The Amazon of Voltron

by Mitzuki118

"Are you an Amazon?" Lance leaned back a little. Hadn't this guy ever heard of personal space? Jeez. "Yes?" Keith reeled back, a smile so wide on his face that it had to hurt, "Holy crap! Holy shit! You're an Amazon! I've met an Amazon!" "Language," she lightly scolded him. Figures that the guy who fell from the sky in a giant red robot lion would be a fanboy

36. Chapter 36

"We are so hilarious. I feel bad for the people who don't get to listen to our conversations and enjoy our hilariousness."

- Probably Lance McLane

Chapter 36

Keith has been avoiding Lance for four days. Whenever Lance entered the room, he'd leave. He'd even jumped out a window when she cornered him just to avoid talking to her. Thankfully it was only two floors and he was fine but still. This couldn't go on.

Shiro and Krolia had already told them that when he was ready he'd talk but Pidge was getting impatient. So her theory about Lance breaking up with Keith had been wrong. Thank fucking god.

But somehow this was worse.

Her two friends were obviously miserable so why the fuck weren't they doing anything about it?

Lance was at least trying to reach out to him. When Keith's Galra side had come out, Pidge was ashamed to say that it scared her. She wasn't the only one but still, it made her feel shitty. The only one who hadn't flinched or backed away whatsoever had been Lance.

She'd tried to explain and no matter how much Keith kept avoiding her, Lance hadn't given up. Though everyday she looked worse. Not in appearance but her mood was just off. She'd stare off into the distance, she'd sigh a lot, and was oddly quiet. She'd stopped singing. She wasn't smiling as much.

It was like she was just going through the motions but her heart wasn't in it. She hadn't been eating all that well either.

Her parents were worried.

Mikey and his brothers had insisted they track down Keith to give him a beat down but Lance pleaded at them not to. Only then did they agree to leave him alone.

Pidge hadn't been happy when Lance told them she was leaving the team. No one was. They'd just gotten her back.

But after she explained her reason?

Pidge couldn't stay mad at her for long. Lance needed to train and master her new power. Her friend has been the only one who has actually managed to give Haggar a hard time. If there was anyone out there who could kill that wrinkly old bitch, it was Lance. Regardless, her friend received the same lecture Shiro had gotten about keeping secrets from everyone until she looked like she was going to cry before they hugged it out and all was right in the world.

Except that Keith was still avoiding her.

Pidge didn't understand Keith. He knew that they would be leaving Cloyetera next week. He knew he didn't have a lot of time to spend with Lance. So why the fuck was he still avoiding her? He should just talk to her, work things out, and then spend every waking moment with her until they had to leave.

He was obviously miserable as well. The few times that she'd managed to see him he had looked dull of life. Whenever he'd see Lance from a distance he'd stare at her longingly before shaking his head, furrowing his eyebrows in anger, and leaving. Still, the way his eyes would go all soft when he so much as heard Lance's voice spoke volumes. He still loved her, which was good, but come on. Just talk to each other jeez.

Pidge was pretty sure that she heard him singing 'All by myself' by Mariah Carey the other night in his room. Keith hated Mariah Carey. But Lance loved her. Pidge had also heard Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé, but thankfully no Taylor Swift or Adele yet. Pidge would have barged in his room otherwise to put a stop to that nonsense. Lance wasn't any better, if she played another My Chemical Romance or Evanescence song Pidge was going to shank her. Her friend didn't listen to many songs like that but going out with Keith had introduced her to quite a few. She learned to love them, something Keith was immensely relieved by.

It was almost Christmas! New Years would be next week!

Pidge scratched both sides of her brown hair in frustration and screamed. Hunk, Lance and Matt gave her a strange look. With the way Lance had been acting all quiet and moody, Pidge and Matt had decided to have a sleepover in her room. The Amazon princess had seemed a little relieved at that and ushered them in. Hunk had already been there, as he had been for the past three days. The yellow paladin had refused to let Lance be alone. He was her rock, watching over her, making sure she ate at least some soup and sleeping over because apparently Lance was having nightmares about Haggar.

Lance hadn't told anyone about them, but Hunk had confided in Pidge who then told Matt. Thus, the unanimous decision to sleepover had been made.

Pidge leaned her hands behind her where she sat on the brown-carpeted floor and took a look around Lance's room. It was huge. Ten times bigger than the one at the castle of lions. Its walls were blue with golden patterns that curled around the room. There was a drawing of a castle, like the ones Pidge would see in picture books about princesses. The castle was dark and grey, small yellow windows drawn in each pillar. Red dark roses were drawn on sides, two bigger than the other three, and one purple flower at the side. There was a blue road so dark leading up to the castle that it looked purple. And standing in the middle of the road stood a blond girl in armor with her sword raised in the sky.

It was beautiful.

And apparently drawn by Lance.

According to her it was the story that had decided her name. She'd liked it so much that she'd drawn a scene straight from the book, with a few teaks of course. Rose shaped figurines glowed a bright blue in the ceiling. They were like the constellations Lance had in her room back at the castle of lions only instead of planets and stars, they were different flowers.

Ivory furniture and rugs complimented the room. Beanbags of different color were on the other side of the room. The gigantic bed was made of a similar color scheme, the curtains that hung from the towering headboard drifted in the cold breeze from the open windows. It was snowing. Pidge was actually freezing her ass off and Lance must have noticed because she made her way over to the windows, five of them, on barefoot feet and closed them one by one before falling onto her bed with a long sigh. The heater was turned on moments by voice command.

"Hunk," Lance said with a sigh. "If Keith decides to call off the wedding, will you marry me instead?"

The yellow paladin walked to her side, got down to one knee, and took her right hand in his before giving it a scorching kiss. "I'll be a gentle lover."

The comment had Lance bursting into giggles.

It made Pidge and Matt smile in relief.

"He won't call off the wedding," Matt insisted with a pout where he was slouched on one of the beanbags. "He'd be a fool to call it off." Everyone had been given new clothes to wear while the castle of lions was being repaired. Loose pants and faded shirts that felt silky smooth. They hadn't wanted anything super fancy for sleeping.

"He was just so mad though." Lance sighed as she stared at her towering headboard. "He doesn't even want to be in the same room with me."

The way Lance spoke, how small her voice sounded, it had Pidge's heart clenching. Lance should never be anything but happy. Mischievous. Playful even, but never sad. Pidge should have never doubted Lance's feelings for Keith. The way she spoke about him, the way her eyes would follow him from a distance…the girl was smitten.

"Give him some time buddy," Hunk reassured her, sitting down next to her on the bed to pat the hand splayed over her stomach. "How about you and I sneak down to the kitchen to get some cookies? I saw some Oreos."

Lance gave him a sad smile but turned her head. Her blue eyes lacked their usual shine. "That's okay. I'm not really hungry."

Hunk shared a wide-eyed look with Pidge and Matt. Lance was refusing Oreos? But she loved them! She never turned them down!

Pidge growled and shot to her feet. "That's it!" All eyes turned to her, Lance's a bit slower than Hunk and Matt, and blinked owlishly at her. Pidge pointed a finger at her friend. "Get up! We're going out!"

Lance gave her a confused look before sighing and laying back down. Pidge picked up a red pillow from the rocking chair behind her and slammed it on Lance's face. Hunk and Matt exclaimed in shock but Pidge didn't care. They were babying her too much. Enough was enough. The Amazon growled and sat up, tossing the pillow back on her bed before glaring at her. Her blue eyes were blazing.

Good.

It was the most emotion Pidge had seen on her for days.

Pidge had just about enough of Lance being sad. Anger was better than sadness any day.

"You haven't left the house in days!" Pidge continued now that she had Lance's attention. "Pretty sure you haven't showered, you haven't done your daily beauty regimens and you've all but stopped eating!" Pidge was breathing hard at this point. Matt and Hunk tried to calm her down but she refused to listen. Lance was her friend. And right now she was hurting. But that didn't mean she had to stop taking care of herself! If Lance needed someone to throw a pillow at her just to get a reaction from her then Pidge would gladly do it. "Stop acting like a little bitch and leave the house for a bit."

Lance frowned at her. "Don't curse." She mumbled, before crossing her arms over her faded blue shirt. She gnawed on her lower lip before looking at Pidge from the corner of her eye curiously. "Where would we go anyway? It's almost midnight. Plus, it's snowing."

"You said you like surfing right?" Lance glanced at her from her lashes, quietly nodding. "Then we're going to the ocean and you're going to take a swim and not think about Keith for a good few hours." Lance opened her mouth, probably to say something stupid that would have Pidge throwing another pillow at her before Pidge shot her a dark glare and Lance closed her mouth. "Got it?"

Lance stared at her for a good five seconds before nodding and slowly rose to her feet. Matt and Hunk beamed and started pulling on their coats, slippers, and headed down stairs. Lance was pretty much immune to the cold now so she'd only put on her blue lion slippers, Allura had given them to her to keep, changed to some black shorts and a blue tank top and followed reluctantly after them.

Pidge had to go back and tug on her arm when she didn't move fast enough.

Lance's house was huge but despite the late hour one could still hear light chatter from the other rooms. Shadow lifted his big head as they were tip toeing their way across the living room and gave them a curious glance. There was a giant empty bowl by his side. Lance put a finger on her lips to shush him. Shadow cocked his head before bringing it down and letting out a small whine.

Clearly he didn't want to be left alone. Sighing quietly under her breath, Lance made a come hither motion and Shadow bounded to their side in three quick strides, his blue tail swaying happily before nudging his owner, almost causing Lance to topple over. Luckily, Hunk caught her before she could fall.

Deciding that they didn't want to be interrogated by the guards surely waiting outside, they climbed on top of Shadow who crouched down once they were all settled, felt the world squeezing them, before cold air hit them and Pidge opened her eyes to see that they were already outside.

Shadow didn't waste time and started running towards the beach close to Lance's house. It wasn't long before Pidge, Matt and Hunk shivered, their teeth shattering at the sudden coldness. Lance and Shadow were the only ones not bothered by it. From this distance Pidge could still see the giant three lit up in different shades of colors, could see the firebirds erupt into flames whenever they zoomed by, could see gryphons and Valkyries fly by, could smell the sweet scent of honey suckle only for it to be replaced by the smell of the ocean as they neared it. The air turned colder. Waves lapped gently across the shore, if one looked closely you'd be able to see the bright pink lights from the city the Mer people lived in.

