#pidge would definitely miss the signs too

[incorrect-kidge-quotes]

Keith: If a girl is interested in me, I definitely won't miss it.

Pidge: Keith, I want you.

Keith: Want me to do what?

Pidge: I-

Keith: Forgot what you're going to say?

Keith: Happens to me all the time.

Shiro/Matt/Krolia/Lance/literally everyone: *facepalms hard enough for a Sonic boom to occur*

Pidge: ...

Keith: Well, I'm off!

[merrykidgemas]

Hair Ties

"Can you see?"

Keith blinks, once, precisely.

"Uuuuh-" His unsure answer drew slowly from his mouth, only now noticing how his black hair tickled softly against his face, partially impairing his vision. "I'm okay-"

Oh.

Oh.

When her fingertips gently brushed a few large strands away from his widened eyes (very closely!! to! his! face!), it revealed two very focused purple irises. Could anyone tell how he barely had time to inhale a breath of air before he had noticed this small girl's figuring closing the distance between them, how he was now definitely holding said breath despite his mostly stony facial expression?

Pidge laughs, but it is a laugh that is unaware of the current turmoils in his thumping heart. "Dude I think you need a hair tie at least! You do tie your hair sometimes right?" She immediately draws back from him to go rummage around in the drawer of her desk. Keith misses the close proximity b u t you didn't hear that from him.

Does he lie, does he lie?? Think brain, think!!!

"I don't... really..." He quietly mutters, annoyed at the fact that he could hear Lance and Shiro's laugh in his mind for lying about such a silly matter. But depending on the outcome, it might be worth it. Keith's sitting crossed-legged on her bed, something he never thought he would be doing in a million years, but he finally gave into it after Pidge insisted after all she did painstakingly rearranged all the plushies on her bed to give him space.

His heart is still beating just as hard whilst the hoodie-clad rummager continued her search, mumbling to herself about misplacing things. Friends, Keith, they were juuuust friends. Friends planning a birthday party for a mutual friend! Good friends. Friends that should get marrie- waitwheredidthatthoughtcomefromKeith-

"Found them!" Pidge says enthusiastically. She excitedly holds up one for him to see then hands it forward to him. "Here ya go." Pidge's expression then turns into one of confusion when Keith turns slightly away from her as he rubs the back of his neck. "What's wrong?"

His ears turn red. "I kinda forgot how to tie hair so... It's okay Pidge. I'll be fine." This was silly, he was being silly. Why would he so foolishly raise his own expectations like that? It wasn't like Pidge would actually ask to-

"Pff that's alright. I can just tie your hair for you if you want!"

"......."

REALLY-??!?

Keith remembers his thoughts weren't forming actual words out loud so he stutters a bit. "I-If you want to but Pidge I haven't taken a shower yet and-"

"And what?" She chuckles, already climbing off the bed to stand behind him. "It's just you, Keith."

It's just you. God, he loves her.

The boy had to hold back from flinching when he again felt her hands begin to gather his hair to form a short ponytail. Keith hears another giggle from behind him this time. Pidge was holding back more laughter, oh man Keith was too adorable in the most unexpected moments. Keith was tense at first, awkward and rigid, but his stiff shoulders seem to relax a bit as Pidge began to speak. "Tying a ponytail is actually really easy. You just bunch up your hair into a single section then pass it through the hair tie, you see?" Though, hopefully, this wasn't too much for him. The last thing Pidge wanted to do was overwhelm the guy.

On the other hand, as Pidge continued to explain, Keith's focus was more on this new, pleasant sensation. Growing up, he didn't get that many head pats. After meeting his current friends, he had picked up a habit or two, one of them being patting the head of their resident midget.

Everyone had their own style of how they patted Pidge's head. Keith reserved his head pats for her when he noticed her green eyes blinking sleepily, a sign that she had, again, stayed up way too late again the night before. Still, he admired her hardworking nature and in his mind, that effort deserved some gentle head pats.

Him on the other hand? Keith never really struck the others as someone who might enjoy them. Shiro sometimes did, only privately after giving him a pep talk to help him get out of an emotional rut. He cherished those moments but they still felt foreign to him.

Though tying hair didn't really count, the hands on his head right now brought him an odd yet immense amount of comfort. It wasn't a playful ruffle. It was filled with deliberate care. It made him want to deliberately care for her too.

"And there, done." Pidge steps away to sit back on her bed as Keith brought a hand up to feel the finished product. Hmm. Not too loose, not too tight. Impressive attention to detail as usual. She grins when she sees him nod, noting how most of his bangs weren't in the way of his eyes.

"Thanks, Pidge. I can see better now." Keith clears his throat again. "I... like it."

Like could not even begin to describe how much he adored the whole process, how much he adored her. This was like a miracle. A once-in-a-lifetime happening. "It's really nice, thank you."

"You know," Pidge tilts her head as she began. Keith puts his hand back down to look at her. "I actually did not dislike doing that. Ah- no. I mean to say that tying your hair was oddly relaxing. It has a very different texture to my hair and Matt's hair."

Keith blinks again, not sure where her rambling would lead to this time, but he lets her continue. "Our family's hair gets tangled up real easily- to the points where it isn't funny. I can't count how many times I've gotten a hairbrush stuck in either in his hair or mine."

Nodding, Keith says, "That does sound like a lot of work when you put it that way."

"Right?? But your hair is so smooth and- un-tangly. At least, not as bad as ours. It was very satisfying!"

"......I can't believe we're having this type of conversation."

That comment earned him a light push on the arm and a soft scoff. "Hey. If you think about it, I'm complimenting you Kogane. I thought you would appreciate my honesty more but now I know!" Her tone shifted to a more dramatic one, jokingly of course.

Keith just earnestly looks down at her. He doesn't really think before he acts this time so the words slip out of his mouth. "I also liked it."

Silence.

"Th-that was a compliment too- I'm saying you're good at tying hair and... stuff. You even took the time to explain it to me." She's still looking at him oh gosh. Why is she looking surprised now? "So if you wanted to play with it," Keith can't help but mumble for the rest of the sentence, "you could... play with my hair... only if you want to...."

Wow did he sound awkward.

"Though I really don't know why you would even want to because my hair isn't even that long so-"

"Can I?"

Pidge's eyes were... sparkling? Alrighty...?

"Uuuh- yeah, sure- Whenever you want, I guess. I don't mind if it's you."

She looks so happy and Keith decides that's all that matters. But now he was curious. "Why do you like to do this?" He points to his new ponytail.

Pidge giggles again, making his cheeks warm but he loves to hear it anyway. "My mom would help with my hair when I was younger, braiding it and whatnot, and I just found it a very relaxing recreational activity to put every single strand in place because, well, it's a way I can interact with my family members without always needing to use words. Relaxing and quiet and simple. I can even braid my dad's beard now to look like a viking! Uh- Sorta-"

"I see..." Keith thought about it for a moment, looking down at the bed where their planning notes were. As he pondered more on it, the more his curiosity grew. "Do you think... Could I try?"

Pidge nods and hums a yes. "Yeah, it would be good practice for you to start tying your own hair too so I don't always have to do it from now on!"

Keith laughs along a little while hoping that what Pidge said wouldn't really come true. This was one of the rare times he felt okay to be so physically close with someone. He welcomed it, embraced it even. It was because Pidge was simply so trustworthy. It made Keith's chest bloom with warmth, knowing that she was willing to share this piece of her with him. What did he do to deserve her in his life? Every time he looks into her eyes, he cannot fathom any answer.

He was going to lift his hand up again to take off his hair-tie to redo it himself when Pidge turned her back to him on the bed. ...What?

"Here's another hair-tie." She passes it to him from behind her and he takes it, confused. Did she mean for him to tie her hair????

"O-oh, right- Thanks."

He was probably overthinking this but, applying his logic to this situation, did Pidge find him trustworthy too? Keith watches as Pidge pushes the rest of her hair back over her shoulder for him.

Marry me.

Okay w h e r e do these thoughts keep coming from??????

"I'll try my best not to tangle it," Keith says as he lifts up her hair with care, remembering what Pidge had said. Woah. What a beautiful color... and soft too. Pidge was right again, her hair did feel different from his own but that was okay. He loved that she was different from him.

Keith puts the hair-tie on his lap as he begins to gently brush the girl's hair with his fingers like she did with his hair just a while ago. He begins to understand what she had said, memorizing the feeling of his hands running through her locks, careful not to tug on any knots. It was a way to do something nice for someone you cared about and Keith was more than glad to do it for Pidge.

All the while, all Pidge could only think of one thing.

"I can't believe I actually got him to do this, YES."

Mental note to self: remember to buy more hair-ties.

"I'm beginning to understand what you mean now," Keith smiles even though Pidge can't see but she could hear it in his voice. This was very calming.

Pidge chuckles back. "I'll give you a two-for-one deal."

"Two?"

"Mhmm, tie pigtails!"

Oooh. He remembered Pidge explaining that to him before. "The cute one?"

.

Oh no.

It was too late to take back what he just said as Pidge feined a shocked gasp even though she really was surprised. Seriously, that took her off guard! "Th-the cute one??? Keith?????"

Just when this whole thing was starting to become a relaxing recreational activity!! Pidge why?!

"Please turn back,,," It's too late, Keith's heart rate shoots up again.

She laughs again and Keith turns even redder than before, now knowing his honest opinion. But he bet that she would look cuter in a wedding veil.

Why d- Nevermind. If he planned on doing this with her the rest of his life, might as well ask if he can spend the rest of his life with her while he was at it too.

But he should probably ask her to be his girlfriend first right-

(spoilers: Keith asks at the party and of course Pidge says yes hehe)

[kumeko]

A/N: For the End of the Universe Zine, I wanted to explore a small story in a dystopian world

Summary: In a dystopian world, Keith took his small pleasures. His drives while dropping illegal goods. His ever-complaining mechanic and his low repair prices. The rare night with Shiro. He didn’t need more than that.

He definitely didn’t need Shiro’s dreams of saving everyone, of saving anyone.

…

…

…

…

“Jeez.” Hunk squatted down next to the dented motorcycle, his hand hovering over the metal like he didn’t know where to touch. Horrified, he looked up at Keith. “What’d you do this time?”

“Nothing unusual.” Keith shrugged, his hands in his leather jacket. Considering how fast he had driven to reach here, his black clothes stuck to his skin uncomfortably and he really wanted a shower. “You know how it is.”

“I don’t.” Hunk tied a dirty bandanna around his head. Keith was never sure if that was to protect his hair or if he just thought it looked cool; if it was the former, judging by the dirty overalls and grease stains on his face, it was a failed effort. “I thought transporters had to be careful.”

“Careful and quick,” Keith corrected, walking over to a side table. Pushing away the cigarette butts and bottle caps, he picked up a newspaper. Replicants Stage Coupscreamed the top headline. “And even then it’s hard to avoid the government dogs.”

Hunk tapped the side of the motorcycle and the pedal fell off with a loud clatter. Groaning, Hunk shot Keith a baleful glare. “Why? I give you a great bike and every single time you break it.”

“It’s either that or my life,” Keith pointed out. He flipped through the newspaper quickly, scanning headlines. Issues with the current president, interest rates rising again, a food shortage with no end. The same old fare, nothing at all unusual about the headlines. When Hunk didn’t say anything, he rolled up the paper with a sigh. “Sorry. I’ll be more careful next time.”

“…that’s what you always say,” Hunk grumbled, accepting the apology nonetheless. Pulling out his tool kit, he sat down next to the bike. “It’ll take a day or two to get in top condition.” Pointing a wrench at a grey box perched on a chair, he added, “Oh, and deliver that to Pidge while you wait.”

“Huh?” Keith crossed his arms. “Why would I do that?”

“Because you’re a transporter?” Hunk rolled his eyes. “It’ll be the easiest job you’ve had. Nothing dangerous inside, no one chasing you. Just do it.”

Keith raised a brow. “And how much are you paying me?”

“I’m fixing your bike.” He tapped the back threateningly with the wrench. “You wanna get stuck here forever?”

“Fair point.” Picking up the box, he almost dropped it in surprise. Considering his job, Keith was pretty strong but that would just barely help him with this package. “What do you have in here? It weighs a ton.”

“Spare parts, an engine to take a part, the usual things.” Already in work mode, Hunk absentmindedly waved him off. “Just get it to her today, she has a client.”

-x-

The streets were as dirty and crowded as ever, with throngs of people flowing to and from work. Or to and from the pleasure district, to be exact. Popup shops crowded every corner, offering anything from drugs to weapons to the latest stolen technology. Neon-coloured signs hung off various buildings, enticing pedestrians to enter.

Keith pushed his way forward, his gaze firmly fixed in front of him. He hadn’t missed any of this while he was on the road. There wasn’t really anything keeping him here, fixed to this city. Hunk was a great mechanic but they were a dime a dozen, one in every town. No, to be exact, every town was the same. The same grey, the same dirt, the sense of loneliness and loss.

A world in greyscale. The only time he saw colour was when he was racing down the highway, an illegal package in his satchel.

-x-

The bells chimed as he entered Pidge’s repair shop. A small space, squeezed into the very end of a depilated building, Keith had walked past it three times before spotting it. Inside, the white shelves were lined with the latest in limb replacements, fine technology that actually made it better to lose a body part than to have it.

“In the back,” Pidge called out cheerfully, followed by the sound of metal clicks. She was with a customer then.

“I swear your place gets smaller every time I come,” Keith said dryly. A lightbulb flickered as he made his way to the back room. Even the space between the shelves felt narrower than the last time he came.

“Or you’re just getting fatter,” Pidge shot back, a pleasing lilt to her voice. Someone was in a good mood today.

“Like that’s possible.” Keith snorted, waving a package as he entered Pidge’s unofficial clinic. “Hunk wanted you to have this.”

At one point, the room had probably been a manager’s room or something like that. Now there were curtains on windows and a long bed for the particularly strenuous limb repairs. Not that Pidge’s current operation seemed like one of those. Seated on a worn-out chair, she had her latest patient sitting across from her, his mechanical arm in her lap. A man with a streak of white hair. He glanced up and Keith almost forgot to breath.

Shiro.

Shiro was back.

“Must be the parts I ordered.” Still tinkering with the arm, Pidge glanced over her shoulder. “Just put it on the table, I’ll take a look after.”

“Sure.” Keith tore his eyes away from Shiro long enough to set the box down. Shiro was back. Trying not to sound overeager, he asked, “What happened to you?”

“The usual.” Shiro winced as Pidge tried to reconnect the arm. “There was a trap. We almost got caught.”

“And then your hand got caught instead,” Pidge chimed in, closing an eye as she examined her handiwork. “What’s this, the tenth replacement? There’s a reason you’re my best customer.”

“Eleventh,” Shiro corrected with a sheepish smile.

“Ugh. It’s a good thing I don’t paste my name on these babies, otherwise I’d be dead right now.” Pidge grimaced. Somehow, Keith didn’t think that would save her for too long. Her work was too advanced, too impressive, and all it’d take was a couple of questions to find out just who made the rebellion’s general’s arm.

Taking a deep breath, Keith finally turned around and gave Shiro a proper once over. Dressed in a tank top and sweat pants, it was easy to see that there were no injuries on him. There wasn’t any blood or bandages. A relief, considering it all. It was a rare time when Shiro got away with just a broken prosthetic. Noticing his stare, Shiro smiled. “We didn’t lose anyone, at least.”

That wasn’t what he was worried about. At all. Keith crossed his arms, his eyes roving over Shiro’s biceps, his well-defined chest, and trying not to remember what it felt like to have that body curled over his. To have those hands on him. “I didn’t think you did. There was nothing in the newspapers.”

“Yeah, I guess they’d mention it if they caught us.” Shiro lowered his gaze. “Especially if they caught Allura. The rebellion would be over in an instant.”

“Rebellion.” Pidge clicked her tongue, finally setting down her tools. “You’re making it sound better than just a rag-tag of people who still think they change something.”

“We can,” Shiro answered simply.

No, you can’t, Keith thought, and perhaps more so than the world they lived in, that was the real tragedy: hope.

-x-

This wasn’t love. This was sex, pure and simple. A raw need, a primal urge. A way to forget the present. A way to feel something other than despair.

Keith bit Shiro’s throat, feeling the resulting rumble tremor through this body. Shiro’s hand interlaced in his. His nails scratched on Shiro’s back. All he could smell was Shiro’s musky scent. All he could feel was Shiro’s touch. Nothing else existed—not the road, not the government, not the possibility of death.

“Keith,” Shiro moaned, but Keith didn’t say anything back. He refused to.

This wasn’t love and therefore, he didn’t have anything to lose.

-x-

Through the half-open blinds, neon lights spilled into Keith’s bedroom. It was a spartanly furnished room, consisting of just a bed and a table. And now, Shiro, who was lying face down in a pillow to block out the light. The pinks and oranges from the street signs painted Shiro’s pale back and Keith traced familiar patterns over the many scars that littered his partner’s skin. The one on his shoulder blade, from when he’d been thrown in prison for eight months. The one on his side, from when a gun had almost hit his stomach.

Propping his head up on his hand, Keith idly touched the scar on Shiro’s lower back. Hearing Shiro’s breathing change, Keith asked, “Why do you fight?”

For a long moment, he thought Shiro was going to pretend to be asleep. Instead, he finally turned over, the sheets tangling up around his legs as he stared up at Keith. His single white lock glowed in the dim light. “Because it’s the right thing to do.”

“There’s no right, not anymore. Not here.” Keith dismissed the argument entirely. That was old world crap. His nail scratched line left by a blade on Shiro’s chest.

“There’s always a right. Especially here, especially now,” Shiro countered, grabbing Keith’s hand. “If I don’t fight, then who will?”

“Someone else.” Keith lowered his eyes. They had this same discussion every time, this useless argument that never changed anything. Soon, Shiro would disappear again, off on some doomed rebellion plot or the other. Maybe he’d die this time, his picture plastered on the photos.

“There’s no one else.” Shiro tightened his grip, interlacing their hands. “Just us.”

And maybe that was true too. But Keith wouldn’t stay around to find out—if he was going to be left again, he might as well leave first. There was always something that had to be transported, some job that needed doing. He’d find one as soon as his bike was fixed.

Instead of answering, he pressed his lips on Shiro’s chest, his hand already reaching down. At least during sex, he didn’t have to think these useless thoughts.

-x-

“All done.” Hunk proudly wiped his greasy hands on a dirty towel and Keith wasn’t sure if his hands or the towel were dirtier than before. Holding onto the handlebars, he glared. “At least give it a few weeks before you break it.”

“No promises.” Prying the bike free, Keith gave it a once over. It looked almost new, except for the scratch on the side. “Impressive.”

“Of course it is! Who do you think you’re talking to?” Excited, Hunk tapped on the engine. “I also spruced up the engine a bit—it’ll go a little faster than before.”

“Nice.” Sling his leg over, Keith slipped onto the seat. Turning the key, the engine purred under him. “I’ll take it for a test spin.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll count the cash.” Hunk picked up the metal box Keith left by his workbench. “It’s all here, right?”

“Yep, paid in full.” Keith revved the engine and closed his eyes. Yeah, that sounded right. “Got a job lined up for tomorrow, so you finished just in time.”

“I finished exactly on time—I said I’d be done now!” Hunk rolled his eyes, popping open the box.

Pulling out of the garage, Keith felt his mood brighten. There was something about the open road, about the one thing, the one place where he wasn’t restricted. There was freedom in flying down the road, the wind in his hair, and nothing but an archaic vehicle to keep him safe. It was a simple happiness.

There weren’t too many of those anymore.

-x-

Shiro was still at his place when he returned, and that was an oddity. Keith had almost expected to find an empty bed, their usual arrangement. Instead, Shiro was brazenly sitting on his kitchen table, drinking a cup of coffee.

“You’re here,” Keith said, more a statement than a question.

Shiro looked just as surprised as he felt. “I thought you left.”

“I had to grab some supplies.” Keith set his helmet on the table. Shiro was drinking from the wolf mug. His favourite mug. Did Shiro know that?

“Oh.” Shiro’s fingers curled around the table’s edges. “I was just about to leave.”

“It’s fine.” Keith entered his bedroom. It was funny. Shiro’s scent still lingered on his sheets. Picking up his first aid kit, he glanced back at the kitchen. At Shiro’s back, at the weariness in his shoulders.

It wasn’t that easy to be optimistic, was it. It wasn’t easy at all. His feet moved automatically and before he knew it, his hand was on Shiro’s shoulder, squeezing it gently.

“Keith?” Shiro asked, looking up curiously.

“I’ll help,” Keith muttered. A pile of newspapers was stacked in the corner, remnants of him checking for any rebel news. Any sign that Shiro had died. He did that every time he arrived at a city and maybe it was time he stopped lying to himself. It wasn’t love but he would be heartbroken nonetheless if he just read about Shiro’s death and did nothing to stop it. Maybe he could show the futility of it all and drag Shiro out of the mess entirely.

“Keith…” Shiro smiled at him brightly and Keith swallowed.

It wasn’t love.

Maybe, if he said it enough times, his body would believe him.

[calligraphist-artemisia]

Yukata Memories

Written for Kidgeweek 2021!

This one is the prompt for April 19 - Outdoor Festivals/Spring Break. I chose to go with Outdoor Festivals.

Summary: When the annual Cherry Blossom Festival rolled around, Keith allowed his brother to convince him to participate. He donned a yukata for the occasion, figuring they would spend the day walking around and watching demonstrations and checking out the various vendors, but instead finds himself shuffled into a tent for a lesson on "meditation and mindfulness". Luckily, he isn't the only one. .

Also posted on AO3 under the username Kishirokitsune.

❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀

He was doing it because he loved Shiro.

Keith had to remind himself of that fact as he stepped into an event tent that had a sign out front boasting a class on “mindfulness and meditation” - a class which he'd initially thought Shiro was joking about when he first brought it up.

He glared back at his brother, who was relaxing on a bench beneath one of the beautifully blooming cherry trees that lined the town square and surrounding streets. Shiro looked completely at peace in his vibrant violet yukata and matching tabi, a few fallen blossoms decorating his prematurely white hair. With the wide sleeves of the yukata, it was hard to tell that Shiro was completely missing his right arm, which meant there was no one staring as they walked by or stopping to ask obtrusive questions.

Keith took his eyes off of Shiro in time to avoid a full-on collision with a young woman wearing a light green yukata patterned with stylized pink flowers. “Pidge?!” he yelped in shock.

She looked equally as surprised to see him, her mouth parted slightly and her brown eyes wide. She recovered within a few seconds. “So, you got forced into this too?”

Keith nodded. “Yeah, Shiro said something about how I need to work on 'anger management' and signed me up. What about you?”

“It seems I have a 'real problem with authority',” Pidge said, using air quotes to emphasize the sarcasm in her tone. “Mom got the crazy idea that this will help. I'm only here because Matt promised to buy me as much of that mochi ice cream as I want.”

Keith tried to hold back a laugh and ended up snorting in amusement. “Shiro's guarding the front of the tent to make sure I go through with this.”

“Oh please, we both know that all he has to do is give you a sad look and you'll do whatever he asks,” Pidge said with a teasing grin. “To be fair, I'd do the same. He probably wouldn't have to bribe me.”

“We both know that's a lie,” Keith joked back.

Pidge shrugged as she led the way to a row of seats in the very back. “You're right. I'd at least wait until he promises to get me a bowl of udon or something. Maybe something shiny.”

The pair sat down together and Keith couldn't help but feel glad that he wasn't going to suffer alone. Pidge was definitely the best person to have by his side. She had a way of making even the most boring of tasks more interesting just by being herself.

