This chapter was a long time in the making.

Allura looked at the door again and bit her lip. "Should we find them?"

Matt looked up from the circuit board he was soldering. "Keith and Lance? They'll find us once they've calmed down. No doubt Keith's mom and mine are railing them both right now."

Allura nodded and sat beside him with her ankles crossed. "Their loved ones are angry because of me, but they reap the punishment."

Matt half smiled and shook his head. "Trust me, it was an inevitable situation." He set his work aside and turned sideways to face her, one ankle crossed over his thigh. "I've known Keith for a while and Lance by proxy, so believe me when I say they had this coming. I'm kind of surprised goody-goody Lance got dragged into it, but this is healthy for them. Now they realize how worried we were."

Allura winced and glanced away. "I'm sorry. I must seem so naive to you."

"Hey," Matt coaxed, "no one thinks that. You were raised in completely different circumstances." He tentatively scooted closer. "Allura, you acted instinctively when you thought they were in danger. I want to thank you for everything you've done for them. Lance would be dead and Keith... my brother wouldn't have recovered from that. He'd be a shell of himself or worse, suicidal in his efforts at revenge. So thank you."

Allura blushed and looked at her crossed ankles. "You're very welcome. Though Keith helped me see past my own bias. The blades showed me that there are still good galra out there."

"Hey, have you guys seen Lance?"

She jumped as Keith appeared to have materialized a few feet away from them. It seemed the blades of marmora had rubbed off on him even more since she'd last seen him. Allura shook her head. "We left him in the hangar." She tilted her head. "Are you alright, Keith?"

Keith nodded with an anxious glance at the door. "Yeah, sure, it's just... You know how sensitive he is. The blades come across so much harsher than they intend."

"Like how you used to be?" Matt teased. Keith glared weakly at him and Matt laughed. "Go find him, Keefy." Keith groaned and stomped away shaking his head.

"Keefy?"

Matt looked back to see Allura tilting her head, eyes wide, and fought back a blush. Wow. Clearing his throat and rubbing the back of his neck, he explained, "It's what my little sister used to call him when we met. Before she lost her ability to be cute."

"That's not a very kind way to speak of your family," Allura said reproachfully.

"I don't mean to be mean," Matt corrected, smiling to himself. "She just went through a phase growing up. She wanted to be taken seriously when she really should have just enjoyed being young and making friends. She sort of grew isolated from the kids her age. I worried so much, taking my role of big brother seriously... not that it helped much." He flashed a grin at Allura. "We're both dweebs and nerds. It's why Keith fit in so well with us. He'd threaten to beat anyone who teased us. Shiro and Adam were always stressed out. It was great!"

Allura giggled and swung her ankles gently, palms on the table. Her fingers splayed and a pinky brushed the side of his hand. His heart thumped harder and he feared she'd hear it. She seemed oblivious as she said quietly, "I'd like to hear more about her... and your world."

"Yeah," Matt agreed instantly. Feeling bold, he slid his hand over her's. "Did Keith tell you about our dog?"

Keith furrowed his brow and exhaled loudly in frustration. Where could he be hiding? He thought he knew all his sharpshooter's favorite spots, but now he couldn't find him anywhere. Keith ran through the cafeteria, scanning faces and ignoring anyone who tried to stop him. When he rounded the corner to exit, he ran into someone. Before he could bounce off, warm hands caught his biceps and kept him upright.

Keith looked up into Kolivan's face, eyes wide with anxiety. His grandfather wrapped an arm around his shoulders and drew him close. Keith leaned into his side as he was led back the way he'd come. The eyes of the scientists they'd rescued burned holes into him. He pulled his hood back up, tugging it closer to his face, and kept his eyes on the floor in front of him.

Kolivan kept hold, leading him closer to their living quarters. When they were in a quiet corridor, he leaned down to whisper, "I kept an eye on Lance when he left the hangar. He fell asleep in your bedchambers and I came to find you."

