Keith always did enjoy the observatory. He would often come up here by himself to look at the stars when he needed to think. Often, he would find himself being joined by Shiro, or one of the other paladins. It was nice. Everyone just sat silently as they watched the stars and comets go by.

He never dreamed he be doing the same thing with Thace...his father.

Neither of them had uttered a word as they stared up at the window and watch the stars twinkle. Keith rotated his shoulders as his mouth refused to budge. Should one of them just start talking? Lance would give him an earful if he found out they said nothing to each other the whole time, but did that mean Keith had to begin it? Or was he overthinking things again? Did he-

"It is a nice view," Thace said as he gazed up.

Keith blinked, his rapid train of thought gone as he tried to recompose himself by tucking his hands into his pockets. "Yeah," he replied and clicked his tongue. "I like coming up here, it's quiet."

Thace gave a nod. "I will admit, growing up I took it for granted," he said. "I was on so many ships, I forgot what a sight it was..until I met your mother."

Keith frowned and looked up curiously. "Mom?"

"She loved to stargaze," Thace explained with a fond smile. "I often caught her standing outside watching the stars." He gave a small chuckle. "She made me memorize the constellations near Earth."

Keith gave a small smile as old memories of leaning against his mother with a mug of hot chocolate in his hands as they sat and count the stars came to him.

"Mom did it a lot with me too," Keith admitted and turned to him. "She...also loved listening to the rain." He licked his lips. "Did she..um..do that with you too?"

"Very much so," Thace replied. "It didn't rain on my homeworld and I thought I would never get use to it." He crossed his arms as he lifted his head up. "Ironically, I find myself missing the sound now."

Keith's smile faltered as he began tap the floor with the heel of his boot. "Me too," he said, "but I miss her more." He took a deep sigh. "It's been a long time since I got to talk about her to anyone that actually knew her."

His mother had no living family, and Keith hadn't been close or met anyone in a long time that had known her personally. He had often told Shiro and his parents about her, but it wasn't the same. Keith had been so young and he always felt there were sides to his mother he didn't get to see or understand as a child.

Thace's eyes softened as he gave a nod. "Yes, it's the same for me," he explained as he patted Keith's shoulder. "None of the other rebels had ever met her. It's always been me telling them about Amy."

Keith took in a deep breath as he shut his eyes. "I miss her," he said. "I still miss her a lot."

Thace said nothing, but his face seemed full of pain and regret. His shoulders slumped slightly as he shook his head. "I'm sorry," he said.

Keith looked up to him as he took his hands out of his pockets. "For what?"

"For abandoning you," Thace said, his voice thick with emotion "For not acting like a father when you needed one," he took a deep breath. "For leaving you all alone when your mother died. I can only fathom how painful that ordeal was for you."

Keith went quiet. He hadn't been expecting that. "It's not your fault mom died. Those things happen, and you had a valid reason for going."

That was the part Keith couldn't deny. As much as it angered him not having a father around, there was no denying taking down Zarkon was a higher importance.

"That doesn't excuse or change the fact that I left you behind," Thace said as wrinkles formed in his forehead. "I've lost count on how many times I was truly tempted to fly back to Earth, and insist that you and Amy come back with me."

Keith narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "So...you wanted me?"

Thace's looked aghast at the question. "What? Of course I did. You are my only child, I wouldn't trade you for anything."

Keith's fists tightened, his mind drifting back to Thace's words at the meeting. "Then why are you so eager to get away from me?"

Thace frowned. "I don't understand what you mean."

Keith twitched. "At the meeting, when Oberon said you would have to live here, you didn't seem thrilled at the idea." He tossed his hands up. " Does 'it's not something to rush into' ring any bells?"

"Ah," Thace said slowly and tapped his fingers against his elbow. "Keith, you misunderstood. Truth be told...being able to finally get to know my son would be a dream come true for me."

Keith scoffed. "You got a funny way of showing that."

"Perhaps," Thace said with a nod, "but the main reason I was hesitant was because I was concerned about you."

Keith froze and tilted his head in confusion. "About me?"

"You have lived without a father for most of your life, and suddenly I just appear to you out of nowhere," Thace said as he leaned against the railing. "I had assumed you might not be comfortable with me living here when you only found out about me recently."

"Oh," Keith said as he mulled it over. "So, you were just trying to ensure I wouldn't feel awkward?"

"Yes," Thace replied, "but was I wrong?"

Keith opened and shut his mouth. "Not completely? I'll admit, I'm not sure how I feel about you yet." He took a deep breathe. "However, I was rather annoyed you were just going to decide that without asking my opinion." He turned his head at him with a glare. "You have a habit of doing that."

