Pidge has never been in any fancy social functions before she became a Paladin of Voltron. She has never attended the balls in clothes she made with her own hands nor danced with anyone (that is more of Allura and Lance's forte than the rest of them). She usually passed time by peering at every room she can find in the venue or standing at the side while tinkering with the holographic screen installed in her bracers. She rarely holds long conversations with the natives if the topic does not interest her. But this time is different.

Slow, fancy music swelled in the royal ballroom that is a reminiscence of the classical waltz music that Pidge only hears in music streaming sites back in Earth. The crystalline chandeliers above showered them in breathtaking fractals of lights. Guests, both Hyperian and their honored guests, dotted the mosaic dance floor as they swayed and danced with the music.

And Pidge…Pidge did not expect to be one of them. The moment the vision ended, before the rest could get their bearings back, she excused herself and ran out of the sacred chamber. She didn't wait for the king and the queen's verdict - all she cared about was to find a hiding place (or a wall to melt to, in this situation). It's not like she was ashamed of her work, no, but the disorienting feeling of embarrassment got the best of her. Allura told them that the Hyperian royals will see the time when the clothes were made, but she did not tell them that they would feel the memories and emotions that come with them so strongly as if they are actually living those moments. She swears that if she stayed in that chamber after the ritual, she would die in embarrassment with Lance drilling a grin from ear-to-ear at the back of her head. Nope! She would rather become one with the wall or even better, have the polished floor swallow her up.

Shiro, however, caught up with her before she finds a suitable wall to merge with. He did not say a thing about what they've seen in the sacred chamber and opted to guide her back to the ballroom where the others have started mingling with the guests and in Lance's case, hitting on the nearest unfortunate female Hyperian. Of course, Pidge did not have anything to do to spend the rest of the ball and she debated whether to sneak away the moment Shiro turns away from her when the Black Paladin offered his flesh arm and asked her for a dance. She blinked at him in confusion at first, but relented in the end.

Pidge was in no way a dancer, having no experience beforehand. Shiro seemed to a decent dancer, slowing down and teaching her the basic steps. Fortunately, their combat training proved to be helpful and in no time, she managed to match up with the Black Paladin's steps. They glided across the dance floor, surrounded with the other dancers, as the song slowly transitioned.

"You know, Katie," Shiro said, prompting the smaller Paladin look up to him. "Before the Kerberos mission, your brother, Matt, often tells me stories about you. He would always tell how you scored the highest in school, how you would easily catch up to his studies in the Garrison, and how lucky he is to have you as his sister. During the Kerberos mission, Commander Holt told me once that you will someday surpass them. That you are going to be part of something that will make the whole Universe sit up and take notice, and I think," Shiro smiled. "He is right. You became someone that only a chosen few could be. You became a Paladin of Voltron."

"I already told you this before but…" He let go of her and placed a hand on top of her head. "Continue being great, Katie."

"Shiro…" Pidge blinked away the incoming tears. She did not expect this to become sentimental, but damn it! Either her mascara gets ruined or someone else's clothes. She settled on hugging Shiro while keeping the front of her face away from his suit. "Thank you."

"No, Katie. Thank you." Shiro returned the hug before pulling back. His eyes falling behind Pidge. "As much as I want to tell you more about your father and brother, we can do it later. There are others who are still waiting their turn with you."

Pidge followed his gaze and turned to see Hunk standing behind her. Hunk placed a hand on the back of his neck and smiled sheepishly at her. "Uhhh…hey Pidge – er, Katie. Sorry I'm not used to calling you that." He offered his hand. "Will you dance with me?"

The Green Paladin looked at his hand and then to Shiro who smiled encouragingly. She placed her hand on Hunk's and Shiro took this as his cue to slip away to the crowd. The music has gotten a bit lively, which suits the pair fine since Hunk seemed stiff and uneasy with the slower music and this time, it was Pidge who was leading the two of them.

"Pidge, I just wanna say thank you." Hunk said. "For, you know, making these clothes and stuff. I didn't know you have it in you – I don't mean that you can't! You're just amazing and cool, being the Green Paladin and all. I never had anyone understand me as an engineer like you do."

Pidge chuckled. "Thanks, Hunk."

