She is a beautiful bride. Keith watches Pidge walk around the ballroom with Lance on her arm. Happily greeting each guest that attended their wedding. She wore a long lace white gown with a keyhole back, V neck and a jade green sash. Her heels matched her sash. Her floral crown was had a mix of greenery from olkarian and earth. Her mother Colleen found a way to grow their native florals. The whole ballroom is filled with floral. It's a beautiful evening in French Polynesia. Warm and inviting. The wedding makes it all the more beautiful. Keith is so happy for them. They are made for each other. He also knew that.

Lance is outfitted with a simple grey tux. His hair trimmed low and his baby face transformed to a man. He smiles heartily now, grief no longer wears on his face. His Altean marks now gone. Keith wonders what happened to them, but refuses to broach the subject. He's relieved he can look at Lance in the face again. Those marks were a reminder of her.

Allura.

It's been years since he uttered her name. He refuses to speak of her to anyone. Shiro often tries to talk to him but he changes the subject. Shiro, figured out that Keith loves Allura still. He is highly concerned for his well being. Since her death, he managed to cut off any feeling romantically for anyone. Women have been interested in him, but he can't bring himself to date again. Veronica has managed to find him wherever he is. She been kind enough to write him. Veronica send him small cards and food when she can. It beats the hell out of the food he comes across on other planets. Keith knows she likes him. She finds her attractive but cannot bring himself to date her. She is apart of Lance's family and also a reminder of what he lost.

Allura.

So he just remains alone. It's been 6 years. The other paladins have married. Hunk married Romelle. They travel to other planets together melding food and diplomacy. Shiro and Curtis made a life on Earth. And now Pidge and Lance are married. Keith kept his home on Earth. He had it rebuilt. Now he wishes to gift it to Lance and Pidge for their starter home.

The home was beyond repair. After the war, his home was in shambles. Keith had it rebuilt mostly for his mother, but she never stays there. Anytime she comes back, she stays at the Garrison or at Shiro's. The home- the very land reminds her of his dad.

When she stays on earth, he tends to stay with Shiro too. He and Curtis have been nothing but welcoming. Curtis can cook- which is a plus. They have a large four bedroom on the other side of town. It not like he doesn't want to stay at his home, its just that there are too many memories there. The last time he spent anytime in there, he was drawn to the Blue lion and then he met-

Allura.

Keith surveys the room. He sees Shiro and Curtis, getting drinks. Hunk and Romelle dancing up a storm. Matt and Veronica cracking jokes. James and Nadia are taking shots and Ina and Kinkade are taping it. Coran is regaling Axca with stories of old. Axca can barely look at him now. They were a couple for a little while. He really did try to move on with Acxa. But she could not deal with his nightmares.

"You say her name in your sleep Keith." Keith remembers Acxa gathering her things from his place.

"I can't take being second place to her anymore." Her tears were fresh in her eyes. True to Keith's form, he didn't try to stop her. The same way he didn't try to stop -

Allura.

Acxa's words still stings, but she was right. It wasn't fair to her. So now she keeps her distance and he does the same. The pain in her eyes when she looks at him gnaws at Keith's soul. That pain of loneliness he's been fighting for years, suddenly is upon him. Keith's chest feels heavy. He needs air. Spotting a balcony, he grabs his champagne off the table and darts for the door.

Thankful no one is out on the balcony overlooking the beach, he removes his Black suit jacket to reveal his white button down shirt. The resort Pidge and Lance chose is beautiful. Keith is grateful that they chose here to do their NYE wedding. Being raised in Arizona, he hates cold weather. He leans on the balcony. Part of him, wants to throw himself off of it and end it all. He thought better of it. Instead, he finds himself gazing into the stars looking for her. His dreams have been filled with her. Her telling him that she misses him. That she loves him. He cannot bring himself to tears. Apart of him numb and the other part, intense pain. His body is filled with stress. He feels like he is drowning day in and out. Continuing her work is how he copes. So he throws himself into it. All at the expense of his friendships.

Today is the first time he has seen Lance in years. The same with Hunk and Pidge. The only person he allows himself to see is Shiro and that is limited. He loves Shiro like his brother and almost a father. He couldn't cut him off if he wanted to.

