"Baaabe it's time to get up!"

Lance groaned as Keith leant over him, wriggling his nose into Lance's neck to try and wake him. The blue paladin tried pushing his boyfriend away, only to be attacked with kisses all over his face.

He let out a squawk of indignation before giggling and opening his eyes. Keith smiled and leant back to look at his beautiful boyfriend. He didn't know how the Cuban boy managed to look so adorable after just waking up, but he did.

His hair was slightly curly, with a couple of locks falling over his forehead, those freckles spotting his nose and cheeks, gathering when he smiled in that lazy happy way of his, eyes lit up with love.

"What are you staring at?"

Keith hummed in pleasure at the low rumble of Lance's voice and pressed a kiss to his smiling lips.

"I just really love you. But you have to get up, because Coran said we can start with the walking bars today!"

Lance groaned and tried to roll over, only managing to lean slightly to the side and grab his pillow, to pull over his face.

"Noooo."

Keith lifted the pillow to peek at his boyfriends pouting face.

"You don't want to?"

Lance shook his head, and threw an arm out to grab a fistful of Keith's shirt, pulling him in for cuddle.

"No, I just want to stay in bed with my wonderful, handsome, boyfriend." It almost worked, Lance wriggling his nose into Keith's neck and kissing the skin there, but the red paladin was too excited to let it deter him.

"Lance, it's going to be good! You finally get to use the bars, which means you'll be able to walk again! Aren't you excited?"

The Cuban boy actually wasn't that excited. His bad leg still hurt, and although the physical therapy had been going well, he still couldn't feel his leg all that well. How the hell was he supposed to hold his own weight if he couldn't even feel the limb?

He frowned grumpily and whined when Keith pulled himself from the cuddle.

"Nooo, come back. I don't want to go."

Lance looked genuinely upset but Keith just placed his hands on Lance's cheeks and smushed his face together, making his lips pout.

"Come on Shnookums, it won't be that bad. I'll be with you."

The frown dissolved from Lance's face as a surprised laugh bubbled from his mouth. "Don't call me that."

"Why not honey pot?" Lance laughed again, genuinely finding it hilarious that Keith was so excited.

"Cause it's so dopey. And you're supposed to be a scary, badass, emo, warrior; you can't be calling your boyfriend stupid pet names."

Keith shrugged, unfazed as he released Lance's face to pick him up instead. He slipped his careful hands under the blue paladin's legs and back, lifting him in a bridal carry out of bed.

"Who says?"

Lance was distracted enough by their banter that he didn't complain about being moved, only wrapped his arms around Keith's neck.

"I don't know. Me?"

"You don't like them?"

"They're terrible."

Keith carried Lance to the med wing of the castle, smiling at how easy it was to tease Lance, and how much he liked doing it. It reminded him of when they'd first come together as Voltron and how they'd been at each other's throats all the time. Of course, that had only been a way for them both to mask their true feelings. "Nah, they're cute, just like you."

Lance smiled up at his handsome man, kissing his stubbled jaw. "You are in such a good mood today."

Keith looked down and kissed the tip of Lance's nose, making him screw it up adorably. "Yeah its cause I finally get to see that ass of yours again. You've been sitting on it for weeks."

Lance threw a hand up, but smiled as he laughed.

"I can't walk!"

"Not with that attitude you can't. Come on cookie crumb, you'll do great, you'll see."

"Pfftt, what kind of a name is that? Cookie crumb."

"Honey bear?"

"Meh."

"Myyy one and only?"

"Better."

"My brightest shining star!"

"Keith, stop."

Keith laughed at Lance's reaction, and turned down a hall to arrive at the medical wing.

"Okay, whatever you say…. Snugglepuss."

Lance laughed again as they entered the bright white room, to find Coran waiting for them.

"Hello boys, lovely morning, isn't it?

Lance grunted in a noncommittal way, as Keith sat him down on a seat against the wall. The Altean came over with a device that looked something like a cage but for a limb. He took Lance's bad leg and carefully fitted him with the device.

"This will help you stand and keep your leg straight so that you can strengthen the muscles until they're strong enough to hold your weight again."

Keith watched carefully, laying a hand on Lance's shoulder in an offer of comfort, knowing the blue paladin was nervous.

"I still can't feel my leg though. I have…tingles I guess? Like pins and needles in some places but aren't I supposed to be able to feel it by now?"

Coran made a face, something between apology and 'I don't know.'

"I have done some research but, I'm not a human doctor; unfortunately, I don't have all the information I'd like. I think, maybe, it just takes a little time. Don't give up just yet."

He wasn't so convinced but Keith seemed to be happy, helping Lance stand with his new brace on. "

Keith smiled and took his hands, pulling him to his hesitant feet. "Come on, you can do it!"

Lance looked unsure, maybe even a little scared as he stared at his feet. He'd barely been out of bed and now they wanted him to just walk? What if he fell? He was already in a lot of pain, and always would be, and he didn't want to think about how much it would hurt if he hit that floor on his bad leg.

