Ugh I got so pissed. I wrote this chapter and saved it. Then when I went back and spellchecked/grammar checked, fanfiction went weird and logged me off and didn't save anything. So if you find spelling/grammar errors I'm sorry

They had been there for another two days- that made almost a week. A whole week away from the team. It was hard not to worry and hope they were doing okay without them there to form Voltron. It wasn't as if they were helpless, considering they still had three operating lions, but there had been many challenges and battles that couldn't have been won without Voltron.

For now, all they could do was wait for Tellru to arrange a meeting with her King. She had apologized many times that she wasn't able to just yet. She explained how there were a few political tensions within the castle regarding the neighboring kingdoms and everyone there was short of time.

So two more days' passed- a lot of time spent going through the kingdom. It was an easy and quiet way to pass time.

One of those days Lance had been laying in the room shrouded in complete darkness. The doctor had come with some remedy to put on his eyes, but he had to have no contact with light for 24 hours- leaving him stuck in the room.

It wasn't like he could see anything anyway, but it was boring in there. Keith wasn't much help either. Though Lance was grateful Keith was willing to sit in pitch darkness with him.

Knowing Keith was never really the talker, Lance offered a topic, "Do you think Allura is able to pilot the lions?"

Keith must have been polishing his Bayard or something and paused, "What?"

"Well- without us there who is going to pilot Red and Blue? What if they need to form Voltron? So do you think Allura is able to pilot the lions?"

Keith takes a second to consider this, "Probably. Her life force is connected to them or whatever, right? She could probably fly both of them without many problems- plus, the Lions know that if they are in the pinch they have to push through with whatever pilot they can get." he thinks back to the black lion. "Even if she could pilot one, though, they still couldn't form Voltron with only four lions,"

"...There is Coran."

Keith actually snorts, "You think Coran can pilot the lions? Did you not see the outfit he wore the last time he tried?"

"I saw it," Lance could picture it clearly, "But they probably wouldn't have a choice if they were attacked," he paused, "Blue would probably let him be the pilot. They're pretty friendly, unlike yours,"

"Would you have trusted Coran if you saw that thing he wore?" Keith scowls.

"He was styling," Lance did some jazz hands. Hearing Keith groan he chuckled, smiling. Feeling the smile all the way through his face, he winced when his eyes stung. Regretting the smile, he turned a little.

"You okay?" Keith asks.

"Yeah… how much longer do I have to lay here?"

"Another hour,"

"Ugh- this is so boring~"

"It will help your eyes,"

"...Hopefully," sitting up, Lance reached for the glass of water he placed on the bedside table, "You don't have to sit in here with me, you know."

"I'm not in the mood to go outside,"

Accepting that, Lance talks about anything that comes to mind. Things about the kingdom, his thoughts on Tellru and Dravla, "You gotta tell me what Ruru looks like,"

"She has blue hair,"

"...You would be a horrible aid to a blind person- correction, you are a horrible aid. Use details!"

"Her hair is curly- really curly. Like a sheep but not as thick. She looks like every other Coeihn, really,"

"Good thing I know what every other Coeihn looks like," Lance grumbled sarcastically.

"Gray skin- weird horn ears. I dunno!"

"You would be a horrible writer,"

"Good thing I never wanted to be one growing up," Keith scowls.

Lance turns over, propping his head up on his elbow, "So what did you want to be?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Because there is nothing else to do and you are the only person from my planet that is around and would get most of what I am talking about." he pauses, "I bet you were one of those kids that wanted to be a cop or something," Lance snickers, "Or a superhero,"

"Every kid wanted to be that at some point," Keith insists. Lance can't argue honestly, recalling how he dressed as Super man for two Halloweens in a row. "Most of the time I just wanted to be like my Dad,"

Lance finds himself hesitating. He had never heard Keith mention his Father too much before, "What was he like?"

"..." Keith mumbled a bit, "He was great. Really great. He always did the right thing and fought for the little guy. Had this heavy Texan accent. Plus he was really into animals and the quiet. When he was still alive we lived on a ranch in the middle of nowhere. He loved it, but I never really had anyone around my age to play with,"

"I feel like I'm starting to see the secrets to why you as so antisocial," Lance hums, no real bite behind his words.

Keith fakes a laugh, "Very funny," he gripes, "And what about you? What did you want to be?"

"What didn't I want to be- every month was a new little career choice. Sports player, astronaut, teacher- I wanted to do it all." Lance grins, "My aunts and uncles all branched into a lot of different career choices, and so they took me with them to work a lot to show me how everything worked. I remember for an entire day I was called, Doctor Lance,"

"If they gave you a scalpel then everyone was doomed,"

"You joke but I was the best doctor there! Everyone I saw left with a smile and a lollipop. Plus... they never let me near the scalpels"

"Thank god for that," Keith rolls his eyes. As the last hour of Lance's treatment rolled to an end, there was a knock on the door. The Doctor and Tellru had arrived and helped Lance to remove his bandages.

