#the allura hug still hurts my soul

[general-cyno]

[lil-bumbum]

Shiro x male galra reader

  ×3rd pov×

M/n!! Please it's me!it's Shiro,  your friend! ", Shiro yells begging for his galran friend to respond.  (m/n) ignores his friends plea as he continues working with Haxus on the controls of the ship.  Sendak chuckles evilly.  " He won't help Shiro. ",  he says chuckling more.  "(m/n)! I know you remember me! You have too! You helped me escape!! ", Shiro yells,  now frustrated.  " After he had helped you we punished him and did some.......upgrading.",  Sendak says smiling at shiro's distress.

    "Sir, you should listen to this. ",  Haxus says to Sendak.  " What is it? ",  Sendak says still staring at Shiro, smirking.  " I found a radio signal,  sir.  We think there is another paladin inside the castle, sir. ", (m/n)  says,  catching Sendaks attention.  Sendak walks over to the pair.  There is static but if you listen hard you can hear the fuzzy,  muffled voices. " Make it clear.", Sendak demands getting a nod from (m/n).  The said boys expert hands flying across the controls.

    The signal gets clear enough to where you can clearly make out the words being spoken. "We now know where the paladin is.",  Haxus says smirking. " Follow the paladin,  then kill them. (m/n) you stay on the controls and wait. ",  Sendak orders.  (M/n)  once again nods as Haxus runs to find the paladin.  "You called me space cow because you read books about earth and you said my hair reminded you of a cow!!! ", Shiro yells,  his eyes full of sadness and hurt.

    (M/n)'s head snapped up and his hands froze. The collar around his neck sparked a little bit. Shiro's eyes widened as Lance laughed at the ridiculous nickname despite them being in a literal life or death situation.  'Why didn't I notice that collar before! '.  Shiro thought mentally smacking himself. " WHO SAID YOU CAN STOP!? GET BACK TO WORK! ", Sendak yelled making (m/n) snap out of his daze. " You never called me champion because you know how much I hate that name!"

    "You always said 'You have to fight it. If you let your arm control you then that means the galra wins.' You would steal food so that I can have something to eat! You were never scared of me even though I'm scared of myself! You helped me escape even though you knew that death is one of the punishments!! ",  Shiro yelled at the ravenette/white haired boy.  ((I think galrans only have black, purple or white hair)) . (M/n)  froze again.  All of the memories flooding back.

    (M/n) falls to his knees, clawing at his head. He screams in pain as he remembers his punishment. The knives, the whips, all of the blood and bruises.  Getting beaten to the point where he thought he would die. He whispers,  shaking and muttering to himself. Then (m/n) finally faints as his collar stops sparking and starts smoking.  Shiro and Lance stare, eyes wide.  Shiro's in shock and regret for leaving his friend. Lance's in shock and sympathy.

    Sendak walks to (m/n) 's unconscious body. Shiro eyes now filled with anger.  " DON'T TOUCH HIM! ",  he yells. Sendak ignores Shiro and taps (m/n) 's foot with his own. He growls turning around,  ready to strangle Shiro and Lance.  As he angrily walks toward the two there is a big boom,  echoing through the halls. The lights spasming on and off before finally stopping leaving everyone in darkness. Sendak yells in anger as his plan to take control of the ship back fires.

    The sounds of grunts and hitting reach his ears. The lights turn back on,  this time glowing blue instead of red meaning it's no longer under galran control. Sendak spins around.  The droids on the floor in pieces Shiro and Lance gone. He growls turning back around toward (m/n) 's body to find that he is also gone. He walks over to the controls and punches the table in anger. He now has no choice but to retreat.  Lance and Shiro runs, (m/n) in Shiro's arms.

    Shiro stares as (m/n) and notices his purple skin is paler than usual, his body lightly shaking, his eyes going back forth under their lids, and his breathing shaky. Shiro runs faster wanting to help his friend before its too late.

    ×TIMESKIP×

  Muffled talking echoes through the halls. Hunk staring at the stove ((Do alteans have stoves?)) thinking about what had happened. All of the lions we're almost taken and hundreds maybe even thousands of innocent lives were almost killed. And now there's galran in one of their healing pods. Hunk is snapped out of his thoughts by a sizzling sound. 'Balls, balls, balls! I forgot about the food'.  Hunk rushes to mix the oddly bright, chunky mixture so that it doesn't burn any more than it already has. He tuned off the stove and gets plated for the group and scoops up the bright green goop and puts it on each plate.

    He holds all of the plates on his arms like a waiter and makes his way to where the rest are thinking of what to do. He hears yelling as he walks closer to the closed doors. And almost drops the plates as the big door slams open and Shiro stomps away. Hunk regains his balance and walks into the room, nervously smiling at the tense, cold feeling radiating off of allura. He gives each member their plate and shaking makes his way toward allura, pulling his collar as he sweats. He quickly drops her plate in front her and runs to his spot.

×Shiro's P.O.V×

    I angrily stomp my way to the healing pods. I know I should calm down but I can't help it. It's not their fault that they're not fond of galrans but not ALL of them are evil. (M/n) proved that. He was the first to show me kindness and he wasn't afraid to help me. He gave me whatever I needed and he helped me escape with no hesitation. 'He's my........... friend. If the others gave him a chance the would realize he doesn't plan on hurting anyone'. I start thinking about what I had just thought about. 'What is (m/n) to me? '. I shake my head as I open the door to the healing pods. I walk over to (m/n) 's pod and stop. I feel my anger dissapear as its replaced with sadness and regret. My eyes soften as I look at the scars covering his body.

    'I should've taken you with me', I thought. I look at his face, he looks so worried and sad. I put my hand on the glass that separates us. I see his finger twitch and I jump back as his hand shot up. His hand in the spot where I had put my hand before I jumped back. I cautiously step forward reaching my hand out. I put my hand where his is. (M/n) 's eyes snap open and the pods starts opening. I step back again just in case he's still being controlled. But my caution flies out the window as I reach forward and catch him before he hits the floor.

 

 

×(M/N) POV×

    'Where am I? Why can't I move? '. I try to open my eyes but I'm rewarded with nothing. I slowly start to panic as I can't move no matter how hard I try. I stop as I hear muttering. " I should've taken you with me. ". 'That voice..... I know that voice!,I can't remember who that voice belong too.i have to see who they are!'. I again try to move but get nothing. I continue to try and then I feel my finger twitch. 'Yes! Just a little more'. I think as I slowly gain control of my arm.

    I move my arm trying to feel where I am since Im slowly gaining control of everything but my eyes are still heavy. I raise my hand up and I hit something cold and hard. I hear something shuffle and then I feel warmth where my hand is despite the glass being cold. I struggle to open my eyes and when they do I open all I can see is a blurry black shape. I hear a hissing sound and a mist surrounds me as I no longer feel the glass. I try to walk but instead I fall not being able to feel my legs. I put my hands in front of me to protect my face and they hit something warm and hard. I open my eyes and and notice I was in someone's arms. " (M/n)  are you okay!? ", a panicked voice says. I look up and my vision cleared and I recognized the mystery person as " Shiro? What..... where are we? ", I ask confused.

   Shiro holds me at arms length as i grab hold of his arms to keep me standing. He stares at me as I stare back in confusion. I open my mouth to say something but Shiro pulls me back into a hug. He nuzzles into my hair and holds me tighter to his hard chest. I feel him start to shake and I feel something wet. I look up as best as I can since I'm being crushed into his chest. "Shiro? ", I ask softly.

×3rd pov×

    " Shiro? ", (m/n) softly asks. Shiro looks down at (m/n) seeing his confusion. Shiro gently lifts his hand up to (m/n) 's cheek, softly rubbing his light/dark purple cheek. " I'm sorry, I'm so sorry", Shiro whispers to (m/n). (M/n) looks even more confused. "What are you apologizing for?", the galran asks his human..... friend? " I left you. I left you instead of taking you with me", Shiro says laying his forhead on (m/n) 's. (M/n) huffs. "We both know I wouldn't have left Shiro. Someone had to distract the guards and it definitely wasn't going to he you. ", (m/n) says. Shiro sighs knowing that he's right.

    " But they hurt you. I should've come back for you immediately after...", Shiro's voice cracks. (M/n) cuts him off. "No, Shiro. What's more important one life or millions of others? Besides I'm right here in front of you. In your arms. ", (m/n) says sternly but soft. Shiro looks into (m/n)'s (e/c) eyes. Those eyes that have always read him like an open books, the eyes that seem to be staring right into his soul. The eyes that made him melt and go soft. " I missed you.... so much", Shiro whispers after a moment of silence. "Me too.", (m/n) whispers back.

    (M/n) closes his eyes, leaning into Shiro hand as his fluffy purple ears twitch cutely. Shiro silently watches (m/n)  enjoy all of the warmth he's getting. Shiro hesitantly moves forward as he closes his eyes. His lips connecting with (m/n)'s. (M/n)'s eyes flew open in surprise as his ears rise up, he slowly closes his eyes and purr ((i feel like they would purr idk 😅)) enjoying the pleasant feeling of the humans lips on his. There are no Sparks or tingles but there is definitely love. The two seperate from the kiss and look into each other's eyes. " (M/n), I love you.", Shiro says sincerely. "Shiro,...... ". Shiro looks at (m/n) with hopeful eyes. "... I don't know what that means", (m/n) says nervously chuckling as Shiro sweat drops forgetting the galran boy doesn't know most human terms. Shiro chuckles hugging (m/n) again. " My galran boy", he says breathing in (m/n)'s scent. "My space cow", (m/n) says smirking evilly as Shiro's eyes snapped open and narrowed his eyes at his now lover.

   

[raziroo]

Chapter 3 | I Am Not At All Wise

Pairing: There's hints, but none

Genre: Angst?

Warnings: Overly Casual Mentions of Depression and Anxiety, Mentions of Trading of Lives

Word Count: 1,926

Author's Note: This might appear a little rushed, because I got this sudden surge of inspiration and sat down to write this and this isn't even proofread. Sorry, hehe.

‘Guys, what’s wrong with you?! This my father we’re talking about, my father! Why are you so hesitant to trade him for Lotor?’

The tense energy in the room only became even more suffocating when Pidge let that question, among others, loose like cannonballs. I was glad I was sitting even a bit away from the ongoing discussion, because the questions and not up to par answers were succeeding in making me uncomfortable. After all, the topic at hand wasn’t light at all – a topic such as trading of lives is one that questions your morals, your beliefs, literally everything you, as a person, stand for. I stared at Pidge, her absolutely enraged expression making me gulp nervously`. If Pidge didn’t get her father back now, after finding out his destination, then God knows how many shots are going to get fired at whom. And although I’m not saying that Pidge is wrong, she isn’t even right.

That’s confusing.

What I meant to say was, that although Pidge’s actions and fury and incredulousness were fully justified, it didn’t mean that we could all just nod heads in tandem and send Lotor off as some sort of pig for slaughter in exchange of Pidge’s dad. It wasn’t fair.

As my eyes lost focus, I recalled Captain America’s words – we don’t trade lives.

I snapped out of my thoughts. I couldn’t say anything. I didn’t want to. I wouldn’t, ultimately. Heading to my room now instead of just sitting there and making myself look like an unopinionated fool wasn’t helping me anyways, and neither was Lotor’s presence a couple feet beside me.

I decided to head to my room.

After all, that was what I was best at, wasn’t it? After finally accepting that I was a time traveler and couldn’t ever see my friends or family ever again and that aliens did actually exist, and not just on Mars (wait, did aliens exist on Mars? I never asked that), all I did for a good sum of time was hide in my room. Activities except hiding in my room included roaming through the castle and running to my room as soon as I deducted any trace of intelligent life near me, being strangely intimate with the white lion – intimacy including venting about how I was probably depressed, possibly had anxiety, caressing the lioness because she’s beautiful, and nestling in her cockpit because she felt like home – and running to my room when Shiro questioned me about my connection with White.

A bit after, when I felt more reassured and had begun craving human communication, I finally emerged from my cave, only to find that some of the Paladins didn’t seem too happy with my presence. Time went on, spirits fell, only to rise once again in blazing hopes of dethroning Zarkon, and my naturally social abilities helped me blend in with the Paladins soon. A lot of the comfort I felt among the Paladins, I owed to Shiro and Hunk. Those two were literally angels, especially to me. I couldn’t count on all the fingers of the Paladins and Allura combined how may times those two, and occasionally Lance, came to offer me a hug or talk to me when I looked glum. Even Allura and Pidge talked to meif they were free. The only person I had problems interacting with was Keith. But we’d nod to each other, say our greetings, and I accepted that. I couldn’t be besties with everyone. However, mine and Keith’s communication skills only worsened and problems only increased once Shiro disappeared. Keith straight up would refuse to pilot the Black Lion, and even when he finally agreed, he was so unorganized and his decisions so rash it was costing the coalition. When Lions started becoming unstable to fight after longer, tougher battles, White was expected to fill in. After all, it was the White Lion’s purpose – to be the mind of Voltron when the Paladins couldn’t, to keep the soul, fire, water, air and flora elements in check, Allura had once said to me. Only, White needed a pilot, a Paladin. And all expectations of being White’s pilot were pinned on me, naturally, because I was the one who seemingly materialized in her cockpit out of nowhere.

I, obviously, failed to do that. Because apparently (and quite obviously, if I do say so myself) even though White warmed up the cockpit for me when I slept there and seemed to purr when I caressed her face, I wasn’t worthy enough, in her gaze, to be a Paladin. And I truly had no qualms about that. The only issue was that Keith wasn’t satisfied with that. Pidge and Lance tried to hide it, but they too, felt that I should try harder. Hunk comforted me when I accidentally let the hurt I was feeling shine through. Allura tried to convince everyone that it wasn’t my fault at all, that the Lions only accepted whom they deemed fit to Pilot them, and the reason the White Lion even was the “extra” Lion in the first place was that it was hardest than any of the other Lions to convince to be Pilot of. It was simply too calculating and cynical and choosy – and I agreed with White wholly, because stepping in as the voice of reason, as the mind of Voltron when all these worthy, noble, brave people who were specifically selected to be the defender and judge of the universe when no one else could failed to do their jobs, then you needed to be one hell of a person to be honoured with the name “White Paladin of Voltron”.

When Shiro had come back, or as he said, when Keith brought him back, the Castle seemed to light up more. I understood why he was chosen to be the soul to combine the other elements and form Voltron. I was ecstatic, perhaps happier than some of the Paladins even, but that didn’t mean I didn’t notice – or rather, didn’t choose to shrug off - his strange and simply out of character behaviour at times. I wasn’t the only one that did. It was when I voiced to White about my concerns, and she glowed – literally glowed as if in agreement did I know that shit was serious. White, as weirdly impossible as it sounds, also noticed. She knew, too, that something wasn’t right with Shiro. It was beyond me how she did, but I didn’t get to ponder on that for too long.

Why?

Because Lotor happened. He arrived as our saviour at the most unexpected moment and in the most unexpected way, and then became unpredictability, unanswered questions, and uncertainty personified for us. How many rifts and arguments he alone had caused between the Paladins was the slightest bit alarming, but justified, in my opinion. Lotor had succeeded in messing up our functioning. It didn’t matter if it was only a tad – he was the anthropomorphic form of all the flaws and hesitancies and wrongs and uncertainties in the coalition that we’d turned a blind eye to.

And now Zarkon had offered us Pidge’s dad’s freedom in exchange of Lotor, but I would be lying if I said if I wasn’t the tiniest bit worried as to just what Zarkon would do to Lotor. I know, I know, I really was no one to be straining my brain for that, since Lotor was an alien Prince who had equal chances of being good and evil, was capable of killing us all if he wished to, and had probably endured worse than his father’s wrath. But that wasn’t even the biggest issue we had. Pidge getting fired up was reasonable enough, I was aware of how emotionally driven she could become at times despite being a genius. And her brain refusing to work when her family came into play was the reason I was bothered most – even if she convinced the other Paladins to go through with the exchange, there was absolutely no surety that Zarkon would keep his part of the deal. It was legit the dumbest, most irrational thing the protagonist could do. If that happened, we’d lose both Pidge’s father, and an extremely valuable asset to the coalition.

I didn’t really realize that during my very acceptable train of self-depreciating thoughts I’d changed my route and had instinctively begun for White. I guess it was only right, as I felt more at ease there than anywhere. It was only when I reached her and stroked her, she seemed to… close in on her herself. I furrowed my brow, a small frown on my lips.

I sighed. It was probably nothing.

Relaxing my facial muscles, I closed my eyes, leaned forward, and nudged White’s snout. I jumped back with a start when instead of the usual purr or whimper, she growled at me. The crease between my brows returned with a higher intensity.

‘What is it, girl? Hmm?’ I cooed at her, not risking touching her. ‘Is something wrong? Do you not want to talk? Should I go?’

Silence was what I received in exchange.

‘My love,’ yes I called White “my love”, “girl”, have and will continue to call her “babe”, and no you cannot do jack about it. ‘You need to tell me, please,’ I continued, my voice gentle as ever, ‘how am I supposed to know what you want to say? You’ve never growled at me before. I don’t know how to interpret that gesture. Do I take it as you being upset? Angry? Sad?’ She still didn’t answer. All the life seemed to leave her.

I tilted my head. My sigh bounced off the walls.

‘The White Lion is said to be the mind of Voltron,’ a naturally assertive, deep, thunder-like voice called. I was sure I jumped at least a foot before whipping my head to where the voice resonated from. Lotor. What -?

‘Forgive me if I scared you. I thought it wise to offer some assistance; you seemed to be in need of help.’

I didn’t answer. He took it as a “yes, I need your help”. ‘The most probable reason it is not responding to your calls, is because you are contradicting what the White Lion stands for, you aren’t being wise. That is, assuming the Lion does answer you typically.’

I turned back to White, my jaw setting. My lingering suspicion turned into certainty at Lotor’s remarks.

Well. As much as I cherished my relations with White, I wasn’t going to voice my thoughts and concerns regarding the life trade. I wasn’t particularly keen on getting involved. I wasn’t the White Paladin. I wasn’t the voice of reason. I couldn’t be. This was the exact reason as to why I couldn’t be the White Paladin. I had many a thought, but didn’t always think it wise to share them with others.

Especially not when “others” included a leader that was not being himself, a princess who wanted to get rid of the Galra empire and Zarkon as soon as possible no matter the cost, and a Paladin who was going feral and becoming blind by rage at the thought of not getting her father back when she was so close.

Yes. Now definitely not.

Without sparing Lotor or White another glance, I headed to my room, for real this time. I didn’t notice both of their piercing gazes aimed at my retreating figure.

[clevernewdimension]

Polaris Part Fourteen

Parts: Preview, Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight, Part Nine, Part Ten, Part Eleven, Part Twelve, Part Thirteen, Part Fourteen, Part Fifteen (Coming soon!)

Genre: Action, drama, romance, sci-fi, etc.

Paring: Jongin x Character

Word count: 4.1K

A/N: I have been a mess, but I’ve managed to write this. Thank you all for your support. It’s been hard to write for me, but I’m trying because it’s what y’all deserve after being so wonderful and kind to me. Just... be sure to tell your loved ones that you love them and tell them often. Because you will never know when it will be the last time they hear you say it.

I frown, looking out at the hangers and seeing supplies being loaded up. The feeling in the air has changed drastically. It was once pretty calm and peaceful here on the island. Now, with the war looming, everyone was on edge, myself included. Though, one would assume they would be after almost dying. It’s been four days since the attack on my life. I’ve been in mandatory therapy twice a day since. One more day and I’m allowed back to work. I’m fully healed, the skin just a bit tender.

Sehun sits beside me, cleaning and making sure his upgraded high power pistol is ready to go. I see Yixing out on the beach, a few other special operatives with him as they look over various maps of Tribil. The important buildings, the security and blueprints. It was a very small planet compared to Earth, but the power it held was still massive. Kyungsoo was looking over and making a note of the medical supplies being gathered here, keeping the totals of it all from here and other Syndicate bases close by.

Soon, we’ll all be sent to different large ships, the size of space stations. War ships. The council will likely be on their own ship with a few Fighters there for security. They will be acting as the brains of the battle. Reacting to what is happening, developing strategies to best gain the upper hands and try to keep the deaths on our side as minimal as possible.

“What ship are you and Jongin assigned to,” I ask, looking over.

‘Warship 3H793GT,” He says, looking up at me, “Also known as ‘The Vengeful Valor’.”

I sigh with relief, letting out a breath I was unknowingly holding. “Me too.”

“I know,” Sehun says with a smirk, “I actually requested you before anyone else could. Since Jongin is technically still out on medical leave until…,” He looks at his reader, checking the time, “Five minutes from now, if any other high ranking pilots would have requested you first, and they would have, they would have gotten you.” He smiles, “Besides, I don’t want to hear Jongin complaining about you having to be anyone else's mechanic.”

“Thank you,” I mutter quietly to him, knocking my knee into his.

All he does back is wink.

Minseok looked stressed as he walked by, checking on all the weapons and supplies. I frown, looking down at my new laser pistol and knife. They were placed there for me but I have yet to touch them. The beam of energy went from being white and bright as light to a black color from the power shift. The knife does the same. I could cut through unarmored skin as if it was air. It's that powerful. It has to be, since we’re going to be facing Myrthraians.

I was trained to kill. Grew up seeing death on every street corner. But, in all honesty, violence was never something I wanted to be a part of. I wanted to be better, to try to help people. But this life is better than what would have been the alternative. This one is a life where I would probably have to kill in order to protect myself or others. I’d take that any day. Especially over a life where, before, it was likely the only life I’d ever take would have been my own. If the Syndicate refused me, that was the plan.

