Lance was in the dining hall staring at an obnoxiously large bouquet of flowers he only knew the identity of because Allura had burst into tears and Coran had physically squawked their name when they'd seen them. The scent of the flowers was annoyingly pleasant while it wafted and filled the room. He glared yet again at the handwritten note in a foreign hand that had accompanied the flowers.

'May our friendship endure eternally as the blossoms of Altea.'

It was a romantic ploy, no doubt, meaning Lotor was still pursuing Allura. Had those girls he'd overheard been wrong, or was Lotor already claiming Allura had accepted his proposal? He hadn't been able to confirm the truth of what he'd eavesdropped, but meeting the woman Talias had been enough to convince him she wasn't the one Lotor was betrothed to. She looked old enough to be his mother and the emperor prince didn't seem like the kind to lust after cougars. But Keith was there as well and he had said Lotor wasn't holding him hostage. Unless...

"Lance, there you are."

He jumped and replied, "Allura, you uh, you were looking for me?"

Allura reached to fix an imaginary blemish in the flower arrangement. "Lotor sent a message to reconvene in fifteen minutes. Shall you be joining?"

Lance chewed his cheek, brows lowered. As much as he would enjoy giving that hair model the cold shoulder, he wanted to support Allura more. He glared again at the impeccable bouquet. "Can I talk to you about something?"

"Of course, Lance, but we're a little short on time."

"Please," Lance added, reaching out and resting a hand on her forearm. "This won't take long."

"Alright. Is this about our trip to galra headquarters?"

"Sort of." Lance took a seat and Allura followed suit. "You and Lotor spent the day together and I don't mean to pry, but you haven't said much about what you two were doing. Then you received those," he glared again at the flowers. "I guess... I mean, I'm not jealous, but you're a good friend and I only want you to be happy."

A puzzled half smile lit her face. "I'm not sure I follow."

Lance groaned and ran his hands through his hair. Pushing back from the table, he pulled the flowers closer and gestured in a circle with a finger. "Turn?"

Allura's smile turned mischievous. "What are you planning?"

She complied regardless and Lance pulled her hair back. He began braiding, hands gentle as he untangled the smallest knots. "My sister and I were really close when I was young. She was my best friend and we did everything together. That is, until she met a guy. Let's call him Blarry to protect his identity." Allura giggled making Lance smile. He continued, "I didn't like Blarry. He stole all the time I had with Veronica and I may have made my dislike apparent. Then came the day he sent her a dozen red roses, probably the most romantic flower on our planet.

"My sister cried when she saw them and I was very angry. My mother took me outside and explained that Blarry made my sister happy and I was only upsetting her with my childish behavior. That, if I truly cared about Veronica, I'd accept her decision and welcome Blarry into our family. So I did. He ended up cheating on her two months later and I slashed his tires, but-" Allura's wide eyed look made him pause. He reached for another flower and continued braiding. "Lotor asked to spend his time with you, then sent a beautiful arrangement of your favorite flowers to you. If I had done that, I'd be asking to see you again. Are you sure there's nothing behind his actions?"

Allura waited for him to finish braiding before saying, "Thank you for telling me about your family, Lance, but I think you're reading more into this than you need to. Lotor is an ally, nothing more, and galra courtship is much more subtle. If he were seeking a romantic relationship, he'd complement my fighting skills or ask to spar. The galra are long lived, so they can afford to court over years, even decades, making their relationships bloom slowly. Believe me, Lotor and I are platonic friends."

But Lotor was also altean, Lance kept to himself. His father had married altean and a marriage between Zarkon's only heir and the last altean princess would be an ultimate power move. Allura interrupted his thoughts with a snort of laughter. She struggled to catch her breath and stuttered, "Look at Keith! Most of his friends have been earned through combat. It's a wonder we didn't guess his heritage sooner!"

She covered her mouth while she laughed, but Lance's chuckle didn't quite ring true. After a thoughtful moment, he asked, "Shall we head to the bridge?"

Allura sobered and touched his arm. "I hope I was able to quell your concerns. You've been tense since the red lion brought you home."

Lance buried his worries behind a smile. "You're probably right. I should lay off the guy. He's got enough stress as it is."

