"Good morning." Keith says sweetly. Lance rolls over to smile at him.

"Good morning to you too~" with a soft kiss, Lance asks, "How long have you been up?"

"Not too long," he assures him. "Just couldn't bring myself to wake you. You were sleeping so peacefully."

"Aww, sweet. Stalkerish, but sweet." Lance reaches up to pinch his nose. Keith pulls away with a sour face.

"It's not stalkerish."

"Well maybe not in your perspective." he smiled at him - that sarcastic troublemaker smile that had annoyed Keith for months when they first met but eventually had become endearing. Lance's hair was curling around his ears and down the nape of his neck, which had grown a little. His hair growed slowly unlike Keith's, which had always grown at such a fast pace.

Usually he cut it by now, keeping it just from touching his shoulders.

That was until Lance had told him he liked it longer.

Keith smirks, adjusting himself to pull Lance against his chest. Lance happily nuzzles into it, listening to the beat of Keith's heart.

"What time is it?"

"Dunno. Early I guess." Keith admits, "Almost breakfast time."

"Guess we have to go." Lance's gaze lowers, saddened that their time was coming to an end.

"Not for long." Keith says. Reaching over Lance, he feels around the floor for a moment for his pants. Lifting them, he pulls out a piece of paper from his pocket. Unfolding it, he motions to the lines he had scratched down. Each line marked a day that had passed.

"It's almost been a month. Four more days." Keith tells him. "That is all I'm willing to give Allura and Shiro before I come and take you by force."

Lance was shocked, dumbstruck. "You… You were counting…?" of course he was, this was Keith after all. Touched beyond words he bit his lower lip. "Sweetheart."

The red paladin's gaze turns soft, and for a moment, Lance is completely swept away with the promise in those eyes. There's nothing dirty, heated or sinister in them. They're warm and enticing and so damn sincere that he's finding it hard to look away, let alone breathe.

"I'm not letting anyone take you from me ever again."

"Is that a promise?" Lance whispered

"A solemn vow."

Lance won't say he cried, because he didn't, but he sure was close. Squeezing the living daylight out of Keith in a hug, he giggled against his chest. Keith chuckled back.

The laughter suddenly died off, replaced with an accusation.

"What the- So you were the one who took it!"

Not sure what he meant, Lance lifted his head and followed his gaze. The plush red lion doll he had specially made for Keith back on Iespion was standing at the end of his bed.

"Oh…" he grins, sheepish. "I did, yeahhhh."

Keith's pout couldn't be cuter, the utter betrayal coursing through his eyes, "I thought I lost it. I was so upset!"

Lance quickly sat up to hug it against his chest, "I'm sorry. So sorry!"

"Why did you even give it to me if you were gonna take it?" Keith demanded, grabbing it's leg to tug it away. Lance whined, fighting against him for its possession.

"Well because!" truth be told, the reason he had taken it was very simple. It smelled like Keith. His hair, his skin, it was him and Lance had clung to this thing these past few nights as a comfort.

"I need it~"

"But it's mine!" Keith tugged as hard as he could. Back and forth they pulled, like two children fighting over a toy in a pitiful battle of tug-o-war.

Lance whined again and to his surprise Keith gave in, releasing his hold on the leg. He crossed his arms and legs in the middle of the bed, giving him the stink eye.

"But I love it…." he mumbled

Officially feeling bad Lance scooted over to find a compromise, "I just sleep better with this." he tells Keith. He blushed, muttering, "It smells like you. So I like it."

Of course Keith instantly perked up, smiling. "Yeah? Well then you can use it." he changes his mind, "Tomorrow. You can use it tomorrow. I want it tonight." he holds out his hands demandingly.

Huffing Lance handed him the plush, "Fine, but I get something of yours as a trade." he tossed his legs over the bed to stand up.

"What kind of trade is that?" Keith questions, "This was mine to begin with. I shouldn't have to give you something to take it back."

"Too late, it's happening." of all the things Lance decided to take of Keith's, it was his socks. Call him weird, but they stank of Keith, so it was the best option. Kind of gross though… "How many days have you worn these?"

Keith shrugs, "Two days maybe?"

"That's fine then," he slips them over his feet with a smile. "Taking these."

The look Keith gave was the very definition of shame. "Of all the things. Why?" he shakes his head.

