#shiro gets up in the morning and some kid is sleeping on the couch

[sickstarlight]

who wants some fic? just kidding I know you all do

(this is old but I’m revisiting the fandom and wanted to share it. maybe a part 2 coming sometime.)

—

When Shiro’s alarm goes off in the early hours of the morning, he wakes up disoriented and dizzy, not sure at first where he is or what’s going on. It takes him a moment to realize he’s at the apartment, not in his quarters on the ship or the room they used to share on base. Adam is still asleep next to him, the sweep of his hair falling into his eyes, and Shiro can’t bring himself to wake him. Class in the morning, he thinks hazily, rubbing his eyes. He needs the rest.

With a sigh, he turns over and rolls to his feet. He means to get dressed so he can go running, but just getting up makes his head spin and his gut lurch unpleasantly, and he swallows hard as the taste of acid creeps up his throat. Fuck.

He’s unsteady on his feet as he stumbles out into the hall, and has to brace himself against the wall with one hand to keep his balance. His heart is pounding and he can’t seem to take a full breath; time has taken the edge off, but whenever he doesn’t feel well, the memory of panic still creeps in under his skin. He grits his teeth against it, swallows the saliva pooling under his tongue as he ducks into the bathroom.

His stomach churns as he drops to his knees on the floor and leans over the toilet, resting his head in his hands and trying to steady his breathing. Panicking isn’t going to help, it’ll only make him feel worse, make it harder to get it over with - but as he forces himself to calm down, he can’t help the twinge of frustration, too. It’s been weeks since solid food made him sick and he’d thought he was getting better. Yet another battle against his own body he keeps losing, he thinks bitterly, and sighs through his teeth.

He’s trying to be quiet, but he can’t help a whimper as his muscles convulse and the taste of copper coats his tongue. Saliva floods his mouth and he spits it out into the water, grimacing when it clings to the edge of his lip. The feeling is enough to make him gag, and his shoulders shudder as he heaves and coughs up a mouthful of acid.

At least he’s gotten better about fighting it, he reminds himself, though it’s not much comfort when it feels like his stomach is trying to turn itself inside out. He gags again and retches weakly to spit out another thin stream of sick, his eyes watering as it sears his throat. Another heave, more forceful, brings up chunks of half-digested food, and he groans quietly, wrapping one arm around his stomach before he vomits again and the better part of last night’s dinner spills into the toilet.

It’s a moment before he can catch his breath, gasping to get air back into his lungs as his throat relaxes. His stomach isn’t churning quite as violently anymore, but he’s still a little queasy, and he can’t stop shaking, suddenly very aware that it’s freezing in here. He wants badly to go back to bed, but he’s not totally sure he won’t wake up sick again, and he knows the chances Adam sleeps through it a second time are slim.

He'll lie down on the couch, instead, he thinks, and hopefully by the time the sun’s up and Adam is awake he’ll be up for eating something light for breakfast.

With an effort, he pulls himself up from the floor and waits a moment to be sure the movement won’t make him sick again. He sways a little, his head reeling, and his stomach gurgles unpleasantly, but nothing threatens to come up, and after a few seconds he flushes the toilet and slinks out to the living room, still shivering and utterly exhausted.

Roman whines from beside the door as he comes around the corner, tail thumping against the floor. “Not today, buddy,” Shiro tells him apologetically as he pours a glass of water from the kitchen. “I don’t think I’m up for a run right now.”

He takes a tentative sip of his water, and then another, hovering by the sink until he’s sure he can keep it down for now. When his stomach doesn’t revolt, he takes another sip and ducks into the cabinet under the sink, emptying the cleaning supplies from the mop bucket so he can keep it next to the couch just in case.

“Sorry, Roman,” he tells the dog as he lays down on the couch, and Roman whines, coming over to put his head in Shiro’s hand. “No running today.”

Roman sighs and flops down sadly on his side next to the couch, and Shiro can’t help laughing a little.

