Lance stood in front of Keith, who was sitting on a chair in the corridor. He had called out Keith's name twice without response. Since calling his name didn't work, he nudged him to get his attention.
Keith startled out of his thoughts, looking a bit lost.
"Earth to Keith. What's going on? I've been trying to get your attention."
"Sorry...I'm just..." Keith shook his head, before a thought occurred to him, "If you're out here... is the baby born?"
"Yup! Thought you might want to meet him, since he's yours and all," Lance smiled, "Also, I totally get why you didn't want to be there for the birth. That was a sight I am never going to un-see."
Keith was quiet for a moment before admitting, "It's not that I didn't want to see... I..."
Lance sat down in the chair next to Keith. His body language changed from easy-going to serious. He could sense Keith needed to get something off his chest.
"Talk to me man."
Keith clasped his hands, hunching over to rest his elbows on his knees. His eyes lost focus as he looked inward, trying to find the words he needed to speak.
"I don't know how to be a parent," he began, "My mother was out of the picture before I even knew about her. Dad left—to this day I don't even know where he is. I met Mom... but as much as Krolia wants to be in my life, I'm never going to have that parent-child connection with her.
"The closest thing I have to a parent is Shiro. He made an effort when he didn't have to, and he kept trying. Shiro never gave up on me. But he's not my dad.
"I just... I don't want to screw this up. Maybe I shouldn't even try."
Lance put his hand on Keith's shoulder. He waited until Keith looked him in the eye to start speaking.
"Keith, I hear what you are saying... having fears about being a parent because you lack a good example in your life is perfectly natural.
"That said..." Lance dug his fingers a little bit into Keith's shoulder, "if you don't walk into that room and meet your kid and try to be a dad, you will never know if you could have done it and you will hate yourself for it the rest of your life. Your kid will hate you too.
"So you've got to man up, walk in there, and try," Lance's face softened and his grip relaxed, "'sides, you're going to be a great father. The fact you are so worried is evidence enough."
Keith's lips quirked up in a small smile, and he briefly raised his own hand up to squeeze the fingers on his shoulder in gratitude.
"Thanks, Lance."
"No problem," Lance smiled softly before his expression changed to one of mischief, "Now let's go meet Lance Jr.!"
"That's not his name," Keith said as he and Lance stood up from their seats.
"Aw, c'mon! It's a great name!" Lance whined.
"Yeah, for you. My kid isn't being named after you."
"You'll probably just name him something lame, like Ted or Phil..."
The two continued to squabble as the door opened and they crossed the threshold. They fell silent as Keith's gaze locked on the small infant in a pair of arms. He walked over, and smiled down at the baby, one finger lightly grazing the baby's head.
"Hi," Keith said quietly in awe, "I'm your Dad."
Notes: I kept Keith's partner purposefully vague. Imagine whomever you want it to be. (I guess except for Lance or Shiro, 'cause that doesn't work in the context of the story). Please leave a comment letting me know what you think, how it could have been improved, etc.
I apologize to anyone named Ted or Phil.
Disclaimer: Voltron: Legendary Defender does not belong to me.