"Team Punk always sticks together. Next time I managed to secure the kitchen from Coran, I'm going to make something you will like."

"As long as you don't tell Lance."

Hunk grinned. "Deal!" He peeled away from her and lifted a fist, which Pidge bumped with hers. They fell back to the beat of the song and glided to a double circle on the dance floor. Hunk led her to a spin before exchanging partners and the one that Pidge ended dancing with after Hunk was none other than their jolly Altean resident.

"Hello there, Number Five!" Coran greeted sunnily. "This is such a lively dance, don't you think so? It reminded me of one Altean dance where we dance in a forest of hellfire junipers. Blazing trees they are! They can burn you, but their sap is good for the skin. Can keep you blemish-free for five years if done right!"

Pidge raised an eyebrow. "I didn't know that putting tree sap that can potentially kill you is good…" She glanced at Coran's feet as she tried to match his steps with the livelier music. "But yeah, thanks for the information."

"Oh, don't worry about, Number Five!" Coran said. "As the Green Paladin, knowledge is your main weapon, and such knowledge could be useful for the near future." Pidge opened her mouth to refute that, but Coran is not finished yet. "Anyways, I would like to thank you for putting much effort on these clothes. You even put the best tailor than I've ever known ten thousand years ago to shame! Have you ever considered building a clothing shop of your own?"

Pidge shook her head. "No. Not really." She gave a small smile. "But I'm glad you like it."

"Oh! I certainly do!" Coran seemed really elated that she swore she saw his eyes sparkled. "In fact, I'm planning to wear this attire the next time we attended a ball. In my honor as Coran Hieronymus Wimbleton Smythe, I will make sure that the whole Universe knows how skillful our Green Paladin is."

It was ridiculous that Pidge held back her laughter. "Don't overdo it."

"Do not worry! Something like that would not hold me back." Coran guided her in a series of intricate, rapid steps before bowing down with a flourish. "I enjoyed dancing with you, Number Five, but now," He nodded at Keith who was standing at the edge of the crowd. "I believe it is Number Four's turn."

Pidge lifted her head and glanced at Keith with furrowed eyebrows. "Am I going to dance and have a heart-to-heart with everyone? I'm pretty sure I already did that with Allura."

"It's everyone's idea!" Coran answered. He turned the Green Paladin around and pushed her to the direction of the older Paladin. "Go on. Number Four's already getting antsy and the night is still young!"

"Right…"

Pidge waved goodbye at Coran and weaved through the crowd toward the direction of the Red Paladin. The click! clack! of her heels against the polished floor were drowned by the song and the chattering of the guests. Keith looked up and straightened as she approached.

"Hey."

"Uhh…hey." Keith was standing in front of her, but his eyes were looking at somewhere else. "Are you...is Coran done dancing with you?"

Pidge followed his line of sight, but only saw a blur of blue, black, and yellow on the upper floor that disappeared behind a decorated pillar. She is pretty sure who they are without looking at their faces. "Yeah." She answered, turning her attention back to the equally reclusive Paladin. "He is. He told me to come and get you."

"Oh…" Keith rubbed the back of his head bashfully. His eyes flickering to her briefly. "Do you…do you mind dancing with me?"

"Do you?" Pidge reflected the question back to him. The way Keith was acting now is strange for the usually temperamental Red Paladin. She would never take Keith to act shy and embarrassed. If there is anyone to blame for it, that would be the three that are probably peering at them from the upper floor.

Keith seemed surprised, but shook his head. "No. Not all." He offered a hand which Pidge took and they strode toward the dance floor. He seemed hesitant at first where to put his hands on her, but she guided him. "Sorry if I'm not a dancer."

"I noticed." Pidge smirked as they tried copying the other dancers' movements. The music has transitioned to something slower, but still fast enough to not cross the borderline of Earth waltz. "Don't worry. Shiro just taught me earlier and I have just danced with Hunk and Coran." She shrugged. "Still not enough to be a pro dancer."

"Still better than me, at least." Keith admitted. They lined up with the rest of the dancers; their feet finally matching up with the rhythm. "Hey, Pidge?"

"Yeah?"