Keith nodded and reached for the doorknob. Before he entered, he turned to Kolivan and said, "Princess Allura asked us for our help. I don't know how exactly, but it's got to do with the lions. I want to help her."

"Should I speak to her about this?"

Keith bit his lip. "Maybe... just wait until I check on Lance?"

Kolivan nodded. "Of course. When you are ready, bring her to the conference room. We can discuss the possibilities then."

"Thanks," Keith said and entered the bedroom. The lights were off, but the darkness didn't bother him, a gift from his galra blood. He silently approached the bed where a familiar lump had cocooned itself in all of their blankets. He sighed in relief. Peeling back layers, he found the top of Lance's head.

Keith smiled as he sat on the edge of the bed and ran his fingers through Lance's hair. Lance slowly began to shift and Keith heard him mumble through the covers, "I'm not asleep."

Keith scooted closer, bending down to place a soft kiss behind Lance's ear. He needed to distract Lance from whatever thoughts had driven him to isolating himself like this. Feeling bold, he asked, "Have I told you how sexy you look with that haircut, loverboy?"

"At least once a day since I cut it," Lance said with a weary sigh.

"We'd never have found out if Ulaz hadn't given you an undercut for the surgery."

Lance moaned and tried to burrow deeper, but Keith dove in after him. Beneath the blankets, Lance abruptly sat up and tried to slide away. Keith smiled when Lance's back hit the wall and boxed him in with his arms. Lance crossed his arms and looked away. "Knock it off, Keith. I-"

Keith silenced him with a kiss before he noticed the slight damp salty taste of Lance's lips. Pulling back suddenly, he reached out to cup Lance's cheek, ducking his head to try to meet his eyes. He caught his breath, afraid because he'd completely misread the situation. "Hey, buddy, are you alright?"

Lance's eyes shimmered in the dark. "Yeah, of course. I'm used to..."

Lance's voice trailed away to nothing, but any way Keith thought that sentence could end made his heart hurt. Keith quickly knelt beside Lance and pulled him to his chest. Lance's chest rose unevenly beneath Keith's touch and he reassured, "They were harsh because they care. Don't let it-"

"It's not that," Lance interrupted.

"Huh?"

Lance moaned low in his throat and explained choppily, "I mean, I can take what they said. I was upset for a bit, but I understand. Then your mom hugged me and kissed my hair like my mama used to and I-I couldn't take it any longer. I started thinking about my mom and dad... my siblings and the kids. I could practically feel the ocean wind and smell the salt." Lance sniffled wetly and leaned into Keith, the telltale sound of fresh tears in his voice as he whispered, "I miss my family, Keith. I miss earth."

The tears started in earnest then and Keith held Lance in silence knowing he had no words that would help. They'd been avoiding it long enough. The homesickness. It's what had brought Allura charging to their front door. Keith felt guilt turn his stomach. He should have noticed Lance hadn't been dealing with the stress as well as he claimed. Instead he'd broken first, letting Kolivan's kind words into his aching heart.

When his tears finally began to subside, Lance pulled out of Keith's hold and reached out from the safety of the blankets. After groping blindly, he retrieved a half used box of tissues. He blew his nose and tossed the tissue out of their nest. Keith worked up the courage to ask, "Do you want to talk about it? You know I'm here for you."

"I do and I know," Lance took several deep breaths, "but if I take you up on the offer, I'll start crying again and then we'll be here all night. Is Allura still here?"

Keith cleared his throat. "Yeah. She and Matt were in the engineer lab when I found them. Kolivan is willing to hear her out about the thing."

Lance stretched and pulled the blanket off of them. "Then we should probably go get her."

Coleen watched Lance sulk when he left the hangar and heard a barely audible growl from behind her. She glared over her shoulder, half surprised to see the red lion as the source and threatened, "Really? Don't you even start with me." The red lion lowered herself onto her front haunches and rolled her shoulders. Coleen held her staring contest.