“Good boy,” he says, and adjusts himself, trying to get comfortable enough to go back to sleep.

He drifts in and out of hazy half-consciousness for a while, dozing off only to wake up again feeling groggy and confused, with a dull ache in his temples. It’s hot, even without a blanket; he takes a few more sips of water and hopes rehydrating will help the pounding in his head. He’s not sure how long passes each time he slips into sleep, but he sees dawn light slowly creeping across the floor, closer every time he wakes.

The sound of shuffling footsteps in the hall makes him stir, but it’s not until he hears Adam call quietly, “Takashi?” that he opens his eyes and pushes himself up on one arm to look at him.

“Hey,” he says, rubbing his eyes.

“What are you doing out here?” Adam asks, blinking at him. “You’re still sleeping?”

“No, I’m up,” he says, pushing himself upright with an effort. “I, uh...got sick this morning. Didn’t want to wake you up, so…”

“You should have,” Adam chides him gently. “Have you had water?”

Shiro nods, gestures at the empty glass on the table. He hadn’t realized he finished it. “Sorry if I worried you,” he says.

“How are you feeling now?” Adam asks, giving him a faint smile. “You think you’re up for breakfast?”

“Mm, maybe something small,” he says, shrugging.

Adam nods and stifles a yawn as he walks over to the kitchen. “Toast?” he suggests. “Or do you think a protein shake would be easier on your stomach?”

“I’ll try the shake,” he says, grabbing the blanket off the back of the couch to drape around his shoulders. Even when his body decides to get into a fight with any kind of real food, he can usually manage to keep down liquids. Adam grabs a meal shake from the fridge and brings it over, grabbing his glass to refill it as well; he shakes the bottle and cracks it open to take a sip, shivering harder from the cold.

“Are you going to try to go teach?” Adam asks as he brings back the full glass. “You must have felt pretty rotten this morning if you didn’t go running.”

“You yelled at me last time I tried to go running after I was sick,” he points out, and takes another sip of his shake. “Besides, there’s a big difference between running two miles and teaching a class.”

“Mm,” Adam says, still looking worried, but he nods. “If you think you’re up for it, I trust you.”

“Thanks,” Shiro says, relieved, and gives him a smile.

Adam returns to the kitchen to make breakfast for himself, and Shiro stays on the couch, cautiously sipping his shake. It’s starting to settle a little heavy in the pit of his stomach, but he thinks - hopes - it’s just because it’s the first thing he’s had since throwing up most of what he ate last night.

“I’m gonna go shower,” he says, leaning over to put the bottle down on the table. He’ll finish it after if he doesn’t start feeling worse.

He must not have slept that well all night, he realizes, because in the shower he keeps nearly falling asleep standing up; his eyes don’t want to stay open and his head feels so heavy he can barely hold it up. Maybe that shouldn’t come as a surprise after waking up sick, though, if it was something from dinner that upset his stomach so much.

Thinking about it is making his headache worse, not to mention he’s starting to feel a little nauseous again, so he takes a slow breath to steady himself and lets his eyes fall closed, trying to focus on the feeling of the hot water running over his back instead.

“Takashi?” Adam’s voice outside the door startles him out of a daze that’s drifting dangerously close to sleep. “You alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” he calls back, cupping his hands to splash water over his face in the hopes it’ll help wake him up. “I’ll be out in a minute, sorry, I know you need to shower too.”

He quickly scrubs clean and steps out of the shower, grabbing a towel to dry off before he leaves. Adam is waiting outside the door, and frowns as he comes out into the hall. “You sure you’re doing okay?” he asks, fidgeting with his glasses.

Shiro nods, managing a shaky smile. “Just a little run down,” he admits. “I think I’ll be alright.” He probably looks a little flushed, overheated from running the water too hot, but it helped ease some of the tension in his shoulders, so he figures it was probably worth it. Adam seems to accept this, and slips into the bathroom to shower while Shiro goes to get dressed.

