A/N: All the usual disclaimers apply. Thank you to Harmony Winters and diahard for beta reading and medical advice.

Note: I've revised this from what I first posted, because the cadets weren't working for me, and I decided I didn't like them in this fic. So, the boys are much younger.

Keith sat in Gorma's treatment room, devoutly wishing he was anywhere else. But, much as he hated medical treatment, he was religious about his checkups, and had been for seven years, ever since his diagnosis with HIV at sixteen. So, here he was, just as he was every six months. This time was different, though. A persistent cough and shortness of breath nagged him, along with headaches and fatigue that couldn't be chalked up to the pressures of commanding the Voltron Force. Lance went ballistic when he found out, and insisted that Keith have his checkup early.

Gorma walked in the room with Keith's current medical records in his hands, face expressionless."So, what can you tell me, Doctor? Do we need to change my meds again?" Gorma didn't rise to the challenge, and for the first time, Keith felt worried. "Doctor?"

Gorma looked up at him. "Captain, there's no way to sugarcoat this. I have to tell you that you have developed acquired immunity deficiency syndrome."

It was news Keith had expected since he was sixteen, but it still jarred him. "So soon? But the drugs were supposed to give me more time!"

Gorma sighed. "You've been HIV positive for seven years, Captain. The drugs only work for so long. To be honest, with the stress you are under and the demands you place on your body, I am surprised you haven't developed AIDS before."

Keith turned white. Slowly he raised his COM, hand shaking. "Lance, you busy? I-I need you in MedTech. Please."

"On my way." Five minutes later, Lance sprinted into the room. "Keith, what's wrong?"

Keith took his lover's hand. "L-Lance, I have AIDS."

Lance blanched. "No. You've been so careful! Are they sure?"

Keith nodded, turning his attention to Gorma, his commander mode back in full effect. "So, what treatment options are we looking at? How long am I going to be out of action?"

Gorma took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes. "Keith." The captain's head jerked up at Gorma's unprecedented use of his first name. "Given your allergies and tolerances, there are no drugs you can take at this point."

Keith blinked. "So, what then? Isn't there anything else?" Gorma shook his head, and Keith clutched Lance's hand. "I'm going to die, aren't I? How long?"

"As best I can tell, no more than six months. I am truly sorry, Keith. The Goddess knows you deserve better." Gorma turned and walked out of the room before he could lose his professional composure.

Keith and Lance wandered out of MedTech numbly, finding their way to their room on autopilot. Once inside, Keith stared at Lance helplessly. "I'm going to die, Lance. All the fighting, all the close calls, and I'm going to die because some bastard decided he had to have me!" He growled and put his fist through the closest wall. "It just isn't right."

Lance folded Keith in his arms and kissed the top of his head, fighting back his own tears. "I know, I know." He felt Keith's slender body shake, and held his lover even tighter. "It's OK, I'm here."

Keith cried for a few minutes, and then looked up at Lance. "We need to tell the team. Tonight. And Sven too."

Lance nodded, swallowing hard. "Sure."

"We have to start planning. Do you think any of the new Arusian pilots are ready to take your place in Red?"

"Full time?" Lance shook his head. "Not a chance, not the way Lotor's kicked things up. We need Sven, if he'll come." He stopped. "Wait. Why take my place?"

"Because I'm going to be turning Black over to you. And command of the Force." Keith looked haunted. "I think it'll be better that way, get everybody used to you running things while I'm still here to help you if you need it."

"Sounds like you've given up already." Lance stepped back and folded his arms, glaring at Keith. "Or don't you wantto live? To stay with me?"

"You know I do." Keith's voice cracked uncharacteristically. "And I haven't given up; I'm going to fight as long as I can. But, Lance, I also have to prepare for the inevitable. We both do." Keith looked up at Lance, his expression as vulnerable as Lance ever saw it. "I don't know why you didn't walk out after the rape, after I found out Gates gave me HIV," he said, so softly Lance barely heard him. "I wasn't worth the risk, and my one regret in all of this is that I gave youthis death sentence too."