"Alright, honey, you've made your point." Sam put his hands on her shoulders and steered her toward the door. "You really are too brave."

"I called her bluff," Coleen replied tersely.

"'She' is a sentient robotic lion with the protective instincts of a true lioness."

"And what am I?" Coleen said with false indignation.

Sam growled and hugged her from behind. "Mama bear."

Coleen giggled and turned her head to kiss his cheek. "Using my old unit nickname to get brownie points?"

"Mmm. I could really go for one of your brownies."

"Find me some sugar and cocoa and we're good to go. Do you think there's like, an intergalactic grocery store chain?"

Sam took her hand in his and started walking again. "I spoke with Shoren about a place we can get components for a couple projects. I wouldn't be surprised to find out there is a grocery store where we could get cocoa."

"Just tell me when and I'll get baking."

When they entered the cafeteria, Sam suggested, "Let's get something to drink. Calm down after all the excitement."

Coleen and Sam filled their cups and sat at a table in the mess hall with a trio of other scientists drinking what served as tea and coffee. The conversation barely paused as they joined. Coleen pulled her feet onto her chair and held her cup close to her face in both hands. The warmth seeped into her fingers and she breathed in the steam. Sam was right. A hot beverage had calmed her nerves. She reached out, resting her hand on his, and ran her thumb gently over the back of it. He smiled fondly at her and listened intently to the conversation.

Coleen was halfway through her second cup, leaning comfortably into Sam's shoulder, when Keith entered the cafeteria. His chest rose and fell rapidly, dark eyes scanning the crowd. His braid whipped around as he turned his head, already in motion to run through for the other exit. Coleen called his name, but he didn't pay heed.

She furrowed her brows, concern squeezing her heart. She moved to stand and Sam held her hand. "Let him go, Coleen." She looked back at him, tilting her head insistently toward Keith and biting her lip. Sam sighed and said, "See, Kolivan's already taken care of it."

Coleen turned to see Keith lean into his grandfather's side and yank his hood over his face. Coleen picked at her nail and retook her seat. Maybe she had been too harsh with him and Lance. Maybe she should have been more kind and receptive toward the princess.

"It's freaky how close he is with them."

Coleen glared at the man who'd spoken. "Maybe he's close because they don't judge him for things beyond his control."

The man looked at her incredulously. "Like what? He was their prisoner, same as us. And we're not aching to get all snuggly buddy-buddy with them." The man leaned over his hands and lowered his voice further. "What if they're blackmailing him or something?"

Sam folded his arms and leveled his gaze on the man. "Clark, there's no way he's being held against his will. Keith and Lance are possibly the only people here that have complete freedom to be exactly where they want to be."

"Which begs the question... Why do they want to be here?" Juandice asked. Coleen felt her blood begin to boil and struggled to stay quiet. The woman who had spoken reached across the table and rested a hand on Coleen's forearm. "I know you think he's the boy you love... but what if he isn't?"

Coleen searched her eyes, suspicion making her ask, "What did you do?"

"Don't be angry," Juandice began. Coleen felt her nostrils begin to flare and pursed her lips. Not a good start. Juandice leaned closer and the others around the table subconsciously followed suit. "You know that I study biology and gene codes. When I saw the boy spending so much time with the galra, I may have... taken a saliva swab from his drinking glass and tested it."

Coleen felt the blood drain from her face and chills ran down her body. Sam took her hand, squeezed it, and asked, "What did you find out?"

"His DNA is unlike anything I've ever seen before," Juandice said. Blunt, but honest. "There's definitely a double helix that resembles ours on a base level... but I think the galra changed him. The research facilities of the galra are known for experimenting inhumanely on prisoners. They torture and disfigure people just to figure out how to undo it. I theorize that maybe they made him more receptive to their suggestion or... I don't know. What I do know is... he's not one of us. "

"Then Keith is out of the question," Sam said. "I was there too, you know. If they did do something to him, the evidence would be plain as day. His PTSD wouldn't even allow him to be within fifty feet of a galra without triggering."