It’s too warm to put his jacket on before he actually has to, so he tosses it over the back of the couch as he goes to sit down again. His half-finished protein shake isn’t cold anymore, which makes it seem a lot less appetizing, but if he can’t at least manage that much for breakfast, it’s probably a stretch to say he’s well enough to teach. With a sigh he opens the bottle again and takes a sip, grimacing as it coats his tongue and throat.

He has to alternate sips of water with it, but he manages to drink most of the shake by the time Adam comes into the kitchen again, his jacket unfastened and his hair still damp, to pour himself another cup of coffee. “You almost ready?” he asks, pushing his glasses up to rub his eyes.

“Yeah, let me just finish this,” Shiro agrees, tipping his head back to empty the last few sips of his drink into his mouth, and climbs to his feet.

He’s halfway to the kitchen to rinse out the bottle when he feels his stomach contract.

He swallows reflexively and claps his hand over his mouth, trying to suppress a gag as he bolts for the sink. His throat convulses and he shudders, doubling over with a retch. A mouthful of his shake comes back up and spatters the bottom of the sink; he barely has time to catch a breath before he vomits again, emptying his stomach of everything he’s managed to get in it since this morning. “Fuck,” he groans, slumping against the counter, and screws his eyes shut against the burn of tears.

“Shit, Takashi,” Adam says faintly, resting a hand on his back. “You should have said--”

“I was - I felt okay,” he stammers, tripping over his tongue. His head is reeling; he’s not sure if it’s from the headache, or the heat, or if he’s just still short of breath after puking his guts out in the kitchen sink. “I didn’t - think I…”

Adam turns on the tap to rinse the sink out, and reaches up to brush Shiro’s hair back from his forehead. “Oh, babe,” he says, wincing. “You’re burning up.”

“I...am?” Shiro asks stupidly, blinking. That’s probably why he feels like someone’s stuffed cotton into his skull, he realizes. He must have actually caught some kind of bug.

“I don’t know if you should try to go to class,” Adam says, frowning at him.

He nods, reaching for a paper towel to wipe his mouth. “Yeah, on second thought, that doesn’t sound like such a great idea right now,” he agrees, and realizes it’s actually kind of a relief.

“Are you going to be sick again?” Adam asks, rubbing his shoulders with one hand. “Or do you think you’re alright now?”

He considers this and slowly shakes his head. “Okay for now, I think,” he says. His stomach still feels a little uneasy, and the taste of vomit in his mouth isn’t helping, but he doesn’t think there’s much left to throw up.

“You want to lie down?” Adam asks, and he nods, taking a second to steady himself before he stands upright again.

“You should get going,” he mumbles as he shuffles towards the couch, wrapping his arms around himself. “You’re gonna be late for class.”

“Who’s going to yell at me, Admiral Holt?” Adam points out with a wry smile. “The cadets will live if I’m running a few minutes behind.”

Shiro manages to smile back, wrapping the blanket around his shoulders as he curls up on the couch. He reaches for his glass to take a tiny sip of water, just enough to help get the foul taste out of his mouth without upsetting his stomach again. Somewhere behind him, Adam is moving around the apartment quietly, and he closes his eyes while he listens, stretching out along the length of the couch and resting his head against the arm.

“Here,” Adam says softly after a few moments, the sound of his voice shaking Shiro awake before he has the chance to drift off. He looks up to see Adam setting a box of tissues and a bottle of painkillers on the table, as well as a can of ginger ale he’s already cracked open. “Try to take a couple of these in an hour or so, alright?” he says. “And here’s a cold cloth in the meantime.”

Shiro takes the damp washcloth from him and lays it over his brow, flinching at the cold, but once he adjusts he realizes how nice it feels against the flush in his face and sighs with relief. “Thanks,” he says. “I love you.”

“Love you,” Adam says with a fond smile, ruffling up his hair before he leans in to kiss the top of his head. ��Feel better, okay?”

