Keith shifted in bed. There it was again! Still half asleep, he lazily wiped at his neck. It didn't go away and it was moving. The gentle touch, soft as butterfly wings, brushed the curve of his neck before caressing the top of his shoulder. Keith groaned and stretched, rubbing a hand across the offended shoulder, and smacked into smooth and warm skin. Lotor grunted in response. Keith looked over his shoulder to see Lotor fall onto his back, one arm still pinned under Keith. He wiped a hand along his jaw and turned a sleepy smile on Keith. "Should I expect as much every morning?"

Keith flushed and covered his face with the blanket, earning a soft chuckle from Lotor. The bed shifted and the dark prince's warm pressure was once again pressed to Keith's back. His free hand rested close to Keith's ribs. Close enough for him to feel the warmth of his skin, but allowing the final contact to be Keith's decision. Silken hair tickled his neck. Closing his eyes, Keith took Lotor's hand in both of his. He ran a thumb over Lotor's palm, feeling the callouses from wielding his broadsword, so similar to his own from wielding the luxite blade.

Something in the dark prince relaxed, like a cat accepting affection. Or in this case, having its affection returned. Lotor put his cheek to the curve where Keith's neck met his shoulder, his warm breath as soft as everything else he'd done. Ever since the bath incident, Lotor had let Keith set the limits between them, but now they'd crossed those boundaries. Keith held Lotor's hand to his chest. "Why are you so patient with me?"

"Does it really matter?" Lotor waited for a response, but Keith only gripped his hand tighter. Lotor reassured, "Before the Kral Zera, while I was still held prisoner within the castle of the lions, you had faith in me when everyone was in opposition. I thought I owed you time to adjust, given what I've thrown you into." He paused and Keith heard his breath catch. "Even though... Keith... I..."

Keith rescued under his breath, "You don't have to say it. I already know."

Lotor leaned up on his side so he was half over Keith. "H-how long have you..."

Keith blushed, staring at his hands. "I'm not really sure, but... a while... I guess."

"Is that why you tried to push me away?" Keith didn't respond, instead hiding his face with their hands. Lotor untwined their fingers, gently cupping Keith's face and turning him to make eye contact. "I was afraid my feelings went without reciprocation. Keith, if you tell me you don't... I will end this charade now. I don't know if I can stand to continue otherwise."

Keith rolled onto his back. Fear and anxiety were fighting for control, but his chest felt hot and tight. He bit his lip and nodded. "I'm so bad at this. I don't know how to... express this... ache when we talk or hold hands. I suppress and hide because-"

"Shh, Keith." Lotor pulled Keith off the bed, holding him to his chest. "We will go slow, remember? These emotions are new to me as well."

Keith was limp for a moment. Then he gripped Lotor's shirt, his hold a desperate clutch. The dark prince sat up until Keith was practically sitting in his lap and he struggled to hold himself together. Deep breaths and the grounding embrace Lotor had on him were enough to push back the onset of a panic attack. Lotor said nothing, allowing Keith's actions to express the words he couldn't find.

Keith asked when he had calmed down, "What time is it?"

Lotor looked to the door. "I'm not quite sure. Frenik stopped by to check on you. I believe that was day break."

Keith groaned again. "I'm still tired like I had the flu for a week, but you're looking better." He let his head fall into Lotor's shoulder. "I can only imagine how the others must be feeling."

"Frenik said the students' and Talias's toxicity levels had dropped significantly, but the archivist is still fighting. I expect the others to wake later to-"

The door opened revealing Gnov. She saluted and bowed her head, addressing Keith, "My lord, I have news regarding the conspiracy and yesterday's assassination attempt."

Keith crawled out of Lotor's arms, suddenly ready for business. "Well done. Brief me along the way." He reached for a shirt from the wardrobe before lacing up his boots.

Gnov raised an eyebrow. "Should you be out of bed so soon, Lord Kogane?"

Keith nodded and strode to her side. "I need to be seen. Nothing less will intimidate them the way I intend to. Lotor, you coming?"

Lotor cleared his throat. "Just a moment." He belted his sword on before linking arms with Keith. "Your report, Gnov."

She gave Keith a pointed look, making him blush. They started walking and she explained, "Somehow, the lion didn't kill all of them. Two of the assassins have been processed, awaiting interrogation. They are wanted criminals from the Pratic system."

"Mercenaries?" Keith asked.