Clark scowled into his cup and rolled his shoulders forward. He seemed half convinced when he whispered, "Manipulating DNA is so advanced, we were barely scratching the surface on our planet. Keith is a fighter, not a scientist. Something like what you're suggesting is buried so deep beneath his skin, he probably doesn't even remember what they did to him... if they did something to change his genetic makeup."

"Maybe the sample was contaminated?"

Coleen felt immensely grateful toward the other scientist they'd found with Matt at the research facility. Agoran's alien skin was scaly, iridescent though slightly transparent, with no hair. Like a gecko, he was slender. Nonthreatening. She built on what he suggested. "That's always a possibility. We all share cups. Maybe there was residue that remained after cleaning."

Juandice suddenly seemed unsure and Coleen hoped she'd drop the subject. Then her expression shifted and she doubled down, "I know what I found and I know what I'm doing. The sample couldn't have been fucked up. I-"

Someone cleared their throat and the conversation ground to a halt. Juandice's eyes widened and she sat upright abruptly, her gaze over Coleen's shoulder. Coleen felt a hand touch her back and heard Krolia whisper close to her ear, "Keith has asked for an interview on behalf of the princess. I believe you and Sam should be present. I'm sure Matt will be there as well."

Coleen turned in her chair and asked, "Why?" Krolia blinked slowly and said nothing. Coleen smiled to the table and said, "Sam, dear, I think we're needed elsewhere."

Coleen and Sam stood from the table and she linked arms with Krolia. The other woman showed no visible reaction, but Coleen could feel a burning curiosity behind her dark eyes. Coleen lifted her chin at Juandice's dumbfounded expression. The three of them left the cafeteria, but Krolia made no move to drop her hand and Coleen shivered involuntarily. "Thanks for the rescue. I nearly lost my temper back there."

Krolia raised an eyebrow and tilted her head in Sam's direction. "Arguing about applications of technology again?"

Sam chuckled under his breath. "Unfortunately not. It was about Keith. The others are starting to speculate on his connection to your order and we don't call Coleen 'mama bear' for nothing." He reached for his wife's hand and said, "But they are close to the mark. Has Kolivan come to a decision about what to do with them?"

"I don't know. Ever since we saved you and the others from that laboratory, he only speaks to me of matters pertaining to the lions and the ones related to them, namely your family and Lance. I've been given the 'silent treatment'." Krolia said making finger quotations in the air. She exhaled and shook her head. "My father still retains his anger and disappointment from my past disobedience. I have not resumed active missions since my blade was taken, either." She took a deep breath and looked ahead. "The only relief is that acceptance of his grandson has not suffered from my actions."

"Kolivan is not a cruel man," Sam consoled gently. "If anything, it seems like he's making every effort to let you make up for lost time with Keith."

Krolia's eyes barely widened when she glanced at Sam. "That had not occurred to me. It is true that we share a great deal of the day together." She smiled to herself, less melancholy than a moment ago. "Thank you, Samuel. My outlook upon my indefinite suspension has improved drastically."

They entered the conference room to find over a dozen blades already gathered. They took up space in a way that seemed effortless and would have been intimidating, though unintentional, had Coleen not known what she did. Sam and Coleen were the only humans. She walked in feeling a strange comfort that she had penetrated their inner defenses to be allowed such access.

She sat next to Ulaz and leaned close to whisper, "Any idea what this is about?"

Ulaz stretched his hands over his head. "Not particularly. Antok summoned us without warning."

Krolia sat on the edge of the table and pulled one knee to her chest. "We'll know soon enough."

