No one knew why Keith had suddenly collapsed, and at that moment it didn't matter as to why. All that mattered is that it happened when it shouldn't have.

"Keith!" an echo of voices called his name, each looking distraught. The first to get to him was Lance, despite being the farthest away. He was rolling Keith over, holding the back of his neck steady in his palm. He wanted to focus on the situation at hand, but he could feel dark memories edging it's way closer from the back of his mind. Keith's limp body was all too familiar….

He felt as though he was suddenly on Iespion again during the Galra attack. Keith's body had been pale then too, his chest unmoving. He could still recall how each second moved at a grueling speed when he tried to find Keith's pulse. His lips had been dried and chapped, his face lifeless but at peace. He had almost lost Keith that day.

He quietly pleaded with any unknown force that would listen to him. He didn't want to have to go through that again.

"Keith!" Lance's breath came out ragged and harsh as he pressed his fingers to Keith's pulse. Why? Why? The thought repeated over and over in his mind. Why was this happening?

To his relief, a pulse had followed this time around. As the team moved to surround their red paladin, prepared to rush him to a Cryo pod, Keith's body began to move again.

"Hn..." he grunts, eyebrows narrowing as he began to stir.

It hadn't taken too long for Keith to regain consciousness. He had merely fainted for a split second from some unknown cause.

When the rad paladin jostled his eyes open, he reached up to hold his temple, quick to apologize when he realized they were crowding him. "I… sorry. I got dizzy," he mumbles.

"Keith." Lance breathed out, opening and closing his palms against his shoulders. "What just happened?"

"Was it something you ate?" Shiro swallowed thickly, his voice tight with worry.

"No." Keith shakes his head. "No, I-" he observed Lance, noting the expression his face made. There was fear in the way Lance's fingers trembled, grasping every inch of Keith he could to ensure he was still there and okay.

"I'm okay," Keith whispered, taking one of those shaking hands. "I don't know why that happened."

"Exhaustion." Coran stepped forward with a guess.

"Exhaustion?" Allura questioned, chewing her thumb anxiously. "Have we been pushing him too hard?" It felt like a funny question from her in particular after these last few weeks, but Keith appreciated the concern. To an extent.

"He hasn't been sleeping well." Coran announced, "It has to be exhaustion."

"You knew about this before?" Shiro questions him, eyes narrowed.

Coran sighs and nods, "I discovered this earlier today. We were just about to head off on the mission, and he pleaded for me not to tell until it was over. With everything that happened with Lotor the matter spaced in my mind." he apologized, eyes heavy.

He could feel Keith giving him an accusing stare, betrayed that he revealed the information. "I'm fine." he insisted, "I haven't had the best sleep, yeah, but it's nothing."

"You just fainted." Lance choked, "Fainted, Keith. That is a huge deal." his hands were already moving to cup Keith's face. He couldn't quell how his body shook and shivered, his nerves unable to find peace after what he had just witnessed.

He wrapped an arm around Keith's shoulders and pulled him close.

Despite the heaviness in Keith's stomach, it fluttered at the feeling of Lance's body pressed against his. He sunk into the warmth of his side, appreciative of the simple gesture. Lance's touch alone made the room warmer somehow, its walls seeming a little less bleak.

"We can bring him down to the pods to make sure it is nothing else." Coran offered.

"That might be best." Pidge agreed.

As Coran talked, Keith turned into Lance. His arms tightened around Keith, cradling him close. Their eyes met, a silent conversation passing between them. Everything was okay right now. They had no idea what would happen in an hour or even a few seconds, but at this exact moment, it was okay.

This simple sense of peace washed over them for the first time in what felt like forever. All they needed was each other.

The two shared a thought without realizing.

They were home.

Pressing his hand to Lance's chest, Keith understood how lonely he had felt without him.

He buried his face into his Equivalent's neck, wanting everything he could get out of this moment. And just like that, the world was fading. It took only one inhale, one beat of the blue paladin's heart, and Keith was closing his eyes. Lulled by the body warmth he longed for; Keith's body went limp.

Lance was surprised by the increase of weight, gawking at him. "Keith?" To his surprise, Keith had fallen asleep in mere seconds. "Keith?" he asked again.

"He asleep?" Hunk asked, concerned.

"I… yeah." Lance nodded, "Just like that."