Lance's pets had gone into the forest, eager to explore their surroundings. Only Shadow returned. He'd popped into the council room as soon as Keith had stormed out. Perhaps he had sensed that his owner was in distress. Pidge didn't know but Lance had clung to him like a lifeline before burying her face in his blue fur.

Shadow hadn't left her side in days either; only when he got hungry did he wander downstairs before returning later.

Shadow slowed to a stop on the sandy beach and slowly Pidge and the others got off. Hunk was rubbing his hands over his shoulders, trying to get blood flowing. Matt was jumping up and down, wrapping his orange coat tighter, his teeth shattering. Pidge was cold too but she glanced to the left where Lance stood completely still, her face scrunched to the side in indecision.

Pidge scanned the area and looked around the massive rocks surrounding them until she found what she was looking for. Lance's surfboard, blue with red flames on the side, was leaning against one of the rocks. Stuffing her hands in her pockets, Pidge walked over, picked it up, and all but shoved it in Lance's face.

She took it slowly and stared at it incomprehensibly before Matt and Hunk gently pushed her toward the water. Despite her slow state, Lance remembered to at least take off her slippers lest they get wet.

Their friend stood silently at the edge of the water, board tucked under her arm as her gaze roamed over the dark horizon. The waves lapped at her heels, somehow calming her for her tense shoulders loosened up and she curled her feet under the wet sand. She looked to be struggling, indecisiveness weighing in.

Pidge, Hunk and Matt stood silently behind her, the three of them leaning over each other for some kind of warmth. Lance needed this; she needed to do this alone, needed to get some fresh air. Pidge knew that. It took all of her self-control not to go over there and give Lance a harsh push and send her sprawling into the ocean.

Whenever Lance was sad there were few things that got her out of her slump.

The first one was Keith.

That one was impossible at the moment because the red paladin was refusing to talk to her.

The second thing was taking a personal spa day in her room and putting on her face cream, doing her eyebrows, do some yoga. They'd already tried that though and Lance hadn't seemed up to it.

The third thing though…Lance loved to swim. There was a pool in the castle of lions that Lance loved to use. It was located up in the ceiling and despite living there for quite a while, Pidge and the others hadn't quite figured out how to get up there and use it. But Lance had. She loved it. She could spend the whole day there.

Now that they were in Cloyetera, Lance's home planet, she had a whole ocean to swim in.

Lance moved one leg. Pidge, Hunk, and Matt held their breath. She took off her shirt until she was left in a sports bra and let her shirt fall to the sand beside her.

She stepped in slowly, water washing over her ankles, then up her calves, submerging her body in the sweet caress of the sea. For a moment she just stood there, waist deep, and looked up at the sky. Snowflakes landed on her lashes, on her hair, her face. Lance took a deep breath and set her board against the surface. Lance didn't hesitate after that. She climbed on, and began to paddle against the tide. She didn't turn back. Just kept moving, kept pushing, until Pidge couldn't hear her sobs from that far away.

Hunk sniffled.

So did Matt.

Pidge didn't, she smiled. Albeit sadly.

Lance needed this. She'd been holding back, telling everyone that she was fine when she clearly wasn't. Lance didn't like to make others worry and with Hunk not leaving her side for the past few days, and everyone giving her these pitying looks…it must have taken Lance some effort not to dissolve into hysterics.

Pidge took a few steps forward, watching as the tears ran down her friends' face before they were hastily wiped away. A small wave was coming and Lance began to paddle towards it, slowly getting to her feet to ride the tide. She glided through the water, nothing too fancy at first but after the third wave, this one a little higher, Lance began to do some tricks.

And eventually, Lance began to laugh.

Pidge, Matt and Hunk exhaled in relief.

Hunk actually cried a little.

Pidge didn't.

She just had something in her eye.

Honest.

Shadow released a howl at the sky and sat down on his paws, his tail swaying lightly as he watched his owner glide through the waves.

A giant red tentacle suddenly popped out from one of the waves Lance was riding and almost gave them a heart attack as it wrapped around Lance' form and moved her side to side in the air. Her board fell somewhere in the ocean. If Lance hadn't started laughing wildly, Hunk would have dived in to save her. He'd already taken off his coat and his shirt. Matt had been in the process of removing his boots. Pidge had taken out her Bayard, ready to electrocute the thing if it so much as touched her friend wrongly.

They needn't had worried. The octopus seemed friendly and anyone who could make Lance laugh was okay in Pidge's book.

Lance would be fine.

Shadow would keep an eye for her too.

Something caught her eye and Pidge turned, startled to see Cesti, Cyra, Ami, and Tami leaning on a boulder of rocks. Reyna, Adina and the rest of Lance's guards were making their way to the beach as well. Even the ones that were off duty were here. They were in their armor, their only source of warmth a thin jacket. Damn, when the fuck had they gotten there?

Pidge hadn't heard them at all.

And here she thought they were being sneaky.

These Amazons were good.

Cesti and Reyna gave them a wave before turning their attention back to their charge.

Some even dove right in the icy water, crying out in surprise, but Lance just laughed at them. Happily splashing water whenever they got too close.

Turning on her heel, Pidge started heading back to Lance's mansion. Her face set in determination. Hunk and Matt hastily put their clothes and shoes on before sprinting after her. They hastily waved good-bye in the Amazons direction before catching up to her.

"Pidge," Hunk wearily asked as he marched beside her. "Where are you going?"

"You've got that no nonsense face," Matt added on her other side, his hands rubbing up and down on his forearms.

"It's time to talk to Keith," Hunk and Matt blanched. "Enough is enough. One way or another he's going to talk to Lance or so help me I will hurt him in ways he didn't even know were possible."

"Oh, boy." Hunk groaned.

"Here we go." Matt added with a wince.

---

Lance was a wild and beautiful creature.

She was like a cougar. Or a hummingbird. She brought playfulness and joy into someone's life. She lifted their spirits up. She's strong. Exhibits leadership. She's courageous. She could be cunning. She's independent. According to the research he'd done, Lance's spirits animals were those two. She exhibited traits from both those creatures. And out of everyone Keith has ever met, Lance is the only one who truly seems to enjoy life.

But like that cougar and hummingbird, Lance wants to go her own way. She's wild. And like all wild creatures, he has to let her go. Deep down, Keith had always known that keeping Lance close to him wouldn't last. Part of it was because he sometimes thought she could do better than him. He wasn't the most sociable guy out there and he wasn't the easiest to get along with. But Lance had stayed y his side. It didn't stop his self-doubt but he was glad that she had stayed. But the thing about Lance? She was constantly moving. Always curious about her surroundings. Always going her own way. She moved to the beat of her own rhythm.

It was selfish of him to try and keep her at his side, to lock her away, to force her to stay with him. Because she would, if Keith really asked her, begged her to, then Lance would stay. They were going to get married for fucks sake! But it didn't mean that they'd be together twenty-four seven. Keith loved Lance.

He did.

There were times when the two of them needed space from the other though. To interact with other people. To spend some time apart. But the thing is…he'd just gotten her back. He'd almost given his life for her; he fought tooth and nail and went through hell until they could finally be together again. His life was finally starting to make sense again. He was able to get up in the morning with a smile, albeit a small one for he was not a morning person, but a smile nonetheless for he knew that Lance was back and somewhere in the ship.

He could go to her room and she'd be there. He could go to the training room and she'd join him. He'd be able to go to the kitchen and find her there, smiling, and cooking with Hunk while they tried to make breakfast. He'd be able to smell her everywhere she went on the ship. Her scent had been disappearing, she was gone for three months after all, and just when he was sure that she'd still be there when they finished the repairs in the castle of lions and go on missions together just like before, he suddenly finds out that she's not going back with them?

Seriously, what the fuck?

Truth be told, he's pissed.

As much as he's moping, because he knows that he's moping, because only a depressed person would listen to frickin Adele, he's also seriously mad as fuck. He's pissed that Lance didn't tell him. He's pissed that she had all this time to tell him she was staying in Cloyetera only to keep quiet. He's furious because he thought that the two of them didn't keep secrets from the other. And he's furious that she wasn't the one to tell him. Sure, Queen Lexi hadn't known she was spilling her daughter's secret but still.

Lance hadn't told him shit.

He had every reason to be pissed at her.

Despite how angry he was or how much he wanted to punch that fucking gorgeous face of hers, he also wanted to kiss her. Hold her close. Just fucking talk to her. And it's infuriating. He wanted her back. He wanted to bicker with her, to have her tease his hair only for him to call her Princess Leah and have her face turn bright red at the nickname.

He wanted Lance to tell him that they're going to be all right. He wanted her to sing to him or practice her pick-up lines on him despite how cheesy it all is. She brought music into his life. She got him out of his comfort zone and got him to try all these strange new things. She made him actually enjoy these strange new things even when they're in a crowded area.

Somehow, Lance had a way of making him think that it's just the two of them there. She made him laugh, made him meet new people despite how awkward he is around them.

Lance…makes him happy.

Keith sighed as he finished polishing one of his knives before setting it down next to him on the bed only to retrieve another one and start the process all over again. Cleaning his knives usually relaxed him but so far it hadn't helped. All he could think about was Lance. He'd been eating way too much as well. He'd been skipping out breakfast and dinner with the rest of his friends because he knows Lance will there as well. At least he has plenty of cups of noodles and granola bars in his bracelet to keep him going.

Though constantly eating junk food couldn't be healthy.

Avoiding her hasn't been easy. Her presence is everywhere. No surprise there though, they were staying at her house. He made sure to stay out as long as possible but every time he hears someone laugh all boisterous and loud, his heart stutters. His palms get sweaty. It later turns to disappointment because it's not Lance's laugh. He hates how he goes to Lance's favorite café that she introduced him to when he first crashed in Cloyetera all those months ago, and look at the door with this longing look. He keeps hoping Lance would come in but at the same time he also wants her to stay away.

