Shiro was slightly surprised to see Keith sitting quietly as he gazed upon the stars in the observatory. It wasn't the first time he caught the boy in here. Sometimes Keith needed some space away from the noise and liveliness from the others, and he respected that.

Shiro would lie if sometimes he needed the same break. Still, at this time of day, Keith would usually be in his quarters or in the training room.

"Hey," Shiro greeted as he approached him with a smile. "Mind if I join you?"

Keith jumped slightly, but responded with a forced smile as he shook his head. "No..uh, fill your boots."

Shiro's forehead puckered as he sat next to him. "You doing, okay?"

Keith twitched slightly as he fiddled with his fingerless gloves. "I'm fine, what makes you assume otherwise?"

"Because you got that look whenever you're worrying too much," Shiro commented and pointed to his hands. "Not to mention you have a habit of fiddling with your gloves when nervous."

Keith immediately stopped his fiddling before letting out a sigh as he tilted his head back. "It's...nothing, I'm just trying to work some stuff out."

That kind of worries me a bit more, Shiro thought. He knew Keith. The kid had a habit of getting wrapped up in his own thoughts and over analyzing things he shouldn't have to.

Shiro wrapped an arm around Keith's shoulders. "I'm here if you need to talk," he said. "You know that, right?"

Keith chewed his bottom lip as he raised his head. "Shiro, what do you think of Thace?"

Shiro raised an eyebrow. "Um..what do you mean?" He hadn't been expecting that question.

"Do you hate him or anything?" Keith asked.

"I don't hate him," Shiro replied, "but I barely know him. Kind of early to make any judgements like that."

"Yeah, that's true," Keith replied as he stared at his hands. "Does it bother you to have a Galran on the ship?"

Shiro grasped his chin as he thought on how to reply. "It's taking some adjustment, I won't deny it," he said. "But I'm dealing with it, especially if we hope to work with the rebels."

Keith gave a silent nod as he leaned into him like he did when he was younger. Shiro narrowed his eyes. There was no doubt now that something was brewing in his foster brother's mind, but what did it have to do with Thace?

"Did something happen with Thace I should know about?" Shiro asked in a serious tone. "Because alliance or not, if Thace did or say anything that-"

"No, no, nothing like that," Keith said he looked up at him with wide eyes. "It's just...complicated." He chewed his bottom lip. "And..I'm just not certain how I should talk to you about it."

"Kiddo, you can tell me anything," Shiro said sincerely as he gave a gentle squeeze. "You know that, right?"

Keith swallowed and nodded. "Yeah..I will, I just need time to work it out."

Shiro was tempted to keep poking Keith until he confessed to what it was, but he prefer to leave that tactic until it was a last resort.

"Alright," Shiro said as he climbed to his feet and offered his hand to Keith. "Let's head to the kitchen. Hunk has a new soup recipe he wants to try out on us, you game?"

Keith blinked and held a nostalgic look in his eye as he took Shiro's hand. "Sure, food would be good, right now."

They walked out of room together with Shiro subtly trying to read Keith's face as they left. As much as he wanted to pester Keith about it, Shiro knew from experience it was easier if they simply waited for Keith to be ready to share it.

With that said, he made a mental note to keep a close eye on Thace. Potential alliance with the rebels or not, Shiro would not stand letting anyone on his team get hurt on his watch.

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During the next couple of days, Coran sensed something was off with their Red Paladin. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but there was no doubt something troubling him. The boy had always been a bit of a loner, but since the team had reunited, Keith had been gradually been attempting to spend more time with his fellow paladins. He was often the most quiet among them, but he would give a genuine smile and you could feel him putting in the honest effort.

However, Keith had seemed to regress. He was silent during meal time, and seemed almost anxious whenever anyone spoke to him. Coran couldn't recall a time when the boy had looked so nervous, not even during the early days of when they first became paladins.

The exception to the rule seemed to be Pidge, and he would catch the pair of them whispering quietly among themselves only to instantly halt their conversation when Coran approached.

He had spoken to Shiro about it, and the Black Paladin had admitted he noticed the change too.

"I know, Keith," Shiro spoke, "and best we can do is let him be for now. He won't talk until he's ready."