“Maybe I should try that the next time he asks me to do something,” Keith mused.

“You should ask for something shiny,” Pidge advised. “I saw a bunch of hair pins that would match your yukata.” She looked him up and down, her eyes taking on a wicked gleam, but as she opened her mouth to say something else a bell chimed from the front of the tent as the class began.

Keith did his best to pay attention and follow along with the techniques they showcased, but his mind kept straying to the woman next to him, wondering if she had any plans beyond mochi ice cream once they were done with their lesson in mindfulness.

He and Pidge left together when it was over and Keith had to think fast to come up with something that might keep her hanging around. “So, do you want to help me convince Shiro to buy me something shiny?”

Pidge burst into laughter as she nodded exuberantly. “Of course I do!” She linked arms with him and dragged him towards Shiro, who stood up as they approached.

The entire evening was possibly the most fun Keith had ever had, with Pidge leading the charge to find “something shiny” at one of the numerous booths that had been set up for the Cherry Blossom Festival, each one carrying items meant to celebrate Japanese culture. Shiro found a number of trinkets to decorate his room with and Pidge coerced Matt into buying them all a single mochi ice cream in exchange for giving up her limitless number of them.

In the end, it wasn't Shiro who bought him something shiny, but Pidge who presented him with a cute lapel pin in the shape of a branch with cherry blossoms on it. In exchange, he gifted her with the silver charm bracelet he spotted when she was busy teasing her brother about something.

The kiss she gave him on the cheek was well worth the teasing he experienced from Shiro and Matt for the rest of the night.

[braincoins]

I want to see Shiro meeting Allura’s family. You can chose the au/magic to make that happen :)

((My first thought was to go through my various AUs and I’m realizing how rarely Allura gets to keep her family. >_> There’s one, but it stems from a smut ficlet, so... maybe not.))

He groaned as he came to. “What... happened?” He blinked his eyes open and then stared. “That... that can’t be...”

The last thing he remembered was being in battle against a new Galra battle-mech, this one uploaded with a portion of Zarkon’s consciousness (or, at least, that had been Pidge’s best guess, given that there were no life signs in the thing but Shiro was definitely fighting off more of Zarkon’s attempts to take over the Black Lion again). He’d activated Black’s ultimate - as he couldn’t help thinking of it - and then everything went dark.

Until now, and he was staring at... 

He double-checked his instrumentation. No, this was right, this was exactly the coordinates that he’d often see Princess Allura staring at in the Castle’s star map. But in the star map, it was dark, a reflection of where something had been. Past tense. 

He’d seen what it had looked like, once. She’d shown it to him in what had been the A.I. chamber, back when King Alfor’s A.I. was still with them. And the coordinates confirmed it for him, even if his own memories doubted:

This was Altea.

He shook his head. “It’s not possible.”

That was when his screen lit up. “Lion Fighter, identify yourself,” demanded an Altean guard.

“I’m...” Could he really say he was the Black Paladin of Voltron? Would they think he was in cahoots with Zarkon? He had no idea what was going on here. “I’m Takashi Shirogane, from planet Earth. I mean no harm. I’m... honestly not even sure how I got here. My, uh, lion fighter seems to have malfunctioned.”

Black growled at him in his mind. It wasn’t her fault, and she didn’t like being blamed. 

“If you need repairs, stardock 5 is open. All who come in peace are welcome.” And a flight path to stardock 5, he assumed, came up on his screen, replacing the Altean guard. 

“W-wait! Who’s in charge?”

“In charge?” the guard asked, voice only now. “Of the stardock?”

“Of the planet.”

“That would be King Alfor and Queen Menelor.”

Holy effing quiznak, I went back in time. “I... I know they must be busy, but I’d like to meet them if I could?”

The guard snorted. “I will pass your request along,” he said in a tone of voice that let Shiro know he shouldn’t hold his breath. 

“Uh, thanks. Approaching stardock 5 then.” He set course and let Black handle it, despite her grumpy insistence that she was fine, something had happened to them both. He did his best to reassure her as his brain ran things over and over.

I teleported through time some how and now I’m here and how the quiznak do I get back to my own time? 

Black settled into the stardock and lowered herself immediately. The chair yanked itself backwards without warning. “Okay, okay, Miss Grumpy Butt,” he told her. 

She growled at him.

“I had to say something.” But he got up and left the cockpit, pulling his helmet off as he walked out of his lion and into the hangar bay.

An Altean with green eye marks came up to him. “Need repairs or you doing ‘em yourself?”

“Uh... at least for the moment, I’d like to see if I can figure out what went wrong. I might need help later.”

“Fair enough. Just go easy on the tools.” The Altean left him. 

Shiro leaned against one of Black’s massive paws and thought over what had happened. Maybe Haggar and her accursed magic had intervened again. Maybe Black had unlocked a new ability - though that didn’t seem likely, because she wouldn’t be so defensive about it now if it were something she’d done. 

“How are we going to get home?” he asked out loud. Well, if nothing else, he had an assortment of tools close to hand and he at least knew how to do maintenance. Might as well take advantage of it. 

He was elbow deep in colloidal nanocrystals when he heard a door open. Not the main hangar gate but the doors into the rest of the stardock. He pulled his head out of Black’s guts and glanced in that direction. 

He nearly dropped the spanner when he saw who it was. Who it had to be. Because he hadn’t looked like that before. His A.I. hadn’t. This was a much, much younger King Alfor, and the woman with him could only be Allura’s mother. The resemblance was unmistakable. 

We went really far back in time.

Shiro grabbed a towel as he dropped to one knee. “Your Majesties.” 

“Bold enough to ask for an audience, but polite enough to kneel,” Alfor murmured thoughtfully. “I’m even more intrigued.”

“Rise,” the queen said, before adding, “slowly.”

“Menelor,” he chided her gently.

“You trust too easily and too much,” she told him.

“Forgive me, King Alfor, but your queen is right,” he said as he stood. “Not about me, specifically, for I mean you no harm. But I can understand how the situation might look. I’m honestly surprised you showed up.”

“Well, you asked,” the king replied, sounding amused. “Which most people... don’t. Unless something important is going on.”

“Oh. Uh... well, it’s important to me, but not to you or Altea. I shouldn’t have... I guess I just... I’m honestly not sure why I asked.”

Alfor laughed. “I’m glad you did; I was able to use you as an excuse to get out of a particularly boring meeting.” He looked over at the Black Lion and whistled. “Very interesting fighter you have here. I’ve never seen one shaped like a lion before.”

Not yet, anyway. It occurred to him he might be mucking with the timeline. I have to be very, very careful. “She’s a fantastic vessel. I’m lucky to have her. Even if we’ve wound up somewhere... far from home.”

“Yes, we’ve never heard of Earth,” the queen observed, staying close to her husband as he inspected the lion.

“Probably not much going on of interest there right now.” Because it was starting to hit home just how far back this really was. 

“If your people can build magnificent fighters like this, I’d very much like to visit,” Alfor said.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I’m not even sure how you’d get there. That is, I don’t know how to tell you the way. Something happened and I wound up here, at Al-... your planet. I’m not sure what happened or why or how I’ll get back.”

Queen Menelor frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that. Is there any way we can help?”

“Not that I know of. Although... you’re an alchemist, are you not, King Alfor?”

The king looked to him. “I am, though far from the most powerful. Do you also have alchemy on your planet?”

Not that kind and not yet anyway. “No, but I’ve... I think someone used some sort of alchemy on my lion fighter. And that’s what brought me here.”

“Interesting. Do you know what they were trying to accomplish?”

“Uh... probably nothing good,” he admitted. “I was in a battle against an enemy. The one I was fighting didn’t have alchemy, as far as I know, but an ally of his does. Very powerful alchemy. They also know everything my fighter is capable of, and they were probably trying to stop it from executing one of its more powerful actions.”

“Hrm. I know of a few different ways to accomplish that sort of thing. But I don’t know how to send you to a specific place, if that’s what you’re looking for.”

“You don’t have to send me back to Earth. Let me worry about my... trajectory, I suppose.”

“I think you’d better explain more fully,” the queen told him. “For clarity’s sake. We are glad to help, but right now...”

He sighed. “The fighter can... teleport, very briefly. It can move through solid objects by shifting into some sort of alternate space and then coming back into ours. At least, that’s the best way I can describe it. I was attempting to activate this ability, last I remember. I’ve done it before, successfully, but this time, I wound up here.”

“The enemy alchemist is aware of this?” Queen Menelor asked.

He nodded. “Yes.”

“So presumably they were trying to stop you from activating this teleportation ability,” King Alfor mused. “Yes, I think I know something that could work. Not as complicated an activation, so it can be used quickly, and it would freeze you in time, effectively.”

“Perhaps I could try to activate my lion’s ability and you could try to prevent me and that might send me home again?” he asked. “If it’s not too much trouble. I don’t know what I could offer in return, but...”

The queen snorted. “He needs the practice anyway; it’ll be good for him.”

The king ignored that comment. “We’re glad to help. And you seem anxious to return.”

Shiro smiled, unable to help himself. “I left the love of my life back there.” The daughter you two may not even have had yet. 

“Oooh, ‘the love of your life’, is it?” Menelor smiled. “That’s worth hurrying home to. I thought perhaps it was only duty that was motivating you.”

“Well, that, too,” he agreed. “They need me almost as much as I need her.”

“Take notes,” the queen told her husband. “This is the sort of ‘romantic gibberish’ that women like to hear.” She looked back to Shiro. “If you can help my husband learn how to be romantic, that’d be repayment enough in my book.”

“I’m not that bad, am I?” he asked.

“You have your moments,” was the only answer he got.

He chuckled. “I can try.”

King Alfor came over and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure out how to get you back to your love.”

“Thank you, sir. I’m beyond grateful.”

“You’re welcome... Takashi Shirogane, was it?” 

He nodded. “Yes, sir. But most people call me Shiro.”

((And this is why Alfor made the ships from the comet look like Lions in the first place!))

[justheretobreakthings]

Perchance to Dream

Written for @gentronlegendaryfriendships

Day Three: Telepathic Bond | Crying in Front of the Other

Written for @badthingshappenbingo

​Prompt: Sleep Deprivation

Word Count: 5,092 Fandom: Voltron: Legendary Defender Characters: Keith & Lance Read on AO3 My house, my rules, my ko-fi

Story Summary:

In the stress-filled days following Shiro's disappearance, it becomes clear that Keith is in desperate need of a good night's sleep. Lance and the rest of the team are determined to find a way to make that happen.

It was understandable that Keith would be in a bad mood as of late. After all, now that Zarkon was out of commission, a lot of political matters across the galaxies were up in the air, and the paladins were constantly meeting with one planetary leader after another. They were still having to keep up with battles and missions, and although the Blade was lending its assistance wherever it could, it still felt like they were spread thin now that they were short one paladin, and battles were that much more difficult now that they couldn’t form Voltron.

And, of course, there was the matter of what Shiro’s absence meant for Keith.

The other paladins didn’t have a whole lot of detail about what Keith had gone through when Shiro had disappeared on the Kerberos mission, since Keith wasn’t exactly eager to share any details about his past with anyone, but there were some things he couldn’t hide, not when some of his teammates were witnesses to them. Like the fact that Keith had been expelled from the Garrison for disciplinary issues within a week of the news of Kerberos breaking, or the fact that he had been living in self-imposed isolation for a year afterward, with no sign of having had contact with any sort of family or friends or of any family or friends even existing, until Shiro had finally returned, whereupon he steadfastly took up the role of Shiro’s right-hand man while remaining stubbornly closed off to everyone else in the Castle of Lions.

So, some emotional regressing was probably inevitable, and the rest of the team had formed an unspoken agreement to let it slide when Keith was snappish with them, when he skipped group meals and bonding sessions, when he stormed out of meetings, when he’d take the Red Lion out on yet another fruitless search for any sign of Shiro without letting anyone else know he’d be gone.

It was understandable, sure, but that didn’t mean they weren’t allowed to be irritated by it. And Lance was accustomed to being irritated by Keith, so it wasn’t like this was anything new. Just more of the same.

And more of the same also meant more venting about his Keith-related frustrations to Pidge and Hunk, who were annoyingly not particularly receptive to hearing about it.

“Look,” Pidge told him during one of these rants, cutting him off right in the middle of a very impassioned tirade about Keith having rammed into his shoulder in the hallway earlier that day without even stopping to apologize, “I’d be annoyed too, but cut him some slack. He just lost his brother, again. He has the right to be in a bad mood.”

“A bad mood, sure,” Lance said. “But there’s a limit to mood badness we should be willing to tolerate. Not like he’s never been a grouch before, but now it’s at the point where it’s messing with public image and missions. And team morale.”

“Him shoulder-checking you in the hallway really screwed up your morale that badly?”

“There’s no fucking way he doesn’t know he owes me an apology,” Lance snapped. “He’s just intentionally being a dick.”

“You always say that when it comes to Keith.”

“It’s always true.” He sighed. “Come on, help me out. When you get into a really bad mood about the situation with your brother and dad, you still pull yourself out of it after a while. What’s the difference there, huh? What do you do that Keith doesn’t?”

Pidge bristled. “I don’t get into ‘bad moods’, it’s perfectly justifiable to be pissed the fuck off when a tyrannical empire kidnaps your family and - ”

“Hang on, whoa, I wasn’t saying it wasn’t justifiable!” Lance said hastily. “I was just - ”

“So, what, does it mess with your fucking morale when I get grumpy about - ”

“I think what Lance is trying to say,” Hunk cut in, “Is that, when you’re feeling extra upset about the whole setting, the anger still settles. It’s just not sustainable to stay so angry for a longer period of time, you’d completely burn out and wind up basically breaking down. You’re mad about the whole thing, and rightly so, but you temper it enough that it doesn’t keep you from functioning and interfere with daily life, right? Meanwhile, Keith’s temper’s been flaring a lot longer than is healthy. It’s no good for him to not be coping.”

“Yeah,” Lance said with a nod. “Yeah, that’s exactly what I was gonna say.”

“Like hell it was,” Pidge muttered, but thankfully she let it go for now. “It’s not like I’m doing anything to work through the anger, really. Just, like you said, it burns out. Eventually I just gotta sleep it off, get some air, wait ‘til I can focus again.”

“Ah, okay, so Keith has to sleep it off,” Lance said. “I’m sure a nap will make everything all better again.”

“Hey, you asked how I deal, and I told you. Not my fucking problem if you don’t like the answer.”

“Well,” Hunk said slowly, “It… actually could help.”

Lance frowned over at him. “What do you mean?”

“It’s kind of a well-known fact that lack of sleep basically kills your mood, right? Just think of how cranky toddlers get after they miss a nap. I mean, I’m not trying to say Keith is a toddler or anything, or that this is a temper tantrum, nothing like that. But, well, he’s been really pushing himself trying to find Shiro, and he hasn’t really been recharging. He’s still up earlier than the rest of us, and a couple nights ago when I woke up halfway through the night and went to get a snack, he was up pacing the hallways.”

“Huh,” Pidge said. “Come to think of it, I’m usually the last one to bed, but I have heard Keith still moving around in his room a few times while I was heading to my room to sleep. And he’s been yawning a lot in diplomacy meetings. More than usual, I mean.”

“Oh!” Lance said. “And our last team training session, I was totally kicking his ass on reflex time against those drones! Normally he’s like, almost as fast as I am, but he was stumbling around like a drunk! Think that was because he was tired?”

“Lance, he normally has the fastest reflexes out of all of us,” said Hunk.

“No, no, we’re pretty much even. My reflexes just look slower to you guys because you’re more used to seeing them.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s how it works,” Pidge said, rolling her eyes. “But hey, the point stands. Bit of sleep would probably do him some good.”

“Well, if it means a possibility of a slightly less pouty Mullet stinking up the place? It’s gotta be worth a shot.”

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

The next time Lance encountered Keith in the hall, he didn’t wait around to get brushed off or bumped into. Instead he strode straight up into the path of Keith’s stomping boots, earning himself a level glare that he pointedly ignored.

“Hey,” Lance said, “Cancel any plans you’ve got for tonight. We’re doing a sleepover.”

“... What?” Keith said, blinking uncomprehendingly.

Lance wasn’t sure if Keith was just taken aback by his abruptness, or if he actually didn’t know what a sleepover was. Just in case, he explained. “You know, we all gather together, have some quality bonding time, get as comfortable as possible, then pass out and sleep through the rest of the night and, if we did it right, half of the next day too. We’re all meeting in the paladins’ lounge, at - at half past, uh… fuck it, Altean clocks are stupid. Once you start seeing someone heading that way in pajamas, it’s time.”

“No thanks,” Keith grunted.

He moved to step around Lance, and Lance held out a hand to block him. “Wait, you gotta hear me out first. We’re all gonna put on our paladin pajamas and lion slippers - that’s all mandatory, by the way, sleepovers are very strict about dress codes - and gather up all the pillows and blankets we can find, and we’re going to basically transform the lounge into a massive blanket fort. And Pidge is gonna bring her caterpillars along to join, and they’re basically the softest things in all of existence, and we’re gonna taste-test some of Hunk’s new dessert recipes he’s trying out, get nice and stuffed before we go to bed. Basically, this is gonna be the best night’s sleep any of us have had in years.”

“I’ll pass.”

“No, look, you can’t pass. It’s team bonding.”

Keith huffed. “We do plenty of team bonding in all our battles and meetings. And speaking of which, we’ve got more important things to be focusing on than blanket forts.”

“Well, yeah, but how are we going to be able to focus on those important things if we don’t take some time to relax in between? All work and no play makes Keith a dull paladin.”

“All… what are you talking about?”

Lance sighed. “Okay, look, I’ll level with you. The whole team’s been kind of, uh, concerned, lately. About your mood. And Hunk noticed you haven’t been getting much sleep lately, and frankly it’s making you even more of a grouch than usual - no offense, I mean - so we figured - ”

“You have got to be kidding me,” Keith growled. “Yeah, I’ve been in a bad mood. Do you wanna guess why, Lance? Can you think of anything that might have happened lately that may be worth getting a little bit upset over? What could I be concerned about, huh? What could I possibly have going on that’s more important than a goddamn sleepover?!”

“See, this is exactly what I’m talking about,” Lance said. “Maybe if you got a decent night’s sleep, you wouldn’t be yelling at me right now.”

“I’m not yelling!” Keith snapped. “And I definitely don’t need you to be monitoring my sleep schedule!” He stepped around Lance, and this time, Lance didn’t stop him. “Have all the sleepovers you want, but leave me out of them,” Keith muttered as he left.

Lance slumped as he watched him go. He had figured that it would take a bit of convincing to get Keith on board for a sleepover, but he hadn’t actually expected him to get angry over it.

God, he definitely needed a nap.

“Stupid, stubborn Mullet,” Lance grumbled under his breath, scuffing his shoes against the floor as started back to the lounge.

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

The sleepover may have been a no-go, but that didn’t mean they had to give up on Operation: Make Keith Actually Get Some Sleep quite yet, especially since, in the coming quintants, the dark bags under Keith’s eyes, the disheveled state of his hair and his clothes, and his irritability were all increasing before the very eyes of the rest of the team. If any of them had had any doubts over whether he was sleep-deprived, they were certainly dashed by now.

But since apparently Keith had some sort of issue with his teammates actively encouraging him to sleep, they agreed that they would have to try more subtle methods to get him past his insomnia, help him sleep without letting him realize they were doing it.

Lance initially proposed raiding the med bay for some sort of sleeping tonic and slipping it into his food, but that idea was shot down immediately by Pidge explaining that it would be too risky to use a medicinal sleep aid on someone when they didn’t know how it would react with his biology, and Hunk saying that drugging Keith without his knowledge and consent was just an extremely sleazy and messed up thing, and making it clear that he found it very disturbing that he even had to point that out to them.

But there were other things to try, discrete ways to try to make the Red Paladin a bit more susceptible to some solid sleep. Hunk planned out dinners over the next few nights that heavily featured poultry and whole grains, which he explained to Lance induced the production of some sort of sleep hormone - Lance honestly had sort of zoned out the moment Hunk started throwing science into the conversation. Pidge messed with the lighting in the living quarters to dim the lights in Keith’s room, just enough that he probably wouldn’t notice the difference, but would also have a slightly easier time falling asleep despite the light.

Even the Alteans got in on it, as it seemed the human paladins weren’t the only ones who had taken notice of Keith’s insomnia. Allura had them all do meditation shortly before the castle’s night cycle began, under the pretense of it being a training exercise for the paladin bond. Coran, who it turned out was an ardent advocate of aromatherapy, pumped some sort of faint fragrance into the air vents in the living quarters, which smelled a bit like lavender and vanilla, although with a certain tartness to the scent that was distinctly Altean.

And yet, even after all of that, they still weren’t seeing a change. It was frustrating, to say the least.

Lance decided to try his own hand at it a few quintants into their new subtle approach, figuring it couldn’t possibly hurt. He waited in his own room with the door kept open, until he saw Keith pass by in the hall and called him in.

“What?” Keith asked. The word came out sharp and tetchy, but lately that was how everything Keith said sounded, so Lance paid it no mind.

Instead, he simply held out his headphones. “Would you mind giving this a listen for me? I think something’s a little weird with the audio, like it’s scratchy or something, but it’s hard to tell. I wanna know if I’m just imagining it.”

“Wouldn’t Pidge be better with audio stuff?” Keith asked.

“With fixing it, yeah, but right now I just need someone to give a second opinion.” Lance bounced the headphones in his hand. “Come on, please?”

Keith let out a long, low breath, but he obliged, taking the headphones and sitting on the edge of Lance’s bed as he placed them over his ears. Lance gave him a thumbs-up and pressed play on his music player, watching Keith’s face carefully. This was a special mix he’d been using for the last couple of years, and the fact that he’d had his player in his backpack with him when they’d wound up in the Blue Lion was a godsend. A playlist of soft guitar songs and light Caribbean ballads with steady and melodic percussion beats, all interspersed with ocean sounds. It had lulled him to sleep every night since he’d been in the Castle of Lions.

The mix played for a few minutes before Keith moved one of the earphones aside and said, “I don’t hear anything weird.”

“You positive?” Lance said. “Listen real closely, all right? Close your eyes, it’ll help you concentrate.”

Keith did, and his eyes stayed closed for another few minutes before he shook his head. “It all sounds fine to me.”

“Well, that’s good,” Lance said. “Guess it was all in my head after all.” He accepted the headphones as Keith handed them back to him, then cleared his throat. “So, ah, did you like that music? You looked like you were enjoying it.”

“Sure,” Keith said with a shrug.

“Hey, that’s - that’s cool. Gives us something in common. You know, if you want, you can borrow my music player for a while.”

“That’s all right, you keep it.”

“No really, I think you’d like it. You could, like, give the whole mix a listen, let me know what you think. I bet you’ll enjoy it, I’m sort of known for having great taste in music.”

Keith narrowed his eyes. “What are you doing?”

“What do you mean?” Lance asked.

“Since when are you so eager to let me borrow your things?”

“Uh, since always? I’m generous.”

“Lance, last week I accidentally used your toothpaste instead of mine and you acted like I had stabbed you.”

Lance huffed. “Our bottles look completely different, how could you possibly have - ? You know what, not important. Just, I’m up for sharing now, okay? So come on, just take the music. You’ll like it.”

“Not until I figure out what you’re trying to - ”

“Jesus fucking Christ, I’m just trying to help you, Mullet! This is supposed to be relaxing! So could you quit being so goddamn stubborn for once in your life and just take the stupid headphones already?!”

