Keith could sense him before he actually saw him.
As he entered the training deck, the clashing sound stopped, and Lance fumbled with his sword, looking flushed and averting his gaze away from Keith.
"I was, um, just-"
"-practicing," Keith finished, as the robot, Lance was training with, disarmed him of his sword and landed a blowing kick on Lance's chest.
"Ow," Lance winced, rubbing his sore chest. The robot deactivated. Coran had recreated the training deck from Castle of Lions in Galaxy Garrison and had added some special tweaks. But with the rebuilding of the city and Galaxy Garrison, the paladins or the any of the other cadets had any time for practice. It was usually just Keith around here, and occasionally James or Acxa. Seeing Lance here was a surprise. Much less see him here with a sword.
"So, a sword?" Keith asked, offering his hand to Lance. Which he took it, and got up, still looking flushed.
"Your stance is all wrong." Keith continued.
Lance looked up this time, his features easing now. "I know. That's what Allura said."
Allura, huh. Keith thought. Lance was spending a lot of time with Allura. And Keith was trying his hardest to not let that fact bother him. What Keith wanted, what he desired, was unattainable. Keith wasn't even sure if they were even friends. They were two people who were thrown in together because of some messed up series of coincidences. Lance was his right man. He was the man he would trust to lead Voltron in his absence. And he did consider him as a friend. But Lance, Keith wondered, what did he think of Keith?
"I just wanted to get some swings in before dinner," Lance said, his voice almost a whisper. If Keith wasn't standing right next to him, it would have stayed unheard.
"Okay. I'll help you practice." The words were out before he could think. Lance looked as taken back as Keith felt. But all he knew, was Lance looked troubled, and he wanted to help. "What? With that stance, and those swings, you won't last a minute in real battle."
"Gee, thanks, Keith." Lance rolled his eyes. But he did tighten his grip on the sword. A broadsword.
"First, your stance. Bend your knees a little, and feet wide apart. No, not too wide." Keith said, while getting out his Marmorite blade. "Second, always pay attention to your surroundings." Keith's blade transformed into a long curved like sword, and with one motion, he disarmed the sword of out Lance's hand.
"Hey!" Lance protested.
"That means, stop staring at your shoes." Keith suppressed a smile.
Lance pouted. "You are an awful teacher."
"Your grip is weak. You are still too conscious about yourself. You need to focus more on the surroundings."
Lance picked up his sword as Keith kept rattling on some points. Most, vague at best. Keith was not good with words, much less good with teaching. Krolia was the one who could properly assist Lance. Keith made a mental note to ask his mother to train Lance as they swung around their swords a couple of times. That's when Pidge came in.
"Hey. Hey! I have been looking for you guys," she shouted from the entry. "We need to report in for an emergency meeting in the briefing room."
"What?" Lance groaned. "Isn't the rebuilding completed already? And I just getting used to understanding Keith's teaching style."
"It isn't about the rebuilding. Now, move it!"
And they did.
Present in the briefing room were his mother, Kolivan, Iverson, Hunk, Matt, captain Olia, the MFE fighters, even Romelle and few other members. Standing in front of the screen, looking stressed was Allura, Sam Holt and Shiro.
Keith went and sat next to his mother.
The talking stopped, and Allura turned to address the group. "Is everyone here now?"
"Um, Coran is not here," Hunk mentioned.
"Coran," Allura began. Her voice strained and her face wrinkled into stress lines. "He's seeing to something."
A wave of deja vu washed over Keith.
No, not deja vu, Keith corrected himself. He looked at Krolia, who gave him a knowing look. This was one of the scenes they had seen in the glimpses of future during the time spent travelling through the quantum abyss. They knew exactly what Allura was going to say next. She was going to mention that the power source of the robeast they fought earlier was finally salvaged from the sea.
And sure enough, as on cue, Allura said, "As you all know, we have been searching and gathering pieces of the robeast from earlier. And we didn't find its power source. Until now."
Keith could feel the entire room holding it's breath. It could begin to explain the origin of the robeast and possibly gain some leads on their next threat. But, he couldn't figure why Allura looked so stressed. The glimpse hadn't shown this entire event, and that's why what Allura said next, left everyone, including Keith, confused.
"It was- the robeast was, powered by an Altean."