It made sense, but it didn't sit right with Coran. He was there to support his young paladins, and it distressed him to see any of them be so distressed. So, he watched them like how a chochai watched it's prey to gain some kind of hint on what the source of what it could be, and his vigilance paid off.

During the meal time, Keith was quiet until Thace had entered the room. Neither made eye contact to each other, but the boy would flinch every time. It was subtle and a regular person probably wouldn't have noticed if they were watching, but it was there.

It was Thace, it had to be, but the question was why?

The Galran had mostly kept to his room and, to his credit, was doing his best to cause little trouble for everyone He seemed most insistent to stay out of Shiro's sight. Yet, Coran found it odd that he seemed to be doing the same to Keith.

This made no sense to the Altean. From what he was told, Thace had saved Keith's life, and thus knew him best out of all the paladins. So, why the distance between them all of a sudden?

There was only one solution!

It was not Coran's style to sit idly by and do nothing. If he couldn't speak to Keith, then he had no choice, but to confront Thace about the matter. Hence, why the first thing he did after breakfast was knock on the Galran's room.

There was a pause as Thace opened the door and frowned. "I don't suppose you're here to tell me you've heard from Leah?"

"No, I'm afraid not, sorry," Coran said in a friendly tone to keep the mood light, "but there is a matter I wish to speak with you. May I enter?"

Thace gave a nod as he stepped aside. Coran gave an appreciative smile as he stepped inside, but halted as he spotted the space mice give a small wave at him from their spot on the chair as they played a game of cards.

"The space mice are in here?" Coran asked surprised as he scratched his head.

Thace shrugged. "I don't invite them, but I don't ask them to leave either." He rubbed his neck as he tilted his head. "I don't understand why they keep coming though... Or how they know how to play cards for that matter."

"Lance would be the blame for that," Coran said as he sat in a chair. "He's been teaching them various Earth games."

And the fact they feel comfortable playing in here with Thace is a good sign, Coran thought. If the mice wouldn't be near someone they assumed was a threat.

"I see," Thace replied still sounding puzzled as he sat across from him. "What do you need to discuss with me?"

Coran straightened his back as he cleared his throat. "I couldn't help but notice that you and Keith seem rather on edge around each other as of late." He folded his hands into his lap. "It seems odd considering out of all the paladins, you two are the most familiar with each other."

Thace flinched, in a similar manner that Keith had been doing.

"Did you two get into a disagreement?" Coran asked in a sympathetic tone. "I don't mean to pry, but I take great care monitoring the health of all the paladins, and that includes mentally."

Thace sighed as he ran a hand over his hair. "No, we had no argument." He frowned. "Truthfully, Keith has come to realize that...we have more in common than he thought."

Coran raised an eyebrow. That was a rather cryptic answer. "And what exactly do you two have in common?"

"I'm sorry, but that's private," Thace replied firmly.

"I see," Coran said as he grasped in chin. "In that case, it might be wise if you speak to him."

Thace blinked and drummed his fingers against his knee. "I'm afraid I have to disagree. I am the last person Keith wants to speak to at the moment."

Coran's lips formed tight line. "I understand you wish to give Keith space to ponder, but this isn't about what he wants, it's about what he needs." He eyes narrowed. "I wouldn't ask this of you, but I have been sensing Keith is purposely trying not to trouble the other paladins with this."

Thace paused. "He is...probably afraid with what he learned from me will break the bond he has with them."

"If that is the case, and it seems likely, then you might be the only person in the castle who can speak to him," Coran replied sincerely. "Since you are the only one who knows the details of this…" He waved his hand to decide on the right word. "This matter."

Thace tapped his fingers against his knee, but kept his face neutral. "You..make a valid point," he said as he folded his hands into his lap. "Very well, I shall do my best and speak with him, but I can't promise it will solve his uneasiness."

"Thank you," Coran said as he spoke and tucked his hands behind his back. "And, for the record, I hope you two are able to settle resolve this."

"Me too," Thace said as Coran left. "Me too."

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"Arrrgh!" Pidge declared as she stomped into the recreation room and flopped on the couch. "Keith is an idiot."

Lance, the only other person in the room, gave a snort as he removed his ear pieces. "Well, I've been saying that from the beginning, but it's not anything new."

Pidge scowled as she lifted her head. "No, I mean he still just doesn't want to tell you guys about Thace."