A pause of silence stretched between them as Keith’s expression slowly fell to a dark scowl. “Oh my god. Is this seriously about that stupid sleep thing again?!”

“Yes,” Lance said, rolling his eyes. “You know what, yes, it is. And honestly, we shouldn’t be having to go to this much trouble to get a grown-ass adult to actually take a nap, and this is getting really ridiculous - ”

“Wait a minute, ‘we’?”

“Well, it’s kind of really fucking obvious that you haven’t gotten half a dobosh of sleep in ages, but since apparently you’re too proud or something to admit you actually need help, the rest of us have had to intervene to keep you from just straight up dying of exhaustion.”

“For the love of - I don’t need anyone’s help to sleep!”

“Oh, like hell you don’t. Look at you, the bags under your eyes are so big I’d have to check them at the ticket counter. I don’t know why you’ve gone and decided that having trouble sleeping is something you’ve got to be ashamed or whatever’s going on in your head, but - ”

“I can sleep just fine! I don’t want to sleep!”

“What, because you’re being so damn productive in those extra waking hours you get when you don’t? You’re not exactly doing yourself any favors here.”

“It’s got nothing to do with that!”

“Well then what’s it got to - ”

“Do you know what happens every time I fall asleep?” Keith snarled. “You know what I see every single time?”

“Uh…” said Lance.

“I see Shiro.” Keith crossed his arms, his scowl deepening. “Every time I close my eyes to go to sleep, it’s Shiro. Sometimes I see him bleeding out in the hall of a Galra base. Sometimes I see that gladiator arena he told us about, and he’s in the middle of it, barely hanging in there. Sometimes he’s just floating out in the middle of space and he’s cold and he’s too far from anyone or anything to get help. And sometimes it’s just the Black Lion, getting shot to smithereens right in front of me in the middle of battle and I can’t do anything to stop. He’s hurt and he’s dying and I just do nothing.

“Because that’s what I did, didn’t I?” He choked out a dry laugh that was completely devoid of any humor. “He got taken, right under our noses, and we didn’t even know until we got back to the hangars. He could be dead, or being tortured; maybe the Galra have something in mind for him that’s so horrible we can’t even fathom it. And we could have prevented it, but we didn’t. And it’s all I can think about, and when I’m asleep, it’s all I can see.

“Hell, I got nightmares after the Kerberos thing too, imagined his shuttle crash-landing against that stupid moon and wound up with that playing over and over every night. But at least that time, it wasn’t like it was my fault. Not like I was there and could have done anything. Not like I’d ever seen Shiro hurt and scared before, so my stupid brain couldn’t use that for reference. This time, though?” He tapped his temple. “It’s all there. Just waiting to play out.”

He took a shaky breath. “If I stay awake as long as possible, though, just let my body pass out when it can’t handle being awake for one more second, I don’t dream. I guess I’m just, like, too exhausted for the subconscious to do anything but wait for me to wake up. So I can’t sleep until I absolutely have to, you know? Because if I don’t I end up - I have to see - ” He gritted his teeth and scrubbed at his eyes with the heels of his hands.

“... Shit, dude,” Lance said, slowly lowering himself onto the bed next to Keith. “I, uh… I didn’t know.”

“You weren’t supposed to,” Keith grunted. He lowered his hands and Lance could see the glistening of tears there before he brought his knees up, wrapped his arms around them and buried his face in them. “God, you’re not supposed to see this.”

“Why not?” Lance asked softly. “Keith, if you’d told us what you were dealing with, we could’ve helped you out.”

“How?” Keith snapped. “You can’t control what I dream about, you can’t undo what happened to Shiro. I just - I have to deal with this.

“Keith, you don’t need to - ”

“Yeah, I do.” He sniffed, wiping at his eyes. “Okay? And this isn’t me being stubborn or anything, I’m just stating facts. This isn’t something that can be fixed, it’s just something I - something I have to figure out. Somehow.” He coughed. “So, please, Lance. Stop trying to help. Tell the others to stop trying to help.” With one last sniff and failed attempt to blink away the now cascading tears, he stood and turned away. “I’ve gotta go,” he mumbled. “Should really get to the training deck.”

“But - ”

“Don’t - don’t tell the others. About this. It’ll just… make them worry.” And before Lance could say anything in response, Keith was out the door.

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

It was several vargas later that Keith finally stopped training and came back to the living quarters, and by then the castle was well into its night cycle. Keith was drenched in sweat, trembling somewhat from exertion as he trudged his way back toward his room.

So, the sight of Lance standing in front of the door probably wasn’t a welcome one, and Lance was unsurprised by the glare he received as Keith approached, which deepened further as he spotted the music player in Lance’s hand.

“What the hell are you doing?” Keith asked.

Lance took a deep breath. “I, uh - I had a bit of an idea. I know you said you don’t want me to, like, get involved in - in this whole thing going on with you, but I gave this a lot of thought, I really did, and I think you should hear me out. I’ve got something you really need to try.”

“Lance,” Keith sighed. “We already went over this. I don’t need you to help me fall asleep. And besides, the music, the beach sounds? They just don’t work for me, okay? There’s no point in - ”

“No, okay, I know we went over all of that,” Lance interrupted. “But this is different, I swear.”

“Lance - ”

“Look, this is either going to be the dumbest thing I’ve ever done for you, or a stroke of absolute genius. It’s like fifty-fifty and we won’t know which one it is until we try it. So, here.” He held up the headphones. “Just give it a shot.”

Keith frowned down at the headphones, but slowly, he obliged, taking them from Lance’s hand and positioning them onto his head. “All right,” he said, closing his eyes. “Ready.”

Lance nodded and pressed play, then watched Keith’s face. At first he remained stoic, then, gradually, his brow began to scrunch in confusion. Lance held his breath as he watched, and after about a minute Keith’s eyes opened to look warily at him. “What… what is this?” He moved the headphones down, and Lance could just hear the sound of the playing track: a voice, soft and tinny at this distance from the earpiece but still confident and sincere. “We’re entering a new era of human exploration of the unknown universe, and every one of you has the ability to become part of history.”

“That,” Lance said, “Is a speech that was made about five years ago at my middle school, and probably a couple hundred others. By a certain Galaxy Garrison lieutenant I admired very much.”

“Yeah.” Keith brought the headphones off his head completely to stare at in his hands. “Thought I, um, recognized it. How did - how did you even get a recording of it way out here?”

“I downloaded a video of it that was on Youtube, converted into an MP3. Listened to it while I worked on my Garrison application, because that stupid application process was frustrating as shit and I needed the motivation. Guess I just never deleted it.”

“...Oh.” Keith kept staring at the headphones for a while longer before slowly moving them back up onto his head and closing his eyes again. Lance watched as he stayed still, for long enough that Lance was starting to wonder if Keith had forgotten he was there, when Keith finally opened his eyes back up and pushed the headphones aside again. “It’s… nice,” he said softly. “Hearing him talk. I’d… forgotten… how nice that was.”

Lance gave him a small smile. “Yeah. That’s the idea. See, I got to thinking, about the stuff I was having you try listening to before, and how you didn’t find it relaxing the way you were supposed to, and I realized, like, the reason that that stuff calms me and helps me sleep, is because it’s for me, specifically. Like, the Timba music is stuff I’ve been listening to my whole life, that I’d play in my room at home all the time, and the ocean sounds, they make me think of swimming and going to the beach with my family and laying down on a surfboard to watch the sun and stuff. And, you know, stuff like that, it makes me feel at home, right? It feels peaceful, and familiar, and safe, and that’s all good for getting a good night’s sleep, and for keeping the bad stuff away.

“But for you, well, none of those sounds are really home to you, are they? The music genre’s kinda niche, and I figure you’re more into… I dunno, punk rock? Post-hardcore? Some genre where your mullet might be considered acceptable. And as for the ocean sounds, I mean, you lived in the middle of the desert and you don’t even swim.”

“I can swim,” Keith said.

“Eh, you don’t so much swim as just ‘not drown’, but whatever,” said Lance. “Point is, they weren’t the right sounds for you. So I asked myself, okay, what sort of things would make Keith feel at home? Duh, explosions. But then I realized explosion sound effects would probably be hard to sleep through, so I went searching through my MP3s and found this. And, like, it works doubly well because if you fall asleep with this playing and Shiro shows up in your dream, then your subconscious or whatever might connect the two. So instead of him, um, going missing or - or stuff like that, dream-Shiro will start giving a motivational speech instead. You know, how sometimes when you’re asleep and dreaming and you hear a sound in real life and your brain just sort of incorporates it into the dream? I mean, it’s just a theory, but it has to be worth a shot, right?”

“Lance, I dunno if - ”

“Yeah, I don’t really know for sure either. Might be a little out there. But, you know. I just thought maybe this could be, uh - this could work. Here, you can set it to play the track on a loop like this, see.” He held up the player to show him. “And the whole thing is about an hour long, so it’ll probably only make it through one loop, if even, before you fall asleep, so you don’t need to worry about it getting super repetitive and driving you crazy. Now, the real motivational stuff is only at the beginning and the end. The whole forty-five minutes or so in the middle is mostly just talking about the Garrison’s programs and how to apply and stuff like that, but that’s still probably better than nothing, right? You can dream about Shiro in teacher-mode or whatever.”

Keith bit his lip in thought, eyes darting between Lance and the headphones, before quietly saying, “... Yeah. Maybe.”

“Try it, at least. For the team’s sake, yeah? ‘Cause we’re all kinda worried about your health at this point, and - and I don’t care what you say, you really need a good night’s sleep.”

“...Okay.”

“Okay?”

Keith nodded, reaching and hand out to take the music player from Lance. “I’ll try it, at least.”

“Great!” Lance said, face brightening. “Let me know tomorrow how it goes, okay?”

“All right,” Keith said. “And, um - just - for the uh, for the - I just - it’s, um, it’s nice to know that you guys all - ”

“Yeah, you’re welcome, Mullet,” Lance said. “Now, go the fuck to sleep.”

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

For the first morning in a long time, Keith wasn’t the first paladin up and about. In fact, Lance, Hunk, and Pidge were all already halfway through their breakfasts when Keith finally showed up in the kitchen, blinking drowsily against the light. But it was a different drowsiness than usual. The sort of drowsiness that came from just having woken rather than from desperately needing to go to bed.

Wisely, none of them made any remarks about the change. They bid him good morning and asked if he’d like to join for breakfast, as casually as they would have on any given morning on the castle before Keith’s whole insomnia episode began, and he accepted, his focus entirely on the food in front of him.

Lance waited until Hunk and Pidge started their own conversation, distracted enough by each other not to pay the rest of the table any mind, before tapping the table near Keith’s plate and giving him a questioning thumbs-up. Keith nodded, and Lance smiled as what he had already suspected was confirmed: Shiro’s speech had worked.

Lance was a goddamn genius.

And in the following quintants, as Keith gradually grew less irritable and the bags beneath his eyes started to fade, it became easier to believe that maybe, the team could get through this. Keith could get through this.

He just needed his goddamn genius teammates to help out a bit sometimes. That’s all.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Once Bitten, Twice Stupid prt 137 prt 1

137

Standing on the beach, Lance watched the ocean waves lapping the shoreline. He’d gotten so big now. 20ish weeks and his toes were only visible under his stomach. His toes that were currently dug into the sand. He could only go out at night now, but he liked it better that way. The nightlife seemed so far away. Everyone seemed so far away. Keith was so far away. He’d given up. He’d given up and let Keith go... which meant he still shouldn’t be waiting for his boyfriend’s return. He’d heard from Rieva and Matt that Keith was back. He didn’t know if he cared or not. He was broken inside with a million prickly pieces choking his throat and lungs. Mami was gone. He’d tried calling Keith, crying and shaking so hard that his phone had crumbled in his hand before the call connected. He’d given up. So long out of contact, that had to mean Keith was no longer his. He’d tried to go to Rome, to wait for Keith there, but in his head he images of Keith being happy. Happy and relaxed. Joking around with everyone, accepted by James, who seemed his arch rival. The images so clear in his head that his boyfriend didn’t need him.

He didn’t know which way was up anymore. He’d run from Matt and Rieva. Locked himself in his hotel room and didn’t want to listen to anything they had to say. Keith had come back safely but he hadn’t come for him. He’d been so good. He’d waited. He’d come back and waited... when Coran wanted him to stay in Platt. What good was a Platt where Keith wasn’t? A Platt where Mami wasn’t waiting for him anymore. What good was he to anyone when he looked like this? His stomach had grown so much. No longer hidden under Keith’s shirts. Everything hurt so badly, but... he couldn’t... he didn’t know how to start again or return to where he was before. He wasn’t sure he even wanted to. Maybe it was better if Lance McClain disappeared from the world...

*

Matt and Rieva picked Keith up at the airport. Hugs all round, despite having only seen each other the previous week. The drive to Varadero felt heavy. Keith was in the back of the small rental car, and Matt and Rieva weren’t really talking outside of the general greetings. Whatever it was, Keith felt like they weren’t telling him so didn’t explode in the back of the hatchback. Their friends were supposed to be checking on Lance. Supporting Lance. Keith was confused when Matt pulled into a car park, thinking they were going to a hotel. Rieva’s voice was soft and pained

“Lance will be down there. He likes to go for walks at night along the shoreline. He ran away from us... we’ve talked to him a couple of times, but... he’s really hurting. He didn’t want to see us, but I... I’ve never seen him this bad. It’s not like when came back from Sendak. He feels as if he’s given up on you and lost his way. You should be prepared for that”

“Thanks... I need to thank you for keeping an eye on him”

“We didn’t do much. He did finally talk to us, but he... he’s different. Kind of distant. He’s gotten big too. He doesn’t go out during the day anymore, but he has been to church once, we followed him”

“I still feel better that you guys came here. Thanks for picking me up. I’ll let you guys know how it goes”

Matt added completely unnecessarily

“You better not break his heart”

“You know I love him more than anything. I want to be with him and I’m not about to let him push me away”

“Good. Now go get your man”

Beach sand filled Keith’s shoes, so he toed them off and left them. It was easier to run on the beach without them anyway. Rieva said head for the shoreline so he did. He didn’t expect it’d take him nearly ten minutes of running that had dropped to jogging to find his boyfriend. Lance was standing on the beach, both hands on his swollen belly. He really had gotten bigger. So much bigger than when he’d last seen Lance. 3 physical months had stolen that time away from them. He wasn’t supposed to take anything personal with him on a mission, but he’d taken the last ultrasound photos and the photo of Lance showing his tiny tummy. The photos so creased from all the times he’d pulled them out to remind himself why he was going through everything even with Sendak dead.

Slowly Lance turned his head towards him, a pained smile on his lips

“Hey, Keith”

That was the drive he needed, running the last few steps he crashed into his boyfriend. Lance was finally back in his arms. Sobs falling from him as he held him tightly. Lance taking a shuddering breath before his knees gave out. Both of them sinking onto the damp sand. Lance had waited. He really had waited. And Keith had been late. Nuzzling into his boyfriend, they both tried to talk at the same time. He’d been so scared Lance would run and he had so many things to say to him

“Lance... I... I missed you so much”

“I didn’t think you’d ever come...”

“I couldn’t contact you. I tried to let you know I was coming back but you never answered”

“I broke my phone... and... I don’t think you loved me anymore. I kept waiting for you! I waited and I waited!”

Both of them were ugly crying. Lance shaking so hard in Keith’s arms he felt like he’d shatter from the intensity. Pushing him away, Lance’s big blue eyes searched him, as Keith grabbed Lance by the arms so he couldn’t push him away again, his boyfriend’s whole feel swapping to the aura of anger

“Why didn’t you come sooner?! I waited! I waited and I waited until I finally accepted you didn’t want me anymore...”

Lance knew he was on a mission. He would have come the instant he could have had, had that instant been any sooner

“Lotor...”

“So you don’t need me anymore... you were happier there, weren’t you?”

Keith felt crushed

“I was in a mission! I didn’t know about anything happening. I got the first flight home that I could, then found out you weren’t there. Do you know how worried I was? Every single day I hated being away from you. I couldn’t call. I couldn’t come home. I had no idea where you were. I hate it! I just wanted to be home with you...”

Lance pulled his arms out of Keith’s hold, covering his face as he cried

“Everything was okay and then it went to shit... I thought you’d be happier not having me anymore... but I couldn’t go back there... I have no where to go any more”

Mami might have passed, but Lance still had a loving family waiting for him Garrison

“Idiot. Hunk and Pidge are waiting for us. Everyone’s waiting for us”

“They probably hate me”

“They definitely don’t hate you. They miss you. Everyone wants you to come home already”

“Why did you come here? Why did you come back to me? I’m nothing special”

Taking Lance’s face in his hands, Keith wiped at the tear trails running down his boyfriend’s cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. Lance really did seem so lost

“I came back because I can’t live without you. I hated it. I regretted leaving you before I even left. Every phone call, every message, I just wanted to reach through and hug you. I quit the Blades for good. Signed a new contract stating that I’m not to be restated with them. I never want to be without you this long again”

Lance’s bottom lip wobbled. He looked kind of cute with his fangs poking out. Leaning in, Keith kissed him. Lance hesitating at first, Keith persistent until his boyfriend finally returned the kiss and it turned into one of those “wow” kisses that they both couldn’t quite believe. Breaking the kiss, Keith nuzzled into Lance’s face

“I love you with all my heart, Lance McClain”

“I... missed you... I missed you so much”

“I’m here now. Are you okay? Are the twins okay?”

Lance sniffled loudly, trying to bring his breathing under control, Keith giving him a moment

“I... I had a bleed... it was terrifying... and Mami... Mami died... and I... don’t know what I’m doing anymore...”

“Okay. Okay, babe. It’s okay. I’m here... can you stand? It’s cold here...”

They were cold and they were wet. Lance was exhausted and Keith was scared, despite how he tried to soothe his lover

“It’s not that far back to the hotel...”

“You’ll have to show me the way. I have no idea where I am”

Lance nodded quickly

“Okay... okay...”

*

Keith couldn’t keep his eyes off Lance’s stomach. The singlet Lance wore under his jacket hugging his form tightly. Lance had been quite on the walk back, then excused himself to the bathroom when they’d gotten back. Keith listening at the door until he heard the shower running, then taking the change to snoop around.

Things were organised messes. A yellow bio waste container sat by a collection of syringes and glass medication bottles. Folded washing sat on the kitchen bench. Sandy shoes lived in various places across the area. Lance hadn’t been letting hotel staff in to clean. With two bedrooms coming off the main room, Keith opened the closest door to the bathroom first. Flicking the light on, his heart broke for his boyfriend. Miriam’s suitcase sat neatly on end of the bed. The room was Lance’s usual high level of clean, the case the only thing out of place. Carefully Keith closed the door, that room wasn’t a place for him to enter until Lance was ready for that.

The second room opened up onto a balcony. The door wide open, sand swept up and across the floor. Lance had piled the bed up. Keith seeing many of his clothes in there, which was good seeing he came with only the things that fitted in his backpack... which was in the hire car. He probably would have come with nothing if Pidge hadn’t reminded him that spare clothes were a thing. He might not have Lance’s sense of smell, but he could smell the depression and struggle in here. Lance had tried to be so strong. On the bedside table sat photos. The twins. Keith. Blue. Miriam. That was it. It hurt.

Closing the door behind him, Keith moved back to the kitchen. Lance coming out the bathroom already changed, towelling his hair off as he did. Keith’s eyes on his belly the whole time. He had so many questions. Like why had Lance had a bleed, and if he was really okay

“There’s lactose free milk in the fridge... I... kept buying it thinking of you”

Keith could honestly say that right now he didn’t want coffee at all

“Babe...”

“We should... you should... can you clear the sofa? I’ll make coffee. Just put whatever’s there on the coffee table”

“I...”

Lance looked away from him

“You keep staring at my stomach... I can you please clean the sofa. I know you want to talk but I can’t talk like this”

Keith had no choice. Lance turning lights on as he went about things. There were papers upon papers on the sofa. Keith trying not to look at them. Letters, documents, photos... he realised that most of it must have been to do with Mami. With the utmost of care he gathered everything, placing it all together on the coffee table, before using the glass decoration from the table to hold the pile down. Nervousness coursed through him. How was he not supposed to be captivated by Lance? How was he not supposed to be in awe over the amazing thing of the pregnancy still being viable. Their tiny macaroons not so tiny any more. They were more like cupcakes now.

Bringing over the mugs, Lance passed Keith his, before sitting down beside him. Nursing the mug, Keith tried to think of what to say...

“I’m sorry about Mami”

Lance tensed, then slowly relaxed again

“Thanks. I know it’s harder for you hearing it now”

“I’m never there when you need me...”

“I’m... not okay, but I think I’m going... I think being there made it better...”

“Can I ask...?”

“She was your Mami too. She bragged and bragged and bragged about you. Made me show everyone your photo. She passed away in her sleep. We were staying at my aunts for the night... and I... kind of felt it. I think maybe she did too. She passed peacefully, and she’d been so happy being here. It’s all I could have asked for really”

“Coran tried to call me back, but the Blades didn’t let him”

“I broke my phone. When it happened I tried to call you, but I was so upset it broke in my hands...”

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there”

“It... was hard. But I can’t stop thinking about how happy she was. How at peace she seemed to be seeing everyone again. They were really good to both of us. And the minister here... we had a service for her and I didn’t feel like I had the right to be in the church. He realised I was the little boy he’d seen when Mami used to bring us to church. We’d been a few times while we’d been here. I broke down and apologised to him, but he didn’t throw me out...”

“That’s good...”

“Yeah. Not like the rest of the family back in America. Luis tried to have me barred”

Fucking Luis. Lance had bent over backwards for Miriam. He loved her fiercely. Lance hadn’t done anything wrong bringing Miriam here, if anything he’d given her back her family ties and happiness in her last days

“I had the bleed on the day before the funeral. Coran wouldn’t leave my side. He said my body freaked out from the stress. I stayed there for a couple of days before coming back here...”

“You’ve gotten big while I’ve been away”

“Yeah. Coran said we could find the sex out, but I couldn’t even look at the scans without you. Mami was happy for us... she kept saying you’d be back soon and in for a surprise”

“I’m sorry. A lot of stuff happened. Lotor killed Zarkon. Honerva went crazy. She was taken out by the Blades. It was a goddamn mess”

Lance raised his head to look at him in clear shock

“That’s more than I thought”

“Yeah. The second we could pull out, I was out and back to Rome. That was a mess too. Shiro ended up with a broken arm. Curtis has twin horns now, but his feet don’t smell as bad. Honerva turned her magic on him... it was fucked up”

“And you?”

“I’m okay”

Busted ribs. New scars. Lance wasn’t going to be happy

“That’s good”

Silence fell between them. Keith didn’t like it

“Babe...”

Lance shook his head

“Sorry. I was thinking about Mami”

“I really wish I’d been here”

“I know. I... I waited here. I couldn’t be there. Not in Platt without her and without you. Coran tried to push me to stay, but I couldn’t. I wanted to wait here for you. Where she was”

Keith had to ask. Lance had said he’d given up. He’d been prepared to give up. Then he’d waited

“What does this mean for us?”

Lance took a sip of his drink, leaning back in the sofa as he did

“I don’t know”

“And if I said I love you?”