When he refused to move, Keith softened his voice, ducking his head to try and meet his boyfriend's eyes.

"Hey, what's wrong? If you aren't ready, that's okay. But I really think you can do this."

Lance didn't look up, still staring at his feet, and keeping his good knee locked to keep him standing.

"Lance?"

Keith held Lance's hands tight as he carefully shuffled behind him, making Lance flinch hard and pull him back, worried he'd fall without him. Keith met his eyes and offered a soft smile.

"It's okay, I'm not going to let go of you." He moved behind the blue paladin and wrapped his arms around his waist, hands strong and firm as he supported his weight.

"Try and fall."

"What?!"

Keith laughed at the others incredulous tone. "Try and fall, I won't let go I just want to show you what will happen if you lose your footing."

Lance wasn't sure what he was getting at but he trusted him, so, tightly gripping Keith's arms, he took his good leg off the floor.

He dipped a little, but didn't fall, as Keith's arms kept him safe, pressed to his chest.

"There, see? You're safe; now start walking, you can do it."

He placed Lance on his feet again and gave him a kiss on the cheek, arms staying tightly wrapped around his waist.

Lance swallowed his fear and took a deep breath. Keith wouldn't let anything bad happen to him, and he wouldn't give up now. The blue paladin slowly shuffled one leg forward, before dragging his left with him.

The movement caused an ache in his hip but the brace kept him standing. A small smile spread across his face as he took another step. Keith was doing most of the work, holding him up so that he could move his legs without having to take his own weight just yet, but it felt good nonetheless and he was just a little proud of himself.

Keith laughed behind him, triumphant. "I told you, you could do it!"

Those smiling lips pressed themselves to the space underneath Lance's ear, as the red paladin spoke between the kisses he planted.

"I'm so proud of you, babe." His voice was thick with pride but there was something like tears in the hitch in his voice.

Despite the help to stand, Lance was growing tired from the work out; legs not used to the exercise just yet.

Keith helped him sit down and kept in front of him. His eyes were wide with excitement and Lance loved that smile but he was a little skeptical.

"Why are you so excited about this? And don't tell me the excuse you used last time because I know that's not it. Although my ass is one of the thirteen wonders of the universe."

Keith's smile faltered just a little, before he smiled wider, forcing his face to stay bright.

"I'm just glad you're getting better."

Lance frowned and took one of Keith's hands. They had been through so much together, and they'd always promised not to keep secrets. Lance kept his voice soft as he brushed a finger over his loves cheek.

"You can tell me, Keith. You don't have to pretend."

The joy slowly slipped from the other man's face and he looked down at their clasped hands as he spoke.

"It really is that I'm glad you're getting better. It... it took so long to dig you out of the rubble, and when we finally found you, the damage was so bad I was just praying you'd survive. I couldn't think of anything else. But then Coran told us about the damage to your leg and all I could think was that it should have been me."

Lance let out a small displeased breath. "Keith."

The man continued, getting a little choked up as he recalled the horrible hole on his chest, when he hadn't known if Lance would be okay. "He made me choose and... I thought that either way I could lose you."

His face split into a smile again, a real one, as he finally looked up, but Lance could see the tears in Keith's eyes.

"But you're okay! I didn't know if you'd ever be able to stand again but you're doing it! You're walking, and I know you won't go back to how you were before. But I get to keep you and I'm just..."

He sniffed and wiped his eyes as he let out an embarrassed laugh.

"Dammit."

Lance smiled and pulled his forward for a hug, grateful for Keith's words. He had been feeling pretty pitiful about his progress but comparing it to how he was a few weeks ago, he was doing amazing. And Keith was proud of him. That's all he needed.

"Thank you for saving me."

Keith hugged him back, before pulling back and kissing him instead. There were so many things in that kiss. Hope, pride, trust, longing.

The red paladin looked into those blue eyes that he dreamed about so often.

"I love you, lance."

And there, that smile, was the brightest thing in the universe. "I love you too."

...

Lance had been training for a few weeks, and although he still needed a cane, and found walking tiring and painful, he could get around by himself. He was about as healed as he would get, so Keith thought it was time he executed his carefully laid out plan.

Hunk came to him with his finished project, the one Keith had asked him to do so long ago, and clapped his friend on the back.

"You ready for this?"

Keith smiled, unable to hold in his excitement. "I think so. I've been practicing for ages and I think I may have finally gotten the words right."

The whole team was brought in on the plan, carefully hiding everything from Lance until it was ready. Allura flew them to a mall to pick up supplies before heading to the flower planet they had loved so much.

Keith woke his boyfriend early, earlier than he usually would, and in a sleek black tux. Lance's bleary eyes were suddenly wide and pleased.

"Damn babe, you look good! What's the occasion?"

Keith couldn't stop smiling, he almost wanted to get down and give his speech right there and then. But no, the plan was perfect. He pulled out a bag on a coat hanger.

"I have one for you too. I just thought, we could watch the sunrise together."