Keith…doesn't know what he wants.

Well, that's a lie.

He wanted Lance. He wants her to stay with him and the rest of the paladins. He wants her to be the blue paladin again. Keith furrowed his eyebrows and paused in his polishing to think. Now that he thought about it…he didn't even know why Lance had decided to stay in Cloyetera. He never found out. He'd asked Shiro and his mother who had been there when Lance had told the rest of the team after he'd stormed out but neither of them refused to tell him.

Said he should go ask her himself.

Fuck that.

He'd have to actually talk to Lance in order to do that. And if he did, then he'd have to apologize. The thing is, Keith doesn't know how to apologize. He and Lance had fought before but it had never been anything truly bad that it had the other ignoring the other person. Would Lance even want to forgive him?

He'd jumped out a fucking window just to avoid talking to her.

He snarled at her in his Galra form.

If anyone did that to him he'd say fuck them.

Would Lance say the same to him after he'd ignored her for four days?

Maybe.

And the thought scared him.

Would she want to call off the wedding because she finally figured out that Keith was an asshole? That she could find someone better? The thought made him both restless and anxious. The thought of Lance leaving him hurt. He should just talk to her. Her room was just across the hall. He could be there in less than two minutes, knock on her door and…say what?

Sorry for jumping out a window and avoiding you but you kind of deserved it for not telling me you were staying in Cloyetera after repairs are done on the castle of lions? Sorry for snarling at you when I went full Galra on you? Sorry for being my asshole-ish self? All good starts.

Well, at least one of them was.

Sighing, Keith reached across the bed until his fingers curled around Lance's blue iPod, he had yet to return it, he felt a little closer to Lance when he used it, and scrolled down until he found Adele, plugged the earphones in before the first song started to play. He was only two minutes into 'Turning Tables' when his door was suddenly kicked open and in came an angry looking Pidge in green loose pants and an oversized dark blue jacket. Were those snowflakes in her hair?

Hunk and Matt skidded to a halt behind her. The two were dressed similarly, loose pants, oversized jackets, and teeth shattering. Their slippers left sandy footprints on the blue carpet.

Pidge arched an angry brow at him. "Are you listening to Adele again?"

She sounded so angry. So suspicious.

Keith immediately denied it.

Pidge narrowed her eyes and reached a hand for one of the earphones when Keith began to panic. Quickly removing the earphones, he wrapped them around the IPod before chucking the whole thing across the room.

Pidge, Matt and Hunk stared incredulously.

Hunk licked his lips and narrowed his eyes at him. The yellow paladin looked ready to throttle him. "Did you just break Lance's IPod?"

Keith's eyes briefly went to the discarded device across the room, praying that he hadn't broken it, before fixing his face into an annoyed scowl. He crossed his arms over his loose long red shirt and arched a brow at all three of them "Why are you guys here?"

"We're here because of Lance," Pidge finally said, her own face mirroring his own. Keith was going to deny feeling a chill go down his spine at the look. He was probably just cold. Her response didn't really surprise him. He was actually a little surprised that they hadn't tracked him down yet. In fact, now that he thought about it, only Shiro and his mom had confronted him. Only once though.

After that they didn't show up and hound him to go talk to Lance. Not even Mikey and the rest of Lance's brothers, which was…odd. Were Mikey and his brothers planning his murder right this moment? Is that why they'd left him alone? So he could enjoy these last days of freedom before they hit him on the back of the head with a shovel, dragged him into the woods where they would proceed to do some kind of ceremonial killing?

Because if they were, Keith was so not okay with that.

"I'm not talking to her." He said, giving his three friends a flat look. One that he hoped conveyed the clear message of 'get the fuck out of my room before I drag you out.'

"Keith –" Matt started.

"No."

"You should really talk to her," Allura said, poking her head into his room. Shiro, Coran, and his mother stood behind her. "She really misses you."

He threw his hands up in frustration. Sure, just come on in everyone. It's totally okay.

Not.

Keith scoffed. "She wouldn't have to miss me if she were to just go back with us when the repairs in the castle were done."

Shiro sighed, stepping into the room to sit next to him on the edge of the bed. "Keith, I really think you should hear her out." He said it gently, his gaze all soft and brotherly that it had Keith looking away. "I think if you heard her reason, you'll understand."

Keith pouted and glared at the floor. "Why are you guys ganging up on me anyway? Aren't you guys angry at Lance too?"

"We weren't mad," Coran finally spoke, his index finger twirling the end of his mustache. The man was thankfully wearing pants this time. They were orange and fluffy looking, matching Allura's purple ones. "We were surprised."

Pidge snorted. "I was mad. Pissed actually."

"So then why –"

"Because she explained." Allura said, her eyes all soft and sad. Her four mice patted Keith's knee. "Yes, we were surprised. Yes, some of us were mad. But Keith," He looked away, her gaze too much for him to handle. Everyone's gaze was too much to handle. "After she explained we understood."

"They lectured her too, you know." His mother said as she leaned against the wall, one knee bent while the other touched the floor. "Almost made her cry."

"I don't want Lance to leave the team either," Shiro added as he put his hand on Keith's shoulder. His brother looked better than the last time he'd seen him. The healers in Cloyetera had been checking up on him regularly while the science division was already in the process of making him a new arm. "I'm honestly scared that without her Haggar might take over my body again. I'm scared that without Lance there, we won't be able to function all that well. But I know we're going to be all right. And Lance knows this. That's why she is able to leave without worry."

"I know I haven't been here long enough to know what everyday with Lance being around is like, but the few days that I did get to spend with her?" Matt shook his head and smiled. "Its obvious that she's the one lifting everyone's spirits up. I'm definitely going to miss her."

"But here's the thing Keith," Hunk took over, his face all-gentle, a smile one his face. "Lance isn't being taken by an evil organization this time. She'll be able to call us and we'll be able to call her as well. Whenever we need to reach her, she'll just be a click away."

"We can even visit." Allura added with a smile. "Or she could come to us. We'd find a way."

"Lady Lance will always take our calls," Coran added gently. "It won't matter if she's fighting or if she's in the toilet." Everyone scrunched up their face. "She will always, without doubt, answer our calls."

"You're going to talk to her." Pidge took over, her no nonsense face back on. Keith opened his mouth to protest but Pidge cut him off before he could speak. She pointed a menacing finger at him. Keith was ashamed to say that he shuddered. "If you don't we'll drag you kicking and screaming all the way to her room. Enough is enough. I'm tired of babying the two of you." Her mouth scrunched up into a pout. "Besides, a sad Lance is just wrong."

"Amen to that." Matt nodded sagely.

Keith peeked up at his friends from his lashes. "She's sad too?"

His friends scoffed.

"Dude!" Hunk exclaimed with a wave of his hands. "She's not eating."

"She's not laughing." Pidge added.

"She didn't even bat an eye when I practiced my pick-up lines on her." Matt said with a pout.

"She hasn't left the house in days." Allura added scooping up her four mice.

"Pretty sure she hasn't showered either." Shiro grimaced.

"She even turned down my offer to experiment with the new food in her fridge." Coran added dejectedly.

"Plus," Hunk added with a wince. "She's been having nightmares so sleep hasn't come very easily."

Keith's head snapped up at that, his eyes wide in surprise. "She's having nightmares?"

"Yeah," Hunk confirmed with a sigh. Everyone looked at the yellow paladin with wide eyes. Lance had mentioned that to him. That she was afraid she'd dream about Haggar. She hadn't had nightmares before though…Well, now that he thought about it…all the times that Lance had slept since she'd come back, someone had been with her. He had been there. "I've been sleeping over everyday but she still keeps waking up in a cold sweat." He turned back to Keith and gave him a pleading look. "Just talk to her. She needs you Keith."

"Come on Keith," Shiro squeezed his shoulder. "We know you miss her too."

Keith looked up at his friends and something about their pleading and open faces made something in him crack. "Shiro," He said, and Keith hated how small his voice sounded. It sounded more like a whine. And suddenly it felt like he was falling apart, like every piece that made him who he was, was disappearing until all he wanted to do was curl up into a ball and cry.

His friends looked at him in worry, all of them surging forward to pat him on the back, ruffle his hair, pull him into a hug. "What if Lance doesn't want me anymore? What will I do if she doesn't want to talk to me? I jumped out a fucking window for fucks sake! I snarled at her in my Galra form! What if she's scared of me now? And all she wanted to do was explain and I couldn't even bother to listen!"

He was babbling by now, though it sounded more hysterical than anything. If Lance decided she didn't want him anymore, Keith would shatter. Without a doubt that kind of rejection would destroy him. "I'm an asshole!" He continued. "I'm awkward, I push people away, I curse like nobodies business and –"

Warm hands squeezed both of his shoulders until he finally stopped his babbling only for him to look up and see his mother looking at him in concern. Her violet eyes looked a little misty but she looked stern. "Now you listen to me Keith," She began. "That girl loves you. She loves every part of you. I know I haven't known her very long, or you for that matter, but the way you two interact? The way you two look at each other?" His mother squeezed the cheek where he now had a scar and smiled softly at him. "That's love. Trust me Keith, she still wants you."

"Look," Pidge said, snapping everyone's attention to her. "You can be mad at her. Your anger is completely justified." Her face softened. "Hell, you can even punch her if you want, though you'll probably break your arm in the process but hey, whatever you need." Her eyes turned pleading, a hint of worry mingled with it as well. "Just…hear her out. Okay?"

Keith's eyes drifted to the floor before he shifted uncomfortably. He huffed, blowing air towards his bangs as he pointedly looked away from the smug looks his friends were now sporting. He pouted and crossed his arms over his chest. "Fine." He muttered. "I'll go talk to her now."

When he looked up he scowled. His friends actually looked proud of him.

"I'm still mad at her though."

"Well, go on!" Coran impatiently said. He took off one of his slippers and waved it at him. Was Coran actually threatening him with that? Like seriously? Allura face palmed. "Go talk to her right now!"

"The hell he will," A male voice snorted at the doorway. Everyone jumped, clearly startled. And for good reason too. Not one of them had heard the sound of footsteps or noticed the five new bodies poking their heads inside his room.