“I’d say I love you, too. I do. I missed you so much that every day felt like a lifetime away. But I’m not sure what to do now. I don’t know how to move forward when I was feeling like all I could do was run and leave it all behind”

Keith placed his drink on the coffee table, before taking Lance’s drink and doing the same. Turning to his boyfriend, he placed his right hand on Lance’s belly, and his left on his boyfriend’s cheek

“We don’t have to rush back. We don’t have to rush at all. I still love you. That hasn’t changed at all”

“But we were apart for so long”

“And we’ll need time to figure things out again. To me, you’re still the most amazing man I’ve met”

“Even when I look like this?”

Keith rubbed Lance’s swell. He was at least three times the size he had been when he’d last done this

“This... there’s nothing wrong with this. Or with them. Rome isn’t coming after you or them. Or me. Matt and Rieva pretty much told the council there’d be all kinds of trouble if they so much as thought of it. We did get in trouble for lying. Mum was ready to shoot some idiots”

“That doesn’t seem possible”

“Like I said, a lot of things happened”

Lance worried his bottom lip, getting ready as he did

“How do we fix us?”

Keith sighed softly

“By figuring things out. I’d like to see the twins. I want to hear about everything you’ve been through and what you’ve been doing. I didn’t even debrief with Coran. I told Pidge and Hunk I didn’t want to tell anyone about what had happened until I told you”

“Did you get my letter?”

“Yeah. But I didn’t read it. I wanted you to tell me all things you had to say for yourself”

“That sounds like you. It’s probably better you didn’t. I don’t think I’m ready to go back yet”

“Then we won’t. What do you want to do right now?”

“Sleep... I feel like I don’t have the right to ask you to hold me... you’re right here and I don’t know what to do”

“Let’s just go to bed then. I’m kind of beat. I took the first flight I could get on to get back to America, then had to wait for Coran to organise the flight here... I really want to hold you”

Lance was shy as he undressed. Keith coming up behind him, placing his hands on his boyfriend’s belly as he kissed his hair

“You don’t need to be ashamed”

“I’m scared you’ll hate what you see”

“I don’t and I won’t. You’re the single most beautiful man I’ve met”

“You sound like you’re drunk”

This was bad. All it took was holding Lance for his dick to be like “Hello!”

“Nah. I just really missed you”

Rubbing Lance’s stomach, his boyfriend moaned softly. Keith feeling a little emboldened, rutting lightly as he slipped his hand lower. Letting his drop back, Lance whined into his touch, arse pushing back against Keith’s shameless dick

“Babe...”

“Touch me... I can’t remember how you feel on my skin anymore”

Fucking hell. He was aiming for snuggles and tummy time

“Bed?”

Lance nodded, moaning as Keith’s hand brushed over his dick. It’d been months. His boyfriend must have been so starved of physical affection. It was a good thing Keith was never going to leave him alone that long again.

Laying Lance out on the bed, his boyfriend hid his face as Keith stripped to his underwear. His belly was so cute. Climbing between Lance’s legs, Keith ran his hands over his lover’s swell, pressing kisses to the bump as Lance tried to draw his legs together. Too cute... and probably too much. They could barely talk properly but falling into bed together, yeah, they were good at that. Nuzzling Lance’s belly, his boyfriend propped himself up on his elbows, looking Keith in the eye. Keith blushing slightly

“Are you... you don’t have to... you, know...”

Keith kissed Lance’s baby bump again

“I’m not forcing myself”

“But you were staring so much before”

“Because I was mesmerised. Our twins are alive and they’re in there and I... I couldn’t the prouder”

“I thought you’d be grossed out”

“I’m not. I’m very not grossed out...”

“It’s weird”

“I think it’s beautiful. I think you’re beautiful”

Lance blushed under Keith’s praise. Keith relieved that he could make Lance relax enough to let him see him

“I... don’t know what to do...”

“Layback and let me love you?”

Lance snorted

“I’ve never not loved you... I didn’t think you’d want me ever again”

“That’s because you think too much. Lay back down and let me take care of you”

“Can... I have a kiss?”

“You can have all the kisses you want”

Lance blushed harder, Keith moving up to cage his boyfriend beneath him. If Lance doubted he was hard for him, he wouldn’t be doubting now as he rutted against him. Lance’s body was amazing. Not as amazing as his heart and soul, but amazing in its own right. Kissing him filled him with a thrill. Lance responsive to his kisses, starting to move his own hips in search of friction. Keith was liable to come in his underwear if Lance kept this up. Jerking off wasn’t exactly top priority during a mission. He and Lance had jerked off to each other on camera, but this was far better.

Lavishing attention on Lance’s chest, his boyfriend whimpered at the touch. Small mounds forming barely there breasts, Lance hissing as Keith sucked his nipple, Keith tugging the hard bud with his teeth before letting it slide out from between them

“You okay?”

“It’s tender...”

“Should I stop?”

“No... no, it’s fine... Coran said they’d be sore for a bit”

“Let me know if it gets too much”

Lance nodded, Keith turning his attention to Lance’s neglected nipple, swirling his tongue around the small bud before nipping, Lance letting out a much nicer moan at the stimulation. His body was so honest. His scent pouring thickly. He’d missed Lance’s smell. Knowing he was with his boyfriend who felt as good as he did made him proud.

Working his way down, he kissed all the spots Lance squirmed at, leaving a trail down to this snail trail as he then sat back. Lance was already leaking pre-cum. The muscles in his thighs spasming as his legs quivered. He loved it. With no hesitation he sank his lips down over the crown of Lance’s dick, Lance spluttering something in Spanish. He’d missed the taste of Lance. He was hopeless and completely whipped by the man beneath him. Bobbing his head, Lance moaned, Keith closing his eyes as he breathed Lance’s natural scent

“K-Keith...”

Holding Lance’s legs apart, his boyfriend rocked into his mouth the best he could. Keith not surprised it took moments for Lance to come down the back of his throat, until he was filling his mouth and Keith had to pull off so he didn’t choke. Swallowing what he could, he milked the last few drops from Lance with his hand, his boyfriend’s belly quivered slightly as he panted. Lapping Lance clean, his boyfriend groaned at him. So fucking cute... as it was Keith’s thighs were firmly pressed together trying not come.

“Babe...?”

Lance was staring up at him, Keith smiling at him

“I missed you”

“I missed you, too... I want to touch you”

“In a minute... I want to remember this. Remember you. It wasn’t the same not being by your side. I can’t do it. I can’t. You’re like the most radical person ever”

Lance chuckled at him, hand coming up to wipe cum from the corner of Keith’s lips

“And you’re terrible at bedroom talk...”

“You say that, but I’m pretty sure I can make you speechless”

“With your stupidity?”

Keith arched an eyebrow

“I’m wounded”

“Then come down here and let me kiss you all better”

“Mmm... I think I can do that”

*

Lance was overstimulated. Keith’s fingers inside of him as his boyfriend kissed him. He’d been so prepared to be done, then Keith had come. He’d come for him. His boyfriend had come all the way to Cuba to be with him. Lance felt horrible for doubting him, but after so long... All of this felt like a dream. Rocking in Keith’s fingers, the kisses they shared had him wanting more. He was more than prepped enough, Coran said being horny was alright, but it was hard to be horny when the only person you’d ever let you touch you had left.

Whining for more, Keith smirked into his kisses. He’d barely been able to contain his racing heart as he’d showered. His body accepting his lover was back before his brain could could fathom Keith was real and really there

“Keith... Keith, please...”

He was so strung out on the way Keith rubbed his sweet spot without filling all those part only Keith filled. Nosing at his nose, his boyfriend was sending him cross eyed

“Feeling good?”

“It’s not enough... I want you”

[delaneytveit]

Satellites part 4

Lol so apparently I never uploaded ch 4 and 5 on here. (5 &6 on ao3) MY BAD GUYS, THAT AS ON ME. but um, here is Satellites ch 4! Hop you like it!

Also classes have been going on for like 2???3??? weeks and I'm already behind. which, like what else is new. But my birthday is on Tuesday so I've got that going for me. Anyways, back to our poorly scheduled program.... *  ( part 3) (Satellites Master Post) (Part 5)

Lance awoke again, chained to a bed in the all too familiar lab. Knowing all too well where he was.

He knew what he would see if he were to allow his eyes to follow where the IV in his arm led to. He knew the exact layout of the lab he was in. Knew which tools were out and which ones they would likely use. Knew the feeling of his limbs. heavy with whatever drugs they were pumping him with, being strapped down just in case. He knew he wouldn’t be able to fight back, they knew it too. But if these experiments they had been doing taught them anything, it was that these so called scientists knew absolutely nothing about human biology.

They didn’t think he would fight back at all, or maybe they did. He didn’t really know. He knew he didn’t look like he would, he had always been a person of words rather than actions, talking himself out of or through situations. Situations in which his words were all that was left. But here, words meant death.

Not for him, no, he wasn’t afraid of death. Not anymore. This was war, he was fighting in a war. And people die in war. He’d seen it. More importantly, for many, he had caused it. And he refused to be the cause of the deaths of his friends.

He didn’t like to dwell on that, he’d just spiral again, but he had to acknowledge the fact that he had done some royally fucked up things. Things he’d rather no one, not even his team know. Coran knew.  He'd been the one to fully recruit Lance, side missions that in some cases were more important than the battles themselves. Allura knew the political half, the diplomatic half of the missions, but Coran and Lance took care of the less desirable half. The half that left whoever was in the way of the Coalition with a bullet between their eyes.

He remembered all of them. Every single mission, every shot, every confirmed kill. They were etched into his mind with such vivid horror that they haunted his dreams every night. God, if his mamá knew what he was doing up here. If his mamá knew that he was currently strapped to a table, drugged out of his mind, bruised and beaten and bloody. Experimented on and tortured for information.

Before he could think anymore, the door opened. He had quelled his hope long ago that his friends would be the ones on the other side, that they would be the ones storming in to save him. Instead, like every other time, a druid made their way into the room.

“Awake now, are we?” they asked, he could hear the snarl in their voice. How he wanted to tell them off, to just keep talking until he had run out of words, he needed to. But talking meant death for his friends, he could slip up, and any information was still information. No matter how minuscule it could seem, it could still be used to bring down his friends. So he kept his mouth shut.

They laughed at that as they moved along the room, picking up different tools. It was all an act, Lance knew that much. He knew that whoever this was, they would have had their preferred method already decided before they even walked through the door. He just hoped he would black out soon.

+

It took almost no time getting onto the ship, and by the sound of the comms, it seemed that Keith and Hunk were doing just fine distracting the ship. So good in fact, that it was eerily empty when Shiro and Pidge made their way on board.

Pidge pulled out her tablet and after a few seconds of typing looked up to Shiro. “I’ve got him!”

They followed the map on the tablet, down countless hallways, winding and turning, they were sure that without the DNA tracker, they would have gotten lost hallways ago.

They were just about to round the last corner when something caught Shiro’s eye, and he quickly pulled the small girl back before she would walk any farther.

“Shiro, what the h-” He cut her off by covering her mouth with his palm. He motioned with his other hand to stay quiet, and only removed his hand when she nodded in acknowledgement.

There at the door to what Shiro guessed was Lance’s cell, stood two Galran guards, alert and ready. The more he looked at where they stood, and the hallway around him the more he had doubts about where they actually were.

“Pidge, where are we on the map?” he asked in a hushed whisper.

The small paladin looked up at him in confusion, “What are you talking about?”

“Lance is a prisoner, meaning he’d be held in a cell right?” he asked, earning a nod from the green paladin. He took one more survey of where they stood before shaking his head. “This doesn’t look like a prison.”

“Shiro, any luck? We’re kind of not doing so hot out here!” Hunk boomed over the coms, startling Pidge so much that she jumped, banging her elbow on the metal wall she was standing against.

The sound reverberated through the hallway, earning the attention of the Galran guards.

“Who’s there?” one of them bellowed, walking towards where the sound came from.

“I hope you have a plan,” Pidge whispered to Shiro as he pushed her behind him, simultaneously taking step forward, leaning his back on the wall.

“Always. Whether it will work or not is a different matter.” He waited until the Galra ran to the corner he was hiding behind before shooting his hand out to grab the guard by the neck, slamming him into the wall. The first guard went down quickly, it was the second one that he had trouble with, as he began shooting the moment he turned the corner. Pidge used her bayard to loosen his hold on the gun before Shiro was able to knock the guy out with one punch.

“Well, now that that part is done…” Hurriedly they ran over to the room, now no longer protected. Using Shiro’s Galra arm on the pad, they easily opened the door.

“We’re in guys!” Pidge informed over the comms.

“Get him and get out, they’re calling reinforcements in too quickly!” Keith called, out of breath as more shots were heard over the com.

Shiro stepped into the room first, taking quick note that he was in fact right. This was no holding cell. The table in front of him housing restraints for each appendage, the cart that held bloodied devices that only made his stomach want to rise up his throat. This room was definitely not a holding cell. It was a torture chamber. And by the mass of dark red blood on the ground, it was used quite often.

“He’s not here.” Pidge whispered in horror as Shiro continued to scan the room for any signs of their missing paladin.

“The fuck do you mean he’s not there? I thought you said you were tracking him. Look harder.” Keith yelled, making Pidge flinch in response.

“Cool it Keith, she’s right. He’s not here. Pidge, you got anything?”

The Green Paladin shook her head, studying the holographic map on her wrist. “The DNA tracker says that he’s here. He should be here.”

Shiro turned his head to look at the puddle of drying blood on the floor. He was here, Lance had been there, and the amount of blood he had lost was enough for the scanner to consider it his person.

In that moment, Shiro had never been more terrified. Because if Lance had lost that much blood, was there any way he could have survived? He didn’t know how much blood loss was too much, but he had a sinking feeling that it was much less than what was spilled on the floor.

“Shiro? What’s the plan?”

[godestof3worlds]

"I Could Feel It Flowing Through My Veins"

This is part 2 to "You Gave Your Word" so you will want to read that first before you read this one since it's a continuation. Enjoy ;)

Ringing.

That's the sound that has interrupted my dreamless sleep. The castle was still dark, and when I looked at the clock, it read that it was half past 2 in the morning. I groaned into my pillow before I looked at my pad to see who was trying to hail me at this hour. I turned my head and looked at the screen ID, and saw Keith’s name on it, making me widen my eyes as I shot right out of bed.

I quickly tamed my hair before I answered the call. Keith also seemed to be in bed, though I could only see above his shoulders. He looked tired, bags under his eyes that seemed to have darken since the last I saw him, and they were bloodshot too, like’s he’s been awake too long looking at a big star. I shake my head before I put on a smile.

“How are you, Keith?” I ask him.

“Pretty good princess. Sorry to call you this late, I saw you tried contacting me earlier and thought I call back before bed.”

“I did, and it’s no problem that you called this late,” I try to reassure him, wanting him to call me since it’s the only way for me to check up on him.

“Is there anything  specifically  you wanted to talk to me about?” he inquired, and I just shrugged in response.

“I only called to see how you were since the last time we truly talked about was before you’re left,” it’s been a  hard few months  without him.

I mean sure, he’s been gone for missions, but he always came back to fly the black lion and lead us, but now that he’s a blade permanently... we barely see him, let alone hear from him when we’re not talking about how to defend the universe.

“I’m doing pretty good, how about you, still doing those shows?” I just huff a laugh and shake my head.

“Thank goodness we’re not anymore.”

“I think you made a pretty good impression of Keith,” he smiled, and this time I giggled.

“Did you know Coran got a worm in his brain?”

He shook his head and I go on telling him the weird things he did with that worm sucking onto his brain. By the time I was done telling the story and listening to Keith’s comments, my face hurt from smiling so much, but all good things must come to an end. I could tell Keith was fighting sleep, and he seemed to be losing. His eyelids would close, and his arm kept falling down, but he always snapped awake before the camera went too low.

There was silence until my mice came onto the bed and started to speak to the camera, distracting me from the camera so I could look down. Even the mice missed him it seems, and I'm not surprised. Keith was the nicer one to the mice, Pidge being the kindest aside from myself. I looked back up to Keith to see him drifting off, and the camera view lowered, but before I could warn him, I see him wearing a cast with some red skin being shown through it.

“Keith!” I say in surprise to him and he wakes with a start, making the camera show more of his injury, and I gasp.

His whole cast was red from blood, and the skin that wasn’t wrapped looked like an ugly red color like he was burned. Before I could examine it too much, the camera shot up to his face.

“Keith!” I say again, “What happened to your arm!?”

He just sighed, “I was on a mission and it was going great, but there were druids there and there was an explosion,” he looked down for a second before his eyes dart up to my face, “I was able to block most of it, but the heat and the druid magic that hit my arm broke through my suit and well...” he shrugged the injured arm with a small grimace.

“Keith...” I whisper as I feel tears swell up in the corner of my eyes, “you remember your promise, right? The one where-”

“I will not be coming back to the castle dead or on the brink of death.” he finishes as I nod my head, “I remembered princess, and I will come back, not on my death bed, but alive and well, I promise,” he renews his promise and I simply nod my head.

There's a moment of silence before I yawn, cracking my jaw and bringing tears to my eyes.

“I think it’s time to sleep then,” I say before the mice say their goodbyes, and scurry off to bed, “Talk to you soon. And please make sure you aren’t as injured or worst,”

He nods his head, “As you wish,” before he smiles, and signs off. I smile to myself as I dream of a mysterious man with amethyst eyes.

(O_O)

I don’t know how long I was there crying, begging for him to wake up, hold me close, and just tell me that he’s okay. Long enough for my voice to grow raspy, and a pounding headache to form, but I continued on. I cry more and bury my face into my arms that are resting on his chest that hasn’t moved.

“Please...” is all I say now.

Then the doors burst open, but I don’t raise my head to look who was come in. I don’t care because they can’t make him wake up. They can’t do anything. There's a gasp and then the hurry footsteps come closer. I continue to sob, not caring who sees me when I'm most vulnerable. There are more footsteps from the hall before they too burst in.

“No...” I hear whispered, not being able to tell who it came from.

There’s a sniffle. There are taps on a pad to my left. Small murmurs. But other than that, it’s quiet. My voice is almost gone, broken down to small whispers that are croaked out in desperate pleas. I feel a hand on my shoulder that tries to lightly pull me away, and that’s when I  lift  my head and see Coran with wet eyes, but no tears have fallen yet.

“I’m sorry Allura,” he whispers, resulting in sobs that are coming from the others.

I just shake my head before I collapse to the ground, new tears finding their way down my cheeks. Coran follows me to the ground and holds my shoulders before I collapse into him and cling onto his shirt. He holds me tight, letting a few tears fall onto my face.

We were like that for few  dobashes  until I finally had the strength to pull away from my second father figure, and stand. I was facing Keith, his snow-white color making me a little sick, his stillness creeping me out. I looked over to the other paladins to see that Pidge, Hunk, and Lance were leaning on each other. Shiro wasn’t in the room, probably in his room breaking down since he was Keith’s older brother practically.

I close my eyes for a second before I drag my gaze back to the lifeless man on the cot. Luckily his eyes were closed.  Alteans  believed that the maker of the universe could either bring you into an afterlife worthy of gods, or into an afterlife of hell. If you passed with your eyes open, it means you saw hell and couldn’t move in fear. If you passed with your eyes closed, it means you saw the afterlife of comfort and you were content. At least, that’s what was said, I never really thought of it much until now.

I walked over to his head before I moved his hair off of his forehead, still feeling heat, but could tell it was leaving his body, like a dying fire. He looked peaceful right now. More tears fell and landed on his face. I quickly wiped my eyes, but tears continued to fall. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I leaned down and placed a lingering kiss on his forehead, feeling the heat from the poison disappear as I pushed all my feelings that I felt toward him, knowing this would be the only time I could do something like this.

It felt electrifying almost, like the air was buzzing with something. After another moment, I pulled back a little and placed my forehead on his. I placed my hand on his still chest, feeling nothing but coldness. More tears slipped down my cheeks, onto his own before they slipped down his own onto the floor.

“Please... I-I-” I stop myself as I swallow back a sob that just wants to be ripped from my throat.

I close my eyes shut as I curl my hand into fists.

“I-I love you, and I want to tell you...” I can’t say anything else because the emotions are just too much. I kiss him again on the forehead, before I pull away. I leave my fingertips on his chest...

I hear a sniffle and look back at Pidge and see her face in her hands as both Hunk and Lance keep her from falling, hearing her mumble something about losing another brother. It makes sense, Pidge was pretty much a little sister to all of us, but I know Keith definitely saw that and was like a big brother to her, though he would always decline the possibility.

We all just stood there for a moment until we heard beeping.

A heart monitor beeping.

A  heartbeat .

I turn around so fast that my hair went lose  and, in my  face ,  but I didn’t care as I quickly flipped it and stared at Keith intently.

Gasp.

My eyes widen as I see Keith take in a huge gulp of air like he’s been drowning. His eyes snapped open, and instead of what I imagined a dead person’s eyes to look like, they looked alive. He continued to take deep breathes as we held our own until he shot up into a sitting position and put his hand on his own chest like he was making sure he was alive.

He then looked up at me with wide eyes that were so filled with life and not pain like the last few moments of his life was. I couldn’t help myself as I threw myself at him, my arms around his neck that was actually  warm  and not hot like he was still being poisoned. He was breathing, I could feel his heartbeat through my chest. I squeezed him and he squeezed me back.

“You’re alive,” I all but whispered, my voice still  sore  from earlier.

“Yeah” that’s all he says, but it’s all I need to know that he actually  was  alive , that this isn’t some dream after the nightmare I just had to  endure .

That's when the others were able to move from where they stood shocked, and they too threw themselves at Keith. Everyone was crying by the time Coran joined only seconds later. A few minutes passed before we were ready to let go.

I did a check over to make sure he was fine but he looked great. His color was back to his usual pale color, he wasn’t sweating, and I didn’t feel any extra heat coming off of him.

“How?” is all I asked.

“I-I don’t really know how to explain it,” Keith said as he looked at his hands, “It’s something,  I could feel it through my veins, ” he answers before he looks back up.

“It doesn’t matter how you’re back, just don’t scare us like that dude,” Hunk says.

Keith just nods.

“Promise.” I simply state.

Keith looks up to me with wide eyes, but I just stare him down and wait. It's too silent before I say decide to say something.

“You broke your last one, and I will get you back for it, but this means you need to renew another promise unless you don’t care,” I state as I  fold  my arms over my chest.

“I promise.”

[stuffandnosense]

Warmth

Way too late, @rueitae here is your gift for @plancesecretsanta! I’m so sorry for the delay! It’s definitely not Christmasy at all, but I hope I’ve fulfilled your requests. ;) It was so much fun to be able to make a gift for you; thanks for being a great friend, and happy late holidays! <3

Tags: Plance, Plangst, Hurt/Comfort, Whump, Happy Ending, Blood TW

Words: 3500

***

Honey eyes, peering over the top of those ridiculous green glasses Pidge has taken to wearing. Ridiculous, yes, but Lance loves them. Her laughing smile, frozen in time in the small picture, spreads warmth through his cold limbs.

When they come for him, he keeps it hidden in the tattered remains of his flight suit — the only pillow they’ve left him with in the tiny cell. The flimsy hospital-gown like material they’ve given him to wear does nothing for heat, the thin pants and shirt almost no barrier at all from the cold floor.

Maybe they don’t want to waste better material. They keep having to give him new clothes when the ones he’s wearing tear and become soaked in blood.

Lance shivers, his harsh breath one of very few sounds in the dim, empty lab, accompanied only by soft beeps and intermittent droning from the equipment. Some of the beeps come from his own chest and neck, from small round monitoring devices stuck to his skin to monitor his vital signs. He’s tried to get them off, more out of spite than anything, but it’s been useless.

