"So, what are we making?" Hunk asked Sam after he explained how things worked around there.
"A planetary force field," Sam replied. They all fell silent as they imagined the consequences of such a device in the hands of the Galra.
Keith sighed, "I guess that means we need to stay here a while," he said taking his hat off to rack his hand through his hair, "We need to sabotage the production and steal the plans."
"Better keep those comms hidden," Sam advised catching a glimpse of the object in question. Keith quickly brushed his hair over his ears and pulled his hat back on once more hiding his comms.
"Speaking of comms," Hunk said, "You should probably tell the others that we're going to be here a while."
Keith nodded and discreetly activated the comms, "Allura, Coran are you there?"
"I'm here, Keith," Allura replied, "Coran is otherwise occupied at the moment."
"Okay, I don't have a lot of time so listen closely, Galra soldiers invaded the village and took some of the villagers. In order to maintain our cover, we let them capture us as well. We were taken to a laboratory or factory of sorts. Commander Holt is among the prisoners and he informs us that they are building a planetary force field. We are going to try to sabotage the production and steal the plans, but in order to accomplish this we will need to stay here a while," Keith explained over the comms.
There was a pause on the other end as Allura processed what he had told her. "Rojer that," Allura replied, "I will inform Pidge that you have located her father, stay safe."
"You too," Keith said then turned off the comms.
"How in the world did you kids get out here," Sam asked puzzled, "I mean we're in the middle of space."
"Well, that's a long story…" Hunk said then launched off into the story, telling him everything he deemed important.
"I'm a grandfather?!" Sam exclaimed, "I can't believe it! Katie's too young to have that kind of responsibility!"
Keith's eyes widened as a thought came to him, "Wait, how long do you think this will take?" He asked worriedly.
"Relax man, it won't take seven months," Matt reassured him.
"What happens in six months?" Sam asked.
"Oh, I forgot to mention, Allura's pregnant again," Hunk said a little sheepishly.
Meanwhile, back at the castle, Allura had relayed the information to Coran. "How long do you think they will be gone?" Allura asked.
"Hopefully within a month but no more than two," Coran replied.
"Oh, that is a long time," Allura replied looking troubled. "What if we need Voltron?" She added hurriedly.
Coran raised his eyebrow, "Are you sure that is what this is about?"
Allura blushed, "Needing Voltron is a legitimate concern."
"But is that what is troubling you?" Coran asked knowingly.
"Well… no," Allura admitted, "Not really, though I am also concerned about that."
Coran smiled, "Do not worry Princess he will be back before you know it."
"What! I never said it was a person! Let alone, someone in particular!" Allura exclaimed.
"You did not need to," Coran smirked, "You have been getting pretty close to someone in particular lately."
Allura blushed, I'm sure I do not know what you are talking about," she said then turned on her heel and left. Coran chuckled to himself as he got back to work.
Allura looked down at Pipsi, "Am I being too obvious?"
Pipsi cocked her head and giggled making Allura laugh.
"How are we going to contact Lance," Hunk asked.
"Don't worry about that, your friend's cleaning duties will bring him in here at some point," Sam informed them.
Hunk began to ponder how Keith passed the test as it had not been particularly easy. "Hey, Keith," Hunk said picking up a device, "Did you have to fix one of these in this condition?"
"Yeah," Keith said taking the device from Hunk, "Dumb things overly complex and complicated," he added scowling before ripping out the wiring and proceeding to rewire it proficiently and efficiently. "Much better," he mumbled to himself.
Hunk stared at him, "You've been holding out on us!"
Keith gave him a shy cheeky grin, "I have no clue what you mean," he joked teasingly tossing the device back. Hunk could not help but laugh.
"Seriously, why did you hide that from us?" Hunk asked growing serious again.
Keith shrugged, "I guess… I didn't want to give Lance another reason to hate me."
"Lance doesn't hate you," Hunk told Keith, "He just teasing."
"Then why does it hurt so much?" Keith asked quietly, then went off to begin his work.
"What?!" Lance exclaimed as he entered where the others were with the other cleaners spotting Keith. "How'd you pass?! What, did they have you change a battery?" Lance asked poking a finger at Keith's chest.
Keith glared at him, "No, did you not consider that maybe I was downplaying my smarts so you wouldn't hate me any more than you already do?"
"What?! I don't… why would you even think that I hate you? I was just teasing! I never meant any of it!" Lance exclaimed.
"Then why did it hurt so much?" Keith asked sounding hurt. Lance just stared at him in shock not knowing how to respond. "You know what, just… just forget I said anything," Keith said losing his momentary boldness and left to work elsewhere.
"Wha… wha…? Did my teasing sound hurtful to you?" Lance asked his best friend.
"Well," Hunk began, "you do go too far sometimes but he never seemed hurt. Mad yes, but hurt? Not really."
"I never would have said any of the things I did if I had known It would hurt him," Lance admitted. "I don't want to hurt him. I… I was just trying to get his attention."
"I know buddy," Hunk comforted, "I know how much you admire him, but I think you are just making it harder for him to want to spend time with you."
"How do I fix this?" Lance asked, "I mean that's literally the opposite of what I want," he said sadly. "I just want to hang out with him."
"You really should just tell him how much you look up to him and just wanna hang out with him. You know, tell him the truth," Hunk replied.
"What?! How am I supposed to do that? I can't just walk up and tell him! Besides he would never believe me!" Lance exclaimed.
"Why wouldn't he?" Hunk asked puzzled.
"He would think I was joking!" Lance replied.
"You could try being completely and utterly honest, he's bound to realize you're being honest then," Hunk suggested.
"No way! I can't just open up to him that much!" Lance answered. "Maybe I'm just not cut out to be his friend. I'm just not good enough," he added as he went back to work scrubbing.