Honestly, they should have closed his door a long time ago. It was a miracle that Lance herself had not come to investigate all the noise.

"You've ignored my sister for four days straight," Mikey continued with a glare. His hands were wrapped around a shovel. Keith looked at it wearily.

"Our sister hates being ignored," Aiden continued, his hand wrapped around a long sniper rifle. "And she's depressed."

"I don't know if you've ever seen a depressed Leah," Kyrian continued as he waved a metal bat at him. His brown chocolate eyes narrowed. "But it's not pretty."

"She refused to take a bath with me," Mikey pouted. Everyone looked at him in horror. Mikey bristled. "What? She loves it!"

"Dude," Kyrian sighed, a hand on his forehead. "She totally doesn't."

"Yes, she does!"

Aiden snorted. "Maybe when she was like five."

Mikey lifted his shovel at his brothers threateningly.

Shiro licked his lips nervously, his eyes on the weapons held by the rest of Lance's brothers. "What's with the weapons guys?"

Colt grinned, petting the shovel in his hands as if it were a cat. "We were coming to kill you." He said it like he was talking about the weather.

Hunk whimpered.

Krolia and Shiro edged a little closer to him.

Matt looked like he was ready to bolt. Traitor.

Alan shrugged, both hands on the shovels' handle where he laid his head. "Can't do it now though." His brown eyes roamed over his friends who were looking just as wide-eyed as he was. "Too many witnesses."

Keith gulped.

Alan frowned, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "Then again…"

Pidge pulled out a razor. Shiro did a double take. Matt didn't look surprised. "Bring it," the green paladin challenged, waving the razor menacingly in the air. "I'll cut you bitch."

"Oh dear god!" Hunk swiped the razor from her hands. Pidge protested and made to get it but the yellow paladin raised it in the air. "Where the heck did you find this anyway?"

Shiro heaved a giant sigh of relief.

Krolia chuckled and ruffled Pidge's hair. "I always knew I liked this kid."

"Please don't encourage her." Allura groaned.

Aiden sighed, adjusting his glasses a little higher. "For the record, I told them hitting you with a shovel on the back of the head and burying you in the woods was a bad idea." Some of the tension released from Keith's shoulders. Good old Aiden, always making his brothers see reason. But damn, Keith had been right about how they wanted to kill him. Aiden's mouth lifted up into a serene smile. "I told them it'd be better for me to just snipe you from a distance and let someone else take care of the clean up." He shrugged and sighed dejectedly. Keith and his friends gaped. "But they wanted to get their hands dirty. Oh well."

He actually looked disappointed.

Never mind, Keith decided.

Aiden might be the scariest of them all.

Mikey combed back his brown hair and waved the shovel in his hands in Keith's direction. Matt and Coran had to take a few steps back lest they get hit. "You hurt my sister dude."

"I thought we were bros," Keith quietly said. Ever since their talk, Mikey had been calling him bro. Keith made a face each time the man said it but he secretly liked it. The way he said it with this soft look made him smile. Now he understood why Hunk and Lance called each other that.

Mikey narrowed his dark blue eyes at him. "Not when you hurt my sister dude."

Keith deflated.

"Keith knows what he did was wrong," Shiro started, turning Mikey's attention on him. "He just needed time to sort through his anger but he's ready now. Let him talk to Lance."

"Nope." Mikey turned his attention to Keith and glared. "You owe her a gift. It's the least you can do for ignoring her."

"A gift?"

Allura clapped her hands in delight. "Oh! You can buy the engagement ring!"

"Yup," Aiden agreed. "Enough is enough. My sister deserves a ring."

"It better be fucking huge." Kyrian warned.

"And sparkly!" Colt added.

"It better have people turning heads!" Alan finished.

"You heard them," Mikey grinned. "You can talk to Leah after you get an engagement ring."

Keith slowly nodded, trying not to show how disappointed he was that he couldn't go talk to Lance at this moment. He'd finally made up his mind. What if waiting another day to talk to her only made things worse? What if he lost his nerve later? Would Lance be okay or would she have more nightmares? Would Lance refuse to eat yet again? Keith was pretty sure Lance wouldn't care about getting a gift though. If anything she'd just want to talk to him. At least…that's what he thought. And how the fuck was he going to buy a wedding ring anyway? He didn't know what size Lance's finger was. He didn't know anything about rings! He didn't shit about shopping for gifts.

Allura patted his shoulder and sent him a reassuring smile. "Not to worry. I shall help you pick out a ring."

"I know Lance's ring size!" Hunk piped in.

"It has to be something extraordinary!" Coran added with a jump. He nodded slowly, his eyes already twinkling. "I shall come too! You may need my expertise!"

"I want to go too!" Matt added with a wave of his arms. Pidge nodded as well, something about being cooped up in the house too much.

"This seems fun," Krolia murmured. "I want to see too."

"And we'll go to," Mikey said, his brothers nodding eagerly. "It has to meet our expectations!"

"Count us in too!" A new voice shouted. Everyone jumped, turning to the door to see Lotor and his generals in their pajamas. Ezor had been the one to speak. Lotor looked apologetic. Zethrid walked right in and made herself comfortable on the floor. Axca lingered by the door, her short blue hair loose. She looked good like that. Lest uptight. Ezor's orange hands gripped Keith's own pale ones and gazed at his eyes with the biggest puppy eyes he'd ever seen. "Please? Can we go?"

Keith shrugged and inched away. He needed all the help he could get. "Okay. Just calm down."

Ezor squealed in delight.

"But you better talk to Lance right after," Lotor scolded him. The pajamas he'd been lent looked a little big on him but somehow he still managed to look regal. "Lance is depressed. And I'm honestly worried about her."

"I will." He said quietly.

Shiro looked around the gathered crowd and nodded, a smile on his face. "Then it's decided. First thing tomorrow, we'll all go and help Keith pick out an engagement ring."

Allura bit her lip. "About that." Shiro looked at his girlfriend questionably. "You'll be staying."

Shiro's mouth opened wide in disbelief. "What? But why?"

Allura placed a hand on her boyfriends' shoulder and gave him the most serious look she could muster. "Because you suck at picking gifts."

Shiro spluttered.

Keith couldn't help but chuckle.

So did everyone else.

"Shiro," Allura continued in a deadpan voice. "You gave me cleaning supplies for our one month anniversary."

Shiro threw his hand up. "You said you loved it!"

Allura was quick to correct him. "Coran loved it."

The Altean advisor nodded his head vigorously. "Best mop I'd ever seen. I love it."

Shiro's bottom lip wobbled and he sighed. Looking up at his girlfriend with a pout his voice sounded more like a whine. "So what am I suppose to do? Just stay here until you guys come back? That's so boring!"

Keith had to tap his ears twice just to make sure he was hearing right. Was Shiro seriously acting like a toddler?

"Actually," Allura beamed and her smirk widened. "Your job is to keep Lance distracted."

"That's right!" Coran was quick to add. "If Lady Lance sees that we're all gone she'll surely come after us."

"You've got a mission Shiro," Pidge continued. Shiro straightened at the word 'mission.' "Don't let Lance know what we're doing."

"Keep her mind occupied," Hunk waved a finger at the black paladin. "Get her to eat. Get her to leave the house. Just keep her busy."

"Can you do that," Matt clasped his hands behind his back, straightened, and looked Shiro in the eye. His voice turned a little deeper. "Officer Shirogane Takashi?"

Shiro straightened and saluted him. "Sir, yes, sir!"

Matt gave a sharp nod. "At ease soldier."

Keith almost face palmed.

Oh, my god.

Shiro…they totally got him.

Pidge and Matt silently high-fived each other. Shiro was already muttering ideas on how to keep Lance busy.

He actually looked excited.

Lance was going to have a field day with him.

Keith could already tell.

As everyone began to disperse, Keith couldn't help but stare longingly at his door, hoping, praying that Lance would walk in. But she didn't. He retrieved her iPod from the floor, plugged the earphones in and began to try and get some semblance of sleep before tomorrow's big day.

If he wanted to talk to Lance he needed to buy her a pretty extraordinary ring. He didn't know if he could do that but at least he had his friends helping him out.

And once he had the ring, Mikey would let him talk to Lance.

"One more day," he mumbled into his pillow. "One more day and then I'll be able talk to you. Just wait a little longer Lance."

---

Okay, Shiro. You can do this. Just knock on her door and ask her if she wants to hang out. Everyone else is counting on you. You're the black paladin. You've faced tougher thins than this. You got this.

Taking a deep breath, Shiro rapped his knuckles against Lance's door and waited anxiously for his friend to open it. Keith and the others had already left early morning but not before Allura and Matt reminded him about his "mission."

Shiro almost scoffed. This would be a breeze. Lance was like a cat, she was easily distracted. He had this mission in the bag.

He frowned.

Why was Lance not opening the door? It was only seven-thirty in the morning…she should be awake by now. He knocked a little harder but there was still no response. Shiro glanced at one of the windows down the hall and noticed it was lightly snowing outside.

At the sight of it, Shiro had an idea.

There was something else he could do but he really really didn't want to. He knocked on her door a little more urgently and got no response. Lance was in there though, he could hear her mumbling. The black paladin sighed. He didn't have a choice. He had to use his last resort.

Glancing both ways to make sure no one was there to witness him embarrass himself, Shiro pressed his whole body on Lance's door, pressed his ear to the metal door, and uttered the words he really didn't want to say. "Do you want to build a snowman?"

There was an incoherent scream from inside before the sound of something tumbling to the floor was heard. Oh, that got her attention all right. "You have to say it right!"

Shiro's face felt warm. He didn't want to say it again. He almost died just saying it once. No way. Nope. He wasn't going to repeat it. No matter what Lance said, he would refuse.

"Please?" Lance's voice sounded so small. It sounded more like a whisper.

It had Shiro's heart clenching painfully in his gut. God damn it Lance.

