that’s not the Masculine Way. Or something. Tons of people watched the end of Korra and assumed they were just friends. Replace those characters with Shiro and Keith and it raises eyebrows. 

So where does that leave Shiro and Keith? It’s really hard to say and at this point it’s anyone’s guess. I truly believe Sheith was intentionally coded as romantic, but getting the green light is another matter entirely. In addition to the DW shareholders, JDS/LM have to deal with the Voltron ones and since that would include conservative-minded folk along with some Japanese shareholders and Japan has complicated rules about LGBT content… it’s a hot mess. Realistically speaking if you were hoping to see Shiro and Keith kiss onscreen, it’s time to come to terms with the fact that there is a 0.0002% likelihood of it happening. I think the best outcome we can expect at this point is that they both end up single, with bonus points if they’re still alive and on the same planet by the series’ end. I firmly believe that this IS something the showrunners are and have fought for and will continue to fight for until the last retakes are done and the show has been approved and shipped off to Netflix for distribution. 

My tinhat theory is that there is one, single scene/shot, that is blatantly canon, that JDS/LM and KR animated on the sly, and have at the ready that they are totally prepared to replace another more platonic scene with– should DW give the go ahead. But I doubt that go-ahead will ever come. At the end of the day the shareholders are the rulemakers and unless they’re convinced it’s worth the financial gain, Sheith is forever bound to be the “will they won’t they” friends we have seen for the last 7 seasons. And I don’t think that potential financial gain of the kids’ animation world’s first mlm couple is big enough to convince them. But god do I ever hope I’m wrong. 

[justheretobreakthings]

Flying Solo

Keith Gen-uary may have been going on while I was still working through my Big Bad Writing Slump, but according to the blog, they will still be accepting late entries until basically the end of time, so I can still take the challenge! And what better time to begin a January fic event than in the middle of March?

Anyway, I’m going to try and work my way through all of the Gen-uary days, at my own pace and in whichever order comes to me. Who knows how long it’s gonna take, but I’ll try my best to get to all of them eventually!

Here’s my @keithgenuary fic for Day 14: Curtis/Adam/Veronica

Read on AO3

“How many of those have you had?” came a chuckling voice behind Keith.

He turned around, the drink in his glass sloshing in his hand, to come face-to-face with Curtis, smiling at him with a raised brow. “A few,” Keith said, shrugging before taking a gulp from the glass. “Coran said there’s barely any alcohol in this, so it’s fine.”

“Coran’s a very poor judge of how much alcohol is considered a lot,” Curtis pointed out. “Plus, are you gonna tell me Shiro was lying when he told me those stories about The Adventures of Keith the Lightweight?”

“Shiro exaggerates,” Keith said. “Hardly my fault this stuff tastes good. At least if I’m gonna get sloshed, better to do it at your rehearsal dinner than at the actual reception, right?”

“Mmm,” Curtis said thoughtfully as he grabbed a glass for himself off of the beverage table. “Ask me again after you throw up all over the table in the middle of the speeches and Shiro gives you a piece of his mind.”

Keith rolled his eyes. “This is glass number three, if you must know. I’m not throwing up anytime soon.”

“That’s a relief,” Curtis said. “Don’t know when we’d find the time to do the dry-cleaning.”

Keith smiled as he took another sip from his glasses and waited for Curtis to finish pouring his own drink. “By the way,” he said as the other turned back around to him. “Thanks again for letting Kosmo be the ring bearer. I promise, tomorrow he’ll walk down the aisle instead of teleporting. He just got excited.”

“It’s fine. Long as the rings get to the chancel, that’s the important part. And it’s hard to say no to Kosmo.”

“Yeah, he’s really mastered those puppy eyes, hasn’t he?” Keith said with a little laugh.

“Well, that, and he always looks like he’s gonna eat you if you deny him anything.”

“Oh please, he’d chew off a couple of fingers at the most.”

Curtis laughed. “You’ve raised quite the dangerous beast, haven’t you?”

“I did my best,” Keith answered. “Hey, speaking of Kosmo, you and Shiro said you’d be up for pet-sitting him again sometime, yeah?”

“Mm-hm,” Curtis said with a nod. “You need a sitter coming up?”

“In about three weeks,” Keith said. “Blade’s gonna be helping build greenhouses over on Suvarmak. Planet’s pretty much all underwater, so it’ll be a hassle to bring him around with us.”

“Three weeks you said?” Keith nodded, and Curtis shook his head and continued, “Won’t be able to do it. Shiro and I will still be in Leshiri for another week more at that point.”