Leaning almost too far over the ledge his brain his racing. Why didn't he tell her? Why did he let her sacrifice herself? All of his demons haunt him daily. Guilt over how the last seconds of her life played out. If Lance wasn't able to stop her, he couldn't either. She loved Lance, not him. Lost in thought he barely heard someone on the balcony with him. But suddenly he felt them. It's Lance.

"Hey man, are you ok?" Lance asked him with concern.

"Yeah." Keith barely turned to acknowledge Lance. He voice fell flat. Keith realizes how messed up he sounds, so he drums up some sentiment.

"Congratulations Lance." He smiles wistfully.

"She is beautiful."

Lance smiles while patting Keith on the shoulder. "Thanks Man."

"What are you doing out here by yourself? You should be trying find yourself a girl." Lance takes a sip of his drink before continuing.

"Nadia is single." He laughs. Keith shot him a side glance, not fully willing to face him.

"I hardly think I am her type Lance." He answers nonchalantly.

Lance is not to be deterred continues, "Well, I wasn't going to say, but my sister likes you."

"If you aren't careful, Matt might charm her away."

Keith is fighting hard not to be annoyed. He knows Lance is trying to cheer him up and just doesn't know how. Little does he know, Veronica keeps up with him. Keith finds her beautiful but opted not to go there. That is Lance's sister after all.

"Your sister deserves better than me," He mutters out. "I couldn't make her happy."

"Wow, you sell yourself short, man." Lance takes a spot next Keith. Lance softens his voice. "I know we aren't close, I mean I wish we were better friends."

Keith raises an eyebrow. "Do you?"

"Yes." Lance says confidently now. "I take it that is why you declined to be my best man?"

"I really wanted you to be. Katie and I were disappointed." He paused to gather his thoughts. Keith went back to sipping his drink.

"Sorry."

"The blades take up my time."

"Don't be. I actually, owe you an apology Keith."

Keith feeling almost exasperated already from this conversation sighed out, "For what Lance?"

"For everything. For making fun of you, for making you feel like an outcast, for never thanking you for the countless times you saved us. For almost sacrificing yourself-"

"This is not necessary." Keith interrupts him by waving his hand. This conversation is getting too much for him.

"Yes it is." Lance's tone insistent.

"I will never forgive myself for not treating you as the friend you truly are."

"I forgive you Lance, but only if you stop talking."

Lance not one to be deterred by Keith aloof behavior continues.

"Keith, you did something for me that no one ever did. I will forever be in your debt."

"You're being dramatic." Keith takes a deep breath. He suddenly feels like he is suffocating again. This time under Lance's sudden sentiment. He cannot deal with too much of that shit.

"You should have told her." Keith froze in place. What the fuck is he talking about?

Then Keith ears began to ring. Wait. How does he know?!

He forces himself to a calm composure and slowly turns to face Lance. "What do you mean I should have told her?" He sets his glass down on the balcony table next to him.

"Told who what?"

Annoyance flashes in Lance's eyes. He knows exactly who I am talking about.

"You should have told Allura you loved her… You loved her didn't you?"

Keith stood quiet, now turning away from Lance, he peers into the ocean. Now wishing he could dive in. He rather be anywhere except here having this conversation, with LANCE.

"Hey man, you don't have to tell me. Your actions tell me."

"You drown in this relief effort, you won't date anymore… Rumor has it that you had feelings for Allura…" Keith turned around with fire in his eyes. He hates gossip.

"And who told you that?"

"Does it matter?" Lance spits back. Keith turns back around to peer out over the balcony. He is fighting every emotion possible right now.

"I'm sorry man. I just wanted you to know that you are the best friend anyone could every have. I know I do not deserve your friendship. I hope after all I have done you can forgive me. Most of all, I hope you can forgive yourself."

He is struggling to keep himself together.

"I am not angry with you Lance." Keith mutters out. The mention of Allura sends him reeling. He decides to change the subject before he loses his cool.

"Now go find your new wife. I am sure she is looking for you."

Lance pats him on the shoulder. "Don't stay out here too long." Keith finally makes eye contact with lance and gives him a firm nod.

But Keith finds that he cannot stay any longer. No amount of drinks can keep him here. He returns inside only to leave out the door. He left his regards and his gift inside an envelope. He had to get out of there.