He trails a thumb over Pidge’s face, back and forth, as if the action will make her appear or keep him from shaking apart.

It hurts. The shivers down his spine, radiating through his body, shake through his broken leg and bruises scattered across his torso, and pull at the edges of the gash down one of his shoulders. He can’t stop the involuntary movement when the cold has seeped to his core.

***

They never should have split up with the other rebels — Alliance members? There was no one to rebel against anymore, but it was hard to break old habits of thinking of them that way.

They should have stayed together. The old Blade outpost was supposed to be empty, but Lance knew something felt...off. They shouldn’t have gone into the dark jungle around the outpost alone. He should have known. Was he getting rusty?

“This is the last time I do a favor for Keith,” he mumbled under his breath.

An elbow in his side told him in no uncertain terms to hush, Pidge glaring daggers at him from beside him. Not that it mattered. With their helmets on no one could hear them; the rustling of the vines that covered the outcropping of rock they were hidden behind was more of a danger.

“You could have stayed home,” she teased quietly.

“And let you come out here by yourself a month before our wedding?”

“I wouldn’t have been by myself.”

Lance let out a breath as he huddled closer, wincing at the lights seeping around the edge of their rock — thin greenish beams that didn’t belong to their colleagues.

“Not the point…”

His hands stayed on his rifle, ready, a finger near the trigger, but they itched to hold onto Pidge, to keep her close. Her shoulder pressed into his back as he kept watch, the warmth reassuring.

“I know,” Pidge said. The fondness in her voice made him smile.

He just wanted to be with her. Why not go on a mission for the first time in a while if he could avoid missing her for a couple of weeks?

People had been disappearing here. There were fruits in that jungle used by a nearby population on this planet, but in recent months it had turned into a strange black hole. The Blades, still stretched thin as they rebuilt their ranks, hadn’t had a chance to respond to the reports. When the natives finally begged for help, well…

What better job to give a couple of former paladins and a handful of bored rebels with no one to fight? Captain Olia and her crew were more than happy to lend their ship and their help to check out the area, what with the Atlas so busy with diplomacy.

They were expecting some trouble, maybe, but not this. Not the sudden blow out of nowhere and the flash that cuts off Pidge’s smile in his memory and then—

***

It’s the last clear memory he has. There’s more, jumbled and rushed, but he’s always been alone in this cell, in this lab, wherever he is and he can’t remember…

Where is Pidge? Is she safe? Is she here somewhere? Is she…?

Lance coughs, swiping shakily at his eyes as he pushes the thoughts away. A fresh jolt of pain down his leg squeezes tears free, as he tries to shift to relieve the pressure on his hip from the hard floor.

Is he even on the same planet anymore? Surely if they were just keeping people somewhere in that outpost he would have been found by now? Everyone at the Garrison on Earth knew where they were going.

It doesn’t help anything when the lights through the lab snap on, startling Lance into another sudden movement. He tries not to moan aloud, but he can’t help it. At the far end of the lab, the aliens that have been holding him here shuffle in, all rumpled lab coats and bleary morning glares, as if this is all normal. They’re a motley crew — a female Olkari and a yellow-gold male of what he’s pretty sure is Nyma’s species. A couple of other species he doesn’t recognize.

He shoves the small picture of Pidge back into the torn folds of the flight suit under his head before anyone notices it.

“Think we’ve left those wounds long enough?” Gold Guy asks, glancing briefly over at Lance.

The ring leader - a tall blue female - shrugs. “Yeah, probably. Let’s see how they do.”

The Olkari pipes up, hesitant. “Uhm...don’t forget to set the leg before you try healing it.”

“Yeah, yeah…”

The blue one is the only one with any real scientific acumen, Lance has been able to gather. Except for the Olkari, who has some but seems reluctant. The others are just goonies, he thinks, and there must be more elsewhere outside the lab - whoever attacked them.

They don’t come for him right away, turning on computers and equipment first and brewing something that smells a little like coffee. Not that they’ve ever given him any. The same routine they go through every morning for...how long?

Except for the first day, it all blurs together.

***

“Where is Pidge! What did you do with her!”

He woke up here, in this cell, his wrists cuffed behind him around one of the bars, and she was nowhere to be seen. Just a sterile white and gray lab and no answers. The blue alien and the Olkari leaning over him and a ringing in his head that was slowly fading.

“...device seems to have taken care of the concussion and lacerations easily enough in this species,” one of them was saying. “We can move forward with other tests.”

“Where is the other person I was with? Where is she!”

They ignored him, talking among themselves about something he didn’t care to make out just then, but that was when Lance saw the tears in his suit...and that there were no wounds under them. There was blood on the fabric and on his skin, but nothing else. Like waking up in a healing pod, except a healing pod usually cleaned away the blood, too.

And if they’d been hit with some kind of charge, shouldn’t he feel a lot worse than he did? Parts of him felt sore, but—

That was when the blue one grabbed his face. “You. How does your head feel?”

Lance jerked his chin away. “Like I’m going to answer that? Who are you!”

Gold Guy leaned in, brandishing a short knife. “Look, we can make this easier on you, or we can NOT. Answer the question.”

Lance just glared, already short of air. He was all but expecting what came next, but with his mind still clearing he almost didn’t register the sudden movement until knife was buried in his thigh.

He shouted, yanking on the restraints, waiting for the agony to fade, but the knife stayed where it was. Gold Guy was tugging down on the edge of the wound and twisting.

It made it hard to hear them, even though they were so close.

“I’d listen to him if I were you,” the blue alien was saying. “He’s not as nice as me.”

Gold Guy smirked. “You’re nice?”

The Olkari was protesting. “What are you doing! We don’t even have monitoring devices on him yet!” She almost seemed to care.

Blue Lady shrugged. “We’ll put some on before we heal anything else. We’ve got plenty of time to run tests.” She leaned into Lance’s face, pushing down on Gold Guy’s hand and the handle of the knife. “He needs to know how this is going to work. When we ask questions, you answer them? Got it?”

Lance could barely get a breath, much less answer, but he gasped out what he could. “Get...quiznaked.”

They didn’t seem to like that.

***

When they swarm his cell Lance still tries to match them glare for glare, like he does every morning. Every time.

They crowd into the cell to surround him, but they don’t bother cuffing him. They haven’t for a while. He doesn’t have the energy to make holding him still difficult anymore, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t fight. They make it harder on him for it, but at least he’s doing something.

“Get off…!” They aren’t going to listen. He knows they won’t, but it comes out anyway.

His torso groans at him for twisting and pulling, all sharp aches and burning pain, but it’s nothing compared to when they get a good enough grasp on his leg to set it properly.

They don’t take precautions. No warning him, nothing for the pain. Everything blurs out for a minute or two, his own scream echoing in his ears. By the time he can focus again they’re halfway through healing the break, the Olkari hovering over him with the gun-shaped healing device they’ve been holding him here to test. The pain in his leg is fading, but everything else still hurts. The device is for focused healing, and of course they’ve never bothered to use it on any of the collateral damage they’ve caused manhandling him.

“You’re contaminating your healing data, you know,” he told them once. After Gold Guy kicked him a few times, frustrated he still wasn’t answering their questions. “I know a lot of scientists; I know these things.”

It only earned him another foot in his rib cage, but it was worth it.

The Olkari was the only one who’d given him any kind of answers, lingering behind after the others had left for the night.

“Our planets were destroyed or devastated by the war. We need resources to start over, and no one’s ever been able to perfect a portable version of a healing device - nothing as powerful as the healing pods the Alteans have. Do you know how much this will be worth?”

Lance just stared at her. “There are better ways to do it!”

She shook her head, answering tersely. “It would take too long, and no one would volunteer for this.” For a moment she almost seemed to feel guilty, her gaze skipping over the dislocated shoulder he was cradling at the time.

He scoffed. “You’ve got that right. What’s wrong with time? The Olkari are doing fine on Altea for now, why—?”

“We need our OWN planet. So we can truly rebuild. Your own people have had to rebuild; don’t you understand that?”

“The feelings, yeah, sure, but I don’t understand how you can justify doing this to someone!” Lance snapped back. “And I haven’t been the only one, have I? What happened to the people who disappeared near here? Or near the base where we ran into you, if we’re not there? Whatever.”

He didn’t get an answer. He didn’t get to ask about Pidge again. She glared and walked away and she hasn’t spoken directly to him since.

The monitors across his skin are beeping, sending data to the pad the blue alien is holding. Telling them how well it’s working. His resolve not to answer their questions hasn’t broken, but they must get enough from their instruments to keep going.

The Olkari pushes quickly to her feet as she shuts off the healing device, responding sharply to something Blue Lady said. Lance doesn’t make it out over focusing on his leg, carefully moving it and flexing the muscles and trying to assure himself it’s all right now. They haven’t touched the shoulder wound, and he can’t remember if that was even a test.

Gold Guy doesn’t seem to care one way or the other. He yanks Lance to his feet before he can really get his bearings.

“Hey!” He hisses, his shoulder burning. At least his leg doesn’t give out. It twinges when he stumbles into putting weight on it for the first time, but seems solid enough.

Blue Lady and the Olkari are still arguing in hushed tones.

Lance can make out enough to make his blood freeze.

“That...never worked! We have enough—”

“...have to...rid of him anyway.”

What?

No no no...he tries to pull away from Gold Guy on instinct, but the fingers digging into his arms are too tight. His strength has been failing him for days; did he really expect it to be any better now?

They’re all looking at him. The Olkari is shaking her head about something, but Blue Lady isn’t listening anymore. She isn’t keeping her voice down anymore.

“Did you think the others all died by accident?”

“They died because you took it too far!” the Olkari fumes.

A shrug. She smiles strangely at Lance. “Might as well gather as much data as we can. We can’t have anyone left to tell the market how we tested.”

Lance falls back a step into Gold Guy, his breath hitching when one of the other lab assistants hands the blue alien something like a spear through the bars of the cell.

“Y-You don’t have to…” He runs out of air before he can finish the sentence.

They were supposed to find him before now. He was supposed to be out of here by now.

“Don’t worry,” she says, hefting the weapon. “We’ll still try to heal you. Who knows; maybe it’ll work. We’ve improved the design. It’ll be worth more if we can claim it helps with life-threatening injuries, after all.”

Another step back. He lands on a foot, and Gold Guy shoves him off.

He’s free but still trapped in a cell with a crazy alien coming at him with a weapon. He has nowhere to go.

Pidge…

“Where is she?” he demands, desperate. “Where is Pidge? A-at least tell me that!”

Blue Lady opens her mouth as if she might answer, but it never comes. She advances on him again and when he steps back one more Lance thinks, at first, that he stops because Gold Guy...punched him in the back?

But his legs are dropping out from under him and he doesn’t know why. It wasn’t that bad, was it? But—

His knees hit the ground.

It hurts now.

His hands find the tip of the spear-like weapon protruding from his stomach before he sees it, and Blue Lady is putting down her own weapon and Gold Guy is laughing behind him, and he knows what happened.

Vaguely. Almost as if he’s watching from far away.

He starts to have strange thoughts like...will they just watch him die, or leave him alone long enough that he can get to the picture hidden in his suit?

Oh wait, she said they’d try to heal him, didn’t she?

But she also said she’d make sure to kill him anyway.

Pidge! A spark of alarm as he gasps through the pain making its’ way into his consciousness.

I’m sorry...

Lance thinks for a moment that he can hear Pidge calling to him.

But then the spear tip disappears, and a fresh wave of agony sends him toppling over some kind of ledge in his mind he didn’t even know he was on, and the questions and the seeds of panic are fading with everything else.

***

The feeling of falling yanks Lance back to awareness, but more the sort of sense one has in a dream. Like he didn’t fall far or it was all in his head. The ceiling of the cell is blurry above him and…

“Lance? Lance!”

He isn’t on the floor. For the first time in what feels like forever, it isn’t the hard coldness of the floor under his back. An arm cradles his head, a knee under his back.

“Lance!”

He makes out the familiar honey eyes first. Then the worry in them.

“P—” His throat is dry, the words trapped.  

Pidge smiles down at him, but it looks strained. “I’m right here. It’s okay, it’s okay; we’re working on you.”

Another voice, the Olkari leaned over him beside Pidge, talking almost to herself. “I have the wound sealed in the back so at least we’re only working with one open wound, but I can’t seal the front until enough of the internal damage is repaired. That’s assuming it can be healed quickly enough and the blade didn’t hit too many things that are important…”

The slight warmth of the healing device’s beam is spread over his torso, and maybe he should be surprised that the Olkari is helping them, but he isn’t.

He winces at her assessment, but Pidge rests a hand against his cheek so he’ll look back to her. “Hey, you’ll be fine. You’ve got a wedding in a week and I’m pretty sure you haven’t even written your vows.”

Lance swallows until he’s more sure he can speak. “Didn’t...didn’t miss it?”

She smiles again, and this time it reaches her eyes. “You’re not getting out of it.”

He snorts, but that hurts. “Ahhhhooohhkay. Ow. Anyway, I was...gonna wing it.”

Pidge almost laughs. “YOU can’t wing it; I was gonna wing it. We can’t both wing it.”

“...why not?”

The Olkari interrupts, nudging Pidge. “I think it’s going to work,” she murmurs.

Lance thinks, maybe, that she’s right. The sensation of pain fading has become familiar. The feeling of being almost whole again is something he recognizes now.

Pidge laughs now, in relief. When she lets her forehead drift down against his, she’s answering his question. “Because knowing us, that would be a disaster.”

He smiles, reaching to draw unsteady fingers through her hair. “-t’s probably...what everyone expects anyway. Give the people what they want.” She’s still laughing, and it’s the most beautiful thing he’s heard in...what’s apparently been weeks. “I missed you…”

The Olkari woman is starting to close the wound, which means it is working. He’s going to be fine, right? So why does Pidge’s laughter dissolve into tears?

“Pidge?”

“I missed you too. I’m sorry.” She pulls away enough to swipe at her eyes. “I’m sorry it took so long for us to find you and get in here. I couldn’t remember anything after the blast. Olia and the others got to me in time to run them off before they could grab both of us, but they said you were gone and they didn’t know which way they went, and we needed backup and—”

“Pidge, Pidge, you’re babbling. Hey, it doesn’t matter…”

Pidge has to make room for the Olkari to get to the gash across his shoulder, but Lance squeezes her hand to reassure her until the wound is healed and they’re alone again. Or as alone as they can be with Garrison personnel swarming the lab outside the cell, presumably gathering evidence and equipment and taking the other scientists and techs and goons into custody.

He’s able to catch the eyes of the Olkari woman before they lead her away. She nods slightly when mouths his thanks.

“You’re okay?” Pidge is asking. She’s looking him over like she’s afraid they missed something. “It worked?”

Lance winces as she helps him sit up. The serious wounds are gone and the bruises that were near them have disappeared, but there are more. Tender places and smaller cuts. He still feels weak and shaky.

“I’m not skewered anymore, anyway.”

“Good.” She latches her arms around his neck, all but pulling herself into his lap.

“Oof! Yeah…” He doesn’t mind at all, holding on tight and breathing in her scent, soaking in her warmth and the comforting sensation of her fingers in his hair and her heart beating against his.

“They wouldn’t tell me what happened to you,” he murmurs. Tears are building behind his eyelids against his will.

Well. His turn, then.

“I-I didn’t know...they wouldn’t tell me where you were. I…”

Slightly chapped lips kiss the first of the tears from his face, tickling where they brush. “I’m right here,” Pidge whispers.

Lance is shivering again, but this time he knows he won’t shake apart. He has everything he needs to stay together, right here. All the warmth he could ever want. “I love you,” he breathes.

“I love you, too.”

[kiwisfics]

Galra!Keith with an S/O

X

- Galra mate for life and Keith most definitely inherited that.

- Keith does not know this.

- Most of his childhood was riddled with mocking for his lack of even small signs of romantic interest.

- He really wasn’t interested at all though and he never really cared enough to force a relationship.

- And then he met you.

- He still doesn’t know that galra mate for life, but the moment he met you, he knew he wouldn’t want to spend his life with anyone else.

- He couldn’t say how he knew, but he most certainly did.

- He looks at you like you put the stars in the sky.

- He acts like a lovesick kid, following you around like a puppy and fawning over you from the moment he met you.

- Pidge is the first one to know, not only because he’s obvious but because Keith needs to talk to someone.

- I live for Keith and Pidge being friends aha.

- I headcanon that, as bad as I think he would be with confessing without all the galra traits, he’d be so much worse with the traits in place.

- Especially if you didn’t know about him being part galra beforehand.

- How is he supposed to tell you his mother was a member of the race you’re all fighting?

- And how was he supposed to explain all the traits he’d begun to display?

- Oh whoops now you’re confessing to him and he’s SHOOK.

- Also yeah, you literally couldn’t care less about what he is.

- You find pretty much all of the traits enduring anyway since they’re a part of him.

- Immediately, you know Keith is gonna be difficult when it comes to your affection.

- He shows it fine, but when you show it…

- Oh boy.

- As soon as you show him affection, he’s burying his face against your shoulder.

- And you’re having none of it.

- When you first see him blush you’re absolutely swooning because oh my lord, he blushes purple.

- “Keith you’re so cute!”

- “I’m not cute!”

- So, everyone knows humans can be awful about showing off, especially when trying to impress someone they’re interested in.

- Galra with their mates are the absolute worst.

- He sneaks glances at you when he’s training and when he knows you’re looking he will do something he thinks will impress you.

- Most of the time, while he is impressive, you can’t help finding his search for your approval absolutely adorable.

- If you do compliment him, he acts like it’s not a big deal, but he definitely becomes even more obvious about his glances toward you.

- His ears will flick if you compliment him while he’s in his galra “form”.

- Seeing him puff his chest out after your praise, you can’t help but think he looks like a dog that was getting praised.

- It’s hard not to compare him to a puppy when he also nudges his head under your arm when you aren’t paying attention to his display.

- He will pout if you call him cute, but it’s more out of embarrassment.

- Please don’t let the others hear that.

- Cuddle him now please.

- Cuddling is a must.

- And that does include in the ridiculous places he chooses to nap.

- He nips at your neck while cuddling.

- The others don’t understand why you’ve started wearing headphones around your neck constantly.

- Keith is smug about it.

- But he isn’t jealous or anything.

- Even though he does love seeing the little marks later.

- He honestly just really likes nipping at your skin.

- You joke that he’s teething, but it just gets you a couple harder bites.

- He trusts you to handle yourself with other men and would never accuse you of cheating or flirting with someone.

- “Why would I? I’m better looking then all of them combined.”

- He blushes as he says it and he’s SO CUTE.

- But if he sees someone touch you without permission he WILL start and finish a fight.

- Honestly, he’s pretty much always ready for a fight so messing with you is just going to end in chaos.

- He trusts you so much I can’t not emphasize this enough.

- If anyone ever cheated on this boy I would transcend the laws of dimensional travel and fight them.

- Then again I get the urge to when anyone even looks at him wrong so I guess that’s no surprise.

- He loves to rough house!

- He could spend hours hunting you down and pinning you when you’re trying to accomplish anything.

- When he gets it in his mind to “hunt” you, its better to just go along with him and try to hide from him.

- At some point the glorified hide and seek turns into you rolling around on the floor, attempting to pin each other with the winner getting to be the big spoon during his next nap.

- He only loses when he wants to be the little spoon.

- Jokes on him, you win either way.

- The rough housing ends with both of you giddy and blushing because neither of you can resist smothering the other’s face in kisses when they’re pinned.

- On the subject of naps:

- Keith is the best big spoon.

- It’s not that he completely engulfs you or anything, but the way he nuzzles against your back and presses his face into your hair with his lips leaving little kisses up until the moment he falls asleep is incredible.

- The kisses get cuter and cuter the closer he gets to sleep because he’ll start mumbling little compliments.

- You don’t understand most of it since his mouth is still against your neck but you know he called you his inspiration at one point and it made you melt.

- He has also called you a chicken nugget before and you literally had to leave because you were laughing so hard.

- He misses chicken nuggets.

- As the little spoon he holds your hands as they wrap around him and brings them to his face for kisses.

- He’s the best nap buddy either way.

- Sometimes he just lays down on you and falls asleep.

- You call these times piles because all the animals follow.

- He has an AWFUL habit of saying “good girl” or “atta girl” and sending you into moments of pure shock.

- Normally in the middle of training.

- Does he NOT know how hot that is??

- Babe you can’t do this.

- We are in the middle of a war stop making me want to kiss you.

- His predatory stalking is also extremely hot.

- Like imagine him just walking toward you with a grin on his face and pinning you against the wall with the predatory stance.

- Someone who looks exactly like Keith needs to pin me to a wall right now.

- I need kisses.

- His fangs frequently leave little cuts on the inside of your bottom lip.

- He apologizes sincerely every time but you *know* he’s doing it on purpose now.

- You also know it shouldn’t be so hot that he likes to taste your blood.

- Likewise, his claws leave little pinpricks on your hips and sides.

- You adore his claws and fangs.

- Other than those marks, he’s very gentle with you.

- He refuses to yell at you since he knows it would likely come with a growl and the last thing he wants to do is scare you.

- There’s surprisingly little to argue about though.

- You understand the danger he puts himself in, even if you hate it.

- “Keith I normally stay out of it, but if you EVER fly toward certain death again I will kill you before you even reach it.”

- "What if you’re not there?”

- “Fury will give me the ability to defy the laws of physics and teleport in order to knock some sense into you.“

- Besides, you’re not sitting around yourself.

- He likes to have physical contact with you in any way he can.

- Hand holding is the most common, but you’ve also learned to be ready for him to simply hoist you onto his shoulders.

- He lives for physical affection and you’re the only one allowed to hear him purr unrestrained.

- He is impressively loud.

- And his chirps are something to LIVE for.

- Pretty deep, but still surprising to hear when considering his voice.

- He’ll press his head against your hand if you mess with his hair and will nuzzle against you whenever he wants attention.

- You tried to give him the nickname "kitten” on account of all this, but it backfired and now he addresses you by “kitten” nearly as often as he calls you by your name.

- He enjoys having your hands on him in any way, but giving him massages no matter how bad will make him melt.

- He really fawns over compliments too.

- Of course, its not hard to find something about him to compliment.

- I mean, have you seen this boy’s outfits?

- You can’t tell me this boy’s butt wouldn’t look FANTASTIC.

- Okay, but as much as he appreciates compliments about his appearance, he also needs words about who he is aside from that.

- He has moments of self doubt like everyone.

- He thinks he’s not affectionate enough or just simply isn’t pleasant to be around, but you shut that down immediately.  

- When he’s having an energy spike he’ll pick you up and run with you.

- Piggyback rides are pretty much a daily occurrence.

- He catches stuff you drop super nonchalantly and it always leaves you stunned.

- When he naps in high places he generally doesn’t drag you along.

- But sometimes he can’t help it.

- You might as well be a safety blanket for him.

- All the little critters that follow him around become just as attached to you.

- Sometimes you even get tasked with carrying around Pocat (the name given to the mini cat Keith carries in his pocket.)

- Keith is such an animal parent.

- He refers to himself as their dad and you their mom so often its not even a surprise anymore.

- “So (Name) why is Keith’s alien bat on your shoulder?”

- “His name is Pancake and he loves me.”

- Shiro has to keep you from running into danger to protect them.

- Between you and Keith trying to fight and telling people to fight you, Shiro is constantly holding someone back.

- You always carry something in your pockets for him to chew on.

- If you don’t he’ll get his lips or fingers bloody from biting on them.

- He’d never tell you but he finds your concern over him beyond endearing.