"He could probably use a friend like you. You're so understanding."

Not in this case. There were too many unknowns and his time with Red had taught him to follow his gut. Something wasn't adding up. Shiro and Coran were waiting on the bridge. Lance asked, "No Hunk or Pidge?"

"They said they wanted to work on something with those sentry parts they got from Lotor," Coran answered.

Stole, more like. Pidge was such a bad influence, but the goody goody Hunk could use some corruption. Though the way they'd been acting lately, he hardly believed they were putting together galra tech. The com started flashing, telling them there was an incoming hail.

"That's odd," Allura murmured before opening the channel. Kolivan filled a portion of the screen as grim faced as always, but maybe slightly worse today. Allura greeted, "Good afternoon."

"Salutations, princess. How was your trip to Lotor's hub?"

Lance folded his arms, letting her answer, but he wasn't paying attention. There was a noticeable gap beside Kolivan that took him a moment to realize why it bothered him. Shiro interrupted to ask, "Pardon, where's Keith?"

Lance shot Shiro a sideways glance then looked up to see Kolivan's grimace sour further. The corner of his lip twitched and his eyes narrowed slightly before his expression normalized. He might have blinked and missed it. Kolivan answered, "He's on a mission."

Lance felt his shoulders lift and his posture tensed. Kolivan's eagle eyes darted over, then back to Allura. "I wanted to ask about the number of galra fleets mobilizing. Did Lotor speak to you about this?"

Allura folded her hands before her. "While we were there, an assassination attempt on high ranking galra took place. Our visit was cut short as Lotor salvaged the situation. We are to speak to him soon on the matter."

"Understood. I will be in contact later on the subject."

Allura nodded. "Very well. Take care."

The call ended, but Lance's red flags had been raised to full mast. Kolivan was off and it had to do with Keith. He glared at the floor, trying to find a connection that wasn't ready to reveal itself. When he looked up, Lotor had replaced Kolivan. He sat before a desk lit from behind in bright lavender. He was relaxed, hands folded on the table. He may as well have been giving a presidential address.

"Can you hear me, Allura, paladins?"

Allura smiled and nodded. "We read you loud and clear. Has anything more developed on your end?"

Lotor nodded. "We have sent our scouts ahead for reconnaissance in the hope that our strike may be more targetted, but I fear the party behind the attack will have dug in and gone into hiding."

"And there's no alternative?" Shiro asked.

Lotor sighed and rubbed his temples. "We've been over this."

Allura placated, "It's just... such a strong force... is it really necessary?"

The conversation continued running in circles like it had all morning. Lance phased out, still lost in why Kolivan had called. He was almost ready to call it a night when the light shifted on screen. Lotor looked up out of frame, genuine surprise causing him to stutter. He cleared his throat and refocused, but his words faded and died while whoever had entered stole his attention.

Allura was speaking again. Lance spared a glance to see her leaning over the console with her hands over her face and Shiro and Coran were watching her. Looking back to Lotor, the prince wore a soft expression and he nodded off screen. A black gloved hand came into view and the newcomer leaned on the desk only partly in frame. It was obvious Lotor was no longer listening to anyone except the person beside him. All the tension that had built throughout the day in his body seemed to evaporate and even his voice wasn't defensive when he said, "Allura, Allura, stop- Please, just listen."

He looked down and took a deep breath, glancing to the person just out of view and straightening up. Lifting his chin, Lotor stated, "I understand your concerns and those of your associates, but this is a matter of the safety of my people." He sighed and something hardened in his gaze. "It wasn't only officers who were attacked, princess. Children were targeted on the day your friends visited, a date I could not keep hidden, you understand. If I do not seek justice for the threats to the lives my people and allies, what kind of emperor am I?"

The castle was silent as this new information sank in. Shiro was the first to ask, "Why didn't you mention this sooner?"

"Because," Lotor exasperated, "I did not expect you would object so strongly when I'm only trying to fulfill my responsibilities."

Lance folded his arms. Children? Like Keith and those two he had looked after by the bench? The woman and elderly male didn't seem like officers though, and Keith was hardly a kid. The anxiety he'd felt in the garden returned at the idea Keith might have been the true target, even if he didn't fully understand the situation.