Glancing both ways once again to make sure he didn't need to kill anyone for being a witness to this, he opened his mouth and began to sing. "Do you want to build a snowman? Come on, let's go and play." He put his back to her door and sagged to the floor before spreading his legs. He was planning on singing in a deadpan voice but like Lance always said, if you've got the talent, flaunt it. So he did. His voice sounded fantastic. "I never see you anymore. Come out the door! It's like you've gone away!"

Lance was giggling on the other side. Normally it would irritate Shiro because she was laughing at him but this was the first time he'd heard Lance laugh in days. If him singing this ridiculous song lifted her spirits up just a bit then god damn it, he was going to sing it. It certainly didn't stop the blush from forming on his cheeks though. This was embarrassing! But he had a mission. He could do this.

Making his voice a little louder he continued. "Do you want to build a snowman? It doesn't have to be a snowman! Do you want to build a snowman? Or ride our bike around the halls?" He frowned and stopped singing. "Actually scratch that last part, riding our bikes inside the house is dangerous. I'm putting my foot down on that one."

Lance let out one more giggle before the doorknob rattled and the door swung open. Shiro got to his feet. His friend was smiling widely, her cheeks looked flushed, and she looked quite smug. Regardless, it had Shiro sighing in relief. That is, until she opened her mouth. "Hey, Space Dad."

Shiro gave her a look. "Stop it."

Lance's lips twitched but she didn't say anything. Just leaned on the wall. He could just make out Shadow's blue tail from his spot. "What's up?"

For some reason he was suddenly feeling nervous. He and Lance hadn't hung out as much since their bonding moment all those months ago. They probably would have spent a lot of time together if she hadn't been taken. He hadn't seen her in months. What did they do when they were together besides tease each other?

Oh, god.

What if she found him boring now? What did they even talk about? He didn't remember.

Lance must have sensed his turmoil or read his mind because she cocked her head to the right and hesitantly opened her mouth. "Do you…want to hang out with me today?"

Shiro perked the fuck up. He couldn't have agreed faster if he tried. There was just one thing he had to confirm. Taking a delicate sniff, Shiro tried to keep his voice neutral. He'd guessed right. He put his hand on her shoulder. "On one condition."

Lance cocked her head.

"Please," it sounded more like a plea. "Take a shower."

Lance's face went blank.

Shiro stared right back perfectly serious. This was for her own good. Personal hygiene is important.

For a moment she didn't say anything and Shiro was worried she'd shut down on him but then a dangerous glint appeared in her eyes and Shiro's body tensed. Lance smiled. It had Shiro breaking into a nervous sweat. "Sure thing Space Dad."

Shiro frowned at the name.

Glancing at her nails, Lance looked up at him through her lashes. "What time do you want me to pick you up from the nursery home?"

Shiro's face went blank.

Lance stared back perfectly stone-faced.

When Shiro spoke he was sad to say that his voice cracked. "Just how old do you think I am?"

Lance gave him a Cheshire smile. "You don't want me to answer that."

Then she shut the door on his face and said she'd be ready in a few minutes. Shiro could only stare at her closed door in stunned silence before he lifted his hand and called Keith with his transparent bracelet through voice command.

Keith picked up on the third ring. "Shiro, what's wrong?"

Shiro pouted and his voice cracked. "Your future wife is mean!"

"Shiro, what the fuck?"

---

Shiro was pouting. He knew it. Everyone else they passed as they made their way to the docks saw it but he didn't give a damn. He wasn't old. It didn't matter that his whole hair had turned white. He was almost twenty-five thank you very much. He was still hip. Still cool. What was that word teenagers would say? Oh, right. He was off the heezy!

Lance stumbled beside him with a snort, a hand over her mouth as she tried to contain her laughter. Shiro pushed her to the side and kept walking. His nostrils flared. Lance needed to stop reading his mind. He was still mad at her.

With shaking shoulders Lance made her way to his side once again, her lips were set in a tight line but it was clear she was still laughing at him. Lance hadn't put on a jacket like he did. She was in a black T-shirt that clearly belonged to Keith because the words 'Aliens are real!' was written in big fat red letters. She was wearing jeans and her black and white converse. Shiro frowned. Lance was starting to wear too much black. Keith's taste in clothes was clearly rubbing off on her.

Her hair was still damp and she smelled vaguely of raspberries. At least she'd taken a shower.

Lance nudged at his shoulder with her own. "Are you still mad at me?"

Shiro didn't answer. Just continued pouting.

Lance pursed her lips.

He was perfectly aware that he was acting childish but he didn't care. He was still young, no matter what anyone else said.

Many of the Amazons and Valkyries walking by were bundled up in heavy overcoats, scarves, and some even had mittens. Most greeted them when they passed, looking relieved to see their princess out and about. They all seemed preoccupied with taking in the sights, shopping, and just having a good time.

The giant tree in the middle of the island was hard to miss. And this close, Shiro could see how humongous it really was. He had to crane his neck quite far but he was sure there were firebirds nestled inside as well. Frankly, that seemed like a bad idea. What if the thing caught on fire?

But other than that, it was beautiful. And it was warm. Very warm. Shiro's body suddenly felt like it was going to overheat. He could see why some of the women had taken off their coats in this section of the city. One didn't need to wear a coat for the tree was like a giant furnace.

Lance walked a little faster. She looked uncomfortable. Shiro picked up his pace to catch up, passing the giant luminescence tree. A small swarm of kaleidoscopic fireflies flew over to them and Shiro stopped, mesmerized.

Could he touch them?

Beside him, Lance lifted her hand and raised her index finger. A red firefly made its way over to it and perched itself on her finger. The thing grew a bright red before flying away. His friend didn't seem hurt so he hesitantly raised his own hand, spread his fingers, and waited with baited breath as a blue and purple firefly perched themselves on his fingers.

They felt warm.

They were beautiful.

The two glowed a bright color before flying away, back to the tree they were lightning up like Christmas lights. Lance wrapped her hand on his wrist and tugged him in a different direction. Away from the docks. Now that he thought about it, he wasn't sure where they were heading to anyway.

He glanced nervously at Lance who was still tugging him to who knows where. He licked his lips. "Lance, where are we going?"

Lance's mouth twitched. "It's a surprise."

Her response gave him a bad feeling. A surprise from Lance could either be something big that would cause him to have a heart attack or it could be something small, like giving him his whistle back. No wait, that had actually been a pleasant surprise. He wasn't in the best of condition though, so if Lance was planning something big he had to let her know that his body couldn't take it.

Not at this moment anyway.

"Lance," her blue eyes briefly went to his before looking away. "You're not going to take me to the entertainment island are you?" She didn't answer. His voice turned a little panicky. "Because my body can't take it! I'm supposed to be relaxing! No extraneous activities."

Lance looked at him like he was an idiot. If she weren't pulling his hand, Shiro would have smacked her for the look. "I know. I'm taking you somewhere else. Don't worry, I have the whole day planned."

Shiro exhaled. He shakily nodded. At least she wasn't taking him to that giant roller coaster he'd seen when they first landed. He wasn't a fan of them. He'd seen Final Destination 3 thank you very much. No way in hell he was getting on a roller coaster after seeing that.

"How," Lance hesitated. She opened and closed her mouth before looking at him shyly. "How is Keith doing?" Shiro arched a brow at her. Lance suddenly looked flustered and she looked away. She began to speak in a rush. "It's just I haven't seen him at breakfast or dinner. Which means he's stuffing himself with cup of noodles and junk food. Which means he'll get fat and those abs of his will disappear!"

Shiro's mouth twitched.

Lance's face turned red and she let go of his hand in order to flail her arms. "Not that I wouldn't love him if he was fat! I would! I'd call him my chubby wonky –"

Shiro snorted and snickered at that.

–"but I'd still love him! Is he eating right? Is he taking proper showers? I bet he hasn't combed his hair in days!"

"Lance."

"I just, I'm worried! And he won't talk to me so I was just wondering –"

"Lance."

Lance turned to him with misty eyes. "Does he hate me now?" Shiro startled at that. His friend bit her lip and sadly looked at the ground. She'd stopped walking; she looked on the verge of tears. "Does he want to call off the wedding?"

The way she said it, like she really believed her own words, had Shiro's anger dissolving in an instant. Regardless of the fact that Lance was the princess of this planet, Shiro couldn't help but still feel responsible for her. He knew she could take care of herself but as long as he was in Cloyetera, she was still going to be under his care.

As a leader and a friend it was his job to make sure that everyone in his team was doing okay. It didn't matter that Lance was no longer the blue paladin. It didn't matter that she was leaving the team to start a new, possibly dangerous, journey. She was always going to be part of their team. And no matter how old she got, Shiro was going to keep looking after her and the rest of his teammates. They were his family.

And seeing Lance in so much pain was not okay. A surge of protectiveness welled up inside him and he pulled her into a one armed hug. Lance practically melted against him and she sniffled. He stroked her hair and made his voice as soothing as he could. "Of course he doesn't want to call off the wedding. Keith loves you Lance. Right now he's just blowing off some steam. He was angry." He glanced down at her. "You should have told him."

Lance glanced down but she nodded. "He didn't mean it, you know."

Shiro blinked. "He didn't mean what?"

"To snarl at me." Lance clarified. "When Keith feels too much, his emotions go haywire. His Galra side comes out." She lifted her head and looked at him through pleading eyes. "He didn't mean to scare everyone." She glared to the side. "There was no need to pull out weapons on him. He's still learning to control his Galra side. He was probably ashamed that he scared everyone. Can you –" Lance hesitated and gripped the back of his black jacket. "Can you tell him that it's okay? That I'm not mad he did it? I feel like he's probably beating himself up for it and since he won't talk to me I was hoping that you would talk to him instead?"

For a moment Shiro could only stare at her in wonder. Keith and Lance were definitely soul mates. Even while separated they knew what the other was worried about or thinking. Keith had been beating himself up for growling at Lance. He'd been worried that he'd scared her away. When he and Krolia had confronted him after he bolted from the meeting, it was the first thing he asked. He was still pissed but he was also worried that Lance now hated him. Shiro and Krolia had assured him that she didn't and honestly?

That was probably true. Shiro had been watching the two closely and while everyone pulled out a weapon and jumped when Keith growled at Lance, Shiro's eyes went to the Amazon princess. She hadn't flinched. She hadn't backed away.