Lance sighed as he crossed his legs in the chair. "Yeah, I know," he said, "fairly certain Shiro has noticed too. Have you tried talking to him?"

Pidge grumbled as she leaned into the chair. "Several times, but he still won't listen, I'm almost wondering if I should just force him to."

Lance shook his head. "Bad idea, we got to tread carefully here, and we both agreed we got to let Keith decide when to tell."

Pidge nodded as she hugged her knees against her chest. "I know, but it's just so frustrating to see him so anxious when he doesn't have to be."

Lance shrugged. "To be fair, it is a lot for a person to take in," he said, as he wrapped the cord to his music player around his wrist. "To be fair, I still have a hard time wrapping my head around it."

"Yeah," Pidge replied, "if I found out Thace was my dad I would be freaking out a bit too-"

An echoing crash cut Pidge off. The pair froze in horror as they whirled around in their seats. Hunk stood in the entranceway, a tray and plate of food now splattered onto the floor. His jaw dropped and his hands stood in midair where they had been most likely holding the tray up.

"Thace…," he stammered, "is Keith's dad?!"

"Pidge!" Lance scolded as he leapt to his feet and yanked Hunk inside the room. "What happened to keeping it secret?!"

"Hey, I didn't know he was standing there!" Pidge shouted back as she slammed the button to shut the door to avoid any more eavesdroppers. "It easily could have been you!"

"Well, it wasn't me it was you!" Lance said as he tossed his hands up in the air. "It's bad enough I know, how will Keith handle-"

"GUYS!" Hunk's voice boomed to grab their attention. "Doesn't matter who spoke, fact is I heard and I WOULD REALLY LOVE AN EXPLANATION TO STOP MY INNER FREAKOUT HERE!"

Pidge and Lance went silent and both took a breath to calm down. "Right, right, sorry," Pidge said, as she looked to Lance. "You're right, I blabbed, my fault."

"Naw, I should have been more careful too," Lance replied. "Sorry."

"Good," Hunk said as he collapsed in the chair and yanked as his headband. "Now, explain, PLEASE!"

Pidge looked to Lance uncertain if he wanted to do it, but when he gave her the nod she took it her cue to take over. She took the seat next to him, and spent the next ten minutes explaining all that had happened.

Keith suspicions , his dagger, how Thace kept dodging his questions and ended on how both she and Lance had overheard Thace telling Keith the truth.

Hunk blinked in shock as he listened not saying a word until the end. "Wow...yeah, that's a big change to take in."

"No kidding," Lance said as he slumped back into his chair. "And to sum it up, Pidge knows, but Keith doesn't know that I know, and now you know, but you can't let him know that you and I know, got it?"

Hunk frowned as he scratched his cheek. "Uh...I guess, I feel like I'm going to need a chart here."

He glanced back to Pidge. "But is Keith that scared about telling us? I mean, I get it's a big thing to take in, but he's still Keith to us. We would never kick him off the team."

"We know that," Pidge replied as she adjusted her glasses, "but it's not like Keith is use to having a lot of friends and family back on Earth to support him. He doesn't want to risk losing us."

Lance sucked in air between his teeth. "And unfortunately, Keith is stubborn and won't listen to Pidge when she tells him he's got nothing to fear."

Hunk's face hardened as he shut his eyes and crossed his arms in thought. Pidge knew that look. Hunk often did it when he was facing a big problem and was determine to find a solution .

"Hunk?" Lance said as he shook his shoulder. "What are you planning, Buddy?"

Hunk opened his eyes and slammed his palms against his knees.

"Two days," he declared. "If Keith doesn't tell anyone else in two more days, we got to tell him directly that at least the three of us know."

"What?! No, Hunk weren't you listening?" Pidge replied as she poked his shoulder. "Keith's really scared here-"

"Yeah, and that's exactly why we need to do it," Hunk said firmly and when he still got the confusion expressions from both of them he sighed and began to pace.

"Look, if we were on Earth, or somewhere where we were a hundred percent certain the Galra couldn't attack us, I would be all for Keith taking his time," Hunk said in a regretful tone. "But we're not. We have a risk of an attack everyday, and Keith stressing over if we're going to kick him out for being part Galra is not the best mindset to go into battle. It could distract him, make him lose focus."