It was almost an hour before the door opened again. Coleen lifted her head off her forearm, cheek no doubt red from laying there so long, and saw Kolivan gesture for someone to enter. Matt was first, followed immediately by Princess Allura. Coleen looked at Sam with a raised eyebrow, watching to see if he saw what she did. He smiled back with a shake of his head. Following Matt and Allura was Keith and Lance with Kolivan a few steps behind. Matt finally let go of Allura's hand and stood against the wall. Lance joined him, folding his arms.

Keith paused next to Allura, reaching out to gently rub her upper arm. He whispered something to her and she barely nodded, nerves clearly getting the better of her. Keith waited an extra moment, taking a deep breath that she echoed, then joined Lance and Matt. He nodded to Kolivan.

Kolivan stood near the opposite wall of Keith with Allura in between them. She wrung her hands and looked toward him expectantly. He blinked slowly with a gentle expression. Not quite a smile, but not hostile. "Whenever you are ready, Princess, the room is yours."

Allura forced herself to lower her hands to her sides, though her right hand picked at the seam of her dress. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. "Thank you for allowing me an audience in light of recent events. Many of you are aware of what brought me to your ship, but I have a formal request." She glanced toward the boys for reassurance. Lance gave her a thumbs up and Keith nodded once with a grin.

She returned her gaze to the adults in the room and held out her hands. "As the daughter of King Alfor, I have a responsibility to seek out and protect the lions of voltron from the empire. The blue and red lions have become codependent on their paladins and I know they are safe. The black lion's position has always been known and is not in danger of being compromised. Which left me to find the green and yellow lions. The green lion proved easily recovered, but the yellow lion... is a little bit more... complicated."

Kolivan activated the star charts and they lit up the room. Allura approached the table and started keying in coordinates. The map zoomed in as she explained, "We've tracked the yellow lion to this planet. It did not take very long to realize that the castle is not prepared to handle the threats posed." She finished typing and the planet in question was highlighted. "This is a mining colony the empire has usurped. It is in the last stages, meaning that there are fewer hostile patrols than many other colonies. However this places the yellow lion in dire risk of capture."

"I know... I know I'm asking you to go against your nature, but I can't do this alone. Please." Allura shifted uneasily and looked away as her tone lost confidence. Coleen put a hand over her mouth. How difficult had it been for her to admit her weakness and ask for help from those she had despised only months before? Keith was the first to approach her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and she leaned her forehead into his neck.

Coleen looked between her friends at the table. It seemed Keith had gotten closer to Allura on Arus than they'd realized. Coleen wanted to speak, but she knew better than to interrupt. Keith raised pleading eyes to Kolivan and Coleen knew she didn't need to say anything. She covered a smirk behind her hands and watched the drama play out.

Keith tilted his head and squeezed Allura's shoulders. "We can't let the empire get him."

"Him?"

Keith looked at Antok with those sad, dark, puppy dog eyes and clarified, "The yellow lion. He's alone and if we don't intervene, no one will. Please. I won't let him go through what Red did."

"Alright, kit," Kolivan said, his voice low and even to contrast Keith's emotional tone. He approached the table and rested a hand on Keith's shoulder. "We will do everything in our power to find and recover the yellow lion. Princess, our ship is not equipped for a quick entry and exit, yet your castle appeared from empty space. Am I correct to assume the castle of lions contains a teleduv?"

Allura lifted her head in surprise. "You will help us?"

Keith answered Kolivan, "The castle has the thing, the uh, tele... whatever."

Kolivan's eyes crinkled at the edges and a few light chuckles went around the room. Kolivan said to the agents, "Those who wish to accept this mission, remain here."

Coleen noted the silence. It was different than their usual stealth. No one moved. She saw Krolia tense up as Kolivan's gaze swept the room. Coleen reached under the table and squeezed her hand. When Kolivan approached Allura, he reached for her hand and placed his other over it. "Princess, you have our support. The ones here will accompany you home to the castle where we can plan our approach."