Gnov answered as the elevator descended, "It's unclear. They have no financial accounts to speak of. If they were hired, they were paid a physical monetary amount."

"We will have the truth soon enough," Lotor finished.

Keith noticed Lotor's nonchalance from their morning in bed had been replaced with cold hatred reflected in the hard sheen of his eyes. Keith's own anger was hot, making him clench a fist and lock his jaw. These people had threatened Talias and the others just to strike at the empire and Lotor. He couldn't imagine a more disgusting tactic.

The hall was nearly pitch black. Keith whispered, "When we enter, let me start. And Lotor," he looked up, "we show them no mercy."

"In that," Lotor growled, "we are in agreement."

All was quiet apart from the occasional noise their prisoners made. The assassins were secured to a table, barely conscious. Keith stood with folded arms and a cocked hip before them. Lotor went to the console and worked a few levers. The table began to rise and rotate until the assassins faced their interrogators. They began to protest.

Keith narrowed his gaze. "Do you know where we are?" They failed to reply. Keith answered, "Lotor, dear heart, will you tell them?"

"This is where my father's witch tortured anyone she deemed a threat to the empire. Of course," Lotor glared sideways at them, "due to my preferential differences, I have no idea what all these buttons and levers do. Shall we find out together?" He slid a dial, making the console hum and electrical lines glow, and let his hand hover near the switch.

The prisoners began to shout, but Lotor watched Keith for a signal that didn't appear. His hand slowly descended until his finger nearly touched the switch before Keith raised a hand. Lotor blinked, backing up a step and folding his arms. He watched Keith close. Watched as his hands balled at his sides, as his jaw worked and his chest seized. Keith wasn't made for this, not like himself and Gnov. So he jumped when Keith lashed out, punching the left felon as hard as he could.

Keith stepped back shaking out his hand. "That is for the civilians you threatened."

The criminal coughed, a wet chuckle escaping his bruised throat. "Unable to finish what your monstrous pet started?"

Keith looked at Lotor, the hatred burning in his eyes a simple permission, but Lotor was already flipping the switch. With satisfying pressure, the toggle completed the circuit making electricity spark off the table. Keith flinched, but held his ground. Lotor nodded to Gnov, who took his place at the console so he could stand by Keith. He put a hand on the middle of Keith's back, feeling the tremors and sweat of his skin through his shirt.

The felons panted when Gnov finally stopped the current. Keith said, "Tell me what I want to know or more of that pain awaits. You, you're the leader. You called the shots during the attack. What was your end goal?" The man spat, glaring down at his small inquisitor, and Lotor backhanded him across the face, hissing, "Show proper respect, worm, and answer the question."

When the assassin wasn't forthcoming, Gnov flipped the switch. The cycle continued far too long. Lotor had lost track of the time and they hadn't learned anything. Keith had been losing his composure, demanding more answers and giving less time before the next round of shock treatment, until he drew his blade shouting, "What the fuck was the point?! What did you hope to gain by framing and selling me?"

He punctuated his statement by plunging his blade into the table. He awakened the blade, the curve of the sword growing dangerously close to the criminal's jugular. Lotor gripped Keith's shoulder, yanking him away, and Keith protested, "Don't hold me back!"

Lotor put a hand to Keith's face, drawing him away from the source of his anger, but his own voice shook in deadly rage, "You said nothing of trafficking, beloved. What were they going to do to you?"

"The empire is weak having you for an emperor, Prince Lotor," the leader finally quipped, breaking into weak laughter.

Lotor glared, cold and impenetrable, at the leader. His sword hand flexed at his side as he paced to the table, clutching the man's jaw and squeezing until he thought the bone would snap. "You doubt my strength?"

"Your father at least held command. Him I feared."

Lotor's heart froze and he felt a sadistic grin cross his face. Narrowing his eyes, he snarled, "Let's talk about the Pratic system, shall we? My father had little interest in that hub of intergalactic scoundrels since there was nothing to be gained from dead rock. However, the systems beyond were rich in life and resources. A few years past, a conquest successfully annexed the Pratic system into the empire and suddenly the lawless were forcibly held accountable for their crimes.

"Am I close? Your gang must have suffered terribly at the hands of Zarkon's enforcers. It would have been fortuitous before the Kral Zera, while the empire tore itself apart from within. You and your kind benefit from such chaos, but know this. The suffering your filth endured at the command of my father will be a pleasant memory by the time I'm done with them." Blinded by fury, Lotor didn't realize he had plunged Keith's dagger through the assassin leader's heart until he let go of the hilt and it clattered to the floor.