Desperation for freedom will do that to a person. Death is freedom from the pain and suffering.

“Tribil will soon be free, Lyra,” Sehun says, looking back up. As if he can see what I’m thinking about. “The people there will no longer be slaves or starved. Everyone can go back to living there peacefully.”

“I wouldn’t be shocked if most of them just want to leave and never go back,” I say, my hands becoming fists.

“Then we will help them with that too,” He says, before I see his eyes glance over my shoulder. “Welcome back to the force.”

Before I could turn and look, I felt someone press a kiss to the top of my head before sitting down on the bench next to me. Jongin sighs. His eyes are red and puffy.

After his first session, he looked like he cried a lot, but I could tell he didn’t want me to mention it, so I didn’t. I just hugged him tightly. Now I place my hand on his knee, giving it a comforting squeeze.

“New weapons,” He asks, looking at Sehun’s and I’s pistols and knives.

“Yours are in your fighter,” Sehun says, “Checked the pistol, rifle and knife myself.”

“Thanks,” Jongin says, his hand moving over mine. It was warm. Comforting me back.

“You and I are going to be part of the front line,” Sehun says, “Twenty fighter pilots on our Warship including us, each with three back up fighters. I already took the liberty of putting my symbol on your back up ones. Not that you’ll need them, really.”

“Our codenames?”

“You and I are Gold One and Gold Two. On our Warship the other duos are called other colors. Silver, Red, Black, Blue, Green, Purple, Bronze, White, and Jade.” Sehun points at me, “Lyra will be handling the repairs for Gold team as well as Jade.”

“I take it Captain Allura is on a different warship,” Jongin mutters, “She’s the second best in all of the Syndicate.”

“You’d be right,” Sehun nods, “It would be stupid to have all of the best Fighter pilots on one warship.”

“Anyone else we know on our ship?”

“Baekhyun is our communications head officer,” I say, “He’ll be the one speaking directly to Junmyeon, who’s the master of communications for the whole army now.”

Jongin nods, “And what about Chanyeol? Yixing? Jongdae?”

“Chanyeol is on the same one as Amelia Allura,” Sehun says, a small pout on his face. “Jongdae is working on getting laws and shit sorted, so he won’t be leaving Mars until we’re about a quarter of the way to Tribil, then he and the Head of Justice will be escorted to HQ. Left early this morning for Mars, actuall.” Sehun’s pout grows, “And Yixing is… well, a ghost. He and the rest of Phoenix team six are likely in the process of getting deep undercover and starting the attack from within.”

“Did they say anything about their plan,” I ask, looking at the suddenly sad pilot before me.

“Nothing that can be repeated in the open like this,” He whines. “Even then it was just… barely anything he told me.”

“He’s a spy. That’s probably a good thing that he and Phoenix Team Six are keeping it close to the chest,” Jongin says, in an attempt to make Sehun feel better.

“This is what I get,” Sehun pouts, “For getting involved with a spy.”

I look away, seeing the large loading ships almost ready. Tomorrow we leave for the Warship. “We have to win,” I say, looking as the cargo ships start to take off.

“We will,” Jongin says, hand patting mine.

A cadet came, pulling Sehun away from us with something about his fighter that was here.

Dread filled me, thinking about Tribil. About Theo Rhys. What happens if we lose. Theo always gets what he wants. Except one time. He wanted the Syndicate to refuse me. But they didn’t and for the first time he had to face what it was like to not have something. Something, because all I was to him was a toy to be used.

“Lyra,” Jongin says as I see how he made me look at him. His eyes looking into mine as his thumbs wipes at my tears.

I turn, moving one leg so that I was straddling the mensch I was sitting on. I reach up, grabbing his hands from the sides of my face. “Jongin, I need you to promise me something.”

He looks at me, his eyes searching for whatever could have hurt me, “Anything,” He says, as he moves to sit like I was, facing me.

“If we are losing… if it’s a lost cause… I need you to make sure I don’t get to Rhys’s hand again,” I say, tears still falling.

I know what I’m asking of him is cruel. I know that it’s wrong. That this would be torture to him. But I can’t go back.

“I don’t understand,” He says, holding my hands tighter. Comforting.

“If he gets me and marks me, I will be his slave again,” I say, sobs starting to shake my body. “He will order m-me to live for him again. He’ll a-abuse me again. Rape me again. I-I can’t go back to that, Jongin. S-so… if there is no other way to save me from him, then I a-ask that you kill me.”

The horror on his face was gut wrenching. The pain. He shakes his head, “I can’t… Lyra, anything else. I can do anything else for you but please…”

“J-Jongin, please,” I mutter, my hands shaking. “Don’t let me go back to t-that. I’d rather my last me-memory of anything related to what he will force me be of you and not h-him. He w-will kill me, who I am, my s-soul. My body would be his puppet for YEARS. I’d rather the man I l-love kill me than have the person I hate most r-ruin me.”

The stare into my eyes was like he was looking directly at me. My self, wholly and completely laid bare emotionally for him to see. He looks down, hands squeezing mine.

“If there is no other way, I will do everything I can to free you from him, Lyra.” He says, before looking up, tears falling from his eyes. “If that means killing you so that deranged asshole can’t hurt you anymore… I promise I will. But it will be the absolute last resort.”

“I’m sorry,” I cry, as he pulled me into his arms.

“I understand,” He mutters, “I get it. If it was my father and going back to what he made me… I understand.”

My face rests on his shoulder as I cry. Horrified I would ask him that but terrified of the reality that could be if we lose.

Space travel on our little ship to Earth was homely. Small, but it felt cozy in a way. A warship is anything but cozy. I was assigned a bunk in a room with ten other people. Higher ranking officials have their own rooms. I’ve been too busy to even think about going to Jongin’s room. I get up, do everything I need to in the morning, eat, get to work on Fighters and oversee the work to other smaller aircrafts, have lunch, continue my work, have dinner, shower and fall asleep the second my head hits my pillow. The calluses on my hands are getting worse as I don’t have the time to take care of my hands. I’m just thankful there isn’t any blisters.

Even though Jongin and I haven’t seen each other for days, since we started the journey, we’re apparently the hottest topic of gossip. I see some officers look at me, quietly whispering away their rumors or disparaging my appearance. I ignore it, but after a few days, they’ve started to grow bolder with their disapproval of Jongin’s choice.

“Her back is so muscled it looks like a mans,” I hear a woman mutter as she is checking the hangar force doorwars, making sure they’re up to code.

Her friend, who was helping her, nodded, “Who would like someone who had smudges of grease on their face so often, too?”

“She’s somehow conned the most wanted man in the galaxies into da-Oh my god, look!”

I don’t look, focusing on making sure the tire for Jongin’s first backup Fighter was up to code. I feel someone’s hand on my arm as I look, seeing the man himself. He looked tired, but smiled at me as he surveyed the Fighter. The paint job on it is completely done. The name in the common language, Aryl 2. I rolled my eyes, seeing the glittering of golden paint of the names once more. On the side by the thrusters was a deep blue rose, his mother’s favorite I’ve come to learn. It was more plain this time, as he started a new place to count the tallies of ships shot down with this fighter.

“Looks good,” He says, “Not that I’ll need it, really.”

“You will if you decide to do your best suicide mission impression,” I say, shaking my head. “I will lose my shit if you ever do that again.”

I hear a small chuckle from him, “I swear I will not wreck another one of your pride and joys like that ever again.”

“Good, because there is only one backup Fighter stick so after that one would have to use the wheel just like everyone else,” I say, smirking at him.

“Well that’s just awful,” He says with a small smile. He looks at me in the eyes, and it makes my heart race just a moment. He glances at my cheek, “Did I ever tell you how cute you look with grease on your face?”

My face flushes, “Stop. We’re supposed to be professional.”

“You’re a professional at being cute.”

I roll my eyes, “First of all, that was just so cheesy and lame. Second, will you just take the second Fighter out on its test run, won’t you?”

He smiles, untying the pilot suit arms from about his waist and pulling them on. He zips up the dark blue suit, before reaching for his helmet. “You sure you don’t want to come this time?”

“And almost puke again? Pass,” I say, shaking my head. “Besides, it was brand new. No rebuilt anything. Should be fine without me. Besides,” I say, looking back, “I have two more I have to do before Dinner.”

He tosses his helmet in, turning to me. “Have dinner with me tonight.”

I nod, “Sure. I hear officers have better food anyways.”

He lets out a small laugh, “You just can’t say you want to see me, hm?” Before I could reply, his hands gently grabbed my face, pulling it to him as he pressed his lips to mine. It was very passionate for such a quick kiss that it left me red in the face. He smiles, before saying, “Hopefully this will stop people from saying such unflattering things about the woman I love.” He turns, looking at the two gossips who’s mouths are hanging open. Their faces flush with embarrassment before turning back to their work.

“For the record,” He says, muttering into my ear, “I think your muscular back is very sexy.”

I shove him, “Will you just get on with it!”

The laugh was like music to my ears as he started the Fighter. It sounded normal as I covered my eyes, watching it slowly and carefully take off out the hanger. The eyes of the two women look over andI just roll my eyes, before turning to the next fighter.

It was an older version of the model we use now, so it needed a bit more love than the others. One of the metal panels was loose so I had to weld that back to the ship. It was after that when Jongin came back. He lands easy, being sure to reverse the Fighter so that it can take off quick if needed.

When he exits the Fighter, he lands with a thump. I wiped the sweat from my face as I saw Sehun meet him and talk. The Fighter pilots spend a lot of their time in their units making sure to have their battle plans all set. Yesterday was Gold unit’s watch. When they’re on watch they fly around our warship, making sure there are no threats.

“Lang,” I hear a voice call.

I look over and see our Judiciary officer at the door. He was from a planet I wasn’t familiar with. His dark shin was a deep gun metal gray as his freckles looked like he had some glowing opals on his face. He was tall, about six and a half feet. “Come with me,” He says, “We have a few things to sort out.”

“Alright,” I say, before looking back to the other mechanics, “This last Jade team fighter just needs the tire pressure adjusted and it’s engine looked at.”

“Yes Ma’am,” A younger woman says. Fresh recruit.

I turn, quickly washing the grease off my hands and face before following him. He leads me to his office in the officers section of the ship.

“My name is Officer Yvetal Rit and we’re here to discuss what should happen to your assets should something tragic occur to you,” He says, looking at me. He sighs, “I know it’s not what you want to do, but it needs to be done. But first...”

He passes a reader towards me, “Sign here to show you’ve been informed that Major Kim Jongin has, should something happen to him, left all his assets, monetary or physical, to you.”

“What,” I ask, looking at him in the eyes. My heart started to race. To me? Everything? I look at the paper, seeing a very very VERY large sum of money as well as a few of his bigger and more important items listed. My heart was in my throat looking at this.

He smiles, “He did. Please.”

I quickly sign the line on the reader, seeing him look at him, nodding.

“Major,” I mutter, “He didn’t tell me that he was promoted.”

Officer Yvetal chuckles a bit, “So, Lang-”

“Two can play at this game,” I say, looking at him. “All of my shit goes to him if something happens to me.”

I see him smile, “He said you would do that.” I see him type some things into the reader, before passing it to me. “Handprint and signature to confirm you wish to leave everything to Major Kim.”

I press my hand to the screen until I hear the beep of confirmation. Then I quickly sign my name.

“Should you pass away, what would you like to have done to your remains should we be able to collect them?”

“Incinerated and…” I stop, thinking. “My ashes spread at the base we left on Earth.”

He nods, “Alright. Sign and handprint again, please.”

I do that again before he nods, “Well, that’s all set. Thank you for making this easy instead of listing off twenty people to give things to.”

I smile, “Some people are that bad, hm?”

“You wouldn’t believe,” He says, standing and holding out his hand, “Thank you, Miss Lang.”

I shake his hand before leaving the office. I see Sehun standing outside the office, “Your work for the day is done.”

“Hello to you too,” I say, rolling my eyes.

“Soon you’ll have to meet the medical officers and give the power over your medical decisions over to someone should you don’t be of sound mind or awake to make them,” He says, looking over at me. “Yixing is my number one, then it’s Jongin… then you.”

My eyes go wide, “Really? Me?”

“I know you’ll choose based on what you think I would want,” He says, nodding. “I already know Jongin is going to be your number one, but they will ask for at least one other in case something happens to them or they’re indisposed.”

“Um… You, I guess…. And Kyungsoo?”

“Fuck,” Sehun mutters, “I should have chosen Kyungsoo.”

I smile, before he takes my arm, “Come on, I’ll help you get to Jongin’s room.”

“When was he going to tell me he’s a Major now,” I say, pouting.

“He doesn’t really care about rank to be fair,” He says, looking at me. Sehun smirks, “You must have been shocked at the money he would leave you, hm?”

“He’s fucking loaded,” I say, shaking my head.

“He’s not one to spend frivolously,” Sehun says. “He’s mostly wanting to get a place on a planet somewhere after he retires. Peaceful, you know?”

“With his battle experience, he could retire early,” I point out.

The more battles you’ve been in, the shorter your time to retirement is. You do risk your life, after all.

“He could retire now,” Sehun says, looking at me, “He has that much experience. I know, because I have the same.”

I laugh, “I still have a few years before I get enough mechanic experience.”

Sehun glances over, “But you also have battle experience. Pilots have twenty-five year contracts that go down with battle experience because battle experience reduces the time quickly. Mechanics have ten year contracts. With your six years experience plus your battle experience from the two battles you’ve taken part in, you’ve probably had a few months after this war. Unless you get into another battle, then you’d be clear too.”

My eyes widen, “Battle experience is that much?”

“For mechanics? Absolutely. It counts double for people who are not Fighter or Bomber pilots, spys, ground fighters, et cetera.”

“Fucking hell,” I say, shaking my head.

Sehun stops in front of a door, knocking. “Tell Jongin I say that our next patrol is tomorrow morning.” He smiles, walking away.

The door opens and I see Jongin. He was still in his flight suit, though tied around his waist like before. He glances at me from the reader in his hand, smiling. “Hi.”

I smirk, before saluting. “Hello, Major Kim.”

He groans, “Who told you.”

“Judicial. When I found out you could potentially leave me a shit ton of money.”

He moves to the side, letting me in. It was a nice room. It had a desk, a private bathroom and, to the left, a full sized bed. Much bigger than my single bunk.

“So you found that out, hm,” He says as I walk by him.

I nod, “Did the same back to you. Not that I have anything really…”

He laughs, “I knew it.”

The dynamic outside the door was all around us as it shut. An air of fear. Terror knowing you’re about to head straight into a battle where many will die. When you and your loved ones can die. I couldn’t get my mind off of these thoughts as Jongin so graciously let me use his shower instead of the community ones those of us of lower ranks would use. How many people with those tattoos are going to be made to fight us? To die because of us? How many of my fellow Tribians are going to make it out of this war alive? Any?

I pulled on one of his t-shirts, looking at myself in the mirror. I look exhausted, and this is from the emotional turmoil alone. The stakes that Yixing and I have in this war are higher than most. If we fail, we will be sentenced to a fate worse than death itself.

Briefly, my mind saw that disgusting man over me. A memory of him using me for his sick needs. I shake my head, try to steady my shaking hands as I looked at myself once more in the mirror.

I turn, leaving the door and I see Jongin on his bed. He was dressed comfortably and he leaned up, his eyes full of worry. It was then when I finally broke. I moved to him, pushing him to lay down. I curled my body to him and just sobbed. All of my tangled maze of emotions finally coming out bit by bit has led to the flood. The stress, the fear, the worry… it all came out as I felt him wrap his arms around me. Soft words muttered to me, but he was letting me have this time. This moment of safety to let it out.

And I do. I cry so long that my head pounds, my throat was sore and my hands were shaking. It was like I was preemptively morning to loss of many of my people, of my friends and allies. I will probably see this as cathartic tomorrow, but for now all I feel is utter fear and almost hopelessness. The only way I could have ever let his out is because of the feeling of safety Jongin gives me. A small part of me feels sorry for doing this to him, but I know he wouldn’t mind.

His arms are the only comfort I have right now. His presence. The warmth of his body next to mine. It was only because of him I even managed to get a restful sleep for the first time since I was attacked on Earth. And for that I will forever feel grateful.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Once Bitten, Twice Stupid prt 167 prt 1

167

Having Coran come, both Lance and Curtis were now asleep on the sofa. With a little quintessence manipulation, Curtis was asleep in moments, Coran feeling it the best option in light of his episode during the night. Lance’s quintessence had been manipulated too, though Coran had done that for pain reasons. Massaging Lance’s lower back, the sounds the vampire made verged on pornographic as the pain was eased leaving Lance falling asleep naturally against him. Keith cuddling him close, knowing he was going to be sad about Curtis leaving with Shiro and Coran after what Lance would deem a short visit. It was enough to make a man’s head ache, though that might also be due to a lack of sleep and paint fumes from getting a bit carried away with his brother and their quest for perfectly painted walls.

Sitting on the coffee table, Shiro had his head in his hands. Matt hadn’t teased him at all, and without Matt’s teasing things felt tense. Keith wished he knew how to break the tension, yet he also knew Shiro might just snap if one of them tried to. Rieva had gone for a run to work off her anger over the situation. Like him, she wasn’t so much mad at Curtis, just more shocked none of them had heard him make such a mess. The blood had stained, ruining Lance’s kitchen table. Lance assured him it’d happened before and he’d take care of it, but they wouldn’t have to take care of it if the demon wasn’t so close to the surface thanks to fucking Honerva. She was just the gift that kept on giving, even from the grave.

Curtis blamed himself entirely, yet remembered nothing about being in the kitchen and destroying anything. Krolia had it from Lance, but everything in the fridge had been coated with blood, the only things surviving were the things inside the containers. Forgetting that she’d made Lance a cup of tea, his boyfriend was spared as Keith’s caffeine deprived brain had him scull back the tea. It wasn’t until he’d drained the mug that he found it was both tea and salt had been added instead of sugar. His mother needed reading lessons from what he could tell. The sugar lived in the sugar canister that clearly read “Sugar”. She would have had to move away from the sugar to find the cooking salt in the spice rack. Keith couldn’t be completely angry at her. She’d totally stepped up. Calmly they’d cleaned the kitchen to as close to Lance’s standards as they could get it, happily pottering around in a way that reminded him of Mami. When he thought like that, it only made sense that Lance would turn to her for maternal comfort. Part of him absolutely hated cleaning up Curtis’s mess, but for him to be there doing it really did show him that Lance could turn to him and that’s all he wanted.

“We should leave”

Shiro’s words hurt. His brother sounded defeated. Manipulating Curtis’s quintessence had been at Curtis’s request. The man didn’t trust himself to be awake, though Lance kept trying to tell him that these things happen. Matt backed him up over how easy it was to let your ego slip and do something you didn’t mean to, but for Curtis it seemed to be the ultimate betrayal to ever do anything against Lance. Lance hadn’t had the best start with Curtis, they both thought the other one hated them and Keith clearly remembered how upset that made his boyfriend. Now the pair were as thick as thieves. They’d both tried to protect each other in an impossible situation. A situation he still hadn’t brought any closer to a resolution for Lance as he still hadn’t let him go to the house.

Maybe it was the time with him mum spent cleaning, but it stirred up the memory of his first kill. He’d wanted to go back. He’d forgotten about it seeing how many times he’d had to kill since. Or maybe it was the way Lance looked at his kitchen once it’d been cleaned, relief like a burden lifted making his boyfriend smile.

“I think that is a very good idea number one. To think the demon would act so violently in the presence of kin. Had I known, I would have come myself with you”

Keith didn’t get the “kin” bit. Was it because demons came from hell and Lance had a close connection with the darkness and death? Sighing to himself more than anything, he replied

“You didn’t. None of us did. Look, Lance gets it, and if he wasn’t pregnant I would be okay with you guys staying... but when I think about him hurting Lance I can’t. Not just because of Lance and our twins, but because Curtis would never forgive himself. I’m sorry, Shiro. You’ve been so patient with Lance...”

“I get it. I wouldn’t want a demon around my pregnant boyfriend either”

Shiro sounded bitter, Keith’s heart hurting a fresh for his brother

“It’s not... you guys are never not welcome here. Curtis isn’t in a good place mentally and I don’t want him going through something worse. Coran, will the summoning still happen?”

“Three days time. I’ve cleared the lowest level of VOLTRON. The seals and charms are in place, yet there’s an ingredient or two that are still brewing”

“Can we be there?”

Coran shook his head

“I’m sorry. The only ones allowed in the chamber will be Allura, myself, Curtis and Shiro”

His brother hadn’t told him that bit

“Shiro?”

“He will anchor Curtis’s soul to the realm as the demon is summoned. For someone like you and Lance to be there would upset your bonds with each other. You may stay on an upper floor during the summoning, but I cannot allow you down to that level”

“Is that because you keep saying Lance and I are soulmates?”

“Yes. Your souls are so tightly linked it is very remarkable. I do not take manipulating his quintessence today lightly. Even though it alleviated his pain, there is a still a slight disturbance. You surely noticed the physical changes you have gone through by his side”

“The physical?”

“Increased stamina. Overly protective. You notice his scent that others would miss. The love you share is woven down to the base of your very being. All of you are remarkably connected with your quintessence. Even you Shiro. The demon’s own quintessence is leaking freely. We will grasp it by this quintessence and pull it into our plain before banishment to the demon realm”

Hang on

“Is it safe to do that? Won’t Shiro be hurt?”