"Just accept it."

As Lance started getting ready for the day, Keith lingered on the bed, watching him.

"You gonna get up or just sit there looking pretty?" Lance teased, brushing his hair back. Keith smiles, leaning back on his palm.

"You should probably head out first. Allura might get suspicious if we show up at the same time." he suggested.

Lance's lower lip puckered, "Yeah, guess you are right." he sighs. Shrugging on one of the jackets Tellru made he saluted him. "See ya in a bit." he scooted out the door without another word.

Keith wished he had given him a goodbye kissed before he left.

"See ya…"

When the door closed, Keith folded his hands together. He took a deep breath and waited. One minute, then two, finally he felt it.

Without bringing too much attention to the feeling, making sure to keep his face calm, he lifted up a hand to grip his shirt, right over it heart.

It hurt.

The pain was slowly beginning to grow with each beat of his heart.

There was nothing to do about it, so he got up and got dressed. He met up with the team a little later after returning his red lion plush to his room.

He admits that he lingered in his room a bit, hugging the plush to his chest and burying his nose into it. He was so glad it was back, but more than that, it now smelled like Lance…

Taking a few minutes to appreciate it he joined the others. They were approaching the meet up site for the coalition. It was a small planet that was more of like a fuel site for passing ships. They had won it over from the Galra a few months back and had used it from time to time to meet together.

"Just got word from the Blade of Marmora." Pidge announces from her chair, "They are at the checkpoint and have gathered the alliances." she pauses, "To think we already have so many people on our side."

"Seemed like just yesterday when we were fighting Zarkon on our own." Hunk agrees, "It's nice to have support."

Lance leaned forward, curious, "So how many people are we talking about here?" he inquired, "I don't remember having too many allies before Keith and I left."

Shiro turns with a bright smile, "You're right Lance, we didn't." he presses a button on the console to show a large list of allies, each highlighted a different color to show with planet they were from on the map. "In the months you were gone though we have managed to steadilly grow in numbers."

Lance felt his jaw hit the floor, looking to Keith in shock. He is just as amazed, standing to examine the list up close. "This many in such a short time…?" he smiles, impressed. "With this many people- defeating Zarkon doesn't sound so impossible."

"Indeed." Allura says, proud of everything they had done. "We're hoping to continue to expand and have gathered a few more forces to this meeting, hoping to have them join our cause."

"Right, so let's be on our best behavior." Shiro says with a fold of his arms, "For now let's get down there and greet everyone."

Moving the ship to land, many of their previous allies had run to meet them.

"So it is true, you have been located!" Slav of all people was scurrying up to them, taking Lance and Keith's hands, shaking them wildly. "The chances of you being found in this reality was less than 12%!"

"Oh?" Lance says awkwardly. "Guess that 12% was on our side."

Quickly side stepping away from him, already sensing the twitching eye brow of their leader, they pushed on. Not everyone was aware of Keith and Lance's disappearance, but the ones who did welcomed them back with opens arms.

Kolivan had even stepped forward to welcome them back. "It is good to see you unharmed." he holds his arm out. Keith takes it, nodding.

"Well, we had some help."

"I heard." he nods, his gaze moving to the side for a moment. His eyes suddenly… softened. It was a very strange sight for the normally fierce leader of the Marmora. Curious to what he was staring at Lance followed his eyes.

It was a person. To be more specific, it was another Galra.

"Hey…" he paused, stepping back to eye a certain Blade of Marmora member towards the edge of the clearing. He had his arms folded neatly behind his back, standing tall towards and surveying the area. He seemed to be stationed like a guard, watching over the passing allies, examining each closely to insure everyone was safe.

His mask had been lowered, revealing fuzzy ears tinted in white. The rest of his face with a light purple except for a small almost triangle spot on his forehead that matched the white of his ears.

He had rather soft features for a Galra, his eyes wide but ready for anything that might thrown at him.

"Relo." Lance realized. Hunk tilted his head.

"You know him?"

"Yeah, I do." Lance booked it in his direction. He had only met him once, but he couldn't forget Relo saving his life back on Iespion. During that Galra attack, he had been the one to help Lance escape so he could get the Coeihns off that Galra cruiser. "Relo!"

He turns his head, ears perking up. Realizing it was Lance, they relaxed, "Blue Paladin." he greeted. "It is good to see you are well and reunited with the others."