She didn't waver.

What more could Shiro ask for of Keith's future wife?

Shiro could only smile. Keith had picked a good woman to marry. Shiro wholeheartedly approved. His smile gentle, he reached up and ruffled Lance's hair, enjoying the startled look she gave him for the action. "You can tell him yourself the next time you see him. I'm sure he'd believe it more if it came from your own mouth."

Lance frowned and stepped back to give him some space. "But he won't talk to me."

"He will."

Lance looked at him dubiously. "How do you know?"

He shrugged. "I just do." He smirked. "And if he doesn't then I'll tie him up and deliver him personally to you." Lance's mouth twitched. "I'll even put a bow on his head."

Lance laughed. The sound sweet and so so real. His friend had a tendency to put on a fake smile when she didn't want to worry her friends. It didn't fool Shiro though. He watched everything. He knew when she was faking. But right now…right now it actually sounded genuine.

Her face a little flushed, she hooked her arm around his and continued to drag him to who knows where.

Who knows?

Her surprise might actually be a good thing.

---

Lance took them to the healing chamber.

Was she taking him for a check-up? Seriously?

He couldn't help but pout. He'd actually been looking forward to this surprise of hers but if it was just a check-up then he was not in the mood. He visited the place enough times already. He didn't want to come in if he didn't have to.

Lance poked his cheek and had the audacity to smile at him. "Relax. You'll like your present. Trust me."

Not trusting himself of possibly whining and receiving more odd stares he kept his mouth shut and nodded. The lights were low and glowed a warm blue. It was definitely cold inside but at least he was all bundled up. Lance led them to the elevator and pressed the number three on it before leaning back on the wall.

Some classical music played inside. It was mostly violins but it sounded nice. All too sound they had reached their floor and the two of them stepped out. There were healing pods all over the place but in the right corner sat a desk.

And behind that desk was a middle-aged blonde woman with short curly hair and stern hazel eyes. Olwen. The head healer. Noticing their presence the woman looked up from her book and smiled, gesturing to the two chairs in front of her desk. He'd seen a lot of her over the past few days since they'd arrived in Cloyetera.

Shiro shot a questioning glance at Lance who sat down beside him. Why were they here? Olwen closed her book and gave them her full attention. She was still dressed in her white long dress, the star shaped pin fastened above her right breast. Unlike the golden shaped pins, this one shimmered in different colors when the light hit it just right.

Right now it was blue but as she leaned forward it changed to a pinkish color. "Your highness, Mr. Shirogane," she greeted them. "Its nice to see you again."

Lance inclined her head. "And you as well Olwen."

The head healer turned to him and she suddenly looked excited. She turned her attention back to Lance. "Did you tell him? Has he agreed?"

Shiro arched brow. Had he agreed to what?

Lance looked down at her lap in embarrassment. "Not exactly?"

Olwen glared. "Well? Do it now."

Lance released a whoosh of air and turned to him. She looked nervous. "Shiro, the reason I brought you here was because –"

He gestured for her to continue.

His friend took another deep breath before exhaling. "Because we want to grow you a new arm."

Shiro's mind went blank. "I'm sorry, what?"

Lance flailed her arms. "It's perfectly safe!"

Olwen nodded at the front. "Her highness is correct. It certainly takes time but we have been successful numerous times." She cocked her head; a single curly blonde strand fell forward before she pushed it away. "Would you be interested in that?"

Shiro didn't know what to say. They could grow him a new arm? How exactly would that work? All Shiro could imagine was planting someone's arm, burying it, and then watering it every few days until it sprouted but that was silly. No way that could happen.

Shiro licked his lips nervously.

Lance squeezed his shoulder and peered into his eyes. "You don't have to do it if you don't want to. But if you ever change your mind, the option will still be available."

He glanced at Olwen. "This…procedure…how exactly would you grow me a new arm?"

Looking quite excited the older woman began to explain. They would need to cut a few pieces from his stump in order to start growing the new appendage. After that they would place it inside one of the healing pods that they had, injecting with vitamins every day to get it to grow. It'll take at least a month before it starts to resemble an arm. Once it starts resembling an arm the healers will measure his other hand, take pictures of it, and change the doses the new arm needs. That too will take another month but after that the new arm will look exactly like his other arm.

And finally, after all of that they will put the arm in a stasis where it will stay until Shiro was ready to have the last procedure done. Olwen told him that it would be a long procedure because they'd have to attach all the nerves and do a test to see if the new hand takes to its host but after that…he'll have his arm back.

It sounded too good to be true. But Lance would never lie about something like this. She wasn't cruel enough to do so. If Lance had mentioned this to him then she obviously believed it would work. Did Shiro want his arm back?

Yes, he kind of did.

But they were in a war. What if something happened and he lost his arm all over again? The prosthetic that his friends and the science division were making would surely fare better during their upcoming battles but after…if they really got rid of Zarkon during the Kral Zera ceremony…then yeah. He'd definitely be interested.

If he let them take a few pieces from his sump now they could start the process. It would take months anyway and when their fight with Zarkon was over, his new hand would be waiting for him.

Shiro glanced up. "Who would do the procedure at the end? The whole attaching of the nerves?"

Lance opened her mouth, her body turning to Olwen when the older woman spoke before her. "Her highness will."

Lance almost fell of her seat. "I'm sorry what?"

Olwen blinked innocently at her. "What part did you not understand your highness?"

Lance gestured her hands wildly in a circle. "Everything!" Her blue eyes were wide in disbelief. "I don't know how to do that procedure!"

Olwen's lips twitched. "Yet."

Lance startled. "What?"

"You don't know how to do the procedure. At least not yet, but you will." Her hazel eyes seemed to twinkle in the warm blue light. There was a certain glint that Shiro couldn't identify in them. Determination perhaps? Pride? "Don't think I've forgotten about you not finishing your training young lady." Lance winced and fidgeted in her seat. Olwen smiled. "You'll be home for a while, plenty of time for you to learn and master this procedure."

Shiro licked his lips. He'd made his decision. "I'll do it if Lance does the procedure at the end."

Lance gaped at him.

"Lance," Shiro started, his voice gentle. "You can do this. When you put your mind to it you can do anything. That's how I know that this procedure will go well. Because you'll be the one doing it. I trust you. Do you trust me?"

Lance shakily nodded.

Shiro smiled and patted her knee. "Then trust in my decision. You can do this Lance. I have total faith in you. What do you say?"

Lance grew silent, gathering her thoughts. She glanced at Olwen with a serious expression. "Do you really think I can do this?"

Olwen didn't hesitate. "There is no doubt in my mind your highness."

That seemed to be the right thing to say because Lance slowly nodded and turned to him. "Okay. I'll do the procedure at the end. I won't fail. You can count on me Shiro."

Olwen nodded and clasped her hands together on top of the desk. "Excellent." She turned to Shiro and tilted her head. "Shall we begin?"

---

Cutting off pieces of his stump hadn't hurt. They gave him something so he wouldn't feel anything but once it wore off Olwen was kind enough to remind him that he'd feel a little discomfort. As he slowly got to his feet his eyes drifted over to the corner where both Lance and Olwen were currently discussing something. The two were bent over a container filled with green water, Olwen's usual stern voice somewhat gentle as she pointed things out to Lance.

His friend for her part looked oddly serious. She kept pointing at things and asking questions before typing them down on her new transparent bracelet. It was still hard to believe. He'd be able to have his hand back. He'd be able to be normal again.

In case he still had doubts Olwen lead them to the fifth floor where she was already growing limbs for some of the Amazons who had lost a limb during battle. They were a strange sight. Some looked like balls of cluster. Others looked the size of a baby's arm or leg. Olwen assured him that they were growing nicely though. To think, his arm would soon be joining this room as well. Lance already assured him that she'd send him pictures as his arm grew. For some reason that comment made it sound like he was eager to see the process of a baby born.

Shiro exhaled and took a look around the room before he began to put on his jacket. It was still chilly inside. A slightly colder hand took the jacket from his grasp and he turned, not surprised to see Lance standing in front of him. The scent of raspberries followed her everywhere.

"Need help?"

Shiro nodded.

In no time at all Lance had bundled him up. She'd even put a gray scarf around his neck. He felt oddly embarrassed. He was the adult here. Lance just grinned at him and smiled. "Happy early Christmas present Shiro."

He pulled her into a one armed hug and squeezed her tight. What Lance had given him…it was beyond words. "Thank you," he murmured into her hair. "Thank you."

Lance patted his back and stepped back. "Now come on, we still have a whole day to explore."

Shiro was already in a good mood. He had a feeling that if Lance told him they were going to jump off of cliffs next he'd probably agree in a heartbeat.

Lance snickered. "No cliffs. I promise."

"So where are we going next?" He asked her as they made their way out of the healing chamber and back outside. It was already ten in the morning. He hadn't known they were in there that long.

Lance sent him a wide grin. "We're going to get massages."

Shiro stared. He didn't know if he was all that comfortable having someone see his scars while they massaged him. He scratched his cheek. "I don't think I'll like it."

Lance walked ahead. "You'll love it."

He followed after her. "No, I won't."

"Yes, you will."

"Lance, I really won't."

---

He fucking loved it. The woman giving him the massage looked like she could snap him in two and not break a sweat while doing it but damn, she knew just where he hurt. Her pressure was great and all too soon Shiro was putty in her hands. This lady had just made it into the top five women that Shiro would sell his soul to. The lunch lady was still number one though; he had yet to taste a better Mac & Cheese than hers.

"I'm telling Hunk." Lance teased.

Shiro briefly tensed. "Don't you dare."

On the other side of the curtain where his friend was getting her own massage she laughed. "I told you you'd love it."

Shiro who was face down and getting the best massage of his life did not appreciate her smug tone. "Shut up Lance."

Her laugh turned into a groan. "Abby, that is the spot!"

"So much tension in your shoulders your highness," Abby murmured. She had a bit of an accent; so did Shiro's own masseuse whose name was Claudia.

"Well," Lance huffed. "Almost dying and dealing with a ten thousand year old witch can do that."