Thace gave a small chuckle. "Your mother accused me of the same problem." He paused. "Although, there is Shiro to also consider. I fully realize that having a Galran around, especially one that was part of Zarkon's high command, would likely bring back ugly memories for him."

Keith rubbed his neck. "Shiro is working through it," he replied, "but I can't deny I also had the same thought."

Thace nodded. "With that aside, Keith," he said as he brought his face closer, "do you wish for me to stay?"

Keith chewed his bottom lip as he ran a hand over his face. "Honestly...I..I don't know."

Thace didn't look surprise as he crossed his arms. "Don't rush that decision then," he said gently. "My main concern is you and I will respect your decision if you wish for me to leave."

"But where will you go?" Keith asked as he found himself moving in closer. "And it was a major condition for the alliance-"

"I'm certain I can find other arrangements that won't interfere with the alliance with Voltron and the resistance," Thace insisted. "I can take care of myself, so don't let that be one of the factors in your decision."

Keith shut his eyes. His brain was buzzing with thoughts and he didn't know which to dwell on. Thace wanted to stay, but did Keith? He didn't know. He couldn't decide-

Thace placed a hand on his shoulder, instantly calming Keith. "Let's discuss something else in the time being," he said.

"Oh..," Keith said slowly. "Okay, but what?"

Thace gave a thoughtful frown. "What were you doing before you found the Blue Lion on Earth?"

Keith raised an eyebrow. "Um..not much, quite honestly." He hugged himself. "It was a rough year. I thought Shiro had died on the Kerberos mission and spent the next year wandering to figure out what to do with myself."

"I see," Thace said. "But what about school?"

Keith sucked air between his teeth. "I wasn't going to school."

Thace eyes narrowed in a kind of manner Keith had seen Shiro do when one of the paladins had misbehaved. "You dropped out?"

Keith snorted. "Technically, but more like I got kicked out." He shrugged. "One of the Galaxy Garrison's officers was talking badly about Shiro, and..I kind of punched him."

Thace's eyes widened, but he said nothing.

"They ended up declaring I had a discipline issue and sent me packing," Keith said as he tried to read Thace's face.

"I...see," Thace said in an overly neutral tone.

Keith gave a pout as he tilted his head. "You okay?"

Thace rubbed his eyes. "Keith, promise me you will never Oberon that story?"

Keith's eyes hardened. "Why?" Was Thace that embarrassed Keith was kicked out?

Thace took a deep breath. "Because he will use it to forever mock the both of us."

"Huh?" Keith replied.

"Oberon and I were in cadets together," Thace explained, "and, a higher ranking officer had made 'comments' about my late father...which I did not take that well."

Keith's eyes widened. "Did you punch him?"

"Not quite," Thace replied as he fiddled with his sleeve. "I at first called him a few names I dare not repeat, but when he grabbed me by the collar...I punched him in the stomach."

Keith's jaw fell and then seconds later he burst out laughing. "Ha ha! Oh, man! You serious?!" He snickered. "I guess the 'apple doesn't fall far from the tree' as Mom would always say."

Thace gave a crooked smile. "Yes, it would seem so."

Keith took a breath to calm himself down before returning his gaze to Thace. "So, did you get booted out too?"

"They were in the middle of discussing the matter if I should be expelled or punished when I met up with the resistance," Thace said. "So, in the end, it didn't truly matter."

"But Oberon still holds it over your head?" Keith said.

"Yes, and it will be even worse if he learns you did it too," Thace said as he pointed. "So, keep it to yourself."

"I'll try," Keith said, "but if he's with Lance, he's probably already told him about it."

"Yes," Thace said in a tired tone, "that is very likely."

Keith gave a small smile as he return his gaze to the stars above. As they sat in silence, Keith wondered if his mother was smiling at them where ever she was.

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"Oookay," Hunk said as he fastened the last screw, "try now, Shiro."

Shiro nodded and began to bend his cybernetic arm. However, the grinding sound returned and he halted immediately.

Shiro cursed as he gripped it to his chest. "It's still bad," he said with a wince, "and if feels like it's even more stiff."

Pidge growled as she tugged at her hair. "This is getting us nowhere! Shiro, I'm sorry, but I think we really better take this apart. You're not going to be able to move it at this rate."

Hunk slumped in his chair. He hated to admit it, but he had to agree with Pidge. At the rate they were going, Shiro's arm was only going to become a deadweight by the end of the day.

Shiro looked less than thrilled as he looked to them. "Okay, we'll do it if we have to," he stated, "but you're certain there's no other way to fix this?"