"The skin is healing well," Tellru tells him, "We'll try this process for another day or two and then we'll see if there is an improvement in your sight."

Meaning they wanted Lance to try and open his eyes. He wasn't sure if he was ready to try and test that just yet but nodded anyway, "Okay… Thanks,"

Placing new bandages, the Doctor bowed his head to them and left. When he was gone, Tellru cleared her throat, "Are you two hungry?"

"Starving," Lance admits, "Why do you ask?"

"Ruru actually wanted to invite you to Lunch," she smiles, "Would you two care to join us?"

"Free Lunch? Of course we'll go," Lance says like the answer should have been obvious from the start. He had really come to like Tellru, Dravla, and Ruru- who he was especially close with. It was probably since she was a child, honestly, but he felt open to her. She reminded him of the kids within his own family.

Lifting himself a little from the bed, Lance can hear Keith roll the wheelchair towards him. In all honestly, he really didn't need it anymore. He was kind of slow in walking, but he could do it.

He only agreed because Keith insisted he uses it for a few more days, just to be safe.

Seating himself within, he sighed, "Alright, let's go,"

Rolled out of the building, Lance listened to the buzzing town. "So, where do you live Tellru?"

"In the lower districts, we'll have to take a Kever to get there,"

"A tomb?" Keith frowned.

Not sure where he got that from, she corrects, "A form of transportation,"

A form was not really an explanation to what it was, but Lance was sure he would figure it out eventually. "Where is Dravla right now?"

"Work,"

"What exactly does he do?" Lance inquired, "Besides like- fighting people."

"The top champion of the arena is only something he does out of tradition. His father was top champion as was his grandmother before him. He finds it an honor to carry out the title, though most try to steal it from him." she explained, "When there are no matches going on however, or if no one can get through the first four champions- he is the second hand man to the King,"

"Second hand?"

"There are many tasks the King must get done yet he cannot do it all himself. Dravla and him have known each other since they were children and he trusts Dravla with his life. Which everyone should- he is a very loyal ally," Lance can feel her smiling with pride and affection as she talked about her equivalent. It was sweet. "He also apologies for not being able to arrange a meeting between the three of you despite seeing the King so often. With this war going on…" she trails off.

"You mentioned something about political tension- but you didn't say anything about a war," Keith points out.

"Well, a war is something that only lasts a few years at most… This is more of a feud that has gone on for decades with our neighbor- Traveks. You are both honestly very lucky you ended up being found by us instead of them. They would not have even given you a chance to earn your freedom, most likely killing you the second they found you."

That was almost a scary thought. Lance had thought the Coeihns had been pretty brutal when they first encountered them; so learning they were actually the nicer of two groups wasn't comforting. "I guess lucky us then." he swallows.

Tellru pats his back, "Indeed. We are here. This is the Kever," Keith pulled Lance to the stop and stepped forward.

"...Is that a bug?"

Lance didn't like bugs, "A bug?"

"It is a huge bug. A big beetle,"

Lance opened and closed his mouth, "Oh god- how big is it?"

"The size of a bus,"

"Nope. Nope. No way- is that what we are riding?"

"Yes,' Tellru sounds a little amused, "Have you never been on a Kever before? Are they not around in your world?"

"We- have bugs, just not as big," Keith cringes a little.

"I'm not getting on it," Lance lifts his hands.

"It is completely safe," she assured them.

"That doesn't matter! It is a bug!"

"I struggle to see what the problem is. People are starting to stare," she informs him.

"Let them stare!"

"Lance," Keith grabs his arm, "It'll be fine- you can't even see it. Just pretend you are riding a train or something,"

"I'll know," Lance covers his ears, "I'll know it is really a bug,"

There is a pause before Keith says in a teasing voice, "Didn't think you were afraid of bugs,"

"I'm not afraid of them- They are just gross and slimy and get in your hair,"

"I don't think you have to worry about this thing getting in your hair, Lance" Keith snorts, "Do you need me to hold your hand?" he smirks

"No," Lance grumbles and hits his arms away.

Lifting himself from the chair, he could hear Tellru folding up the chair to carry it. Then she leads them on board, making sure to find a spot with enough room for Lance to feel comfortable. He didn't even understand how this was working.

"Does it- like, have a saddle? How many people are on this thing?" he demands quietly to Keith as he led him on board.

"Normal amount of people you would see on a bus," he shrugs, "There are things on it's back like benches,"

"So the benches are part of it's back?" Lance wanted to throw up, "I'm not sitting down," When the Kever shook slightly, Lance snapped a hand up to Keith's shoulder, holding himself steady. "Are we moving?"

"Yes,"
"Okay…"

It was odd- almost like they were spinning. He could feel the Kever moving along through his feet- but his mind wasn't able to fully accept they were moving since he couldn't see it.

So he bit his lower lip and urges himself not to throw up at this mix of senses.