Lance frowned as he gripped his chin. "Dang it, you're right. If it gets really bad it could even stop us from forming Voltron."

Pidge chewed her bottom lip. Hunk was right, she knew he was. If their minds weren't entirely focussed or in perfect sync Voltron couldn't appear or worse yet fall apart at the worst time.

"We won't tell Shiro, Allura or Coran, that's Keith's right to do so," Hunk continued, "but we got to at least tell him so he's certain that Lance and I are fine about it."

Pidge folded her arms in thought. "I suppose worse case he's just mad we knew and didn't say anything."

"Yeah, and could even encourage him to tell the others," Lance replied. "Be like ripping off the bandaid in a way. It will hurt, but just need to get it over with."

"Exactly," Hunk stated firmly. "So, we're all agreed here? If Keith hasn't told anyone in two days, we'll confront him. We can't let this go on any longer than it has to be"

Lance nodded as Pidge sighed, but did the same. It might be hard, but it was for Keith and the team's best interest in mind.

"Good," Hunk said as he clapped. "So if that's settled I got to ask?" He looked to Pidge. "Is Keith going to turn purple and start growing fur?"

Pidge groaned as she flopped back on the couch. "Oh man, not you too, Hunk!"

"What? It's a fair question," Hunk shot back. "It could happen."

"See, that's what I said," Lance stated.

Pidge sighed as she rubbed his eyes. "Sometimes, I really worry about you two."

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Keith blocked another attack from the gladiator robot before striking the final blow. He panted and wiped the sweat from his forehead as he watched the floor open up to take the robot away.

For the last couple of days, Keith had mostly kept to himself. He replied when the others spoke to him, but Keith wasn't interested in starting conversations. Whenever he saw the others, he felt the nagging knot of worry inside his stomach of how they would respond when he told them the whole truth.

Keith shut his eyes as he went to take a seat against the wall to catch his breath. He didn't want to think. Didn't want to come to terms with..whatever he was.

Thace had been keeping his distance from him, which gave Keith some relief. He still wasn't certain what Thace was to him anymore. Calling anyone 'Dad' was such a foreign concept to him, and the idea of potentially referring Thace as that was even stranger.

Keith cracked opened an eye as he stared at his hand. How would being part Galra affect him in the future? He had always been a fast healer as a kid, was that due to his alien half? Was that why he was such a natural pilot?

You fight like a Galra soldier

Zarkon had said to Keith during their fight. His fist tightened at the memory of it.

"Turns out he wasn't wrong," Keith grumbled.

He knew Pidge was right and he should tell the others, but it was hard to ignore the knot that had been growing in his stomach.

Just when Keith thought he had enough nerve to tell the others, he would run into Allura or Coran and the knot would grow slightly worse, and then doubled when Shiro was around.
Didn't help matters that it was the same knot of doubt he had as a child as he drifted from foster home to foster home. The fear he was going to be kicked out of his home again.

It had taken a long time for Shiro and his parents to quell that emotion, and Keith hadn't felt it in years. It was probably why the fear was so strong this round. He had a taste of a family again and he didn't want to lose it.

Keith leaned his forehead against his knees. I can't hide this forever, Keith thought. It will be worse if they find out some other way.

Keith knew Shiro sensed something was wrong, but had been keeping quiet. He understood better than anyone that if Keith wasn't ready to talk, then he wouldn't. Allura didn't seem to notice anything was off, although Keith had caught Hunk giving him a concerned frown at meal times. Keith even swore he caught Lance watching him with an uneasy expression.

"It's such a giant mess," he muttered.

The doors to the training area opened and Keith casually raised his head expecting to see Shiro or one of the other paladins. He froze when he realized it was Thace that had entered.

They locked eyes with each other as Keith climbed to his feet and swallowed. "Um...you need something?"

Thace said nothing, his face unreadable as he glanced around the room and then slowly walked over to where the training weapons were kept. Keith wrinkled his nose in confusion as Thace picked a pair of staffs.

"Let's spar," he said as he handed a staff for Keith to take.

Keith blinked and raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"I need to keep my skills sharp," Thace stated, "and so do you."

Keith narrowed his eyes in annoyance as he rose to his feet. "I'm fine."

"You just manage to escape your fight with Prorok," Thace replied in a firm tone.

