Lance stood impatiently in the control room as instructed by Allura. Despite the fact that he'd told her Shiro didn't really need to apologize, she insisted he wait there until the black paladin came and fixed the situation. Of course, Lance could have told her what he'd said to Shiro, but then she might make him apologize. So instead, he stood there twiddling his fingers, glancing over at the two Alteans as they performed check ups on the castle. He'd tried to talk Hunk and Pidge into waiting in there with him, but Pidge was uninterested and Hunk bailed in favor of watching Pidge toy with leftover Galra tech. And probably, getting a second breakfast.

Lance grimaced as the doors slid open, and in came Shiro with Keith at his side. They were standing awfully close together, but separated when Shiro approached the blue paladin. Lance tried not to give off any feelings of resentment. Shiro stopped in front of him made heavy eye contact. "I'm sorry for attacking you yesterday. As your leader, it is my responsibility to set an example. I will strive to do better in the future."

Lance just really wanted this whole exchange to be over. "It's all good."

Shiro wasn't quite finished with him yet. He leaned in closer, speaking in a hushed voice. "I'm gonna make you a deal, Lance. I won't tell Keith about the little games you told me you like to play if you leave him alone from now on. We're a team, and we don't mess with each others heads."

The close proximity and deep tone of Shiro's voice intimidated Lance more than any form of violence ever could. "Deal." His voice sounded weak. I thought Allura said things were going to be back to normal.

Shiro turned around without another word, returning to Keith's side. Lance tried to listen to what they were saying, but they were practically whispering to each other. Keith chuckled, and Lance nearly gasped when he saw them kiss. Allura had already told him about this, but now he was seeing it firsthand. He felt that knot in his stomach again, and he quickly made for the exit. He needed to vent, so he began making his way to where he knew he'd find Hunk and Pidge.

He tried to tell himself the knot was disgust. He tried to say it was because he didn't like seeing two guys kissing. But it was a lie, and Lance's mother always told him the worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves. The truth? He'd gotten so used to the idea of Keith pining after him. It didn't disgust him at all, if anything, he thought it was kinda cute. It was sort of an attachment, so to speak. Not that Lance was into guys. Not a chance. He was a ladies man, always had been, always will be. It was just a little game. It didn't matter to him.

There you again with the lies. Lance couldn't tell if the voice in his head belonged to his mother or himself, but it knew how he really felt. All he could do was wonder why. Why did it make him feel good to know Keith wanted him? Why did it hurt to see him with Shiro? Why hadn't he done anything to stop it? Lance hated this feeling. The feeling of knowing all the answers but telling yourself you don't have a clue. So what was the answer? How was he supposed to continue being apart of Voltron with everything as it was? He groaned out loud, finally finding his two friends.

"So, how did it go with the new power couple?" Pidge didn't look up from her work as she asked, but Hunk looked interested in the answer.

Lance was ready to lay it on them. "Shiro barely apologized and instead decided to tell me to stay away from his new boyfriend. I mean, it's probably because he knows that Keith would totally choose me if he had the choice, but whatever. Shiro's just being so annoying about the whole thing. He thinks he's soooo tough and the best thing ever. Well here's a news flash! You can't form Voltron without all five lions, so you aren't the only one who matters!"

Hunk hadn't been expecting any of that. "Woah, someone didn't get their beauty sleep."

Pidge wasn't as surprised. "First of all, Shiro doesn't think he's "the best thing ever". Second of all, and I mean this in the nicest way possible, why would Keith choose you over Shiro?"

"Because he's been like, in love with me this whole time. You guys haven't noticed?"

Hunk shook his head. "Not really."

"Well, he has. And I may have been….feeding into it a little bit. And that's why Shiro punched me. Because he was jealous. As he should have been."

This time, Pidge did look up. "He punched you…..out of jealousy?"

"Yep. Bitter, angry, jealousy."

Hunk wasn't convinced. "Doesn't sound like Shiro to me."

Lance scratched the back of his head. "I may have instigated a little bit."

Pidge chuckled. "Let me guess, it involves you saying something stupid."

Lance said nothing, deciding now would be a good time to admire the walls of the room.

"I'll take that as a yes."

"Whatever, ok. Point is, he's being a major jerk about the whole thing. Keith and I are friends, so I'll do whatever I want. Shiro isn't the boss of me."

Hunk shrugged. "Eh, he's probably just being protective. It was obvious he'd been crushing on Keith for awhile now."

Pidge nodded. "Agreed."

"WHAT? Did everyone know about this but me?"

Hunk failed to contain his laughter. Pidge just rolled her eyes. "You tend to be painfully oblivious sometimes. And anyway, if you and Keith are such good friends, then you should be happy for him and not fighting with his boyfriend."

Lance scoffed, crossing his arms. "I just know he'd be happier with me, that's all."

Pidge and Hunk exchanged glances. Had they heard that right? The pair began to suspect that Lance was leaving out some very important details. When Hunk said nothing, Pidge decided it was up to her to figure it out. "So you're saying you want Keith to be with you?"