Keith frowned, needing a moment to place the familiar planet name before he remembered. Leshiri - that was the tropical-like planet that Coran had suggested to Shiro for his and Curtis’s honeymoon. “You’ll still be there?” he asked. “I thought Shiro said your honeymoon was gonna be two weeks.”

“Originally, yeah,” Curtis said. “But seeing as Shiro’s retired and I’m on sabbatical anyhow, we figured, why not extend it, go a full month like the honeymoons of the olden days?”

“When did you guys change plans?”

“Couple weeks ago.”

“Oh.” Keith furrowed his brow as he looked down into his near-empty glass. “Shiro, um, didn’t mention it.”

“Well, he’s been pretty busy lately, probably slipped his mind.”

“Yeah…” Keith moved to refill the glass, muttering, “Lot’s been slipping his mind lately.”

“Say something?” Curtis asked.

Keith took a gulp of his drink before turning back around with a smile. “Nah, nothing. Just, uh, you know - agreeing that he’s been busy.”

“Ah, yeah.” Curtis smiled with a little shake of his head. “It’s ironic: Shiro retires so he doesn’t have to deal with as much stress. But since he retired, he’s had the free time to throw himself into wedding planning and honeymoon preparations, and he winds up just as stressed as before. You know, I’m looking forward to the wedding and the honeymoon and all, but I think I’m looking forward even more to when we can finally just be peacefully at home afterward and start our lives, just the two of us.” He took a final sip from his glass. “You coming back to the table?”

“You go, don’t keep the others waiting,” Keith said. “I’m gonna have a bit more to drink.”

“Suit yourself,” Curtis said, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder before taking his leave.

Keith turned back to the beverage table, downing his glass and proceeding to pour himself another. The music playing in the hall and the chatter from the tables were started to get louder, he noticed, and the food spread out across the tables, all courtesy of Hunk’s catering service of course, seemed to be slightly different colors than they were when the rehearsal dinner had started.

Okay, so maybe Curtis had a point when he’d asked if maybe Keith had had too much to drink.

But he couldn’t help himself, not really. He needed something to help get him through the night. What with the crowd and the noise and everyone taking photos and shaking hands and him having to speak in front of everybody. It wasn’t great for his nerves.

In the past, he had relied on Shiro to be his anchor at busy events, whether it was at the Garrison in his school days or at various diplomatic events or coalition parties during their time with Voltron, but now, of course, since Shiro was at the center of attention, he had barely had time to exchange two words with Keith between meeting with all the other guests and spending time with Curtis.

With Curtis…

He didn’t know why it bothered him. There was no logical reason it should. Curtis was nice and fun and made Shiro happy and supported him, so Keith had no problem with Curtis. And Shiro was finally settling down and getting the peaceful and happy future he wanted, and Keith had no problem with that. So he was stumped as to why being at Shiro’s wedding, being his best man, should bother him at all.

He had mentioned this feeling of misgiving a couple of days ago to the others, and Lance had burst out laughing and cried, “Oh my God, Keith, you’re jealous!”

Keith had simply rolled his eyes and flipped him off. That certainly wasn’t the reason. It wasn’t as if Keith had any desire to marry Shiro himself, far from it. He had never seen the appeal in dating and romance. It was always the most boring part of any movie he watched or book he read, and when he tried to imagine himself going on dates or getting married, either with someone he knew or with some faceless stand-in, it all felt forced and artificial and suffocating and, well, wrong.

And that was just dating in general, let alone dating Shiro, which was even harder to imagine, at least without feeling nauseated at the prospect. Shiro was for all intents and purposes his brother. You don’t date your brother. You don’t marry your brother. People don’t plan their life and their future around their brother. Or their friend, or their teammate.

People plan their lives around their husbands, wives, spouses, ‘significant others’. The ones they date and love and…

Oh.

So, maybe there was a chance that Keith was jealous. Just… jealous for a different reason.

He was barely aware of the fact that he had gone to the bathroom, and he had no idea how long he had spent in the stall or how long he had spent in front of the sink and mirror afterward. The alcohol probably had something to do with that. All he knew for sure was that he had been lost in his own head for a while, right up to the point when the men’s room door open and Curtis entered. “There you are!” Curtis said the moment he spotted Keith. “Shiro and I were looking everywhere for you! Can’t start the toasts without you. You about finished in here?” He approached Keith, raising his brow. “Uh, Keith? You okay?”

“I’m fine,” Keith croaked out. “Just - just thinking.”

“Thinking about what?”

“Nothing.”