"Hey," Lance tenses when Keith suddenly leans closer to him, "It's okay," Keith's voice was softer than before as he whispered into his ear, understanding, and patient. Lance still couldn't get used to how easily Keith's tone could switch from condescending to caring so quickly. "Do you need to hold my hand?"

It was the same question as before, but it was honest and serious. Lance felt more flustered with this one, his heart hammering, "Um…" he swallows and nods timidly, "Yeah," reaching with only his pinky at first, it ghosted against Keith's wrist before he brought their hands together. The warmth of the Red paladin's hand was creeping from his palm and up his arm. He was almost tempted to pull away to avoid it, but the sense of comfort that also seeped from it was too good to give up.

Lance felt more flustered with this one, his heart hammering, "Um…" he swallows and nods timidly, "Yeah," reaching with only his pinky at first, it ghosted against Keith's wrist before he brought their hands together. The warmth of the Red paladin's hand was creeping from his palm and up his arm. He was almost tempted to pull away to avoid it, but the sense of comfort that also seeped from it was too good to give up.

Quick to focus on something else he asks, "So- we haven't been to this side of town. Is it nice?" he said to Tellru.

"It is where most citizen's live, so it if fairly clean," she says, "We mainly moved there for the education facilities for Ruru. It is easy to get there from work as well. You can get a full view of the lower districts over this hill," after a few seconds Keith turned to look out, his hand suddenly tightening around Lance's

Shifting a little he gave Lance's hand a tug to follow him.

Slowly inching a little to the right, he heard Keith suck in a breath. When he grows quiet, Lance tugs on him. "What?" he asks, curious to what had caught Keith's attention.

"It is a gun," Keith says in a tone of awe.

Lance wasn't sure what the big deal was, "Cool?"

"It is a huge gun, Lance. The biggest one I've ever seen- Voltron could hold it. Why is it pointing at the sky?' Keith questioned. It was seated towards the distance, standing like a mountain beyond the lower district. The very size must have taken decades to complete the construction.

"Well, it is more of a cannon- but Gun works. It is used to shoot down Galra." Tellru says simply, almost like it was a dumb question to ask. "It is our main line of defense against outer world attacks,"

"Jeez." Lance wanted to see this! It must have been epic! If it was like any of the giant cannons that the Galra had used, it must have caused some serious damage. No wonder Zarkon hadn't managed to take over this planet yet.

Lucky them, honestly.

Going about another five minutes like this, Lance was grateful when they were finally able to get off of the odd bus bug. "Here Lance," Keith was already pulling out his wheelchair.

"We still have a ways to go," Tellru agrees.

Sighing, Lance sat down. As they walked the sound of children were more prominent within this area. There were several times they had to stop as a group of them ran by playing together and giggling. It was a peaceful noise.

After at least 20 minutes Lance asked, "Are we almost there?"

"Just at the end of this road,"

Lance forced the chair to stop, saying, "I wanna walk the rest of the way,"

Keith must have expected this and helped him stand up, folding the chair quickly and throwing it over his shoulder. The pace was slow, Lance inching forward. He had taken a few small injuries to his legs, but overall he was told it was the trauma of what he had gone through that was taking the heaviest toll.

So his legs were jelly and his muscles were barely strong enough to lift a toothpick.

Hating the idea of Keith having to wheel him around, he took any chance he could get to stretch his legs. Tellru never seemed to mind, insisting she liked taking her time walking down her street.

It smelled like flowers, his feet crunching wonderfully against the ground.

"So Tellru, compared to me, how tall are you?"

"That is a strange question," She says to Lance.

"I'm just wondering,"

"I am at least an entire foot or two taller than you," she explains.

He whistles, "Are you considered tall for your people?"
"No," she smirks.

"You guys are giants. At least I'm not the smallest one of the three of us- unlike Keith the shorty~"

"You had to throw that in there?" he grumbled.

"Yes,"

Sighing, Keith paused when Tellru pointed upward, "Here we are,"

It was a quaint little building with a full garden, each flower looking cared for and beautiful. Leading Lance up the small stone path to the front door, Tellru opened it and stepped inside. "Ruru!" she called.

The sound of stomping feet and Lance could hear Keith grunt and fall back. Not sure what just happened, Lance could hear him say, "Hey, Ruru,".
"Ruru!" he moved a little closer, "Hey girl!"

"Hello!" she says. She must have tackled Keith to the ground. "Welcome!" She ushered them in excitedly, tugging them down a hall. She seemed to have something she wanted to show them and had them sit down on a strange kind of couch. It felt like a couch version of a waterbed and they struggled to keep their balance on it.

Gifts!"

"Gifts?" Keith questions her.

"Ruru has brought you both gifts," Tellru announced as she entered the room. "She is very excited to show you them,"

Hearing the sound of metal, Lance realized that Ruru must have been bouncing excitedly, "For you! For you!"

Handed something along the lines of clothing, Lance titled his head, "What is it?"

"A jacket," Keith announced, given his own. "Yours is blue."

"Is yours red?"

