Lance sat on the ground with his elbows propped on his knees and his head in his hands. He sighed. Blue's message had left him disturbed. Keith was part galra. Only half human. His father had known about the blue lion. So why had he kept silent? Couldn't Blue have helped prevent what had happened on earth?

Then there was his mother. Krolia. The alien who fell in love with a human. Lance had tried not to think about that part. They'd been intimate. Desperate. No one would feign that... right? Then again, she was an assassin. Having a contact would have been useful.

Lance sighed again and ran his hands over his face. No. After everything that had happened, there wasn't a doubt she genuinely cared for Keith. Looking back, he could see it went all the way to when she'd first appeared with Keith on earth. So why was Keith so passive about it? They'd found his mother and he treated her like the others.

Though, even now Keith was more open than he'd ever been with them at school. Lance watched Keith spar with Thace beyond the edge of camp. They'd been working for hours together, but Keith didn't show any sign he wanted to stop. After what Keith had said about how careful they were with him, Lance saw what he meant. Every time Thace pinned him down, Keith jumped back up and launched himself at the assassin like a kitten playing with a tomcat. And Thace rewarded his behavior generously. From encouraging words with proud smiles, to hugs and the physical reassurance Keith had been lacking most of his life, Krolia and the others absolutely doted on him.

Which brought back Lance's original question. Did Keith know?

Lance watched the flash of Keith's knife. That familiar weapon Keith never took off him. Only, now the cloth that usually wrapped the hilt was gone. It had taken until this morning for Lance to notice such a small difference. And Keith was strangely alright with it. Which was something Lance had never expected. The one time Lance had caught Keith re-wrapping the hilt when the cloth wore out, Keith had literally shoved him out of the room.

And now Lance saw why. Keith's knife flashed with blue light from where the hilt was bonded to the blade. A strange symbol was emblazoned there. A strange symbol that was also on Thace and Ulaz's swords. Weapons that were distinct to their secret order. Keith might not have said anything to Lance, but he wasn't an idiot. He had to have pieced it together, confirmed by how he accepted the affection of the assassins.

Lance just didn't know how to approach the subject. The fact that Keith hadn't confided in him hurt more than losing his hearing. Did Keith think he couldn't handle the truth? That he'd be afraid? Lance heard a lion rumble by the sound pulsing in his chest and looked over at Red. She seemed to hold eye contact, blinking slowly. It was almost reassuring, but Lance didn't know about what. Blue stretched her front feet out in front of her and yawned before pushing her head under Red's chin. Lance couldn't fight a smile as their purrs echoed through him. Fine. He could wait a little longer for things to make sense.

Keith grinned through his panting and shook the sweat from his hair. A heavy hand settled on the crown of his head. Raising his eyes, he smirked up at Thace. "How was that?"

Thace returned a crooked smirk of his own and patted Keith on the head. "It's only a matter of time until your blade reveals itself, little one."

Keith tilted his head. "Huh?"

Thace let his hand slide down to Keith's shoulder and lifted his chin. "Come. It is time I taught you about the true power of the Blades of Marmora."

Keith felt a thrill of excitement pass through him like an electric current. Standing taller despite how tired he was from sparring, Keith followed Thace as he walked away from camp. When the only thing they could see was the lions in the distance, Thace finally came to a stop, but Keith didn't feel any calmer. If anything, this was like that scene in 'The Lion King' where Mufasa finally revealed the secrets of the old kings to Simba.

Thace raised his eyebrows when he looked at Keith's beaming smile and gestured at the ground. "Sit, Keith." Keith did as told, sitting cross legged in the tall grass. Thace knelt in front of him, his entire demeanor sending waves of calming energy toward Keith. Thace put his hands on his thighs and took a deep breath. Closing his eyes, he instructed, "Calm your thoughts, kit. Focus as I've taught you."

Keith finally tried to settle his breathing. Focus. Like what Adam and Takashi had instilled in him before Thace had gently reminded him of it. Patience. Patience yielded focus. Keith closed his eyes and concentrated on breathing. Within minutes, he was in sync with Thace. Then he could feel more. The energy around him. The way the galra did. The balance of nature was in tune with his own. Without even trying to, Keith felt his body relax.

