For Day 10 of Platonic VLD Month 2017: Rivalry


"End training sequence," Keith said as he wiped his brow. He walked over to the side of the room where he'd left his jacket and grabbed his water. He slouched down against the wall with a sigh.

The door to the training room opened and Keith turned to smile at the cheetah that walked in. "Hey, Merla. I was just taking a break. You want to join in?"

Her watched her shake her head before she came over to sit a short ways from him. He raised an eyebrow as he fought down a smirk. "Why are you so quiet? Is something wrong?" He rolled his eyes as she shook her head and went to sleep. "Alright then. You rest up."


"Why is it that everything the Alteans designed is dangerous; killer training programs, killer language programs, killer ribbon that tries to strangle you when you go to pin it down," Lance growled, yanking at the fabric that had wrapped around his wrists like a boa constrictor. He froze when he spotted the tiger watching him. He blushed and held up his hands. "Hey there Blue, little help?"

She snorted and came over to tug on the silver ribbon.

"Thanks," he sighed. "I was working on Chip's dress and just… I hate Altean ribbon. This stuff has a mind of it's own, I swear!"

He ignored her snort and threw the ribbon onto his work table with a glare.

"So, what have you been up to?" He turned around to grab some extra pins. He nearly stabbed himself when she jumped onto his back, pinning him to the ground as she started grooming his hair.

I blame, Keith. Blue is never this rough, Lance thought as he groaned, "Ugh! Blue! Why are you always like this?"

Merla chuffed and Lance surrendered himself to being squashed under the tiger for the time being.


"So they still think they've got you fooled?" Hunk asked.

"Yep," Lance snickered.

"How long are you guys going to let this last? It's been a week," Pidge pointed out.

"Either until one of them figures it out or they crack and give up," Keith said with a shrug.

"You mean until Blue figures it out."

Keith shot Lance a glare.

"Wait, so who wins if they give up?" Hunk asked.

"Lance bet on Blue either figuring it out or giving up while Keith bet on Merla for the same," Pidge answered.

"You bet against your own lions?" Allura asked, sitting up.

Lance shrugged. "I love Blue, and I trust her to see through Keith's pathetic attempts at lying, but I also know Merla's stubbornness is rivaled only by his. Plus, Blue must be missing all this by now."

"And as smart as I know Merla is, I'm pretty sure all that must be getting on her nerves."

Lance shot Keith a glare.

"You know, they seem to be doing a pretty good job of pretending. If you guys hadn't told us about that conversation you overheard, I never would have guessed they had switched," Hunk said and Pidge and Allura nodded.

"Naw, Merla's way too clingy. It's like she thinks Blue just hangs all over me all the time."

"Doesn't she?" Keith snorted.

"Plus, I don't think Merla's used to her size. She keeps crushing me. And I can never find her for our daily brushing session."

"Merla hates being brushed. She doesn't like the sensation of the comb or brush on her skin."

"Fair enough. What about Blue? Isn't he the best actor?"

"You mean besides the fact he never talks while Merla always wants to butt in?"

"Obviously."

"Naw, he's too closed off."

"And that's coming from Keith," Pidge chuckled.

"About Merla," Hunk agreed.

He shrugged. "Merla likes her space and so do I. We understand that about each other. That doesn't mean she just lays there next to me without ever touching like Blue does. I don't think Blue's even slept in my bed."

"You've had my baby sleeping on the floor!"

"Besides, he has no idea what to do with his legs when we're fighting together. He's always tripping over them and his tail."

"Those two probably should have gotten used to each other's forms before trying this," Allura chuckled.

"There you guys are." The group turned to see Ryou and Shiro walking through the door. "What are you doing in here?"

"Keeping Allura company. Coran made her come lay down since she sneezed," Hunk explained.

"Well, it's time for training. Where's the cats?"

"No clue."

Shiro turned to Ryou. "You wanna go get them?"

The liger gave a soft growl before walking out.

"Alright, the rest of you go get changed."