Author's note: Hello everyone! Part 2 for Distant Worlds series!
I hope everyone has read Part 1 before coming here since it was the prequel. Without further ado, here's chapter 1! Enjoy!
Keith took a long, deep breath and exhaled as his fingers wiggled on both control handles with his eyes closed.
"Patience yields focus." as he whispered to himself.
Opening his eyes slowly, he stared straight at the screens and kept his arms straight and relaxed.
"Okay guys, let's form Voltron."
"YEAH!"
"Oh man! PHEEEEEEEEEEEW!" as Lance took off his helmet and graciously plopped himself on the couch. "We finally did it! We finally formed Voltron!"
Pidge sat across from Lance and crossed her legs up on the couch with Allura sitting next to her. Keith and Hunk sat close to Lance with Hunk next to him.
"We did it, Paladins." as Allura stretched out her arms up.
"You're a Paladin too, Princess. You can't forget that." with Hunk pointing out.
Allura chuckled. "You're right, Hunk."
"Well, at least, Lance didn't get ejected out this time. I guess you finally found a common ground with Red." with Pidge placing both hands on her knee.
"Hey now. I wasn't the only one who had issues. Right Keith?"
Keith sat back with his hands behind his head. "We all did well in coming together. This will keep the Galra Empire in check."
"Speaking of the Galra Empire," as Pidge looked over at Allura. "did Coran been able to find out any information about who's in charge?"
"We haven't received any messages from Kolivan yet. He will let us know once he makes contact with the other members."
"Do you think that Zarkon has a child that we didn't know of?" Lance asked.
"Oh man. Zarkon? Him with a son? That's hard to believe! I mean, he's the baddest evil in the universe! How can any female want to be with Zarkon and let alone have a child? It's so weird." as Hunk twiddled his fingers.
"Anything's possible, Hunk. We just have to deal with it, but without a single information about our new enemy, we are going blind in what we're dealing with." with Keith staring up at the ceiling.
"Are you still thinking about the last few encounters, Keith?" Allura asked.
"Yeah. It didn't seem right. It was like they're just observing us and waiting for the right time to strike."
"Well, they could taken us when we're still in a mess." as Lance mentioned.
Keith shook his head as he leaned forward with his arms rested and crossed above his knee. "They might not know about Shiro's disappearance nor our change-up. Whoever is in charge knew to proceed with caution, observe us in battle, find out our weakness and then strike us down with our lowest defense."
"Keith's right. We have to stay alert and prepare when they do strike. They have the advantage over us."
Lance let out a deep sigh and stood up quick with his hands on his waist. "For now, let's relax and refresh ourselves after that training. We all deserve one."
"Lance's right!" as the loud voice echoed in their room with Lance yelping.
"Princess! The Castle picked up the Planet Pessinus. It seems we are in the Phrygia system." as Coran spoke.
"I haven't been there for so long!" as Allura looked at the team. "Planet Pessinus is known as a relaxation retreat! It has wonderful hot baths and other activities."
"Really?! We should go there and treat ourselves!" as Lance immediately looked at Keith. "What do you say, our fearless leader?"
Keith shrugged and leaned back. He didn't want to look at anyone right now because he knew what to expect. He really didn't want to see it, but the moment he saw those glittering puppy eyes from all of them, he knew he was outmatched and outnumbered.
He sighed in defeat, but smiled. "Coran, set our course to Planet Pessinus."
"WOO HOO!" as he watched his teammates jumped in joy and smiling happily.
"Coran, who's looking after the Castle?" Lance asked while soaking half of his bare body in the hot water.
"Slav. But Keith is keeping watch too. He told me to enjoy too." as Coran tested the water's temperature with his big toe before stepping in with the others.
"That's Keith. Us before him." as Hunk placed a folded towel over his head.
Lance crossed his arms. "That Mullet. Always the lone wolf."
"Awww. Is the poor Lance missing his other half~~" with Pidge's voice heard over the wooden screen wall.