"Very good, Keith. You have come a long way in a very short time."

Keith opened his eyes, but that same calm remained. He was in control of his emotions now. "I've never had anyone who taught me like this."

"That is because the ones who mentored you were not galra. You have abilities, sensitivities, that the ones from your planet do not." Thace blinked slowly. "They had good intentions, though. It is not their fault they were incapable of helping you reach your full potential."

Keith felt that same excitement start to build again and slowly flexed and relaxed his hands on his thighs. "The blade is how I do that, right?"

Thace chuckled under his breath and shook his head. "No, little one. The blade is merely a reflection of yourself." Thace reached over his shoulder and drew his own sword. When he exhaled, the blade retracted until it was a slim, curved dagger about the length of Keith's forearm. The metal changed from black to a dim silver, the same color as Keith's knife. Thace said, "This is how I received my luxite blade. In this form, it is resting, awaiting the time of awakening. I trained beneath Krolia for nearly two deca-pheobs alongside Ulaz before I awakened the true blade. Those initiates without the military training we have often wait five times that long for their blades to reveal themselves."

Keith looked at his own knife, so similar to the one in Thace's hand. "How did it happen?"

Thace flipped the blade and stabbed it into the soft soil. "I underwent the Trials of Marmora." Keith felt a weight to Thace's words and sat up straighter. Thace continued, "When a teacher believes their student is ready, they approach our leader seeking his approval to test an initiate to the depths of their being. To complete the trials is to gain knowledge about one's self. To fail is death." Thace let his words sink in. "You asked me once before how to join our order. Do you still wish to do so?"

Keith gripped the hilt of his knife. His mother's knife. The woman who left him her greatest weapon. Lifting his chin in determination, Keith answered, "To do anything else is pointless."

"The first step to awaken the blade is to envision your deepest desires." Thace smiled. "I believe you are much closer to the trials than any of us thought, despite your youth." Thace's expression grew slightly more perturbed and he said, "Another matter, Keith. In a few quintants, our leader will be here. He will no doubt question your very existence. Trust us. We will handle whatever happens. You do not need to justify yourself to him."

"Wait, why-"

"Keith," Thace interrupted softly, "your mother is close to our leader. She is very important to him. As you are to her. Part of the reason I brought you out here was to avoid upsetting the others by telling you these things. Ulaz and Krolia believe hiding this information will protect you, but I want you to be aware enough to come to your own conclusion. How I wish we had been able to raise you from a child. You would not be put in such a position so young."

Keith felt his chest lock up. This was triggering his memories. Losing his father. Fearing for Takashi. "I know I'm young by galra age, but I'm not a little kid, Thace. I can handle the truth. And... and thank you for telling me all of this."

Thace clicked his tongue behind his teeth and reached forward. Pulling Keith against him with one strong arm, he embraced him and said, "I am glad to be relieved of the burden of keeping this from you. Everything we have done, good or bad, has been out of love, Keith. I want you to know this."

Keith closed his eyes and sighed into Thace's chest. "I know, Thace. Thank you."

Thace brushed Keith's hair aside and kissed his forehead. "Now then, shall we go hunting?"

Keith looked up slightly shocked. "But we didn't take any firearms."

Thace stood lifting Keith to his feet. "Ulaz has taught you to survive. I will show you how the tribe of marmora did so long ago."

Keith felt his curiosity perk up and nodded. "Teach me."

Keith was dragging his feet when they stumbled back to camp a couple hours past sunset. Well, he stumbled. Thace's stride was as even as ever and he carried the field dressed carcass of an antleroper over his shoulders. It had taken longer to stalk the stag due to their limited range with their blades, testing Keith's newfound focus. In the end, Thace had taken the beast down, but it was Keith's knife that dealt the killing blow.

Keith knew what Thace was trying to do. His lesson wasn't wasted on him. It had been harder, but in the end, he'd done what was necessary. Together, they'd worked in near silence gutting the animal, leaving the entrails for scavengers. The return journey had been quiet as well. Keith had felt Thace's proud gaze on him, though he didn't press for conversation.

