You are reading Chapter 2 of "Rocketeer" by thelyingqueen. In each chapter, there will be a brief review of the previous chapter for your viewing convenience as you wait for future chapters to release. In the previous chapter, Keith had a flashback about an argument he had with his friends, including several quarrels with Lance. Keith then left to talk to his Lion, but Lance is secretly following him.. Enjoy!


Recommended Song: "Hurts Like Hell" - Fleurie


CHAPTER TWO: DREAMS FIGHT WITH MACHINES

Keith's walking pace had slowed to a steadier, calmer pattern, his feet tapping against the floor. Utilizing the hang glider system, he flew down to the Red Lion's protective hanger, soon sitting comfortably in the pilot's seat. He placed his hands on the controls without moving them, and took in a deep breath. Meanwhile, Lance was following close behind, somewhat terrified that Keith would incapacitate him in the event that he discovered him. Sliding down the hang glider ramp was painful enough, and he wasn't too happy about having to run extremely fast in order to keep up with the boosted shuttle that propelled Keith into his Lion. Lance barely managed to slip through the chamber's doors before it snapped close, letting out a low fshhh as the airlock snapped into place. He then dove under a control panel beside the main deck, shuffling under a black blanket he'd managed to yank out of the emergency utilities box that sat next to his little hiding place.

"Hey, girl. So.. I didn't want to bother you with my problems, but I guess if we're supposed to have a strong bond, I have to tell you everything, huh?" Keith said softly, in such a low tone that Lance had to strain his ears to hear him. He also had to withhold a shriek as Red growled in return. Keith held a thin grin, leaning back into the cushioned chair, his hands running up and down the metal arms.

"Haha, yeah. So, I take it you're not much of a talker," he commented, and with that, the Lion chortled in the only way a mechanical lion could, coupled with a tiny smile from Lance. "So I'll just.. let it all out, I guess," Keith exhaled slowly, gathering his wits about him so that he could finally release all of the thoughts that were eating him up, his heart bouncing in the process. Lance scooted closer in order to hear him more clearly, breathing as quietly as he possibly could under the humidity of the heavy blanket. His back was still pressed against the cold metal of the wall, his own heart playing hopscotch.

"I'm really scared. No, scared is an understatement. I'm absolutely terrified. I'm supposed to be part of this legendary team of superheroes, piloting part of Voltron, the universe's only hope! I know that you chose me for a reason, but I keeping worrying that I'm not going to be good enough. What if I mess up? What if all my stupid insecurities get the best of me and I ruin everything for everyone, and we can't form Voltron anymore?" Keith began to ramble, his fears tumbling out of his mouth. Lance's eyes were wider than ever before, his mouth hanging open in utter disbelief.

"No.. No, I can't think like that. I know better, I know. I'm just.. I mean, look at this thing! This.. this dagger, I think it's Galra, Red. If Allura and the others find out, they'll hate me for sure. I've had this thing my entire life, and I have no idea where it came from. I don't.. I don't," Keith began to stutter, his eyes becoming weighted by emotions, his voice cracking, "I'm an orphan, Red. I don't have a family. I've never met them, aside from my dad, and even he died was I was little. You have no idea how much I- I miss him," Keith wept, unable to restrain his tears any longer. "What if I'm part Galra? What if I'm some kind of sick hybrid? I mean, are all Galrans evil and full of bloodlust? I'm not, right? I just.. I'm always so worried that the others won't trust me anymore, but now I'm honestly worried if I can even trust myself!" He cried out, grabbing onto his arms with enough intensity to leave marks.

"I can't do this anymore. I can't talk to Shiro because I'm so horrified that I'll disappoint him! He wants me to take over as leader of Voltron someday! I mean, I'm your pilot, not the Black Lion's. I'm not a leader. What is he thinking? And I can't go to Pidge or Hunk because both of them probably think I'm a disaster waiting to happen, and Lance-" he stopped, catching his breath, and Lance leaned forward, desperate to hear his words. "Lance.. hates me. He hates me, Red. I'm hurting everyone around me, and I just can't stop it! I couldn't sleep at all last night, I had so many horrible dreams.. Everyone was hurt because I went ballistic and- and I would never do th-that, right?" Keith was sobbing now. "A-And.. and Shiro.. Pidge.. everyone was strewn across the battlefield, and they were screaming, and Lance.. Lance was dead!" he screamed, clinging onto his arms so hard that his nails dug into his skin, "I think I killed him! I can't.. I c-can't let that become a reality. I have to become what everyone needs me to be, what I desperately want to be. I have to be better, I have to be worthy of them. And right now? I'm.. I'm nowhere near good enough, Red," Keith warbled, his shirt splashed with fallen tears and his hands messy with fluids from wiping his eyes and nose so much. He began to howl, crying his heart out with so much intensity that he clapped his hand over his mouth to muffle the sound. His legs shook underneath him, his whole body trembling with fear and sorrow.