“Keith…”

“Just… about how… busy Shiro’s been.” Because, God, had he been busy. Busy with the wedding, busy with Curtis. He had barely been in touch with Keith as of late, barely had the time of day for him. And back at the Garrison, before he and Adam had broken off their engagement, the closer they had gotten to their planned wedding day, the busier they had been, the more time they needed together, to themselves…

And last time Keith had decided to pay a surprise visit to Hunk’s restaurant, the center of his food empire where he was the chef himself, because Hunk used to always be happy to get the chance to catch up with him and have Kosmo do his delivery-service act for his patrons, he had discovered that he and Shay had left the day before, off on a romantic getaway together, wouldn’t be back in time to see him and say hello…

And when the Blade had last made a trip back to Earth, he’d made plans with Acxa, to show her some of the landmarks of his time growing up on his home planet and various historical sites and museums, and he still had no idea how he had wound up being stuck spending practically the whole visit with Lance as Veronica occupied Acxa’s every waking moment during the visit with their own special one-on-one time…

It was like they were pairing off, one by one - or, well, two by two - and leaving everything else behind and in the dust. And Keith?

Well, once a lone wolf…

“I’m fine,” he said again, and he was pretty sure that Curtis had been saying something else to him and he’d interrupted, but, whatever. He splashed some water on his face from the sink and sighed. “Think you were right about the drinks.”

“You sure you’re okay to give a toast?”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m fine.”

Curtis frowned. “You know, uh, Shiro told me once that when you say you’re fine, it means the opposite.”

“I am fine. I’m - I’m happy. This is a happy night. For Shiro. I’m just… gonna miss him.”

“What do you mean, miss him? We’re coming back from our honeymoon eventually, you know.”

“No, it’s not that, it’s - it’s - ” His voice hitched and he wiped at his eyes. “It’s just, it - it was me and Shiro for a long time, and now I’m gonna have to - I mean, it’s you and Shiro now, and - and that’s good, it’s good for Shiro, and you, and you guys are a good couple and, um, and you - and I just need to, um, to get used to - ”

“Hey, hey,” Curtis said softly, and suddenly his hands were on Keith’s shoulders and Keith was choking back sobs, because of the stupid alcohol, of course, that was why. “Keith?” Curtis continued. “Is that what’s bothering you? You’re worried that you’ll be, um…”

Left behind? Forgotten? Unneeded? Curtis didn’t say any of those, but Keith still thought them.

“Keith,” he said again, not bothering to finish his current thought. “You - you do know that Shiro marrying me doesn’t mean he loves you any less, don’t you?”

“I’m not a child, Curtis,” Keith mumbled. “You don’t have to talk to me like one.”

“Sorry, I hadn’t meant to. It’s just… Shiro has been busy lately, we both have, but, don’t think for a moment that Shiro doesn’t still love having you around.”

“Mm-hm.”

Curtis sighed. “I can’t make you believe me but, well… you know, Keith, you’ve never gotten to see the way Shiro’s face absolutely lights up when your name pops up on an incoming video call. But it does. Hell, he gets happier to get calls from you than from anyone else. Including me.”

Keith stared at him. “... He does?”

“And you didn’t see him the last time you’d scheduled a visit with us. He was practically giddy the whole morning because it had been so long since he’d seen you. He wanted so badly to make the visit special that he even tried to cook the whole lunch for us himself.”

Keith frowned quizzically. “I thought Sal delivered lunch to us last time I visited?”

“Well, yes,” Curtis said. “We had to throw away all of Shiro’s attempts at cooking since they ended up all just being crunchy black blobs of tastelessness, but it’s the thought that counts.”

A hiccoughing laugh made its way out of Keith’s throat. “That sounds like his cooking,” he said.

“From how much he talks about you, you’d think he was trying to help me cram for a big test in my Keith Studies class. I think I’ve heard every story about you that exists.” Curtis smiled. “He’s proud of you, you know. And he does love you. I figure he loves me a, uh, a very different way but…” Keith was reminded of Curtis’s hand on his shoulder when he squeezed it. “You know, once our honeymoon’s over, I’ve still got work that I’ll be doing with the Garrison and the Atlas. Shiro’s gonna need someone to be giving him calls and dropping by for surprise visits.”

Keith gave him a trembling smile. “I’ll - I’ll do my best.”

“Attaboy.” Curtis released him and moved to the paper towel dispenser to get Keith a couple of sheets before passing them over. “Here, take a couple minutes. Get your eyes cleaned up. The toasts can wait ‘til you’re ready.”

“Thank you,” Keith said, accepting the towels. He ran one under the stream of cold water in the sink and dabbed it at his eyes. “Oh, uh, Curtis? Just so you know, um… Shiro - Shiro picked a good husband.”

Curtis grinned at him, hand on the door handle. “Thanks, Keith,” he said. “He picked a good best man too.”