"Give yourself up Paladin. We know you infiltrated our ship to find your friend. Surrender and you can share a cell with him."
Keith swore and shoved Lance down behind a bench as the guards approached. They were so close. All they had to do was steal a ship and get out of there so they could blow up the galra ship with the bomb they planted. Hunk and Pidge had already busted Shiro out and were waiting on the castle ship for their red and blue team members to come back.
Lance deactivated his bayard, the heavy weapon returning to its original, small form, as he handed it to Keith.
"I'll go. You get back to the ship."
"What? What are you talking about? No, we'll take them on together and get out of here."
The blue paladin turned to him and shook his head, his face as serious as Keith had ever seen it. His voice was low and quiet.
"There's too many for us to take on by ourselves and we can't bring in back up without alerting Zarkon that we're here. The distraction that got us in the ship won't work a second time. This is our only option."
Keith's chest grew tight, he knew it was true.
"No. No, we'll find another way. You can't do this, I won't let you."
"You have to-"
Keith picked up the blue bayard and shoved it to Lance's chest.
"No. It's not happening. You aren't thinking straight, we need you to form Voltron."
Lance smiled but it held nothing but sadness. He sounded defeated and resolute and it broke Keith's heart.
"No, you don't. No one needs me, Keith. You're the best pilot, Shiro is the best fighter, Pidge and Hunk are collectively the smartest people ever, and Allura and Coran pilot the castle. Everyone has their job, this is mine."
Keith dropped the Bayard when Lance refused to take it and gripped his arms instead, fingers desperately digging into the black paladin suit between the bulky pieces of armour.
"Lance, don't do this. We need you, I need you!" He was coming dangerously close to admitting his feelings for the idiotic space pilot, and he could feel his eyes burning with the promise of tears, but all he could think about was needing to keep Lance with him. To get him back to the castle, safe.
Voices came through their helmets now, Allura and Coran asking for status updates.
"Where are you two? Shiro is safe in a healing pod. He'll be okay but you need to get back before Zarkon's ship detects us through our cloaking."
Keith gripped Lance harder, desperate.
"Lance please!" But he could see in the others face that he couldn't convince him. Lance sighed in relief at the news that Shiro was safe. He smiled at Keith as he pressed the com button.
"Keith's coming back now. I… I love you guys."
"Lance, please don't do this."
"Come out now Paladin or we will be forced to get rough with your friend."
There was so much Lance wanted to say to Keith but if he didn't go out now they'd discover the missing prisoner and find the rest of the team. It had to be now. His cheeks were already wet as he pulled off his helmet and did the same to a confused Keith. He took the others face in his hands, thumb running over the red paladins' cheek.
"I'm sorry."
Lance kissed him. Keith could taste the salt from their tears but pressed harder against Lance's mouth, hands coming up to grip the back of his neck. He never wanted to let go.
Lance broke the kiss and smiled again before jumping out from behind the table and putting his hands up.
"I'm here. I surrender."
Keith could do nothing but sit and watch as the galra soldiers grabbed Lance, pulling his hands behind his back and shoving him towards the door. Keith wanted to kill every last one of them but Lance had been right, there were too many and he couldn't endanger the lives of everyone on his team for just one member. As much as he wanted to.
Voices came, too many, from his and Lance's discarded helmets and he picked up the blue one to hear what was being said.
"What happened?"
"What was Lance talking about?"
"You have to get out right now!"
Keith gripped the helmet tighter and clenched his eyes shut against his tears.
"He's…he's gone."