“I’ll try,” he says, catching Adam’s hand before he draws away. “I’m gonna email my cadets and then go back to sleep, you have a good day at work.”

“Good,” Adam says, squeezing his fingers. “Get some rest, Takashi, I’ll see you this afternoon.”

He grabs his tablet off the table as Adam leaves the apartment, pulls up his messages to email the students in his classes. Hey, all - I apologize, I won’t be holding classes today as I’m pretty ill right now - email me if you have any questions on the homework and I’ll keep you all posted about tomorrow. —Shiro.

He’ll have to actually check his email later to see if any of them need help, and he promises himself he’ll worry about that after he gets some more sleep, but just the effort of writing out a message has drained what little energy he has, and looking at his tablet is making his head pound. With a sigh, he tosses it back on the table and lets his head fall back against the arm of the couch again, pulling the damp cloth on his face down over his eyes. The weight of it eases the throbbing in his skull a little, at least, and he draws the blanket up to stop shivering as he drifts off to sleep.

When he wakes up it’s half past eight and he’s sweltering underneath the blanket. He kicks it off, pushing the washcloth on his face up onto his brow. His head hurts even worse than before, and his mouth feels stuffed with tissue from panting to cool off.

With a groan he turns over to grab the glass of water on the table and take a few sips, resisting the urge to gulp down the whole glass. It won’t do him any good to drink it if he just chucks it back up ten minutes later.

His tablet chimes and he rubs his eyes, leaning over to check the new message - a text from Adam that just says Don’t forget to take ibuprofen when you’re up. He smiles faintly and opens the bottle to shake two tablets into his palm, sipping his water to wet his mouth before he tosses them onto his tongue and takes another drink to swallow them with.

Thanks, sunshine, he texts back, leaning back against the couch cushions, and pulls up his email again. There are about a dozen replies to his message from this morning, and he winces, bracing himself for questions on the homework which he’s not at all sure he’ll be able to answer right now. To his relief, though, they’re mostly well-wishes, with only two cadets asking for clarification on their assignments.

He sips slowly at his water while he starts typing up a response to Callahan in his second period class, frowning hard at his tablet as he switches between the email he’s writing and the assignment his students are asking about. He can still remember what he’d been asking with these questions, but trying to find another way to explain any of them makes him feel like the inside of his head is full of glue. At least, he thinks ruefully, he’s at home and only has to email them back, not respond to questions face to face when his thoughts will only move at a crawl.

By the time he figures out how to actually answer the first question, he’s starting to feel a little queasy again, and he grits his teeth, trying to keep his breathing steady as his stomach twists uncomfortably. He manages to write a few lines of a response before the nausea gets bad enough he can’t focus and he has to set his tablet aside to lie down again.

Acid prickles sharp and hot behind his sternum, and his throat goes tight as he turns over, grabbing the edge of the bucket next to the couch. He retches and coughs up a stream of water and half-dissolved fragments of painkillers, the bitter taste of the medication so strong on his tongue it drowns out the taste of vomit.

With a groan he lifts his head and pushes himself up to grab his glass of water, taking a mouthful and swishing it around his mouth before spitting it out into the bucket as well. So much for bringing his fever down, he thinks, and wonders if it would be better or worse to try taking it with food next time.

When he’s pretty sure he’s not going to be sick again, he takes a sip of water to soothe the burning in his throat and grabs his tablet again, only to realize he’s completely lost the train of thought he had before he put it down. He sighs and scrubs at his eyes with one hand as he sets it aside and gets to his feet, traipsing to the kitchen to dampen the cloth with cold water again. Maybe if he cools off a little more he’ll be able to think clearly.

He drapes the washcloth over the back of his neck and flops back down on the couch, returning to his message with a frown. After staring at it for a long few minutes, he thinks he grasps the thread of how he meant to explain the problem, and starts typing again.

It takes him twenty minutes, but he manages to get a response written out, and he’s reading it over to make sure that it makes sense when Adam texts him. To his surprise, he realizes it’s been more than half an hour already since he woke up, and class is getting out.

