The fifth day of Keith Gen-Uary and I had a perfect idea. Hope you like it.
Kolivan
Daibazaal was surprisingly beautiful in the early mornings. Keith and Krolia would often go for walks in the fields and climb the rough mountains. Kosmo would join them at times. Keith didn't see his mom as often in the afternoon though. She would go out to the palace, where she and Kolivan held lengthy meetings. Keith sighed. This time, in the early awakenings of the day, Krolia couldn't join him. Even though the war has ended, Keith worried what took his mother so long. She has left the night before and hasn't returned yet. Keith had no reason to worry, but he did. But the rushing wind of trees and the steady pants of his cosmic wolf was a comfort.
Kosmo has grown a lot since the first time he found him in the Quantum Abyss. He has grown from a small wolf to a warhorse in a blink of an eye. At least, that's what Hunk called him. Keith missed the other paladins. Lance, Hunk, Pidge, and Shiro would come by Daibazaal often, and he would visit Earth and Altea regularly, but it has been a while. He had spent the last week with Krolia and Kosmo.
Kolivan has been spending less attention to the Blade of Marmora. Keith watched day by day as the organization was slowly forgotten.
He's seen the Blades less since there was no need for action. Peace was all over the universe now. No one needed Voltron either. As the days passed by, the black lion's connection to Keith faded as quick as the Blade of Marmora. It was strangely comforting to feel the bond die away. It gave him a piece of mind that there was no more danger out there. Black stood on a high pedestal somewhere in Daibazaal, and sometimes on Altea. Easy to reach, but no use after the war.
Four weeks ago, Keith called Shiro over to try and recreate a bond between them. They realized after five minutes of utter confusion that the reason the black lion was responding but wasn't flying, was because Keith was in the cockpit with him. It was a blissful ten seconds of thinking the lion has re-established its paladin. Keith couldn't help but smile at the memory. Shiro was now dating Curtis, someone from the Atlas crew that Keith has met about two months ago. He was a bit skeptical of the new guy, but slowly got used to the man's presence.
As he climbed up the well-known mountain, his mind couldn't help but wander to Lance. He hasn't heard from him in a while. He was still in grieving of Allura's demise but was doing a lot better as the days progressed. The long grass on the slope of the mountain was making him think of the farm Lance harbored. It wasn't what Keith expected Lance to do for the rest of his life after seeing his passion for piloting, but he kept him at it. Didn't push. After the events of the war, he understood Lance's hesitance towards the sky.
Sometimes, Keith would just go to the farm to make sure everything was alright with the McClains. He still had a juniberry flower in his room. A gift from his niece Nadia. He'd spent two hours at the McClains with the juniberry itching behind his ear just to see the little girl smile.
Sylvio would rant about new things he learned in the day whenever Keith came over. When he had nothing new to tell him, he would explain a story somewhere back into the war. Days spent of Earth, waiting for Voltron and the Atlas to come back home. Once, he did an impression of Keith's leadership. Including sounds of lasers, guns, and swords. He would put an extra 'bam' or 'boom' in for the extra drama.
Keith had asked his best impression of Shiro. Sylvio hid his arm in the sleeve of his shirt and dramatized about his lost arm. Pretty accurate to be honest. They both promised never to tell Shiro. The McClains came as close as family. So has the Holts.
Pidge and Matt were constantly around their lab. Their robot boy 'Chip' was still in the making, but Pidge has once offered Keith to pat it's decapitated head. Keith politely declined. Matt just put a bold hand on the metal hair of the boy and said, "What? Never touched a decapitated head before?" It came out pretty wrong. Sam and Colleen invited him over almost to every dinner with the other paladins after the war ended. And so did the Garretts. It was an epic battle against the Holts and the Garretts. They made up at the end with matching apple pies.
Keith arrived at the top of the mountain, overlooking most of Daibazaal. The sun hung low in the sky, rising in a beautiful spread of colors. Kosmo flopped down on a smooth rock, tired from the long walk. Keith seated himself next to the wolf. Together, they stared out across the horizon. The chirping of alien-like birds high up in the orange trees. It took Keith a while to realize they were not alone. He spun around at the sound of heavy footsteps, blade brandished at the ready. It was an instinct.
Kolivan stood before him.
"Kolivan," Keith said, hurriedly standing to his feet. It was odd seeing the leader of the Blades these days. He was able to smile more. He seemed to lighten. The tension in his shoulders was only caused by being a representative. Other than that, he was able to be more relaxed than ever.
"Keith," Kolivan replied with a curt nod. He walked forward and pushed down Keith's blade. "Don't worry, I'm not foe."
Keith sheathed his knife back into his belt. "I know. Still a little… antsy."
Kolivan chuckled, a foreign sound. He seated himself next to Keith and Kosmo. "It is expected of any war veteran. You are fresh out of a tossing Galactic War. I can't blame you for your paranoia." Keith shrugged, not taking his eyes off the rising sun. It was quiet between them. It felt strange being in Kolivan's presence without expecting a mission.
"What brought you here in the first place?" Keith wondered, turning to his old commander. "No offense, but you never stick around just for a friendly chat."
Kolivan shrugged in response, "Well, we were in a war back then. Of course not. But yes, I have come here for a particular reason." His commander's gaze tore away from the horizon, making eye contact with Keith. "The Blade of Marmora is slowly fading. I cannot lead them anymore. You have made a capable leader of Voltron. If you wish to stick back to the position of being a leader…" his eyes drifted back to the fields of Daibazaal. "I am offering you the chance to lead the Blades."
Keith waited for a while. To hear a foreign laugh to come from Kolivan. But none ever came. "You joking?" Keith asked, just to make sure.
Kolivan shook his head, "Obviously, the Blade of Marmora is no need for military combat. Now that the war is over. Several of the Blades are retiring, leaving the battle behind. And it is time for me to resign as their leader. You can take up my place as a leader and do what you think is necessary for the Blade of Marmora and its future." Keith stared up at Kolivan.
"I… I don't know," Keith shook his head. "Mom is the right hand, isn't she? Aren't you supposed to be giving the position to her?"
Kolivan looked back at Keith, "I already asked. She thought you were more worthy the leader. She wants to stay a representative. You don't need to agree. Feel free to decline. But consider the opportunity. Come and tell me if you're ready."
Keith studied Kolivan. He considered the possibility but he didn't know what to do. For the Blade of Marmora's future no less. Keith's mind traveled back to his days in the orphanage. Waiting and waiting for a foster family to accept him. None ever did. Until Shiro. He remembered his utter confusion and suppressed joy when he was finally accepted. He had lived a better life ever since.
He fought so that the universe could have that same feeling. "Can I go for some sort of trial?" Kolivan looked back down at Keith. Keith didn't even realize that their gaze has drifted back to the plains of Daibazaal. "Like... a week trial or something? Maybe, I don't know - maybe I'll come up with something then?"
Kolivan considered it. "If you want to give it a shot, sure." He ruffled Keith's hair, who jerked away in protest. "Be at my place this afternoon. I will give you the necessary attire." He got up and gave a friendly smile down at Keith. "If you don't arrive I will assume you chickened out and ask Axca."
Keith crossed his arms. "I won't chicken out."
Kolivan nodded. "I know you won't. But there is a possibility. Even though, Axca has been a good leader -"
"I will arrive!" Keith said, making Kolivan corrupt into a laughing fit. The galra ruffled his hair again before leaving with a salute. Keith saluted back.
He spent the rest of the sunrise, sitting next to Kosmo, thinking of things he could do to the Blade's future.
To be honest, this was really fun to write.