- When you do something particularly attractive or cute, his eyes will involuntarily turn yellow.

- You love booping his nose since it always makes his eyes turn and that lovely purple blush show up on his cheeks.

- Since he sleeps in spurts, you often just spend time cuddling him while reading or messing with his hair as he sleeps.

- You braid his hair quite often.

- He’ll keep the braids for as long as he can.

- His hair is very soft, so its hard not to mess with it, even when he’s not napping.  

- You also trace his freckles.

- Yes, you’ve used an actual pen to make constellations.  

- He let you and kept the lines for the whole day.

- He likes sleeping on your thighs and on your chest since they’re so much softer than his pillows.

- Also he gets to have his physical contact.

- His freckles are adorable.

- You kiss and poke them all the time.

- The ones on his shoulders get the most kisses because kissing the ones on his face normally ends with regular kisses.

- Not that you’re complaining.

- He’s so proud of you when you do anything remotely funny, sarcastic, or cool.

- He’ll toss an arm around your shoulders and give everyone around this cocky grin that you adore.  

- Even though he has a quick temper with most people, he’s beyond patient when it comes to you.

- Because you’re his mate.

- He still doesn’t know that.

- Because he loves you.

- When he finally learns about the whole mate thing you’re with him.

- “Wow that explains a lot.”

- “What’s that supposed to mean?”

- “Well, if I was just your girlfriend I don’t think I’d have gotten away with the cat jokes this long.”

- “Good point.”

- Did I already mention hanging off his back when he’s too busy to pay attention to you.

- By the way, he can pick you up easily no matter your weight.

- Him stronk.

- Keith loves memes.

- His favorite are those that you think are dead and then reappear.

- “Keith, if you rickroll me one more time I’m leaving you.”

- “No way. You’re never gonna give me up.”

- “Pidge, throw me the spray bottle!”

- He also references memes in day to day conversation and it always kills you.

- “Bone app the teeth.”

- “KeiTH OH MY LORD.”

- Once he said “take a sip babe” after handing you a glass of water and you IMMEDIATELY threw it in his face.

- He has also received a very sincere talk from Shiro because he said “guess I’ll die” in his ear shot.

- He said it after you told him that the animal he was about to pet could hurt him.

- Sometimes when a galra ship shows up he says “this is fine” and you have flicked him for it.

- He has the x-flies theme downloaded and played it so much Coran actually banned it from being used in the Castle.

- He also references vines all the time.

- One time Shiro accidently startled him and his first reaction was to yell “Stop! I could’ve dropped my croissant!”

- You refuse to let him live it down.

- You almost strangled him when you were sick and asked for him to make you some lunch and he replied with “go back to sleep and starve.”

- He didn’t reference vines for awhile after that.

- “Hey, hey guys, I’m in me boys lion.”

- “Get out me lion!“

- “WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A FIGHT!“

- And yes this is when with a s/o because you make him the most fun version of himself.

- Sometimes you make eye contact with him and just start laughing because you know you were thinking of the same meme.

- You know the one scene where Lance gets jealous because Nyma says that maybe Keith will give her a ride?

- That convinces me that some aliens do find him attractive.

- Which means flirting.

- The whole mate thing makes it hard to be jealous but just like he doesn’t like anyone touching or flirting with you, you don’t like anyone touching or flirting with him.

- "That shirt really brings out your eyes.”

- “Thanks, Keith thinks so too.”

- You give a look that clearly says you know she wasn’t talking to you.  

- “Oh wow, look at those muscles!”

- “Yeah, I do everyday because they’re mine.”

- Keith is shook because you referred to his muscles as YOURS so you were referring to him as YOURS.

- He’s really flustered.

- Being flustered doesn’t stop his ego inflating.

- Heck yeah he’s yours.

- But only if that means you’re his.

- It also doesn’t stop him from calling you his girl a few minutes later.

- Please give this boy love marks.

- He absolutely adores when you return his bites.

- You thought he would be embarrassed of them but he makes absolutely no effort to hide them.

- He’s so proud that you want people to know he belongs to you.

- Keith definitely has dimples on his back, right at the base of his spine.

- He loves when you touch his back.

- Please kiss his shoulders while you give him a massage he will melt.

- The boy is always hot.

- Like, I’m talking him complaining about being hot.

- There are like… Three fans running at all times if he has any say in it.

- He’s not ticklish pretty much at all and it sucks.

- It sucks, because, if you are, he will use it against you.

- He loves surprising you and getting squeaks and yelps out of you when he tickles you.

- His hands and feet are super ticklish though.

- You found out when you were playing with his hands one day and he jerked and let out a little giggle.

- The look on his face after was pure panic.

- Keith can and will sing Disney songs unprompted and pull you in to dance with him.

- He’s such a NERD oh my lord my heart.

- Catch me crying in the club because these headcanons are out of control.

- He also gets very in character for the songs and its *adorable*.

- His favorite are The Lion King and The Lion King 2, but he also loves Lady and the Tramp and 101 Dalmatians.

- He knows all the songs from every single movie and its honestly impressive.

- He cries easily.

- Like, related to movies but also not.

- He frequently tears up when you tell him how much you love him and how much he means to you.

- He also tears up when he sees something Too Cute™

- He’s the worst with movies though.

- You once watched the Notebook for the sake of being a cheesy couple and he was sobbing by the end, so hard you were actually worried.

- The Notebook is banned forever.

- Up is also banned for the same reason.

- Movies with the trope of dogs dying will send him into a fit and you will never even suggest them because he makes you cry MORE than the movie.

- He’s a tough boy but he’s also so sensitive.

- Movie nights that end in tears normally end early, since crying wears people out.

- Extra fluffy cuddles after crying because both of you need each other.

- On that subject: movie tears won’t make him protective, but any other tears?

- He’s ready to fight anyone or anything!

- He’ll fight himself!

- Boy same.

- Did you trip over something?

- It’s gonna die.

- “Keith that’s a chair.”

- “Not anymore!“

- “KEITH THAT LITERALLY MAKES ZERO SENSE!”

- Okay but he really does get protective if you cry but he’s just as happy to give you comfort as to fight.

- He’s probably more happy about comforting you but he will fight.

- Just say the word.

- “Leave the chair aLONE!“

- Keith is surprisingly good with kids.

- But any thought of him having his own kids sends him into borderline panic mode.

- He’s happier with the idea of being the uncle to everyone else’s kids.

- This headcanon is probably more influenced by my fear of being a parent than anything else so feel free to ignore.

- Do you collect literally anything?

- Because that collection is going to get a LOT bigger.

- Keith is like a golden retriever or something, always bringing you something for whatever you collect.

- If its weapon related though, you’re now sharing a collection.

- Seriously though, tell this guy you just collect cool random objects and you are going to end up with a treasure trove.

- Its like he’s got sonar or something.

- You have no idea HOW he does it.

- Even if you follow him where ever he goes, you look away for a fraction of a second and he’s holding out a really cool pin or coin.

- He also collects cool rocks so if you collect rocks he gets excited and has to show you all of his.

- Just an adorable nerd getting excited about his rock collection.

- I’m being overwhelmed again this needs to stop.

- His animal companions help too!

- Okay, author just imagined the bat-creature flying up with like… A common tree nut or something and looking so proud and Keith is too soft to do anything except take it and thank his little buddy.

- Author might actually draw the creatures eventually even tho I suck at drawing aha.

- Next to Shiro, Keith is probably the best member of Team Voltron to have taking care of you when you’re sick.

- Not that the others wouldn’t take care of you, Keith is just so attentive its hard to beat.

- Shiro’s only better because he understands the concept of needing space better.

- Keith is not leaving your side unless its to get you something.

- It gets a little overwhelming if you have a fever, since he’s like a personified heat pad.

- He gets pouty if you make him sit in a chair beside you or anywhere away from you.

- He wants cuddles!

- He recovers quick though.

- He’s more than happy to bring you anything and everything you could possibly need.

- He’s actually a surprisingly good cook!

- But don’t trust him cooking alone because there will be smoke alarms going off within minutes.

- He gets distracted too easily without someone there to keep him focused.

- He is absolutely the best when it comes to shark week.

- He’s such an attentive boyfriend as it is, the moment you’re in pain he’s all over you.

- If you want anything he’s going to get it for you.

- Normally though, you’re content with just pain medicine and cuddles.

- All in all, Keith is a fantastic boyfriend without having galra traits.

- With them, he’s an absolute angel of a boyfriend.

- And he’s dead set on becoming more than a boyfriend.

- He wants to be with you forever, even if being his mate means just that, he still intends on marrying you.

- And you wouldn’t want anything less.

- "Keith, you’re like a cat.”

- “…How?”

- “I love cats.”

[toocool2btrue]

They were Roommates!

"Katie!" Romelle called, giggling with excitement. Katie suspiciously raised an eyebrow, as she abandoned her bag on the coffee table and headed towards her friends that were crowded in the living room.

"A new romcom released and we have to watch it!" Allura declared.

"I overheard a few girls talk about it in class, Apparently it's pretty good" Nadia informed, pushing her glasses up her nose.

"What is it about?" Katie asked, taking her usual seat on the couch between Allura and Romelle.

Over the past two years thanks to her friends she had become well versed in romcoms. Although she would never care to admit it to her friends but overtime romcom had become a guilty pleasure of hers. Despite the cheesiness, she usually found them cute and a good escape from her exhausting school life.

Romelle squealed, "It's about two people who are roommates and the main lead is so dreamy"

"I would love to be his roommate" Allura dreamily sighed.

"You have Keith! This guy is mine!" Nadia declared, throwing a pillow at Allura.

Allura raised her own pillow in response but stopped in midaction as Romelle pointed to the screen.

"It's started!" she stated, dispersing the pillow fight. The four friends finally settled in, Nadia on the arm chair and the rest of the three on the couch.

____________

Approximately two and half hours later, Katie trudged to her own apartment, deep in thought.

She was already aware of the fact that movies held a very small sense of reality but didn't have the heart to tell her swooning friends that this movie might as well be made on another universe.

It was nothing close to having a guy roommate. If only the writers had interviewed her before making that movie, she would have given such an account that movie would have turned from a romcom to a murder mystery.

Although she wasn't certain who was the murderer. Lance or her?

They both get their fair share of moments of wanting to murder each other.

She shrugged as she entered the elevator. Most probably the murderer would be Hunk given the amount of times she and Lance used to call him to complain about each other.

She shook her head erasing the thoughts, as she took out her key to open the door but before the key could touch the lock.

The door enthusiastically opened by none other but the devil himself.

"Pidge!!" he greeted cheerfully ushering her inside.

She simply rolled her eyes, reminding herself never to forgive her older brother for using her old nickname in front of Lance.

"So how did your day go?" he questioned taking her bag from her.

"Alright" she mumbled, feeling slightly puzzled at the sudden warm welcome.

"Are you hungry?" he questioned and she shook her head, her brain still trying to figure out what exactly was going on.

Pidge wearily eyed the cherpiness of her roommate, she was used to Lance being a ray of sunshine but today he seemed a bit too happy.

"Is there something on my face?" he asked nervously, touching his cheek.

"Are you bringing one of your girlfriends over?" she asked.

Her dear roomie was one heck of a social butterfly, she has witnessed those 'romcom endings' almost every week in her living room thanks to Mr Lover boy.

"No!" he quickly answered, his face turning red.

She quizzically raised a brow wondering where the sudden shyness had come from but she quickly brushed the thought off in favour for another theory.

"Don't tell me you want to throw a party again?" she asked sternly.

Lance paled at the memory, "Definitely not after the last time."

"Then what are you upto?" she questioned.

Lance innocently shrugged, "Just trying to be the wonderful human I am"

"No funny business?" she confirmed, not finding enough energy to deal with the "wonderful human"

"Nope" he assured, feeling satisfied Pidge nodded, heading to her room.

Two hours later, she poked her head out of her room. Her hair held a beautiful resemblance to a bird's nest thanks to her unexpected nap.

According to her year's experience since it was 9:30 pm on a Friday evening. Lance McClain should be out of the house by now to be at whichever party he had been invited to and that meant that the house belonged to her.

But to her utter surprise, Lance McClain was at home in his pajamas watching tv. She never thought she would ever live to see this day.

"Hey" she called softly walking towards the couch.

"Finally awake? You know it wouldn't kill you to have a normal sleeping schedule" he teased, making space for her on the couch.

"Shut up" she sleepily retorted, stifling back a yawn.

"How come you're at home?" she asked to which he simply shrugged.

"I had to work on a paper today and now I am too exhausted to go out" he replied, slumping back lazily on the couch.

"Who are you? And what have you done to my roommate. The real Lance would never miss a chance to have fun" she asked.

He chuckled, sitting up straighter.

"About that. Are you up for a match?" he challenged grabbing the controllers.

Pidge smirked confidently, "If your prepared to lose that is"

There was no denying that the two of them had their differences but surprisingly found a common ground in video games. She considered Lance a worthy player, his reflexes were very sharp making him a challenging opponent.

Lance on the other hand always found it a good opportunity to bond, befriending Pidge was not a easy task. She usually didn't like to talk about herself or initiate conversations but strangely did become a much easier talker when her attention was diverted by work or video games.

So he took his opportunity.

"How come you came home late? Don't your classes end early today" he asked.

Pidge briefly glanced at him, her gaze held surprise which were cleverly disguised by annoyance.

"You have learned my class schedule now?" she questioned, her gaze was fixed onthe screen where she tried her best to stab Lance's character.

Lance snorted, swiftly avoiding her attacks.

"It's not that hard to learn. I am very observant person after all" he grinned proudly.

"An observant person with a lot of free time in his hands" she chided.

"So where were you?" he asked again.

"Watching movie. At Alluras" she answered, heat bloomed in her chest remembering the plot of the movie.

Stupid romcoms...

Lance opened his mouth again and this time she was aware what his next question was going to be.

"No Allura didn't ask about you. She and Keith are still together" She teased, anticipating the familiar pout to appear.

Lance chuckled warmly ducking his head.

"I will never understand how Mullet managed to charm her" he confessed.

His thumbs paused over the controller, as the screen finally announced Pidge as the winner but there wasn't any sign of disappointment in his eyes.

Instead he slightly shifted towards her, there was a dreamy gaze in his blue eyes and instead of his signature smirk a soft thoughtful smile graced his face.

"But I guess that's funny part about love. It's where you least expect it to be" he whispered.

Pidge blinked back at him owlishly, her brain failing to understand the implication.

"If you say so. You are the love expert after all" she naively shrugged.

Lance shook his head as laughter bubbled in his throat, although he had his right to feel disappointed but he couldn't bring himself to.

He let out a hearty chuckle earning a more puzzled look from Pidge.

"What?" she asked dazed by her roommate's strange behavior.

"You finally admitted that I am a love expert" he declared proudly, ruffling her hair.

"Well I never denied that either" she retorted, swatting away his hand.

_____________________

"Katie. The professor is going to kill you" Nadia warned shaking her friend awake.

"I am already dead. So it doesn't matter" she sleepily mumbled.

Nadia slumped back in her chair, observing her surroundings. Most of her classmates tried their best to keep their eyes open as the professor droned on with his lecture hardly bothered by the lack of response.

Whose bright idea was to keep an 8 am lecture on Monday?

She fixed her glasses and leaned forward trying to understand what the Professor was talking about.

Despite her best efforts she failed to do so, she decided that her friend had the right idea and it was better to catch up on her sleep. Atleast she would be feeling fresh for her next class.

But that was until!

"Katie!" she hissed poking her friend.

"What?" Katie groaned.

"James is looking at you" she whispered, unable to contain her giddiness.

"What!" Katie jumped in her seat.

Nadia facepalmed as their classmates attention turned towards them.

"Miss Holt and Miss Rizavi. Anything you like to share with the class?" The Professor questioned sternly, crossing his arms.

The two friends slowly got up from their seats, they momentarily shared a look before turning back to the Professor.

"Well you see Professor..." Nadia started as Katie zoned out of the explanation. Her eyes darted like a theif avoiding her Professor's gaze.

The people who were barely awake a minute ago, watched the pair with curious eyes. Among those eyes was James Griffin.

Katie froze as his eyes made contact with hers, he gave her a small sympathetic smile. Subconsciously Katie's lips curved up as well.

"Miss Holt what are you smiling about!"

__________________

"I am sorry but what?" Allura giggled and Keith smirked in amusement.

"I finally manage to get us out of trouble and she lands us right back in" Nadia groaned.

"You were the one who got us in to trouble inthe first place!" Katie reasoned.

"Whatever. It doesn't matter" Nadia waved off, slurping the last of her chocolate milkshake.

"So what is the good news?" Keith asked.

Nadia grinned, "That daredevil trick helped her score. He asked her out"

"Really!!" Allura grinned , slapping her hands on the table in excitement. The three of them jumped back in terror as their glasses and the table shook.

"Easy there, Honey" Keith reassured carefully steadying the glasses.

"He didn't ask me out!" Katie glared at Nadia.

"He only asked if I wanted to be his partner for our project" she clarified.

"Oh please the translation for that is. Will you be my partner for life" Nadia informed.

"Geez Nads" Katie rolled her eyes as the rest of them laughed.

"Oh no. We are going to be late for our class" Allura declared, checking her watch.

"This is gonna be the third time!!" Nadia added, frantically grabbing her stuff.

"See you later" Allura waved off, giving Keith a quick kiss on the cheek. Surprising the young man, whose face started resembling his red jacket.

Katie smirked in satisfaction as she watched Keith's eyes follow Allura till she disappeared outside. She and Keith have been friends for ages courtesy to Shiro and Matt but she had never seen this soft side of him. The side which was only reserved for Allura.

"Aren't you the cutest" She teased causing him to turn red.

"Shut up" he mumbled turning back to his fries.

"No offense but never in my wildest dreams did I consider you the dating type" she confessed and Keith gave her small smirk.

"I could say the same for you"

Katie giggled stealing a fry, "Well I am still single so your theory stands."

"Not for long" He informed.

"You want to make a bet?" Katie challenged, Keith shrugged innocently, "Sure. I bet you 50 bucks that you will be dating before the end of the semester"

Katie look at him bemused, "I'll take that bet. Prepare to lose"

Keith smirked, "We will see"

"Hey you want to hear something weird?" he suddenly offered. Katie rubbed her hands in delight, "Another conspiracy theory. Is it about Area 51?"

"No no but this is even weirder" he assured. "What?" she asked carefully, Katie didn't like the evil smirk on Keith's face.

"Today after class Miranda Green asked Lance out" Keith informed and Katie's eyes widened.

"Miranda Green? The popular one who is famous for playing hard to get. How come she asked Lance out ?"

Keith shook his head, "That is not even the weird part. Lance rejected her"

"What?!" Katie shouted and Keith quickly grabbed all the glasses before she could reentact Allura.

"See I told you it was weird" Keith smiled in satisfaction.

"Wait..wait. Didn't Lance like her?" Katie questioned, racking her brains.

"I mean he used to talk about her all the time till..last month?" She mumbled trying to remember the last time Lance mentioned Miranda.

Keith casually shrugged his shoulders, "Who knows what goes on in that boy's mind"

________________

Pidge absentmindedly shuffled her food around her plate replaying the recent weeks in her mind.

The year had given her plenty of time to grow accustomed to her roommates activities and behaviors but the last two weeks were a stark contrast to her previous observations.

For starters he hardly went out this weekend, before that there she had a higher probability of seeing him outside rather than in their own apartment.

Now he had rejected someone for whom he was singing love ballads a few weeks ago. Speaking of that, when was the last time he brought or mentioned a girlfriend?

She stabbed her meatball with her fork, what was this boy upto? Had she rubbed off on him? This was disappointing she had really hoped he would rub off on her. God knows how much she needs those social skills.

Whatever it was she was going to find out, Pidge decided munching on her spagettis.

"Hey!" the familiar voice called.

The devil was home.

Lance dramatically fell onthe couch. Pidge glanced at her watch and turned towards Lance.

"Hey. How are you ?" she questioned.

Lance shrugged, "Very tired and hungry. Please tell me there is still dinner"

Pidge nodded, "I made spaghetti"

Lance immediately perked up, "I am the luckiest man alive"

Pidge rolled her eyes, "Flattery will get you no where Mr McClain. You have to get it yourself"

"But Pidgey I am so tired!" Lance groaned, he pleadingly clasped her hands in his.

"Please" he mumbled, giving her the puppy dog eyes.

"Ugh fine!" she agreed, freeing her hands from his. Faint shivers ran down her back and she rubbed her hands together trying to get rid of the sudden chill.

"Don't call me Pidgey" she warned and he mischeviously smirked.

"But we have a deal" he reminded.

There were rare moments when Lance could make Pidge speechless, it's not easy to make a genius speechless mind you so Lance enjoyed each second of it.

"Just wait till I meet your family!" she threatened.

"You will be sorry that you even thought about messing with me!" she warned disappearing into the kitchen.

Lance chuckled to himself, "What's the rush? Let me ask you out first"

___________

Pidge glanced up from her laptop, it was 11:45 pm and Lance was out cold on the couch.

Her eyes softened at the sight, he looked less evil when asleep and as much she would have preferred to let him stay like that. He is gonna get a back ache, their couch wasn't exactly the beacon of comfort.

Putting her laptop aside she walked towards the sleeping man, mustering all her physical energy.

"Lance" she whispered shaking him lightly.

"Go to your room or else you are going to end with a backache" she ordered, shaking him harder.

Lance groaned in his sleep hugging the green pillow tighter.

Pidge sighed, a wise person would leave him alone to his fate but a wiser person knew that he would be grumpy the next day and in turn annoy her more.

So taking another deep breath, Pidge started pulling on his arms in order to get him up. Lance might look like a bean pole but he was heavy and pulling him up wasn't an easy feat.

Thankfully his eyes fluttered open, "Pidge what are you doing?" he slurred in his sleep.

"Getting you to your bed" she answered between her struggle.

Lance nodded absentmindedly as he slowly started getting up.

Pidge patted herself for a job well done but the celebration was done too soon.

"Quiznak! Lance!" she shouted as he nearly toppled her over.

Pidge huffed, she was nearly being crushed by a man almost twice her weight then again she should have known better than to stir the devil in his slumber.

"Next time I am leaving you there" she angrily hissed to the half awake man as she almost dragged him towards his room.

"Mmmm" was his simple reply as his face snuggled closer to hers.

Pidge didn't know if her face was red from blushing or exhaustion. Rolling her eyes she continued her voyage and then kicked the door open.

Using the last of her strength she dumped the 85 kgs on his bed. Lance seemed unaffected by the whole ordeal and he simply snuggled closer to his pillows with a small smile curled on face as if he was the most innocent person in existence.

Pidge glared at the sleeping figure before tossing his blue comforter over him. All that effort would be a waste if he caught a cold, she decided.

As she turned to leave, Lance managed to gather enough senses to sleepily whisper "Thank you"

Pidge smiled to herself, softly closing the door.

________________

Lance sighed with contentment as he opened the door. Thursday had become his favorite day for it successfully ended at 2:30 pm. No more classes and definitely no work.

His brows furrowed in confusion at the sight of the empty apartment. Usually she would be haunting the living room at this time.

Could it be that Katie finally decided to leave the home on her own accord?

He cautiously stepped inside wondering if he ended up in one of those alternate realities Katie kept talking about?

His eyes searched the apartment till it ended up on a unfamiliar object.

Wait was that plant here when he left?

"Ka-Pidge!!" he finally called out.

"Over here!!" came the immediate reply.

