A/N: hey! so. this is essentially going to be a rewrite of sorts, except it's mostly focused on keith and lance now (in the future), and how they end up together. the actual rewrites and fix-it bits have all already happened, which means they'll be revealed in other ways. (hope that makes sense).

also, I have a... bad track record with multichap fics and keeping up with updating (glances at my royal au... sweetie I'm so sorry...) but I swear to fuck this will be completed and hopefully all published within the next two weeks. I'll be updating every 2 to 3 days depending on how things go, and I already have 1.6/5 chapters written. I'm not sure how long it's going to end up being, but I believe chapters 3 and 4 will be the longest out of the 5. I will also admit I don't really know how I'm going to end the thing (lmao) but I will figure it out as I go along and based off any reactions/suggestions others may have.

that's about it for logistics, I'm sorry for rambling, I hope you guys enjoy! here's the story we deserved.

Lance feels nervous as he watches the Galra ship down touch at the Garrison. He had been fine speaking on the phone, Keith's voice was as familiar as ever, but for reason the thought of seeing him in person makes him jittery. How long has it been? A year? More than, he thinks. The last time they saw each other was at the reunion with everyone. Lance wonders if he's changed at all, if it'll be awkward when they talk. He then shakes the thought away. It's going to be fine, he tells himself. It's just Keith.

And yet, when the hatch opens, Lance is taken aback by the sight he sees. Keith is simply standing there in his uniform, but he's exuding power. Even if you didn't know his outfit signified leadership, you would be able to tell just by looking at him. His hair flows gently in the wind, resembling waves of an ocean, and he looks majestic. Like he's some half-Galra royalty. It makes Lance feel a bit embarrassed, as if he's underdressed in his Garrison uniform. He has to stifle a giggle though, because Keith's hair is as long as ever, which means he's still sporting that stupid mullet. Keith notices this, narrows his eyes at Lance, and Lance can't hold it back any longer. He lets out a loud laugh, which only has Keith looking more confused, and once he makes it onto the ship, the first thing he says is "what are you laughing at?". Lance greets Keith instead, because that's common courtesy, and then tells him it's nothing. Keith doesn't look like he wants to let it go, but doesn't say anything else.

As they head out, Lance knows that he had been worried for no reason. He and Keith had a deep bond, and that doesn't just go away because they haven't seen each other in a while. They will fall back into a comfortable pace with each other, and if not, they can create a new one.

It's been a long time since Lance has been out in space, so he spends his time looking out the window as if it's his first. Keith is piloting, which is still so obviously his element, and the two of them make small talk.

"Well," Keith starts, "it's nice to see you again."

Lance hums in agreeance. "We've never really caught up before."

"Yeah. I guess with all the travelling I do it's hard to. With anyone." Lance frowns. He has gone and visited others before, and other times they have come to him, but never with Keith. They always seemed to be free at different times. He'd assumed the others have caught up with him, though, and he doesn't know what to do with the implication that they haven't. Before he can comment on it, however, Keith speaks again. "Anyways, it's cool that you're volunteering. You didn't have to."

"Nah, of course I did! May as well help out if I can. Besides, I want to see what your life is like now. And maybe score one of those uniforms too."

"Hah," Lance watches the reflection of Keith smirk, "this?" He tugs the fabric at his shoulder. He's confident, Lance notices, in the way he speaks and the way he carries himself. It's hard to imagine that this was the same person who once felt certain he wouldn't be able to lead a team. Lance nods in response, knowing Keith can see. "I'll see what I can do for you."

A silence falls between them after, and when they leave the Milky Way, Lance moves away from the window, taking a seat in the back instead. He closes his eyes and rests for a while. When he comes to again, it's to the sound of what he thinks is Keith humming, but it stops before he's able to discern it.

"How's being a teacher going?"

"It's alright. It's not a job I ever imagined I'd have, but it's really not that bad." Lance teaches at the Garrison now. He's never been great at academics, so he mostly trains the students, teaching them how to fight and defend, how to use various weapons. Occasionally he gets to advise the students on piloting, as well. Sometimes he's called to help with diplomacy, but he thinks that's mostly because they believe no one will act up if a former Paladin of Voltron is present. "Some of the kids are a handful though. I can never seem to control them. They're always off doing their own thing. Actually," Lance teases, "that sounds like someone else I know! You should tell me how to stop them."

Keith rolls his eyes, but surprisingly answers truthfully, and without needing much time to think about it. "I think if they're sure of what they're doing you should just leave them alone, so long as they're not harming anyone or causing damage to anything. If you try to make them listen it could make things worse. But also, I'm not a reliable source; I flunked out, remember?"

"You're right," Lance sighs. "Anyways, what are we going to be doing?"

"Nothing much. Things have mostly settled down because it's been a while since the war has ended now. We'll be patrolling, mostly, helping out some smaller communities, and whatnot. We're going to need to stop at the headquarters, first, though." Soon after the words leave Keith's mouth, Lance is able to spot the base in the distance.

"Oh? It looks a lot different than I remember."

"Yeah, we refurbished it. The others said that since we're a 'humanitarian relief organisation' now, we should look like it. 'We need to make it look homey and welcoming!' were their exact words." Keith speaks with a strain in his voice, and Lance laughs.

"So, what do you guys use it for?"

"Just a headquarters, mostly. Some of us stay there more often than others, so we have permanent rooms. But for those who are just stopping over, there's a special section. And then there's another part for non-members who are seeking refuge, and the like."