Coran huffed, hand coming up to brush his long orange hair back from his face with a smirk

“A low level demon holds nothing against a fae”

Did Coran just totally brag about being a fae? Keith didn’t know what to say about that. Coran was cooky and hooky, but all he ever bragged about was Allura and Lance... and his adventures in his youth

“No need to stare, number two! We’ll get this pesky demon dealt with, then start planning the wedding!”

“Who’s wedding? What?”

“Shiro’s and Curtis’s of course! Now, we really should leave. I estimate Curtis won’t rouse for several more hours, plenty of time to get located in VOLTRON, all nice and snug as a bug. Oh, I have something for Lance the next time you two pop in!”

Coran stated Shiro’s sudden up coming wedding with such certainty that Shiro gaped at him. Keith felt like saying “Welcome to the club”, where all their friends were off in la-la land and people suddenly got married after ridiculously short spans dating. Instead the hunter carefully shook Lance’s shoulder

“Babe, Shiro and Curtis are leaving. You wanna say bye, right?”

Lance nodded as he yawned. His boyfriend tangling himself in the blanket as he moved suddenly to hug Shiro, half falling off the sofa as he did. Sucking his lips in, Keith bit the top one lightly to keep from laughing as Lance all but climbed up Shiro’s legs before wrapping his arms around his waist. Shiro’s expression was a kind of resigned sigh if a sigh could be an expression

“Lance?”

“He’ll be alright... I’m not mad at him, but if you need anything you better call me or I’m going to be sad”

Shiro’s moves were jerky as he placed his hand on Lance’s shoulder

“I’m sorry...”

“Don’t you dare apologise. He didn’t mean to and I won’t have anyone saying he did on purpose. We’re a pack and our pack mate just needs a little more attention right now”

Shiro tilted his head, Keith snorting at his brother who seemed a few moments behind as his brain short circuited over “wedding”

“He means we’re family. And family rely on each other. He’s right though. If you don’t ask for help or call me, I’m throwing all your bobble heads out”

That got Shiro kicked into gear. Sliding his hand down, his brother leaned forward to hug Lance the best he could

“Thank you”

“Curtis is “Dude-bro” for life. So are you. I wish you guys could have stayed longer, but right now Curtis can’t handle the stress and paranoia. Make sure you tell him I won’t watch any of our shows without him. We’re going to have a marathon once that demon fucks off”

Shiro chuckled

“I’ll be sure to”

“And make sure he knows that I’m not mad. I know I told him and I’ll keep telling him, but it’s really important you remind him that none of us are. I know from personal experience”

“I’ll make sure he knows”

“And make sure you eat. And shower. And sleep. And call Keith. Like three times a day”

Lance was getting bossy in all the right ways. His tone taking on the tone he usually used when scolding them for their misbehaviour

“I will. You make sure you get some rest”

“I’m gonna. Gonna make Keith take a nap too. I want to work on the nursery with you guys properly... and get photos of uncle Shiro hard at work”

“Sounds good, kiddo. We’ll see you in a few days”

“I really wish you didn’t have to go”

“I know. Next time we’ll stay longer”

“Good. Okay, babe, I think I’m stuck between your brother’s legs”

That wasn’t happening. Lance was his boyfriend and he wasn’t sharing. Shuffling forward on the sofa, Keith pulled on Lance’s shoulders, Lance letting himself be pulled up as he put a little vampire strength in it, winding up in Keith’s lap suddenly. Leaning back, Lance sighed at him

“Sorry. My strength is playing up again”

“Don’t be sorry. Aren’t you going to say goodbye to the others?”

“Yeah. Thanks for coming out Coran, and Krolia, thanks for helping with the kitchen. You’re welcome to come stay any time you want to”

“Don’t tell her that, she might never leave”

Lance giggled at him. His boyfriend was definitely the wrong side of sleepy

“That’s okay with me. She’s part of our pack too. And so’s Coran”

Patting Lance’s leg, Keith felt he should probably be polite

“I know. Let me up and I’ll show them to the door”

“No need, number two. We’ll see ourselves out. Make sure you two take it easy. You’ll be back at work next week, and I’m afraid you’ll have to hit the ground running”

Keith groaned deeply. Work. Ugh. Lance shook his head at him

“None of that. I’m proud of you, babe. The world needs a hot grizzled manly hunter out there”

With his heart going stupid, Keith blushed hard. Mouth opening and closing as he didn’t know what to say. He was having a thought and having a thought that meant having to do a thing that wasn’t doing the do. He just knew it felt like the right thing to do... but first he needed to do the sleep.

*

“Baaaaabe. Babe, wake up...”

Scrunching his eyes tightly closed, Keith tried not to be awake. He’d been awake with his eyes closed for a little while now. Hand resting on Lance’s belly as his boyfriend kissed his cheek. Tomorrow was the doing day. Feeling Lance’s hand slide down to his underwear, being awake didn’t seem like such a bad idea anymore. Wrapping his arm around Lance, he hugged his boyfriend close, Lance laughing softly at him

“Having fun?”

“Mmm... I want to suck your dick. But only if you’re down for that”

“I think I’m up for that”

They’d both felt down with Shiro, Curtis, Krolia, and Coran leaving. Rieva apologised for her aggression, but the mood kind of felt somber all day. Writing off the day they’d gotten pizza from Sal’s before both couples curled up in the living room for some mindless TV in the middle of the night. The following morning Lance was on the phone to Hunk when Keith finally forced himself out of bed. Somehow the pair had managed to spend the last two hours on the phone. Hunk had everything explained to him, Lance’s mood much better for it. Their walking ray of sunshine had brought comfort food, the day spent having some seriously serious gaming in which Lance took no prisoners murdering zombies, while Keith seemed to only get himself murdered in game. Keith knew most of it was for his benefit, seeing he really couldn’t stop thinking about Shiro, and appreciated the thought. Thinking about what he had planned, Keith had coaxed Lance to bed early, now he seemed to be paying the price.

Smiling at him, Lance moved to straddle his waist. Normally he was the one initiating things, when Lance wasn’t in heat, but Lance could be a horny little shit and he loved when he was. God. This was most definitely the best way to wake up. Moving his hands to his boyfriend’s hips, Lance leaned down to kiss him, Keith having to lean up thanks to his boyfriend’s belly. Deciding three quick pecks were enough, his boyfriend drew back with a smirk. Running his finger down Keith’s chest, Lance pouted at him

“Babe, if I told you you had a nice body, would you hold it against me?”

“I don’t know... Are you a parking ticket? Because you’ve got fine written all over you”

“I hope you know CPR, you’re taking my breath away”

“Babe, you’re already dead”

Lance sighed as he shook his head, that pout coming back

“Here I was trying to be alluring. Now you’re saying I’m a stiff with a stiffy?”

“Yep... but your arse is seriously out of this world”

“Keep that up and you’re going the right way for a spanked bottom, Keith Kogane”

Raising an eyebrow, he could kind of support that

“Do you promise?”

“What am I going to do with you?”

“Suck me off?”

“Maybe I’ll eat you out... take my time to enjoy this meal beneath me”

“Oh, so now I’m a snack?”

“I’ll snack on you!”

Leaning down, Lance bared his fangs. Keith laughing as his boyfriend pretended to be a mindless vampire, nomming at thin air

“Babe! Babe... I thought you wanted to be sexy”

Pulling back, Lance nodded at him. Keith trying to compose himself

“I do. I’ve wanted to do this for a while now”

“What?”

“This. Us. You beneath me...”

Oh. Keith blinked, not sure he was getting what Lance wasn’t saying. Did his boyfriend want to fuck him and was settling with sucking him off? Or was Lance content with sucking him off? He didn’t bottom because he didn’t enjoy the sensation. Lance was pretty content bottoming... more than content, yet he also knew his boyfriend had other needs. Not to just be fucked but to be the one doing the fucking. That’s why the pocket pussy lived within hands reach. It was their compromise. Silently agreed upon to help Lance cope with his vampire ego’s desire to be on top.

“Babe, there’s no need to look so confused. If you’re not into it, that’s fine”

“No. No... I’m definitely into it, and I’d like to be in you... I just... Do you want me to do anything?”

His words failed to say what he wanted them to say

“I want to touch you. That’s what I want”

“But what about you?”

“I want tonight to be about you. I want you to fall apart and I want to taste you...”

Keith liked when pleasure was a two way street. Sometimes it was about just scratching that itch, yet even then they never left each other wanting. He didn’t feel ashamed in loving Lance, nor ashamed of loving Lance. Unlike Coran he couldn’t believe in soulmates. But he did believe that Lance was the only one he wanted for the rest of his life. And shit if his brain power hadn’t shorted out at his boyfriend’s words

“I better not keep you waiting then”

“Thanks for the meal!”

His boyfriend was an idiot.

His boyfriend was an idiot with a very skilled mouth... and Keith was an idiot lost to his skills. Tearing off Keith’s underwear, literally, Lance hooked his legs over his shoulders and buried himself between them without a moments hesitation. Lance might be a good God fearing vampire, but the things he did were utterly sinful. Starting off by sucking him, Keith moaned as Lance hollowed his cheeks, taking him right to the base like he was born to. His lover’s hands on his legs, lulling him into total bliss before his eyes were shooting wide at the thumb rubbing against his opening. Chuckling around his dick, his boyfriend pulled off leaving a trail of saliva and precum the tip of Keith erection to Lance’s perfect little lips

“Relax for me, baby. I’m going to eat you out”

That didn’t require a thumb there. For a moment Keith wondered if he should maybe be ashamed with his legs hanging open, leaving everything on display... but this was Lance, who’d seen it all before. With a single stiff nod of permission, his boyfriend smiled down at him

“Don’t worry, babe. I’m going to eat you out then suck you off for dessert. You taste so fucking good... just relax for me and let me take care of you... look at you... you’re so damn beautiful, babe”

Fisting their sheets, Keith lost it. The heat pooled in his belly was bordering painful. His dick dribbling precum that pooled at the bend of his body. Lance’s tongue working the taunt rim of his opening, no where he ever expected to enjoy a tongue so much. The pleasure building so badly that he knew a single touch against his straining erection would have him coming apart. This was what Lance did to him. He drew out all his deepest carnal desires and stripped his human form to that of the hungry beast inside. Damn... that tongue... he didn’t care that Lance’s teeth would occasionally press against his skin when that tongue was magical

“Babe... fuck... I want to come”

The hunger in Lance’s eyes sent a shiver down his spine as his boyfriend pulled back

“You can come any time you want”

He was wired too, but that wiring wasn’t quite there with being eaten out tonight. Underneath the fog in his brain, he kept thinking about Lance’s needs. His wishes... how maybe if his tongue felt so fucking good that he could cry, then maybe something bigger wouldn’t be bad

“I want you...”

“You want me to do what?”

“Touch me more...”

Lance nodded, moving Keith’s legs apart a little more before sinking his mouth back over Keith’s dick. Keith’s hand shot to grab Lance by the hair. The muscles of his inside thighs and stomach jumping and twitching as he tried not to come

“Not like that... in me... I want to... try”

Lance backed off completely. Keith’s orgasm still so damn close that it hurt, but his boyfriend’s behaviour had him confused. Did Lance not want to try... that?

“Babe?”

“Sorry... I’m... you want to...?”

“I know you get urges too...”

Those were the wrong words. Lance immediately frowning at him. Why did his scent have to be damn addictive? And so very telling?

“I want to make you feel good... I don’t want you forcing yourself because you some how think I want it”

“It’s not that... I think I want to try that again with you”

Lance didn’t seem convinced. Running his hands down Keith’s thighs, the movement nearly pushed him to coming

“Not tonight. Tonight is about you”

“I think...”

“No more thinking. Let me make you come”

“But...”

“I know what you like, babe. Let me make you come in my mouth”

Shifting back, Lance lifted his legs again, sinking down around Keith’s erection with his eyes closed. He only got as far as drawing back before Keith was coming. Orgasm smashing through him as his toes curled as he grunted in pleasure.

Sucking him dry, Lance used his tongue to make sure he was completely clean before lowering his shaking legs. Climbing up to slump beside him, Keith’s chest heaved as he caught his breath, totally ready for a nap now. Staring at the ceiling, his left hand came up rest on his chest, heart racing like he’d run a marathon

“Shit... that... mouth of yours...”

Lance snorted at him, his baby bump pressing against the hunter’s arm. His bump... he loved that bump

“Feel good?”

“Criminally”

Lance sighed lightly as he kissed Keith’s shoulder

“I love you. You’re the most beautiful man I’ve ever met”

Moving his arm, Keith wasn’t sure what he was trying to do with it seeing it was trapped against him. His hand brushed over Lance’s tenting sweats, but his boyfriend didn’t react

“Lay back...”

“‘Nah, I’m okay like this”

Lance was turning down a blow job? Not to brag but his boyfriend loved his blow jobs

“Babe...?”

“Not tonight. Tonight I wanted to touch you”

“Maybe I want to touch you?”

“It’s fine. I want to snuggle with you”

Okay. He could snuggle... he could also down a litre of water right about now. He was thirsty as heck

“I’m thirsty... I don’t know if my legs are going to hold me up”

“I can get you some water... I don’t mind. Actually, hold on and I’ll be right back”

Walking around with an erection didn’t feel great. Keith had plenty of experience with that... as Lance moved away from him, Keith propped himself up. He didn’t want to force Lance into anything, but he didn’t know why he didn’t want him to touch him too. His lover hadn’t even taken his pants off. Even when Keith’s lavished attention on Lance’s body, his boyfriend then insisted on lavishing him as much in return... unless he’d fallen asleep right after coming. Now he had a conundrum and no dust bunnies to run the wheel until a logical thought was churned out.

Coming back to bed, Lance smiled at him as he passed him the glass of water. Keith had heard the toilet flush, his boyfriend never got a break from having to pee

“Thanks, babe”

“You’re welcome”

Leaning over, Lance kissed his forehead. Keith very much naked on display, yet Lance wasn’t looking. Getting up from the side of the bed, his boyfriend walked around, rather than simply climbing over him to get to his side. Pulling the covers up, he left Keith to cool. Still heated and sweaty from being blown into the next dimension. Wriggling himself into place, Lance wrapped his arm around him.

Placing the glass on the bedside table, Keith slid down into his spot, kissing the top of Lance’s head

“You good, babe?”

“Mhmm... brushed my teeth”

Lance tilted his head up, blowing across Keith’s face, before nuzzling into his chest

“See, minty fresh”

“I can tell... you sure you’re okay?”

“Mhmm...”

Keith tried to let it slide, but he couldn’t

“Babe... why didn’t you want to do me?”

Lance sighed at him, fingers sliding up to sit lightly curled on Keith’s stomach

“I wanted to make you feel good. You don’t like bottoming and that’s okay”

“But I wanted to try it”

“And I wanted to focus on making you feel good... did I not make you feel good?”

Shit. Abort. Things were going sideways

“No. No, babe. It felt very very good. It felt so good that I thought maybe I wouldn’t mind something bigger”

“Mmm, I know one finger is your limit... I don’t mind”

“But you didn’t want me to...”

“Keith, I love you. I love you and I’m sleepy. I wanted to touch you. I wanted to make you feel every bit as loved as you are”

“But I love sucking your dick”

[sweet-sammy-kisses]

Cream Puffs and Puppies Chapter 2

For TimKon week Prompt: Matchmaker. I went in a different direction with the prompt. I hope you enjoy.  Pairings: Kon/Tim, Jason/Roy/Kory, Cass/Cassie, Dick/Wally, Diana/Bruce, and Jon/Damian You can also read it on AO3

"I can't believe I let you talk me into this." Jason Todd growled as he glared at his two lovers and then his little sister.

"Come on Jason, you have to admit that it is clear that Bruce, Dick, and even the little demon miss Tim, and Tim misses them greatly." Roy reminded the growling man.

"I know that! I just don't get why we have to do this at a stupid con or why we have to dress up!" Jason hissed back as he tugged at his costume, at least it wasn't something ridiculous. "And why the hell can't I wear a shirt?"

"Because Dante doesn't wear a shirt." Kory happily informed Jason stealing a quick kiss. "How do I look?" She asked twirling around in her cosplay outfit.

"You look amazing." Roy came to stand beside Kory they both ended up going as Neo Queen Serenity and Neo King Endymion both looked amazing as their characters.

Cass had decided to go as Sailor Mars and Jason had a feeling a big part of her choice had to do with the fact that Cassie was going as Sailor Venus.

"Just so you know the only reason I am doing this is because I want to see what Blondie and Babs picked for Bruce, Dickie, and the demon spawn," Jason informed them as he crossed his arms over his chest.

A wide grin appeared on Roy's face as he clapped Jason on the back, "Sure Jay whatever you say."

Jason glared at Roy then turned his attention to Elizabeth, who he ended up adopting after his fifth visit when Tim rolled his eyes and shoved the adoption papers in his hands and told him to just fill them out already, gave him a doggy grin full of love. "Fine, let's get this over with."

+*****+

"You look amazing my space husband." Tim beamed at Conner who had finished putting the final touches on his costume. In Tim's opinion, he made a very handsome Shiro.

Tim had decided to go as Keith Kogane when Conner surprised him with tickets to a comic con and every Keith needed his own Shiro.

Conner could only smile as he pressed his lips against Tim's he knew his lover was obsessed with Voltron and what he called the epic love story of Keith and Shiro, he refused to accept the ending that neither Keith and Shiro or Lance and Allura ended up together.

"How dare they deny them their happy ending." Tim hissed as he watched the final seasons.

Conner had kept a close on Tim after that, the last thing he wanted was for him to do something drastic like buy the studio and redo the entire last season himself.

"The last time I went..." Tim trailed off the last time he went Dick had been there, they even managed to get Bruce to come along with them.

"Come on we better get going to meet the others." Conner stole a kiss from Tim, he hated the pain in Tim's eyes, he knew that he still missed his family. 'Please let this plan work.'

+******+

Barbara Gordon wasn't someone you messed around with, she rolled into the Batcave with Alfred and Stephanie both behind her.

"If you want to win back Tim this is your chance," Barbra informed them as she passed them their outfits. "You have half an hour to get ready before I call in reinforcements in the form of Wally, Jon, and Diana." Grinning as her threat had the effect she wanted she rolled herself out of the Batcave, she had her costume to pack.

With Bruce having his own plane it was easy to get them to San Francisco in time. Of course, Barbra had left out the little fact that Wally, Jon, and Diana would still be joining them. She rather enjoyed watching Jon appear in front of Damian and hug him.

Barbra made sure to get photos she had no clue how Diana convinced Bruce that yes he had to dress up as Wesley from the Princess Bride to her Buttercup but she had managed to do so. She had a feeling the black outfit helped.

Jon had picked Sasuke for Damian and Naruto for himself. Damian's scowl matched Sasuke's perfectly while Jon was just as happy as his character was.

Wally and Dick, well Babs was impressed at how much Dick managed to look like Tony Stark while Wally looked like a stupidly in love Steve Rogers as he gazed at Dick. 'Perfect for them.'

Barbra had chosen to go as Captain Marvel (Carol) and she rather pleased with how her costume had turned out.

Stephanie looked amazing as Spider Gwen, she looked unrecognizable.

"Now remember that our goal is to talk to Tim and prove to him how much we miss him." Dick reminded them. Guilt had eaten at him when Jason returned Red Robin's suit and everything to them. He had failed his little brother.

"Indeed." Damian, after Jon, pointed out how he talked and treated Tim had been wrong, had come to realize that both he and Tim were loved and wanted. He needed to make amends for his past treatment of Tim.

+*****+

"Wow, you guys look amazing." Tim praised as he caught sight of everyone's costumes. Raven looked amazing as Gamora and Gar looked like he was having a blast as Star-Lord. Bart was hopping around as Spiderman and Cassie looked amazing as Sailor Venus.

"Let's go," Jason growled as he stalked towards the entrance.

Linking hands with Conner Tim pulled him to follow after his older brother.

+****+

They had been there for about an hour when Conner got the text he was waiting for.

We are here.

Giving the signal to the others they followed Cass who would easily find her family.

"Look," Tim whispered to Conner as he walked behind his sister and friend.

Conner grinned as he spotted the link hands between Cass and Cassie and the faint blush on both of their cheeks.

"Hey Spiderman, looking good." Spider Gwen appeared out of nowhere, nudging Bart in the side.

Tim blinked he would know that voice anywhere. "Steph?" He had been so focused on being happy for Cass and Cassie that he hadn't been paying attention to the fact that he had been lead into a room.

Tugging off her hood Stephanie grinned at Tim, "Hey, ex-boyfriend long time no see."

It took Tim one glance around the room to see who else was there and his chest clenched. "What are you all doing here?"

Dick took a step towards Tim, "We are here for you Tim. To ask for a second chance to make things right with you. To prove that we love you, that you are part of our family. I know I haven't been the best brother to you and I want to fix that."

Bruce followed Dick and came to stand next to his oldest, "You are my son and I am sorry that I should have never made sure you knew that."

Jon nudged Damian who rolled his eyes as he followed his family, "I owe you an apology, Drake... Timothy. I was wrong in how I treated you and I wish to get to know you as my brother."

Dick gave Tim a a pleading look, "I love you, Tim, we all do will you give us a second chance?"

Tim had missed them all so much, yes they had hurt him deeply but he couldn't deny them that he missed them and wanted them back in his life. "Okay, I missed you all and I want my family back."