Shiro snorted. "Amen to that."

With a groan Shiro relaxed on the table as Claudia's warm hand slid smoothly up and down his legs, he'd so needed this. "So much tension," Claudia murmured. "You should have come sooner."

Shiro hummed in response. He had the feeling that if he spoke his words would sound more like a croak. He could stay here all day. He was definitely going to come back. Perhaps he'd bring Allura.

"No can do," Lance groaned on the other side. "I still have plans for us."

Shiro let out a groan of his own when Claudia used her elbow to massage his scapula. "Nothing will be better than this."

Lance snorted. "Oh, Shiro you have no idea what awaits us next."

"Fine," he grumbled. "Just let me sleep."

The last thing he heard was Lance's light chuckle. He woke up about an hour later feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world. As soon as he was done getting dressed, they gave them both a pinkish robe, Lance pulled the curtain apart and dragged him off to some other room where they proceeded to get facials and Shiro will forever deny it, but he got his nails done.

He didn't let them paint them but he got a nice little trim. His face felt so nice and smooth right after and getting pampered wasn't all too bad. The Relaxation Island was definitely becoming his favorite island by far. Sure, he hadn't visited the other four yet but so far this place was number one.

It had a Japanese feel to it. Though that made sense since according to Lance, this island was made specifically for him. Everything he liked, it was here, though clearly the spa was something Lance wanted herself.

Even the restaurant that Lance led them to was styled in Japanese. They served sushi here and though the food was a different color, the food tasted exactly the same as the ones from Earth. Shiro almost cried. Getting to the island itself had been pretty cool. They had these sphere like vehicles to maneuver from island to island. Shiro got to see the scenery from underwater; he got to see giant sea horses in all types of color. He got to say hi to some of the Myr swimming by. Even saw a giant red octopus.

He'd been a little worried when they finally got to the island. There was a volcano that kept puffing out black smoke. Lance assured him more than once that it wouldn't erupt but Shiro couldn't help but keep a close eye on it anyway.

Lance chuckled where she was nibbling on a rice ball, she had barely touched her meal, before her eyes glanced around the room and she gasped. Her eyes were wide in disbelief.

Shiro was immediately on alert. His eyes narrowed, he picked up Lance's fork, ready to stab any danger coming their way. "What is it?"

Lance opened and closed her mouth for several seconds before she uttered only one word. "Slav."

Shiro shot to his feet. "Well, time to go."

Lance frantically pulled at the sleeve of his robe and pointed at something behind him. Probably that tumor-inducing creature. Shiro wasn't going to turn. He was having a great time; he didn't need his mood to be ruined. "I'm not looking Lance. I'd rather die." He made sure to look at anything else but behind him. If they didn't get out of here soon and that bastard saw them then Shiro would use the fork held tightly in his hand to commit murder.

Lance could probably get him out of jail.

Perks of being friends with the princess of this planet.

"Shiro," Lance's voice sounded incredulous. "I think he's on a date."

Shiro whipped his head in the direction she was pointing at so fast he felt his neck crack. As soon as his eyes made contact they widened. "Holy shit."

"Don't curse," Lance paused. "But yeah, holy shit."

A few tables away from them sat Slav and a red headed Amazon. Slav was wearing a similar robe like he and Lance were, they'd cut holes for his six hands, and he was wiggling his eyebrows at the woman across from him.

The woman giggled into her hand before she reached for another rice ball in the center only to bump into one of Slav's hand as he went to retrieve one as well. For a moment the two just stared at each other. Slav was blushing and Shiro would bet good money that the woman was too. It was like a scene in a typical shoujo manga.

Shiro resisted the urge to gag. Slowly sitting back down lest he attract more attention to himself, he ducked his head and whispered to Lance who was still staring in disbelief. "You think she's blind?"

Lance's lips twitched. "Maybe deaf too."

Shiro nodded solemnly. It was the only explanation that made sense to him. Or maybe Slav had used hypnosis. The guy was a genius; Shiro wouldn't put it past him.

"Oh, my god." Lance gaped. "I think that's Cyra."

Shiro turned, eyes wide as can be and gaped. "What the fuck?"

The redheaded woman still had their back to them so he couldn't confirm or deny what his friend said. He turned a little more to get a better look when Slav glanced his way and gaped. Shiro shot to his feet and pulled at Lance's hand. "We have to go!"

Lance resisted. Why? Why was she resisting? Did she want him to commit murder? Because if she did then she was going to have to join him. No way he was going to jail by himself. Did the Amazons even have jail cells? Or did they just jump straight to the execution? "We haven't paid yet!"

Shiro pulled her more urgently but Lance had always been a little stronger than him. She barely budged. "Forget about that! We can come back later!"

"Shiro?"

God fucking damn it.

He knew that Indian accent anywhere.

Shooting Lance one of the dirtiest looks he could muster, he begrudgingly turned to see Slav standing in front of their table. Cyra was clutching one of his arms. Glancing nervously at Lance, she offered them a sheepish wave.

Lance for her part offered a tight smile.

Slav's attention was solely on him. He looked at him with pity. Shiro clenched the fork in his hand tighter. "So you saw."

What?

Slav sighed and shook his head. "This isn't how I wanted you to find out."

What the fuck?

"But its true," Slav glanced up at Cyra who blushed a pretty pink and tightened his hold on her arm. "I'm in love."

Shiro didn't know why Slav was telling him this. He kept looking at Shiro like he was sorry.

Lance put a hand over her mouth to hide her chuckles.

Shiro gave her a strange look.

Was he missing something?

Letting go of Cyra's hand Slav placed a hand on Shiro's knee. The black paladin for his part was contemplating whether to use his fork or not. He could probably make it out the door if he ran…

Slav's eyes twinkled as he gazed at him. "Just remember, it's not you, it's me."

Shiro's mind went blank.

Lance released a howl of laughter.

Maybe he should use the fork on her.

By now all the occupants inside the restaurant were watching, whispering amongst themselves. Slav was speaking in a loud voice, enunciating every word slowly and accurately. It made Shiro want to punch him. If this were any other situation, Shiro would have smiled at the fact that Lance was openly laughing again but she was laughing at him so she could go fuck off.

"You and I were never meant to be," Slav continued in a soothing voice. Shiro could feel his face turning into scowl. Cyra looked nervously at him. She looked like she was getting ready to bolt. Slav patted his knee and took hold of his face with four of his hands. Shiro bared his teeth at him. "Perhaps in another reality," he sighed wistfully. "You will find someone better. You will get through this." Lance really needed to stop laughing. "Just remember," Slav paused and smiled at him. "You and I will always be best friends."

Shiro stared. It's at this point that Shiro realized he should have let Slav die that day they crashed into that water planet instead of giving him CPR.

Slav put all six of his hands as if in prayer and lightly bowed to him. "Namaste."

For some reason that pissed him off too.

With nothing more to say, Slav stepped back, took hold of Cyra's pale hand and began to walk out of the restaurant.

"Who was that?" Cyra whispered to Slav as they began to leave.

Slav patted her hand kindly. "Just someone who has a thing for me. Don't worry, I've straightened him out."

Cyra gasped and slightly turned to look at Shiro. "Poor thing."

"Quickly," Slav said. "Let's get out of here."

And then they were gone.

There was a ringing in Shiro's ears. He could feel everyone openly staring at him but he didn't really care. It was the pitying looks he couldn't stand. It made him want to punch the look out of them. Lance was still laughing, well, it sounded more like a wheeze at this point. Shiro eyed the fork in his grasp, idly wondering if he should use it, but he'd probably get the shit kicked out of him by everyone in the restaurant if he stabbed their princess.

"Salt."

Lance slowly stopped laughing and cast him a curious look. "What?" Her voice sounded more like a croak.

"We need salt." At Lance's still questioning look he scowled. "We need to purify this place."

Grinning way too wildly for his liking, Lance shot to her feet, scooped up the two jars of salt on their table and began to throw its contents at everyone and everything.

Oh, god.

What had he done?

He should have known Lance would go overboard.

"My eyes!"

"Your highness, what are you doing?"

"Hey! That salt isn't cheap!"

As Lance began to cackle in the background, snatching salt from the other tables, a serene smile overtook Shiro's features. Nothing had happened. He just had a good lunch with Lance. Slav was never here. He repeated those three things over and over until he believed it.

Satisfied, he snatched another jar of salt and threw some at Lance who was currently running from the owner of said restaurant. Lance got him back pretty quickly by lifting all the remaining jars of salt in the air with her power and returned fire. Unfortunately, it hit everyone else too.

"Your highness!"

"My hair!"

"That's it!" Another woman screamed, this one a Valkyrie. "It's on!"

Soon enough everyone began to throw salt each other. Then food. Shiro swore he saw a shoe at some point but it didn't matter. Shiro was already bathed in salt, all that bad juju was surely gone by now, and he was a having a pretty good time.

All in all, he felt that the purification was a huge success.

---

They got kicked out of the restaurant. No surprise there. Shiro couldn't help but think that Lance had done this more than once and gotten away with it. As the middle-aged owner of the restaurant scolded the two of them for dirtying her place of work, Lance had looked bored. She didn't even bother hiding that fact either. Kept yawning and looking at her nails.

Shiro didn't think that was too wise considering the three blades strapped to the women's belt but Lance didn't seem too worried. Shiro would have to scold her later when they were alone. When the woman was finally done yelling at them, her face red in anger, Lance had simply slipped a bag of coins in her direction and put a finger over her mouth and winked at her.

The woman opened the bag, gaped, and then smiled warmly at them. Her attitude did a one-eighty. "Come back anytime!" she had said with a huge smile on her face. Shiro had still felt the need to apologize though, and he made Lance bow and do the same. She shot him a dirty look but did it anyway.

His friend was a bona-fide troublemaker.

She and Keith were fucking perfect for each other.

It only occurred to Shiro later on as Lance began to lead them to their next destination that he should have been the one distracting her. His friends had given him a mission and here he was, having Lance lead him everywhere she wanted. She was the one distracting him.

That should be okay, right?