Allura gently pulled out of Keith's hold and daintily wiped at her eyes. As she looked up at the leader of the blades, eyes still shining with emotion she barely held in check, Coleen saw how young Allura truly was. A child, younger than her eldest. Kolivan announced, "Everyone prepare to disembark. We leave in one varga."

The blades made their exit, the quiet filled with a strange energy. Krolia and Thace left together. Coleen leaned a hip into the table and watched Matt fiddle about before walking up to Allura. Coleen nudged Sam's hand and whispered, "We should get our gear."

Keith noticed Sam and Coleen leave and braced on his hands to hop back onto the table. "So what's the plan? Silent and stealthy?"

"Or smash and grab?" Lance finished, signature finger guns aimed at an imaginary enemy. Keith and Lance shared a grin.

Kolivan cleared his throat and raised an eyebrow at Keith. Keith ducked his head, his smile becoming childish as he avoided his grandfather's gaze. Lance sputtered, snorting slightly, and Keith giggled. Kolivan cleared his throat a second time and sat on the table beside Keith. "Kits, I know you are excited, but please remain focused."

Keith inhaled a deep breath and tried to get serious. He lowered his tone and asked without humor, "But seriously, loud or quiet?"

Kolivan held Keith's stare. After almost ten seconds, he replied slowly, "Quiet. Until we have no choice."

"So... smashing is still an option?" Allura asked.

Keith's lips twitched and he tried to keep from laughing. He really did. Lance, Matt, and Allura all joined him, but Kolivan ran a hand down his face. Keith leaned into him. "Oh come on. We're just 'kits'."

Kolivan wrapped his arm behind Keith's shoulders. "I know, precious one," Kolivan said as his hand snaked up and tugged the end of Keith's braid. Keith yelped in surprise and Kolivan chuckled low in his throat. "You should prep your lion. Let her know she'll be joining us."

"Wait, what?"

Keith slid away from Kolivan and sat cross-legged. Kolivan explained, "You are my choice of pilot for this mission. You and the red lion will get us to the surface of that planet to find the missing lion. Krolia told me of your skills using your 'fighter', I believe is the word she used. How you managed to avoid capture much longer than we've seen in a long time. Part of which was due to your connection with the red lion. Face it, kit, your bond is strong."

"And that makes me a better choice? Red and I are attack first, ask questions later. Blue is much more sensitive to this kind of thing. She can find her brother faster than-"

"Actually," Allura interrupted, "I can find the yellow lion. Before my father sealed me in the healing pod within the castle, he tied the lions to my life force." She shrugged and folded her hands. "As soon as I touch the planet, I will know where he's hidden. That's how I found the green lion."

"It's really that simple?" Matt asked.

Allura chuckled nervously. "It's the only simple part of this. Keith, I need someone I trust and the red lion told me to trust you. If your grandfather believes you are the best choice, I must concur."

"Does that make me your knight in shining armor?" Keith smirked at Allura and she rolled her eyes.

Lance scoffed, "I can't believe you stole one of my best pick up lines. Come on, hot shot. Let's get to the hangar and tell Red the news."

Lance sorted through the armory in the hangar. Keith had told him that his bayard, the strange weapons that Allura's father had designed like the lions themselves, would change to suit his needs on the battlefield, but he wanted to be prepared. So while Keith stood with his forehead to Red's chin, he loaded another pistol and strapped the holster to his other thigh. The blades that were coming with gathered in ones and twos. A few had stopped by for things they needed. In and out. Like always. It reassured Lance. It made what they were about to do seem standard to the operation.

He looked at Keith and belted on a knife when the sound of low voices echoed around the hangar. Lance tilted his head to discreetly look at the scientists. The blades were trying to ignore them, but Lance could see them tense up, as minuscule a detail as it was. Lance glared at the scientists. When they noticed him, they shut up and he rebuked, "He can hear you. We all can."