Lance felt his face burning up at the suggestion. "Where did you get that idea from?"

"That's basically what you just said."

Hunk chuckled again. "I think we all know who the real jealous guy is here."

Lance pulled his already crossed arms tighter to his body. "Shut up." As his friends laughed at his expense, he began to seriously regret coming to them with this. When will he ever learn to keep his big mouth shut?


Keith spent the whole day at Shiro's side. He could tell the black paladin was still a bit on edge and wanted to do everything he could to help him regain control of himself. Keith couldn't imagine what it must have been like, kidnapped, separated from his friends, forced to fight in an arena. He didn't even want to think about his arm. It was a miracle that Shiro was able to be sane as much as he was, or at all even. How Shiro managed to be so positive and friendly was a mystery Keith would never solve.

At least, he thought he'd never solve it. From what Shiro had told him, the older man had been using Keith as a motivator since he'd met him. Keith was so flattered that he'd had such a profound effect on someone as great as Shiro, but it did worry him how much he knew Shiro would lean on him. Not that it was a bad thing. Shiro of all people deserved to have someone to lean on. Keith just never thought it would be him. Did he really seem like such a warm and comforting kind of guy?

Currently, Shiro was dressed in his pajamas and sitting on his bed, waiting for Keith to join him. Keith found himself blushing openly, as Shiro apparently slept without a shirt. As enticing as the picture was, Keith wasn't jumping right in, head first. Regardless of how he felt about Shiro or anyone else, Keith hadn't ever been in a relationship like this before. Needless to say, he was a little scared. He didn't know what to expect or when to expect it, and he didn't know if it was ok to ask. "Don't make me come over there and get you." Shiro's tone was playful, and it made Keith start to sweat. He really wasn't ready for this. He didn't think Shiro was planning on anything….extra….but even sharing a bed was moving too quickly for Keith. He felt awkward, something he couldn't stand in the slightest.

"I...think I'd rather sleep in my own bed tonight." Keith tried not to show his obvious discomfort.

Shiro simply smirked, standing up from his bed. "Aww, if you say so. I'm gonna miss you all night."

"I'll miss you too." Keith pretended not to notice his voice shaking.

"You're so cute when you're nervous." Shiro wrapped his arms around Keith, pulling him in close for a hug. "I love you."

"I love you too." Keith allowed Shiro to give him a peck on the lips before he made a hasty retreat. Once in the hall, he allowed himself to calm down. Despite the fact that Shiro made him feel like they'd been together for years, Keith had only had his first kiss yesterday, and he was still pretty uncertain about intimacy. Keith valued solitude, so this kind of thing wasn't really something he'd been expecting. Well, that's not entirely true. Keith had spent a few nights awake, thinking about a life with Lance.

No. I have to let that go. I'm with Shiro now.

Instead of going straight to his room, Keith decided to swing by the kitchen and get himself a glass of water. Hydration was important when dealing with intense situations, and with the amount of sweating he'd been doing, Keith would definitely say this qualified as intense. However, he regretted this decision as soon as he entered the kitchen, finding it already to be occupied. Keith really wished it would have been Hunk getting a midnight snack or Allura waiting to badger him about the details of his new romance. But as usual, fate wasn't on his side, and he was met with Lance. The blue paladin apparently also needed something to drink. What a coincidence.

Keith felt the urge to start a conversation. "Hi."

"Where's your other half?" Lance sounded bitter, and Keith didn't know what to make of that.

"He went to bed. I'm just getting something to drink." Keith noticed how Lance avoided looking at him, and quietly got his cup of water. When Lance gave no response, Keith addressed what he thought the problem was. "I'm sorry if Shiro's still acting weird around you. I'm trying to help smooth everything out as best I can."

And that was it for Lance. He couldn't stay angry, not with Keith around. Sweet Keith. Keith who came to check up on him after he'd been punched. Keith who laughed at his jokes and made him feel like the king of the universe. Keith, who should be his. "It's cool. He's just being protective of you I guess. He's lucky to have you."

Keith felt himself light up. "You really mean that?"

Lance smiled despite himself. "It's the truth."

Keith embraced the butterflies in his stomach. "Thank you."

They finished their drinks in a comfortable silence, Keith mentally scolding himself for acting like a little girl. You really mean that? How embarrassing. He was in a relationship now; he couldn't be sitting around letting Lance get him all flustered. But it was so hard. Keith felt himself wishing it was Lance asking him to lay in bed with him. He wanted so desperately for that first kiss to be with him, but that chance was gone now. He had to move on. This is why it's not ok to have feelings.

"Well, goodnight Keith. We're still gonna hang out sometimes right?"

Keith nearly melted. This wasn't going to get any easier.

"Of course. Goodnight."


Thank you for reading. I've been feeling kinda bleh lately, but I'm done with that, so get ready for more updates!

More coming soon

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