Allura sputtered, unable to form words. Lotor pushed up from the desk and stated, "My decision has been made. In the morning, I will be en route to the Pratic system. My advisers will be in touch if you need to reach me." Then he ended the call.

Lance physically jolted, eyes wide. "Well, he seems... confident."

"His ascension to the throne has certainly helped him grow as an individual," Coran noted. "Princess, you can't argue with his logic. The Pratic system is still a part of the empire and has been known for violent strings of criminal activity. If Lotor means to put an end to that, should we try to stop him?"

Shiro groaned, but Allura still seemed unsure. Lance went over and suggested, "Why don't you head to bed. You've been at this all day and you look dead on your feet. Sleep on what was said, and it will make sense in the morning."

Allura nodded and wiped a hand down her face. "Perhaps... but Kolivan-"

"I'll handle it," Lance assured. "Go on, all of you."

"You sure, Lance?" Shiro asked.

Lance nodded and hid his fatigue. "Oh yeah, I can make a phone call. That's entirely within my capabilities."

Shiro chuckled under his breath and replied, "Alright. Goodnight, Lance," and patted his shoulder on the way out.

Allura asked slightly behind him, "What's a 'phone call'?"

Coran gathered up the sleeping mice and took his leave with a wink in Lance's direction. "Don't stay up too late."

Once alone, Lance caved, bent over with his arms on the console. This call was already stressing him out. Sitting in his chair, Lance turned down the volume and 'dialed' Kolivan's transmitter. The little spinning icon Pidge had installed as a distraction didn't help. After thirty seconds passed, Lance didn't know if Kolivan was going to answer.

But then he did, his stormy expression more severe than it had been earlier. Around him, the small screen was dark, so he wasn't in the main control room like normal. Kolivan growled, "Lance."

"Kolivan," Lance replied. "It's just us. The others left after Lotor hung up on us. His fleet is on the move to take care of some empire business that has nothing to do with conquest."

"Is that so." Kolivan's glare was intense as he added, "If there's something you're keeping from me, you will come to regret it."

Lance folded his arms and glowered back. "You don't have to threaten me, but you go first. We both know Keith isn't on some mission. Why did you lie to Shiro?"

Kolivan growled, baring his pointed teeth, but Lance waited unwilling to show intimidation. Kolivan wouldn't admit it, at least to him, but he cared more about Keith than he let on. It was just like the galra to hide public affection with aggression, so Lance waited. It didn't take long for Kolivan to give in, but he was far from pleased. One fist clenched repeatedly, claws digging into his arm, and he admitted, "Keith has been missing since the Kral Zera and I don't want to alarm his brother needlessly."

"Missing?" Lance failed to keep the break out of his voice.

Kolivan narrowed his eyes and explained further, "He deviated from his objective when the black lion arrived on Faive with Lotor and Shiro. An explosion knocked out his communicator and his vitals dropped before his suit deactivated and hasn't transmitted since."

"That was months ago! Why didn't you say something sooner?" Lance demanded, voice raising. "You sent him to the gathering of some of the most dangerous people in the universe and you lost him!"

"I refused to believe he was dead and your reaction proved me right." His next question ground out like steel on stone. "Where is my agent, Lance?"

Lance jumped from his intensity, glad there were a dozen galaxies between him and the highly trained, very dangerous, assassin. He answered like he was back home being scolded, "He's in the hub with Lotor. I- I don't know why. We were only together for a few minutes and he didn't explain. It's... the whole situation doesn't make sense and I only found him because the red lion came to his rescue."

"Rescue?"

"Hey, slow down. He seems mostly alright. I think the attack might have had something to do with him, but he reassured me that he's not a prisoner."

Kolivan's snarl broadened. "If he thinks Lotor is our ally, would he even believe he was being held prisoner?"

"I said slow down," Lance spat through his teeth. "I have my doubts as well, but Lotor's recent track record proves he's on our side." He couldn't believe he was actually defending the obnoxious prince, but Kolivan looked ready to go straight after Lotor himself. "Plus, Keith was close to someone, a woman, who was there when I found him."