Lance had left the house. She'd taken a shower. She was laughing. She hadn't had a whole meal just yet but he was sure he could fix that too. He had still completed his mission.

Right?

Shiro was going to say yes.

He was having a pretty good time overall as well. He and Lance needed to hang out more.

Up ahead, Lance shouted at him to hurry his 'old ass up' so they could get to their next destination. Shiro scowled. Such language; Keith was definitely rubbing off on Lance. She used to be such a good girl too. Lance and Keith really needed to talk to each other again. That way at least Lance could call Keith whatever name she wanted and not get her fiancée all butt hurt like he currently was.

Keith would gladly and eagerly call her something twice as nasty and Lance would just laugh it off. The two of them were so weird.

If he had been paying close attention he would have noticed that Lance was leading them to a vehicle that closely resembled a bus that led up the volcano. It's only when the air turned much hotter and a little more humid that Shiro looked at his surroundings. There was some sort of resort all the way up here. It looked fancy.

Shiro could only stare at the falling snow that looked more like ash. In fact, he was pretty sure it was ash. That volcano was puffing out a lot of smoke. Was that thunder?

Lance pulled at his sleeve and pushed him inside.

"Lance –" his voice sounded more like a croak.

Lance ushered him to a pink room with cubbies. "You'll be fine Shiro. Enjoy the hot springs."

Shiro's mind came to a halt. "Hot springs?"

"Yep! Enjoy!"

And then she was gone.

A part of him wanted to leave because they were way too close to that volcano but the other part of him really wanted to jump into those hot springs. His stump was starting to throb. They'd let them know if the volcano erupted right? Surely he would feel it if it did.

Shiro glanced at the glass doors a little further ahead. He could just barely make out smoke, rocks, and a lot of dark green water. The sun had already gone down but despite all the walking he had done today, he didn't feel all that tired.

He still felt oddly relaxed.

Oh, what the hell?

Why not?

Ridding himself of his clothes took a little longer than he would have liked, he had one arm, cut him some slack, but he managed to do it without having to call someone for help. Putting a towel in front of him to cover his assets, he couldn't quite wrap it around his waist; he slid the door open and walked out. White smoke immediately greeted him. The air felt warm.

On his right were showerheads and stools, even buckets and sponges, to take a shower. He was about to head right over there when someone made a strangling sound.

Shiro whipped around at the sound and felt his face turn red. Submerged in the hot water all the way to her neck was Lance. Her blue eyes were impossibly wide. Shiro was so startled to see her that he dropped his towel.

Lance stared.

Shiro stared, completely horrified.

And then he was running, all but diving back into the room he'd just been in when he heard a click. Shiro recognized the sound immediately. That was the sound of someone taking a picture.

His back pressed to the white doors Shiro shouted. "You delete that picture right now young lady!"

Lance didn't answer.

And that's when he heard the ringing.

"Hello?" Allura's nervous voice sounded. Shiro could just barely hear the others in the background. "Lance, is something wrong?"

"Allura." Lance greeted, her voice oddly serious. "I just called to tell you that I have seen paradise and it is Shiro's ass."

Allura made a strangling sound.

So did Shiro.

Allura released a squeak. "I'm sorry?"

"I just wanted to tell you that you are a very lucky woman." Lance paused. "But Keith's is still better."

Allura released an indignant cry. "Now you listen here –"

"I'll send you pictures. Bye bye."

The light went dead.

"You can come out Shiro!"

The fuck he will.

"Why are there no dividers here?" He shouted. His voice sounded a little higher than normal. His chest was still wildly beating and he was pretty sure his face was still red. No way he was coming out. Keith would kill him.

"You do realize that this is a planet full of women right?" Crap, he'd forgotten that. "We don't need dividers. But if it'll make you feel better…"

Numerous splashes were heard soon after; Shiro could feel the ground slightly shake under his feet. When it finally stopped it was deadly quiet.

Cautiously, Shiro slid the door open just enough for him to poke his head out and blinked. All the rocks had been rearranged horizontally in the middle. There was a huge rock in the center surrounded by some medium sized rocks on both sides. Had Lance done this?

"Is that better?" Lance called from the other side of the huge rock.

Shiro heaved a giant sigh in relief. Yes, it was. Now they couldn't see each other. He was still mad at her for the picture though. She'd sent it to Allura.

Huffing, he made his way to the showerheads, relieved that the smoke in the room made it hard to see, and began to wash himself. "Are you still mad at me Space Dad?"

Shiro clenched his jaw. "Don't call me that."

Lance paused, and when she spoke her voice sounded subdued. "Do you really hate that I call you that?"

Shiro glared in her general direction. "Of course I do! I'm not old Lance!"

His friend sighed. "I don't mean it to tease you, you know."

Shiro gave the area she was in a deadpan look.

"Ok," Lance amended. "Sometimes it is just to tease you, but Shiro," She hesitated. "You know I love my father right?"

He nodded stiffly but when he remembered that she couldn't see him he opened his mouth. "Yeah?"

Lance sighed in content. "My father and I are very close. He's the one I usually talk to, no offence to my mom. I love her but most of the time she wants to talk about me taking over as queen. Whenever I went home, I liked to spend time with my dad. He's the one I feel the most comfortable talking to. Sure, he nags me and scolds me sometimes but that's just because he cares."

Where was Lance going with this?

"When I joined the team," Lance continued wistfully. "I saw the way the others looked up to you. You clearly cared for them. You even cared for me and you hadn't known me all that long yet. I like talking to you. I feel like I can talk to you about anything and you wouldn't judge me. You'd given me advice when I needed it. You make sure I eat my meals, or take me to bed whenever I fall asleep in the halls. You even set up a bed time for us!" Lance chuckled and took a deep breath before letting it out. "The reason I call you Space Dad is because you remind me of my dad. And trust me, that's a compliment." Lance paused. By this point, Shiro was standing still, eagerly waiting to hear what she had to say. "But if it really does bug you, I suppose I can stop calling you Space Dad."

Shiro…felt oddly touched. Everything Lance had just said made him want to go over those rocks separating them just to hug her. And here he thought that Lance was just teasing him about his age this whole time. It figured there was a deeper meaning to it. He knew Lance loved her father; Mr. McLane had come and talked to her over the past few days. So had her mother but Mr. McLane was the one that actually got Lance to leave her room and at least roam the house instead of just her room. The two had spent some time together in the music room and although Lance hadn't picked up an instrument and joined her father while he played the piano, she had stayed, her face oddly relaxed as she just listened.

Did Shiro really want Lance to stop calling him Space Dad? Especially after hearing her reason as to why?

Shiro huffed, slowly submerging himself in the hot water. It was already making him feel better. He walked all the way to the center where the big rock was and leaned against it. He huffed and pouted. "Well, after hearing that…I suppose I can let you keep calling me that."

There was an incoherent scream from the other side before Lance's head suddenly popped up at the top of the big rock to gaze down at him. She was grinning, her blue eyes shining. "Really?"

Shiro frowned, all too thankful that the green water made it very hard to see his assets. "Sit back down young lady. You'll break your neck."

Lance grinned and sat back down on the other side. "Sure thing Space Dad."

Shiro splashed his face with some of the hot water. "You really like giving out nicknames, don't you?"

"Yup," She paused. "I wish Keith would give me one."

Shiro popped one eye open. "Have you given him any?"

"Yeah, but he's not a fan of them."

"What were they?"

"Babe."

Shiro cringed.

"Cuddle muffin."

Oh, god.

"Sexy pants."

Nope.

"Boogabear."

"I can see why he hated them."

Lance let out a frustrated groan. "Where they that bad?"

Shiro snickered as he closed his eyes. "Has he given you a nickname?"

He could practically feel Lance's pout on the other side of the rock. "No."

"Would you like one?"

"Yes."

"You should tell him."

Lance made a series of groans. "That's embarrassing! He has to find it himself."

"Lance." His voice was slow and patient. "This is Keith." He paused so she could let that fact sink in. "He probably won't."

"Oh, my god." Lance gasped. "You're right."

The two shared a laugh.

"So," Lance said after a moment of silence. "Why did you have to keep me distracted today?"

Shiro almost choked on the water. "I don't know what you're talking about?"

"Shiro."

"Yes?"

"I can read minds you know." Had she read his? Rude. "And no, I didn't."

Shiro narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "Really?"

"Well, I didn't need to. You were thinking it pretty loudly. Almost yelling it actually." Shiro felt the blood drain from his face. How much did she know? "Not much."

"Lance!"

Stop reading my mind!

"Sorry!" She sounded flustered. "Habit."

Shiro raked his hand over his hair, pushing the bangs away from his face. "How much do you really know?"

"Like I said," Lance was definitely pouting. He could hear it in her voice. "Not much. I stopped listening. Figured it was important."

Shiro heaved a giant sigh of relief. Good. He hadn't screwed up the mission.

"Shiro?"

"What is it Lance?"

She hesitated. "I know it's late but there's one more place I want to go."

"Lance, it's almost ten-thirty. It's way past your bed time."

"…I'm going to ignore that because it's actually past your bedtime," Shiro spluttered. "But this is important. I need your help."

His interest peaked, he leaned back on the rock to hear better. "What do you need help with?"

Silence.

"Lance?"

"I need your help picking out an engagement ring for Keith!" She said it all in one breath that Shiro was surprised he was actually able to understand it.

Lance wanted to go shopping with him?

She was asking Shiro to help her pick a ring for Keith?

He couldn't help but think back to what Allura has said just yesterday. "But…I'm not good at choosing gifts."

Lance snorted. "For girls maybe."

Shiro frowned. Why did ever keep saying that?

"But that's what I'll be there for. You can ask me for advice when it comes to picking out gifts for Allura and you help me out with Keith."

That was true he mused.

"So, what do you say?" Lance's head popped on top of the big rock he was leaning against and grinned at him. Brown strands of hair were plastered to her cheeks. "Want to help me pick out a ring for Keith?"

Shiro felt himself smiling. "It would me my honor."

Lance gave him a huge smile. "Thanks Space Dad."

And strangely enough, the silly nickname made him smile a little wider.

---

Reviews are more than welcome!

Keith & Lance next chapter! I promise!