Dick moved and engulfed Tim in a tight hug. "I have missed you, little brother. And I'm not going to lose you again."

Tim clung to Dick, he had missed his hugs, "I missed you too big brother."

Jason rolled his eyes as he spotted Bruce's hands twitching, "Oh hug him already." Jason wasn't in the mood to watch him brood.

Tim and Dick were engulfed in Bruce's warmth as he hugged them to his chest.

Jon looked at Damian, "I am not hugging them." Damian informed his boyfriend.

A sweet smile appeared on Jon's face, "You're here that is a good start."

Once the hug broke Tim turned to face Conner, "Was this your idea?" He asked.

Conner grinned sheepishly, "It was a joint effort. We could see how much you missed them. You weren't whole without them and from what Stephanie and Barbra said they were even more miserable than you. Besides, I figured you would want your father to walk you down the aisle."

The room went silent as everyone stared at Conner.

Tim's eyes were wide, "Are you asking me to marry you?"

Conner fell down to one knee and pulled out the ring box he had been carrying around with him for a month, "Timothy Drake-Wayne since the moment I met you my life was changed for the better. I couldn't imagine my life without you. The day I met you was the day I met my soulmate and I want to spend the rest of our lives together and be able to call you my husband. So will you marry me?"

Tim lunged at Conner, wrapping his arms around his neck and kissing him deeply.

"I think that is a yes," Bart commented.

Bruce let out a distress noise that had Diana linking their hands together, "I think this is wonderful a union blessed by the Gods. Their souls have always been meant to be one." She whispered to Bruce who could only grunt.

Wally shook his head as Dick looked torn between happy that Tim was getting married or upset that his baby brother was getting married. "Conner is good for him and he will treat Tim the way he deserves to be treated." Wally did his best to comfort Dick.

"Don't worry I already gave Conner a long and very detailed list of what will happen to him should he hurt baby bird." Jason drawled out.

"What! You knew?" Dick whirled around and glared at his brother who just let out a crackle than a curse as Dick tackled him.

While chaos broke out behind them Tim broke the kiss and rested his forehead against Conner's, "The answer, by the way, is yes. Thank you for bringing my family back to me."

"Anything for you my space husband."

[seeds-of-the-garden]

"Hey Lance, remember that Alien movie where the alien bursts out of that guy's body and then is let loose to terrify the rest of the crew." "Damn it Pidge. This had better not be your way of telling me you're pregnant."