"Ooh…" Hunk covered his mouth a little. He then swooned, "Aww, he just needed a hug from Lance was all," he can't help but smile. The notion was cute to him. The team turned to find this seemed to be true and were all shocked.

"He can sleep fine in his bedroom," Allura huffs, agitated. At least relieved that Keith was okay, she concluded, "We'll get him something to help him sleep,"

Coran didn't seem to like that as their only option, and sighed, "Yes Princess. Let's get Keith back to his room to rest."

"I'll take him-" Shiro started to walk forward, but recoiled a moment later from the resounding slap against his hand. Lance had was tossed forward, smacking Shiro's fingers away as they got closer to Keith.

Shiro stepped back in surprise, holding his reddened hand, wishing he had tried to use his robotic hand in that attempt, "Lance?'

A quiet warning curled within Lance's usually soft and playful eyes. "You've done enough," Lance says. Scooping Keith's legs up, he shifted him against his chest and stood, carrying Keith. "I'll take him to his room." He says, holding him protectively.

"Lance," Allura frowns, not liking that idea

"I can't carry my sleeping teammate to his bed after he collapsed from exhaustion?" Lance questions her; his tone is livid. She visibly tensed. "What a great group of people we are," he seethed, pushing past them all. His eyes screamed a challenge, daring Allura to even try and take Keith from him. He could guarantee she wouldn't be coming out of it unharmed.

Allura swallowed, forcing herself not to step back in submission, but didn't move any closer either. His challenge won he turned and walked to the door.

He only stopped when Hunk put his hand on the panel. His threatening gaze was changed to surprised when Hunk opened the door for him instead. Lance paused eyeing the yellow paladin curiously.

Hunk lowered his gaze a little, remorseful, his large brown eyes shining with guilt. "I'll make Keith some hot soup. Take good care of him, okay?"

Lance's anger melted and replaced with gratitude, "Thank you, buddy," he tells him gently. With an ounce of hope for forgiveness, Hunk nods.

With that, Lance was gone, disappearing down the hall.

Two hours had passed before Keith was jostled awake by a heavy banging. Realizing he was in his bed, he turned his head back and forth. He was calmed by a hand squeezing his own.

"Hey." Lance's beautiful face came into view.

"Lance?" Keith inquired weakly, "What are you doing here?" They are sprawled across his bed, snuggled close together. Keith was thrilled- but Allura quickly filtered into his mind. Where was she? Had Lance snuck his way over here?

"Watching a sleeping beauty." Lance smiled impishly. Keith hit his arm, snorting.

"No, really." he smiles

Lance blinks once then glances at the door, "I was worried about you," he admits. "You passed out,"

"I did?"

"Yeah, so I carried you to your room. I tried to leave… but you wouldn't let me go," Keith's fists are still bunched against his shirt, holding him tight. Gawking at his hands, Keith opens his fingers and pulls them away. They feel numb after so long of holding Lance there.

"S-Sorry."

"It's okay." Lance chuckles, taking his hands to kiss his fingers. "Allura got a little mad though that I wouldn't leave." he looks back at the door again. The banging Keith had heard a bit ago had stopped, and he wondered if it had been Allura.

"She tried to get in, but I manually locked it. So it can only open when I decide to leave."

Keith felt himself smiling, "Are you serious?"

"Yeah. I've been in here for hours. Coran and Allura had their work cut out for them. She was so pissed- almost tore the whole door down. She left a little bit ago. I think she went to go get a plasma cutter."

"Oh.."

"We have until then to be here."

Love swelled in his chest. Lance was too perfect. "What a rebel you are."

Lance grinned, "For you, sweetheart, I would do anything." he sat up, reaching over to the nightstand table. "Hey, Hunk stopped by a bit ago too. He brought you this."

Keith lifted his head to look at the warm bowl of soup offered to him. His stomach growled, a thing that hadn't been happening a lot lately. His appetite was just never around. He had lost some weight because of it.

"That smells good." he sighs dreamily. Lance placed it in his lap for him to eat.

"It's his special brew." Lance chuckled, playing with his hair. As Keith ate, Lance leaned down to kiss his shoulders, lathering him in affection. It was the best meal of Keith's life.

"Your ears are cute," Lance mumbled quietly, a few other sweet nothings sang softly to him. It was a significant distraction from his meal if Keith was honest, but he felt like a glutton for every ounce of Lance's devotion.