'Yes,"

"Ruru! You know us so well!" Lance praised, looking for the zipper. Finding it he quickly put it on and zipped it up over his paladin undergear. Which was very nice because he had been wearing this for a week straight.

He also hadn't taken a shower in a week…

That very thought was going against everything he stood for But he forced himself to put it aside for now. He would demand Tellru for some sort of bath later, but for now, he would just enjoy the gift he received from a sweet little Alien girl.

"Thank you, Ruru," Keith says, putting on his own. Zipping it up, he said, 'Yours is the same as ours, Ruru,"

"Oh my gosh, do we all match?" Lance got to his feet, steadying himself with a hand to Keith's shoulder, "That is adorable. What color is Ruru's?"

"Orange,"

"Match! Keith! Lance!" she cheers

"I'm keeping this forever, Ruru," he tells her. She hugged his leg, giggling.

"Did you make these?" Keith inquires.

Tellru nods, "I did, I hope they are to your liking,"

"It's so soft~" Lance hugged himself. "Tellru! How do we look?"

"Like a matching set," she smiles.

Squeezing Keith's shoulder, liking the sound of that, he says, "Dude, we're like big brothers here,"

"Brothers?"

"I use to wear matching clothes with my siblings all the time when I was little- we're like Ruru's big brothers like this!" Lance felt a warm feeling in his heart at the thought. A kind of nostalgic feeling that made him think of home.

Keith was chuckling a little, glancing down at Ruru by his knees then back at Lance, "I… I guess so,"

"Thanks' again, Ruru," he tells her. "This is the best get ever,"

"Welcome La-" she struggled to say his name, "La… La… ce. Lala," she concluded.

Lance snorted, "I'm Lala now?"

"Lala!" she patted his face when he leaned down towards her. It hurt a little with his bruises, but he knew she was trying to be affectionate, as all children did.

"You are such a sweet pea," Lance says, fondly reminded of his little niece, "Lala it is,"

"...Sweet pea?" she inquires.

'It is a nickname." Lance says.

("It is a nickname, Ruru,") Tellru says to her. "Though I don't quite know what a sweet pea is,"
"It is a little pea that is sweet," Lance says.

"...I still don't know what that is," Tellru shakes her head.

"Ruru likes," Ruru approved of the name regardless.

After that, they enjoyed a nice long Lunch together. The taste of the food on this planet was definitely different than what Lance and Keith were used to. Not bad, just differed. Hunk would get a kick out of using the spices here.

It made Lance miss him a little bit more. "Thanks for the food, Tellru," he tells her.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," standing up to collect the dishes, she watched fondly as Ruru slide off her chair to step next to Keith. She tugged at his knee.

"Keef. Play?" she inquires sweetly. Blinking at her, he slowly and reluctantly released his hand to her and let her drag him towards the back screen door they had. When Lance was done with his own food, Tellru led him to the back to join Keith and Ruru.

She had the poor red paladin running around in wild circles, playing strange games he didn't fully understand.

At some point, she sat him down on the porch and dove into a bush. A little while later she returned, "Flowers," Ruru says, holding them out to him.

"Oh…" Keith kneeled a little, "For me?" When she nods, he takes them. Never one to dislike children or mind their actions, Keith smiled at her, "Thank you,"
She grinned from ear to ear, a smile that matched her Fathers, and ran to collect more. She was gathering blue ones this time, most likely planning on giving them to Lance.

When she collected enough, she ran to him, "Flowers, Lala," she says again.

Lance didn't understand and slowly extended his hands. Handing them to him, he brought the flowers to his nose and smelled them, "Aww, are these for me sweet pea?"

"Yeth,"

"Yes," Tellru corrects.

"Yes,"

"I love them," Lance places the flowers on his lap and reaches out. With a few tries, he finds Ruru's head and ruffles her hair. Leaning towards him, standing on her tippy toes, Ruru patted his own head- thinking the gesture was a means of friendship. It had Lance chuckling. "Ow…" Something hit Lance's leg when Ruru stepped back.

"Sorry, sorry!" the girl exclaimed quickly, stepping back.

Rubbing his leg, Lance frowned, "Are your legs made of steel or something Ruru?" he questioned.

"It is her leg braces- she was born with weak knees," Tellru explained, "She did not mean to hit you with the side with them."

Keith had noticed them when they first meet, but he hadn't been quite sure what they were."

"It is fine," Lance assures quickly, "I didn't even realize she was wearing them. Has she always had them?"'

'Since she was born, yes. She will need to wear them all the way to her adult years." she glanced at the sky, "In fact, speaking of her braces, I need to go and pick up the new bolt for them."

"Ruru go!"

"Yeah if you need to go pick something up we can head there," Lance offers.

"If you wouldn't mind," Tellru is already grabbing a little pouch of money. Adjusting Ruru's braces, she asked if Lance required his chair.

"I can walk."