Hunk removed his goggles to scrub his face. "Thing is, this kind of problem shouldn't be hard to fix-"

"And it really isn't, but I'm bias."

The trio turned to the door and saw Ford standing in the doorway. The old Galran showed them a sympathetic smile and Hunk noticed he held a large tool bag in his regular hand.

"Sorry, don't mean to pry," he said as he wandered in. "But I could hear that thing all the way down the hall." He looked to Shiro with a concerned frown. "If you don't get that thing fixed, you're not going to be able to move it by the end of tomorrow."

Shiro's eyes widened in alarm. "You're certain?"

Ford held up his own arm. "Same thing happened to me," he stated. "Was a huge pain in the rear to deal with too since I was by myself and had no extra hands to help me fix it."

Hunk blinked and suddenly found his gaze locking upon Ford's own cybernetic arm.

Oh, my God, I'm an idiot! Hunk thought as he sprang to his feet. "Ford, you know how to fix this?!" he asked as he pointed to Shiro.

"Course I do," Ford said as he pulled up a chair. "It's a common problem with Galra cybernetics." He narrowed his eyes at Shiro and he pointed at his arm. "Betting they didn't give ya much maintenance instruction when they attached that thing to ya, did they, Sonny?"

Shiro gave a bitter smile. "No, I literally just woke up to find it on me before they tossed me back into my cell."

Ford gave a dark growl. "Yup, typical," he grumbled. "Same with me. Gave me a new arm, and told me to be on my way. Had to figure out the proper maintenance all on my own."

"And what exactly does that entail?" Hunk asked, intrigued. He was trying not to sound eager, but if Ford could teach Hunk all he knew about Galra tech it could solve a lot of potential problems in the future.

"Let's fix that arm first," Ford said as he reached into his bag and brought out a tool. "I'm going to show you what's wrong with it."

Hunk froze and cast a sideway glance at Shiro. The rebels were on their side, and therefore were not threat, but Hunk could sense Shiro was uneasy at the idea of letting another Galran at his arm.

Judging by the look Pidge had, she had the same thought. Ford then moved his arm, and Hunk opened his mouth to stop him, but surprised Hunk by pointing to his own arm.

"Mind unscrewing this part to remove the cover?" Ford asked as he looked to Hunk. "Easier for me to get someone else to do it."

"Oh, uh, sure thing," Hunk said as he took the tool and began to unscrew. He loosened the cover and carefully set it aside before peering inside the arm. His eyes were glued to the circuits and wire, while he felt both Pidge, and Shiro glancing over his shoulder.

Ford's arm look a lot more simplified than what they had seen inside Shiro's arm. Yet, glancing through it, Hunk's brain was already connecting the basic design for it.

"I'm noticing some pieces here that we haven't seen in Shiro's," Pidge said as she pointed.

"My arm is old tech," Ford explained with a half amused smile. "It's not nearly as fancy or advance as his, but the basic design is the same."

Shiro's forehead puckered as he looked it over. "So, what exactly is the problem with mine?"

"Something that's going to make you wince on how easy it is to fix and prevent," Ford commented with a shake of his head.

Hunk cocked his head to the side. "How so?"

Ford pointed with his other hand inside his arm towards a dark disc that sat in the middle of his arm. "See that? Touch it, don't worry you won't damage it."

Hunk held a weary frown, but did as he was told and brushed his fingers against it which caused it to instantly spin.

"It looks real loose," Pidge commented.

"Right," Ford said and gestured to Shiro with his head. "Now, you'll see one similar in Shiro's."

Hunk turned his seat and waited for Shiro to give him an approving nod before he ventured back inside. He spotted the said disc in seconds. It was a bit bigger, but it held the same design.

"Okay, so what do I do?" Hunk asked.

"Try touching it," Ford stated as he pointed with his free hand, "and compare it to mine."

Hunk arched an eyebrow, and made certain to put his goggles back over his eyes before reaching inside. He touched it, but to his shock nothing happened. Next the tapped it and then firmly pressed it between his fingers, but it refused to move.

"It's as solid as a rock," Hunk said as he looked back to Ford.

"Thought so," Ford said as he tilted his head to Shiro's direction. "You need to oil that thing regularly or the parts get jammed up on ya."

Shiro's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "I don't remember them ever telling me that."

"Besides, we have plenty of oil here," Pidge said as she held up one of the cans Coran used on their equipment regularly.

"No, no, no," Ford explained as Hunk put the cover back on his arm. "The cybernetic arms built by the empire required special lubricant. It's their ever so subtle way of forcing you to keep coming back to the army."

"Ooh, great," Hunk grumbled as he crossed his arms. "So, where do we get that?"