"How do you two know each other?" Pidge inquired.

"He was on Iespion." Lance explained, "During the Galra attack he helped us out."

"That was you." Keith realized. He extended his hand, which Relo shook. "Thank you."

"Both for Voltron and Iespion's sake, I was happy to help."

"Whoa, so there really are Marmora hidden all over the Galra Empire." Hunk nodded his head.

"It's one of the reasons our forces are so pulled thin." Kolivan says, stepping next to them. "Due to his assistance with you Relo had to pull back from the Galra forces so as not to be detected and detained."

"Oh." Lance frowned, "We're sorry we blew your cover."

"Think nothing of it." he says quickly, "Iespion was saved and you missing paladins were returned. It was worth it."

Lance smiles, taking a moment to shake Relo's hand gratefully.

After that, the tough work had began. There was a lot to do and plan for to figure out their next move against Zarkon.

Before Lance had realized several hours had passed. Exactly what was done and what still needed to be? He wasn't sure. All he knew was that he hadn't seen Keith in a while.

He found him when he looked up, noticing the balcony Keith was leaning against. Seated to rest his arms on the railing his feet were hanging over the edge. His hand was gripping his chest, his jaw tight, like he was gritting his teeth.

Then he see Lance all tension leaving his face immediately. He smiles down at him, waving. That was how far their interaction had gone before they were both dragged off.

To say Keith was busy was an understatement.

They were there for three days, and during that time he hadn't seen Lance once. At least it wasn't from Allura's doing.

There was just so much to do and so many people to see and talk to that none of them could make any time for each other. Keith hadn't even caught a glimpse of Hunk since they arrived. His cooking skills were very popular so he was a big instigator in gathering and pleasing the alliance.

During that time Keith tried to get in some conversations with the Blade of Marmora. None of them were the talkative bunch, but he at least managed to get a few topics out of Relo. He was a very calming presence, willing to answer many of Keith's questions so long as it didn't involve the Blade of marmora personally.

Secret groups need to stay hidden, he supposed.

"Can't you at least tell me about this?" he lifted his blade, showing it to Relo. He barely batted an eye at it.

"It is a traditional blade for Mamora members; you are aware of this," Relo says robotically.

"Yeah, I got that. Can't you tell me more? Who it belonged to before maybe?" Keith pushed.

Relo shakes his head, "It would be impossible for me to do that. Blade identities are secret, so even if I did know who that blade belonged to before you, I could not tell you. I am sorry."

Keith sighs, tossing his blade back into the holster. "Not your fault…"

"You have a decent amount of answers from the blade alone, do you not?" Relo inquired.

"What do you mean?"

"You know you are Galra from it, meaning you know that whichever relative gave that to you was once in it, or is even in it now. To get answers within the Blade, you must be part of the Blade. You must earn the information you seek."

"I keep getting told that, yet I haven't exactly seen any information handed my way. As Allies, we aren't very trusting." Keith folds his arms.

"Should we be that trusting?" Relo inquired, "As you said, we are allies, but that does not mean you are one of us."

Keith slowly lifted his head, giving Relo a long look. "Isn't it enough to have this?" he motions to his blade.

"You being able to activate it is enough to keep it. If you want information, perhaps you should join our ranks? You've proven you are capable of that, and I am positive Kolivan would allow it."

Keith rubbed his chin. If Relo truly thought that then perhaps he should give it a try. "I am a paladin, would it even work?"

"You would be put into training, but since we are in war your paladin duties would come first. You can train with us whenever you are able, even join us on a mission when your presence is not require within your team."

It actually sounded fantastic. To be able to learn under their teaching and at the same time maybe even learn about himself.

Find out what he could about his heritage….

"Where is Kolivan now? I want to speak to him about this." Keith says.

Relo's lips pull into a smile and he motions ahead, "The meeting room. He will welcome you instantly." he assured Keith. "He spots strength fast. As well as the weakness of others." he looked ahead, his face suddenly softening. "He leads well."

"Have you known him for a while?" Keith wondered, not sure if that was something Relo could even tell him. When relo didn't immediately respond he thought so, but then he nods.

"A long time. We both joined at the same time."

So they had history. How far the went, Keith was positive he might never get the answer.