"Walk with Ruru," Ruru takes his hands. "Keef too," she takes his hand as well and they all walk side by side. Tellru is enjoying the sight- pleased that Ruru had taken a liking to them. Leading the way, they went a few blocks before going to a store.

Halfway there, all of them were surprised to run into Dravla. Ruru ran to him, leaping into his arms. He cheers and hugged her, "Hey there!"

"Dravla," Tellru hugs him, "You are home early?"

"Eh, things got a little weird… thought I'd check in on you," he smiles at Keith and Lance, "How are you two doing?"

"Good, we were just helping Tellru get an extra bolt or something for Ruru's braces," Lance tells him.

'Oh yeah," he lift's Ruru's leg, "We ended up losing a bolt somehow-" following them, Dravla stands with Keith and Lance when Tellru approaches the shop.

"It is right in here. I'll be right out." taking only a few seconds to step in, grab the bolt, and walk out, Tellru kneeled down to her daughter when she returned, "(Here, Ruru, go buy a little treat,)" she hands her daughter a coin and points to a stand across the road.

Ruru takes Keith's hand and tugs him towards the stand to show him something. Hesitantly following, he listened to her the best he could with how little of their language she knew.

Lance thought it was hilarious- Keith couldn't seem to say no to her. He really had not expected Keith to be such a kid's person. It was kind of cute.

"They are getting along well," he says aloud.

"It's cute," Dravla grins.

"Indeed," Tellru folds her arms, "Now if only she could get along with our nanny's as quickly as she does with Keith and you,"

"She needs a nanny?"

"Well, with me being the royal translator and Dravla being the top champions of the arena- as well as the King's second hand, we find ourselves being away from home a lot," she sighs, "I wish it didn't have to be that way but I haven't been able to figure anything out yet."

"So she doesn't like the babysitters basically," Lance concluded."

"Not a single one. I'm actually really surprised she gets along with you two. Maybe because you are closer to her age- I mean, not by much obviously, but all our other nanny's are in their 40's or 50's. Or she finds you interesting since you aren't Coeihns," Tellru shrugs. "I'm actually grateful to you both- she's never wanted to give others gifts before. Other children mock her for her knee braces- but she feels accepted by Keith and you."

"She is a sweet kid, don't see why I wouldn't like her."

Tellru and Dravla smile a little, "Thank you," the three of them pause when they hear Ruru cheering. With two small treats in her hands, she is having Keith take a knee in front of her. Completely unable to go against her, she shuffles around him and hops onto his back. Struggling for a moment to get on, she cheers when she does. Then she reaches around and stuffs one of the treats into Keith's mouth, sharing with him.

Furrowing his eyebrows, he wobbles for a second, struggling to munch on the treat and lift her up at the same time "Okay, up we go." standing up with Ruru on his back, he adjusted her slightly. She clapped joyfully, lifting her arms up high. "Is that good? Is it too high?"

"She is fine, Keith," Tellru chuckled,

"You could practically be her older brother," Dravla cooed

"What a change in heart," Lance teases.

Keith frowned at him, "What is that suppose to mean?"

"Well, you switch from threatening to adoring so quickly-"

"Shut up Lance," Keith grumbled.

"Didn't realize you were a kids person, Keith."

"..." Keith made a little huff. Though Lance couldn't actually see them, he was smiling brightly. It made Keith feel a little flustered, especially when he realized Tellru and Dravla were staring. "What?"

Dravla was swooning, finding the sight downright adorable, "Aww,"

Tellru looked as though she had some sort of plan, "Dravla my treasure, I believe we have officially found our new babysitter,"

"Wha- I can't- I'm not good with kids," Keith argues."My giggling daughter on your back disagrees with you," she grins.

"My giggling daughter on your back disagrees with you," she grins.

"Welp," Lance shrugs, "Guess that's it then- Hi Mr. babysitter,'

"I didn't agree to this!" Keith fumes.

"I like Keef~" Ruru hugs his back. Keith gawks at her, then at Lance.

"We do technically owe Tellru and Dravla for helping us," he shrugged innocently, smirking.

Ruru repeated, "I like Keef…" she bats large eyes at him expectantly.

Blinking a few times, he slowly grumbles over his shoulder, "...I like Ruru,"

Lance clapped a little while Ruru's parents cheered. Lance liked this family.

Deciding to stop and let Ruru play at the park on the way back to their house, Lance sat himself on the bench. It was strange how different yet oddly similar this place was to Earth.

"So what were you doing today, Dravla?" he inquired when Keith went to play with Ruru.

"Checking shipments, appointing the guards of tonight's watch- normal things." he says in a deep voice. It was the only thing Lance could ever go off of in determining who he was talking to. "I see you got your new jacket,"

"It is super soft," Lance loved the material. "I'm surprised you managed to make them this fast, Tellru,"
"I am a fast sewer," she pauses suddenly. Her voice grows cold when she says, "And look who is finally making his rounds,"

Lance could hear several heavy footsteps, "What's that?"