"You're gonna spoil me, talking like that." he smiled, taking another sip of his soap.

"Oh, let me spoil you. I got several weeks of loving to make up for you know." Lance insisted, kissing up his arm. Keith laughed when he kissed his neck messily.

"Gross! That was all slobber!"

"Accept my slobber!" Lance quickly took his empty bowl and placed it to the side, tackling Keith into the mattress.

Keith snorted, "Get off~!" laughter echoed in the room for a few moments, replaced eventually with quiet breathing and loving stares.

Lance kissed him tenderly, speaking against his lips. "You scared me."

"I'm so sorry…." Keith murmured. "I didn't mean to."

"I knew you weren't sleeping well, but I thought you at least managed to get in a few hours,"

"I've been trying," Keith promised. "It's just hard.

"Why aren't you sleeping sweetheart?" Lance asks.

Keith's heart breaks in two, stinging in his chest. "I'm not used to it anymore…"

A warm breath of air ghosts over Keith's ear, "Not used to what anymore?"

"Sleeping alone…"

Lance gasps, "You-" he pulls away to look Keith in the eye, "Is that what this is about?"

"I don't know what it is Lance," Keith admits, "Something inside me just- it hurts. I can't touch you, kiss you, talk to you- it's killing me. I feel like everything inside me is freezing over."

"Keith."

"It's like you're a drug Lance," he continues, "I got so used to being able to be with you- to touch you whenever I want to. Listening to your heart as I slept… I feel like I'm going through some sort of withdrawal! I can't sleep without having nightmares. All I think about is waking up and you being gone. Forever."

Lance chokes up, "Don't," his tone cracks painfully, "Don't say that. I'm not gone. I'm right here." he lifts his arms to embrace the other.

Keith buries his face into his shoulder, "But for how long?" he whispers.

Lance kissed his forehead, not sure how to answer. "I don't know…." They lay there for a while before Keith spoke up.

"I probably smell gross. I haven't taken a shower in days."

"That is gross, but you smell fine to me," Lance says.

"If we are gonna snuggle I should still take a shower," Keith admits, feeling self-conscious about it with Lance here.

Lance smiled, "Shower it is then. I'll take one myself."

"You can go first." Keith offered him.

"Thanks." Getting up, Lance kissed him a final time before stepping into the bathroom in Keith's room. Taking off his clothes he got the water running.

There were too many things happening, he concluded. Lotor, Allura, Keith. Couldn't things calm down for a few seconds for him to think?

He sighed, scrubbing shampoo into his hair. He heard a soft click behind him. Lance's body jolted violently when the bathroom door slides open. "Who-?!"

"Lance?" A voice sounded, like the rolling of a wave.

Lance goes still, breathing out softly, "Keith?" Peeking out from behind the curtain, he was met with purple irises, crystal clear and beautiful. "What are you doing here?" he wasn't sure if he should cover himself or be casual about this. It wasn't like Keith hadn't seen him naked before.

"I was thinking….Mind if I join you? We could save water or whatever." Keith was already removing his jacket, placing it to the side. With a kick to his pulse, Lance struggles to keep his voice steady.

"W-Wha- um… i-in the shower?"

A tick of a pause passed between them before Keith speaks. His tone is so quiet that it barely makes its way over the water. "I thought it would be nice," he looks so desperate that it makes Lance's chest burn. These last few days had been so hard… like he was ever going to say no to a chance like this.

He holds his breath, then stammers "G-Get in here. Hurry up," Tossing off his clothes, Keith stepped in. They hug, letting water drip down their bare shoulders as they pull apart just enough to share a kiss.

They held it, chaste in all its glory, but enough to make their hearts ache at the familiarity. Before, they could do this all day long, whenever they wanted. Now, they were lucky even to have a second to stand in the same room alone together.

"Keith, can I wash your hair?" Lance always washed his hair for him.

His equivalent smiled, turning to offer access to his raven hair, "Of course,"

Lance takes his time in scrubbing the dark locks, running long fingers through it more times than necessary. Keith revels in the touch, absorbing every moment like it was his last.

He feared that maybe it was.

From behind him, Lance reaches around his torso to intertwine their fingers. In books or other kinds of things, couples might have commenced some hot shower sex right about now. Perhaps had things been different, they would be doing just that. But sex tended to go by too fast, clouding their minds with the intense pleasure. Keith couldn't soak that in as well as this. Just… touching Lance. Pressing small kisses to his skin in silence, and just staring into his eyes.

