The Substitute
"…and I'll form the head."
"Yeah, I'm a leg now, I get it."
"Sorry Shiro, it started as a joke and now it's habit."
They'd have gotten a good laugh out of the conversation if it weren't for the angry robeast that had just caught up with them.
Keith knew this wasn't an ideal situation, but with Hunk and Coran away from the castle there was little choice. They'd hoped to avoid drawing unwanted attention to the Balmera and had decided to send the two men to collect crystals in jump-ships instead of landing the castle.
So now Shiro was piloting yellow lion. Keith had tried to give him Black but he'd refused, which had led to a rather awkward conversation with another paladin.
"I can fly Yellow. Once you're Black's pilot they'll all let you fly them."
"Blue would never let you fly her."
"Flew her last week."
"What?! Why didn't you ask first? You know how picky she is!"
"Relax, Lance. It's not like I was stepping out with your other girl or anything. Plus, she really seemed to enjoy the change of scenery."
Keith had a tough time keeping a straight face, while Pidge was doubled over and gasping for air. Lance went to argue but decided he was in deep enough, so he let out a resigned sigh and sulked all the way to Blue's hangar.
At that time Shiro decided on a change of scenery as well. He'd never tried to fly any of the other lions and figured the challenge would be fun.
So now here they were, in their mismatched lions. The robeast was small but fast. It took them a while to land a hit with Lance's gun, but it was enough to stun the creature so they could finish it off with the Blazing Sword.
Once they finished clearing out the remaining ships and returned to the castle, the paladins excitedly ran to Shiro with hugs and high-fives. It had been ages since he'd fought with them but he was just as sharp as ever. Still, he seemed reticent to join in their jubilation.
When they'd left New Altea, Keith felt guilty about leaving Romelle behind. He knew it would be tough for Shiro to be away from her for so long and he was incredibly grateful his friend had agreed to stay on the ship. Shiro's mood always seemed lighter when she was around, and Keith hoped that her return would help coax him back out of his shell.
The call from Galaxy Garrison put a damper on those hopes.
The team was contacted by Garrison headquarters regarding the new ships they'd been constructing. With the data they'd gotten from Slav and Coran they were able to integrate Altean technology into the systems, but what they didn't have was experienced pilots. So, they proposed a trade. Matt would join the team as Pidge's assistant as well as to train as a backup pilot, while Shiro stayed at the Garrison as a test pilot and instructor.
After discussing the offer with Shiro and Allura, it was agreed to go ahead with the plan. They all felt that training additional paladins for the team was essential, and Shiro was the best person to pick possible candidates. They would also add a team of technicians and security officers, so the castle was going to start to feel more crowded than usual.
For his part, however, Keith couldn't help but worry how the changes might affect the team. Originally there were just seven of them, and they'd grown together through the many challenges they'd faced. All he could do was hope that they could remain a cohesive unit.
The next day Hunk and Coran returned to the ship with Shay and the crystals. Hunk had promised to show her his home planet and so she would be staying in the castle for a while. She of course was always welcome, as she'd once helped shore up the Yellow Paladin's resolve to keep fighting Zarkon's empire.
First stop was going to be New Altea. They would stay there for several days to check on the status of the relocation efforts and help install the crystals for the defense and life support systems.
Keith had already promised Shiro some time off to spend with Romelle. He owed them that much. Otherwise the team was going to be very, very busy.
Looking from the castle windows over the planet's landscape, he couldn't help but be impressed with the progress they were making. The extra hands were certainly speeding things along. Much was left to be done, however, and he wondered if it would be done before the six months was up.
"You're worried about them, aren't you?" Somehow, despite being apart for so long, his mother always knew what he was thinking.
"I hate that Voltron can't be everywhere at once. Here, Earth, all the other planets in the universe. There's so much at stake."
She chuckled, shaking her head. "You sound like your father, always trying to save everyone at the same time."
"I suppose. Don't really remember him that well."
"He loved you, just like I did. Like I do now."
His head bowed in thought, knowing where the conversation was leading.
"You want to stay, don't you?" He turned to look at her, hoping he was wrong.
"Just for now. Romelle could use the help, and I'm not of much use to you on the ship."
"Of course you are! Why would you think you aren't?"
"You're looking for backup pilots for the lions, and you never even considered me, did you?"
If he were being honest he'd admit he hadn't thought of it. Since she'd joined the team he only concerned himself with thinking of her as his mother, as Allura's governess. She had been the pilot of Red long before him, yet he'd brushed that information aside.
"Would you like to do that? Would you want to fly again?"