"The royal guard," Dravla announces, "Looks like they are on their way to patrol,"

"After being an hour late- you would think they would take their jobs more seriously," Tellru grumbles. Her tone picks up a little when she says, "And there is Rashra, as grumpy as ever,' Tellru snickers.

"Rashra… that was the weirdo that tried to claim Keith, right?" Lance frowns."

"That's the one," she clicks her teeth, "He wasn't too happy that you won and claimed Keith instead… It was especially funny that you won with only 5 minutes to spare before sun fall," she is snorting, sounding very pleased with this fact. "He was so pissed!" she cackled.

"I've never heard you laugh,' Lance notes.

"She really doesn't like Rashra," Dravla says, "Speaking of, he is looking over here," Dravla lifted a hand to wave at him. Tellru did the same, smirking smugly.

Lance couldn't see him, but from what he's heard, Rashra must have been scowling furiously at them. So, he lifted his hand and waved to, sending him a big smile. Like hell he was ever going to let some weirdo take Keith- now way.

"So how did he become head of the royal guard?" Lance inquires.

"He won the title from the last on who had it. He may be scum, but he is strong."

"Right now, we need strong," Dravla sighs, "Even if it means him,"

"You could always win the title from him, treasure," Tellru says to Dravla, "You would be the perfect person for the job."
"That is kind of you, but adding Head of the royal guard to the list of duty's I have would definitely ensure I never have time to come home," he voices grows softer, "I want to be able to become old with my equivalent and watch my daughter grow,"

Lance listen quietly, finding something familiar about these two. They reminded him of his parents, "...You two are nice together," he says.

A little startled hear that they look at each other, then smile, "We were blessed," They say, and they mean it. Their joy felt infectious, making Lance smile. He hoped he could find something like that one day.

"Charge!" Ruru was suddenly yelling in the distance. When Lance asked what she was doing, they explained that Keith had her on his back again and was running around the play set. Dozens of kids were following after him, jumping to try and get on his back too- clinging to his arms and legs. Keith pushed through the best he could, managing to pull most of them with him.

"He gets along well with little ones," Dravla says.

"Yeah- it is kind of a new thing for me,' Lance admits, but he liked it. He liked that Keith was great with kids.

"I think it will be a good match having you watch Ruru for a few hours- so long as you don't mind," Tellru pats Lance's shoulder, "And since you will be staying for who knows how long until your team can come for you, I can ever pay you so you both have some money,"

"You don't have to do that,"

"I insist,"
Lance can't help but agree, "Okay, thanks' Tellru."

"It is no problem- Ruru!" she leaps to her feet, ("Don't eat that!") she yelled across the playground. Ruru was seated at the bottom of the slide, a rock stuffed in her mouth, ("Ruru spit it out!") unable to hear her, or just ignoring her, Tellru sighed, "I- hold on. Ruru!" she was storming towards her.

Dravla chuckled a little, "How are your injuries, Lance?" he inquired when she was gone.

"Sore, but healing," he says, "How are yours? I didn't hurt you or anything when I shot you, right?"

"Eh, I placed an armored plate on my lower back where I told you to fire- I'm fine," he says. "You took a bigger beating than I,"

Lance nods a little, "Yeah."

"And your eyes?""They are trying some things. I've been going through this little treatment for the last couple of days. I dunno if it is working,"

"They are trying some things. I've been going through this little treatment for the last couple of days. I dunno if it is working,"

There is a long pause between them before Dravla says, "So… you were resting the last two days?"

"More or less, yeah,' he nodded.

"Ahh, then that explains it." Dravla nods knowingly.

"Explains what?" Lance inquired.

Dravla made a drawn out noise, "Nothing,"

"What?" he insists a little more, "What were you going to say?"

"Well-" he cringes, "At first I thought it hadn't happened because you were still recovering. But then you woke up and seemed healthy enough to travel around so I thought it would happen, but it didn't."

"What didn't happen?"

"Keith- he is still a pure,"

Lance choked on his own spit, "Wha- of course he is! Why wouldn't he be?"

"Because you chose him, meaning you intended to make him your equivalent," Dravla says slowly, messing with the strap on his arm. "Is that not how things work on your planet? I mean- we all tried to leave you alone as much as possible for last two days assuming you wanted that time together. Most people who become equivalents are gone for three days to celebrate their union. I myself was gone for four with Tellru," he says dreamily.

Lance lifted his hands to his ears, entire body feeling hot, "S-Stop talking!" he squeaked, "It isn't like that!"

"Ohh, yes, you were probably too injured to really get anywhere with him," Dravla realizes.

"NO! That isn't what I meant!"

"Did you get stage fright then?" he guessed, "It is okay to be nervous when you are with the one you love," he pats his shoulder in this understanding way, completely oblivious to Lance's reddening face and breaking mental state. "If you are worried about straining yourself you could always let him be on top. Let him ride-"

Too late to stop the visual image of a blushing, gasping Keith above him, Lance did the only thing he could to end the conversation, "AHHHHHHH!" he was screaming to the point that Keith came running over, demanding to know what was happening.

