Okay, so I finally got another day done for Kallura for the prompt 'Swords and Sorcery' and it took me awhile to figure out something smaller as my other idea was far too big. That said, this is set after s2 but before the start of s3.

How could this be possible? How could Haggar be Altean? Then again, Allura shouldn't be too surprised anymore. Keith was half-Galra, and he was one of the most heroic people she had met. The more she fought in this war, the more her beliefs were challenged but this…this was more than a belief. If Haggar could be Altean and have a part in the destruction in their home, then what did it say about her? Could she be evil too? The powers she had been told were used to heal and preserve life, had that been a lie?

She stood near the window, staring outside at the stars. It had been a month or so since the battle with Zarkon – a month since Shiro had disappeared and she had learnt that Haggar, the one who had caused so much pain – to them, to Shiro, had been one of her own. The sound of footsteps caused her ears to flicker up and she tilted her head to see Keith walk over.

"Allura," Keith said quietly. "Are you alright? Lance said you've been avoiding everyone."

"So have you," Allura pointed out. They still had not found Shiro and they needed to, soon. Voltron needed its leader.

Keith frowned at that and looked away for a moment. "I have other things on my mind than hanging out with the others."

"Then why don't you hate me?" The words slipped out of her mouth before she could stop them, and Keith's eyes widened as he stared at her.

"What? Hate? Why?" Keith seemed to stumble through the questions, looking utterly baffled at the idea. "I don't…I don't understand."

"Haggar is the one who hurt Shiro the most," Allura admitted, fists clenching. "Likely…using Altean magic. The same magic I have within me." Her gaze averted to the ground. She didn't want to see his expression change. Ironically, despite how she had avoided upon learning he was half-Galra, she was not certain she could bear it.

"I don't hate you," Keith said firmly and Allura slowly lifted her gaze. His expression was soft, but his words radiated certainty.

"But why?" Allura asked, sounding genuinely curious.

"My bayard is a sword, right?" Keith asked, making it appear and looking at it. Allura nodded, not entirely certain on where he was going with this but didn't interrupt and he continued. "I can use the sword to protect you and my friends, but I could also use it to wound people, even kill them. The sword gives me a power that I can use for good or evil. That's my choice. You and Haggar are the same way. You both have powers. But how you use them is up to you. You're not evil, Allura. Your powers don't decide that. You do."

Allura let the words wash over her. Keith hardly spoke this much but she had a feeling he had because he could feel it was something she needed right now. It tightened the knots that her heart had formed, and she found herself visibly relaxing. Seeing no one else was around, she moved forward hugging Keith.

"Thank you, Keith," Allura said softly. "I think I needed to hear that because my mind was not thinking pleasant thoughts."

Keith's grip tightened around her slightly. "Um, you're welcome. I just…Shiro would have done the same if he were here and…I know what it's like…when thoughts spiral."

Allura laughed a bit at his awkwardness. "Still, thank you. It means a lot to me that you came to look for me."

"Yeah," Keith murmured, not saying anymore but she had known him long enough to know that was the translation for the words that he was happy to do so. And that meant more than she knew how to properly express in return.