The woman folded her arms and looked down her nose at him. Lance refused to be cowed. He knew that look and she knew he'd caught her misbehaving. He also didn't show that he couldn't really pick up much about what they were gossiping about besides the few odd words, even with his prosthetic enhancements, but the galra were much more sensitive.

Lance heard the scientist mutter a few condescending words and stalked toward Keith pulling up his hood. Leaning a shoulder against Red, he said under his breath, "Maybe you were right not to talk to the people. Racist bastards."

Keith looked sideways at Lance without separating from Red. "Trust me, I'm used to being judged. Their words don't bother me. Don't let them bother you." He reached for Lance's hand and ran a thumb over the back with a gentle smile.

Lance felt Red rumble to calm his anxiety, but he didn't want to be calmed. Not at first. The longer he listened to her purr, the better he felt. He gave in and closed his eyes. Then the murmurs started again. He rolled his eyes and groaned. Taking a few steps toward the door, he threatened, "I'm gonna make them eat their words."

Keith tugged him to a halt and murmured, "Don't make me regret teaching you how to throw a proper punch." He twitched and his smile dropped when he looked over Lance's shoulder.

Lance turned and saw that they'd stopped Krolia. They spoke in not-whispers now, and the blades were obviously aggravated. Lance met Keith's eyes and they started jogging toward the door. Krolia stood at her full height, visibly trembling. Lance saw Keith ball his fists as he gained the lead. Shit. Lance put on burst of speed, thankful for once for all the laps James had made them do.

He closed the distance and wrapped his arms around Keith. He slid a few feet before he was able to stop Keith's momentum and he turned Keith around. "Trust me, you'll only make it worse doing that." Keith's eyes were focused, hard and angry. Lance reached up and cupped Keith's cheek. "Easy, mullet. Easy."

Keith took a deep breath, but when he turned to look over his shoulder, they both jumped at the sound of violently connecting flesh. Lance gripped Keith's hand in both of his and watched, mouth agape as Brad stood over the woman scientist. It wasn't clear whether he'd slapped or punched her, but he hadn't held back and she'd fallen to the floor.

The human man shouted, "What the hell was that for!?"

Brad shook out his hand, three hundred pounds of muscle and intimidation nearly making the man flee. Chad stepped up beside Brad and flexed that special way he had before touching Krolia's arm. "Are you alright?"

Krolia had her back to them, that slight trembling still there. Lance watched her hand flex slowly at her side, then relax as she exhaled. "I... I'm..."

Keith whined low in his throat and Lance let go so he could run to his mom. Lance joined the garrison teachers, forming a living barricade between the small family and their antagonizers. Lance heard Keith whisper, "Did she threaten you?"

Krolia replied, "No, little one. Though she is incapable of physically hurting me."

Lance bit his cheek while he processed that. So they'd attacked her emotionally. Typical. The woman scientist stumbled to her feet, shock making her cover her reddened cheek. The man, Clark made a grab to help her, but she waved him off. "Why did you hit me? Did they fuck with you too?"

"Oh," Brad chuckled sardonically, "I did not fuck anyone. And I will hit you again if you continue to insult my friend."

Lance tried to imitate Chad's machismo, but it felt so weak. He watched the standoff waiting for the next punch to be thrown. Then the alien with the lizard similarities had his eyes go wide and he covered his mouth. "Oh! I believe I understand now!"

Clark looked at him with questionable belief. "Really?"

The alien gestured toward Keith and Krolia with both hands. "It is obvious! Shevaka, how did it not occur to me first? Can't you see?" He smiled at his own epiphany and said, "She is-"

"Blades!"

Lance jumped again as Kolivan shouted for his agents. Then a large hand covered Lance's shoulder and gently moved past him. Antok flicked his tail in annoyance. The other blades, Allura, and the Holts moved toward the red lion. Krolia ran a hand over Keith's hair and looked over her head to her brother. Antok tipped his head and Krolia nodded. He said over his shoulder, "Get to the lion, Lance."