"I love you," Lance kisses his shoulder, "I love you. I love you," his voice cracks.

No one told him love would hurt this much. No one told him that he would meet Keith Kogane and fall so hard for him that it would hurt just to be denied the very thing that envelopes his world.

"I'm sorry," he wipes at his nose with the back of his hand, "I'm messing this up." He was frustrated, angry- it was just too much, and the stress of it all was building faster than he could stop.

"No, you're not ruining this," Keith kisses his temple, "You're not," he swipes his thumb under his eye, catching both his tears and the water from the shower head.

The gentleness of it bubbles up an uncontrolled sob. "Ke-eith,"

Startled at the sight, Keith makes a hurt noise and holds him close, "No. don't cry," he quietly pleads, "Talk to me."

"I hate this…."

"I know."

"I hate this so much!" lurching forward, Lance clings to the other with everything he has, their bare bodies pressed as tight as humanly possible. "I- I just want… I want you,"

Keith whispers into his ear, "What?"

"Everything you are. Your body, your heart. Your smile. Your stupidly cute mullet," he kissed the strands at his neck, worshipping them with kitten kisses, "I want you, Keith. So much. I want you so much I feel like…" he chokes up. Keith finished for him.

"Like I'm dying," Keith breathes out choppily, his hands spreading out over Lance like he wants to touch as much skin as he can get. "You have it," he vows, "You have everything I am, Lance- No matter what anyone says," with nimble fingers, he lifts Lance's chin enough to kiss him. "I love you,"

When the clock strikes the next hour, something starts ripping apart in their chests. They both knew Allura would be coming back eventually. Lance exited the shower to change first, leaving Keith to his torturing thoughts. He didn't move, not until the waters turned icy, licking at his skin and making the hair on his arm stand up straight. Once he stepped out from under the water and out of the shower, he merely watched Lance get dressed.

His pulled on his jeans slowly, back muscles tensing as he tossed his shirt over his head. Keith had never seen anything so devastatingly beautiful.

Something heavy sat in his throat. He hadn't felt this way since he lost his father…

Keith stammered, "L-Lance…"

Freezing Lance turned, watching the love of his life fighting back tears. Stepping forward, he pulled Keith against him, the water on Keith's bare skin soaking his shirt.

Keith never, ever cried. Yet, here he was, so hurt that it almost brought forth something that should never be. Lance felt hatred. For the first time since meeting her, he hated Allura.

Keith choked up a little, doing what he could to keep the tears at bay. He blamed the lack of sleep, the pressure of the ongoing war, and more than anything, the new and strange pain he had been feeling in his chest. It drove him mad, feeling like nothing in the universe could cure the pain except for the Cuban boy before him.

Still, crying in front of another person felt strange — a sort of defenselessness he wasn't accustomed to. If he were ever to break down in front of anyone though, he wouldn't mind it being Lance. Just not today. "I'm fine." he swallowed thickly, feeling a sense of composure coming back.

"No you're not," Lance's voice sounded tight, "I'm not either. This whole thing sucks, and sometimes I think we should elope. I mean, I know we are already kind of married, but we could do it again."

Taking that in, Keith laughs brokenly, wrapping his arms around Lance's torso, "Elope? They aren't our parents, Lance."

"Shiro is like a space dad. An uptight space dad who always thinks he's right."

"Shiro…" Keith sighs, "I'm sure he means well,"

"Maybe but not when it leads to this," he takes Keith's face into his hand, brushing at the skin below his eyes, noticing how Keith'seyelashes lashes were sticking together and wet. "Never this," he kisses Keith's cheeks. How Keith managed to hold back tears the way he did Lance would never know.

"I'm okay…" Keith tells him softly. And he means it, because Lance was here. He knew though that when he left, the tight feeling would return. Like a wound reopening.

"Hey." Lance kissed his ear.

"Hmm." Keith leaned against Lance's shoulder, uncaring how wet it got from his soaked hair.

"I want you to know that you're the hottest biscuit this side of the gravy boat,"

Lance watched Keith's face as the corners of his eyes crinkled a little, his cheeks blushed, and his whole face came alive. Lance decided then and there that he would spend the rest of his life making Keith smile and protecting his heart.

