Keith let his clothes fall to the floor and stepped into the hot tub sized bath. He rubbed his shoulder out of habit and rolled his neck before submerging. He held his breath for nearly a minutes. The hot water rippled and something touched his leg. He came up gasping and reached for his blade at the edge of the tub. His hand slapped stone, sliding along the floor unable to find the knife.

"Is this what you're looking for?" a smooth voice asked.

Keith wiped his hair back and glared at Lotor. The look immediately faltered in favor of terrified shock when he realized the other man was in the bath with him. Keith pushed back into the side of the tub as far as he could and pulled his legs close with his chin to the water. "What the hell are you doing, Lotor?"

Lotor stretched, spinning Keith's blade lazily in one hand, and spread his arms out along the other side of the tub. "I thought I'd join you. Is that too much to ask, dear heart?"

Keith narrowed his eyes at Lotor's crossed legs well into his half of the tub. "One would think you'd ask first, lover."

Lotor lifted an eyebrow with a smug smile. Placing the knife behind him, Lotor pushed off the side and floated closer to Keith. He sank until their eyes were at the same level, less than a foot apart. "You've grown bold, Keith, but have avoided me on such subjects. Mirroring you was the only option left to me."

"That doesn't mean I'm comfortable with this."

Lotor flipped his wet hair back with a charming smile. "I thought it was customary for you humans to bathe together. The blue one speaks frequently of playing in the waters."

Keith covered his face with a hand and groaned. "Lance was talking about swimming. That's not the same thing as bathing."

"How so?"

When Keith lowered his hand, Lotor was mere inches from his face. One hand was braced against the wall, trapping Keith between the side and Lotor's chest. Keith ducked underwater and swam around the prince. Emerging on the other side, he sputtered and reached for the edge.

Fingers caressed his thigh underwater, slowly rising, and Lotor's chest pressed to his back. Keith grit his teeth, hand finding the hilt of his knife. Flipping the blade, he reached back and placed the edge against Lotor's throat. "Remove your hand now."

Almost disappointed, Lotor did as told. Keith exhaled in relief as the prince distanced himself once again to the other side of the tub. Keith composed himself before turning and sinking back into the water. Lotor's expression was blank, so Keith couldn't tell if he was angry or upset, but he didn't care after that violation. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Keith asked, "Did anyone threaten you today?"

Lotor remained neutral when he answered, "Besides you? No."

Keith waited for him to continue. When it appeared Lotor had nothing more to say, he turned to leave. Climbing from the tub, Keith walked the short distance to where the towels waited. Lotor's gaze burned holes in his back, but he refused to show discomfort. Lotor's voice floated from the tub. "Tonight, I will call on you."

Keith grabbed his clothes and tried not to snarl, "Do that, and you can expect more than what you just received."

Leaving the bath, Keith stalked to his bedroom of the suite adjoined to Lotor's own rooms. Falling back on the huge bed, he covered his face with both hands and groaned. Most of the time dealing with Lotor was fairly easy, but increasingly, he had been asking Keith to fulfill the more complicated roles of consort. And he was right Keith was avoiding him.

This wasn't fair and he hadn't asked for it. All he wanted was to go home to the blades of marmora or the castle, but that wasn't a possibility. Lotor had made it seem like they'd be playing house for a few weeks, a month tops, but as the days passed, the end was becoming harder and harder to envision. Keith groaned again and went for pajamas. The loose fit of the pants and v-neck flattered his narrow waist and tone body, but his reflection always left him uncomfortable. It was a reminder of how much time had passed since the blue lion had taken them from earth. Had one birthday passed... or two? He wasn't a naive, starry eyed boy looking for cave drawings anymore.

His hair was getting long again as well. Sitting at the vanity, he used his blade to hack away at his hair. Through the mirror's reflection, he saw the door open. Lotor rapped his knuckles twice and entered. Keith returned his gaze to his own reflection, but he gripped his knife tighter. "I told you I wanted to be alone."

Lotor stood against the wall, angled so Keith had to look at his mirror image. "I know, but I said I would call upon you. There are matters we need to discuss."

Keith groaned and closed his eyes. Exhaling once, he turned on the stool and leaned back on his elbows. "Fine."

Lotor's eyes widened a fraction the way they did when Keith surprised him. He walked to the lounge and sat with crossed legs, leaning his chin on a fist with intrigue rather than boredom. He asked, "Do you want to start?"

