Do not own Voltron or its plotlines, settings or characters.
She knew they were different. Everyone knew. Something had changed over the years. Those changes rang in her ears and flashed across her memory as she ran into the control room.
Shiro turned to her with mild surprise and concern. "Pidge? What are you doing up?"
"Where is he?"
She turned to the screens to see two video feeds. One of the shuttle that was armed with a bomb, big enough to wipe out the base, flying out of their air space. Another showed Keith, inside the cockpit of the shuttle.
"He's flying out of range." Reported a tech.
"Open a line." Pidge demanded.
Shiro frowned. "What?"
"Open a line Shiro now."
Shiro nodded at Veronica. When the line was opened Keith's eyes widened. "Pidge?"
"What the hell were you thinking?"
"Had to get that bomb out of there Pidge, too many people are at risk."
She glared at him. "You knocked me out and left me!"
"I'm sorry but it was too dangerous and I knew you'd try to come with me."
"You're damn right!" She growled. "You need to eject Keith, that bombs going to go off any minute and you're in the blast zone."
"So is the base."
Then it clicked and her blood ran cold. "Keith? Just what are you planning?"
His eyes softened with a sadness she recognised. "I've got no choice."
She felt her breathing quicken as panic gripped her chest. "But, you don't have Kosmo."
"I know, I'm sorry Katie." He murmured as he shut off the communication.
She turned and ran from the room, Shiro right behind her calling her name. They had just made it outside when Shiro finally caught her.
"What do you mean he doesn't have Kosmo?" Shiro asked desperately.
She shook her head and searched the sky. "Kosmo stayed with Krolia this trip he wasn't well. Keith doesn't have a way out!" she explained quickly.
Shiro's face took on a panicked look as he turned in the direction Keith had flown. Just in time to see an explosion rip through the sky.
"No." He whispered in horror.
A ragged breath was all Pidge could manage before her legs gave out. Shiro dropped next to her placing a hand on her shoulder. "Pidge."
"Guys?"
Pidges head whipped up at the sound of a familiar voice. Slowly she turned her head to see Keith standing a few feet from them.
"How?" she whispered in disbelief.
Keith tilted his head to the side. "Someone missed you."
Kosmo sat to the side like the good boy he was and wagged his tail. "Thanks Kosmo." She murmured as she stood with Shiro's help.
"Pidge? You okay?"
She turned towards him then and he almost stepped back with the look in her eyes. She was angry. Before he could reason with her she had hit him square in the chest. Hard.
"You!" she punched him again and he winced.
"Pidge."
"You jerk!"
She shoved him and he planted one foot backwards. He gripped her arms to stop her from hitting him again and she froze, dropping her hands.
"Pidge."
Her forehead dropped to his chest. "You promised." She whispered.
He wrapped his arms around her loosely resting his head on top of hers. "I'm sorry." He murmured into her hair.
"I thought."
"I know."
"Don't ever do that again, you hear me?"
"I'll try my hardest."
People had started spilling out of the doors now to see what was happening. Keith cleared his throat and pulled back giving her a small smile.
"Will you forgive me?"
She sighed and smirked. "Well when you ask so nicely, how could I not?"
They had been trying to track down whoever was trying to sabotage the coalition for months but it had been rather quiet since the unsuccessful bombing of their base on Earth. They had decided it best to take a tour of some of their other sites to make sure everything was still secure and so far there had been no trouble. It wasn't a large team like the Atlas during the war. Just the MFE's, Veronica, Keith, Pidge, Hunk, Sam, Colleen and Shiro. Lance was on Altea visiting with Coran.
They had already scouted the base and surrounding area. Getting covered in swamp goo was not in the plan however it seemed the landscape had other ideas for Pidge. They had all sat for the debrief and Pidge tried to ignore the looks she was getting or the fact that she smelled terrible.
"Alright that's a wrap everyone we'll stick around tonight and head out tomorrow. Get some rest."
They nodded at Shiro's final words and filed out of the briefing room. Pidge made a bee line for the communal women's shower with Veronica and Rizavi hot on her tail.
"Come on, tell us what happened." Rizavi pleaded.
Pidge growled. "Would you drop it already?"
"Nope, sorry, we're nosy." Veronica shrugged.