Lance wasn't sure when he started crying, but now his own tears began to stain everything he touched. He was shocked nearly senseless, amazed that Keith could feel such overwhelming insecurity. Without thinking it through, he shoved off the heavy blanket and let the cold air of the massive machine wash over him. He stood exposed before Keith, covered only with a pair of Blue Lion pajamas and a light robe. Keith stared back at him, snapped out of his sob session by the power of absolute shock alone as air filled his chest. Tears still streamed down his face, and now that Lance could see him truly deteriorating before his very own eyes, his eyes began to sting with sadness.

"Y-You are enough!" he shouted, Keith's body gently seizing at the sudden loudness. "Y-You," Lance stammered, "you have always been enough, Keith."

The two boys stared at each other, both looking like an absolute mess, tears painting both of their faces and their clothes all sorts of disheveled from the sheer amount of wiping, and in Lance's case, being scrunched in a corner under a blanket. Finally emerging from his shock, Keith managed to muster the strength to blubber a few words.

"Thanks, Lance. I really, really needed that," he smiled, a ray of happiness finally lifting his swollen features. Lance's chest suddenly heaved, his heart threatening to leave his chest. What? "I'm still pissed you followed me, though," he sniped gently, but his eyes did not match his words. He looked relieved, at ease, and finally like he might just be okay. Lance sucked in a breath, trying to stifle a gasp due to just how vulnerable and stupidly perfect Keith looked in this exact moment, strangely angelic surrounded by his inner demons.

"Y-Yeah, anytime," he forced out. "Let's go back inside, okay?"

Keith nodded slowly in reply, slowly standing up in a more rigid motion than usual, grabbing onto his chair for support. Once he was up, he pressed his forehead onto the walls of the robotic Lion and smiled lightly. "Thank you, too, Red." The Lion let out a grating purr in return, and Keith couldn't help but giggle softly at the sound. Lance felt his stomach flip. When Keith turned to walk out, he looked at Lance with determined eyes yet a blank expression. He wasn't quite sure how to react it, still feeling somewhat fuzzy from the boy's quiet laugh, which was extremely perplexing. He didn't have a lot of time to consider that, however, because Keith then lunged at him, folding his arms around the other boy's tall, lithe body, embracing him with warmth. Lance mumbled incoherently, his heart thumping so hard that he worried Keith might hear. A deep red flooded his face, and he clenched his fist to keep himself from screeching.

"Thank you so much," Keith whispered into his shoulder, holding tightly. Lance felt a chill rush through his entire body as his whisper fell upon his ears, low and rough from the tears he had wept with such desperation. Lance couldn't help but allow for a few of his own to fall down his face, and he returned the hug, holding him gently with as much kindness as he could muster. He could feel Keith pulling him in further, looking so scared that his world might come crashing down, and Lance feared for him. Taking his fingers and lightly caressing his thick, dark brown hair, he replied in an equally low tone, "I don't hate you, Keith. None of us do. So stop thinking those horrible things, okay? They're not true. We all need you, and we always will."

Keith couldn't speak, he was so overcome with pure relief. Nothing cured an ocean of depression and anxiety like true, unsolicited and unconditional support. For a moment, he forgot his responsibilities, his origins, and what the future might bright. Right now, he was in Lance's arms, and there was no need for him to be terrified about anything. He wasn't an object of anyone's hatred, and he knew that the others counted on him, too. He promised to himself that he'd be there for Lance, no matter what, if only to return the favor. Feeling Lance's hands slide up and down his scalp and comb through his hair, a chill ran down his spine, too. A pinkish tint climbed up his face, and the strangest feeling started to well up inside of his chest. Somewhat freaked out by the new emotion, but far too emotionally strained to worry about it, he backed away from him slowly, stepping back to provide another pure and innocent smile.

Lance melted where he stood, reduced to a puddle of emotions. Keith's eyes widened, and he cocked his head to the side to look at Lance's face, which was covered in dried tears.

"Did- Did you cry?" he asked, poorly hiding a small snicker.

"I'm an emotional guy, okay!" Lance yipped, leading Keith to plunge into a fit of laughter and blossoming smiles. Lance felt renewed warmth rise up inside of him, and he had to return the smile with equal vigor. His low chuckles escalated into loud barking laughter, accompanied by Keith's loud laughs as well. Both of them stood together, clutching their sides as they laughed hysterically, both of them totally drained from the day's emotions. Once the two of them began to calm back down, Lance lifted up an arm and placed it gently on Keith's shoulder.

"Let's get back inside," he suggested, a smile still plastered onto his face.

"Mhm," Keith murmured, still stifling giggles as they bubbled up from his stomach and filled his face with pink. It only made Lance smile wider. He grabbed Keith's hand nonchalantly, guiding the other out of the Red Lion's massive metal body, neither of them realizing what had happened when they were faced by all of the other paladins as well as Coran and Allura, everyone covered in bright smiles and teary complexions.

Keith looked at Lance.
Lance looked at Keith.

Neither knew what the hell was going on.