A moment later, Keith picked it up, sheathing the knife at his waist. He cautioned, "Lotor, we have the answers I wanted. It's time to go."

Lotor was the one shaking now, jumping when Keith brushed his arm tentatively. Wrapping an arm around Keith's waist, he whispered to Gnov in passing, "Dispose of the body and arrange for our prisoner to be transferred to the Pratic judicial system." He looked over, holding eye contact with her. "Then destroy everything in this room. I never want to see it again, am I clear, Gnov?"

He didn't wait for her response before escorting Keith out. They'd barely made it into the hallway when Keith pulled loose. "I have to stop. I have to... I can't breathe."

He bent over with his hands on his knees and gagged, dry heaving. Lotor put a hand on the small of his back and rubbed lightly. "Let it out. Deep breaths."

Keith stood and leaned into the wall breathing hard. Lotor hesitantly pushed Keith's hair back. The gray circles around his eyes had become more pronounced since the morning and his skin was hot to the touch. For the second day in a row, he gently cradled Keith in his arms. Lotor whispered when he felt Keith shivering with fever, "You should have stayed in bed. I would have done this alone."

"And lose my impression? I told you I wanted to scare them. Our enemies must fear us and now they will." Keith clenched up suppressing a violent shiver. "Do you really intend on going to the Pratic system?"

"Yes. This is something I must take care of personally. Such threats to my civilians I cannot take idly."

"So those threats to yourself?" Keith attempted to joke.

Lotor chewed his lip and met Keith's eyes. "I didn't have anyone I cared about, at least, not close enough to be in danger. I never thought I would become so infuriated. I've never flown into a rage like that." Lotor squeezed Keith. "You will never have to go through an interrogation like that again."

"I have killed before, you know."

"In war and self defense," Lotor retorted. "You are no executioner, Keith."

Keith chuckled. "Heh, all's fair in love and war."

Lotor paused a step, looking at Keith, intent on deciphering any hidden meaning from such a statement. Keith turned his head into Lotor's chest and closed his eyes. Once they'd returned to their suite, Lotor hesitated a moment before going to his personal rooms.

He laid Keith in his own bed where the pretty boy shifted into a more comfortable sleeping position. Lotor sighed and lifted the covers over Keith, then he summoned Frenik who entered a minute later. Lotor brushed Keith's hair aside one final time, trailing his hand through the thick locks down the side of his face, instructing, "Watch over your lord for me. I wish I could stay, but there are important matters I must address."

Then, feeling brave, he leaned over the bed and gently pressed his lips to Keith's, tasting the salt of his sweat gathered above his upper lip. He stood and breathed deep. Striding toward the door, he informed, "I will return on the morrow if he asks for me."

"Yes, emperor," Frenik answered.

Keith opened his eyes and turned onto his back. The ceiling had long tubes filled with a viscous substance that moved along the length of the room like a lava lamp. So... he was in Lotor's bed. He stretched and put his hands behind his head trying to recall what had happened. He still wore the clothes he'd been in during the interrogation, so Lotor still kept that boundary. A soft twitch made him smile and he lightly touched his lips. Had that actually happened?

He crawled out of bed and started searching for a change of clothes when there was a knock on the door and someone entered. Keith bent over to pull up his pants and asked, "Frenik, how're Talias and the others?"

A feminine voice replied, "Ask me yourself, young one."

Keith looked up, a beaming grin on his face, and ran to hug her. At the last moment, he remembered she was still in recovery and slowed down so he didn't knock her over. Talias chuckled, sweet voice a relief to hear, and kissed his hair. Keith sighed against her, "I'm glad you're alright."

Talias answered, "Believe it if you will, that's not the first assassination attempt on my life. It surely won't be the last." She stepped back, taking his hands. "Come. Tell me what's happened."

Keith sat on the bed so Talias could have the chair. It didn't take as long as he thought it would to fill in the blanks after the gas had knocked them out. He held the pillow to his chest and reiterated, "It is great you're doing well, but should you be up?"

Talias raised a maternal eyebrow. "Frenik told me your state when Lotor put you to bed last night. I hardly think you have the privilege to judge me, sweet boy. And your relationship has blossomed as well. You two are finally sleeping together."

"What? How did you-" Keith flushed.

She continued, "You smell like him, Keith. It was subtle before, but now there's no doubt. This development will solidify alliances, even if they do not fully comprehend the reason."