Pidge sighed and looked around the showers. "You're not going to leave, are you?" When they shook their heads she sighed and reached for her shirt. "Fine but I'm having a shower regardless."
She stepped under the hot spray and focused on scrubbing the mud and other mystery goo from her body.
"So, are you going to tell us or not?"
"You know, I don't think she is Rizavi. I think she doesn't want us to know how she got in that goo because she doesn't want to admit that she was clumsy and fell."
Pidge scowled and shoved her face under the spray, rinsing her hair. She continued to use the soap and water to clean her skin until the water circling the drain was clear. She reached for the taps and turned the water off as her two friends continued to goad her. When the water stopped a small beeping sound caught her attention.
"What's that sound?"
Her friends fell silent and listened. Pidge strained her ears and her eyes widened when she realised the beeping was getting faster. Before she could do anything other than turn in their direction and yell a blast ripped through the wall and she fell into darkness.
Keith was walking through the halls when her heard and felt the explosion. He activated his commlink.
"Status report!"
It was Leiffstodder who responded. "A blast just tore through the south wall in the women's shower room." She paused for a moment. "Pidge and the others were headed for the showers before."
Keith cursed and took off at a full run, hoping he wouldn't be too late. "Shiro, I'm headed for the showers now."
"Copy that. Griffin, Kincade, I want you to go check out the perimeter. Hunk get to the shower room if all three of them were in there someone might be hurt."
Muffled sounds woke her. Sirens were blaring, water gushed from the pipes in the ceiling. She was covered in dust and debris. Bracing her arms she pushed herself up and coughed.
"Pidge!"
"Here, I'm over here Keith. Veronica?! Rizavi?!"
A cough from across the room sounded and Veronica's voice followed shortly after. "We're okay."
She sighed with relief as footsteps quickly approached her. "Pidge are you- Woah!"
She looked up and blushed. Covering her breasts she growled at him. "Don't look!"
"I'm not!"
She scowled as he looked at the ceiling and frowned. "We gotta get you out of here, it's not safe."
"Find me a towel and we're gone."
He looked down at her in disbelief. "Are you serious right now?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Do I look like I'm joking?"
He sighed and shrugged out of his jacket. Kneeling next to her he draped it over her shoulders. "Better?" She blushed but nodded. "Good, now let's get you to medical for a check up."
She frowned. "No, I'm fine." Attempting to stand she dropped to the ground again and looked at her legs. "Oh, maybe you're right."
Her legs had been cut up, mostly superficial but they hurt none the less and the blast had knocked her equilibrium big time. Keith quickly lifted her into his arms and walked out of what was once the shower room.
She noted absently that Veronica and Rizavi were following them with smirks as they stepped into the well lit corridor.
Hunk stopped in his tracks and his jaw dropped. "Pidge?!"
Keith stopped and gave him a reassuring look. "She's okay. She's just a little banged up."
Pidge lifted her head from Keith's shoulder and scowled. "Will someone please find me some clothes."
"Veronica, Rizavi can you please go and get Pidge a change of clothes? Meet us in the medical bay."
They nodded and promptly left Pidge in the hands of a man she felt, well, complicated was the only word she could muster. She blushed and resigned herself to her fate of being carried naked to the medical bay. Keith made sure to shield her as much as possible from the looks as he got them to where they needed to go.
"Katie!"
Pidge blushed. "I'm fine mum, really."
"You're naked."
She scowled and crossed her arms. "Not by choice!"
"Uh Mrs Holt? Maybe we could get into the medical bay?"
Her golden eyes turned to him and he froze. Her brow raised. "I suppose you do have a point. Can't have her sitting out here naked all night. Is that your jacket Keith?"
He prayed the heat in his cheeks wasn't visible to anyone. "It was the only thing I had to cover her up."
Colleen smiled at him. "Thank you Keith."
Pidge cleared her throat. "Not that you grilling Keith isn't funny to watch mum but can we please get inside now?"
Colleen smirked and stepped to the side. "Of course."
Keith quickly deposited her onto a bed and stepped back, leaning against the wall while the medics stepped in to check her.
"You can wait outside you know."
Keith kept his gaze on the ground but shook his head. "I'm fine here, if that's okay?"
She blushed. "It's fine."
By the time the medics had checked her over and bandaged her legs to cover the numerous superficial cuts adorning her legs Veronica and Rizavi had returned with clothes. Ketih stepped behind the curtain to give her some privacy while she got dressed.