"What are you screaming about!? Are you hurt! What is wrong?!" Keith demanded.

"I dunno- he just started screaming," Dravla held his hands up in surrender. "Lance? Champion? Maybe his wounds are acting up? Do you need some herbs for the pain?"

"What were you two talking about, Dravla?" Tellru demanded, holding Ruru like a football under her arms and trying to pry a rock from her mouth.
"Nothing, really! I was just talking about how it was strange that Keith was still-"

Lance kicked his legs forward, right into Dravla's knees, causing the Coeihn to cut off with a grunt, "Nothing!" he roared, "We were talking about nothing!" he managed to grab Dravla by the shoulders and shake him, "Understand?! Never repeat our conversation just now!"

"O-Okay…" he nods slowly.

Insisting everyone go back to what they were doing, Lance wanted to sit alone to calm himself down. Jeez, what was with everyone and this whole… Keith thing?! Could they not just accept that Lance didn't fee that way about Keith and was just his friend? His team mate. That is all they had ever been! They weren't even boyfriends!
Sure they hugged a lot and hold hands and share a room, not a bed just a room, and have spent every waking second together but that… that didn't mean they were anything other than friends. And none of that happened till they got here and were kind of forced to do that, so no one could blame Lance.

….

Feeling fidgety for the rest of the day, he tensed with the Red paladin approached him.

Plopping down next to Lance, Keith leaned back and sighed. Ruru was still running about, her energy endless, "Do kids ever get tired?"

"She'll work herself out eventually," Lance assures him, "If I didn't know you and was still blind, I would think you were her big brother or something,"
Keith doesn't say anything for a while, but when he does, there is a timid but kind of happy undertone to his voice, "You think?"

"Totally,"

Keith kind of likes that idea. He wasn't sure why, but the notion of him being a brother- a sibling to someone out there, sounded nice. He had already considered Shiro an elder brother to him for years, but he had never thought he would be considered one. To have someone looked up to him was new, but not unpleasant. "It's peaceful here," Keith says. They could hardly believe this was the same place that imprisoned him and forced him to fight. Guess most cultures were like that- they are against you until proven otherwise.

"Not a bad place to chill while we wait for the others, huh?" Having sat there for a while, Lance was starting to feel a wave of exhaustion hitting him. Perhaps it was just because he was recovering, but he got tired a lot faster lately. His eyelids already felt heavy- listening to Keith's calming voice was just making his whole body relax.

"Yeah…"

"Tell me what you see," Lance leans his head back against the bench.

"The sun is setting. Their sunsets are similar to the ones back at earth- orange and red. The purple trees look like a dark violet now."

Lance yawned and nodded, "What else?" he lulls his head to the side a bit. Today had been strangely… fun.

"That big old gun in the distance. It is the size of a mountain and really sticks out like a sore thumb," Keith whistled, "There aren't any citizens really out right now," Listing off a few more bland descriptions of what he saw he felt a chill run up his spine.

With a feeling that he was being watched, he turned to look over his shoulder. A few more buildings and trees were standing behind them, but he could see no one within them. Wondering if he had just imagined the feeling, something fell onto his shoulder.

It was Lance.

Tensing when his head hit his shoulder, Keith froze up. Not sure whether to hit him away, hold is breath, or scream, he bit his lower lip. Slowly lowering his gaze to the blue Paladin, he was about ask what he was doing when the soft sound of deep breathing hit his ears.

Lance had fallen asleep.

"Hey…" Keith shook him a little, "Don't fall asleep here," he didn't budge, his head turning a little into Keith's shoulder, his body limply leaning into him.

Holding his breath for a while, Keith slowly let it out, afraid the motion would wake the sleeping paladin. When it didn't, tilted his head a little to peek at Lance's face.

He saw bruises. It made his heart clench and twist horribly. He didn't like them- they shouldn't be there. Lance's skin should have been as it was before- perfect. He should have gotten these bruises.

Keith slowly, hesitantly, reached out for Lance with his hand. Not wishing to wake him, he allowed the tips of his fingers to graze along his cheek. His bruised and beaten cheek.

The once prefect skin was littered with wounds- and what did Keith do to stop this? He did nothing. All he could do was sit there and let this happen.

It happened because Lance tried to save him. Lance almost died for him.

The thought made his heart throb painfully. He never wanted to feel this way ever again. He never wanted Lance to have to do that for him ever again.

Hissing through his nose, he leaned forward, burying the side of his face into Lance's hair. He wasn't ever going to let this happen again. Now that he had Lance with him, he was going to make sure nothing ever hurt him again.

Granted, he wasn't sure if he could keep that promise forever, he was going to try. He was going to try for Lance- the obnoxious blue paladin that had managed to make Keith feel all these confusing and ugly emotions.

"What'cha doing?" A voice, Dravla, teased. Almost screaming like a banshee, Keith turned his head to Tellru, Dravla and Ruru, who were cooing at him from behind the bench. When did they get there?!

