There was hushed chatter in the council room the next morning. Everyone was on edge and Keith observed his councilmen.

"Please, Silence and let us begin." Keith said getting their attention. Keith was exhausted. He hadn't slept a minute but he was King, he had a job to do.

"Lord Takashi will not be joining us for a while. I have sent him away to grieve properly. Lord knows he needs to. That does not mean we are weaker though. I have sent for Generals from ALtea and they should be arriving tomorrow in the afternoon. We will then discuss our plans of actions and those bastards on our shores will be at the bottom of the sea by the weekend." Keith finished earning a few murmurs of agreement. He hadn't wanted to go to war, but after Adam's death and Lance's disappearance, he had no choice. He just thanked the Gods he had sent his family home or they would find out another one may be dead. No. He's not dead. He'd know. He'd feel it. Lance is strong. He's fighting whatever is happening.

"Your Majesty, If I may?" Kolivan started. Keith motioned for him to continue. He was far too tired to argue with the man today. Too much had happened.

"I highly suggest you rest as well. You lost a friend and a partner. It would not be good for our King to fall ill at such a time." Keith was utterly shocked. For Kolivan to say these things? To so readily worry for Lance's safety and Keith's feelings? That wasn't right..

"I assure you, Kolivan. I will be just fine. " Kolivan only nodded and stayed silent.

"Now. Tragedy has struck and Zarkon thinks we have been weakened. Our hearts may be but not our strength. We will hit them back ten fold for even thinking they can harm our own. "

...

"You called for me Father?" A voice was heard behind Zarkon. The large man only motioned him over and a tall slender frame stepped beside him.

"Took you long enough to show up, Lotor." He gruffed and the man, Lotor, shrugged with a smirk.

"I had my own war to fight, you know this." Zarkon sighed and glared at the man next to im.

"Your jokes are not funny to me. You are wearing my patience. Your little toy is not more important than an order from me. Do not make me regret giving it to you." Lotor raised his hands in silent defeat.

"My apologies, Father. What can I assist you with?" He asked.

"I need you to gather your men, while I distract them here, I want you and your men to take the castle. Get in, kill everyone, take it over. Then once the men on the shore find out their King has fallen they will surrender. "

"So, you are saying you would rather em do all the hard dirty work?" Lotor groaned.

"Do not disobey me. " Zarkon growled and Lotor straightened up abit.

"Of course. I'd like to show my new toy off to his new home too no? Maybe it will be an amusing time."

…

Keith was running his fingers over the soft cuff of his jacket deep in thought when a group entered the throne room.

"Your Majesty.." they all greeted bowing in turn.

"Greetings. What have you brought me?" He asked inquiring about the box in one's hands.

"It seems to be..from Zarkon Your Majesty.. I do not think it wise that you open it thought. " Cardinal Hunk was the one to step up. "It..may contain something you wish not see." Keith sat up his stomach already filling with dread.

"Why not?" He asked and the man holding the package revealed the bottom, soaked in blood, only cloth holding the drips from falling to the floor. Keith's heart stopped seeing it. He knew what it was. They were sending him a message. He was surprised he was able to form words as he felt himself shut down again. It couldn't be him. There was no way. No way someone would ever be so cruel..

"Bring it here." He said his voice breaking slightly.

"Your Majesty.." Hunk started but Keith shot him a look that could kill.

"Now." Keith said standing. HIs legs were trembling but he willed himself to walk forward. He had to see if it was true. If it was Lance. Or.. a piece of him. Keith stopped right in front of the box in the man's hands.

"Open it." He said staring. His soul was shivering at the thought of what laid in the blood soaked box but he could not just pretend it was not here. He needed answers. The man carefully undid the clasp and opened the lid. Keith tensed preparing himself for the worst. A bloodies cloth greeted him, wrapped around something that sent waves of nausea through him. He knew what it was just from the peeking brown curly lock of hair sticking out of the cloth. Keith stepped back a bit feeling faint all of a sudden.

"No. Get it out! GET IT OUT OF HERE!" He screamed and the man immediately shut the lid and hurried out. Hunk was at his side instantly but Keith shoved him off.

"NO. NO" Was the only word he could scream. This wasn't happening. This wasn't real. It was some sick job, sorcery, fever dreams. It had to be a dream. Keith fell to his knees hands cupping his mouth as violent sobs racked his body. Hunk watched in horror as his own King was nothing but a heap of misery before him.

…

"Where is he?" Shiro asked trying to push past some guards in front of Keith's Chambers.

"I'm sorry, My does not want visitors." One said holding Shiro back.

"I'm his brother! Now you have two seconds before I shove my foot so far up your as-" Shiro was cut off by the door just beyond the guards opened revealing Keith, or the hollow shell that was left of him.

"Let him in." he said his voice hoarse and raw from his screams earlier. The guards bowed and stepped aside letting Shiro rush in.

"Dear Gods Keith" he said pulling the young boy into his arms. Keith just stood there. He wasn't sad. Angry. He was just numb. He did not feel anything.

"He's dead. They're both just..dead" Keith said and Shiro just hugged tighter.

"It's going to be okay." Shiro said and Keith smield a bit before bursting out into laughter. Shiro pulled away in bewilderment as his younger brother was laughing hysterically.

"Keith.." Shiro started and Keith had to grab the wall as he grabbed his stomach. He wasn't sure why he was laughing. Keith laughed harder until it turned into raw sobs again.

"They're dead" He slid down the wall and hid his face in his knees. Shiro watched in silence but eventually joined him on the floor.

The two sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity. Shiro cleared his throat gently before speaking.

"I'm sorry Keith." He started and he held a hand up silencing Keith's ready complaint. "Let me finish." Keith fell silent and turned back to stare at the floor. How ironic. Both wrongful lovers lost their loves. How cruelly ironic.

"I'm sorry you have to feel this. You were so young when mom and dad passed.. I was grateful you wouldn't have to feel so much. I can not say we will survive this because.. Every breath I take knowing Adam is gone..It's not breaths worth taking. I-i.. I can't breathe without him Keith. I know how you're feeling. Blaming yourself. You can not though. I agreed to let Lance stay with Adam knowing full well of the potential danger. If it's your fault they're gone it is also mine. I wish it had been me. I'd die as many times as I need if it could bring them both back. That morning..when they woke me up. I knew something was wrong. Once I saw it was Adam.. I just.. Broke. I lost my fiance Keith. The man I had pledged to love the rest of my life. My other half. Hell, my better half. He was everything and now he's just..gone. How does someone survive that?" Shiro finished and silence filled the room.

"Maybe we don't"