Lance took Keith back into his arms and held him tight. "I wouldn't change anything. I love you, Keith Kogane, as much now as I did at sixteen. I knew what that would mean; I'm not the idiot flyboy people think I am. If I wanted to live and grow old, I would've been an accountant like my mother wanted. You ARE worth the risk, to me. I'll back you up, whatever you want and need to do, koibito." Lance led Keith out of the room. "Come on, it's a beautiful day and I want to spend it outside."

After dinner, Keith and Lance quietly caught each of their teammates, asking them to meet in the observation lounge. Fifteen minutes later, a very puzzled Hunk, Pidge, and Allura sat facing Keith.

He looked at each of them in turn. His brothers, his sister—the love of his life sitting next to him. He chose his words carefully, aware that his news would devastate all of them. "You all know I was raped at the Academy, and that I'm HIV positive because of it." He took a deep breath, and felt Lance squeeze his hand reassuringly. "For the most part, I've been OK; I haven't been very sick, and medication kept it under control. But for the last three months I've been feeling worse; I chalked it up to stress. Lance forced me to MedTech for my checkup three months early." The famous Kogane control slipped; he felt the tears start down his cheeks. "Guys, I—I have AIDS. And I'm dying from it."

Allura gasped. "Oh Goddess, Keith! Are they sure? It seems so soon!" Tears stood in her blue eyes.

Pidge looked baffled. "But-you shouldn't be dying! AIDS is completely treatable!"

"Not always," Keith countered softly. "And not at all if you are allergic to the drugs. Which I am."

Allura wiped her tears away. "H-how long does the doctor feel you have left?"

Keith sighed. "Gorma says six months at the most. I'm turning my command of the Force, and Black, over to Lance, effective immediately. I want to fly as long as I can, and I can fly longer if I'm not stressing over command."

Allura came over and sat beside him, taking his free hand. "Whatever you need, you let me know. We'll take care of you, Keith."

Keith carefully kissed her cheek. "I know you will. Thank you, Princess."

"What are your plans for now?" Hunk asked.

"Lance and I are going to Pollux tomorrow to tell Sven; I want to tell him in person, and want him here, if possible, to fill in when I can't fly anymore." Keith coughed. They talked for a little while longer, then everyone said their goodnights and wandered out of the room. Keith took Lance's hand. "Walk with me outside?" Lance nodded and followed him into the garden. "Lance, I have to know, be honest with me." Keith stopped and turned to look Lance in the eyes. "Are you angry with me for this? For getting you sick?"

"Hell no! What gives you that idea?" Lance put his hands on Keith's shoulders. "It wasn't your fault you got sick, and you've given me the choice to walk away since day one. The only thing I'm mad about is that they can't do anything, and you're. . ." He couldn't finish the sentence. "I don't want to live without you, Keith. I don't know if I can."

Keith put his arms around Lance. "You can, and you will. For me. Come on, let's go to bed. We need to make an early start tomorrow."

After Keith was asleep, Lance slipped out of bed, making his way to Control with all the stealth his special forces training had given him. With an excuse to the soldier on duty of making a patrol, he slipped into the number two chute and was soon streaking through the night sky in Red. As he flew, the tears he'd stifled all afternoon finally burst free. He quickly landed on the nearest ridge, and scrambled out to stand on Red's nose. Only then did he give way to his grief and fear, falling to his knees and sobbing. "It's not fair!" he screamed. "I'm not ready to lose him yet, damnit!" He knelt there for what seemed like hours, alternately sobbing and raging. Finally, he took a shuddering breath, wiped his face with a gloved hand, and headed back to sleep the rest of the night in Keith's arms.

Early the next morning, Keith and Lance left in Black for Pollux. Sven waited for them in the castle courtyard when they landed. "Vell, aren't you two sights for sore eyes!" The Norwegian clapped them both on the back. "You should haf told us you vere coming; Romelle is on de oder side of de planet vith Bandor. She vill be disappointed she missed you."

"Good to see you too, Sven. We're sorry we missed her." Lance spoke. "I'm afraid this isn't a social visit though; we've got to talk business with you."

Sven blinked. "Sure, sure, come on in. I'll have de cook send some coffee and pastries to my study." Fifteen minutes later, they were settled in his study, with large cups of coffee, and, in Keith's case, tea. "Now, vhat is so important dat you come all de vay here vith no notice?"