"A woman?" Kolivan asked suspiciously.

"Yeah. She was a bit older than you by the name Talias."

Kolivan visibly froze. "Talias? You're sure?"

Lance nodded. "Keith himself said her name. Who is she?"

"A very influential doctor. She was close to Zarkon and Honerva a long time ago, but I don't believe she would hurt Keith."

"Seems you two have some history," Lance commented.

Kolivan instantly buried every emotion beneath a carefully constructed mask that piqued Lance's curiosity more than if he'd just admitted Lance was right. Kolivan seemed to chew on a thought before saying, "I wish there were an alternative to what I'm about to ask, but you must keep this between us for the time being."

"I thought that might be the case."

"And I take it I'm the first person you've told given the others' reactions?"

Lance nodded, answering the rhetorical question. "Kolivan... is Keith in trouble?" The waver in his voice made him feel like a young child. He wanted Kolivan to reassure him, to tell him Keith was perfectly safe and give him a metaphorical hug, but Kolivan remained silent. Lance bit his lip and closed his eyes.

Kolivan's deep voice interrupted, surprisingly gentle, "Lance, I know you and Keith are close, but you must keep your emotions in check. If we are going to discover the truth, I need your focus."

"We?" Lance sniffled out.

"Lance," Kolivan said seriously, "I think you should come to the base. Will you do this for me?"

He found himself agreeing and they made plans before ending the call. Lance sat back in his chair emotionally and physically drained. Then he stood, erasing the record so no one could find out what they'd said. On the way to his room, he felt a twinge of worry settle in his stomach and despite Coran's suggestion, he knew he probably wouldn't sleep that night.

Keith stripped off his gloves and loosened his collar when he followed Lotor into his bedroom. "Why didn't you open with that? I mean, the red lion was here."

Lotor started unbuckling his chest plate. "I didn't want to trigger questions I had no answers to."

"You sure ended the conversation quick," Keith teased.

Lotor flashed a crooked grin. "Was that rude? I don't want them to think poorly of me."

"They'll recover. I've done way worse than that and they still love me," Keith drawled while leaning a hip into the desk.

Lotor lifted his armor over his head, shaking out his hair and sliding the chest plate down one toned arm. He continued undressing, oblivious to Keith's surprised expression. Keith turned away from Lotor's broad shoulders to focus on his own clothes. When he finished changing, Lotor was laying in bed with a chart in front of him. He lounged on his side, one leg bent. He scanned the chart's contents, scrolling down lazily with one finger.

Keith sat on the end of the bed with his knees to his chest simply watching this strange alien he happened to share genetic code with. He was carelessly graceful and beautiful to look at. Just then, Lotor made eye contact. In a baffled voice, he asked, "What? Is there something on my face?"

Keith shook his head. "No, I'm just... absorbing. Taking in all... this," he said while gesturing to Lotor's entire body.

Lotor laughed and sat up. "Am I really so much to understand?"

Keith stretched his arms above his head. "Considering our relationship before we met, yeah."

"Before we met?"

"Well, yeah," Keith repeated. "I sort of hated you. Lance would have called us rivals, but he'd be surprised to learn how that turned out. I originally left the castle to follow your ship, deciphering your movements for over six months before the blitz to reclaim Naxzela. It was pretty dire for a bit. I... nearly died in the firefight before you appeared."

Lotor scooted closer, shoving the chart aside. Gently taking Keith's arm in one large hand, he murmured, "If it's any consolation, I nearly died on my way there. Zarkon relentlessly pursued me and I took a gamble following a transmission I intercepted. That cell in the belly of the castle was the safest place I'd been in years." He leaned closer wearing a charming grin as his hand slid onto Keith's thigh. "But did I hear correctly that you were stalking me?"

Keith snorted and covered his mouth. "Oh god, I followed you so you took me home! No one's going to believe me."

Lotor chuckled again. "Well, you are by far the greatest treasure I've brought into the empire." He leaned forward and kissed Keith's cheek. Heat crawled up Keith's neck until his face burned, but a smile wouldn't be denied. Lotor whispered, "I see flattery works like a charm. You're adorable when you blush."