Ford shrugged. "Normally, you hackle some dealers, but you are lucky enough to know me who can make it from scratch."

"You can?" Pidge said in amazement.

"Wasn't by choice I assure you," Ford said as he leaned back in his chair. "When I left the army it was a matter of survival if you catch my drift."

"Do you have any with you?" Shiro asked with his eyes full of hope.

Ford nodded and glanced to Pidge. "Look in my bag, Sweetheart, and you'll see a spray can in there," he instructed.

Pidge poked her head into the bag, brought out the spray can and quickly looked it over before handing it to Hunk.

"Sssoo," Hunk said as he pointed at it, "I just spray Shiro's arm with it?"

"Yeah, you don't need much, but it should loosen up the joints there," Ford said as he rotated his cybernetic arm. "Give it a go."

"Well, okay," Hunk said as Shiro nodded and held up the nozzle of the can. "Here goes."

A hiss of air was heard as a blue liquid was released and soaked the inners of Shiro's arm. Hunk stopped after it seemed lightly coated and stepped back. "Anything else?" he asked.

"Give it a tic for it to soak in," Ford said, "but it should be ready by the time you got the cover back on him."

Shiro didn't seem to hear Ford as he became engrossed into flexing his fingers. "It seems to be working already," he said in amazement. "My fingers already feel less tight."

Oh, that's a good sign, Hunk thought as he and Pidge hastily went to close up Shiro's arm. Once he was done, Hunk held his breath as Shiro moved his arm up, and then down and then up.

SIlence was never such a more beautiful sound to Hunk.

"I know the sound stop," Ford asked, "but how does the arm feel?"

Shiro rotated his shoulder. "Almost like a brand new arm," he said. "Doesn't feel stiff at all."

Pidge sighed as she picked up the can to look it over. "I can't believe all it needed was some lubricant."

"It's always the simplest solutions that solve the worst problems," Ford commented as he shut his bag. "You can keep that can. I make it a priority to always keep a few on hand."

Shiro let his arm drop to his side as he lifted his gaze to Ford. "Um...thank you," he said. "This is such a huge relief."

Ford waved a hand at him. "There's nothing to be thanked for," he said. "This is knowledge those druid nuts should have told you in the first place, but..that's a rant for another day."

Hunk slumped back in his chair as relief washed over him. "Man, that's a load off my mind," he muttered. "I was not thrilled with the idea of trying to take Shiro's arm apart."

"No kidding," Shiro said softly as he flexed his wrist and stood. He looked to Ford as he rubbed his neck. "Thanks again."

Ford gave a nod. "Later, if you like, I can teach what else you need to do to keep that arm going."

Shiro's step faltered slight, but he gave a small smile. "Yeah...that would be good," he said as he headed to the door. "I need to go check with the princess. I'll see you all later."

Hunk gave a small wave as Shiro left and Ford grasped his chin thoughtfully. "Still a bit uneasy around Galra, huh?"

Hunk cleared his throat as the leaned on the table. "Not entirely, Shiro knows you rebels are the good guys, but...well…"

"Shiro has a lot of bad memories he's working through," Pidge replied sincerely. "So, he's doing his best-"

Ford placed a hand on Pidge's shoulder. "You don't have to explain to me. I've been in this war a long time, and I've met plenty of people who don't like Galra." He gave a deep sigh. "Truthfully, Shiro is the most..shall we say 'polite' about it, and I can tell the boy is earnestly trying."

Hunk frowned as he removed his goggles. "Can I ask on how exactly you lost your arm?"

Ford flexed his fingers of his cybernetic arms and made a fist. "Don't mind, but not much to tell. Lost my arm while serving in the army and obtaining this new arm was my 'reward' for my loyalty. Wasn't much longer after that I realize on what kind of monster I was giving my loyalty to."

Hunk drummed his fingers against his knee. He couldn't help but stare at the old Galran in a bit of admiration. It was one thing for him and the other paladins to decide to fight against Zarkon, but Ford once worked for the empire. It had to have taken a lot of courage to turn your back against everything you knew.

I wonder if I would be able to make that choice if I had to, Hunk thought.

During his musings, Pidge poked Ford's tool bag with her eyes full of glee. "Sssoo, what other tools you got in that magic bag?" she asked. "And on that note, you mind telling us EXACTLY how Shiro's arm works?"

"Yeah," Hunk said with a nod. "Having an actual expert on how Galra tech works would be a huge asset."

Ford gave a smirk. "I'm hardly an expert, but I'll tell ya kids all I know. We'll be in this war together for awhile yet."

Hunk gave a smile as he reached for his notebook to write it down. If this alliance went through as plan, Hunk knew it was going to be good for both sides.