Within the ring of light from the campfire, Keith fell heavily onto a log. Thace lowered his burden to the ground and drew his blade to finish skinning their kill. Keith stretched and rolled his shoulders. Pushing off the log, he knelt beside Thace and drew his knife. Thace put a hand on Keith's arm and said, "I will take care of this, little one. Go rest. You've done well today."

Keith caught himself as he fell sideways. Slumping, he let his head fall to his shoulder and yawned. "You sure?"

Thace chuckled and wiped a thumb along Keith's cheek to remove a smudge of dirt. "You're falling asleep where you kneel. Go to bed, kit."

Keith inhaled and gathered his strength to stand. "Okay. See you in the morning."

Thace smiled crookedly and Keith felt the pride of his teacher flood into himself. Stretching again, he started toward the new camp the lions had made for Lance and himself. Without the castle, there wasn't a reason to stay so far away. The lions had chosen to sleep between the new ships. Red looked at him with her head on her paws. Lance sat on Blue's foot against her front leg stargazing.

He looked down and asked, "Where've you been?"

Keith clamored up onto Blue's foot and sat beside Lance. "Thace took me out into the prairie. Did I miss anything interesting?"

Lance shrugged and laid down with his hands behind his head. "Not really." Lance looked over and said, "Are you alright? You've been sorta quiet."

Keith slowly slid down until he was laying beside Lance and turned on his side with his head on one arm. "I'm just tired. Thace and I did a lot today."

"You've been training really hard."

"Yeah."

They fell into silence. Keith was nearly asleep when Lance said, "You know you can tell me anything, right?"

Keith blinked sleepily at his sharpshooter. His lip curled into a half smile and he replied, "Yeah, loverboy. You're my best friend."

Lance covered his mouth as he yawned. "Okay, mullet." Lance turned so he was facing Keith and draped an arm over him. "Sleep tight."

"Good night, Lance."

Keith sat on the examination table in the retrofitted med-bay. His hands moved in time with Ulaz's explanation about the surgery as he translated for Lance where he frowned with his arms crossed. When Keith finally stopped moving his hands, Lance asked, "Are you sure I have to be awake?"

Ulaz looked at Keith, then back to Lance as he explained, "We're working with a sensitive region of the body. The scans have revealed the trauma to be isolated to your inner ear. Due to irreparable damage to your cochlea, we have to reconstruct the nerve endings and graft the prosthetic to them. To make sure we don't accidentally injure your brain, we need you responsive."

Keith added, "You won't feel anything. Galra medicine is really safe and effective."

Lance raised an eyebrow. Chewing his lip, he looked from Keith to Ulaz and back. "You're absolutely sure?"

Ulaz exhaled and walked to Lance. Keith watched his friend's reaction. Even if he was used to the assassins, Lance had only spent a few days with them, and hardly any time directly. Ulaz reached out and rested a hand on Lance's shoulder. He began speaking.

Keith repeated from behind him, "I know you're scared. Surgery of any kind has any manner of dangers, but I have many years experience with this sort of thing. Many of my fellows have prosthetic enhancements following an injury. If there is anyone who would be able to help you regain your hearing, it is us."

Keith heard Lance sigh and say, "Alright. When will it happen?"

"As soon as you are ready."

Thace appeared in the doorway. "Keith, will you assist me for a moment?"

Keith walked toward him and looked at Lance who held himself, a sheen of nervous sweat making his forehead glisten. Keith signed a quick, "Be right back," and followed Thace to the engine room. A large purple crystal glowed with lavender light that bled and mixed with the blue from the lights along the walls. "What are we doing here?"

Thace approached the crystal with a small tool in hand. It seemed to be a thin chisel of some kind with a delicate silver hammer that didn't match the size of the one wielding it. "This is another thing Krolia does not wish you to see."

Keith furrowed his brow and went to Thace's side. "I thought it was just an energy source."

"Yes... and no. This is a Balmeran Crystal." Thace glowered at the crystal. "Keith, all crystals in the universe have the ability to absorb and expel energy. Your own planet had crystals and gems, though your solar system is too young for them to be useful on this scale. Like the weblum is a creature of death, the balmera is a creature of life. Together they complete the cycle of the universe, forever destroying decay and creating new growth in an ever expanding cosmos."