Lance shook his head as he made his way over to the balcony, sometimes he forgot that they also had a balcony. Their apartment was like a luxury for them, no wonder despite their differences they had decided to co-habit it.

There she was, among her plants. Smiling at them like a proud mother.

"Hey!" she chirped.

"Hey" he cooly replied.

"Mind telling me about that plant in our living room?" he questioned, the amusement evident in his eyes.

"It needed a home?" she offered innocently. "Really?" he asked, leaning against the railing.

Pidge nodded enthusiastically, "My mom got it but it's not safe to keep around Bae Bae. So she asked if I could take care of it"

Lance shook his head trying to keep down the laughter bubbling in his throat.

"Our home will become a Greenhouse soon" he tried to reason.

"Please! Lance" she begged, clasping her hands together.

Lance raised a hesitant brow, "Katie.."

"It has no where to go" she whispered helplessly.

"Fine. As long as you are not allergic to it" he gave in and Pidge grinned.

"Did I ever mention that you are the best roommate ever" she praised gleefully.

"I wouldn't mind if you mentioned that more" he added and Pidge simply rolled her eyes, turning back to watering her plants.

"Need any help?" he questioned, kneeling next to her.

Pidge blinked in surprise, "Yeah. Can you transfer that one to the bigger pot"

"Wow it's grown so much!!" he marvelled, picking up the spare gloves.

"Just be very careful with it" she advised.

"Don't worry. I am a pro" he assured, gently lifting the plant from its old home.

Lance could feel the amber eyes trained at him as he added the soil inthe new plant. It gave him goosebumps.

"What?" he softly questioned as Pidge flitted her gaze.

"Nothing" she mumbled.

A peaceful silence followed till she asked again.

"Hey, I can ask you something?" she carefully juggled her words.

"Sure?" he replied, his voice holding equal uncertainty.

"Is everything alright?" she whispered. Lance looked at her confused, "What do you mean?"

A pause followed as Pidge selected the suitable words in her head before she spoke again.

"Lance you have been acting differently these days. I used to hardly see you in daylight and today your classes ended early but instead of parading around somewhere with your friends. You are at home with me"

Lance simply let out a chuckle, " Is staying home with you a bad thing?"

Pidge shook her head,"No but it's certainly unusual for you"

"Maybe I just like hanging out in my apartment these days. I can't let you have our awesome TV all day" he joked but Pidge remained unamused.

She sighed, Lance wasn't an easy person to deal with. He thought he had everyone fooled with his goofy and easy going persona but overtime she had learned better.

"It's fine if you don't want to talk to me about it but make sure you do talk with someone" she firmly stated.

The playfulness from his eyes disappeared and he took a sober tone.

"Everything is fine" he assured sincerely.

Pidge raised a skeptical brow, "Really?" He gave her a small smile, "Cross my heart"

"Although.." he started and tone made her realize that he was going to say something ridiculous.

"I didn't know my dear Pigeon cared about me so much" He teased.

Pidge's reply was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell ringing.

They shared a puzzled look for a moment on who could it be before Pidge's eyes widened in realization.

"Shoot!" she paled, taking her gloves off quickly.

"Lance get the door. I will be back!" she said heading into her room with top speed. Lance slowly walked towards the door, scratching his head on what could have possibly made Pidge so nervous.

He didn't need to wonder for too long though, the other side of the door revealed a young man with brown hair.

He seemed fimiliar, Lance probably saw him around campus. The brown haired man was equally surprised to see him.

He cleared his throat, "Is Katie here?"

Lance's eyes narrowed but before he could reply the person in question came running towards the door.

"James!!" she greeted opening the door wider and letting 'James' inside.

James's posture relaxed but he still suspiciously eyed Lance who in turn did the same. Both boys wondering the relation of the other.

Thankfully Katie considered it a good time for introductions, "This is my roommate Lance"

"And this my classmate James. We are working on an assignment together" she explained. The two boys reluctantly nodded in acknowledgement.

"Did you research on the malfunction of 1269?" she asked. James nodded proudly holding up his USB.

"Awesome! Let's get started" Katie grinned in excitement, there was a mad look in those amber colored eyes. Lance considered it to be safer not to get inthe way when Pidge was in her 'mad scientist' mode.

Beside him, James affectionately chuckled at her excitement. Lance's eyes narrowed again, an uncomfortable feeling poked him in the chest. He didn't like this guy.

____________

Hope you enjoy! The second part will be coming soon.

Please Reblog if you enjoyed! And do mention if you liked a certain part.

Edit: the second part is here! Check my blog to find the second part.

[runningwithhellhounds]

Pidge is fourteen. She and Keith are pressed against the Garrison wall, both a little breathless despite not having moved for half an hour. The memoir is taking place on the other side of the wall, outside, beautiful day. They can hear everything. This is the first time she's alone with Keith. It's funny how a sentiment brings you closer instantly; a tragedy to call this all-consuming loss a sentiment.

''I could sneak you in, at the end,'' Keith offers, seventeen and blood simmering.

''No. I don't want to see his face,'' she says and immediately feels horrible.

She draws a forever sign in the dry soil and it intensifies her pure agony like she thought it would. She stretches her long socks further past her ankles, hair still long and tied into low buns. She doesn't feel like herself. Her brother was a half of her self-definition.

''It is now appropriate to pause for a moment to reflect on the huge impact the crew will continue to have on humanity’s aspirations. We extend our deepest sympathy to everyone inspired by their spirit.''

Dust is rising from where Keith is thumping his fists on the ground with a devastating frequency. His eyes are clenched.

''Hey,'' she says, lowly. Collecting ignition to continue, firestarter petroleum oozy. But Keith says, ''Yeah.''

He splays his hands on the ground. Looks up, continues looking up. It's too bright for that to be comfortable. She fixates on the bruises on his knuckles and the blood around his fingernail.

''You have blood on your fingernail,'' she says. Keith brings his hands up, stoic and turmoiling at the same time. ''Right thumb,'' she says.

They have come up with a post-mortem communication code, okay? Matt said if one of them died and became a ghost, they would knock three glasses over. It's so so horrible. Keith lays a hand atop of her head.

''Perhaps this is the nature of heroism. Striving to achieve something that is beyond our ability. Even being the best doesn’t protect you from errors. Perhaps that in itself honours space and space exploration.''

Keith clenches his fists again. He had said Shiro would never. He’s too good for errors.

''I guess,'' she swallows, ''I guess we are the only ones who—'' The only ones with this erroneous feeling. This fucking mistaken grief. ''Who believe in them more than that,'' she finishes.

''Well, that's awkward,'' Keith jokes. They smile at each other, vaporous.

''We will now play a special song – the last song recommendation Matthew Holt sent to our station on Earth. Panic Vertigo by The Wrecks.''

Oh no, she thinks. Her mind spills into a stream of no no no, when Keith growls: ''Let's get the fuck away.''

He's already dusting off. He doesn't offer a hand and Pidge is grateful.

At fourteen, the Garrison is holding a memoir for the lost crew and Pidge’s hands feel unstable when she drinks from glasses. On the way to the ceremony, she and Keith climbed off his motorbike at a gas station made for boys like Keith, rogue, creases of their jeans sharp, boots strangely clean. Keith bought them canned coke and she was grateful.

 *

 She's pulling a yellow pepper apart, thinking, quite uselessly: maybe the illusion of strength stems from weakness. She squished it until it cracked and now the seeds are falling on the counter.

She's a half of a person. But, in contrast to the missing half, an idea is forming within her. In contrast to the missing half, Enceladus is still her favourite moon. It helps her think: Keith, from whom she hasn't heard for weeks, is a cyrovolcano. And she won't remain a flyby. She'll be a rover.

She calls the Garrison three times to reach him and carries her phone as a weight in her pocket for three days before he returns the call, bleeding apprehension.

''Hello?''

''Keith,'' she says, solemn. ''Keith. Can you steal something for me?''

 *

 Pidge is fifteen and a boy called Lance makes her doubt her insight all over.

She stops in a corridor when she sees him now, well past sleep-time. Lance hovers two fingers above the skin of a girl's hand.  His eyes flicker to hers, watchful, intent.

''How does that feel?'' he mutters with a ghosting smile.

''You're not touching me,'' the girl says through the teeth of her grin. Lance smiles elastically in a way that makes Pidge feel like she can snap.

The girl clears her throat, mouth a contour of a smile, and then Lance, too, turns. The girl pulls her hair in a tail, then releases, and Pidge watches it swing behind her back.

''Hi,'' Pidge says, ''Lance.''

''Hi, Pidge.'' He grins, pulls the girl's hand behind his back and holds it there with both hands. ''Look at that. Won't tell if you won't.''

Pidge runs her fingers through the hair at her nape. She thought familiarisation would come more slowly. Not letting go of the girl's hand, Lance pulls a key ring from his pocket, spins it around his finger. It's something kitsch, lowbrow and vibrant and nostalgic. She isn't like that. He's vibrant and she compares herself to extraterrestrial objects.

''Won't tell if you won't,'' she repeats.

 *

 She can't fall asleep, just keeps thinking, defined, almost geometrical thoughts. It's often like this. She just lies frustrated.

She thought it would be easy, that she would uncover the assembly of concepts of her and re-cover them with a new sheet. Instead, she is stuck. What drives science forward is the universality of laws. Eyes open, duvet light on her chest, she is stuck. Can't go forward. She can't develop herself, no universal laws apply.

A week ago she broke a plastic fork without meaning to and didn’t know what that meant.

 *

 Lance walks into the dark dining hall where Pidge sits slouched and they both start.

''Oh, uh, hey. Pidge. Wow, right? I didn't know the dining hall was unlocked at night, but looks like you've known. What are you reading?''

She glances down at her tablet. She's coordinating outputs of Garrison detectors. The device on the backside of the tablet is reading the academy’s data analyses. Lance comes close enough for its light illuminate him and she tilts the tablet away from him, towards her stomach.

''Wikipedia,'' she lies. He grins.

''Is this referring to your, what it that, a tablet?'' he points at the special offer sticker in the corner of her tablet that she scraped from a sandwich wrapping.

''No,'' she says, ''It’s referring to me.''

''Yeah? How so?''

How funny that a person so whole is asking her this. ''You want me to tell you why I think I'm special?''

''Sure,'' Lance crosses his arms.

Her neck cracks when she tips her head up. Maybe this: she has, in a way, cracked all the joints in her body, cracked her everything, new shape recuperating under the always-loose clothes. Who is she? Primordial soup of a person. Chemically potent. An isomer inverted. And can’t stop thinking about that. The transition, the hoax, has made her the embodiment of metacognition.

''I cognise about my cognition,'' she says. Lance’s eyebrows shoot up and it makes her want to cross out her answer. ''I’ll find aliens,'' she covers up. Something less irritating, less out of reach, and no less sincere. Lance beams, whole body moving illogically with enthusiasm.

''Me too! Man,'' he says, closer now, and Pidge concludes magnetism attracts him to things, never repels. ''Please tell me you have a plan. Humanity has lived so long without aliens, it’s time.'' He straightens up with intent. ''Are you going to cognise something for the Garrison? Or, I mean, if we can reach Kerberos. I mean. Maybe we’ll have the tech to go further just when I’m allowed to fly higher than fifty thousand feet.''

''Yeah, well. Icarus only flew too close to the sun because his wings were shit.'' Lance grins, but then tilts his head.

''You look upset,'' Lance says – because he seems to live on the outside of himself. She shakes her head. Typing tempestuously from her home floorboards, she thought: the Garrison would be a she-unknown zone. She’d be a hoax, and people wouldn’t know her. But actually, no. She can give what she can give.

''Some officers don't take girls seriously,'' she says.

''Oh,'' Lance sounds surprised. ''Is there someone you like?''

''No. That girl, what's her name? Do you take her seriously?''

''The one from the hallway?'' Lance asks and it makes her feel infinitely worse. ''Whoa, dude. Yes, I take Alleine seriously. I'm not just, I don't know, playing. I have respect.''

She sweeps her electronic chips into a pile on the tabletop. She’s not trying to be inflammatory. She just feels her bedrock being attacked.

''They have internal worlds too, you know.''

''Dude. I know.'' He folds his arms and she doesn’t know what to say. He half-laughs, looking to the side, arms unfolding. Okay, adventure over for tonight. See you around. Nice talking to you, Pidge.''

''Lance,'' she calls. He turns, tilts his head a little. ''I like your confidence. Keep it up.''

''I like yours,'' Lance smiles, just by the door, when the door swings open, an officer stepping in.

''Ah,'' Lance breathes. Straightens up. ''Sir.''

''Good evening, cadets,'' an officer Pidge doesn’t know barely glances at her before settling on Lance. Crypsis, she thinks. ''McClain. Are you testing the admissions?''

Lance takes in the scattered electronics, glances at Pidge. ‘’I — Pidge was teaching me, sir. About – structural aircraft repair procedures. After today's simulation I thought I could benefit from it, and I feel – devoted—'' he stumbles over devoted three times, and she feels her body jerk. Lance looks horrified.

''Bring your devotion to class tomorrow. And don’t test academy rules. Two minutes to clear up.'' Lance keeps his eyes on him as he leaves, breathing in slowly. Shiro was a Garrison commander and she has met him twice. She’s sure Shiro would use euphemisms.

''Jesus fucking Christ,'' Lance says.

''Whatever you want to believe in,'' she replies. Lance huffs.

 *

 In her head, she once calls her inner voice her articulatory control system. Then thinks: that’s enough. Her insight told her that this person-creation would lead her further than any human has ever been. And her insight is good: she’s picking up data she doesn’t know what to do with. That’s good. Her insight was a carefully crafted thing and she absolutely loves that Matt and Keith are the two people who'd never tell her you're overthinking this. It’s for them. She doesn’t own three glasses, because she believes: in Matt, in herself.

 *

 It’s her foresight that can’t be trusted much. She talks to Lance and doesn’t feel very real. Maybe she should start listening to music.

 *

 ''Hunk,'' Lance says, back straight and voice loud, ''do you know Pidge? He's a romantic.''

''I'm not a romantic,'' she snaps, climbing carefully over the bench with her tray. Hunk is sitting opposite of Lance and now scoots along the bench and ends up in front of her. His relaxed arms, elbows on the table and hands clasped, look warm.

''Sounds like a compliment, but. Lance, you dick, what did you do?''

Lance grins while chewing. Like Michael Jackson. ''I meant it positively. But I still trade these bad boys—'' he lifts a bottle of juice, ''to compensate. Want, Pidge?''

''No. Yes,'' she snatches it Lance’s hands. She likes the knowing between him and Hunk. It’s different from her, and from Keith. They are both somehow not old enough for it, maybe; don’t have enough real niceties.

''These were out when I was a child, can’t believe I’m getting them in my dream school, too,'' Hunk says. ''Like, the smell. Smells like childhood.''

Treat and threat are such similar words, she thought while drinking coke on a curb with Keith, smelling her way into childhood. And now she thinks it again.

''Good god,'' she jerks, her fork screeching against the plate.

''Whoa. You doing okay?''

''Yeah,'' she clears her throat, a cover-up, a swallow-down. Before her insides disseminate. ''I just lost track of – time,'' she finishes lamely.

''Oh,'' Hunk says. ''Track of time is a good thing to lose. If I were to lose something,'' he smiles.

 *

 Lance chews like a Hollywood star and isn’t afraid of heights and she is volatile. But maybe she’s past the impact-heavy stage of moon formation. Pidge is fifteen, her hair is short, and she’s the first microorganisms bursting to life. She’s the detection of some geothermal activity. Still uncertain, but onto something.

 *

They are perched and tense above the extraterrestrial sample curation building. It's the most perfect of surprises. It's Shiro.

She breathes in. She sends the location to Keith, the rushed word: Shiro. Coordination and causation are her blood type, after all. It's nothing new, to be an in-group spy. An infiltrator. They all start at the explosions.

''No way,'' Lance says, strained, hype-high. ''That guy is always trying to one-up me!''

The desert-night wind cools the sweat at her hairline to a suggestion of a headache. It's all happening very fast. When she speaks, it's taut and dusty.

''Who?''

(on ao3)

[bionicdragonguardian1]

Voltron Rewritten Defender (1/8)

Also known as My Almost Raging Bitch List for this Goddamn Disastrous Disappointment of a Show

I binged all 8 seasons in under a week, so believe me when I say almost nothing was forgotten between seasons/episodes and I do tend to note that.

If it’s not obvious by the title, I’m planning an entire show AU. I am extremely open to people’s opinions on what I’m currently thinking and when I finally post this I’ll be open to criticism there too. If you would like to avoid seeing anything in regards to this feel free to blacklist #voltron_rewritten_defender because that’s what I’ll be using for this whole thing.

Enjoy, I guess.

Fair warning I am a multishipper, but for this show I leaned towards Klance, so if that bothers you that’s okay, I’m not going to be bashing any other ships (mainly just Dreamworks’ forced Allurance). If you think I missed something for any other ship lemme know! If you wanna have a ship discussion that’s cool too. The only other thing I can think of is that Allura’s attitude in S8 really stuck with me to the point that she bothered me throughout the entire rewatch (I was admittedly one of the people who thought she could be very Mary Sue ish when I first watched this) so that’ll show up now and again.

If you want to look at the Google Doc for the whole show, click the link, if not you can expand this post to see Season 1. I’ll be doing these in chunks, but as some of you know I do a FicRecList on one of my other accounts here @sorcerusdragonbionics​ so I’m gonna be alternating between that and these for the next couple days.

If you do the Google Route it’ll have you ask me for permission, this is normal and if you request it I’ll give you commenting abilities.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t30IRJonrBFh0qvs8recf3ayGoQ0rx02y0Tg1e4NTaI/edit?usp=sharing

Key

Things I kinda wanna bitch about

Things I did genuinely enjoy and like 

Rewatch Thoughts (basically what I remember from further forward and how I feel like it reflects back on earlier seasons)

Ship Talk (behold my multishipping insanity)

Things I think I’ll do in the Rewrite

Writing Notes (mainly for me or as explanation for what I’m planning)

VA and Closed Captioning Things

Other Fic Thoughts

This ended up being music commentary in S8

Season One

Problems with the Season overall:

To be honest if I hated this season I wouldn’t’ve kept watching because by the time I started S3 had just dropped

Episode 1

Here’s the deal, WHY ARE YOU SO LONG BUT SO EMPTY?!?

Yeah, nope, that’s mostly it

Fix the problem of telling instead of showing about the other Lions and remove Allura’s explanation of the Lions if possible (thank you Kross for explaining why it felt so empty- this vid is actually where I started getting the idea to actually go through with a full series AU)

DON'T RUSH THE LION INTROS

Also let the 5 introduce themselves to Allura and Coran

Also Character Drive to Complete Mission Should Be A Thing

Flesh out Paladin Personalities so that the Aris Arrival is End of Part One (making it closer to the length of E1)

Flesh out Lion intros so part 2+3 are more like full Eps without Sendak

Episode 2

75 degrees… that’s definitely in Fahrenheit, which why?

How does no one have a watch with a date on them?

“A man can be driven to do anything if a beautiful woman is just really really mean to him”

More inbetween scenes bc I can

I will accept the transformation sequence here, I’m just not going to write it

Episode 3

Please watch the use of Earth Time Slices please, because it’s confusing

I love the portrayal of PTSD in this show and I would die before I change it

Bye bye transformation sequence

Pidge’s talk with Shiro can please change

Episode 4

“I say Vol, you say Tron” will come up again if it kills me

Lance, how do you know what hotdog water and feet taste like?

I love how Coran is completely nonchalant about the fact that he’s drinking a hair tonic

Shiro, don’t bring down the mood

Goddammit Sendak, you could stay for this arc, but god I want you GONE!

Keith, having an emotion? Really?

The Pidge plot DID NOT NEED TO HAPPEN LIKE THAT!

Fight me I will change it

Or minimally change the fact that their selfish motivations are revealed to BAD and should be changed

Oh yeah, let’s not give the ONE GUY with notable homesickness a character arc around that

That moment when you realize Allura is like ‘wtf is a peanut’

Allura, don’t push it, some people don’t want to talk about it

You will have something to talk about, BIOLOGY

Decryption happens here, and next attempt to find family occurs… when?

Poor Coran, if there is anyone who was more forgotten than Lance it was him

Keith isn’t wrong, but he also doesn’t know how to say it without getting mad, which mood

Just pointing out Lance is not only smart, but selfless, tell me how he’s not the main character

My inner Shance/Klance shipper is sobbing

“Bomb fuel” mentioned here, occurs… actually it’s ok

Timelines need to be a thing!

Can I make the fight scenes more intense? Yes, I write them for my YJ Scripts. Will I? Almost definitely.

Keith with that much fire your mask should be closed because smoke inhalation is bad

Can we explain Vrepit Sa before s6?

It feels like Coran forgets that 10k years have passed under an evil empire and part of me likes it, but it hurts me

Episode 5

The Katie flashback is hurts me

I want to add Gender Identity

Can we talk about how Shiro is a nickname for Takashi Shirogane?

That’s not how an EMP works

The Coran sitting on Hunk’s shoulders with a machine gun is everything

I know the back x-ray was a joke, but I still don’t like it

Rax is an idiot, just saying

Bonding Moment!!!

Episode 6

“Intergalactic time measuring competition.”

“We had a bonding moment!”

Where is Sendak’s arm?

Fight me, Pidge’s ‘gender speech’

It will be a gender speech if it kills me

Lance, why are you acting the way you are?

“I figured” and “We were supposed to think you were a boy” ARE NOT PROPER REACTIONS!

Rolo, sometimes I want to punch you in the teeth

Lance’s boner is going to get someone killed

Lance had 4sec of logic and then Nyma brings up Keith, which ofc does him in

Let’s expand on the Komar, yeah?

Quiznack means fuck and NO ONE can tell me otherwise

Keith’s ability to fly is impressive and it’s awesome

Friendly reminder that Lance acknowledged the bonding moment

Episode 7

I LOVE the laser gun sound effects!!!

I just realized that Allura has no clue what an Acronym is

We… literally just talked about this and YOU didn’t know that Shiro, I understand the point, but seriously?

LIONS are TELEPATHIC Shiro DID NOT need to say that aloud!

I do actually like the fact that Kieth gets excited before realizing what he did

FIRE and ICE PEOPLE come on! What the hell?! You barely had to try

“Yes sir?” Keith to Shiro, what?

I love them and their cute little arguments

Left vs Right, thank you Zamber

We be lovin’ Hunay bc it’s pure as hell

Thank you Shiro for validating Hunk’s concerns

You could check  a little faster, Allura

I LIVE for this scene

Was it actually Rolo?

Do they have teleporters?

Keith being weird is my favorite thing

I love good big bros who argue tradition to save their baby sis

Zarkon is a bit of a moron

THEIR LIVES ARE IN DANGER ALLURA!

They all came through different doors… how?

What if the answer was no?

I’m ok with Lance embarrassing himself when he’s cocky, some people seem to forget that

Bye transformation sequence, I explained you ONCE and that’s it

Prorock… why are you familiar?

Episode 8

I admittedly forgot that they didn’t know these things would be different

Flying fight scenes I can do, teleporting not so much

Poor Shiro he thought he had an idea and he was wrong

I love Coran’s reaction

Also NO SHIT Allura

UHHHH Pidge said that not and of the other three so how did He know?

Allura may piss me off, but I do love this speech

“Your Altean Energy”??? Coran, you’re an Altean, I’m confused.

The “Sacred Altean” thing I get, but you must be more specific cuz it makes Coran sound like he thinks he’s not a proper Altean.