"I just want to say sorry. Back when we were in Arus, I yelled at you for planning to leave the team. I should not have done that. Sorry. I should have probably tried to talk you down like Shiro did, but…" Keith sighed. "Thing is I never properly apologized."

"Eh? Don't worry about." Pidge said nonchalantly. "You're actually right, to be honest. It isn't just my family that was separated by this war. Yours too. Lance's, Hunk's, and even Allura's and Coran's. Sometimes, I think at how selfish I was back then. If you did not tell me off like you did, I might never realize it. So…thanks Keith."

Keith gave her a sideways smile. "I should be the one saying that. I know we started at a wrong footing but…I hope you don't mind starting over?"

"Of course." Pidge pulled them to a stop and offered her hand. "As the arms of Voltron."

Keith gripped her hand firmly and shook it. "As the arms of Voltron."

The pair was about return to dancing when Lance popped out behind Pidge. "Are you two done yet?"

"LANCE!" Pidge swore she almost had a heart attack. She growled at the Blue Paladin. "What the fuck?"

"What? You guys are taking too long!" Lance complained. "We're supposed to dance with you ten minutes tops and Mullet's already a tick past his."

Keith crossed his arms and scowled at him. "It's just a tick, Lance."

"Ah, ah! It's already five ticks." Lance corrected as he smirked. The Red Paladin threw him a What the fuck? look before placing his hand over his face and grumbling under his breath.

"Seven ticks."

"…Fine." Keith relented. He turned to Pidge with a small smile. "Thanks for the dance, Pidge. I…enjoyed it, I suppose."

Pidge returned the smile. "Me too."

"Nine ticks!" Lance almost hollered at Pidge's ear.

"I GET IT!"

Keith reminded himself that Patience yields focus and not Strangle Lance. He exchanged goodbyes to Pidge and told her he will see her back to the Castle. He slinked back to the crowd, but not before throwing a dirty look at Lance who was preening like a peacock. The Blue Paladin took Pidge's hand and pulled her toward the center of the dance floor, despite her protests. She was about to tell him off when he stretched out a palm and bowed down with a flourish "May I have this dance, Lady Holt?"

It took all her willpower not to either smack him upside down the head or laugh like crazy because really, Lance looks ridiculous right now. She placed a hand on his open palm. "Fine. Just because you look stupid right now."

Lance placed a hand on his chest and mocked hurt. "You wound me, Milady."

Pidge rolled her eyes. "Are we dancing or not?"

Lance pouted, but relented at the end. As the music swelled into a new one, Pidge was met with something both expected and unexpected. Lance did not disappoint. He is an excellent dancer and within the first chorus, he managed to both match and guide Pidge into slow and elegant steps that will probably take years for her to master. She was impressed and enthralled at the same time that she did not notice that the other dancers have moved farther to give way for them. A loose circle of onlookers was watching mesmerized with the dancing Green and Blue Paladins of Voltron.

"You're not a bad dancer yourself, Katie."

"Keep that up and I might bring out my bayard and cut your hair a new one." Pidge warned, but not without the twinge of playfulness in her tone. "In all honesty, you're a better dancer. Even better than Shiro."

Lance smiled proudly at himself. "Everything to impress the ladies."

Pidge rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever McClain."

Lance held her hand firmly as she did a twirl. "You know, Pidge. You're incredible." That earned Lance a raised eyebrow. "I mean it. Sneaking into the Garrison and pretending to be a guy? It takes guts. Honestly, I don't think I can do what you did. Or anyone else in that matter. You're a genius! And a hacker too. If what happened to your family happened to me, I might just end up waiting for an answer and accepting whatever that answer is."

"Lance…" Pidge gave him a soft smile. "I don't think so. I think you will do the same that I did but different."

"Still, you're amazing, Pidge, and I'm glad you're with us." The music slowed to a lull and Lance wrapped Pidge in a tight hug. "We're also your family, Pidge, okay? We'll help you find your dad and brother so, please depend on us sometimes."

Pidge returned the embrace, standing on her toes to properly reach the taller Paladin. "Yeah." She mumbled against the crook of his neck. "Thanks, Lance." They stayed like that, swaying at the quiet, slow song until it ended, before returning to the others who Pidge calls her second family.