Lance laughed and ran his fingers down Keith's suit lapel. "In a tux? Okay, but only because you look so amazing."

Keith helped his boyfriend into his suit, the midnight blue fabric looking beautiful against his dark skin.

Lance loved looking good but he still wasn't sure what was happening. It seemed Keith wasn't going to tell him though, so he just went with it, following the dashing man outside.

The air was sweet with the scent of honey dew and flowers, and the sun was just beginning to rise as they stepped out onto the beautiful planet.

Keith was holding Lance's hand as he led them to a small hill overlooking the fields. He was suddenly nervous as he took the blue paladins hands. Lance's cane was standing beside him, but he managed to stay standing without it, thanks to a small device that Hunk had made, which attacked to his hip and ran a small current through his leg, contracting the muscles enough to keep him on his feet for a short while if he needed.

Keith swallowed and smiled at the man that he loved more than anything.

"Lance, we've been through a lot together, and we've been together for a long time now… and I've been thinking. I don't want you to be my boyfriend anymore."

Keith was smiling but his words hit Lance like a sledge hammer. His breath caught in his throat and he tried to pull his hands away.

"Are you breaking up with me? You brought me here, just to break up with me?"

Keith pulled his hands back and shook his head, giving Lance a reassuring smile.

"No, no way. I'm not breaking up with you, I just… I have something to say."

Lance was skeptical now, and more than a little nervous, but Keith looked so excited he just nodded.

Keith began again, hands shaking just a little in Lance's hold.

"When the tunnel collapsed with you in it, I thought you were gone. Despite everything we've been through and endured and everything we've lost, that was the worst moment of my life. Thinking that I had lost you, killed me inside and I just… I knew I'd die if you did.

"And then Coran said I had to choose between your leg and your life; he said I had to choose because I was your boyfriend and I just remember thinking that, that word was so small. I had this hole in my chest at the thought that I could lose you, and it felt like I was rotting from the inside out and boyfriend just wasn't enough.

"It didn't say everything I felt for you. It didn't say you are everything I ever could have hoped for, and it didn't come close to saying I'd love you forever. It just wasn't enough. And it still isn't.

"Lance I can't live without you. You're strong, and brave, and kind, and you are my favorite part of the universe. We've seen moons and suns and stars and you are still the brightest, most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

Keith's eyes were shining, wet with tears, and Lance was getting choked up, both of them smiling as the light of the sunrise washed over them. They were lit up like stars, beautiful and eternal.

Keith continued, love drenching every word he spoke.

"You're a hero, and good man, and the love of my life and I don't want to call you my boyfriend anymore."

Holding Lance's hands, smiling up at him, he got down on one knee. Lance gasped and let go of one of Keith's hands to bring his own to his mouth in shock.

He let out a whispered word. "Keith."

The red paladin pulled a ring from his pocket, smooth dark metal, with a thumbprint on the side.

"Lance McClain, will you do me the absolute honor of allowing me to call you my husband?"

Lance let out a shocked breath, his hand coming away to reveal with smile.

"Yes!"

The red paladin slipped the ring onto Lance's waiting finger and stood so that Lance could pull him into a fierce hug.

"Oh my god, Keith we're getting married!"

Keith hugged him back, as he laughed. He'd been so nervous and so excited at the same time. Now all he could do was hold his fiancé and cry.

Another round of sniffs came from behind the two and Keith released Lance to smile at the rest of team Voltron.

"He said yes!"

Lance took his cane in one hand as Hunk ran to hug him.

"Dude, you have no idea how much I wanted to tell you! Keith had me make your rings weeks ago. That's Keith's thumbprint and your print is on his ring. Ohh, and if you run your finger over it, it'll let you feel Keith's heartbeat."

"Dude, that's amazing, it's beautiful. Thank you"

Everyone was smiling and laughing as they congratulated the two.

Shiro laid a hand on their shoulders and smiled. "I'm really proud of you two." Keith took Lance's hand in his, smiling wider than he ever had in his life.

Allura and Coran began excitedly chattering away about making wedding preparations, while Lance patted Hunk on the shoulder.

"Buddy, you've been my best friend since forever, will you be my best man?" The yellow paladin smiled as his eyes grew teary. He swept Lance and Keith into a group hug as he laughed.

"I'd love to!"

Shiro had been asked to be Keith's best man already, and had gladly accepted. Keith had been planning it out in secret, and already had almost everything sorted. The Princess, being a royal, would marry them, and Coran would assist with the tethering ceremony.

Lance turned to Pidge, but she interrupted before he even opened his mouth. "Do not ask me to be your flower girl."

The blue paladin let out a snort at the girls unhappy grimace. "No, of course not. You wanna be my maid of honor?"

Her face lit up and she threw her arms around her space brother.

"Hell yes! But I'm wearing a suit."

Keith ruffled her hair, in the way only few were permitted to do. "Whatever you want, Pidge."

The whole team was laughing and talking, as the sunrise washed over them all. Light poured over the paladins and as Lance took his fiancé's hand, he couldn't help but think everything was perfect.