"What does that even mean?" Keith laughed. He laughed for a long time; his heart filled even after he got dressed and was tackling lance to the bed.

He needed that, and he was grateful Lance was always there to bless his life with a smile.

Perhaps Shiro was right about something. They needed some time apart to prove whether these feelings were true or not.

Keith could conclude something. He did feel different than when he was on that planet. Whatever amount of love he had for Lance, it had changed. It had doubled. Tripled. Increased at a speed he wasn't prepared for. It enveloped all his sense, and sometimes, it felt like he was dying from those moments he wanted nothing more than to embrace Lance and not be able to.

"Keith~ You're smothering me." He laughed when Keith squeezed his equivalent again. Keith nuzzled his belly as he pressed Lance close, legs draped on the bed behind him. He paused for a moment before running his fingers through Keith's hair.

"Are you even listening, Keith?" Lance asked. Keith just hummed in reply before slipping under the covers with the blue paladin and clinging to his side. All the pain he felt vanished as soon as Lance's scent filled his head and his fingers ran through his hair.

"Worth it," he concluded.

"What is?" asked Lance.

"Allura being angry with us later. I want one night with you." Keith explains

"It can be more than that, Keith," Lance whispered. Keith lifted his head, curious.

"It can?"

"You made a good point earlier before we went on that mission to get Lotor. It's been a month. We gave Shiro that deal and obviously Allura isn't going to be changing on her own, so why should we even bother to meet her halfway if she won't do the same?"

"Are you saying…" Keith held his breath.

"You are my equivalent, and no black paladin, altean code, or even Zarkon himself is gonna stop me anymore." Lance grinned.

Keith's eyes swelled with emotion. Grinning he surged forward to kiss Lance.

It was over.

This suffocation was finally over. Keith suddenly could breathe, his chest opening and his heart melting from the icey cold he felt the moment Lance and him had to turn away from each other.

"Allura is gonna be pissed." he laughed

"Let her." Lance scoffed. "I know some motherly lions that would gladly like to have a word with her about her behavior."

"I'll pay tickets for that showdown," Keith mumbled.

"I'll bring the popcorn~."

"Hmm." Keith hummed quietly as Lance's fingers danced up and down his back. When he fell asleep after a few minutes, he dreamed of Lance, dancing in the ocean.

Watching Keith rest peaceful, Lance got to his feet. Moving to the door, he clicked the panel just as he heard footsteps on the other end. Opening it, surprising everyone on the other side, he narrowed his eyes to Allura, noting the plasma cutter in her hands.

He was half joking when he said she was leaving to get it. His disappointment in her grew to see it actually in her hands.

"He just fell asleep, so I would appreciate it if you didn't cut his door down," Lance grumbles at her.

Allura lowers the device, eyes narrowed. Pidge and Hunk were rushing forward. "Is Keith okay?" They asked simultaneously.

Lance closed the door, leaving it open a crack since the lock was messed up. "He was exhausted."

"Should we move him to a cryo-pod?" Shiro asked, worried.

"If he is asleep now that is all that he needs. Lots of rest will get him back into shape." Coran says. "We just have to make sure he can sleep at night." they began to move down the hall to give Keith some peace and quiet. Halfway down the steps to the next floor, Allura spoke up.

"Then we'll give him sleeping pills."

"Can you take this seriously?" Lance snapped at her, pissed. "Keith just collapsed today! Because of you and your stupid rule! Don't you feel anything?"

"ME?" She shrieked. "I am not to blame for him refusing to sleep at night!"

"He can't sleep at night because of you! He isn't purposively doing this!" Lance roars back

"Guys, stop!' Hunk pleads with them, reminding them that they were still in earshot to Keith's door and might wake him up.

Lance shuts his mouth and steps back. He had no idea how much this had been troubling Keith. It was both horrible and sweet to know how much he cared. How much he wanted to be with Lance and needed him there.

He blamed himself for not fighting harder for Keith. He felt so stupid. What kind of Equivalent was he? He didn't even notice his love suffering like this.

He wanted to curl up under a rock and cry, but that wouldn't solve anything. "I'm going to go talk to the Blade," he announced.

"Whatever for?" Coran questioned.

"I don't know. Answers. Maybe they can explain what is happening." Lance says.