"Aren't you two just adorable?" Tellru mused.

"Cute cute!" Ruru clapped.

"Wha- you-!' Keith cut off his yelling to lower his voice, "What you doing back there?" he demanded.

"We saw you two being cute and wanted to know what you were saying~" Tellru wiggled her eyebrows. Ruru mimicked her, only able to lift and lower them.

Feeling a heat creeping up his neck, Keith tried to hit them away, "Shut up," he hissed, "Lance fell asleep. We're going back to let him rest."

"Alright Mr., grump. I'll walk you back," Dravla kissed Tellru's cheek then Ruru's, "I'll be back in time for you bed time story," he tells his daughter.

She grinned, hugging Keith's legs then walking back with Tellru.

"I know how to get back," Keith tells him, slowly adjusting Lance. Getting to his feet, supporting Lance's with his hands, he slowly put his arm under Lance's knees and lifted him up. He was light- lighter than he should be as Keith pressed him to his chest, letting Lance's hand rest in the crook of his neck.

Dravla waves it off, "Perhaps, but as terrible as it sounds… I can't be too trusting to my fellow Coeihns,"

"What does that mean?" Keith frowns.

"Don't worry about it too much," lifting Lance's wheel chair over his shoulder Dravla motioned for him to follow. So as not to wake Lance up, they travelled in silence all through out the Kever ride. Arriving back at their apartment- or whatever it was, Keith nodded his head.

"Thanks,"
"No problem." when he turns, he gives Keith a long look over his shoulder, "Are you a strong warrior?"

Not sure what he was getting at, Keith nodded, "I would say so,"

He nods, "Good," when he doesn't say anything, Keith frowns.

"Why did you ask?"

"Lance just doesn't seem to be recovering at a fast rate right now- he's vulnerable both with his vision and the condition of his body. Just wanted to make sure you could look after him if something were to happen,"

Keith tightens his grip, "Are you suggesting that something might happen?" he felt suddenly very protective of this sleeping Cuban boy in his arms.

"Perhaps."

His voice is vivid, "If Coeihns were going to threaten him regardless then what was the point of him going through that stupid challenge?"

"Lance has earned his place… it is you who haven't Keith." Dravla doesn't look at him when he says this, "Many still seek your out- others doesn't trust you walking around the way you do. However, because Lance has claimed you as his equivalent, no one can mess with you," his gaze scans the area, "That does not mean people won't try to take measures into their own hands under the radar though. So I offer a suggestion- keep your guard up,"

Feeling as though he understood a little of what he meant, and having felt like someone was watching him all day, Keith nods his head. "I will see you later, Dravla."

"Okay Goodnight!" In a split second his voice goes from a deep warning to a high pitched giggle, "Have fun claiming Lance tonight!"

Keith almost tripped, scrambling desperately too prevent Lance from falling out of his arms, stirring him enough to wake him a little then sooth him back to sleep. He roared over his shoulder, unable to try and cut himself off in time so not to wake up Lance, "WHAT?!"

"Well you are technically his mate, aren't you?" he grins cheekily, "Don't be afraid to take the lead if Lance is too tired to please you efficiently! I'm sure he'll would enjoy you being the dominant one from time to time~" he was practically singing this.

Feeling like steam was pouring out of his ears from how hot his face felt Keith kicked a rock at the yelling Coeihn in front of him. Dravla ducked to avoid it, cackling.

Quick to get away, Keith ran up the steps. When he was at the top, he huffed heavily, looking down at the slumbering paladin below him.

Lance slept like the dead and hadn't stirred even a little, his snores gentle.

Almost grateful he didn't hear what just occurred, Keith adjusted him a little. Walking slowly down the hall, unknowingly trying to take as long as possible to keep this moment going, he opened the door with his foot.

Stepping in, he made his way across the room and to the bed. Moving the sheets, he placed Lance down.

Hesitating from stepping back, he ran his hand through the soft brown hair. This was a different side of Lance he couldn't get sick of.

The quiet, peaceful side to him that sleep tended to give people. He seemed younger, no sign of stress of discomfort anywhere in his expression.

Keith preferred this side to Lance- the one that didn't have to worry about anything. Though he'll never admit, he liked the boisterous and talkative Lance too.

Smiling a bit to himself, Keith curled his finger through one of Lance's bangs, admiring the softness of it.

"Keith?"

Freezing when Lance spoke, feeling caught red handed, his whispered, "W-What?"

Lance didn't say anything, his breathing soft. He was still asleep. He was sleep talking. He was talking about Keith in his sleep...

Stepping back, Keith coughed into his hand. Yup. Time to go to bed. Or try.

The better thing was to say- time to go lay down and stay up all night, thinking of Lance and feeling freaking out at this new feeling that had started to grow in his chest.

You can find art for this fanfic on tumblr- Smiles4Voltron

there was a problem with repeating lines this chapter. I tired to fix it so hopefully it worked. If you see more let me know :)