The wooden barrier separated the male and female only hot baths and anyone trying to peek over will get a shocking surprise. They only knew about it when Lance tried to peek over and the moment he touched it, he got a small shock.
"Shut up, Pidge! It's not like that!" as Lance shouted over.
Allura chuckled. "I believe most of us know, Lance. Well, except for Keith."
"Oh? Our Blue Paladin is smitten with the leader? This is interesting." as Coran playfully pulled his mustache. "I can tell you the Altean art of courtship and-"
"No Coran. Please don't." as Lance held up his hand. "How the hell you all know about this?!"
"Yellow."
"Green."
"Blue."
Lance grumbled. Who knew the Lions can gossip like them? He's going to make mental note of not spilling too much with Blue. He knew it was her.
Blue gave an apologetic purr to him.
Lance smiled and shook his head. Next time, Blue, try not to gossip so much.
He could of swore he heard not only an amusing purr from Blue, but a snickering growl from Red.
"I can give you one advice as a friend, Lance. When the time is right, you'll know when to confess. It's better to let him know sooner than later." as Hunk placed his arm on Lance's shoulder.
"I know, buddy. But he has too much things going on in his mind that I don't want it to be a burden." as Lance slid further in the water, up to his neck.
"Keith once told me that it's better to tell straight to his face instead of beating around the bush." as Pidge adjusted her fogged up glasses. "Keith is good at many things, but one thing he lacks is love."
Allura looked at her. "What do you mean by that, Pidge?"
She sighed and turned herself over as she leaned part of her body over the edge of the bath. Allura walked over to her side and mimicked her position.
"To make long story short for Keith, he was orphaned at a young age. After his parents died, he felt lost in his life until he met Shiro." as Pidge scratches her head. "I'm not good at this sentimental talk, but what I'm saying that Keith is still learning along the way. And the one thing he wasn't able to learn is being love. Not like brotherly love with Shiro nor friendship love that he has with us. But the love-love kind."
"What Pidge was trying to say, Lance, is that you should take baby steps with Keith. Right now, you're confused with your own conflicted feelings so it's better to take it steady." as Hunk patted Lance's head.
"Thanks guys. Never thought I would hear something non-technical from Pidge. That surprises me!"
Pidge grumbled to herself and blew a raspberry at Lance's direction.
"Baby steps, huh. Maybe I should. Just like how we formed our new bond..." Lance paused and glared at the ceiling. "Honestly Red, I'm not going to-"
"Going to what, Lance?" as Lance took a jump back while holding onto his dark blue robe.
He pointed at Keith. "Will you stop sneaking up on people?!"
Keith raised a brow. "You were busy glaring at the ceiling to see me coming. Talking to Red?"
"Yeah, I was talking to Red. She thought I was going to-" as he paused. take you away from her. "give her a good rub down! Yeah! I was going to give her a good rub down on her armor."
He gave a nervous laugh while giving a mental glare at Red. Honestly, Red will be the death of him because of Keith.
"Didn't you do that not too long ago?"
Lance gave a loud chuckle. "Well, look at the time. Try not to stay too long in the hot bath. Coran almost fainted!"
He walked off in a haste mode while Keith blinked and watched Lance leave. He shrugged and walked towards one of the unoccupied hot baths.
Lance stopped at the corner of the hallway and set his back on the wall while sliding down to the floor.
"Well, that was quite embarrassing." as he mumbled to himself.
Usually he would banter or tease Keith whenever he decided to come out, but this time, he felt surprised and uneasy. It didn't helped that Keith looked slightly different wearing a blue robe. He knew Keith looked good in red, but he looked beautiful in blue as it compliment his porcelain-colored skin tone.
Lance groaned as he slapped his forehead. "I think I got it bad now."
Keith gave a relaxing sigh and leaned back on the rocky edge as he looked up the open sky. It was beautiful with crystal clear stars shining bright. He closed his eyes and let his troubled mind melt away like his sore muscles. He was about to slip into blissful state when he heard someone walking in and getting into the water.