Coran's mustache physically perks up, "That is a splendid idea! Here, let me join you. If anyone knows what is happening it must be them." Stepping beside Lance, he quickly gripped his shoulders and turned him to walk down the hall, obviously hoping to separate him from Allura so the two could calm down.

"Good luck." Pidge and Hunk say.

"Don't try anything funny." Shiro had warned as he escorted one of Lotor's companions down the hall. It was the one known as, Narti.

She was a tad unstable on her feet. One hand was held tight against her side while the other was extended outward to search for anything that might get in her way. She had been injured when they first captured her and the others. It was along her shoulder, a deep cut that would have been deadly if they hadn't treated her when they did.

An attack from a sword, not from a blaster. Lotor said his Father had been the one to attack them, but he never saw any Galra soldier beside the blade of Marmora to carry about swords.

Either way, she was healed now, and Lotor had asked to see for himself that she was okay. They had fought her before, along with the other generals when they were still looking for Keith and Lance. She had been a very formidable foe back then. Despite looking like she didn't have eyes, she knew every move they were going to make.

Now, she seemed blind. No, more than seemed, she was blind. He didn't want to think it was the injury that had caused this, but she could no longer see anything before her, that much was certain.

"We're at the elevator," he says. She stops abruptly, waiting to hear the door open before she stepped in. Shiro kept guard as he stepped in beside her. They had agreed she was in no condition to fight, but that didn't mean she wouldn't try regardless.

For precaution, they had attached electronic bracelets to her wrists. Upon command, they would electrocute her unconscious if she pulled a wrong move.

With a plate of food in his hands, Shiro stepped against the side of the elevator, keeping his eyes focused on Narti. They were silent as they descended, heading straight to Lotor.

When the elevator stopped, he stepped out. He could see Lotor rising to his feet, waiting for him within his cell. His eyes widened when he saw Narti, stepping closer to the barrier keeping him within the cell.

Walking across the walkway, Shiro handed Narti the plate. "She's coming through." he motioned upward. "We have guns pointed directly at you should you try to escape."

"I assure you I won't," Lotor says, nodding his head. With a nod, a part of the barrier shut down, and Narti walked forward. I little unstable she squeezed through the opening.

"Narti," he speaks the moment the barrier returns. "I am glad to see you are safe." he reached out. His hands touched hers, and she visibly flinched. The plate almost fell between them, Lotor's eyes surprised. "Oh…" he frowned, "I apologize." he takes the plate. He watched his general take a step back, keeping her head lowered to the ground. It was enough to make something small in his chest ache.

"Please understand, Narti. I never meant to- I knew Haggar was watching us through the cat, Kova… I aimed for it, not for you. I acted without thinking and almost killed you. I am so sorry." he lowered his head. Narti's tail flicked behind her, a tremble in her hands.

In the moment of that strike, her brain had shut off. She had honestly thought Lotor had wished harm on her when he attacked. She had blamed herself, considering the idea that she had done something to deserve such a punishment. She had lost his trust, or no longer had any worth in his eyes.

Lotor and the other generals were all she had in this life.

"Wait…" Shiro's voice rings clear, "You are the one who did that?" Several emotions crossed his face. Shock, confusion, disgust. He didn't know which one to focus on. "You almost killed your comrade?" he demanded. It sounded too wrong to even think about. The generals were under Lotor's command, and they were his crew and closest allies.

Yet he had almost killed one just like that?

"I do not need to explain myself to you, paladin. Only to Narti." he offered his hand out to her. "Narti." his voice returned to the soft tone he had before. "Truly, I never meant to harm you. The moment I did I-" he swallowed, quickly regaining the composure in his voice when it cracked. When she had first gotten injured, he could not afford to show any weakness.

He needed to be strong and get his generals to safety. But now, looking at her… watching her tremble yet still stand before him as loyal as always. Well, he felt as small and as weak as a bug.

Suddenly, Narti moved.

A finger brushed against his own. Her palm slides into his and tightened. With her powers, a voice filtered into his mind. It was the kind of voice that seemed to echo his own, using the inner sound of his mind to speak with him.

However, it was different; soft and beautiful.

"I understand, Lotor."

"Narti."

Shiro stood puzzled. Lotor and his general were sharing a moment of silence, but with the way Lotor looked at Narti, he knew they were saying something to each other. "Hey." he frowned. "Listen, I'm not too comfortable bringing your generals up here if you are planning on harming any of them."