I really enjoyed how this one came out! Allura POV, for fun. :)

~~~~~

Pidge is screaming.

Allura races towards her voice, heart pumping with fear. Not since fighting Zarkon has she heard such fright from her teammate. Several terrible thoughts run through her mind, chief among them if the Rift Entity returned as it had promised when realities were restored?

She hopes not. Not Pidge. Not after she and Lance just found their own slice of happiness after the war.

The ladies locker room of the Galaxy Garrison is empty this time of night, and only after a Paladin get-together are the two of them even here.

Oh Ancients, its as if the very flesh is being ripped from her skin so horrible is Pidge's shrieking.

"Oh quiznak no! It's going to rip out of my stomach!!" Pidge screams.

Allura rounds the lockers to see Pidge writhing on the floor. Nothing seems inherently wrong with her on the outside...

So it must be on the inside. The heart and soul, the source of the bond with the Green Lion and the other Paladins, where the Rift Entity can easily take advantage...

"Pidge, I'm here!" she shouts, kneeling beside her. "Lance and the others are on there way - where does it hurt?"

Pidge's eyes go wide and sits up. "Allura?" she squeaks, not sounding nearly as much in pain. "Lance was supposed to bring the guys here first!"

"And they'll be here soon! Hold still!" Allura demands, shoving Pidge back to the ground. "You said it was in your stomach? I'll rip that foul creature from you this instant!"

A gasp in Pidge's direction. "No, Allura, wait!"

The soft, comfort of the powers gained from Oriande fills her and releases from her hands. Probing for the creature... she finds none. There isn't a shred of rift energy anywhere in Pidge. The only thing different is...

Allura gasps, opening her eyes to a very sheepish looking Pidge. A giddy feeling fills her heart, bouncing on her knees. "Pidge!" Allura hugs her friend and teammate. "Congratulations! I'm so happy for you!"

Pidge laughs lightly. "Thanks 'lura," she mutters into Allura's clothing.

"Pidge!" Lance yells. "A-Allura?"

Allura looks up to see Lance careening around the corner, skidding humorously to a stop. Hunk and Shiro stop behind him, and Keith jumps over a row of lockers.

Pidge inches away and laughs nervously. "Jigs up, Lance. Allura got here first."

Lance deflates. "Aww man. It was the perfect plan!"

"Wait," Hunk says with a furrowed brow. "Pidge isn't dying?"

"You said she had an alien parasite in her stomach!" Keith accuses angrily, glaring daggers at Lance.

"Not an alien," Pidge supplies. Allura's heart is warmed when her friend shares a knowing look her way. "But definitely something in my stomach. Womb, to be exact."

The room is silent, before Lance clears his throat, looking guilty. "We just wanted to be clever. Pidge is more than fine. Just wanted you all to be the first to know."

Hunk cries a river of happy tears. Shiro offers a pat on the back to Lance as Keith continues to glare at him... but softens as he kneels to give Pidge a hug.

Allura sighs in relief... but with new life there is always darkness in the shadows. The newest of their number will be vulnerable and Allura will be ready to fend off any otherworldly threats to Pidge and Lance's child.

[shadowdianne]

hello there, do you have any advice on what to do after being stabbed in the back? it's for a friend

Hello my friend. Uhm… about being stabbed in the back you say? I certainly don’t know how that could be correlated to ANYTHING on my recent posted stories. (xd)

(Don’t despair tho. How about something like… this?)

A/N In order for the right part of the actual fic being understood we need to look back to a previous written moment that is actual canon on our little story. I’ll mark when the actual moment ends and the fic starts but I’d say that it’s going to be quite obvious. If you have any doubts regarding lore and why are we doing certain things don’t hesistate on asking Xd Also, did I get it right H? Was that your tumblr, darlin’? 😉

A/N2: This happens BEFORE our current situation and backs up the reasoning behind Freya’s weakness against psychic damage and how Jericho and others have learnt to maneuver through it. In case M hasn’t sent you this one.

 She wasn’t entirely risen by the voices whispering at the other side of the closed door; she didn’t truly have the memory of when she had awoken, to be honest. Just a blur of morning light and scurrying shadows that had become clearer the longer she kept her eyes open. It hurt to breathe, though, and there was a phantom pain at the height of her diaphragm: as if something had punctured it enough times for her lungs to heave.

She was surrounded by softness; the quality of the sheets that covered her good enough to make her remember the bed that had been hers back at her parents’ home and she curled her hand around a fistful of the fabric while pulling it closer to her face. The scent that permeated them, however, wasn’t the salty one from the bluffs back at her childhood home but herbs and remedies made out of lavender and night jasmine and she inhaled it as her mind kept on swirling.

There was something there though; a vacancy, a haze, that made her swallow, uncomfortable, as she heard Allura’s voice at the other side of the door. Urgent; worried. The answering one was Ireena’s; much calmer, subdued, and accompanied by a set of footsteps so light she suspected no one but someone accustomed to Jericho’s way of walking would have heard. Pressing the tip of her tongue against the back of her teeth, she focused once again on the haziness that tinted her mind.

She remembered some things; the fight against the creature. Vera’s awful way of trying to make it look towards her direction as she brandished her new sword, the one she had managed to buy from the poor merchant they had helped a few towns ago. She also remembered her own magic; feral and blue-colored, as she had called forth Sehanine’s power. The moons had shone between the clouds, their light growing brighter the longer she kept the connection open, circling her, penetrating her, filling her, until she had expelled it towards the fangs of what seemed about to devour them all.

She had heard a screech, a sound so high she had winced while wishing to have had the thought of covering her ears. And then…

Then nothing, darkness.

There had been other moments when she had felt the anguish rising up her throat, clawing its way up her flesh, ripping through her muscles. She had usually needed a few days under Jericho’s care to fully come back, complaining all the time as the tiefling tried his best to make her see that it was good to admit that she needed external help. A thought so risible that she now wanted to laugh yet again.

She could recognize a psychic attack when there was one. The numbing pain, the excruciating memory of her own alive status, the throbbing of wounds that weren’t hers but should have. She glanced down, at her fingers and the white-hued knuckles as they grasped the sheets; she was naked down them, she could feel the graze against her bare skin and, glutton as she was for punishment, she opened and peeked down, at the tattoos that were visible from her angle: starry and dark against her skin. A spill of ink against a white piece of parchment.

She skimmed her fingers from her free hand down her collarbone, reveling on the goosebumps she created on its wake. It was a strange sensation, almost as if it was something occurring to someone else, someone that was connected to her but just far enough for her mind to still feel deliciously numb. She wondered, and not for the first time, if she could keep the numbness forever, at least until she died.

Perilous thoughts, worrisome, but still ones she liked to entertain. Or, better, ones that never quite left her no matter how many times she pretended otherwise.

A sudden yell at the other side of the door, the echo of Ireena’s voice as she said something in that dialectal version of her own druid cant, made her halt, the cobwebs her thoughts were diluting as dew under the morning light. She moved her hand back up, covering herself once more and inspecting not her immediate surroundings but the room she was in.

It was one of Allura’s. Not the same she had stayed in during her first weeks back in Emon after…

After.

The bed was more spacious for once, the windows opening up to a second-level balcony and the details on mahogany made it quieter than the one filled with books and golden details she remembered from her last stay. Door at her left, closed and covered with etched sigils and a small yet probably enchanted chest at the end of the bed itself completed the room. It wasn’t much. But she suspected that had been the whole idea of leaving her alone.

She still could remember her screams and cries the first time she had opened her eyes after a psychic attack, the way her lungs had stopped as she had cried her heart out, as she had called for the gods, any gods, to take her soul and give the world back the ones that had been lost. Jericho had found her that day, mud up her knees, fingers dirty and bloody, magic dripping out of her in thick rivulets of energy that turned black everything they touched, sucking on its life-force, leaving it dry.

*“For the glory of the Twelve Allura, I merely was trying to help her!”

“I know that! But I also told you that we should wait a little bit longer before exposing her to your potion, you even said it so yourself; it’s still very early on the trials. We don’t know if it will have any consequences on her psyche…”

“Worse than the ones she has every time some kind of monster starts to thrash around on her head? Yeah, I’m sure whatever I give her will be worse than that.”

“I’m not…”

“She is awake.”*

Freya wasn’t entirely sure how Jericho always managed to known when she was awake, or how he could tell from the other side of the door but as soon as his voice filtered through the door, she jumped and went directly to the chest, sheets falling down around her as she fiddled with the lock until it opened. Inside, a new set of clothes welcomed her. Allura’s, probably, or that one friend she insisted she needed to make amends with -was it Kyma? She wasn’t sure-. Nevertheless, and despite them being maybe too tight on some places, she knew there was no point on pretending to be asleep no more after Jericho’s words. They would probably check up on her soon if she didn’t make any obvious noise and, despite the numbness and the slow realization her tongue and throat indeed felt weird, as if something akin to belladonna had been shoved into it a little while ago, she didn’t want them to worry. Or ask if she was alright.

She should have been more careful; probably. That’s what Vera would say with a scowl adorning her stupid face.

Sighing as she pulled the sleeves down her forearms as much as she fabric allowed her, she kicked the floor a few times, testing the deer-skin boots. Flexible, but the obvious scarring around the ankles told her that they had been fitted to withstand heavy armor rather than the lighter one she was accustomed to wear.

Definitely not Allura’s.

She stopped once more as the whispers at the other side of the door resumed once more, subdued and soft as if both the magician and the druid had decided that she shouldn’t know what they had been talking about until then. A potion had been mentioned. Ireena’s potion.

It wasn’t as if she didn’t trust the woman: her mentor had proven to be incredibly wise. But also succinct and not very forward if she considered she didn’t need to know apparent obvious details. And last time she had gotten a taste of belladonna…

Shivering at the burst of pain that particular memory brought with her, she walked towards the door, reaching for it, while glancing at the disarray she had left the bed in. She could always gain some more time if she made the bed, of course, but she wasn’t feeling entirely like it and she suspected there would truly be no point. Turning on the knob, she noticed the sigils glowing once before they died once again, the spell one she couldn’t quite recognize, made out of a magic she wasn’t knowledgeable of. Uncomfortable by the situation, the half-elf stepped outside the room only to be stopped once more by Jericho’s arms as the tiefling hugged her.

He smelled of leather and burned oak and there was very little else of him she was able to focus on before he took a step back, his hair in more disarray than usual as he took into her face, hands falling at his sides. At his back, still glaring at each other while seated around a table in where three teacups rested -cold, probably, due to the lack of steam rising from them- Allura and Ireena sighed at unison.

“Next time you try a new trick I’m going to tie you against a tree.”

Jericho’s voice made her glance at him once more, a smidge of a smirk on his lips despite the worry on his eyes. He was trying, that much she could tell, to appear non-fazed but they knew each other good enough and if there was something Freya hated was such obvious attempt at subterfuge. Rolling her eyes, she shoved into him friendly enough for it to be non-threatening, while she still addressed the two other occupants of the room.

“You gave me a potion?”

The air in the room froze and it became visible for a moment as the question made Ireena growl on her seat before she, too, rose. The tint on her skin seemed paler than usual, blue veins coloring her neck, bulging on her forearms, as Allura mimicked her.

“I found a way of keeping your outbursts at bay. Since you won’t stop adventuring.”

Allura crossed her arms at Ireena’s words. There it was, the protector’s need, the will Freya could recognize as it had once upon a time been hers. Not anymore though, not with the same intensity.

The ones she had longed to protect and care for were dead. But while she recognized the forlorn thoughts as the aftershock of a psychic attack the scarring pain wasn’t crippling her. Something was keeping her functional.

She swallowed, tasting the belladonna once more, the mix with it and something else, something she couldn’t quite place but in her mind it left a silver tray of magic and frozen leaves.

“What do you mean?”

[On with this!]

-.-

Jericho’s groaned as both he and Freya stepped outside Allura’s tower, the sun high and biting every shadow high-noon light couldn’t quite reach in-between the pebbles that covered the otherwise soft-looking road. His muscles were sore, wooden, and he messed up his hair always conscious of the two small horns that jutted from atop his forehead. He had barely gotten any sleep last night and the discussion and posterior conversation full of magic lingo that had happened once Freya had woken up hadn’t exactly helped to the blaring headache he had been sporting ever since he had insisted on getting the druid checked with the Archanist.

At his back, Freya sighed, eyes dull and expression contrite. The half-elf had barely spoken after Ireena had explained the tonic she had given her had been readied with a situation like the one they had suffered in mind. The first time Freya had woken up, memories, and nightmares mixing in a far too real attack, Jericho had been at loss. A feeling he didn’t quite enjoy. Not ever and especially not when Freya was involved. Knowing there were steps in place in order to evade a repeat of the moment when he had gotten a whiff of how utterly broken Freya had been due to the loss of so many calmed him. Yet, he, as always, found himself weary of the use of a tonic, a potion. He knew enough of them to know they were useful and needed and he wasn’t proud enough to lie and say that magic wasn’t something that needed to co-exist with maybe the less overt ways his own kind used but there was something there, out of his reach, that made him glance back at Freya once more as the half-elf raised her head towards the sky.

He wondered if she was thinking on transforming back on her white crow form and fly away. It was something she did sometimes when the pressure became too much and lucidity was needed. He suspected that, if it wasn’t for the bruises and ghost-like appearance the druid sported, he would have already been left with a flurry of feathers and the taste of magic at the back of his throat.

“How bad it was?”

Freya’s voice echoed as she started to walk, leaving the tower behind while starting the descend of the quite step path that curved down towards the less flamboyant part of the city. She wasn’t looking at him per se, but at her own boots, as if trying to gauge how much everything had been hit once her eyes had been blind to the world. He used that moment to take a gulp of air, reminiscing even if he quite didn’t like to at the moment where he had seen her fall.

“Not as bad as other times.” He finally answered, voice subdued. And it was true, after all. The attacks were still terrible, full of blood that wished to be spilled, but there had been a soothing-like feeling there. As if the moons that fed Freya’s magic had been conscious as well. He truly didn’t have a proper channel with Sehanine and he suspected the goddess wouldn’t truly answer him if he asked but he could guess that the deity had been there, accompanying him as he had moved among the battlefield with only one goal in mind: get Freya to safety. “But…”

“Yeah, yeah, you will tie me to a tree if I ever try to pull something like that again.”

Freya’s voice was tinted now with amusement despite the obvious tiredness in the way her muscles shagged and Jericho couldn’t do anything but smile at that as the half-elf turned and, reaching ever so carefully, arranged his hair once more, giving a quick tug to the tufts of hair closer to his horns. He always tried to play the passable human rather than the tiefling side. Most due because it aided with the blending on a city like they were and his own addiction on not being in the spotlight. However, the white-haired druid always tried to mess that ideal as much as possible, twinkle on her eyes.

“Maybe not tying but I’ll definitely think of something.” His own response was followed by his right hand as he grabbed her wrist, as gently as possible but pressuring her skin just enough. A hug that wasn’t entirely given, not with the situation they both were in.

Which made him consider the conversation he would like to have with the half-elf at some time, at some point. Not now, though, not with everything that was and were. Vera said it: He liked to play safe. No bets were ever won without knowing for a fact they would turn out profitable. He was a rogue, after all, he never liked the concept of something failing.

And, he thought as Freya bumped into him before moving away once more, that was precisely why he waited. He liked her. But, what if…?

What if.

[Enjoy the chaos. I’ll certainly will]

[starfaring-princelotor]

Mermaid Lotor when?

Hook

=

Summary: You bait a mermaid and find he is a little more terrifying than you heard from stories.

Warnings: None.

★ Disclaimer: I do not ship Lotura and I respectfully ask that this story to not be tagged as Lotura. This is a Lotor x Reader/Self-Insert OC story which is in no way related to Allura at all. Please be respectful of my chosen pairing. ★

=

At first, you thought it was a trick of the light. Maybe the setting sun had gotten in your eye or there was sand stuck in there, causing you to blink at the most inopportune moment. But no, that couldn’t be, because what you thought was a shimmering, triangular black tooth was surely just some…fossil that washed up on shore, right? That made much more sense than the idea that a mermaid had saved you from a vicious wipe out. 

Try surfing, they said. You’ll get hooked to it, they said.

Your foam board was snapped in two, but that could have been your spine. Sitting up on the shore, water still lapping at your feet, you squinted to stare hard at the distant waves. Sure, your chest still hurts a bit from swallowing gallons of seawater. Your muscles ache from surfing so unprepared. And those scrapes from brushing against the coral? They hurt, but nothing would hurt more than not knowing the truth.

You blinked and saw the tail fin of…a dolphin? 

*

The next time you went to the beach, you were ready. Or, at the very least, more prepared. Calm winds today, so no chance of being swept away suddenly due to poor forecast. Poor forecast and poor judgement, you reminded yourself. This time, you weren’t really focused on catching a wave. This time, you just wanted to see how far you can go. Past the break, past that safety net which kept the fish out. 

And this time, you brought bait with you. Nothing fancy, but very smelly. The odor would no doubt be extra potent under water, attracting all manner of dolphins and other marine life near you. That was the plan, to catch that mermaid, because that was definitely what you saw. Well, catch is more or less the right term. You just wanted to see one. You wanted to believe they were real. 

They had to be. 

But when you waded beyond comfort and the shoreline was but a mere blur in the distance, suddenly maybe this wasn’t a good idea. It was getting dark. The sun had set, but the leftover remnants of the day was still decorating the sky. You had been holding the fish in the water for at least an hour now, but you hadn’t seen fin or scale or even heard a splash -

A spray of water had slapped the back of your head, making you yelp in surprise and drop your slippery bait. Turning around quickly, you saw the disturbance in the water already begin to settle back into a natural pattern. Maybe it was there? This time for sure, you were not going to look away from that spot. Blindly, your hand reached where you dropped the fish, hoping it hadn’t drifted too far away.

Then, you felt something rough brush against the palm of your hand.

“Hey!” you shouted, quickly switching your gaze to the side of your board after yanking your hand back to safety. 

There was a faint purple glow beneath the surface. A line of them, illuminating the dark, deep waters below. 

*

The locals had taken to calling you a plank, for the sole reason that you always seemed to just sit out in the water instead of ride the waves. Sure, they laughed, and many other surfers even came by to ask if you needed help, to which you only shook your head no. Maybe you didn’t know how to use your board properly? Or you were too occupied with being one with nature?

No. You were too curious for your own good. And, you will admit, too ambitious. 

The plan tonight was going to be different, much different. You tossed the fish a few feet away from you and played the waiting game again. However, you didn’t have to linger long. The fish plopped and disappeared after a few spare minutes. Then, throwing another, it was plucked under within a second. Now, knowing that the mermaid was here, you took a deep breath. 

And dove right in.

Your trusty board floated away, not too far that you couldn’t swim back to it, but would you even really need to? The knowledge that a real life mermaid was here was way more important right now. Plus, logically, you knew this was the one that saved you long ago. Why would a mermaid change their mind now? Why save someone to only eat them for dinner?

The current underwater was the first thing you felt change as you kicked your feet in a steady rhythm to stay afloat. But still, you saw nothing, except the moon, the clouds, and the stars hiding behind them. Did your heart picked up its pace in your chest? Yes. Did you regret this decision? Not quite yet. What was it that folklore said about mermaids? They were sirens of the sea? Lured people with their disarming voice? Ate poor bewitched humans as they dragged them to their watery grave?

And suddenly, the light from the moon became shadowed. That presence? Was behind you. Looming over you. Watching you like the curious little, wandering prey you are. 

Swiftly turning in your spot, you were finally graced with what many believed to be the demons of the ocean. They were all wrong. All the stories. All the gossip and the myths and boastful claims of “I killed a mermaid before.” That was simply not possible because the one right in front of you was too extraordinarily beautiful for both land and sea. 

And, oh, you were mesmerized. Enchanted. Captivated.

What drew your breath to stop was not his luminous, silver hair cascading like streams of moonlight over his collarbones. Nor was it his wine, almost grey, shade of skin, but rather his eyes. Inky blackness harboring a ring of nebulous blues and purples, glowing with intimidation and power right back at you. He was studying you, that much was certain if you had been aware of yourself at the moment. But you weren’t. You were trapped, ensnared, unable to bring your mind to think about anything else except those dual-toned irises belonging to this beast of a man.

The mermaid’s head tilted, soft locks giving way to expose those gills along the column of his neck. Markings, he was covered in them. They greatly contrasted against his wet skin in sharp curves, highlighting his handsome assets even more. Along his cheeks, his jaw, those broad shoulders, his well-developed muscles covered in aged scars, all the way down to his dripping waist and below. His…other half. 

It was a little different, now that you think about it, that the art depicting mermaids to be remarkably close to, well, a human. But he had no rounded ears or smooth, glistening skin, or even the same row of pearly whites like you did. They were…black and glinting at you dangerously with a smile. A smirk? A grin. He was grinning at you, eyes hooded with lax silver brows and a look one could only describe as deliciously amused.

“Are you lost, little guppy?”

You wouldn’t exactly say his voice was deep. It was more of a growl, a rumble, a warning disguised as nothing more than a simple question. No alluring magic there, but it did give you a shiver colder than the chill of water.

When you didn’t answer him, that grin spread even wider, “I thank you for the fish, but I do not think you should be out here this late.”

“I wanted to see you.”

“Hm. And so, you have.” An order, a tone of finality, and before you could add more to your answer, he waded closer. And closer still, “Now, it would be wise to return you to land before you drown from exhaustion, no?”

The mysterious mermaid had ushered you to your board, the firm plastic nudging your back, “But - no, wait - “

Despite your defiance, you found yourself climbing up on the safety of your surfboard. He swam effortlessly to the rear, getting ready to push you and guide the wandering human back to shore. The man - he was chuckling. At you? Your stutter? No, none of that. He was deviously delighted at this small human who he could easily break in a soul-crushing hug. This mermaid was no small shark, after all. 

“I’ll see you again, right?” facing him, not once daring to look away lest the illusion wear off, “Right?”

“No, I do not think you will.”

That is for me to know and for you to find out.

Your face fell slightly at the prospect of never witnessing this marvelous man in all his mythical glory ever again, “Then…then can I at least know your name?”

The name of the one who saved me. The name of the one who will bless my dreams every night from now on. The name of the mermaid with black teeth and the unknown cosmos in his eyes.

“My name is Lotor, dear,” he winked, your heart stuttered, and your mind came to one conclusion.

You wanted, no, needed to know more about this mermaid who so easily trapped your heart in his jaws.

You were hooked.

[zwiezraczek]

The Princess and the Pauper Voltron AU (Klance&Shallura)

I blame @genelpan for this AU because in her Insta story she reminded me that this movie exists. So making a shoutout to all my fellow Polish people who are still listening to the songs because “beeeedeee Twooooj gdy pooowiesz” you know what you know ;)

On the same day, in the same kingdom two little souls are born, both of them looking so alike they could be taken for twins. But each one of them is born in a different world...

Allura is the princess of Altean Kingdom, her father and her mother, Alfor and Eleanor are proud parents of a sublime little princess

Allura is given a cat when she becomes a teenager, a little puffy cat she named Elly after her mother's surname

At the same time, she is given a tutor Takashi Shirogane aka Shiro, a boy from the little town, who's five years older than she is

Both become friends pretty quickly thanks to their interest in science, they can spend whole days in the library reading about science.

Sometimes Shiro reads Allura some fairy tales, both of them are fond of these

They grow closer, and slowly, but surely, their feelings toward each other go from friendship to a soft love

But both of them know that they can't be together, so they repress their feelings

Allura because, when her mother passes away when she's thirteen, she has to marry a king/prince in order to guarantee a future to her kingdom and Shiro because he knows he has nothing to offer to Allura, who deserves the world and even more

Lance is born in the little town around their palace, in a poor family, but a loving one. He's an only child, his parents borrow money to raise him and to give him the best perspectives in life and Lance is genuinely interested in music and sewing so his mother teaches him songs and how to sew

His father is very proud of his son, he knows that the boy isn't a casual boy in town but he encourages him to be what he chooses to be

One day, Lance rescues a cat that he names Blue, and he loves Blue with all his heart

Lance's parents die because of a disease which causes a mortality rise in the little town, he is now an eleven years old boy who has debts to pay

Guess who takes advantage of this? Lotor's Dress Emporium from which Lance's parents borrowed money. He begins to work there, sewing dresses for the Court and the royal family, such as the Princess herself

When both turn eighteen...

The kingdom faces a crisis, and the only solution that King Alfro can come up with – because his advisor Honerva left on a trip – is to marry his daughter to the Blade's kingdom Prince

Allura isn't fond of this, at all, but she knows that she has to do it for her people so she accepts it, abandoning her love for Shiro thinking that her love isn't reciprocated

Shiro tries to cheer her up when he hears the news, telling that Prince Keith is a nice person who has a passion for art, music and knives

Which is kinda weird, Shiro said and made Allura laugh

But both regret that the will never be together...

“All my life I've always wanted to have one day just for me” -  Allura breaking into a musical number while trying her dress on because she will marry Prince Keith in a few days

She just wishes for some time on her own, just a moment among her books with Shiro, reading books, listening to Shiro's voice when he reads for her while sitting in a chair and looking how his expression changes everytime he imitates another character

She wants to marry him so badly, but it's her duty to save the kingdom, and her father is sorry about it...

“All my life I've always wanted to have one day for myself” - Lance while taking one pile of fabric to another place in Lotor's Dress Emporium

Well, even if his friend, Romelle enjoys the show, Lotor seems not so fond of it

And Lance learns that he has to work there for another 37 years, because “interests” and Lance protests

“They did it to feed me!” “Their mistake”

And Lance just loses it all, and goes fuck it all I'm going to sing in the streets tomorrow early in the morning because I deserve it and because it's his only escape

Romelle doesn't encourage him, but she offers to cover him for sure and Lance thanks her with a kiss on her cheek

And both Lance and Allura swear to themselves that they will once be free to do whatever they want to

Guess who's missing in this beautiful picture? Honerva, Alfor's advisor. And well, even if she seems to be a good little lady she's the devil in disguise wanting to own the kingdom: she is behind the kingdom's crisis and she wants to become the Empress of the Kingdom, by marrying Alfor and then killing him. But to do so, she has to kidnap his daughter, Allura, so she won't be able to marry this king of the Blades and she'll be the only option for Alfor. Her plan was perfect

On the next day, Prince Keith in disguise – because he loves disguising himself okay, it's what's called FUN – with the Blade's kingdom Ambassador, Kolivan, arrive to the palace

And Kolivan isn't sure about Keith in disguise because it's absolutely ridiculous but Keith insists and Kolivan can only sigh

“What a stubborn child, just like his mother the Queen...” - Kolivan, dealing with royal shit since birth

When the ambassador arrives, Shiro comes into Allura's room and greets her with a “Her Majesty” and Allura is surprised because they are friends “Shiro... We are friends, I am Allura to you” “Her Majesty's father sends me to tell you that the ambassador from the Blade's kingdom just arrived” “Oh Shiro...” “Her Majesty can follow me?”

And it breaks Allura's heart because when Shiro's that formal, it means nothing good

The last time he used that voice was when her mother died

And Shiro knew that this voice never brought joy, but it always pained him to lie to Allura, to pain her with lies

“Shiro... Can we... Stay here? Tell my father that I am not feeling well, that I am terribly sorry to not be able to greet the ambassador but... I just can't Shiro, it pains so much...” “I will Allura, don't worry...”

And he resists the urge to hug her

Meanwhile, a clueless Keith hands his gift to King Alfor telling it's for his daughter from Pirnce Keith

Honerva is here, and already having a plan to kidnap the Princess...

Allura stays at the balcony, looking at the little girls playing in the royal garden, at least they are free...

Shiro has suddenly a marvellous idea: to take Allura in the little town around the city to entertain her for a moment, to entertain himself, to have one of his lasts moments with her

And once she wears a cape, nobody notices she's the princess anymore: she feels like a civilian

She also feels the pain of the crisis looking at the houses, as Shiro shows her his old little apartment when he used to study: she is now sure that she can't allow herself to have feelings for somebody because her people are suffering

Shiro offers her a juniper, her favourite flower ever and she smiles and Shiro can't forget that genuine smile

Then, she hears a clear and beautiful voice; Shiro is away seeking for something to eat so she approaches the singer

Lance is singing one of the songs his mother taught him, gathering some money for himself when Lotor bursts into the crowd, stops his performance and gather the coins before telling him to come back to work

Lance is dying inside, he is trapped in this reality that gives him a headache but when he is about to take the empty cup that Lotor left behind him, Allura's hand puts in a coin

“That was really beautiful” “Thanks, my mom used to sing me this so...”

And they both of them realise, they look absolutely alike, just like twins

“Oh my... What's your name?” “My name is Allura” “No jokes just like the Princess?!” “Yes, it is right...” “Oh! The name's Lance her royal Highness. What... What are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to marry?” “I am taking my first and last breath of freedom before becoming a wife... A wife of an unknown man...” “Yeah, at least you're not an indentured servant” “A what?”

Lance breaks into a musical number explaining how he's living inside his dreams because well, it's way easier to live in his dreams than in this crappy reality

Allura assumes he's a singer – and  she always wanted to meet one! – but it turns out that he's working at Lotor's Dress Emporium and that he made the dress she's wearing right now

He's absolutely proud about the fact that it's the Princess' favourite dress ever, he thanks his mom for that

Allura speaks about her marriage, and how she doesn't want to marry but she has to to save her people, people like Lance from the crisis

“I'm just like you! You're just like me! There's somewhere else we'd rather be!” Lance, jumping into the occasion to sing another time about what he feels

And both Allura and Lance come to the conclusion that they are a lot more alike than they thought in the first place

Then Shiro arrives, in shock, we must admit, because he drops the food he has in his hands – this boy is a disaster I swear – because okay, he knows Princess Allura but THIS GUY definitely looks like her!

Allura promises to Lance that she will send somebody to make him sing at her wedding, and Lance is over the moon when he hears that

Lance comes back and tells everything to Romelle, who is just smiling at Lance's imagination but still listening religiously

During the night, Honerva and her servants kidnap the Princess in order to cancel the wedding and they pretty much arrive to take the Princess into an isolated cabin in the woods

On the next day, Honverva announces to the King that Allura ran off, Kolivan is furious, Keith is somehow sad about it, and Kolivan tells that if the Princess isn't found until tonight the marriage proposal is over, finito

When Shiro hears the news he's sure about one thing: Allura couldn't do such a thing, she didn't ran off and the letter she left wasn't perfumed with junipers but some kind of roses and that wasn't Allura at all

He offered to help to find her, but Honerva laughed him off telling that he could hurt himself or catch a sun stroke while being outside

Shiro wasn't that stupid, and knew that something was going on with Honerva

So, he searches for Lance at Lotor's Dress Emporium

And Lance is just so excited about singing at the wedding, but when he learns the true reason behind Shiro's visit he decides to help Allura because they're alike

There is only one, tiny, little, problem: even with a wig, Lance can't act properly like a Princess and this is where tenor Shiro begins his own musical number

“To be a Princess is to know which spoon to use” - Shiro, while Lance is having a panic attack in front of the five spoons next to the plate

He finally wears one of Allura's dresses, the one Romelle made for her, the blue one, and he begins to feel it with the wig and all

And somehow, Shiro confesses through riddles that he's in love with Allura and Lance now knows that both of them are in love

When Honerva is almost touching her dream of becoming Empress, Shiro steps in the room introducing “Princess Allura”

Lance enters, trips, falls down in front of Keith in disguise and goes to see King Alfor who's absolutely happy to see his daughter safe and sound

Lance hugs the King, apologizing at telling that he, or rather she will never do this again

Kolivan is still pissed and tells that Prince Keith shouldn't marry the Princess and Keith is all “HUM HUM HUM!” “Finally, I think that the Prince will till be fine with marrying Princess Allura”

And Lance freaks out because he has to meet the Prince on the next day

Meanwhile, Elly finds Allura and the cat helps her to escape while she scares the guards with the cat using it as a distraction before kicking some asses before running off to the palace

Just after that, Shiro finds out that Honerva is talking about a cabin in the woods to one of the guards and he follows her

Honerva is FU-RI-OUS when she sees the guards that let the Princess escape, but more importantly she is asking herself why she never told nobody that she was kidnapped in the first place

She sees Shiro through a mirror, she knows that he heard her little speech

Oh boy, Shiro is losing his mind when he faces Honerva “You want to become an Empress?”

Boum, Shiro is hit by a guard with a stick and lays unconscious on the ground

Honerva has to hide him in the mines nearby

Allura however, with Elly, is going to the palace but nobody wants to let her in because “You're faking that you're the Princess girl! Listen, I don't know how you heard about the Princess disappearance but go away!”

So, the only place Allura knows is the  Lotor's Dress Emporium and Lance, so there she heads

But Lotor catches her mid-way, laughing at her

“What do you find so funny Lotor?” “For you, it's Sir Lotor! Your parents never taught you manners? You'll follow me you ingrate!”

And he grabs Allura by her hand and she's shocked because wow, it's harsh coming from a boss

When inside the shop, she reveals that she's the Princess but Lotor laughs even loudly, and Romelle is curious about what is happening so she goes out

“You? Princess Allura? Don't try to fool me with your wig Lance!” “Lance...?” “You were gone for the whole day, you should be happy that Romelle managed to do some of your work! Now, go to work and don't sleep until you finish this!” “If you treat your employees like that all the Court's orders will be given to someone else!” “You are threatening me? You? Who do you think you are?!”

And he locks Allura and Romelle in

Allura is absolutely shocked, and Romelle curious about Lance wearing a wig...

“Lance, what are you doing with a wig...?” “I truly am Princess Allura, and what is your name my dear?” “You really are... This is the dress that Lance did for you oh my... My name is Romelle your Highness”

And Allura softly smiles at her, asking her how she can help her in the atelier because Romelle won't do all the job by herself

Elly watches both of them sewing, and then Romelle tells Allura that Elly could sneak out because Blue does it every time and she could deliver the message to her father about her being here

Allura puts a tag form Lotor's shop into her ring and puts it around Elly's neck

Elly is on a mission now, mission home

The next morning, when Lance wakes up he's struck by the fact that somebody brings him his breakfast to bed and A HUGE BREAKFAST OMG

He wants to share with the maid, because he will never eat all of that plus it could feed a huge amount of people

Beginning with Blue who catches some ham on the plate

And then, the servant prepares a bath for the Princess, aka Lance

When Lance sees all these bubbles he just wants to cry because holly shit it's so perfect and Blue is running all around the bathtub

Lance dives into it, having a foam of bubbles all over his head, he made himself a moustache and a beard

Blue began to act strangely, being all petty and strange and Lance noticed it: Blue wanted to seem royal and that made Lance softly laugh

“I can see it when you're feeling low you can't hide that from me” - Lance beginning to sing while Blue walks on the edge of the bathtub

Lance sings for Blue, because Blue is all family that is left to him and he loves this cat so much that he could die for his girl

He reassures her telling her that she's the best cat ever and that she shouldn't try to be someone else – unlike him – because Blue is the best cat

Let's expose Keith who is listening at the door because he's searching for the Princess and he hears Lance's sublime voice and he falls in love totally head over heels

Keith is explaining the whole situation in the throne room to king Alfor, he tells him that he used this particular method to get to know the Princess in a less official way

This is Honerva that brings Lance to the throne room, and Lance is panicked because Shiro disappeared last night and he was clueless about everything and anything

But he planned to do his best until the Princess came back

When Lance meets the Prince right after he recognizes the guy standing next to the ambassador and is absolutely flustering because HOLLY SHIT THE PRINCE IS HOT

“I feel honoured, Princess” “Uh... Euh... I am honoured to meet you, my Prince” says Lance while curtsying in front of the Prince “Please, call me Keith” “And call me La... Allura, Princess Allura, of course it's my name...”

“I am deeply sorry that I came to meet you in disguise Princess, I hope that I did not offend your feelings. I just wanted to meet the real you” - Keith, soft, bowing in front of the Princess again, with a soft look that makes Lance melt in an instant

Alfor just stops this awkward moment – and Lance thanks him so much – by asking if the Prince wants to play the piano, because yes the Prince is fond of every sort of arts

Lance is in awe, the guy is hot, seems funny – who in the world would disguise himself to see his future wife? Only him – and above all he plays an instrument: if he wasn't Allura he would absolutely be melting

Keith agrees only if Allura, aka Lance, sings with him

And this breaks into another musical number with Keith playing the piano and Lance singing

“You say your love is true and I hope that it will be” - Lance, secretly hoping that this cute Prince won't reject him if he learns that Lance is Lance, and not Allura

“I'd be sure, if I knew that you loved me for me” - Keith, playing softly on the piano while looking at Lance's beautiful blue eyes

The are walking into the gardens, Keith softly trying to catch Lance's hand while Lance is a whole blushing mess because the Prince is trying to hold his hand and his hand is so soft and Keith smells actually very good and his eyes are purple and beautiful and Lance can't handle all of this

While they're walking, Keith notices a bunch of forget-me-nots in the garden, and gives a bunch of them to Lance who scents them and softly blushes

“So, you like singing I guess” “ Yes, I always loved to sing, this is something that keeps me somehow alive in my cage in fact...” “You feel trapped?” “Yes I always did, this is so hard to be paying... To pay the price of being a Princess by being kept in a palace” “I absolutely understand you, I always wanted to see other countries but my Mother always forbid me to do so because she was afraid that I would get injured or even dead” “I can't believe that you would someone kill you Keith!” “I could only let you kill me with your beautiful eyes, Allura”

And Lance loses it all actually

When they part ways in the evening, Keith kisses Lance's hand telling him that they will see each other in the evening, just before their tomorrow's wedding

And Lance feels his heart beating faster and faster, but at the same time a pain catches him: he is lying to the Prince, and he's taking Allura's place but the problem is that he is slowly falling for this adorable Prince who has a passion for knives and makes the best compliments ever

Honerva isn't amused at all by all of this because she doesn't understand what happens at all in here

But she's absolutely thrilled when she finds Elly in the gardens at night, with Allura's ring around her neck and so she understands: the Allura in the palace isn't the real Allura

She goes to Lotor's Dress Emporium and finds the real Princess and kidnaps her again, leaving the poor Romelle searching for the Princess in the shop

Honerva takes Allura to the mines, and throws her into the same cell that Shiro is telling her how she will marry her father and become the Empress after killing him

Her guards close the mines, dynamiting the entrances, and leave Allura with Shiro

Shiro is tied up to a wooden stick in the cell and he hugs Allura when he sees her because she seems to be alright, even if they are in a delicate situation

He explains to her his whole plan, with Lance being the Princess right now

They both know that they can't find a way out, but Shiro tries to break the rocks with a pickaxe in order to get out

Allura finds a rare gem hidden inside a basic rock and calls Shiro to sit next to her

“I am unable to get us out of here, I am sorry Allura...” “Shiro, do you know why I wanted to refuse the marriage with Prince Keith?” “You do not feel ready to marry a man” No, not because of that. Because I am already in love with someone else, with my friend, with the one who was always by my side when I needed him, the one that I trust the most, the one that taught me everything” “But... Allura... I am nothing like a King, I can not offer you dresses, jewels and...” “To me, you are like this rock Shiro” “Ugly and basic?” “Shiro... On the outside, this rock looks like a basic rock, but in fact there is a treasure inside. By your rank, you are like this rock Shiro, and I will do anything to be by your side now” “But, the people...” “I know what to do Shiro, just trust me”

And he hugs her, because this was the purest act of love, the most beautiful confession in the world: even better than the ones that he planned for her, the ones that he read to her

Meanwhile, Keith is proposing to Lance in front of the King, and Lance can't really handle this because it's too pure for him, because he genuinely fell in love with Keith

Keith, on the other hand, is really fond of Lance's personality and his beautiful eyes

Honevra is back in the palace and uncovers Lance's disguise by taking off his wig in front of the King and Keith in the throne room

She explains that it was Shiro's plan, that he wanted to kill the Princess and gain power and that they made the mines nearby explode and they only could find Allura's ring

Lance is actually taken by her guards, yelling that he wanted to protect Allura from Honerva and that he did nothing, he yelled with his whole heart that what he told Keith was true and that he really loved him

Anyway, he was thrown into the palace's prison

Lance cries his eyes out during the night, trying to sing but failing miserably to

Kolivan wants to KILL EVERYBODY IN THIS KINGDOM because they wanted to marry the Prince with a poor guy, not even a real Princess and that is unacceptable!

Keith is however really intrigued by what just happened: the boy, Lance, didn't seem to be lying to him, he couldn't fake all these blushes and... This Honerva who was watching them during this walk...

He decided to stay in the kingdom, just for another night

King Alfor is dead inside, he is losing his kingdom and now he lost his daughter, as his wife, forever, he wanted to die but at the same time knew that the kingdom needed him

Honerva, on the other hand, proposes to king Alfor to marry her because thanks to her travel she learned that her activities were making a huge profit, a profit of a Prince Keith, and that she could solve the crisis by marrying him

Bonus, there is already a marriage planned so

Alfor is unable to refuse this offer, Eleanor would've wanted this for her people

On the next day, after a rough night, Allura and Shiro managed to find a way out: there is a huge hole in the ground above them and that there is some water flowing here and actually they could get out of here by entering one of these wooden boxes and go to stop Honerva from marrying Allura's father

Lance is determined to not die in this prison, absolutely not so he steals the keys from one of the sleeping guards and sneaks out, before being caught by another guard taking him out of the prison, King's orders

Lance is pissed, absolutely pissed, and wants to escape so he hits the guard in the balls and then, he hears a familiar voice

“I agree, I deserved this...” “... Keith?! I will explain you everything, I swear I am not...” “I do not believe this Honerva at all, I know that you could not lie to me, A... Lance” “Yes... You do like to be in disguise, do you Keith?” “That's not the real problem here, Lance. We have no time, follow me please”

The two couples are running to the wedding, while Alfor almost married Honerva

But Allura arrives in time, with Shiro, telling her father that Honerva tries to trick him

Honerva swears that it's the boy, but Elly appears next to Allura, Elly that wasn't seen around for a long time and Allura approaches her father telling him that her mother gave her once a ring, a pink worthless ring and that she wears it around her neck and showed it to him

And Alfor knew that it was Allura

Allura tells them that Honerva tried to kill her and Shiro in order to become the Empress of this kingdom

Honerva is RUNNING away, but Shiro and Keith catch her together before handing her to the guards

Lance is in the back, smiling because it's what that awful witch deserved

Once every guest came back home, Allura had a moment to talk with her father, Lance, Shiro and Keith were taken care of by some servants

“Father, nothing happened to me thanks to my friend Lance and to the one I love, Takashi” “I deeply want you to be happy, it is my dearest wish, but Allura, you know, for the kingdom...” “Do not worry Father, in the mines where I was, I made a discovery, a gem worth more than the gold we lack, our kingdom is not in crisis anymore”

And this solves somehow the crisis problem

On the next day, when Allura paid all of Lance's debts, Lance is ready to go and discover the world, to sing, to be himself and what he always wanted to be: free

Keith stands next to Lance's horse, with a small box in his hand

“Are you sure that you want to go, Lance?” Yes, I am. This is what I was talking about, to be free from my misery, to be able to go wherever I want to... To not be trapped anymore” “Will you come back?” “I can't promise Keith...” “So please, take this with you”

Keith hands Lance the little box with the engagement ring, telling him it was meant to be for him, because, whoever he is, he loves him and deeply wishes to marry him one day

Lance is touched, so touched and accepts the gift, telling him that he is happy to know that he has a place to come back to

Lotor's Dress Emporium is ruined, Allura makes everything to sink this sick man's business and allows Romelle to open her own little shop from where she will buy her dresses

A few years later, Lance comes back to Altea but before he goes to see Keith in the Blade's kingdom

Keith is absolutely astonished, seeing Lance coming back and when Lance notices him he runs towards him before hugging him

“I missed you so much Keith, the world is beautiful but nothing is as beautiful as you Keith!” “I love you too Lance”

And they kiss, Lance in Keith's arms deeply in love

Lance meets Keith's parents, the King and the Queen who find the boy lovely and, well, now they know that it's acceptable to let their son marry whoever he wants to because they spoke with Alfor for a long moment

Shiro and Allura, being the perfect royal couple offer to the two lovers to make a double marriage

Lance is thrilled because he is marrying with a Prince, during the same ceremony that Allura, the Princess of his kingdom and his friend now

Romelle gives everything she has in doing Lance's outfit, because her best friend will marry a Prince and if this isn't a fairy tale she doesn't know what it is

And this is the purest marriage that the two kingdoms have ever seen, Shiro and Allura are the cutest couple on Earth and Lance and Keith are the perfect lovebirds

They had a happy ever after after all...

          Bonus:

Shiro and Allura had a daughter that they called Marina Eleanor, with white hair and beautiful cat shaped blue eyes: a pure candy, a girl with a beautiful smile and a great personality

She often could be found in the library, with books around her little dress while looking at the images as somebody was reading a story to her

Or hiding in the garden, between junipers and forget-me-nots

Lance and Keith adopted a boy named Julian, an orphan from the Blade's kingdom that Lance found once on one of his escapes from the palace and the little boy followed him during the whole day, and Lance having a big heart and being undercover bought him some food, took care of him and asked him where his parents were, and when he learnt that his parents were dead he adopted him, instantaneously: law

Keith loved the little boy so much, he was so lively and so funny and loved to play the violin so Lance made this tradition that every Friday the three of them were having a music session, with Keith playing the piano, Julian playing the violin and Lance singing

[lygerastia]

flower crown (Shiro)

Summary: You do a small affectionate gesture for Space Dad. That's basically it.

Warnings: none.

Chapters: 1 [completed]

Words: 1,678

READ IT ON AO3. 

“Shiro?”

Your gentle whisper reaches his ears in an instant, waking him up from his daydream. He turns around, a look of surprise on his face. He didn’t expect to see you here—or rather, to actually find him. It was amazing that you managed to find him on this foreign planet Allura decided to land that you didn’t get to explore yet. He made sure to leave the castle in silence; but, now that he thinks about it, sitting on a cliff, in a field of some random alien glowing flowers, was very conspicuous. Shiro never thought someone would search for him or notice his absence.

You were special, it seemed.

Because it was dead in the night; everyone else was already sleeping, tired from a day of training. But not you, it seemed—nor you, nor him. For Shiro, it was a normal occurrence; nightmares plagued his sleep so he preferred avoiding them if he could. No matter how much it drained his energy, he couldn’t stand waking up covered in sweat and gasping just because he dreamed about his old days under Galra captivity. Or how Zarkon managed to disable all paladins, while only he remained alive…

He shook his head, trying to focus on the present and on your calming form, standing there awkwardly a few paces away from him. You were giving him a smile, but your eyes were alert and worried: Shiro hoped it wasn’t his fault that you couldn’t sleep. He wouldn’t forgive himself for worrying you—or the team—like that. He was their leader, he had a job to keep them together: and if he couldn’t keep himself together, then how he expected the team to work? So he kept his feelings hidden, tried to cheer them up instead of letting them cheer him up. Acted like everything was fine.

But he was far from fine.

He cleared his throat, feeling it dry. ‘Just gotta play it cool, Shiro.’ “[name]! Wh-What are you doing here? Why aren’t you sleeping?”

You looked at your feet, smile fading. It was then when he noticed that you were holding something behind you, hiding it from his view. “..I can’t sleep lately. I keep thinking.”

“About what? What’s troubling you? You know that you should get all the sleep you can—“

“Y-Yeah, I know, but…” you sighed, taking a few tentative steps towards him. Shyly. As if you were afraid to approach him. He put on a kind smile to make you feel more relaxed around him—whatever was bothering you, disturbing your dreams, he hoped he could solve with some advice. “I can’t help but think about you, Shiro.”

To his surprise, he started to blush brightly. I think anyone hearing that would flush a little bit, even if you were a rather serious guy like Shiro. Well, he was a goof deep down; but most of the time, he tries to be the pillar for the team and there to set things straight. But still—you made him blush. That was an incredible thing in itself.

“Err…” and he was at a loss of words, searching inspiration in the nearby ground and flowers. The flowers looked beautiful, illuminating your facial features and giving you a royal air—the epitome of kindness and innocence. He just wanted to pick up a bunch of them and put them in your hair, to make you smile in the dark hue of the starry sky above…

Oh no, bad move. His mind started straying again. He had to focus: he shouldn’t bother with his feelings for you right this moment. He had to say something, even if words were hard to spit out. “Wh-Why—“ ‘Come on, Shirogane, put it back together!’ At that, the Black Paladin took a deep breath and recomposed himself. Pushed his sentiments inside, in a corner, once again. “Why are you thinking about me?” His smile faltered a little bit—how he wished it was something more than you probably worrying about his well-being.

He couldn’t read your expression, so pensive-like. But then you lifted your head and looked at him with determination. You inhaled and told him to turn back around. He cocked his head to the side, blinking in confusion. Yet he did as you instructed, your voice holding something firm inside of it.

“Do I need to close my eyes too?” he chuckled in amusement, playing along.

You responded in all seriousness “If you wish, but…Just listen to me, ok?” He nodded and waited, feeling that the atmosphere has shifted into a solemn one. “L-Like I said, I’ve been thinking about you lately…Probably the whole team has and they’re all worried about you. You pretend not to be hurt, but I know you are. Umm…” you paused, shifting from one foot to another. “Sorry for stalking you here out in the night, I couldn’t help it. When I see you so lonely, suffering by yourself, my heart clenches.”

His heart clenches right now too, hearing how his actions only made you frown. “…I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” you shake your head, stepping even closer to the man. “I can’t understand what you’re going through, but I want to. I want to try—try to understand you, Shiro. I want to see you smiling more often. I want you to be happy because you deserve it after going through everything you did. I want to be by your side and I want you to confide in me.” Your demanding tone lowered into uncertainty, maybe thinking that you’ve crossed some lines. “..If-If you want, of course…I apologize. I acted out of place, but I can’t just leave you like this…Because I care about you.”

Shiro can’t respond. He stays still, trying hard to contain his repressed feelings—he couldn’t cry in front of you. Not after this speech. He was moved: he didn’t think that someone cared so much about him. About his well-being—and maybe he was harming himself by keeping all his problems bottled in. Sometimes he felt like confessing that he was worried, to tell someone his dreadful dreams—but he was afraid of destabilizing the team. He couldn’t afford to do that. They'd all worry too much.

He clenches his fists in anger at himself for being this stupid—he wants to turn around and hug the hell out of you, but he’s unsure if he’s allowed or not. He calls your name strongly and you flinch.

“Y-Yes? What is it? If I’ve upset you with something, then…”

“No, that’s not it,” he says, closing his eyes. “Thank you. Thank you for reaching out for me. I appreciate it and thank you for opening my eyes. I know I’ve been wrong by keeping this away from you all.” He inhales sharply. “If you’ll have me, I’ll be in your care.”

You smiled, delighted, and almost squee at Shiro’s words. You didn’t think it’d work—but your words reached him. And that was all you wanted. “Ha ha, I’m glad! I’m so glad…” you whipped your tears and sniffed.

“Can I turn around now?” ‘And hug you?’

Sadly, you didn’t hear him, too deep in your fantasy. “It means that my work didn’t go to waste. Although I guess I could’ve just give it to you later, randomly…”

Shiro raised an eyebrow. “Give what to me?”

“Oh, uh..” you fidgeted with the thing behind your back. “Don’t look, I just…” while you were stuttering, you carefully placed a crown on top of Shiro’s head. His hand instantly shot to it, feeling it with his fingertips. This texture—flowers? They felt like the ones surrounding him, knitted together with various types of leaves, all fixed in a perfect circle. A flower crown? He could guess that, at least. But why? “You can turn around now.”

He did so, wearing the cutest and most confused expression you’ve ever seen on the Black paladin. You were ready, though: and took a snap of him. He blinked a couple of times, even more confused. You laughed as a response to his adorable reaction, showing him the picture you took with the phone-gadget Pidge created specially for you.

“Here! I wanted you to see it!” And he did, examining himself in the photo: he thought he looked like a dumbass, but the flower crown on top of his head…it was exquisite. It was made by you for him. “When I saw these flowers, I thought that you deserve them. So I wanted to create something for you! I—“ you coughed, embarrassed. “I hope you like them, or if you think they’re too childish…Um…Shiro? You ok…?”

A large smile was plastered on his lips, stretched from one ear to another, looking so soft it melted your heart as well as making it race. His eyes were expressing so much thankfulness that you couldn’t help yourself. He was so damn grateful for your presence, damn. It shook you—you couldn’t hold that gaze and looked away with a small smile. Seeing the man smiling so genuinely after so much time, it filled your soul with joy. Shiro deserved the world—that was a given.

“Ah—Uh—“ you cleared your throat, trying to change the subject. “But your face is so dumb-looking in this photo, Shiro! How did you manage it?!” To hide your embarrassment, you started to laugh. Shiro could only stare at you with fondness, at how cute you laughed—and your sincere feelings melted him. Your laughter reached him and he followed you.

And, as you both stood there, in a field of glowing flowers, with their green spores floating around you, neither cared about the passing of time. In that moment, only you two mattered and the warm sentiments that were created around you.

And Shiro’s laughter carried on hope that he could be better one day. That not all things were bad. If he had you by his side, and his teammates—the bond will never break.

He swore on that crown of flowers…  

–

[masterlist]

[rueitae]

If you're taking those writing asks could you do June 1 with plance?

June 1 is ‘Canon’ and ‘Sharing a bed’. Crack concept turned angsty. Trending towards the platonic side, but there’s some hints of romantic feels in here. Thank you for the prompt! About 1100 words. Please enjoy.

Read on Ao3