Thace looked down at Keith with reverence. "This crystal speaks to the wonder of the universe, and yet it has been desecrated. Keith, when the empire takes these crystals by force from the balmera, they are not of this hue. They change, taking on the energy of those around them. They become impure. This color is a representation of the actions of those around the crystal. I had hoped the cruiser would have a pure crystal, but it seems the empire re-purposed this one from a different ship. With time, it is possible that it will lose the negative energy, but I do not know how long that will be. However, I do not want you to be affected by it. What you feel radiating from this crystal is a source of energy, and only that. Pay no attention to anything else you may sense."

He took the chisel and hammer and selected a point. Using a minuscule amount of pressure, he began to create a small crack. A shining sliver began to separate. Thace plucked the shard and set it aside. Beginning the procedure a second time, he said, "I-"

"What is he doing here?!"

Thace turned at Krolia's voice and lowered the hammer and chisel. "You cannot keep him in the dark forever, teacher."

Keith ducked his head as though she were yelling at him and backed up around the side of the crystal. She spared him a wild glance before narrowing her gaze on Thace. "He... Thace, you have gone too far."

Thace walked forward putting himself between her and Keith. "He is my student, Krolia. I will decide when he is ready."

Keith looked away as their voices continued to raise. Thace's warning from the prairie cautioned him to stay silent, but would Krolia listen? She was becoming increasingly short tempered and anxious as the days went by. He shut his eyes to block out their voices.

A pulse drew his attention. Keith followed it to its source and opened his eyes. The heart of the crystal seemed to swirl and draw him in. Thace and Krolia were drowned out as the crystal stole all of his focus. He reached out.

"Keith? Keith, what are you- Stop! Do not touch-"

Keith's fingertips hit the crystal and it was like a thousand volts of electricity shot through him. Pain and fear exploded through his mind and he instantly collapsed to the floor. He lay there unable to move as he tried and failed to process what he'd felt and seen.

Thace scooped him up and held him in his lap. Rocking him, he patted Keith's cheek with a frantic, "Keith! Kit, please say something!"

Keith stared at the ceiling and blinked slowly. The empire had done such horrible things. How? How could they do that to so many people? Silent tears fell from the corner of his eyes. How many planets had they ruined? His chest began to rise and fall, slow at first, then rapid until there was no real pattern and he started sobbing.

Thace lifted Keith's limp form against his chest and hugged him tight. "It was just memories, precious one. Let it go."

Drool and snot and tears happened all at once as Keith cried into him. "They killed trillions of people, Thace. What kind of monsters could do that?!" He felt Thace's chest heave against him and asked, "Did you feel it too? When..."

Thace swallowed thickly and shivered. It was all the answer he needed. Keith squeezed his eyes shut and said hoarsely, "We can't use the crystal. I won't let it hurt Lance. Please, Thace. He won't be able to take the amount of pain from even that small shard. Please, Thace. Please don't. Please." He knew how pathetic he sounded. That he was begging. But it didn't matter. He would protect Lance until he died.

"Is everything alright? We heard screaming!"

Keith looked up to see Ulaz and Lance in the door frame. Lance gasped when they made eye contact and pushed past Ulaz. Falling to his knees, Lance reached out to him. Keith turned and fell against Lance. He hugged him tight and asked, "What happened? Are you hurt?"

Keith looked up and Lance brushed his hair aside, looking him over for injury. There was fear and anger in his deep blue eyes. Keith swallowed and wiped his face with the back of a hand. "I'm fine. I mean, I will be." Lance's eyes narrowed like he didn't believe it. He glared around the room looking for something to target. Oh... Oh that was what that anger meant. Keith felt a flutter in his chest. His eyes locked on the curve of Lance's clenched jawline. The furrow of his brows. The intensity of his cold gaze. The softness of his lips.

"Keith, what-"

Keith closed his eyes as he lifted his hands to cradle Lance's face and kissed his sharpshooter. Lance's lips were dry, slightly chapped. Not as soft as Keith had expected after their time camping in the elements. He felt slightly self conscious about his own appearance. It disappeared as Lance's lips parted slightly and he kissed him back.

"What's going on? I-"

Keith startled at Coleen's voice and pushed backwards suddenly. Wiping at his face, he felt embarrassment burn up from his chest all the way to his ears. Lance gasped for breath and followed his gaze toward the door. Then he jumped up to his feet and turned away.

