AN (pre-chapter) - So, it's going to get confusing now that their animals can talk, I'll try to keep it organized.
'This is the human thinking to themselves or talking to their partner.'
"This is their partner talking to them or each other."

And just a heads up on other parts of my story. I originally made up when Keith's birthday is because it was before the Paladin Handbook came out. I had done hours of searching, but couldn't find anything about Keith's birthday. So, yes I know the Handbook says his birthday is in October, which means fall, but I'm keeping it in April. If I was to try and switch his birthday now to make it correct, it'd be a lot of editing to do, and I don't have the patience for that. Maybe in the future I will try to do something about it.

WARNING: Mention of self-harm in this chapter!
I do not own Voltron or the characters.
ENJOY!

Freshman year (Winter-Christmas Eve) (Lance's POV):

'I am so tired of this. My bully hasn't let up, despite us both being on the soccer team. And I just, I can't do this anymore. I wish I was with my parents when they died all those years ago!' I keep thinking about those words my soulmate wrote to me a couple nights ago. What sucks is now that we're older, I can feel his feelings. I can feel when he is sore. When he's happy, sad, lovey-dovey, which is an odd emotion to feel from him because he's pretty emotionless normally. And right now? He's upset. I shove my hands into my pockets, as I pass by THAT spot, but I stop when I hear sniffling and crying. I squint and look towards the bench next to the memorial. 'Is that Keith?' Blue purrs in my head, "I hear from Red a lot. He is very sad and wishes there was someone to hold him at night."

'Really? Then why doesn't he talk to someone?'

"He does, but it doesn't help because he needs a hug and to actually feel like someone's there. I think you should help him."

'Alright. Does he know we're here?'

"I just let Red know. Red says to hurry because he's really cold and hurt."

'Do you mean emotionally hurt?'

"No, physically. He hurt himself the other night after talking to his soulmate. You won't see the words he wrote to his soulmate since they disappear after 24 hours, so you won't know what he said, but it's bad."

'Alright, alright. I'll go over to him.'

I walk over to Keith, his head is bent down, and you can see he's been crying. I sit next to him, and I can't feel any warmth coming from him. "Keith?" He stiffens when I say his name, "Hey buddy, you alright?"

"Why do you care? All you do is beat me."

"I haven't done that in about a month now."
"You still make remarks towards me about my soulmate being guys… among other things."

"Well, I have it on good authority that you aren't doing well."

"It doesn't matter. I'll be gone soon anyways."

"Don't talk like that." I pull him into my arms. He stiffens at first before relaxing.

"Why do you care?" he sniffles, slightly snuggling in closer.

"Because, things will get better. I promise. I promise I'll stop beating on you. I will talk to the team about it. I promise." he shivers again, and nods. "Come on, I'm taking you back to my place." I stand up, pulling him up with me.

"It'd be easier to go downstairs."

"Is Shiro home?" He shakes his head. "Alright, then we'll go downstairs." I pull him up with me, and we start the short walk to our building. We go downstairs and he hands me his keys. I unlock the front door, and close and lock the door behind us after we are inside. I start pulling Keith's soaked boots off. Blue and Red appear, Blue from around my neck, and Red from his coat pocket. They turn into the size of small house cats. "Red, I know I'm not your paladin, but can you please start a fire in the fireplace?" Red mews and walks over to the fireplace, rolling some logs in, and then starting the fire with her laser tail. "Red says 'You're welcome.'" Blue tells me. "Thank you, Red." I turn my attention back to Keith, who is curled up in his wet clothes. "C'mon buddy, we need to get you warmed up." I stand him up, and start getting his multiple coats off. His head droops and lands on my shoulder. I slowly peel back his layers until he's in a wife-beater and his jeans. 'Damn. He's shivering bad.' "Red says the first aid kit in in the bathroom under the sink." I nod and get him laid down on the couch in front of the fireplace, and fetch the first aid kit. He doesn't flinch or anything while I clean up his arms and bandage them. I spot Red and Blue curled up together on the rug in front of the fireplace as I put the kit back. I turn and go to leave, and I feel a tug my coat. I turn back and see Keith with half-lidded eyes, "Please... stay." I look at his face, and nod. "Let me get my layers off." He hesitantly lets go. 'So, he really does need someone to hold him. Has he not found his soulmate?' "Because you're one to talk." 'Shut up, Blue!" Blue responds by laughing her odd laugh. I shed my layers, which is about half as many as Keith had, until I'm only wearing my t-shirt and jeans. He sits up and I sit next to him. He shakes his head and stand up. "Keith?" I look up at him. "Lay down." He orders. "Alright." Hesitantly I do what he says and lay down on the couch. He then lowers himself carefully so he's laying on top of me. I wrap my arms around him, and he snuggles closer. Suddenly I can feel contentment coming from my soulmate. "You know, you would look pretty hot if your lion was worn as earrings." "Thank you...mi amor." I try not to stiffen when he says that. Immediately after I hear soft snoring. "Merry Christmas… mi amor."

AN (post-chapter) - Woo! Another chapter down. Hope you enjoyed, I'll update again soon.