p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"After a little while, the general ruckus calmed down, and the simple disputes were broken up by none other than Shiro. Coran was now actually banned from reading kitchen records out loud, therefore causing him to result to verbalizing random, purely unnecessary facts about planets they had yet to visit.. and had already gone to. In a way, it was even worse than weird recipes. After many drawn-out dobashes of extremely painful-to-hear information, Hunk's space meal was done. Everyone was clearly relieved./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" "Yes! Timing could have been better, but oh, well." Lance stated, watching eagerly as Hunk pulled a dish out of the Altean equivalent of an oven./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" "Expect more!" Was all Coran finalized with in a singsong voice, continuing to scroll through a small virtual screen emanating from a small circular disc./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Pidge watched in equal fascination as the Yellow Paladin's steaming plate was proudly set down on the marbled counter for all to see. Everyone leaned forwards. Inside the dish was a ginger-caramel colored stew-like brew with flecks of what looked like sugar. Hopefully./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" "Ohh, that looks awesome! I don't think I'll ask what it is- definitely not what it's made of- and just eat it." Lance declared, reaching out his arm and trying to take a spoon from the variety of kitchen arrangements nearby. Pidge offered a small cry of agreement./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" "Pidge, think you could go grab Keith? I'm sure he wouldn't want to miss out on this."/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"The said Paladin stiffened slightly at Shiro's too-regular tone. However, she made no denying groan or motion as her gaze slid to the floor. She could practically feel Lance's eyes dart from her to the Black Paladin./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""Yeah, sure. Leave some for me, too, okay?" She responded, elbowing Lance in the ribs (gaining a wheeze of acknowledgement from him) before unwillingly sliding off the smooth counter./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Pidge couldn't help but avoid Shiro's eyes as she exited the room./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"As the small Paladin left the clamor of the kitchen and walked along the quiet, empty halls, she was left alone with her thoughts. Useless, nit-picky facts and notes floated through her head, whispering she needed to fix this and replace that. However, it all somehow lead back to Keith. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Well, that was the direction she headed in./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"To her minor surprise, she was at the Red Paladin's door sooner than she'd expected. Shaking her head slightly and taking a breath, she raised her hand to knock on Keith's door./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"—/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Keith sat in silence on his bed, focused primarily on his thoughts. The occasional sounds of the Castle walls creaking were only background noise, something turned out to the point of almost not even hearing it anymore. The near-pristine room sported only a few random items, their shadows spread across the surfaces thanks to the dimmer lighting. Unlike Pidge's hurricane of a bedroom, the Red Paladin's was quite clean./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Keith resisted the urge to hit his head against a wall./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"He never viewed himself to be unorganized type (living space included), almost never rushing into an unknown territory with at least some kind of half-stable plan. He never thought annoying, prideful Lance would get on his nerves as much as he had done in the past day. Keith wasn't someone to openly show his emotions; he preferred to keep them tucked away in a corner of his mind. However, sometimes that corner needed to be cleared. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"And it had been./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Unfolding his vaguely sore legs from a tight criss-cross position, Keith stretched them out and flopped back against his pillow with a discontented groan. He had viewed Pidge as somewhat of a younger, nosy, straightforward sibling ever since she'd threatened to leave the team. That's when it had made a connection in his head- she wasn't just some little, incapable person Keith had originally viewed her to be. She was powerful and fierce, not one to be trifled with on darker days. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Even despite this, the look he'd seen on her face had pierced right through that strong barrier of hers./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"It was odd to see her so... so afraid./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"It didn't belong on her./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Letting out a long, breathy sigh, Keith closed his eyes for a moment. He knew he would have to get out of his room sometime to go catch up with the rest of the team. Besides, he had already caught some brief sleep. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"As Keith pondered getting out of his room or simply falling back into the realm of dreams, a hesitant knock bounced off his door. The Red Paladin bolted upright and swung his legs over the side of his bed, raising an eyebrow as he did so./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""Yes, who is it?" He said a bit brusquely, though didn't really mean his gruff tone./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"His door clicked open with a small whoosh of air, and revealed the youngest Paladin standing behind it, hand still raised in a knocking motion. Quickly dropping it to her side, Pidge creased her eyebrows with a hint of nervousness. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"The relief that tingled briefly though Keith almost made him shiver. Ever since he had been relieved of his own pod, he'd stuck around with Pidge for a couple hours before Shiro had come along. After that, he just loitered in his bedroom with no real purpose, mind wandering, but always coming back to a previous issue./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Pidge clearly didn't know how to continue. Neither did Keith. One of the significantly few things they had in common was their awkward inability to make easy talk with others. So, using actions instead of words, the Red Paladin scooted over to the head of his mattress, making room for his teammate to sit down. She accepted it gladly and shifted to settle down. After a heartbeat of silence, both Paladins started talking at the same time./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""Pidge, I know just a sorry isn't really enough, an-"/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""I wanted to let you know that I don't blame you for anyth-"/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"As they started, they also stopped simultaneously. Offering a small, wry laugh, Keith brought his hand up and awkwardly rubbed his neck./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""Sorry, go ahead." He said quickly, cutting off Pidge's no you response with a shake of his head. Starting to fidget with her shirt hem, the younger girl just blinked./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""Okay, um, I wanted to let you know that I.. I really don't blame you for what happened back there. I replaced my caution with recklessness. I just.. I wasn't thinking straight at all. I went along without any real worry, which was a huge mistake. If you hadn't acted as quick as you did, I probably would have.. um.." Pidge paused, clearing her throat. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""I, uh, I am super not mad at you and... and therefore-"/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Her words were cut off as Keith wrapped her into a tight hug. Pidge's confusion lasted only a tick before a small sniffle emanated from the Red Paladin and it registered in her mind. In response, Pidge returned the gesture in a gentle manner./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""I was.. so scared when it all happened," Keith admitted after a moment of quiet. "I wasn't there to protect you, as I should have been. I was preoccupied, and panicked when I didn't know what to do. It's the worst feeling I think I've ever had." He hesitated briefly before pulling out of the embrace, though keeping his hands on the girl's shoulders. His eyes shone in the dim light, his brows furrowed down./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""I'm just.. glad you're okay."/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Keith finished, his mouth curving into a small smile. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""Yeah, me too." Pidge agreed with a light chuckle. After a heartbeat of silence, she tapped his leg gently./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""And if you ever call me pipsqueak again, I'll kick your knees." She teased in a mildly threatening tone./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Keith raised an eyebrow./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""Hunk's cooked up something that looks like some sort of soup. Looks good and smells good, so I'm guessing it'll taste great too. What do you say we get a bowl before Lance finishes it all off?"/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Keith drew in a breath and moved to stand up. "Let's. There's no getting in between Lance and food when he gets impatient. Unfortunately, I learned that the hard way." /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Pidge forced down a bubbling question and stood up as well, following Keith out the door as it whirred open./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""Race you to the kitchen?"/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""If you can keep up, pipsqueak."/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"The two teammates instantly went barreling down the hallways, shouting and laughing carelessly as they slipped into various objects and stumbled over the smooth, polished floors./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;"br /-/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;"hi there thanks a whole bunch for reading! this is the first fanfiction i've literally ever written so I hope it turned out all right for y'all! since i'm still attempting to figure out how to use this website (even after a reasonably long time yes i know) there are probably some mistakes and I apologize for those. i know i most likely mentioned somewhere that this isn't a shipping story (more adequately put: a Kidge story) but i was told by my friends that i'm apparently good at writing romance. i have approximately zero problems with ships, but i just like friendship better, so keep in mind this was supposed to be friendship lmaobr /aaaaanyways any and all reviews is like life support to me so i would appreciate it if you left one!/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" "Yes! Timing could have been better, but oh, well." Lance stated, watching eagerly as Hunk pulled a dish out of the Altean equivalent of an oven./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" "Expect more!" Was all Coran finalized with in a singsong voice, continuing to scroll through a small virtual screen emanating from a small circular disc./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Pidge watched in equal fascination as the Yellow Paladin's steaming plate was proudly set down on the marbled counter for all to see. Everyone leaned forwards. Inside the dish was a ginger-caramel colored stew-like brew with flecks of what looked like sugar. Hopefully./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" "Ohh, that looks awesome! I don't think I'll ask what it is- definitely not what it's made of- and just eat it." Lance declared, reaching out his arm and trying to take a spoon from the variety of kitchen arrangements nearby. Pidge offered a small cry of agreement./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" "Pidge, think you could go grab Keith? I'm sure he wouldn't want to miss out on this."/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"The said Paladin stiffened slightly at Shiro's too-regular tone. However, she made no denying groan or motion as her gaze slid to the floor. She could practically feel Lance's eyes dart from her to the Black Paladin./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""Yeah, sure. Leave some for me, too, okay?" She responded, elbowing Lance in the ribs (gaining a wheeze of acknowledgement from him) before unwillingly sliding off the smooth counter./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Pidge couldn't help but avoid Shiro's eyes as she exited the room./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"As the small Paladin left the clamor of the kitchen and walked along the quiet, empty halls, she was left alone with her thoughts. Useless, nit-picky facts and notes floated through her head, whispering she needed to fix this and replace that. However, it all somehow lead back to Keith. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Well, that was the direction she headed in./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"To her minor surprise, she was at the Red Paladin's door sooner than she'd expected. Shaking her head slightly and taking a breath, she raised her hand to knock on Keith's door./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"—/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Keith sat in silence on his bed, focused primarily on his thoughts. The occasional sounds of the Castle walls creaking were only background noise, something turned out to the point of almost not even hearing it anymore. The near-pristine room sported only a few random items, their shadows spread across the surfaces thanks to the dimmer lighting. Unlike Pidge's hurricane of a bedroom, the Red Paladin's was quite clean./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Keith resisted the urge to hit his head against a wall./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"He never viewed himself to be unorganized type (living space included), almost never rushing into an unknown territory with at least some kind of half-stable plan. He never thought annoying, prideful Lance would get on his nerves as much as he had done in the past day. Keith wasn't someone to openly show his emotions; he preferred to keep them tucked away in a corner of his mind. However, sometimes that corner needed to be cleared. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"And it had been./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Unfolding his vaguely sore legs from a tight criss-cross position, Keith stretched them out and flopped back against his pillow with a discontented groan. He had viewed Pidge as somewhat of a younger, nosy, straightforward sibling ever since she'd threatened to leave the team. That's when it had made a connection in his head- she wasn't just some little, incapable person Keith had originally viewed her to be. She was powerful and fierce, not one to be trifled with on darker days. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Even despite this, the look he'd seen on her face had pierced right through that strong barrier of hers./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"It was odd to see her so... so afraid./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"It didn't belong on her./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Letting out a long, breathy sigh, Keith closed his eyes for a moment. He knew he would have to get out of his room sometime to go catch up with the rest of the team. Besides, he had already caught some brief sleep. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"As Keith pondered getting out of his room or simply falling back into the realm of dreams, a hesitant knock bounced off his door. The Red Paladin bolted upright and swung his legs over the side of his bed, raising an eyebrow as he did so./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""Yes, who is it?" He said a bit brusquely, though didn't really mean his gruff tone./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"His door clicked open with a small whoosh of air, and revealed the youngest Paladin standing behind it, hand still raised in a knocking motion. Quickly dropping it to her side, Pidge creased her eyebrows with a hint of nervousness. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"The relief that tingled briefly though Keith almost made him shiver. Ever since he had been relieved of his own pod, he'd stuck around with Pidge for a couple hours before Shiro had come along. After that, he just loitered in his bedroom with no real purpose, mind wandering, but always coming back to a previous issue./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Pidge clearly didn't know how to continue. Neither did Keith. One of the significantly few things they had in common was their awkward inability to make easy talk with others. So, using actions instead of words, the Red Paladin scooted over to the head of his mattress, making room for his teammate to sit down. She accepted it gladly and shifted to settle down. After a heartbeat of silence, both Paladins started talking at the same time./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""Pidge, I know just a sorry isn't really enough, an-"/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""I wanted to let you know that I don't blame you for anyth-"/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"As they started, they also stopped simultaneously. Offering a small, wry laugh, Keith brought his hand up and awkwardly rubbed his neck./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""Sorry, go ahead." He said quickly, cutting off Pidge's no you response with a shake of his head. Starting to fidget with her shirt hem, the younger girl just blinked./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""Okay, um, I wanted to let you know that I.. I really don't blame you for what happened back there. I replaced my caution with recklessness. I just.. I wasn't thinking straight at all. I went along without any real worry, which was a huge mistake. If you hadn't acted as quick as you did, I probably would have.. um.." Pidge paused, clearing her throat. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""I, uh, I am super not mad at you and... and therefore-"/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Her words were cut off as Keith wrapped her into a tight hug. Pidge's confusion lasted only a tick before a small sniffle emanated from the Red Paladin and it registered in her mind. In response, Pidge returned the gesture in a gentle manner./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""I was.. so scared when it all happened," Keith admitted after a moment of quiet. "I wasn't there to protect you, as I should have been. I was preoccupied, and panicked when I didn't know what to do. It's the worst feeling I think I've ever had." He hesitated briefly before pulling out of the embrace, though keeping his hands on the girl's shoulders. His eyes shone in the dim light, his brows furrowed down./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""I'm just.. glad you're okay."/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Keith finished, his mouth curving into a small smile. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""Yeah, me too." Pidge agreed with a light chuckle. After a heartbeat of silence, she tapped his leg gently./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""And if you ever call me pipsqueak again, I'll kick your knees." She teased in a mildly threatening tone./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Keith raised an eyebrow./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""Hunk's cooked up something that looks like some sort of soup. Looks good and smells good, so I'm guessing it'll taste great too. What do you say we get a bowl before Lance finishes it all off?"/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Keith drew in a breath and moved to stand up. "Let's. There's no getting in between Lance and food when he gets impatient. Unfortunately, I learned that the hard way." /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Pidge forced down a bubbling question and stood up as well, following Keith out the door as it whirred open./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""Race you to the kitchen?"/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""If you can keep up, pipsqueak."/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"The two teammates instantly went barreling down the hallways, shouting and laughing carelessly as they slipped into various objects and stumbled over the smooth, polished floors./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;"br /-/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14px;"hi there thanks a whole bunch for reading! this is the first fanfiction i've literally ever written so I hope it turned out all right for y'all! since i'm still attempting to figure out how to use this website (even after a reasonably long time yes i know) there are probably some mistakes and I apologize for those. i know i most likely mentioned somewhere that this isn't a shipping story (more adequately put: a Kidge story) but i was told by my friends that i'm apparently good at writing romance. i have approximately zero problems with ships, but i just like friendship better, so keep in mind this was supposed to be friendship lmaobr /aaaaanyways any and all reviews is like life support to me so i would appreciate it if you left one!/p