How are you feeling? Adam’s text reads.

You want the real answer, or the answer that’ll make you worry less? he texts back, lying down again.

Funny, Adam replies, and Shiro laughs, almost able to hear his irritated sigh. Did you take an ibuprofen?

Yeah, he says. I dunno how much it helped, though, I threw it back up.

Oh :( Adam types back. I’m sorry, neshama. Try to take some again once you’ve managed to eat something, okay?

Not sure when that’s going to happen, but I’ll try, he replies, grimacing. Just the thought of food makes him feel like he might puke again - though that could just as easily be hunger as nausea, right now, when it’s been nearly twelve hours since he ate anything solid and he’s spent most of the morning throwing up anything that might be left in his stomach since then.

I’ll bring some things home from the c-store after class, so if there’s nothing at home you can stomach I’ll have something easier to handle later, Adam says. If you need me to come back on my lunch, let me know, though, I can do that if it’d help.

Thanks, Shiro replies, and rubs at his eyes, which are starting to hurt again from straining to look at his tablet. Hey, if you want to help me out, though, can you look at this and let me know if it makes sense?

He drops in a copy of the response he typed up earlier, with a link to the homework assignment to reference as well. He’s pretty sure he did a decent job, but he’ll feel a lot better about actually answering Callahan’s question if Adam can confirm his reply is coherent.

Takashi, Adam texts him back before he has a chance to set his tablet down.

Mm? he asks, grimacing at his name typed out on screen. Whatever is about to follow is probably not going to be especially sympathetic.

I will do this for you, because I love you, Adam continues after a moment. But the fact that you have to ask me this question MIGHT be a sign you shouldn’t be working right now.

He sighs, but he can’t deny that Adam has a point. Alright, he agrees, that’s fair. I’ll finish answering questions later and respond tonight.

That would make me feel better, at least, Adam says. Thanks.

A pang of guilt makes his chest feel tight. Even now, he hates making Adam worry. Anything else that would put your mind a little more at ease? he offers. I don’t want you to stress out while you can’t be here to fuss over me.

Just try to rest, Adam replies, and then, Actually - would you check your temperature for me?

Sure, he agrees, and gets to his feet with a groan to shuffle into the bathroom and get the thermometer.

The second he puts it in his mouth, he wishes he hadn’t, because the feeling of it pressed under his tongue immediately makes his throat go tight. He slumps against the wall and slides down it to sit on the floor, trying to ignore the metallic tang of saliva pooling in the bottom of his mouth.

The thermometer beeps and he yanks it out of his mouth, not quite quickly enough to keep himself from gagging. He doubles over, retching, as his stomach heaves, and coughs up a mouthful of water and acid into the toilet. His eyes watering, he lifts his head to look at the reading on the thermometer and groans when he sees 100.9 blinking back at him. That’s a lot worse than he thought; it’s no wonder he can’t seem to keep his thoughts in order.

He takes a few moments sitting on the floor to catch his breath and gather his strength before he gets up and traipses back to the living room, shivering a little with a sudden chill. Hundred point nine, he texts Adam, grabbing his glass of water and the washcloth from where it’s fallen between the couch cushions.

Keep trying to drink fluids when you can, okay? Adam replies as he goes to the kitchen to soak the cloth again, wincing as the cold water runs over his hand.

I’ll do my best, he promises, filling the glass with ice chips and putting one in his mouth to suck on as it melts. He returns to the couch to lie down, shoving the pillows up against the arm to support his head as he curls up on his side, and adds, as an afterthought. I think I’m gonna try to sleep for a while, though.

Good idea, get some rest, Adam agrees. I’ve got to get to class, but I’ll text you on my lunch. Hang in there, sweetheart, I love you.

Love you, he says, and puts his tablet down on the table, draping the cold cloth over his eyes again with a sigh.