He watched as the person (he thinks it is based on the skin tone, but the pointed ears) slipped into the water and walked towards the opposite end of where he is. He doubled blink when he saw those shimmering white hair was in a short ponytail with parts of its hair rolled in a bun at the base. Keith gulped as he could see back of those exposed creamy tan-colored neck and shoulder.
He wasn't sure if this was a male or female. If it was a female, then he was totally screwed.
"Umm... Excuse me, but are you in the right place?" as he asked nervously. "I thought this was for male only?"
He didn't want to feel like one of those perps who sneak into female's spot to see their naked skin. He felt his skin jumped as he heard a low chuckle. A soft male chuckle.
"I've get this often when I'm here. Don't worry. I'm a pure male, just like you." as the male turned around.
Keith felt his breath hitched. He hadn't seen anyone with an ethereal beauty as the one in front of him. His eyes were like those mythical dragon, with those powerful and dark obsidian-colored eyes. Muscular jawline similar to Shiro's.
Those pointed ears are similar to Allura's and Coran's. Is he Altean also?
He didn't know how long he has been staring at the stranger until another chuckle filled the open air.
"I see you enjoyed a different view beside the stars."
Keith coughed and gave a low bow. "I apologize for my rudeness."
The stranger smiled. "Apology accepted. May I have the honor of knowing your name?"
"Keith. My name is Keith."
"Pleased to meet you, Keith. Sincline is my name. If you don't mind I ask, what kind of specie are you?" as he moved closer towards Keith and stopping a few inches away on his right side.
"Human." And part Galra. He wasn't going to tell him that other piece of information.
Sincline's eyes gazed up and down on Keith's partially exposed body and smiled. "You are quite an exotic creature."
"Wait what?" Keith was speechless. Did he just called me an exotic creature? "Uhh.. Thank you?"
He laughed and moved closer to Keith until they are only an inch apart as he placed the back of his fingers on Keith's now rosy cheek and caressing it.
"Has anyone tell you that before?"
"No, but-" his voice hitched when he felt those cold fingers caressing along his neckline and going underneath his chin as his head went in a backward tilt.
"Tell me more about your lovely self." as he wrapped his free arm around Keith's slim waist and pulling him close to his own muscle toned body.
He pulled Keith's face closer with their lips only a millimeter part of a feathery touch. "What are you really?"
Keith's mind was in a foggy haze with Sincline's touches on his weakened body. It felt his energy was sapped out of him. He felt too relaxed and numb right now.
"Red Paladin." He whispered. "I pilot the Black Lion right now."
"Why is that?" as Sincline leaned closer to Keith's ear and whispered.
He gave a quick teasing lick inside of Keith's ear which he was rewarded with a nice shiver from him.
"Because-" as he pushed Sincline away harsh and sudden. Keith shook his head and stared at the man. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push you hard. It's getting late so I've gotta go. Have a good night, Sincline."
As Keith got out of the bath in such haste, bow at the man and left immediately out the door. He ran far as he can until he stopped near the corner of the hallway and leaned back on the wall while catching his breath.
Thanks for saving me, Black. I almost lost myself there.
Black purred with much concern.
I know. I will be careful next time.
Keith regained his composure and walked towards to the hidden location of the Castle. He wasn't going to tell the others about this awkward encounter yet. There was something about Sincline that he can't put his mind on. It felt like he has met him before, but where?
Alright alright, Black. I will stop thinking and get some rest. But thank you again.
Keith chuckled. Thanks for handling Red too.
With grace, Sincline got out of the bath as he released his tied hair while shaking his head with his eyes closed. Once opened, his eyes became yellow and his skin tone changed from cream tan to purple. His blunt fingers became pointy as he combed back his white locks.
He stared at the door where his prey has left in such haste. A wicked smile etched on his face.
It was a pleasure to see you again Keith, my exotic Red Paladin.
Thank you for reading! ;3 Side note: Sincline is another name for Lotor from the GoLion series. As for the planets I will be introducing later in the chapters, I am using Roman mythology as my source.