Keith flinched. Thace had explained to the paladins that the Galra that had injured Thace was Commander Prorok, and Keith couldn't deny they managed to escape because they had been lucky.

"You need more practice fighting experienced Galra warriors," Thace continued, "which I happen to be."

Keith eyed him silently. He could walk away, right now. He didn't have to do anything.

"Unless you're afraid that you will lose," Thace said in a calm tone.

Keith gave a scoff. "Are you honestly trying to provoke me?" He folded his arms. "You can't believe that would actually work on me?"

"No," Thace replied simply and smirked, "but I imagine Lance would be amused to hear you were afraid to fight me."

Keith became still as he mentally predicted what Lance's reaction would be. Dammit, Lance would tease me on that too, he thought.

"Fine," Keith growled as he accepted the staff. "I'll spar."

Thace gave a small smirk of triumph as he got into a fighting position and waited for Keith to be ready. Keith held up the staff and gave a nod. Silently, the both began to circle each other and waited for the other to make the first move.

Keith choose to strike as he as he swung the staff, but Thace dodged and blocked. Keith took a few steps back, but he barely had a second to blink before Thace charged at him.
Keith blocked, but gave a grunt as he struggled to hold him back and felt his feet shift positions from the strain.

"You need to strengthen your foot work," Thace said with as he pushed back against Keith.

"I'm doing as much as I can here," Keith hissed as he pulled away, ducked a blow and went to strike again.

Thace blocked him. "You're mind isn't clear, you're distracted."

Really?! He was complaining about that! He asked Keith to spar! What was he expecting?

Keith snarled as he struck again. "Oh, yeah? And whose fault is that?!"

"I share the blame there," Thace stated as he dodged, "but I don't think I am your main concern right now."

He dashed behind Keith and wrapped his arms around his chest in a tight grip.

"Hey! That's cheating!" Keith cried as he struggled in the hold.

"Always expect your enemies to cheat," Thace said as he kept his arms locked, "you can't let fear or anything distract you in battle."

Keith snarled as he kicked Thace's leg with his heel and rolled with the staff. "I don't fear anything!" he snapped.

"You fear telling your team about your heritage," Thace stated.

Keith froze.

"It's clear as day something has been bothering you," Thace said as he pointed his staff at him. "And, while I understand your reluctance, you should tell them."

Keith stared dumbstruck until the anger he had been burying deep inside took over as he rose. "Who are you to tell me what to do?!" he spat. "It's not my heritage!"

"But it is a part of you," Thace replied.

"Shut up!" Keith cried. "I spent my whole life not having a father, and suddenly you waltz in with the full expectation that you can order me what to do?!"

"I'm not ordering you," Thace said as he lowered his staff and his gaze softened. "But you showing have you have very little faith in your fellow paladins."

"What?!" Keith hissed. "I trust those guys with my life! They would never turn your back on me!"

"Then prove that faith and tell them," Thace snapped. "You have a valid reason to be afraid, but if you just sit and do nothing those fears will eat you from the inside out."

Keith went silent, unsure how to reply.

"There's an old saying my father use to say," Thace said in a more gentler tone. "It's better to rip the fangs out so you can keep fighting."

Keith titled his head. "And..what's that suppose to mean?"

"That the only way you can move forward is to confront what you're afraid," Thace said as he lowered his staff.

Keith slumped as he dropped to the floor and let the staff fall from his hands. "And, what if they reject me?" He gripped his shirt. "I know it's not likely, but what if they ask me to quit."

"Then you confront it and you'll have your answer," Thace said as he sat next to him. "Knowing the outcome is easier to deal with than battling the unknown."

Keith sighed as he buried his face into his hands. There was a sense of logic to what Thace was saying. Pidge would certainly be happy if he came clean.

And if ANYONE gives you any grief over it, then they'll have to deal with me and I'm a force to be reckon with.

Keith gave a small smirk. Right, Pidge had sworn that when she told him her theory back in the caves. He took a deep breath before raising his gaze back up to Thace.

"Alright..I'll tell them, okay," he said as he swept his sweat dripping bangs from his eyes. "You win."

Thace gave a sigh of relief as he set the staff down. "I wasn't trying to win anything," he said, "but I had thought a sparring session might help bring some things to the surface."

Keith gave him a dry look. "Most people don't have that kind of talk while they're sparring."