"Keith? Status report."
Keith looked at the curtain once more before answering Shiro. "Pidge is just getting dressed. Medics gave her the all clear with some superficial cuts and bruises and a small bump to the head, nothing serious. Any luck with the culprits?"
"Actually yes."
The curtain was thrown back and Keith locked eyes with a very annoyed looking woman. "Good, I'm going to want a word." She grumbled.
Keith couldn't help but agree.
He followed her to the interrogation room, looking for any sign that she might need help getting there but finding none. He followed as she stormed into the interrogation room and stopped short when he noticed their 'suspect'.
"What the fu-"
"Pidge!" he hissed cutting her off from swearing.
"You're the one that set the bomb?"
Their suspect glared at them.
She glared back. "What the hell kid? You could've killed someone!"
The kid in question was a teenager from mixed heritage, or from what he could tell maybe a preteen. Definitely part galra, his skin was a beautiful lilac with pale blue eyes. He was a cute looking kid but he also looked tired and more than a little malnourished. Their suspect scowled. Pidge growled but Keith's hand on her shoulder stopped her from saying whatever she was about to.
"Are you hungry? Thirsty?" The kid looked up with surprise in his eyes. Keith smiled. "We're not going to hurt you."
Finally taking a moment to let her anger settle Pidge took a good look at the kid in front of them and activated her comm. "Shiro, can you get some food and water down here?"
"Sure Pidge. Everything okay?"
"I think our guest has been on his own for a while. He might need something to eat."
When the food and water was brought in Keith put it in front of the boy and watched as he eyed it suspiciously.
"Don't worry, it's safe to eat, see?"
He picked up a small piece of food and popped it in his mouth. Immediately the kid started shovelling the food in his mouth. When he was done they put the plate to the side and watched their guest.
"So, what's your name?" Pidge asked. Silence. "Hey, it's okay. My name's Pidge."
He scoffed. "What kind of name is that?"
Keith hid his amused grin behind a hand as Pidge scowled right back at the kid. "A nickname you little brat."
The kid sneered. "Well it's a stupid one."
"Oh really?"
Keith couldn't help it any more and chuckled. Pidge whipped around and glared at him.
"It's not funny Keith!"
"It's a little funny."
"He's insulting me! After he tried to blow me up!"
A small gasp sounded behind them as the kid looked at her legs. "Did I do that?"
Keith and Pidge turned to the slightly panicked look in his face. Keith immediately responded.
"Yes, you blew a hole in the women's shower room."
"I was showering when the bomb went off."
The kids eyes filled with tears and frustration though he didn't cry. "It was supposed to be the kitchen."
Pidges face softened. "I'm okay just a few cuts and bruises."
Keith tilted his head. "Why were you trying to break in to the kitchen?"
"I was hungry. We're all hungry."
A sensation similar to panic went down their spines. "We?" Keith asked.
The kid looked away. Pidge walked forward and kneeled down in front of his chair. "My name is Katie Holt. Pidge is short for Pigeon. My brother made up the nickname when I was a kid."
"I'm Lexor."
"It's nice to meet you Lexor. Why don't you tell us what's happening? We thought this place was deserted?"
He sighed. "It's not, there are some of us that are still living here but the environment has made it hard to survive. A sickness hit us not long ago and our supplies are running low."
Keith stepped forward. "And you decided to go and get some."
"We didn't know who was here only that we were supposed to hide when people came."
"We're here to help. If you show us where your camp is we can take some supplies to them, get them checked out to make sure everyone's okay."
"Really?"
Pidge chuckled. "Kid, he couldn't stop himself even if he wanted to. Helping people is kind of what we do."
So they took supplies back to Lexors camp and checked everyone over. Antibiotics were handed out to everyone who was sick and the coalition members helped them build a proper structure for them to safely live in now that peace had come to the universe.
It did still leave the question of who had originally tried to bomb the base on Earth. They continued touring the bases and found no more surprises. No more bombs. There was one thing however that had changed. Keith and Pidge had started to act differently around one another. It hadn't taken long for most of them to figure it out.