~~~~~

Cow-parent Trapped

“Well this is a large, stinking pile of – “

Lance turns to glare at her. “Not in front of Kaltenecker!” he says as he covers the cow’s ears.

“– disaster,” Pidge finishes. “I was going to say disaster because that’s what this is.”

Her shoulders slump in dismay. In six hours she’s due to lead a meeting regarding the specs of the new sea vehicles.

Instead she’s still at the farm with Lance as he pets and tries to sweet talk an obstinate Kaltenecker from unblocking the only exit to the milking barn. Pidge’s tinted glasses show an analysis of the cow, nothing seems physically wrong with her, content to sit and moo at their every plea for her to move.

“I’m sorry, Pidge,” Lance says. “She doesn’t like the dark. She’s usually in her own barn by now.”

The last hints of light disappear from the cracks in the door, sending the former Paladins and their cow into darkness.

“So we’re actually going to let a cow hold us hostage right now?” she asks dryly.

She only sees him raise his hands in surrender through the night vision mode on her glasses. “I’m not going to make her go anywhere she doesn’t want to. Kaltenecker is very sensitive after all she’s gone through!”

We’ve all gone through a lot, Pidge thinks sadly. She isn’t worried about the meeting, not truly, despite her moans over being late. Right now she can’t help but read between the lines.

It’s difficult to forget Allura’s sacrifice on any given day, but especially with the anniversary almost upon them. Pidge has her family to help with the Defenders project, to keep her mind occupied each time she wonders what the vehicles would look like with Allura’s touch, what they would look like combined with Altean magic and what she would think of the Voltron legend continuing like this.

The passing of years does not make it easier. Hunk confides that he thinks about Allura every time he makes a milkshake for galactic dignitaries. Shiro asks leaders to consider what she would want every chance he gets. Keith will tell her story to anyone who will listen as he hands out food and blankets.

Lance will tell her story too, mostly within safer borders, to school groups and historians; one of them has to. He spends as much time with his family as he can. Pidge can hardly chastise him for it, not after what she went through to reunite her own family.

It weighs on him more than the rest of them, she can tell. Except for possibly Coran, but the older altean is far more practiced in concealing his feelings when he wants to. He has Altea to govern and occupy his mind.

They’ve all thrown themselves into work, just like their early days on the Castle, doing everything to keep from being overwhelmed with grief and homesickness.

Pidge wonders as she has her glasses zoom in on the bags under his eyes, are they taking care of each other enough?

“You look tired,” she says.

He stares and takes too long to answer, not bothering to deny it.

She grins instead. “Maybe Kaltenecker is just trying to look out for you, telling you to get more sleep. You saved her after all.”

“We saved her,” Lance corrects immediately.

A specific sort of happiness swells in her chest at the inclusion, the same feeling that occurs every time he praises her and boasts about her genius. While his words are objectively true, she is a genius after all, she drinks in the genuine admiration behind them.

“Come on,” she says with an outstretched hand, “animals are more keen to their surroundings than humans. If Kaltenecker thinks you need rest, you’d better listen.”

She tries not to smile too much when he takes it. “A hay bale isn’t the most luxurious bed,” he argues. “And don’t you have a meeting soon? You look nice, I’d hate if you got your hair and clothes all messed up.”

Pidge is glad it’s so dark and Lance can’t see the warmth in her cheeks. How does she explain it now, after everything they’ve gone through, that his friendship means more to her than she can express as      only     friends?

“We’ve both been through worse,” she teases. She frowns and squeezes his hand. “I know you’re hurting, and it’s okay. But please don’t forget to take care of yourself.”

He stares into her eyes, as if searching into her soul; something he did more often these days. Finally, he sandwiches her hand with his other and sighs dramatically.

“I’m going to need to make my masks for a solid week. It’s so gross in here. Marco was supposed to clean it today.”

With no warning - she barely manages a surprised ‘ahh!’ - Lance drags her back with him into a pile of hay. Strands puff out, landing on her nice green top and sticking to her bangs.

Lance has the audacity to laugh, though he’s in the same predicament next to her.

She lets him continue holding her hand.

“Thanks for today, Pidge,” he says, rolling his head to face her. “It’s been a long time since we’ve hung out like this. It was really nice, I needed it.”

“Too long,” she agrees. “And I’m never too busy for you Lance - or any of you!” she quickly corrects, but then smirks and shifts hastily to lay on her side. “Especially if you have peanut butter cookies and video games as bribes.”

“I’ll note that,” he teases with the brightest smile she’s seen from him in years. He sobers just as quickly though. “Thank you, Pidge. Seriously. I… still miss her.”

“We all do, Lance and we always will. But we’re here for each other when it feels the worst. We’re the Paladins of Voltron; we will always be connected, all of us.” Pidge means it. No matter where Allura is, she’s still a part of the universe. It’s all she can do to keep the memory of Olkarion alive.

He hugs her, wraps his arms around her shoulders as if desperate for contact. His tight squeeze is as good as a thank you.

Pidge reciprocates and soaks in the warmth of his body as she nestles into his chest. He sobs, wetting her hair with his tears. She fights back her own until she realizes there isn’t a point to.

If they can’t be a shoulder to cry on for each other, then what kind of arms of Voltron are they?

[curiosity-killed]

backstage

pure self-indulgent ballet AU fluff

Warnings: none Pairing: Shallura Word count: 3367

After the accident, he stayed away for so long because he thought it would hurt too much to see how much he’d lost. The moment he steps back into the studio, though, Shiro knows his fear was for nothing. It’s been years, and he is out of practice. His developpés aren’t as high, his leaps as long. When he gets done with class, his whole body is sore. But the joy that bubbles up in his chest like champagne – that is still exactly the same. Life is a little more vivid when he’s dancing, like everything is a little more real, a little more felt. His very soul sings. So when Allura asks him to help with the soloists, he’s happy to agree. He’s grown to like teaching, and it’s nice to give back to the academy. It’s also a good excuse to spend more time in the studio – and with Allura.

Lance and Pidge have grown so much since he danced with them that it’s a little disorienting to work with them. They’ve both become beautiful dancers, skilled beyond what he could have guessed when they were in middle school. Some things, though, haven’t changed.

“Shiro! Look!” He turns from his phone and blanches. Both Pidge and Lance wear blinding grins – it’s just that the former is upside down. Pidge hangs from Lance’s flexed arm by her knee, beaming. Shiro’s heart jolts. One wrong move and their Sugarplum Fairy is going to be in the hospital with a concussion. It’s his job to tell them to knock it off. On the other hand, though, it’s an impressive lift. Part of Shiro wants to try it out himself, and the other part is already thinking of how it could be incorporated into choreography. He’s seen something similar before on Instagram but never considered it an option in their studio. He settles on a compromise. “Lance, set her down – carefully!” he says. “We’re working on Nutcracker right now, not contemporary.” They give matching pouts but do as told, just in time for Allura to walk in. She catches the moment Pidge’s feet touch the ground and shoots Shiro a questioning look. He shakes his head slightly and mouths ‘later.’ She’s smiling as she turns to set her notebook down on the bench and start rehearsal. After one of the evening rehearsals, they wind up sitting on the floor together, sharing scars. Shiro’s is the more obvious, of course, but he can’t help wincing in shared pain as Allura tells him about her hip.