"Oh... I'm, uh, sorry to interrupt." Coleen looked around and Keith finally noticed that the assassins had moved strategically to give him and Lance more space. Coleen then tsked and came straight for him. Using the sleeve of the dress Allura had given her, she wiped what remained from his crying off his face. "Sweetheart, what happened?"

Keith sniffled and shook his head. "It's nothing. I'm fine, Coleen," he repeated.

Coleen rolled her lower lip between her teeth and glanced over at Lance. Looking at Thace, she seemed ready to interrogate him, but instead she reached for Keith's hand and pulled him to his feet. Reaching out to Lance, he jumped as her hand touched his arm. She signed, "Come," and grabbed his hand.

"Keith."

He paused on the way from the ship to look back and ask, "Yeah, Thace?"

Thace glowered at the ground and answered, "You are right."

Then Coleen tugged Keith after her. She didn't let go of either of their hands until they were outside. Keith kept his gaze on the floor, suddenly too shy and flustered to even look at Lance. The refugees cast curious glances at them, but the lions stole everyone's attention. Blue was low on her belly, paws tense and ready to pounce. Red was standing with her back arched as large as she could make herself. Her tail lashed wildly behind her and her nails dug into the ground.

Keith finally looked at Lance and together they jogged toward the lions. Lance jumped up Blue's foot and she curled her head around him. Keith kept running to Red and she lowered her head to meet him, though her back was still arched. She growled and hissed even as she moved over Keith protectively. He rubbed her leg and said, "Easy, girl. Calm down. Everything's alright."

She slowly lowered until she was laying on her chest, but a throaty growl continued to emanate from her. Keith walked around her and went to her tail. It twitched sporadically. Getting an idea, Keith smirked and jumped on her tail. Red let loose a disgruntled 'Mmmrowl' and twisted to look at him. Keith held on as she lifted her tail. When it was vertical, he couldn't hang on any longer and he slid down until he was on top of her back.

She shivered beneath his feet and he jogged forward until he was between her shoulders. Kneeling, Keith started rubbing the back of Red's neck. "Come on, Red. There's no need to be crazy right now." Her growls slowly quieted until she was silent. Keith smiled to himself and continued petting her. "That's my girl. Such a good giant robot kitty."

He leaned forward and wrapped his legs as far as he could around her neck to hug her. He kissed her and laid his cheek against her warm metal. After a few minutes, she let out a halfhearted purr. The anxiety he'd felt from her was finally gone. He sighed and didn't move. Usually, he needed her, but right now she needed him.

After an hour, she shifted as Blue curled up into her. She dropped her shoulder and Keith felt himself start to lose his seat. Alright. Enough direct love for now. Swinging his leg over her neck, he slid down her leg to the ground. Keith made his way back to the campfire. Lance sat in front of a log. Chewing his cheek, Keith rubbed the back of his head and sat near Lance.

They didn't say anything. I mean, what was there to say? They'd kissed. Keith had kissed him and Lance had kissed him back. He'd wanted to for months. And now that it had happened, what came next?

For over an hour, there was just the crackle of fire and the murmur of distant conversation as the refugees went about camp. Then he felt Lance's knuckles brush the back of his hand. Keith cleared his throat and looked away. Without turning back, he slipped two fingers into Lance's hand. He felt Lance shiver and slide his hand further until it was completely under Keith's. He turned their hands slowly as if expecting Keith to pull away at any moment.

Keith's ears were on fire. Did Lance really think he didn't want to hold hands? After that!? Lance scooted closer. Keith let his knee fall into Lance's. Lance tapped Keith's foot with his and glanced over.

Keith smiled tentatively. Lance twitched a half smile back. His cheeks were pink. Keith looked down, his smile growing. He scooted in the dirt until their sides were touching. When he looked up, he caught Coleen glance away with a knowing smirk. Then he saw Brad and Chad share a look. Oh. So everyone knew he liked Lance. Wonderful. Then Lance's head fell onto his shoulder and it didn't matter. The boy he liked... liked him back.

This chapter came together in a solid twenty four hours with only a couple more for editing! I'm so proud!