After the incident in the shower room it was like they were more in sync with each other. Colleen and Sam had decided to leave it alone and let whatever was happening happen. Shiro and Veronica thought it was adorable and often conversed about what little changes they had noticed between the two when they were behind closed doors. For the most part the others kept quiet though they all watched with amusement and frustration as the two interacted but never crossed the imaginary line they'd drawn in the sand.
When they'd returned to Earth everyone had hoped that perhaps it would finally happen during their down time but before long Keith was called away from Earth back to the Blade of Marmora and Pidge was buried under another project. Everyone went back to their normal jobs and watched as Pidge tried to readjust to not having Keith around.
Shiro sat with Veronica mulling over their current problem. Pidge.
"I know they're keeping in touch but I feel like she's struggling."
"Cheer up Shiro she's tough and so is he. They'll be fine they just might need a little push."
Shiro frowned. "What are you thinking?"
"When is Keith scheduled to come back to Earth?"
"I'm not sure but I can find out, why?"
"I have an idea."
Eight months later Veronica smiled to herself as she heard the incoming message from a very familiar ship as it came in to dock. Shiro nudged her elbow.
"Do you really think this will work?"
"I think it'll definitely help."
"This doesn't count as meddling though right?"
Veronica grinned. "Oh come on Shiro, even Curtis is on board with this."
"I don't like getting involved. We should be letting them go at their own pace."
"If we let them do that they'd never take the plunge. Besides it's not like we did anything drastic it's just a new hair style."
Shiro sighed. "I guess you're right."
"I am, trust me, seeing her more feminine will definitely help."
Keith stepped off of the ship and breathed fresh Earth air for the first time in months. Lifting his face to the sun he took a deep breath and soaked up the warmth it radiated. Kosmo ran past him and he chuckled as he watched his companion run to Shiro and Veronica to say hello.
"Welcome home Keith, how was the trip back?"
"It was a little long but I'm glad to be back. How is everything here?"
"Everything's going great."
A small boom echoed from one of the hangars to their left and Keith jumped.
"What the hell?"
Veronica laughed. "I swear that girl is going to give someone a heart attack one day."
Shiro shook his head with a small smile. "I don't know how Colleen and Sam ever managed."
Keith frowned. "Wait, are you talking about Pidge? Is she okay?"
"Oh she's fine. She's been working on some new experiments for the MFE's."
Keith's brow arched. "And the explosion."
Veronica grinned. "A regular occurance."
Keith rolled his eyes. "Of course it is. Nothing more dangerous than the Holt siblings on a mission."
Shiro laughed. "You're right about that. But you know it's about time for a break. Why don't you go say hello?"
Keith grinned. "Thanks Shiro."
Turning for the hangar he noticed Matt outside waving a hand in front of his face and coughing.
"I see you two are still causing trouble."
Matt looked up and grinned. "Well, well well, look what the teledove dragged in. Pidge said you were still out on Kerenia 5?"
"Yeah we finished up early so I figured why not stop by Earth for a little R n R. Say hi to everyone."
"Uhuh."
"Speaking of which, where's your partner in crime?"
Matt's brow arched and he smirked. "Which one?"
Keith rolled his eyes. "Your sister. You know brown eyes, brown hair." He raised his hand to about chin height. "This tall. Sassy attitude."
Matt grinned.
"Geez and here I thought you liked my sassy attitude."
Keith froze for a moment not realising she had gotten the drop on him. Matt chuckled.
"Good to see you Keith. I got places to be, have fun."
Keith glared. "You two are too much alike you know that?"
"So we've been told. I'll be back later Pigeon. Have fun."
Keith turned around to speak but whatever he was going to say died on his tongue when he saw her. It wasn't her clothes. No they were normal Pidge clothes. It was her face, her hair. She was different. When he didn't respond she blushed a little under his gaze.
"Uh Keith, you okay?"
"You're hair."
"Oh." She touched the side of her head like she'd forgotten. "I, lost a bet with Veronica."
He took a couple of steps forward. Hesitantly he reached out and touched the long tresses.
"It's so long."
"Yeah. It's a little different."
"It's nice."
Her eyes widened. "What?"
He dropped her hair and took a step back. "I mean, not that your short hair wasn't nice but this is, I like it."
She blushed and smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Thanks."
"So why don't you run me through what you're working on?"