“It’s okay,” she says when she catches his expression. She stops herself and shakes her head slightly. “I mean, it’s not – it was awful when it happened. It felt like my whole body had betrayed me. But now, I don’t mind as much. I still get to dance, even if it’s not the way I once did. And I’ve grown stronger in ways I didn’t know I was weak. I don’t mind it so much anymore.” She says it with a gentle smile, as if she knows what Shiro was thinking. They’ve known each other for so long, she probably does. He can’t imagine her without dance. For years, she’d been the shining star of their studio, and she’d had such plans beyond their little city. Just thinking of the agony she had to feel at having her dreams brought down around her by some ice and an unlucky fall is nearly unbearable. It had to have been so much worse for her. “And now I get to dance with you again,” she adds. “It could have been much worse, in all.” It’s hard to believe he could ever make up for her loss, but the softness in her eyes when she looks at him almost makes Shiro believe it. Tech week comes before he’s ready, and the week itself is chaos. After it’s over, tech week always seem to be glazed in a golden highlight, and he’s surprised by how insane the week is. Neither Lance nor Pidge is the fussy type, and Shiro finds himself pleasantly surprised by how well they behave. He knows they’re more mature than they act when they’re allowed to let loose, but it’s still heartwarming to see them take on roles as leaders within the studio. More than once, he finds Pidge helping out with costumes backstage, and he even catches Keith and Lance working together to corral some of the younger kids. Keith spots him and rolls his eyes, but he’s smiling as he turns back to their task. If Allura rests, it’s only in blinks. After receiving a text from her at two A.M. about the show, Shiro resolves to talk to her, but it’s hard to get a word in edgewise during rehearsal. There’s a lot of pressure on her, he knows; it’s the first winter since she took over the studio from Alfor, and the Nutcracker is a holiday tradition. Expectations are high, and if it doesn’t live up to them, the studio will suffer. Unlike a new show, people have a set image when it comes to this one. As Shiro’s mom used to say, people are a lot quicker to pick up on mistakes when it’s something they’ve seen a hundred times before. For Allura’s sake, the show needs to go perfectly. He picks up extra hours to help relieve some of Allura’s workload. He can’t do it all, he knows, but he can take care of things like paperwork and expense reports so she can focus on the show itself. If he winds up getting less sleep than he did in college – well, it’s only one week. He’ll manage. It works until Allura catches him on the Friday of tech, dark shadows under his eyes and double-shot in hand. She cocks an eyebrow, glancing between him and the coffee. “I’m fine,” he protests preemptively. “You need to sleep, Shiro,” she scolds. “If you run yourself down like this, you’ll get sick.” It’s a pretty obvious pot and kettle situation, and when he looks pointedly at the thermos in her hand, she flushes. “Fine!” she relents. “But only this time.” He grins and salutes with his travel mug, as if either of them actually believe that. Allura suppresses her smile only poorly. On the morning of the Saturday shows, Shiro finds himself crouched in the crossover reassuring Hunk. Their Snow King, it appears, has gotten cold feet. “What if I mistime it? What if I go too late and Shay gets hurt or go too early and she’s not ready,” he says. “Or if my grip isn’t right and she falls or – or –“ “Hunk.” He meets Shiro’s eyes with a startled look, as if he had forgotten Shiro was even there. Given how quickly Hunk’s mind works even when it isn’t fueled by anxious energy, Shiro wouldn’t be surprised if that were true. “Take a deep breath,” he instructs. “And listen. You’ve practiced this for months. You and Shay have done every step in this pas a hundred times over. Today, tonight – it’s no different. Your body knows the steps, knows how to do all the lifts and turns. You could do this in your sleep.” Hunk’s expression doesn’t look totally convinced; he side-eyes Shiro a little worriedly. Still, he exhales and gives a shaky little nod. With a sniff, he wipes at the tears under his eyes and gives another nod. “Yeah,” he says. “You’re right. Sorry, I – I just–” Shiro wraps his arm around Hunk’s shoulders and pulls him in for a partial hug. “Don’t worry about it, Hunk,” he soothes. “Everybody gets nervous. The fact that you keep going even when you’re scared just makes you brave.” There’s another sniff, and Hunk dunks his head. Shiro shifts his arm to gently rub circles into Hunk’s back. He’s always been the most anxious of the students, but he’s always pushed through, too. Shiro really does admire that about him. “Thanks Shiro,” he mumbles. “Of course, buddy,” he says. He gives Hunk’s shoulder one more squeeze. “Now come on, don’t want frozen toes out there.” Hunk laughs at that, a startled bubble of noise, and Shiro smiles in triumph. He helps Hunk up and leaves him to finish warming up. Backstage, it’s a madhouse of snowflakes and dolls in the middle of warming up. The matching tutus are interspersed with bright colored shrugs and striped legwarmers, and Keith stands out like a scarlet stoplight. From what Shiro can see, he appears to be in the middle of some sort of contest with one of the students that Shiro doesn’t know very well – James, by the name emblazoned on the back of his jacket. For a moment, Shiro debates breaking them up. They really don’t need any raised tensions on show day, and they definitely don’t need someone pulling a hamstring because they were forcing a heel-in-hand stretch. “You know, if we planned ahead, we could have quite a pas de deux with those two next semester.” He hadn’t heard Allura step up beside him, but he’d felt the warmth of her proximity. He looks over with a raised eyebrow, trying to see if she’s serious. She meets his gaze and gives a little shrug. “Think Violente but less peppy,” she offers. Her hair’s pulled up in a bun, the kind of sleek look that she’d do in two minutes flat before class back when they danced together. There’s no hairspray this time, though, and little wisps curl like frost against her cheeks. With the house lights backlighting her, she is luminous. “Or War, from Coppelia,” Shiro muses, turning back to the teenagers. In the time he was looking away, some conclusion must have come between the two; their legs have both returned to the ground, and James turns away from Keith with a dismissive hand gesture. Behind him, Keith looks a little smug. When he catches Shiro watching, though, a flush turns his cheeks pink and he quickly looks away. “I’ll go check on James,” Allura says. “Why don’t you check on Keith?” He gives a little salute, already headed over. Keith sees him coming and wrinkles his nose, as if expecting a lecture. Instead, Shiro reaches over to ruffle Keith’s hair; he has the entire first act to hairspray it back into place. “Shiro,” Keith whines, knocking his hand away. “You ready?” Shiro asks. Keith shrugs, nonchalant. He’s always been small, and that doesn’t seem likely to change, but he’s grown a lot in the last three years. It’s like all that anger and fear had somehow condensed him, pulled into something tightly wound and ready to spring. Now, though, it’s relaxed to let him settle and fill out into a confident young man and leader. “Sure,” he says. “Romelle and I’ve done it a hundred times.” The contrast with Hunk makes Shiro smile a little. He ignores that in favor of giving his best friend a little grief. “You two do make a good couple,” he remarks. “Lot of chemistry there.” “The height helps,” Keith says, oblivious. “Couple years ago, I would’ve been too short for her.” “But now you’re a perfect match,” Shiro continues. He can see the moment Keith catches on; he straightens slightly and his eyes narrow just-so. Grinning, Shiro presses a little further. “You know Arabian has a history of getting couples together,” he points out. “Zethrid and Ezor, Colleen and Sam, even Zarkon and Haggar…” “You and Allura,” Keith chimes in. Shiro stammers, caught off-guard. He should’ve known better, but he wasn’t prepared for Keith to retaliate. Now, his fumbling just makes it more embarrassing; he can feel his cheeks heating up scarlet. “Well, it doesn’t always work that way,” he finishes lamely. “Mhm,” Keith says, a little smug. “Sounds like it’s not the role after all.” In lieu of a better response, Shiro knocks their shoulders together and lets it go. Keith grins. They’re quiet together for a few moments, watching the little kids file up from the dressing rooms in their satin dresses and little suits. The adults are already up in the wings, coupled up, and Shiro catches sight of Sam and Colleen Holt across the way. He lifts his hand in a wave, and they both beam as they wave back. “You know, you could’ve done it this year,” Keith says. Shiro looks over, a little startled by the non sequitor. Keith isn’t looking at him; he’s shoved his hands into his jacket pockets and popped one foot forward in a half-hearted calf stretch. “Even if you didn’t want to do Cavalier or whatever, you could’ve done Snow or Arabian still,” Keith continues. “Russian, even.” Shiro cants his head, considering. Keith’s not wrong; though Shiro’s out of practice, he could have pushed himself enough to do one of the variations at least. He’s done all of them enough times that he can still mark the choreography in his dreams. “Maybe,” he agrees. “But I’d rather ease back in than stress myself out trying to get up to that level so soon. Anyway, you guys deserve the roles you got. I wouldn’t want to take one of them away from you out of some weird seniority.” There’s also a part of him that would feel wrong about dancing any of the duets while Allura was forced to watch from the wings. He’s danced with others before, and he loves ballet for more than his partners. But Allura is special. If he were to come back to his home studio to perform now, after everything, he would want to share it with her. He opts not to tell Keith that. “I should go check in with Ro,” Keith says, straightening up. “She wanted to go over opening again.” Beyond them, past the bright lights of the stage, Shiro can hear the overture start. The audience is hushed and the wings filled only with whispers. Excitement prickles across his nerves like little drops of light. “If I don’t see you before, I know you’ll do great,” he says. “Just remember to breathe and not rush.” “Yeah, yeah, patience,” Keith interjects, teasing. He’s smiling, though, and Shiro knows he isn’t actually annoyed. Reaching out, he gives Keith’s shoulder a quick squeeze. “Merde,” he says. Keith replies with his hand on Shiro’s arm and a smile, and then they separate. Now that it’s showtime, Shiro doesn’t have an official station. The volunteers and parents have commandeered the quick change area, and the wings are cleared of everyone but crew and dancers. He helps where he’s needed backstage and watches Arabian from the wings, cheering when Keith and Romelle finish the grueling dance. Keith grins as he enters the wing, and Shiro tugs him into a big hug, sweat and all. For the rest of the show, though, he finds himself watching the TV in the crossover. It’s quiet and still, and he’s out of the way of the people who are actually working here. They’re in the middle of Waltz of the Flowers when Allura finds him. “Are you hiding?” she asks. He turns to her with a laugh, a little startled. He hadn’t heard her enter. "Just trying to stay out of the way," he admits. "I'm not used to not having a job." Allura breathes out a laugh and walks over to join him. She bumps her shoulder into his arm gently and smiles. "It does leave you at a bit of a loss for what to do," she agrees. On the TV screen, Dewdrop twirls across stage in a series of pique turns that culminates in a back-breaking arabesque as the corps re-enters. "She's grown so much this last year," Allura remarks. "They all have, really. I'm so proud of how they've stepped up this year." "They've had a great role model to lead them," Shiro says, resting his hand on her shoulder. She looks up at him with a smile that's soft and intimate and sets something warm unfurling in his chest. If he leans a little more into where their arms touch, there's no one here to tell. Onscreen, the waltz comes to an end in a flurry of swirling pink tutus and the crowd erupts in applause as they dance offstage. It grows quiet, then, anticipation hushing the audience both in the seats and in the wings. Pidge and Lance step from the shadows in graceful unison, as if they were formed of the very same essence. The smiles they wear aren't the giddy grins of the younger dancers but something a little subtler, almost regal. Beside him, Allura lets out a little sigh. It’s half contentment and half something like wist. Looking up at the TV, there’s no envy in her expression but perhaps something like nostalgia. Remembering the last time she danced it, perhaps, or maybe the last time she walked across that stage as something other than a teacher. On a whim, Shiro offers out his hand. Allura looks up, surprised. He smiles. “C’mon,” he offers. “It’s been ages,” Allura protests. “I probably can’t even do most of it.” Shiro shrugs but doesn’t drop his hand. “So it’ll just be for us,” he says. “There’s no audience here.” For a moment longer, it seems she really will say no. Then, she relents with a little smile as she sets her hand delicately over his and steps into a sous-sus to match Pidge’s on the TV. Her leg unfolds to ninety degrees instead of the high developpé onscreen, and her tennis shoes squeak against the floor as he turns her in a promenade. When she goes to pirouette, the sole sticks against the marleyed floor, and they both have to stifle laughter. It’s no performance for the history books or even for the stage. It was never meant to be. It’s only for the two of them. The old familiar steps look a little different now than they did six years ago when they last performed them. The way their bodies move through them has changed, but they meet each other in the middle and gently reacquaint themselves. They’ve each grown while apart, but it seems they grew in the same directions; moving together comes as easily as if they were born to it. The last lift turns into more of a hug than any real step, and Allura is laughing softly as Shiro spins her around with her arms extended and face tilted toward the light. Her delight sets a smile over his lips, enchanted. As the music softens to a close, he lets her slip carefully down through his arms till her feet touch the ground. Her arms follow, settling around his shoulders. One hand just barely brushes through the short hair at the nape of his neck. There’s a flush warming her cheeks, and her eyes are lit with the blue of the crossover lights. Curls have escaped her bun and fall gently against her cheeks. Neither one of them makes a move to separate. Allura’s hand slides forward to cup his jaw, her head tilting slightly. She glances up at him just once, as if to ask permission. He gives it freely. It’s a gentle kiss, nearly chaste. Her lips are soft and he can feel the bite of her chapstick on his own – mint and beeswax, the kind she’s always worn. His hand spreads against the low of her back, pulling her closer to him, and hers curls in his hair. Her thumbtip brushes against the edge of his scar, sending a little shiver through his skin. They separate just briefly and only so far as to let them both catch their breath. “Thank you, Takashi,” she murmurs. “You never have to thank me for anything,” he answers, leaning back in. The music of Lance’s solo starts, and Shiro knows they should watch. He’s been working hard for this, and they should be there to cheer both him and Pidge on in their moment in the spotlight. They will – in a moment. For right now, Shiro lets himself ignore the TV and the stage and the audience far beyond. The only star he needs is right here in his arms.

[blueplanettrash]

Lance Shirogane-West (Part 2)

Here’s the second part! I think there’s gonna be one more part after this. I hope all of you enjoy it! 💙

@candywii666

I thought that when I saw Shiro again I’d feel something. Relief, disbelief or something like that. But that wasn’t the case. I was immediately on edge, I didn’t know why but it was like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. It was so weird, he came onto the bridge with a new haircut and outfit (he looked like a complete dork) but I didn’t feel anything for him.

Everyone else was fine though, especially Keith. That didn’t last for very long though; before we knew it Keith was gone. He went and joined the Blade of Marmora, I can’t say that I’m angry that he left or anything but it still kinda felt like a betrayal. We were finally in a good place, at least I thought so.

I constantly had to watch myself to stay on his good side but when it came to arguing my or other’s cases for that matter, there wasn’t a good side. Even when his plans were complete bullshit, or he couldn’t see how comfortable Lotor was making himself on our ship, or how he was treating everyone on the team like they were dirt on the floor. I just didn’t understand, he was treating the prince, our enemy better than his friends.

For the most part, the plans weren’t putting us in more danger but when Lotor brought up the Kral Zera, it was enough. I couldn’t let him keep putting our lives on the line for nothing more than a chance. I wasn’t alone in the sentiment either, Allura and Hunk agreed with me too.

“Shiro, we’re all on the same side here,” I said hesitantly stepping forward a bit. My head whipped to the side. What just happened? My cheek was burning, it was throbbing. Why does it hurt?

Slowly I looked back over at Shiro, disbelief rushing through me. Did he just-

“I TOLD YOU TO STAY OUT OF IT!” He yelled. I flinched, my hands went to my chest. They were trembling. I’ve never been afraid of my dad before, I couldn’t even dream of it. But now, I was terrified and devastated.

The lump in my throat grew and grew until I couldn’t swallow it anymore and I just burst into tears instead. I covered my face with my hands and I ran out of there as fast as I could, ignoring the calls of my name.

Allura found me hours after the incident right after I summoned my broadsword for the first time. She was happy for me but I was still thinking about what happened. At first we only talked about my progress and what I’ve been able to accomplish but eventually, our worries about him came up.

“All I’ve ever done, I’ve done to make him proud. Now he won’t even look at me,” I said quietly, turning away from Allura. I can only imagine that she was looking at me with surprise even though I was the one crying my eyes out with a bruise swelling around my eye and cheek. She came up behind me and wrapped me up in a hug and I let myself fall again.

I didn’t even think before I pushed Allura out of the way of the beam. I didn’t think about my parents’ reactions, I didn’t think about what my friends would think. All I could think at that moment, was if I was too late.

But then I felt the pain. It was nothing I’d experienced before. I was getting ripped apart from the inside, I was screaming, I was crying but no one could hear me. Then it all went black.

There wasn’t any gate, no being that greeted me, it was only darkness. Silence. I was floating with nothing around me. It’s hard to be brave when you don’t know what’s happening. Me, I’ve never been particularly brave but I don’t think anybody would’ve been if they were in my position.

Just as quickly as I left, I was back. Allura was standing above me, a smile on her face and tears rolling down her cheeks.

“You saved me,” I croaked. My throat was on fire, which wasn’t much of a shock since I’d just basically been electrocuted to death.

“I owed you one,” she replied with a weak laugh and I thought that would be the end of it. I really did. Later that night when I woke up in a cold sweat, I realized that it wasn’t.

I’d never felt terror like I had that night. Over and over again, I relived that moment of unbearable pain. I physically felt my heart stop in my chest, no matter what I tried, I couldn’t stop it.

My hands were shaking when I brought them to my chest, dumbly checking to see if I still had a pulse. It sounds foolish, I know, but sometimes you just need to know. I could feel beads of sweat soaking through my clothes and I could only sit there panting, trying to make sense of everything I was feeling.

Before I really knew what I was doing I was standing in front of Shiro’s door, hand poised to knock. Without thinking too much about it, I did just that and anxiously waited for an answer.

“Wha?” Shiro said groggily as the door slide open. “Lance?”

“Uhh, hey Shiro,” I greeted, voice shaking slightly.

“Why’re you up?” He asked, rubbing his eyes tiredly.

“Oh, I u-um, I uh couldn’t sleep, I had a n-nightmare,” I tried to explain, my hands clutched in front of me. Shiro sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose in annoyance. I gulped and looked down at the floor in shame.

“Well, what do you want me to do about that?” He asked sarcastically. “Give you a hug or something?” I flinched back as a flush of embarrassment heated up my cheeks.

“Oh my God you do,” he deadpanned. I couldn’t even look at him at that point. “You’re not six years old Lance, go back to bed,”

Then he closed the door and left me standing in the hallway. God, I felt so stupid as I trudged back to my room. I wanted to scream, I wanted to burst into tears, I wanted to sleep, just anything to try and forget the embarrassment I’d just gone through. It was no surprise that I didn’t get any sleep that night.

I’ve been more relieved to be right in all my life. Sure, I still felt terrible that I didn’t do anything to get rid of the clone, or convince the others that there was something wrong. But, it was infinitely better having the real Shiro, or at least his soul (?) back with us. Although it didn’t seem from the outside that I was. In short, I was avoiding Shiro.

Not that it was too difficult, Keith was taking up a lot of his time since it’d been so long since he’d seen him. After that Pidge was spending a lot of time with him and with Pidge came Hunk. So in the meantime, it wouldn’t look too bad if I wasn’t going out of my way to talk to him. There wasn’t really a particular reason why I wanted to avoid him. I just didn’t want to get my hopes up I guess. I wanted to have a good relationship with this reality’s Shiro but I also knew that it would make me miss my parents even more than I already did. When I was over that, then I would be able to approach Shiro again. In the end though, it wasn’t really my decision.

After waking up one morning, I discovered Shiro in the cockpit glancing around nervously. When he noticed me, he gave me a small smile and a wave while I just stared in shock.

“H-how did you get in here?” I asked, eyes wide. Shiro laughed and scratched the back of his head.

“Turns out Kosmo can teleport people too,” he answered.

“Right, um, what are you doing here?”

“Well, we haven’t really gotten to talk about things, it seems like I’ve talked with everyone but you,” he replied, looking down at the floor. “Which sucks considering what I did to you,”

“It wasn’t you!” I blurted out before I could stop it. I covered my mouth quickly, looking at Shiro with wide eyes. He looked at me sadly before giving me a small smile.

“Thanks, Lance, that really means a lot… but it still kind of felt like me? I have all of his memories but it feels like I’m looking in through a dirty window or something,” he tried to explain.

“We all know it wasn’t you. I know that it wasn’t you,”

“Still, it doesn’t change that it was wrong. Especially when he hit you, I’m sorry that happened,” Shiro said regretfully, shaking his head.

“You couldn’t have stopped it,”

“It must’ve hurt though, you were crying,”

“It wasn’t because it hurt,” I said with a blush, somehow embarrassed despite the situation. Shiro only raised his eyebrow in response.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s because you’re the one that hit me,” I admitted, looking down at the floor. Tears pushed against the back of my eyes and there was a stubborn lump caught in my throat.

“Oh,” Shiro blinked. “I understand, it must have been scary for your leader to hit you,”

I let out a bitter laugh and shook my head. It almost felt like I was losing my mind. He didn’t understand, not that I was making it easy for him to get it but I was at the end of my rope.

“Leader, try dad,” I said quietly, clutching tightly at my hair. You could probably hear a pin drop at the sudden silence in the cockpit. It was like Red decided to quiet all their engines too. I glanced over at Shiro but he was only looking at me and blinking in confusion.

“Uhh… what are you talking about?” He asked baffled.

“I need to tell you something,”

After a few seconds of silence, I accepted that he wasn’t going to say anything else.

“I’m not from this reality, I’m from a different one where you’re my biological father,” I said, speaking clearly. I stared in his eyes, just daring him to call me a liar. Finally, he just shook his head and leaned against the wall.

“Lance, you realize that sounds crazy right?” He asked, dropping his face in his hands.

“Of course I do, you and pa didn’t raise an idiot,” I huffed rolling my eyes.

“Wait. Pa?” Shiro asked, looking up, suddenly desperate. “Who’s your other father?”

“You can’t look at me and already guess?” I asked with a small grin, crossing my arms. At first, I thought I may have said the wrong thing when tears started welling up in his eyes, but then a relaxed smile crossed his face.

“Adam?” He asked quietly. I smiled back and tucked into his arms.

“Yup, my real name is Lance Shirogane-West,”

There’s no way in hell that they put Adam W. on the memorial and thought that I wouldn’t immediately think about Adam West. So that’s what I’m calling him. Hope you don’t mind.