"You think you're so hot when you take command."

"Tell me I'm not."

Lotor's warm breath hit his ear and made his hair flutter. Keith's neck turned slightly, flexing his muscles, and he barely stifled a moan. He felt a moment of vulnerability, like a rabbit in the jaws of a fox, before an idea struck and he leaned toward Lotor. "If you're so bold, why'd you wait until I was nearly asleep to kiss me proper?"

Lotor turned fast, a pink flush across his cheeks. "You remembered?"

Keith raised a flirty eyebrow. "Of course I would. You stole my first real kiss."

"I'm... sorry?"

"If that's true, I demand a do-over." Keith wasn't sure why he was suddenly so pushy. Maybe it was seeing Lotor squirm now that the tables had turned. That he had the ability to leave the dark prince completely lost for words with his seductions.

Lotor lowered himself, laying across Keith's lap, gazing up with dangerous bedroom eyes. He breathed, "Go on, then."

It was tempting. He was right there, lips pulled into a smug challenge of a smile. His hands were folded like the sleeping princess in a fairy tale across his chest. A twinge of nerves caused Keith to lick his lips, making Lotor raise an eyebrow. Keith took a deep breath and leaned down. Lotor's scent, light as tree blossoms, clouded his mind. The abandoned chart caught the corner of his eye, the only distraction on the bed. Lotor's eyes closed when Keith was inches away. Keith's hand wandered and he smiled beside Lotor's ear. "I think I'll make you wait."

"What?" Lotor's eyes snapped open and he nearly startled out of Keith's lap, hitting his head on Keith's shoulder.

Keith brushed Lotor's hair back and pulled the chart into view. "It would give you too much satisfaction. So what's this?"

Lotor moped, "You are so cruel." Sitting up slightly with his bare back to Keith's chest and stomach, Lotor explained, "I've been arranging my armada and making you a tentative schedule to follow in my absence. The empire will be in your hands while I'm away."

Keith sighed and leaned into the wall, but his thumb traced mindless patterns on the back of Lotor's hand. Staring at the lights above, Keith said, "I'm sending Verolle with you. He craves justice for Lit and Anjac."

"Very well. I'm leaving Gnov to help guide you."

"Seems we make a good team."

Lotor yawned. "We certainly think alike."

Keith wrapped his arms around Lotor's chest. "You should sleep. You've been up too long."

Lotor smiled up at him, reaching to hold the side of Keith's neck. "Because you say so, beloved."

Keith shook his head and teased, "Oh, shut up."

Talias heard Lotor and Keith return to their suite and made her way through the infirmary to the archivist's sickroom. He was conscious in bed when she entered, neglecting to knock. "Archivist."

"Talias, it's lovely to see you again." He slowly sat up, joints creaking. Her healing nature stepped up and she assisted when he struggled. While he caught his breath, she poured a glass of water and waited patiently until he wasn't winded. He smiled, the ghost of affection tugging at her heart, and asked, "How may I be of service?"

The reason she'd come made her purse her lips and she put the glass of water down before her shaking hand dropped it. "I need a recounting from the time of the war with Altea."

The archivist's smile dropped. "Talias... is this sensitive?"

"Do you think I'd be here if it wasn't?"

The archivist was quiet for a moment. Then, "Shut and lock the door. Only then will I recount what you ask."

The night was mostly spent when Talias put her face in her hands and silently wept. She had hoped she'd been wrong, that what she'd found within Keith's genetic code was a false positive. If anyone found out...

"...lias. Talias, look at me." His soft voice made her sit up and blot at her eyes. He asked, "Does he know?"

She shook her head, running a hand across her cheeks. "How could I tell him? He's only just accepted the adjustment. He'd bolt if he knew or the others..." She hiccuped and forced out, "I have to protect him, Marikus. I. Have. To."

A dry hand rested on her wrist. The archivist whispered beneath watery eyes. "Talias, you will not be alone in this. What has been spoken shall not leave this room. I will carry your burdens."

Talias felt a new wave of tears wash down her face and she leaned over the bed, embracing the man she still loved with her entire heart for the first time in centuries. "Thank you, Marikus. Thank you."