"Not on Earth," Thace commented, "but..it is common on the Galra homeworld." He tilted his head at Keith. "My..father had done it with me several times when I was your age."

Father, huh? Keith thought. That makes the guy my grandfather...Man that's weird to think about.

Keith rubbed his neck as he tried to produce something to say. "Did..your dad fight for Zarkon?"

Thace gave a thoughtful look and for a brief moment, Keith wondered if he had brushed upon a touchy subject.

"Yes, and no," he said softly. "He fought for the empire's interests, but he was a honourable and was killed for it."

Keith tilted his head in confusion. "How so?"

"He defeated an uprising on a planet the empire had conquered," Thace explained, "but he did so with little casualties. He kept his word he would let all of his hostages go free if they surrendered."

"Whoa, that's impressive," Keith replied.

"Yes, but Zarkon was furious. He had wanted the people involved killed and all the hostages taken made into slaves." Thace turned to Keith. "Zarkon wanted an example to be made of them, and when my father explained there was no honor in needless murder, he killed him."

Keith's eyes widened. "But, he got what Zarkon wanted? How could he complain about that?"

"Zarkon rules in fear and dominance and he views honor as an act of weakness," Thace stated as he folded his hands in his lap. "Few knew the truth, except for my father's close men like Ford."

Keith frowned. "Did that include you?"

"No," Thace said, "I was told he died in battle and it wasn't until I found the resistance and was reunited with Ford that I learned the truth."

Keith shoulders slumped. "Is that the real reason you joined the resistance?"

"Vengeance was part of it, I won't deny that," he said, "but it wasn't long after that I truly understood how the rest of the universe viewed the Galra Empire, and I wanted to fix that."

Keith gave a quiet nod as he rested his head on his knees. "I hope you're not expecting me to call you 'Dad' anytime soon because that's just weird."

"You call me whatever makes you comfortable," Thace said with full sincerity. "I'm in no position to expect to be called anything."

Keith gave a small smirk. "So, if I wanted to call you 'Captain Fluffy Pants' you wouldn't argue."

Thace narrowed his eyes. "I would prefer if you did not, but..if that is your wish."

"What about 'Purple Alien Eater'?" Keith asked. "Or 'Mister Big Ears'."

"...I am hoping you are merely joking," Thace replied.

Keith gave a snort. Lance always said he took things too seriously and that was the reason why it was fun to tease him so much. Keith hadn't understood what Lance had meant until just this moment. Man, it was fun.

Thace gave a tired sigh as he rubbed his eyes. "Of course you inherited your mother's humor."

Keith paused as he looked on curiously. Keith had good memories of his mother, but there were those of a young child. He had always wondered about the sides to her that he wouldn't have been seen until he was older.

I wonder if Thace could fill the blank in on those-

Keith's thought was interrupted as the door opened and Shiro entered. He ceased mid-stepped as he saw Thace and Keith sitting side by side.

"Oh..uh, did I interrupt something?" Shiro said as he looked to Keith, but seemed to glancing at Thace suspiciously.

Keith coughed as he rose and tucked his hands behind his back. "No, uh we were just..sparring."

Shiro raised an eyebrow. "Is that all?"

"Yes," Thace said as he stood up and gave a nod of the head. "And it was useful. Thank you, Keith. I think I'll return to my room for the time being."

Keith gave an awkward nod as he and Shiro watched Thace leave. Shiro still looked uneasy as he looked back to Keith.

"Everything, okay?" he asked as he patted his shoulder. "You look a bit tense."

Keith took a deep breath. "I'm fine, it's just," he swallowed. "I..there's something you need to know."

Shiro's frown hardened. "Okay, Buddy," he said gently. "What is it?"

Keith opened, but then stopped himself. No, I got to tell all of them at once. It would save repeating myself.

"Keith?" Shiro asked in concern, but Keith stopped him by raising his hand.

"On second thought, this is something that...everyone should know," he said slowly and looked up. "Can you..gather up the others for a quick meeting."

"Sure, Kiddo," Shiro replied with an restless glint in his eyes and wrapped an arm around Keith. "I don't know what this is about," he said, "but I promise you we'll see you through it."

"I hope so," Keith said as Shiro lead them out of the room and Keith placed the training staff against the wall. "I really do."