"Well thanks, Relo." Keith nodded his head in thanks and ran off. As Relo had assumed, Kolivan welcomed him with a solemn nod of his head and even offered him the Marmora gear. It was strange to see something so small compared to their usual members.

It was almost as if Kolivan had already known Keith would eventually come to join them and had it previously prepared.

That or they gave him an outfit they usually had younger Galran children wear, but he preferred to think Kolivan just had is specially made for him.

"You will be training for the most part with Relo." Kolivan informed him. "He will teach you our ways."

Keith nodded in understanding, letting Kolivan get back to his work. He held the outfit to his his chest, this bubble of excitement in his chest.

He wanted to tell Lance.

That proved to be difficult.

Lance was surrounded, the crowd large enough to block off every angle of approach. Keith was left to watch from the back, peeking over the heads of the alliance in hopes to even just catch a glimpse of his ocean blue eyes.

Keith wasn't much of a people's unlike the warm Blue paladin~

He was popular for sure, but more than anything he held an assuring presence in this tough time. Lance was able to give these people hope and a moment of peace with his charming smile and gentle voice. His jokes got people laughing, his banter enjoyable.

He was so beautiful.

Leaning against the wall, Keith lingered, watching from a distance.

A long, long distance.

The longer he stood there the more this pit formed in his chest. It was nasty, like a bile. All those eyes, the small touches to Lance's shoulders, the smiles and compliments that made him embarrassed, He wanted to shove his way into the crowd and take Lance far away.

He was sick of having to share him. To hold back because of his team….

Maybe if he hadn't been separated from him for so long it wouldn't be as bad.

But the more he stood there, watching, the more he felt…

Lonely.

Keith stops. He suddenly felt so cold.

His heart is gripping tight in his chest as the word comes across his mind. So many different feelings come with that single word. And not just loneliness as one would think.

For Keith, that word tended to go beyond its definition.

Loneliness was always a deeper meaning to those who truly knew what it meant to be alone.

Turning away, knowing he would just feel more upset the longer he was there, he made his way down the hall. He got halfway down before something strange happened.

Something that had been happening a lot lately.

For a moment, Keith felt overwhelmed with the wave of dizziness. He stumbles, catching himself on the wall. Everything was fuzzy and, he felt pain. It was everywhere.

He felt as though he was on a boat suddenly, lurching back and forth, unable to find his balance. He needed some air, his chest struggling to take in a few little breathes.

Thinking it was maybe from exhaustion he stepped outside, gulping down some fresh air.

It seemed to help and he felt better with time. Not sure what that was, he touched the back of his palm to his cheeks.

It was hard to tell if he had a fever by himself, but his cheeks were definitely red.

He returned to the castle to get something to eat but it only ended up making him feel like he was going to throw up.

000-000

Lance had barely managed to get away from the Coalition to get a breather. It was nuts out there, everyone wanting him to look over things, show them how certain guns works, as about previous fights.

He usually loved attention, but not for three days straight. He barely remembered everyone's name with how fast things were moving. When he returned to the castle to try and get some sleep, he wasn't that surprised to find everyone was gone. Off doing something else.

Well, everyone but Keith. He was in his room, accompanied by the mice.

Lance was curious to what he was doing and approached his door. Opening it just enough to see Keith within he saw the mice were surrounding his feet, looking up at him. He was standing before the mirror, his eyes lost in thought. He fingers were running over the dulled edge of his blade, a comforting sort of action to calm the raging through he held in his head.

Lance had seen that look many times when Keith started to think about his past- about his family.

He wanted to go in and draw his attention away from that, but he couldn't seem to move his feet.

Keith was wearing the Blade of Marmora combat gear. Had they officially brought him into their ranks?

He proved to them a long time ago he that he was trustworthy and a brilliant fighter.

Lance felt like he should have been proud that the Blade had welcomed him as one of their own. He should have been swooning at how amazing he looked in that outfit. He seemed taller, leaner and more muscular.

Yet he couldn't.

It was like the Blade was claiming him when he wore those clothes. A quiet announcement that Keith was there's and that the Blade was where he belonged.

A threat of taking him away.

He hated the idea.

"Excuse me, sir," Lance calls out to him, finding his voice. "I'm afraid what you are doing is illegal."

Keith turns abruptly, a soft smile touching his lips, "Which part?" he inquired, going along with Lance's playful ways.