Keith set his cup down and took a deep breath. "Sven, I have AIDS, and it can't be treated. According to Dr. Gorma, I might live six months. If I'm lucky."

"Gudharnåde. Is he sure? I tought you vould haf more time." Keith nodded, and Sven shook his head. "Vhat do you need from me?"

"Come fly Red, when I can't. Lance is already flying Black and commanding the Force, but I want to fly as long as I can." Keith looked at Sven pleadingly. "Can you, will you do that for me?"

"I vill," Sven said firmly. "Just let me know vhen you vant me, and I vill be dere. I promise you dat, no matter vhat is going on here."

They sat in comfortable silence, drinking their coffee and tea, until an apologetic Sven was called to a council meeting. After he left, Lance and Keith wandered the castle garden, holding hands. At a junction, Lance stopped and turned to face Keith, swallowing hard. "This wasn't how I planned to do this, but—Keith, I love you. Marry me? Please?"

Keith felt startled at first, but shook his head. "No. I won't marry you just to leave you alone, Lance."

"You're going to leave me alone anyway," Lance countered. "Least you could do is leave me with your name." That hit a nerve, and Lance quickly pressed his advantage. "Keith, please. What time we have left, let me spend it as your husband. Please?"

Keith hesitated for a few minutes, but finally gave in; he never could resist Lance begging, and he had planned to propose himself before he learned how sick he was. "All right." He leaned over and kissed Lance. "To be honest, there's nothing I'd like better. We should do it soon, though; I want to be strong enough to stand at your side."

Lance nodded. "We'll talk to Allura when we get back. And speaking of which. . ." He led Keith back into the castle, where they found Sven and said their goodbyes. He promised to come to the wedding if possible, then walked them to Black and watched while they left.

Lance sighed, flexing his hands on Black's controls as they flew towards Arus. "You know we need to tell Nanny and Coran about this too."

"I know." Keith leaned forward to massage his partner's tense shoulders. "I can't imagine how they're going to react, given how they reacted to us telling them we were both gay AND HIV positive."

Lance shook his head, wincing at the memory. Nanny had wanted to isolate them from the rest of the Castle, and Allura in particular. It had taken a great deal of talking, and bringing in Dr. Gorma, to convince her that there was little risk to anyone, so long as the proper precautions were taken when either of them was ill or injured. "It ain't gonna be pretty, koibito. Nanny's going to have hysterics again."

"She can get over it." Keith moved to Lance's side, where the new commander could see his grim expression. "I didn't ask to die, neither did you; I'm notgoing to let her change how we live what time we have left."

As soon as they got back to Arus, they asked the royal advisor and governess to meet them in the rec room. Once they were settled, Keith and Lance stood in front of them. "You know that Lance and I are both sick," Keith began, "but there has been a new development. I met with Dr. Gorma yesterday; my illness has become terminal. He estimates that I have about six months to live."

Coran was wide-eyed; Nanny's expression was unreadable. "Is he sure, Captain?" Coran finally asked. "Is there nothing that can be done?"

"Unfortunately, no." Keith started to pace. "Lance will be taking over command of the Force effective immediately; I will fly Red as long as I can, and Sven will come to take my place when that is no longer an option."

Nanny's mouth worked, but no sound came out; Lance geared up for whatever nastiness she came up with.

She shocked him. "I'm so sorry, Captain," she said softly, tears coming to her eyes. "What can we do to help you?"

Keith sighed. "We'll have to be even more careful about keeping sick people away from me and Lance; a cold could kill me at this point, and if Lance gets it, I will. Other than that. . ." he shrugged. "Nothing's really going to change for a while. Please, keep this to yourselves for now. I don't want to be treated like I'm made out of crystal, and I don't want every maid in the castle crying every time I walk by."

"We're still the same people," Lance said softly. "One of us has just gotten a little sicker. Don't treat us any differently."

"As you wish, Captain, Commander." Coran stood up and extended his hand to Keith. "I am certain Her Highness has already told you this, but—whatever you need, whatever we can do, name it. Arus will take care of you both."

Keith shook Coran's hand. "I know you will. Thank you."