"Only if you, and the other paladins, would like me to. I miss it, being part of Voltron."
"Then I'll discuss it with the team tomorrow. Just no making plans until then, okay?"
"If Lance needs incentive, just let him know that I was a much better pilot than you."
"As if."
She laughed as she turned to make her way to the control room. He watched after her curiously, wondering if she was indeed that great a pilot. Hopefully he wouldn't regret putting her back in the cockpit.
The week went by in a blur. Everyone had a job to do and they all pushed themselves to finish on time. Bandor was scheduled to arrive later in the day with the remaining refugees from Pollux, so all the housing needed to be as livable as possible.
Tomorrow night the villagers were holding a celebration to welcome the new citizens as well as thank the Voltron force for all their help.
Each paladin had been given credits to use to buy supplies, and Keith decided it would be an excellent idea to pick up some new clothes. His old clothes were getting worn, and his tee shirt was stretched awkwardly thanks to Allura's affinity for wearing it to sleep in. Not that he minded, in fact he absolutely loved it.
As soon as Lance showed up to take over control room duties, Keith hurried to get to the shops before closing. The open-air market had shops for just about anything. He marveled over how it reminded him of the markets back on Earth, save the odd shop that carried electric swords and laser blasters.
Eventually he'd found what he was looking for, a traditional black tunic and pants set that would be nice enough to wear to the celebration. It had red Altean designs stitched into it that made it look classy as well. He felt certain that Allura would approve of the style.
As he was about to leave the marketplace something caught his eye. Stepping over to the booth for a closer look, he realized that what he was admiring probably cost several times more than the money he had left over.
Still, it was a thing of beauty. The metal work was astonishing, certainly something he would keep in mind for later. He'd just have to save up for it.
"I see you have good taste, sir." Keith realized the shop owner was approaching, a gleam in his eye.
"Oh, um, sorry I was just looking."
"This is a one-of-a-kind piece. I made it myself."
"It is exquisite, but I don't have the money for it right now."
"Perhaps we could make a trade? That knife you're carrying, it must be worth something."
Keith regarded the salesman suspiciously. After finding the Blade of Marmora he realized that the heirloom was only valuable to a select group of people. Plus, it was technically his mother's, and despite her reemergence in his life he still felt a need to keep it close.
"You don't need to do that, son." spoke another, somewhat familiar voice.
Keith hadn't realized that the town elder had approached the stand as well. He instinctively tensed his muscles once he realized that this was the father of the man he'd exposed as a traitor. Chances were good that he was going to be thrown out into the street, and that was his best-case scenario.
The gentleman chuckled and waved his hand to indicate he held no ill will for the Captain. Keith felt himself relax at the gesture.
"I want to apologize again for what happened when you were here last. My son may have had good intentions, but what he did was very wrong. You had every right to have my son executed that day. However, you and your Princess chose mercy. I can never thank you enough for sparing my son."
Keith attempted a response, but was stopped when the man spoke again.
"I will take care of the cost of this for you. You have asked nothing from us and yet you've given our people hope and a future. So, let me return the favor."
"Thank you, sir. I can't…"
Before he could finish his thought the tribe leader had handed the storekeeper some coins in exchange for the item. It was then offered to Keith in a silk lined box and he couldn't help but run his fingers over the Altean writing embossed on the lid. His heartbeat quickened with the realization of exactly what this man had done for him.
He wasn't one for hugs, but he was tempted to give the old man a bear hug to thank him for his kindness.
When he looked up the elder was gone, however, having left as quickly and as quietly as he'd arrived.
The following evening, as he was readying for the celebration, the scene replayed in his head.
"Oh my. If I'd known you had such good taste I would have sent you to the space mall for clothes ages ago."
A melodic voice broke him from his recollections.
The corner of his mouth quirked up as he realized that he'd been right about the suit. Allura was certainly eyeing him appreciatively.
He returned the favor, realizing she was wearing that dress.
"You look much better in that dress than the last girl that wore it." he joked.
"What, this old thing? The last time I wore it some handsome pilot couldn't keep his hands off me."
"Don't let Lance hear you say that, he'll think you're talking about him."
She rolled her eyes at him as he laughed at the mental image.
"Shall we then?" Keith said, bowing to her while offering his hand.
"I suppose we should make an appearance. Although I'd much rather stay here tonight."
"As much as I'd love that, they'd probably send a search party after us."
"Fine. One hour then you're bringing me back here. Then you can show me your best moves off the dance floor. Agreed?"
Damn, she always knew what to say. After all this time, she could still make his heart rate spike. He pulled her into his arms, leaning to whisper in her ear.
"I'm all in."