"You're meant to be on the mission, too," Lance reminded. Antok looked from the scientists to Lance and the look he got would have made his ears turn back if he were galra. He started walking backwards and said, "I'll, uh, get on the lion now."

When he climbed into the cockpit of Red, Keith was working through his 'preflight protocol'. It was different than their process back home with the fighter jets, but it still had the effect of calming his nerves. He asked as Lance rubbed his shoulders, "Antok change his mind?"

"He's decided to stay behind to deal with the scientists," Lance said. "What do you think he's telling them?"

Keith sighed and thumbed the throttles. "Based on what that scientist said, he's probably asking them if they really wish to know the truth. Which can be painful to hear and impossible to unlearn. That scientist, Agoran, might already know too much. He may be permanently involved in our struggle now."

"Hmm," Lance said. He considered how specific Keith's words had been. The fact that Keith knew who that scientist was even if he'd never seen him and Lance would admit he hadn't taken the time to learn the personal lives of the people he'd helped rescue. "Mind if I stay up here? It's kinda crowded down below."

"I'm glad for the company, short lived as it is. Wanna sit in my lap?"

"Seriously?" Lance perked up, unable to keep the delight out of his voice. Keith smiled and patted his thighs. Lance sat and turned so that his legs were across one armrest. Keith adjusted his arms for flight and Lance leaned against his chest. "This is comfy. How you doing, mullet?"

Red huffed and Keith spat through his teeth, "Easy, girl. I'm fine."

Lance looked closer at his boyfriend and saw him blush. Noticed the additional firmness of the 'armor' against his hip. "Oh my god, did I give you a boner?"

"I said I'm fine."

"Need me to kill it?" Lance asked.

Keith groaned. After half a minute he admitted, "Yes."

Lance considered what to say while Red made her way from the hangar. Then he asked, "What did that scientist tell your mom? She was pretty upset."

"That's how you kill your boners? Thinking about your mom?"

Lance kissed Keith's cheek. "It works better than a cold bath."

"Fine," Keith admitted. "That woman, Juandice, thinks that the blades are just as bad as the empire. She questioned why the galra want me here. What they did to make me stay. It was the accusation that my mother didn't care about me that triggered her. She remembered the way that she left me and my dad and it... it was too much." Keith trailed off and Lance leaned into his chest to comfort him. Then the castle tower came into view and Keith called over the radio, "This is the paladin of the red lion requesting permission to land."

There was silence on the radio while Red made her second pass. On the third trip, the door of Red's hangar opened without confirmation on the radio. Keith brought her about to enter and their descent began. When they landed in the hangar, Lance whispered, "Hard to believe we were here just a few hours ago."

Keith made a noise in agreement. Lance felt him shift to get up, but he didn't move. Keith grunted and said, "If you want me to carry you, you're gonna have to get up first."

Lance saw the others leave Red's stomach hold and nuzzled into Keith's chest even more. "Look, I know you don't want to put Red in danger. You've told me since we were stolen from earth that you want to protect everything we have left. Everything dear to us." He kissed Keith's jawline. "We used to only have each other. There's a lot more at stake now. Just don't forget that mentality, mullet. You have the heart of a leader. Allura and Kolivan are right to trust your judgement and you have my loyalty until my dying breath."

Keith's left arm made its way up Lance's back and held him tight. Keith's hair tickled his neck. There was only him and Keith and the quiet pressure of the lions in their minds. Lance closed his eyes when Keith's lips found his. Keith's skin was dry and warm. Like his hands as they traveled up to hold Lance's face. Fingers delicately cradled his jaw. So soft for someone so strong. So full of love. More capable of sympathy than anyone from his childhood ever imagined possible.

"Kits, is something delaying you?"

Lance's lips twitched against Keith's and he pulled back for breath. Keith licked his bottom lip before biting it for a moment. So damn hot. He finally climbed out of Keith's lap and took his hands. "Come on, alpha. Time to go save a lion."