"Looking that good is a crime in many galaxies, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to give you a ticket~"

Keith bite his lower lip, his grin wide. "Isn't there any way you could let me off with a warning? I'm just a simple paladin." he says, over playing the acting purposively.

Lance rubs his chin. "Hmm, well, I suppose I could. You have to do something first." his eyes glinting mischievously.

Curious, Keith lifts his eyebrow. "And what's that?"

"Take your hair down."

Keith was puzzled, "Take my- why?"

"I want you to." Lance husks, his voice deep even to his own ears. "Take your hair down, sweetheart."

Keith blinked, his eyes darkening like something had come over him. He reached up to pull the elastic from his hair, the motion purposively slow. Lance watched the shiny, raven strands fall over his shoulders and back. There was a tug of satisfaction when Keith's cheeks darkened, his eyes deep and waiting for Lance to order something else.

"Anything else?" he croaks.

"Show me those pretty eyes." Lance inches closer. Keith held his breath, waiting anxiously for Lance to move towards him. Closer, closer, he stopped next to the mirror, leaning and arm against it and bending his back down towards Keith, staring into his eyes.

"There they are." he brushes his finger to Keith's cheek. "Bright like the stars."

Keith swallows, feeling his eyes starting to close, hoping for a kiss. It never came, instead Lance looked worried. The small touch to his face was changed to his entire hand, cupping his cheek.

"You feel hot," he tells him.

"I'm fine." Keith says. "Was just at training, worked up a sweat." why was he lying? He didn't know…

"You sure?" with both his hands he surrounds Keith's face. He squishes his cheeks together, "Is my Keef feeling well?" he cooes.

Keith smiles, "I'm fine." he was, now that Lance was here.

"If you say so." Lance kisses his nose. "So, Blade of Marmora huh?" he forces a quick smile. "You get this recently or have you had this for a while?"

"Just got it. Thought I would surprise everyone. I'm gonna start some training with them." Keith explains, stepping back to show the outfit off. "How does it look…?"

"Good does not even begin to describe my thoughts on it," he says, his intensely blue eyes full of mischief. "Maybe you could do a little dance for me so I can fully appreciate it?"

Keith looks puzzled for a moment, thinks it over, then blushed. "Lance." he scolded.

"What? You know you want to~" he teased, reaching out to grip Keith's hips. "It's a skin-tight bodysuit. Skin tight." He felt like he was gonna purr in delight. "Can see every curve~"

The redness of Keith's cheeks seemed to grow brighter despite his best effort to keep a poker face. He shoves Lance a tad, stepping back.

Turning to grab his clothes to change he took a second to look at Lance over his shoulder. He might have wiggled his hips for the blue paladin, he might not have, the universe will never now. Either way, Lance was whistling for him.

As Keith began to change, Lance is suddenly called away.

A few minutes together should have been enough for him, but he would be lying if he said that.

So he stood alone, staring at himself in the mirror.

Eventually, he would go and join the alliances, the Blade, his team and together they would prepare for Zarkon.

Eventually, he would force conversations with strangers and attempt to grow bonds with them to strength the resistance.

Eventually, he would go and try to get along with Shiro and Allura, so the coalition didn't sense weakness within their team.

But for now, he would take a moment to compose himself. He would fight back the bile he felt rising in his throat when he realized he wouldn't be able to hold Lance's hand when he left.

He would act strong and smile whenever Lance looked his way, so his beloved wouldn't realize how much his chest was hurting.

Physically hurting.

It was a chore lately to breathe.

Sometimes the pain was so staggering he thought he should go to Coran and see what in the world was wrong with him, but he felt like he already knew.

He knew because the pain disappeared when he was with Lance. It only came back when he would leave his side for a long period of time.

It was the strangest thing, but this is what love was, right?

When you love someone wasn't it healthy to get dizzy when they were gone? To feel so sad you think you'd be better off… gone? Was in normal?

He wasn't sure. He had never been in love before now. So maybe it was? And if it wasn't, then what was wrong with him?

A plan is being formed to take down another section of the Galra Empire, yet somehow or another, the attention of the coalition is pulled elsewhere.

Somehow the news of Lance and Keith's relationship had been leaked.

Day 30 had passed. It has officially been a month, and Keith is waiting no more.