Her eyes lit up as she started back toward the airing out hangar explaining the new weapons and thrusters systems she and Matt had been working on. After she'd shown him the new projects they'd been working on they made their way to the mess hall for lunch. There they found their friends. Hunk had brought Lance to visit to see how everyone was going. They sat together and everyone pretended not to notice when Keith entered her personal space or tugged on her hair. By the time lunch was over and Keith had disappeared to find his team Lance looked at Hunk with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Uh Lance? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Hunk buddy, I think it's time we gave our friends a little push."
"You do know we're not kids anymore right?"
"Of course I do. I just want them to be happy."
Hunk sighed. "Okay, what have you got in mind?"
Lance grinned.
Pidge was leaving the hangar that afternoon when she noticed Lance and Hunk walking up with Keith.
"Hey guys what's up?"
Lance waved when they got to her stepping behind her and casually placing an arm around her shoulders. "We thought we'd catch up for dinner, wanna come?"
"Of course I do."
Lance grinned. "Great let's go." He patted her back with more force than necessary, sending her surging forward, straight into Keith.
He caught her easily, steadying her on her feet. Keith took the opportunity to move the hair that had fallen in her face out of the way so she could see. She smiled in thanks and turned to glare at Lance.
He shrugged guiltily. "Oops."
"Lance would you be more careful. You could have knocked Pidge over if I wasn't standing here."
Pidge rolled her eyes but smiled and patted Keith's arm. "I'm fine. Let's go."
Lance grinned at Hunk.
When dinner was over they went for a walk. Lance and Hunk decided to leave and Keith offered to walk Pidge back to her quarters. Pidge yawned as they were saying their goodbyes.
Lance laughed. "You okay there Pidge? You look like you're asleep on your feet."
She rolled her eyes. "I'm fine."
Keith frowned. "How long have you been awake?"
She blushed and looked away. "Oh you know the usual."
Keith's eyes narrowed. "Pidge your usual is like thirty six hours."
She shrugged. "So I'm a little tired. I'll just head back and take a nap." Keith rolled his eyes and stepped in front of her kneeling down. "What are you doing?"
"Get on."
She shook her head. "You are not piggy backing me."
"Why not?"
Lance grinned. "Yeah Pidge, why not? You're tired right? Keith here is literally offering you a free ride back."
She rolled her eyes. "Fine."
She carefully climbed onto Keith's back and tried to ignore the fact that his hands went under her thighs before he stood. She hid her face in his back so they couldn't see the blush as he adjusted her on his back so he had a good hold on her and she was comfortable.
Lance and Hunk exchanged a look.
"Bye guys."
Keith rolled his eyes and said goodnight as Pidge peeked over his shoulder and waved. He carried her across the grounds and down the halls. It was always quiet after nine especially in the barracks. When they reached her quarters Keith punched in the code and walked right in.
"You know." She mumbled from his shoulder. "Someone might think you knowing the code to my quarters is a little weird."
Keith chuckled. "You gave me the code."
She yawned again. "I did."
"Someone might think you giving me the code to your quarters is a little weird."
"Mmm."
"Pidge are you going to fall asleep on me?"
"Mmm. Maybe."
He chuckled. "Come on. Let's get you to bed."
"Hmm you gonna put me to bed?"
He blushed. "Yeah."
"Okay."
"What?"
She giggled quietly. "I'm too tired to get to bed myself."
He sighed and smiled. "Same old Pidge."
Walking to her bed, he carefully lowered them until they were sitting. When she didn't move straight away he turned his head to meet her eyes, and found just how close her face was.
"Pidge?"
Her eyes opened and bore into his. "Comfy."
He smirked. "Really?" She nodded. "You know someone might think you don't want me to go."
"Almost like I missed you, or something."
He leaned his forehead against hers. "I missed you too."
She sighed when his nose brushed against hers and her eyes slowly closed, head tilting slightly up towards his. Keith felt his eyelids lowering and closed the small millimetre of distance remaining between them.
After a moment Keith pulled back and opened his eyes to find a smiling Pidge. He smiled softly and nudged her nose with his.
"I should go so you can get some sleep."
"Do you have to?"
"Not if you don't want me to."
"You do look tired. Maybe you should stay here."
Keith smiled softly and pulled back reaching for the covers. "Get in."
She climbed under the covers and reached for him. He toed off his shoes and climbed in beside her making himself comfortable.