Lotor turned, frowning at the Black paladin. "I have never intentionally harmed my generals, and the situation happened too fast to avoid with Narti. I will assure their safety any way I can." his eyes narrowed, "And what a silly thing to say coming from you."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Shiro challenged.

"Well, I can't say for sure. I don't know all the details." Lotor lifted Narti's hand to examine her nails. Using the tip of his own nail, he brushed some dirt out from under hers. "All I do know is that not all of your paladins seem to be in the best of health."

He glanced at the black paladin, watching how his thick eyebrows narrowed, his eyes both protective and guarded. He really was a handsome man. Lotor couldn't get distracted by that. Not with Narti here. If she went back and told the others, he would never hear the end of it from Zethrid and Ezor.

"I won't fall for any mind games, Lotor," he warned.

"Who said this was a game? I'm just stating what I've witnessed. Let me ask you a question since I've answered dozens of yours already; Where were the Red and Blue paladin these last few months? The blue lion had been spotted flying around, but was piloted by Princess Allura. Recently I learned the original paladin was Lance, who had not been seen for a long period of time with the Red paladin. Where had they gone?"

Shiro looked stiff, "That's classified information."

"Is it?" he smiled. "Alright then, perhaps I'll get the answer to that another time. Here is another one. My first encounter with Lance had been quite a heated battle. Now, I may have seen this wrong during such an intense situation, but he seemed rather upset. Upset with his team. And clearly, Voltron has not been formed for nearly a whole year now. I heard when you paladins first arrived you formed Voltron consistently to fight within every battle you faced."

Shiro folded his arms. "Classified."

" Classified," Lotor repeats. "Then can I assume you can't form Voltron anymore? Two of your paladins go running off, just to return and look miserable. Lance seems to be having some emotional turmoil, the red paladin; Keith is it? He seems to be going through some physical trial. And the rest of your team are all over the place you don't have any sense of control anymore. Does that sound about right?"

Shiro grit his teeth. He stepped forward, "Nothing is wrong with my team. We'll figure it out just like we always do. Lance is fine. And Keith is-" he paused. "Wait, what do you mean? Physical trial?"

Lotor glanced at Narti, who confirmed what he was thinking. "Maybe you haven't noticed since you see him every day and have gotten used to it- but your paladin has lost a lot of weight recently. His skin looks sickly and his eyes just as bad. You look as though you are fighting side by side with a comrade that will keel over at any moment."

Shiro was taken aback. Did Keith look that bad and he hadn't noticed? Or was it just another one of Lotor's tricks to get into his head?

He couldn't be sure unless he made sure Keith's health was going to be okay.

Shiro hesitated, then lifted his head, "I protect my friends." he growls, metal fist smacking against the side of the barrier. "Finish your food, and then I take Narti back to the others." with a flex of his arms he stepped back. Lotor happily watched every second. His appreciation only grew from the Black paladin's choice in clothing.

Such a tight shirt~ He wondered if the other paladins wore the same things.

"I never realize you held such an infatuation for the paladins, Prince Lotor."

His attention snapped to Narti when she spoke into his mind. How had she- he noted their hands were still touching and tugged his hand away, making a sharp snorting noise.

"Do not repeat anything you just heard..! " he commanded her mentally. He grabbed his plate to sit down, Narti joining him. She offered her hand to him again to reply. Lotor frowned but took it. A moment later he grimaced, mentally disagreeing with what she had just said. " Narti, no. The last thing I will ever need is for you, or any of the other generals for that matter, trying to set me up with anybody! That spells disaster. "

Her tail flicked behind her, tiny ears wiggling as she spoke more into his mind.

"Yes, I am aware that the paladins are very… nice looking ." he worded it slowly in his mind. Narti continued to push the matter, Lotor cutting it short. " No. No, we are done with this conversation. Done. "

He ate his food quietly, glancing at her. He offered her his bread roll, finding it uncomfortable to eat alone. She nibbled on it. Despite being blind because she was born with no eyes, her voice was a different matter. Due to her impoverished upbringing, she had sustained an injury to her vocal cords.

Her only form of communication now is her telekinetic abilities.

When the meal was done, he gave her the plate to walk out. Shiro nodded. "I will return later to ask you more questions."

"And I will be here, waiting to answer them," he says. He gave Narti a nod, watching quietly as they disappeared up the elevator.