Keith took a moment to consider. "I'm struggling more with this conspiracy. I'm close to something big, but keep hitting dead ends. I don't suppose I can convince you to heighten your security?"

Lotor's lip curled upward. "I suppose not, but tomorrow I intend to spend the day in Haggar's lab."

Keith felt a pit settle in his stomach. "Lotor, I don't like how much time you spend down there."

"And here I thought you didn't care," he teased.

Keith sat forward. "I'm serious." He waited for Lotor to hold eye contact. "Since you found some of your mother's old notes, you've spent every spare moment in that witch's lab. I know your heart is in Honerva's alchemy and you're a scientist at your core... but the empire needs their emperor. Lotor... please... let old ghosts rest."

"Like you did for your mother, Keith?"

He shook his head. "It's not that simple. There's too many other things that take precedent."

"And when that is all settled, you would go after her?" Lotor waved a hand. "I understand better than you know, Keith, but this is for the empire. My mother was close to unraveling the mysteries of quintessence. If I can pick up where she left off, then maybe..." An involuntary smile tugged at Keith's lips. Lotor was almost childlike when it came to discovering new things. It was endearing. Lotor drew back and added, "and there's another reason. I've invited your friends here to central. I want Allura's opinion on- Keith, calm down!"

Keith realized he was standing when Lotor crossed to his side in five long strides. The dark prince held his forearms and he accused, "How could you? I haven't- I can't explain this to them!"

"It is inevitable, Keith. They are going to discover where you've been all this time sooner or later." Lotor's voice was gentle and placating, making Keith look up into the prince's calm, but concerned, eyes. Lotor's breath caught and he stepped back, turning away. He added, "I will not force you to reveal this secret, though. When they arrive, I will make sure your paths do not cross, if you wish."

A twinge of surprise made Keith clear his throat self consciously. "Thank you. It means a lot, given the circumstances." After a pause, he continued, "About earlier-"

"No, Keith, I overstepped a line. It is I who should apologize."

"That doesn't change the facts. You were right. I have been avoiding you. I don't know if I'll be able to..."

Lotor turned back, a small hope lighting his eyes. "We will take it slow." Then he hesitated before coming closer. "But for tonight... may I?"

Keith looked to Lotor's offered hand, fingers curled with grace and a touch of nervousness. Sighing in resignation, he placed his hand in Lotor's, noticing again how rough his hands were from his work. Lotor lightly gripped Keith's hand and tugged him close. His other arm wrapped around Keith's waist, holding him.

Keith held his breath. The prince was careful this time, leaving a small, but obvious, gap between them. Giving in, Keith closed the distance and put his cheek on Lotor's chest, mumbling, "We'll take this slow. I know I can be difficult at times. I bet you wish I'd died back on Faive."

"Keith," Lotor snapped, voice sharp and nails digging into the back of Keith's hand, "do not say such things! You are not so expendable as you might think!"

Lotor's chest vibrated against him and Keith tried not to choke up. He couldn't talk about those things with Lotor. He shouldn't have said what he did. Breaking contact abruptly, Keith walked away acutely aware of Lotor standing in shocked abandonment. "Now, if you don't mind, I would truly like to be alone."

For a moment, he seemed like he would pursue the matter, but then Lotor agreed, "As you wish. I enjoyed our talk, dear one."

Keith couldn't look at him. Using a pet name when they were alone was pointless! When the door shut, Keith fell face down on the bed and screamed into the blankets. He didn't understand anything! Some time later, there was a gentle knock on the door. Keith shouted, "Go away, Lotor!"

"My, my, Lord Kogane. Is that any way to speak to your emperor?" Keith looked up to see Talias enter wearing an apron of some kind over her doctor's clothes. She quietly shut the door behind her and glided over to the bed. Her hand rose to his cheek and wiped away a tear. Her eyes were narrowed in concern and she said, "Lotor said your shoulder was still giving you some trouble. Are you in pain?" Keith only responded by wrapping his arms around her and squeezing. Her arms slowly responded, one around his shoulders and another holding the back of his head. "Keith, what is it?"

Keith mumbled against her shoulder, "Were you serious when you said you'd be here when I needed you?"

Talias sat back and lifted her hands to hold his face, tipping his chin to meet her eyes. "Tell me everything, child."

Boom! Is Keith getting out of character? I'm trying to keep his issues vague for now.