"Damn. That's really something you've got going here."

"It's a group effort," Keith says casually, but there's an undeniable hint of pride in his voice.

"Well," Lance smiles, "show it off to me."

The first thought that enters Lance's mind when he steps foot into the headquarters is that it's lively. People are coming and going throughout the main hall, while some are having conversations in the middle of it. Despite the steely material that makes up the place, it doesn't appear cold at all. There are decorations here and there, some floating above them, others hung up on walls. It's an interesting sight to behold. What's most interesting, however, is the way they all react to Keith. Fellow Blades stop and bow their head to him, non-members respectfully say hello, and younger beings run up to greet him. Lance watches all this from the outside, and realises that no matter what Keith says, he's vital to this organisation. And not just that; he's the forefront of it. Lance is awestruck, but he doesn't have much time to process it before Keith leads him further in.

"The trials of Marmora used to take place in these rooms. They exist on every level, but we've converted them into training grounds and recreational places."

"The trials of Marmora?" Truth be told, Lance has no clue what happened when Keith and Shiro came here all that time ago. He only knows that when they learnt the Red Lion had started attacking, panic filled his entire being, and he was frozen in place, desperately watching Allura and waiting for her next order. And when they came back, it was revealed Keith was part Galra. Keith never talked about it, and he never asked.

"It's like an initiation. There are stages, and if you survive them, you'll awaken your blade and I guess become a Blade. And you'll obtain some knowledge about stuff too."

"Survive?!" Lance exclaims. He would've commented on what he believed was Keith's poor attempt at a joke, but he's zeroed in on this word and can't let go of it.

"Yeah. Their motto was 'knowledge or death'."

"Are you serious? And you…" Lance trails off, not knowing how he should finish the sentence. Keith looks away, so he ultimately decides not to push the topic any further. He apologises for making Keith talk about something he's uncomfortable with. They start walking again, but Lance can't stop thinking about the way Keith had said 'it's okay', sounding very not okay, and he can't help but wonder what other experiences he's had that he hasn't told anyone else about.

After a tour of the base, they head to the dining hall to eat. Lance hadn't thought about food when he decided to come back into space, and now he's suddenly questioning his decision. He doesn't know if he can ever eat another spoonful of food goo in this lifetime, and any others that may follow. Keith seems take notice of Lance's face blanching, and leans in close to his ear.

"Don't worry about the food," he whispers, and it sends tingles down Lance's spine, "I can vouch for it. Space cuisine has come a long way. In fact, I'm pretty sure they use Hunk's recipes here, so. How is he doing, by the way?"

"Thanks, man. I was really scared for a moment there. And Hunk's doing great! He's mostly focused on cooking and becoming the best chef in the universe, but in his down time he still works on small projects. The Garrison calls him over every now and then so he can help with engineering stuff. It's always a party, when that happens. We catch up, and he lets me test out new things they're making, even though I'm not technically allowed to. And when Pidge joins in, it's just like old times. We revert to being teenagers, and we have a bunch of fun. You really should join us some time." Lance takes a deep breath after he finishes, and he can feel people staring at him. He isn't sure if they're shocked at how much he managed to say in a short amount of time, or if they're annoyed he talked a bit loudly. Either way, he sends them a sheepish wave, and they look away. When he directs his attention back to Keith, he finds that for the first time since seeing him, he looks hesitant.

"I, um," when Keith sounds like he's going reject the offer, Lance pouts and tries to look as dejected as he can. He doesn't know how effective the tactic is going to be, it stopped working on his family forever ago, but he sees Keith's eyes widen a little, and knows he's won. "Maybe," he says, finally. "Some day." And Lance beams. It's nothing concrete, but it's better than nothing at all. He's also delighted to find out that the powerful Keith, leader of an entire organisation, has his weaknesses. The idea that one of them could be Lance crosses his mind, and it makes his heart do a weird thing, but he pushes it away immediately. That's a stupid thought.

Keith shows Lance to his room, once dinner is over. He's going to be sleeping where the Blades who are here temporarily stay, which makes sense, however he can't help but feel a tinge of disappointment at the fact Keith won't be next door, like he had been on the Castleship. He hadn't expected anything when he came out here, but a small part of him was hoping for some kind of familiarity. He supposes he has to let that go, though. Things are different now. They're not the same people as the teenagers who came to space without a clue. They've grown up, they've matured, they've changed. And the universe has changed with it.

Lance sighs, once he's changed and gotten into bed. He lies on his back and stares up at the ceiling. They're heading out first thing tomorrow morning. He loved space when he was a kid; he wanted to explore it. It's the reason why he enrolled at the Galaxy Garrison. But… it didn't really turn out the way he thought it would. When he was with Voltron, he wanted nothing more than to go home. He missed it more than anything. And now he's willingly come back. He lets his mind wander for a while longer, then switches off the light.

In the darkness, he says to himself, as a whisper, "what have I gotten myself into?"

A/N: Those people staring at Lance may have been doing so because holy shit who is this person who can talk that much with the leader of the BOM? Is he not intimidated? Why is Keith allowing this? And what is that look in his eyes when he watches him talk?

and that's chapter 1! I'm sorry it's a tad short, but I think it'll end up being the shortest one, if that's any consolation.

feel free to review! I love them a lot and they keep me going :)

thanks for reading, I'll see you guys soon.

(my tumblr is riskeith if ya wanna hmu)