Oof, angsty

Also, I  know we can’t kill Allura yet, but... 

I love that Hunk forgot they hadn’t formed Voltron

Bye bye transformation sequence

Ummm, they NEED to explain the Bayard Equip bc that’s… two very different things that occurred between Hunk and Keith’s Bayard Weapons

Why is this a scene? It’s not a dog. So, yeah, I’m with Keith here

Episode 9

THIS IS NOT HEALTHY ALLURA!

I just realized that this doesn’t come back until S..7? 8? Whatever, WAY too long

I can’t unhear “Training Dick”

Did they have homework on Altea?

Be still my Punk shipper heart

WHY is he SO pretty?!

Y’know, the glowing red eye is usually a bad sign

I could SO mean and hurt Keith here

That moment when you’re like 90% sure Shiro heard that somewhere

Not what haunted means Coran, but accurate

Why could Lance see Alfor for a second?

I too would like the answer to “where was the Red Lion?”

PTSD IS AMAZINGLY WRITTEN!

It’s a shame this is NEVER treated properly again

Thank you for NOT making the swimming thing a thing

You didn’t need to TRY Voltron, what the hell?!

Here’s the deal,  Altea not being Obliterated-obliterated is actually a really interesting idea

Lance still wins, for the record

If she was infected in any way this wouldn’t drive me crazier than a bot on Halloween

But she’s not so this is BULL

Shallura confuses me SO much…

Ok, admittedly the scene with Allura and Alfor is beautifully heartbreaking

Episode 10

The fact that Zarkon was a close friend to Alfor should be addressed

Also Shiro calling himself “an inexperienced Pilot” hurts

Allura’s a MORON!

YES! MASSIVE ISSUE WITH YOU COMING

Nice puppetry Hunk

What happened to THIS Allura?! She’s reckless but not INSANE (or so boring I might cry)!

Is this the same Druid from Season 8? Pretty sure it’s 8… I forget which, but the one Keith fought

“Don’t walk through that door!” / Keith does/ “I think I told him” // “You are a paragon of leadership, Lance”

Hehheh I love Hunk teasing Lance about Allura

I do actually the fact that I can’t tell what size the purple container is until Keith grabs it

Heheh the Allura interacting with the Galra soldier

The computer sounds like Lance

Also Shiro had that “holy shit” moment

I HATE WRITING TELELPORTING FIGHTS

I’m 99% sure that the ONLY reason I didn’t fall into the Galra Keith rabbit hole was the fact that I binge watched

This scene confuses me… so much now that I know Shallura was apparently never going to be a thing

So confused

Episode 11

That hair flip though...

Coran, I get it, but calm down

Okay, but Keith has a point. Seriously, he’s not wrong. 

For the record, Haggar scares me

So much makes so much more sense now that we know Zarkon is the Original Black Paladin

That… makes no sense… “enough essence to open a wormhole”

Why are you transforming? More pieces to shoot at is usually a smart idea…

Hey hey, THACE!

Why can’t you have two active at once? I’m honestly serious.

I mean too OP, got it, but you can maneuver around that for temporary stuff

Shiro, use your words, yeah?

“Thinking” uh huh you mean “telepathy” right?

I genuinely forgot that Shiro got booted from Black

Damn! Yes Shiro! Kick some ass!

Ok, here’s the deal, Keith’s not listening to Coran, but he doesn’t have all the info (LIKE THE FUCKING BAYARD), Zarkon’s the OG Paladin, and he’s in distress

I HATE TELEPORTERS!

“Could have been” �� uh Kuron exists ?? 

Also, Shiro with yellow eyes is fucking terrifying

We ain’t ficking stupid VLD

Zarkon’s a fucking idiot

Written properly his power-hungry attitude works even with him destroying his own ship

But it wasn’t so it’s null

You aren’t even subtle about Galra Keith

How can Allura see through Illusions?

Nobody knows!

Shiro, you have no jetpack, how are you so fast?

“Who cares, wormhole!” mood

I… uh… I want to do SO many things with this idea

Preferably not what they actually do...

[crimson-mage-02]

Between You and Me

Summary: While spending time at Clear Day festival, Pidge tries to get over her feelings for Lance who is now in a relationship with her friend, Allura. Pidge then spent the day at the carnival with James Griffin. Will her feelings will stay the same or change after meeting James Griffin? 

A/N: This is my first James Griffin x Pidge one shot fanfic. Hope you all like it and enjoy. I just found this rare-pair and couldn’t help but type up one! 

Enjoy reading and please give feedback so i could improve more. Thanks! 

@spacelion-loveshermulletson @junimullet @magiesheartlove 

Pidge was wondering around the carnival and saw many couples around her as she gritted her teeth and annoyance, tightening her fists in a tight grip until she bumped into someone. “I’m so sorry, Miss Holt.” Pidge looked up to the famous MFE commander James Griffin who has the most worried expression all over his face.

“Oh, it’s fine. I wasn’t looking to be honest.” Pidge said sheepishly, rubbing her neck.

“Heh, me either. So, what are you doing here all alone? I thought you might be with your friends?” James asked, noticing she’s alone.

“Oh, they are somewhere. Out there.” Pidge frowned. James nodded in understanding. “Anyways, I am going to find my Dad and Mom, I need more tokens.” Pidge grinned as she was about to walk away.

“Is it alright if I come with you? My friends sort of ditched me.” James says as he rubbed his back.

Pidge blinked then had this rare pink blush forming on her cheeks. “O-Oh, that’s fine. I mean, if that is ok with you?”

James smiled gently as he stood next to her. “Sounds good to me.” James and Pidge went on to look for the rest of the Holt family.

Lance was signing all of the blue lions while trying to get one for Allura, or maybe he could find a green lion plushie. Lance slumped down as he thought of Pidge. “What’s the matter, boy?” The vendor asked, seeing his mood has changed.

“Oh, um, do you have any green lions?” Lance asked. “It’s for my other friend.”

“Right here. But you still need to sign all of these.” The vendor said as Lance groaned.

Pidge then spotted her parents at the photo booth and grabbed James’s hand, dragging him across the crowd. “Mom, Dad! I need more tokens!”

“That’s what happens when you waste it all.” Sam said.

“Dad!” Pidge give him the best puppy dog eyes she could with James snickering at her. He never had seen this side from the small paladin of Voltron.

“OK. How much do you need?” Sam asked, grabbing his token.

“How much have you got?” Pidge asked. Her father was about to give her the tokens but then her mother grabbed them.

“You’ll have to earn them. I want a family picture. But….”

Pidge groaned while Colleen looked at James who stiffened when she glanced at him. “If you join us, James will have to be apart of this family picture.” Colleen says as Pidge blushed deep red whereas James had this light blush on his face and looked away.

“Oh come, Katie. Make up your mind.” Colleen says as Pidge saw her own brother laughing at her.

She then looked back at James who was patiently waiting. “Um, you don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

“It’s fine with me. It’s just me and you as friends, right?” James asked as he looked at her with a blush forming on his cheeks.

“Oh, yeah. Friends.” Pidge rubbed her head in nervousness until Colleen pulled James and Pidge together for a family picture. All of them has a costume along with it.

“Aww, they look so adorable together.” Colleen gushed over the picture. “Oh, Sam aren’t look great together?”

Sam nodded in agreement while Matt was grinning at his sister while giving her a thumbs up. Pidge growled, gritted her teeth. “Let’s go before they do something crazy.” Pidge muttered as she heard the MFE commander chuckled. It was rare for her to smile or laugh. This was her first time to see him like this. It was a good sight for her to see.

She smiles and then caught up to him. “Hey, let’s play some games.”

James smiled and then grabbed her hand, “Alright, maybe I can win you a Green Lion plushie.” Pidge laughed cheerfully as they ran to find a game to play.

Lance then signed every last one of the lions from the game stall and finally got the Green Lion toy. Now, all he needs to do is look for Pidge and give it to her. He smiled looking at the lion in his hands. He went on to find Pidge in the carnival but couldn’t find her.

He spotted Hunk who was eating some food at a food stall. “Hey, Hunk, have you seen Pidge anywhere? I can’t find her.” Lance says, looking around.

“Hmm, no I haven’t. Why?” Hunk asked and then glanced down at his hand seeing him holding a small Green Lion plushie. “Oh, you got a prize for her, but weren’t you going to get one for Allura?”

“Yeah, I didn’t to be honest. Hope she forgives me. But on the bright side I got one lion for Pidge, right?” Lance asks with a smile.

“Yeah. You should give it to her ASAP.” Hunk said.

Pidge laughed out loud cheerfully at James who was growling in frustration. Not getting a single balloon popped and he always missed his target. He sighed and then later gave up. He looked at Pidge who was smirking. “You are sure having time of your life to see me failing at something I am not good at.” James says jokely, crossing his arms.

“Ahh, I’m sorry. It’s… cute to see you like this. Having fun, like there is no wars to fight. It’s the good normal you.” Pidge says as James passed the darts to her.

“Yeah. well, that’s mostly me doing my job.” James says with a blush and smile. And then saw Pidge got two balloons and had his mouth wide opened and looked at her surprised, seeing her put out her tongue out at him.

“H-how?”

“Hehe, perks of having a bayard as a weapon. And well, serving as a practice as well.” Pidge says with a grin on her face.

“Well, you’re right. A strong, beautiful and nerdy paladin would definitely beat me in a game.” James said with a smile as Pidge looked away from him and blushed deep red.

“U-Um, let’s go to see and want other games they have here at this carnival.” Pidge stammered.

James chuckled and followed her around the carnival. They went on rides, played games and talked to each other. Getting to know each other better. James saw Pidge was a brave and fierce smart paladin he had ever met. He admired her bravery and courage when she was fighting the Galra and admires her gentle and curious side.

Pidge may not know James from the start and wished she met him in the Garrison. He was a kind, gentle and well-mannered person she ever met. He is a brave pilot who always never back down from a fight and he did well in order to help them to save Earth.

James then saw a game that he could play. “Hey, Pidge! Let’s play this one.” James called out to her.

“Ugh, I am not good with guns. Good thing you are good with your aim. Since you know how to handle rifles.” Pidge nudged him on the arm.

“Exactly. And they have a Green Lion toy.” James smirked.

“Where?!” Pidge asked excitedly, looking for the toy and once she saw it. Her eyes began to sparkle and turned to James. “You have to win this!” James laughed and then placed the tokens on the counter. He then started to play and tried to take down much targets as he could.

Once the game was over, James won the game and the plus sized Green Lion plushie. Which is twice her size. But, nonetheless, she hugged it tightly in her arms and held it closely to her chest. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” Pidge thanked James.

“No problem. I think it’s time to get going.” James says seeing his friends coming towards them.

“Oh, well, it’s nice to um, finally get to know you and um, played some games together. See you soon?” Pidge asks.

“Sure. See you soon.” James smiled as he kissed the back of her hand and walked away leaving her blushing deep red and hugged her prize to her face. She never thought James would be this gentle and kind towards her. She find herself crushing on the MFE fighter.

James walked back to the Atlas with his friends and could feel their eyes on him. “What?”

“You and Pidge. I need details!” Rizavi demanded shaking his shoulders.

“Look, I just walked around with her in the carnival.” James assured them. “Nothing happened.”

“I think something did. We just saw you kissing the back of her hand.” Leifdottier pointed out.

James groaned. “So, something did happened. Looks like he has a crush on a pretty and nerdy paladin.” Kinkade teased his friend. All the way to the Atlas, James’s friends began to tease him and Pidge about spending time together at the carnival.

Pidge walked back to the Atlas with the prize in her hands. And saw Hunk smiling at her. “Hey, Pidge, who gave you that?” Hunk asked, seeing the toy she was holding.

“Um, James won it for me.” Pidge replied with a warm smile.

“Whoa, wait, wait. As in James Griffin?” Hunk asked raising an eyebrow.

“Uh, yeah, we just spent time together that’s all.” Pidge says. “Why?”

Hunk sweats nervously knowing that Lance was going to give her a Green Lion soft toy and it turns out James Griffin already had given her one. “O-Oh, nothing! Nothing! It’s looks cute.” Hunk replied quickly.

Pidge then nodded and walked away with a slight nod and walked along the whole way to her room to put her prize away. She looked at it one last time with a smile before leaving her room to go back to work and found Lance at the entrance. “Hey, Lance.”

“Hey. Um, here I got you a Green Lion plush toy. Pretty cool, right?” Lance asks with a cheery smile.

“Oh, that’s nice of you, Lance but I already got one.” Pidge gestured to the big soft toy laying on her bed.

“Huh, so who won that prize? Was it Keith?” Lance asked raised his eyebrow in suspicious.

“Nope. Well, it was James who won that prize.” Pidge says shyly thinking about the handsome commander.

Lance saw a hint of a blush on her cheeks and slump down. “Wait, you… like him?”

Pidge’s eyes widen and then looked down. “Well, take it as a crush, Lance. Nothing too serious is happening right?”

“Y-Yeah, t-that’s right. Understandable. Heh.” Lance says. “If you don’t want it, it’s ok.”

“No, no. I like it. It can be the kid version.” Pidge smiles taking the toy from his hands. “Thanks, Lance.” Pidge then saw James walking down the hallway and then she looked at Lance who smiled at her.

“It’s okay. Pidge, I wanted you to be happy.” Lance said as Pidge hugged him and then ran to catch up with James. The two greeted happily and chatted away with Lance looking at them with a sad smile but was happy that Pidge has found someone she could talk to, like how they used to. He wished Pidge happiness in the future.

“Hey, um, I want to thank you for the toy.” Pidge said to James.

“Your welcome. I’m glad that you liked it.” James replied with a blush and rubbed his neck. “Um, would you, uh, like to you, know, go on a date once we get back to Earth sometime?”

Pidge stopped and looked at him with her face burning up and squeaked. “O-Oh, uh, y-yeah. that would be n-nice. I loved to.”

“Really?” James asked with a smile.

Pidge nodded with a shy smile and then looked away, because she doesn’t want him to see her blushing. “So, uh, maybe I can help you with your fighter? We can do that while eating dinner? It could be our first date?” Pidge says.

“Then it’s a date milady.” James agreed.

[i-think-2-much]

Klance-- say bi to my inhibitions

*warning* in this fic Lance’s parents are exactly supportive... I don’t know the term for it though

Allura blinked as a realization came slammed against her with the force of a car speeding on the freeway. The look on Lance’s face... That was an expression of head over heels love.

Curious, she followed his line of sight. Hunk and Keith were sitting side by side, chatting about something Allura couldn’t make out. She glanced back at Lance and his dopey grin. Then back at Hunk and Keith.

“Lance? May I speak with you real quick?” Allura inquired.

Lance snapped out of his daze, “Oh, yeah, sure Princess.”

Allura led him out into the hall way and cast him a knowing grin, “You know, I didn’t know you were into guys.”

Pure terror came filled Lance’s face as his eyes widened, “What-- what makes you think that? I am straight. Only like girls. Straight as a ruler.”

Allura took a step back, surprised, “I saw the way you were looking in Hunk and Keith’s direction, and I’m pretty sure that you’re not into Hunk. I have a feeling you like guys. Is being into the same sex bad on your planet or something?”

Lance sighed, “Well, it depends on who you ask. There are some people who think it’s bad, and some people who think it’s fine. There are a lot that think that being into both guys and girls is even worse because you can’t pick a side. It’s very controversial back on Earth. Like I’m pretty sure Shiro was engaged to a guy before he left Earth, but then mi abuela hates anyone who isn’t into the opposite sex.”

“Well, I’m definitely into both,” Allura admitted, “And I don’t think i could chose a side, so miabuela can go mind their own business. If you’re into both guys and girls, I think that would be a wonderful thing for us to bond over.”

Lance stared her in shock, and then shook his head, “Well, um... I’m not into guys, so sorry. And also, mi abuela isn’t a name. It’s Spanish for ‘my grandmother’.”

“Oh, sorry. But are you sure you’re not into guys? You have to admit, Keith is pretty attractive. He’s not my type, but I can’t say I would blame you for liking him in that way.  Your heart rate doesn’t jumps every time you two are in the same room? And you don’t want to impress him all the time and start little competitions?”

Lance huffed and crossed his arms, “I mean, yeah I do, but we’re rivals. We challenge each other to competitions, and if I get excited about the idea of a challenge, that’s to be expected.”

“And you weren’t staring at him with a lovestruck look on your face a minute ago?” Allura countered.

Lance scowled, “Look, I don’t come over and try to talk you about you and Hunk or something. Why? Because neither of you are interested. Same in this case. Now please, never talk about this to me again.”

___________

There was a knock on Allura’s door. She lifted the covers off of her body and swung her legs off her bed. Who would be knocking on her door at this hour?

She pulled the door open to see a teary eyed Lance standing before her. He gave her a unsure smile, “Uh, can we talk about earlier? I didn’t mean to snap at you and---”

Allura nodded, “Do you want a hug?”

Lance nodded. Allura followed through with her offer and wrapped her arms around her friend, “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t want to be into guys. I really, really don’t want to. But I am, “Lance admitted, “I really, really like guys. And yeah, you were right about Keith. And I shouldn’t have snapped at you. I’m sorry for that.”

“One thing at a time,” Allura advised, “That way it’s less overwhelming. I accept your apology. I spoke to Shiro about how sexualities are viewed on your planet--without mentioning you, of course. I can understand your reaction. It’s okay.”

Lance took a deep breath as he pulled away from Allura’s hug. She could see a tear that had escaped his wet eyes. He nodded, “Okay, I’m sorry it’s just...”

“Your grandmother or maybe most of your family is homophobic. Or perhaps biphobic. You’re worried about what she’d think about you if you let yourself like guys,” Allura guessed.

Lance nodded, “My sister, Veronica, she’s a lesbian. When my family found out, they kicked her out of the house. She lives at the Garrison. That’s part of why I wanted to be a pilot at the Garrison. So I could see my sister.”

Allura gasped, “Lance! That’s awful! What do they think treating her like that is going to do? If she loves girls, there’s nothing she can do to change that! Why would they--”

Lance shrugged, “Mostly stuff about how they won’t have her spreading her unnatural ideas to the other children.”

Shiro hadn’t said anything about family members being disowned due to their sexuality. Allura had been expecting something bad, but nothing like this, “Well then they don’t deserve Veronica. Or you. If they can’t accept you, then that’s their fault. If they truly love you, then they should be able to love you for you, not for some fake image of you. The real Lance is an amazing person. He smiles in the face of death, he cries from too much happiness, and he loves so passionately and intensely that he’s here, in my room, crying about how his family might not accept him because of the kind of people he loves.”

Lance wiped a tear from his eye, “Thanks Allura.”

Allura grabbed his shoulder and gave it a squeeze, She had to reach a little higher than she thought she had to, but that was okay, “Your family seems great from their stories, but they’re not here to stop you from liking boys now, so they can... what’s the phrase? Suck it. Now, if you’ll tell me about Keith, I’ll tell you about the last person I dated. Deal?”

________________

Allura leaned over Lance’s shoulder and whispered, “3 O’ clock.”

Lance spun his head in the direction Allura had indicated, “Um... I only see a native... whatever they’re called.”

“Isn’t he pretty?” Allura insisted.

Lance looked again at the person Allura had indicated, “Uh...”

“Come on, it’s just us,” Allura assured him.

Lance looked the person up and down reluctantly, “Yeah, you could definitely say that he’s pretty.”

______________

Lance was about to die. Their guide that was leading them through the tunnels of whatever planet they were on was gorgeous. He couldn’t handle it. He was just so pretty, but Allura was currently being distracted by Pidge’s science rants. He stared at her, trying to get her attention so they could both silently suffer because of how hot this boy was.

Hunk’s eyes widened at his staring. He leaned over and whispered, “Oh my god you totally like Allura!”

Lance gave him a look, “No I do not. I mean yeah, she’s great, but--”

“Oh man, you totally like her, don’t you?” Hunk decided, “Why else would you be staring at her?”

Later, when he had successfully freaked out with Allura over how hot the guy was, he told Allura all about Hunk’s assumption. Allura, being a genius, decided that Lance should pretend he has a crush on Allura to help hide his feelings for other people. At first, Lance completely rejected the idea, but eventually, after a few valid arguments, Lance accepted the idea.

______________

Keith was going to be the end of Lance. With his perfectly messy hair that complemented his pale skin and his purple eyes... and his muscles... Lance could daydream about those muscles all day. 

Lance realized Hunk was giving him a weird look. Quiznak. Hunk could tell he was thinking about someone. If Hunk knew Lance was bi, then he might accidentally tell someone who would tell his family. At the same time, he couldn’t not tell him he was crushing on someone because Hunk always found out. Still, Hunk couldn’t know. But who else would Lance say he was thinking about.

His earlier conversation with Allura popped into his head, and he didn’t hesitate, “Does Allura talk about me when I’m not in the room?”

Pidge and Hunk exchanged knowing looks, but they seemed to buy his bluff

___________

Lance had no idea it was possible to miss someone so much. Ever since Keith had left for the blade of marmora, a little part of Lance had become empty. It was a black hole that couldn’t be filled. A black hole he couldn’t even complain about it now that Allura had Lotor and was spending all of her time with him.

At least Hunk and Pidge weren’t even close to catching on about Lance’s crush-- heck at this point it wasn’t even really a crush and was more love. Not that the fact that Lance was in love with Keith mattered. Keith was gone, and it hurt so bad.

He sighed, “I’m in love with--” he caught himself before he could say his name “Allura.”

____________

Keith had gotten hotter. How was that possible? Keith had no right to be this attractive. How was Lance supposed to pretend to be straight with a quiznaking supermodel was walking around? 

___________

“So Hunk has been trying to get me to ask you out,” Lance notified Allura, “because i’m supposedly in love with you and all.”

Allura shook her head in disbelief, “Even if I thought you actually liked me I would have said no. I’m far too busy right now.”

“Busy doing what? Checking out Romelle?” Lance teased.

Allura yelped in surprise, “How did you--”

“I know your type. We pretty much have the same type. Plus, I’ve seen the way you look at her. You should ask her out,” Lance advised, “I think she likes you back.”

“If only there was some way to find out for sure,” Allura complained.

“I’m mean there’s one way that always works on T.V. and would make Hunk happy,” Lance began.

___________

“So you and Allura?”  Keith asked, his tone a little grumpier than usual.

“Yeah,” Lance agreed, admiring the way the Keith’s eyes looked in the setting sun.  God he loved this boy so much.

He pretended to listen as Keith gave him advice for his date, but he was too busy studying Keith for any signs of jealousy, although it didn’t take long for the signs to show. He could tell by the way Keith’s jaw was set and by the hurt look in his eyes... Lance coudn’t stand seeing Keith like this. It felt as if Lance was getting stabbed in the chest, and he wasn’t the one who was having his emotions toyed with

Lance sighed, interrupting Keith, “Actually, in all honesty, this was actually an elaborate plot set up by Allura and I. I’ve been crushing-- heck I’ve been in love with this one person for a long time but... My family... they don’t like people who are bi. For years I was so worried about them finding out, but Allura’s helped me with that a lot. She even told me I should pretend to mope about her so that no one would realize I was into this guy. Now, she likes this girl, and I like this guy, and so we decided to go on a ‘date’ to see if the people we like get jealous. And well... I feel like you should know that.”

Keith looked like he had just been hit by a car that was speeding on the freeway, “Why should I know that?”

Lance leaned in and cupped the boy’s face. His eyes looked so pretty in the sunset, “Because the boy is you.”

Lance sealed the distance between them, and Keith thankfully didn’t hesitate to return the favor.