Part 1

[roggling]

Can you do voltron kallura when the paladins are taking to the paladins of old !@!

A/N: I love this prompt I was genuinely thinking about this about whether I should make it angsty, fluffy, or heartwarming. So I decided to make it a mix of all of them with a dash of “humor” and  it’ll be embarrassing for our two babes. ;) For the sake of the oneshot, Allur/ance didn’t happen and Allura never went on a date. No one’s involved romantically (at least not yet ;)

“No!”

Keith screamed as he saw Pidge’s hand go into Honerva’s mind as she was being pulled in by corrupted souls. Keith pounded on the barrier that had just swallowed his team in desperation. He put all his strength into his punches and he roared down at the spirits swimming down in Honerva’s mind. Keith felt tears of fury threatening to pour down his cheeks.

He couldn’t fail them now. Not ever. He had to get them out of there. He had to save them.

Keith called his Bayard and tried to slice it, but the transparent barrier held firm. “Come on!” He growled threateningly and willed his Bayard to form his blaster. He grunted and began shooting at the ground continuously. He watched the spirits fly from under there, almost taunting him for having failed his team.

He bared his teeth and hoped to crack the wall in between him and his team, but it was to no avail. The blue glow from his blaster’s lasers faded as he stopped shooting at the barrier and he looked down at the ground. He fell on his knees defeated and fought to not cry. His team will make it, he knows they will.

Hunk isn’t one to fall so easily, he will fight fiercely to protect his friends and to get back. Lance is just as determined and no one can rival his skill with his sniper gun. Pidge is a ferocious girl who would never let herself lose to the enemy. And Allura, he thought proudly, she will not lose. No matter what.

But he won’t give up now. If he’s still alive, he’ll use all his energy in trying to get to his team. Keith stood back up and formed his sword. He glared down at the barrier with all his fury and roared, beginning to hit the wall again and again, ignoring the souls swimming at his feet and constantly hitting and stabbing with all his might. Again, his sword had no effect on the barrier and he paused, trying to think straight.

“There has to be a way in,” he told himself, trying to convince himself that he isn’t powerless in this situation. He panted and panted, feeling the adrenaline drain from him a second time. He tried to feel their quintessence within him, but he doesn’t feel their familiar presence in his mindspace and he bowed his head in despair.

“I can’t feel them.”

Keith bent down towards the ground and placed his forearm against it in a weak attempt to break the barrier. He released a broken grunt and begged, “Please.”

He closed his eyes and felt his tears finally begin to release, but a loud roar in front of him interrupted his mourning. He looked up at the Black Lion and he gasped in surprise, “You’re back.”

Behind him, he heard more roars and Keith turned around, a heavy weight lifting from his chest once he saw the Lions sitting in a circle with him in the middle. Behind him, he saw a group of people and he stood up to face them, a relieved smile pulling at his lips once he saw his team and a group of older people wearing a dated version of their Paladin armor behind them standing before him.

He immediately ran towards his team and grinned, “You guys are alright!”

Lance, Pidge, Hunk, and Allura returned his smile, all of them satisfied with the results of their battle. He searched their faces for any sign of injury but found none. His gaze lingered on the Princess’s and she shared his gaze, both looking away immediately once they realized they’ve been staring.

Keith turned to look at the people that joined them and his smile dropped and morphed into an inquisitive look. As he studied them, he recognized one man to look like Allura and was wearing Red Paladin armor.

King Alfor, he assumed, then if he’s here then those must be, “Wait, are they the…”

“Yep,” Pidge interrupted him, “The original Paladins.”

Keith chuckled in disbelief and wonder as they all studied them as well. Suddenly, Alfor seemed to have recognized the girl behind him and he called out, “Allura!”

Allura soon whizzed past him and hugged her father, Keith finding a smile return to his face as he remembered his own hugs with his mother. He was happy for her. She deserved to see her father again.

As Alfor pulled away from his daughter, he soon caught sight of Keith and wondered, “You’re the Black Lion’s paladin?”

Keith nodded, “Yes…Your Highness,” he quickly added.

“I felt your worry for the team once Lance freed me from Honerva’s corruption. The Black Lion couldn’t have picked a more compassionate and determined leader for the team.”

Keith smiled in gratitude as he saw the Paladins nod in agreement with Alfor’s words.

Alfor smiled back and added, “It is fitting for my daughter to choose such an honorable and responsible man to share her future with.”

Keith blinked in confusion and his eyes widened once he realized the implication, “Wait, no, no! You’ve got the wrong idea!”

“Father! Keith is merely my leader and a trustworthy friend. There’s nothing between us.”

Alfor’s gaze switched between the both of them and rose a brow in disbelief, “But I can truly feel just how strongly you two feel about each other. There’s no need for you to hide this from me, Allura. I know the truth.”

Keith facepalmed and Allura blushed in embarrassment, glaring at her father, “The truth is that there’s nothing between us!”

“You know, we were wondering how we should tell them we can feel their lovey dovey feelings. At least King Alfor did it for us,” Hunk whispered to Pidge, but it was loud enough for everyone else to hear.

Keith turned and glared at Hunk, the Yellow Paladin hiding behind Pidge under his leader’s furious gaze, “Not you too!”

“Alright, Alfor,” Trigel placed a hand on Alfor’s shoulder, “That’s enough teasing for now, we must-”

“Agh!” Allura screamed in agony, the rest of the Paladins wincing in the shared, but dulled, pain. She fell to the floor at Alfor’s feet and her father held her in concern. Keith took a step closer, a look of concern clearly etched on his face as he saw the Princess break into a cold sweat.

He saw the look of hurt in Alfor’s face as he realized his daughter held the dark entity within and Keith couldn’t help but feel guilty that the princess had to go through all that pain and be exposed to such an evil. He saw her stand and face the team, “I am not afraid to use the power I have.”

She clenched her fist and looked into the eyes of her teammates, and Keith had a feeling they were all looking at her with the same look he had, with worry. She looked straight into his eyes and she urged on with a powerful gaze and with such fierce confidence he’s seen in her every time they were going into battle.

And although they were going to face a villain stronger than anything they’ve faced before, he would gladly follow her lead into battle. With a strong woman like Allura, there was no doubt in him as they faced the Lions and he heard her urge, “We must continue.”

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Once Bitten, Twice Stupid prt 125

125

A nice big bed. Plenty of soft blankets. A few bags of A+ blood. Lance held plenty of fake hope as he was marched along, well aware that’d he’d gone and got himself kidnapped. There’s been stairs, now things smelt damp, this was definitely a secret lair of some sort and he already hated it. People these days had no respect at all for pregnant people. You accidentally vomit on someone and suddenly your missing half your teeth. He was so stupid as to be intentionally uncooperative. He wasn’t that stupid... well, maybe he was. He’d gotten his arse kidnapped thanks to what was now obviously not a message from Shiro.

Marched along, he kept his mouth shut, playing docile. The fabulous hospitality he’d been shown ending with him literally kicked into some kind of dirty cell, before the grating of clearly metal bars. Fucking idiots. He was a vampire. You know. Stronger than the average human. What were bars supposed to do?! Hissing as his knees scraped on the stone floor, they could have at least taken the stupid bag off his head and untied his hands

“I’m leaving you the worst YELP! review ever! 1 star and a stern warning about your manners!”

The stupid bag was dosed with orange scented... surface spray if he had to hazard a guess. All scents wiped out thanks to “dumb” and “dumber”. Hearing someone moving, he automatically tensed, preparing to lose his head, yet instead, all he lost was the obnoxious bag. Matt, Sam, and Curtis sat together in the corner of the dark room, craning his head up, he tried not to smile at Shiro

“Hey, guys. If you were going to throw a party, you could have invited me the normal way”

Shiro chuckled humourlessly. Lance felt that to his soul. He was going to be in sooooooooo much shit when they got out of here

“We didn’t think we’d be seeing you here. Let me get those restraints off your hands”

“Thanks. They’re really not comfortable, and probably not my colour either”

Crouching down behind him, Shiro started working at the biting restraints. Lance trying not to hiss as the pins and needles sensation in his hands burned

“Does Keith know you’re here?”

“Nope. He went with Coran to pick Rieva up”

“She’s okay?!”

Lance nodded slowly. Matt’s eyes were glowing yellow and he really didn’t want to be turned into Lance paste. He really didn’t appreciate the lingering scent of orange at all. He might just risk scurvy because it’d be along time before he went near an orange again

“Yeah. Everyone’s pretty much like joined up. Pidge is safe, so’s Colleen, and Hunk and Allura”

“Thank fuck for that...”

There was a burning need to question how this had happened, instead that hiss finally escaped as Shiro pulled the restraints of his hands

“Sorry. Matt chewed through ours...”

“Yeah. I feel like Sendak is scraping the barrel with his new hires. No brain cells there at all”

Moving around him, Shiro offered his hand, Lance letting himself be pulled to his feet before half collapsing again Shiro from dizziness and relief. Shiro wrapping his arms around him as if he thought this was an intentional hug

“Did they hurt you?”

“Knocked a few teeth out. Zero respect for the pregnant”

“And they didn’t...”

His face was their punching bag, which he’d be more grateful for if he didn’t have to feel his teeth growing back

“Nope. I’m sorry, but I’m pretty much sure you guys were used to distract everyone so they could kidnap my dumb arse”

Shiro asking

“How did they even get to you?”

“Used your phone. I stupidly went out the front. Douche canoes got me with a tranquilliser or something...”

One moment he’d been up, the next the ground was rushing to say hello

“You should sit, here, take my jacket too...”

Even in a situation like this Shiro was a worrier

“You need it more than I do”

“You’re still in Keith’s sweats. You might not be cold now, but we need to keep your warmth up”

Right. That. This wasn’t exactly a tropical beach... and why were they still in the cell?

“Why haven’t you guys busted out?”

Matt bitterly spat

“Lead and mercy on the bars. Plus they shock you when you touch them”

“Did you try covering your hands?”

“Nah, I thought what’s a little more fucking burn”

Okay. Matt’s ego was dented and his mate hurt. It wasn’t time for Lance’s ego to keep cracking wise arse remarks to hide the fact he was secretly panicking. He could feel he’d let go of it too much. Feel his fear and annoyance feeding its cockiness

“Sorry. Sorry, I’ll just... yeah...”

Shut up is what he needed to do. So he would. He was dumb for thinking they hadn’t already tried to break out.

Shiro sat him a little farther away from the others than he would have liked. Matt’s anger stank so bad that he could taste it instead of smell it. Covering his shoulders with Shiro’s jacket, he pulled his knees up to his chest, burying his face between them. This sucked. This sucked so hard. He’d felt like something was wrong with Shiro’s message but he’d run off instead of calling Keith who hadn’t called him even though he said he would. Lance already knew they wanted him. They’d talked about how he was a valuable sample now the pregnancy was confirmed. Curtis wouldn’t have wanted to talk, but his friend couldn’t help if and it wasn’t fair at all. He wanted to feel angry over it, but they’d definitely said Curtis confirmed he was pregnant. Not told them outright like it was fresh information. He was a goddamn vampire. A sleepy, cranky, ready to blow his lid, vampire... Who didn’t love dark and scary spaces unless he was exploring with his friends.

“Are you okay?”

No. He wasn’t. He was tired and hungry and couldn’t imagine what Keith was going through. Softly he mumbled, trying to deny Shiro sitting next to him made him feel a tiny bit better seeing the man surely had years of experience under his belt and would come up with some amazing plan

“I’m fine... you should go sit with Curtis. I’ll be okay”

“Lance... Keith would...”

Keith would want him to rely on Shiro. To rest and gather as much information on his surrounds, but hearing his boyfriend’s name was too much. He really fucking missed and it’d only been a short time

“Keith was a wreck. He left me at VOLTRON so I’d be safe. Instead I fucked up...”

“Oh, boo hoo. It’s not like he was shot right in front of you”

“Matthew! That’s enough”

Lance whined softly. He deserved that. He only knew what it felt like to be scared shitless in front of someone holding a gun on Keith. Not to see it happen... Sam scolded his son, another whine slipping out as Shiro settled next to him, wrapping his arms around him and pulling him up against him

“We’re obviously going to be here for a while. You should rest”

AKA he should shut up and stop with the pity party. No one wanted to hear it. Not when Matt was worried about Rieva and his father. Mutely he nodded, wondering if the smell of orange was blocking out traces of Keith’s scent on Shiro. Sendak had to have some fucking master plan... Lance kind of wanted to skip punching him in the dick for ripping off his testicles. He was old and he was tired. The bastard ruining his plans... but he also never wanted to set eyes on Sendak again. He’d rather be locked down here with Lotor for the next decade of his life than stand before Sendak and be made to feel all those messaged up things again.

*

Dozing off without meaning to, Lance kept his eyes closed as he listened to the others. Shiro had moved from beside him. Sam and Matt talking technical stuff while Curtis and Shiro fretted about having Lance in the cold and how it couldn’t be good for his mental health... that and how Lance was going to need blood. He could have kept up the charade if he hadn’t been suddenly made aware of why he was awake, throwing up violently beside himself. Fuck. Pregnant. Right. His twins didn’t care they were making his father throw his guts up at random times.

Hacking and coughing, Shiro came over to him

“Lance, you okay?”

“Morning sickness... sucks”

“It’s alright, buddy. Let’s get you away from the mess”

“Not much point when I’m...”

Yep. There he went, gasping like a fish out of water before throwing up again. The cold had crept in. Holding his ego down was hard. Those bars looking pretty tempting despite their construction.

Shiro sat patiently by him until he was done. Letting himself be moved by Shiro did nothing for his ego. His nails extending as the hunter sat him down closer to the group

“You just had to throw up, didn’t you?”

“Fuck off, Fido”

Growling at him, Matt pushed the wrong buttons. Lance snarling back in his friends face with his fangs extended, Shiro looping his arms around Lance’s waist as if he was trying to hold Lance back

“Enough! Matt. Your ego is out of control. Rieva is with Coran. He’s the best person to help her. Lance... can you try to bring your ego back under control. You’re making your scary face”

“He can’t fucking help it. He won’t settle until he sees his mate. And I can’t stop my fucking morning sickness. Fuck this”

Unexpectedly Sam chuckled

“I never thought I’d ever hear you swear quite as many times as you have. Somehow it’s quite relieving”

Ugh. He had been swearing a lot. And thanks to Keith “Fuck” had slipped more and more into his vocabulary. No one really used it swear any more as it was. It was just a convenient word for summing up all sorts of feelings in different situations

“That’s because my Mami taught me to have manners. I’m not usually this angry”

“Usually he’s pathetic”

Lance nearly snarled at Matt again. He would have if Shiro hadn’t sighed, changing topics

“Okay. Lance, we started discussing exit strategies on the way out. Naturally we assume everything we’re saying can be heard”

Lance nodded because it did make sense

“Sendak would hear it. If not him, he’ll have someone listening out”

Technically he didn’t know if it was Sendak. He was simply the assumption seeing Lotor was at VOLTRON and they were here. Lotor also knew he was pregnant and probably that he hadn’t been well. Maybe if he could have turned into a bat, he could have gotten them all out by now. Half talking to himself he said his inner thoughts out loud

“If we can overload the bars then we should be able to bend them”

Either he had to grab them or Matt did. He obviously couldn’t because of the twins. Matt had been through enough as it was. Maybe...

“If we put something against them will the current shock it? Like... maybe we could start an electrical fire and trigger a fault?”

“Or we could start a fire and die in it”

That was too close to Keith’s nightmare for comfort and way too close to how he’d lost his father. He wouldn’t do that to Keith. Sam pretended it was a good idea

“We’ll keep that in mind. Matt, can you check if you can see any kind of cabling or switches?”

“Why? We’re on the wrong side of the bars to do anything”

Ugh. Even Lance got that they needed as much information about the environment they were being kept in, and he was falling back to sleep

“Your eyesight is better than ours. It’s so dark in here I can barely see a thing”

Matt got up, walking over to the bars, he stood there for a good moment and a half

“I don’t see anything. I’d say we’re in a basement, but other than a few scraps against the wall, there’s no switches”

“Nothing on the roof?”

“No”

“How thick is the outer wall?”

Oops he was asking questions again... Matt sighing at him. Matt really wasn’t great at this “captivity thing”. He expected more “Let me out!” And “I’m going to piss on your leg!” from him

“How is that supposed to help us?”

“I don’t know, we’ve got a vampire, a slightly cursed human and a werewolf. If we can’t go through the wall we can always go through the roof”

“And what do you know about construction?”

“I know enough. I renovated my house inside out, plus dust and mould don’t really affect vampires like it does with humans”

“Dude, you’re so weak I doubt you’d make any impact if you tried. Why don’t you just go back to sleep?”

Lance had had enough of Matt’s attitude. He was trying... even if he was failing, he was still trying... Matt might be able keep his hunger under control, but a few days and Lance would either go completely crazy or collapse unconscious and be no help at all

“Matt’s right. You need your rest”

Now Shiro was agreeing with Matt?! Maybe he wasn’t the best “prisoner” but it hurt to be dismissed. Whatever. He was going to keep his temper and hopefully his mouth in check.

*

Lance had hit cranky. By his estimate it’d been something around 12 hours since he’d been rudely stolen. They were resting in shifts. Shiro urging Sam and Curtis to rest. Lance trying not to feel any kind of jealous over the pair of them at least being kidnapped together. He missed his boyfriend and hunger was setting in. He was cold. Cold. Tired. Hungry. Lonely... and mostly cranky. There should be kind of clause to this morning sickness where you only threw up when there was something there to actually throw up. Rubbing his stomach in soft yet agitated circles, he couldn’t bed himself down like the others, instead getting up to pace.

“Lance?”

Shiro sounded sleepy. He’d known the hunter was still awake, but had wondered if maybe Shiro was really simply sleeping with his eyes open

“I’m fine”

“I didn’t say you weren’t... but I would understand if you’re lying to me right now”

“I’m fine, Shiro. You should sleep”

“Nah... I’m good”

Well this was awkward. Why was Shiro trying to talk to him if he didn’t have anything to say? Walking over to the door into the cell, Lance stared down the lock. It was keeping him from his Keith and he didn’t like it

“Don’t touch it”

“I wasn’t going to”

“I know it’s hard but the best thing we can do at the moment is wait it out”

“There’s lots of other things we could be doing”

Whoops. He was letting his crankiness show. Seriously though. He didn’t get how a little bit of electricity was keeping everyone so obedient. Covering your hands would protect you from the lead and mercury. A hard blow against the gate would probably work to knock the damn thing unlocked. His hunger was definitely affecting his thought process.

Climbing up from where he’d been sitting, Shiro walked over to him

“Matt got shocked when he tried touching the bars”

“I figured that much out already”

“I know you’re anxious and you want to see Keith...”

“Sorry, Shiro, but don’t even go there right now. I know he’s your brother, but to me... He’s the love of my life and the father of my twins. Like Matt can’t keep his temper worried about Rieva, I can’t keep my temper right now”

“Then what do you need?”

“Other than out of this ridiculous cage? Oh, I don’t know. My boyfriend. My bed. Blood. A good nights sleep. Honestly, pick one”

“If you need blood...”

“Don’t. I’m a ticking time bomb and you all know it. Starve me and I’ll lose control. Don’t tempt me with your blood”

Shiro sighed at him as he pinched the bridge of his nose

“Lance... You can’t help what you are”

“I’m not about to fucking feed on you. I have some self respect left under everything”

“It’s not about self respect. Look. We don’t know how long we’ll be in here”

“Well maybe if we fucking thought of an actual plan, we could break out”

“And what’s on the other side of the door? How many vampires are between us and getting out?”

“And how long until Matt wolfs out? How long before I lose control. I’ve fucking had it! You’re all here because I’m pregnant. Keith’s going to be fucking blaming himself. We have no clue what’s going to happen. I swear I’ll take my own fucking life before I let them hurt Keith’s children”

“We need to wait. Patience yields focus”

“I’m fucking focused enough. We don’t even have to start a big fire to short the bars out. We could collapse the fucking ceiling between me and Matt. Yet we’re sitting here like good little children. They hurt Keith and I’m not going to hold back when I see them”

“Keith’s fine. He was with Coran”

Physically fine meant nothing when Keith would overthinking absolutely everything

“That’s not what I meant and you know it. You didn’t see the look on his face at the news you guys were missing. I did. He’s going to be tearing himself apart. Blaming himself for everything. He’s been through more than enough”

“And if you get hurt? Then what? He wouldn’t want you hurt”

“At least he’d know I tried my hardest to get back to him”

Shiro wrapped his arms around him

“We’ll get back to him. You’ll see. He’ll be fussing over you and the twins in no time”

“I... just want to see him again”

“I know. We will. For now all we can do is wait”

Lance sniffled, returning Shiro’s hug

“I hate what this is doing to him”

“I know. I also know whatever he’s doing, he’ll have Krolia, and Coran, and Allura. He’s not going to be alone”

“Not until he snaps and pushes them away, or takes off on his own thinking he knows best”

Shiro chuckled

“They’re not going to let that happen. He’ll be cranky, and probably won’t let you out of his sight, but he’s not going to care about anything once he sees you again”

“You too... it was like the worst feeling hearing Rieva was shot and you guys were missing... I felt so useless”

“At least you’ve got hilarious friends to keep you preoccupied”

“I don’t see anyone hilarious in here”

Shiro chuckled again Lance’s weak humour

“Alright, come sit back down, kiddo. When the moments right, we’ll all get out of this together”