Keith blushed further, turning crimson, and buried his face in the pillow. "I thought I noticed something different. I mean, it's not unpleasant, but that's what it is? Like, some kind of mark?"

Talias smiled, blinking slowly. "Yes. Those you meet within the galra will know you are the emperor's consort by scent and the air with which you hold yourself long before they ever learn your name. I'm proud you've grown into the leader I knew you could be, Keith."

"I'm not-"

"I know, Keith. This was never a role you wanted, but you are exceptional at it and the empire needs the stability you provide. Lotor needs your support."

Keith released his death grip on the pillow. "What do you mean?"

Talias sat back, playing with one hand. "He's planning a large scale attack. It'll be his first antagonistic move since the Kral Zera."

"He's only responding in kind," Keith defended. Talias lifted a hand to her chest, but Keith pressed on, "The Pratic system houses the gang of criminals that attacked us."

She put a hand on his wrist, silently drawing attention to his elevated heart rate. He closed his eyes, concentrating on his breathing until she slipped her hand into his, gently rubbing a thumb across his palm. "Shh, Keith. I am not in opposition. This was inevitable, I only fear your friends and their coalition might take poorly to such vast militarization."

Keith set his jaw and nodded. "Has he reached out?"

"Yes," she answered, standing and heading toward the door, "but he's been in debate for hours."

Looking around for his knife, Keith asked, "Where is he now?"

"He is in primary communications, the one in the east-" She broke off and he looked at her, but she asked before he could, "Child, where did you get that luxite blade?"

"This?" Keith held it out answering, "I've always had it since I was a kid. My dad never told me, but I learned it belonged to my mother."

"Your mother was a Blade of Marmora?"

Keith tipped his head in reflective curiosity. "I mean, I guess, but the blade never told me who she was."

"And you didn't ask Kolivan?" Talias pressed.

Keith shook his head, eyes wide. "It never occurred to me." He looked up in thought. "We were going from mission to mission with little down time, so... Do you think he..."

Talias didn't reply for a moment, then she licked her lips and nodded. Her jaw trembled. "Keith, I know this blade because... Kolivan wielded it... during his time with my sister."

Keith stopped breathing as the implications made his head spin. All that time, he'd been one question away from knowing the truth. Kolivan might even know where she was now! Unless... No, she was alive. Kolivan wouldn't keep that from him. Even if he kept reminding Keith to keep his feelings in check, he wasn't that heartless.

The thought of Kolivan's training made Keith close his eyes and control his breathing again. This new information could wait until after he finished helping Lotor in the com room. He sheathed his knife and smiled at Talias. "Thank you for telling me- Talias, what's wrong?"

He took hold of her arm and led her back to the chair. Her complexion had paled and she would have fallen had he not supported her weight. She explained shakily, "I think you may have been right. Perhaps I should lie down."

Keith squeezed her hand. "Alright. Let me help you."

Talias leaned into his side and he wrapped an arm around her. The short walk to the infirmary seemed twice as long while he made sure she wasn't going to collapse. She led to a small room with a simple cot. Keith watched her lay on her side and covered her with the blanket at the foot of the bed. Before he left, he asked, "Can I fetch you anything? Water? Food?"

Talias answered facing the wall, "Thank you, but I'll be fine."

"Ok." Keith hesitated in the door frame, but she said nothing more. He was lost in thought leaving the infirmary when he ran into someone. He apologized on reflex, "Sorry."

The other person cleared their throat and sniffed wetly. "No worries."

Keith offered a weak smile. "What brings you here, Verolle?"

Verolle crossed his beefy arms and looked at his feet. "Just checking on the kits."

"Lit and Anjac," Keith breathed, "how are they?"

"A bit shaken up, but they'll be alright. Already asking about returning to class, cheeky snarks."

Keith's lip jerked involuntarily. "I hope the experience didn't scare them out of finishing their training. They did everything they should have. If anything, I failed to-"

Verolle's sudden crushing embrace cut him short. The towering galra whispered, "Thank you for doing what you did, my lord. Really, I... I can't imagine how I would have told their classmates if they'd..."

The large man sniffed again before stepping back and wiping at his eyes. Keith pursed his lips and nodded, suddenly at a loss for words. Then inspiration made him ask, "Would you mind a few weeks off to take care of something for me?"

Verolle raised a bushy brow. "Anything for you, Lord Kogane."