Still shivering a little, he wraps his arms around himself and sinks into the couch cushions to sleep.

#emeto #emeto fic #emetophilia #vldsick #SORRY I haven’t gotten to prompts I’m working on them slowly I prommy

[seijuurouxryuu]

Vroom vroom

Title: Vroom vroom Author: Shiro (TeitoxAkashi [AO3]/ seijuurouxryuu [tumblr]) Rating: T Pairing: Colonnello/Reborn Event: @khrrarepairweek Prompts: Murder Roadtrip | Bodyguard AU Tags/Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warning, Graphic Depictions of Violence, No Archive Warning

Day 2: Sky Day

“FUCK YOU REBORN!” Colonnello shouted into the air as the stolen bike sped down the street, said hitman behind him trying to shoot the last few stranglers that chased after them, all the time clutching tightly onto Colonnello’s waist.

“Fuck you too, dumbass.” Reborn grumbled while pinching Colonnello’s waist.

AO3

“FUCK YOU REBORN!” Colonnello shouted into the air as the stolen bike sped down the street, said hitman behind him trying to shoot the last few stranglers that chased after them, all the time clutching tightly onto Colonnello’s waist.

“Fuck you too, dumbass.” Reborn grumbled while pinching Colonnello’s waist. He was pissed because:

The assholes in UET stole the stored Arcobaleno pacifier in the safehouse.

The espresso he was going to drink in the morning spilled because they couldn’t wait to get their ass handed.

They nicked his fedora. By 1-fucking-mm.

Needless to say, Reborn dragged the ex-COMSUBIN out on a hunt, which the latter cheerily said it was a murder road trip until they got chased down because they underestimated them. More like, Reborn thought it was a good idea not to bring Leon AND his extra ammos and that just his flames are enough.

It wasn’t enough. (Not after the previous night where Colonnello drained his flames. In a fight. On ***.)

So now they are just doing strategic retreat as Reborn had said to replenish their stocks before going back in. Like it was some sort of dungeon in a game that would not disappear even if you fail.

Hah.

Colonnello grumbled under his breath as he turned into a narrow lane, getting rid of the cars but not the bikes. “I’m telling Yuni.”

“Just say it. She can’t do anything to me.”

Another turn and down a few flights of stairs, scaring the shit out of the friendly neighbourhood cat who yowled.

“She can give you the disappointed™ look.”

Reborn pinched harder and turned back around, looking at Colonnello’s back.

“You’re sleeping on the couch for a month.” He threatened, pinching his belly fat harder and causing the bike to swerve slightly. Colonnello spewed some expletives as he stabilized the bike again. He cursed louder when one of the three bikers decided that the chase was a waste of time and shot at them. Without a silencer. Idiots.

Reborn pulled out a metal rod that was sticking out of a basket at the roadside and conveniently threw it at the shooter, hitting him in the face, who was even more an idiot for not wearing a helmet.

One down.

Colonnello drove down a dead end and immediately turned back around, facing the bikers. He whistled loudly and Falco, who was flying above them swooped down and knocked out another.

The last one stopped in front of them, engine revving and a gun in hand, looking extremely smug as though he a single person caught two of the most wanted men in the mafia world.

Reborn gave him a deadpanned stare and pelted a brick he conveniently picked up along the way, which landed straight in the man’s face. Another idiot who decided wearing helmet is overrated. Always wear helmets, kid. You never know what might bash your head in or explode it outwards.

He left the back of the bike and spat at the bodies. He glared at them and flamed mark them, a target mark so that once they returned with more arsenal, these goons would be the first to die.

Colonnello too abandoned the bike, a dent in the wheels, bullet scratch marks all over. He sighed at the damaged, but not at all guilty or in pain since it wasn’t his. Though, he did leave the owner some hundred bucks for their lost.

“Let’s go, gloomy guy.” He said, walking up to the hitman who was brushing dust off his coat and his unfortunately nicked fedora. Colonnello knew he was upset that his fedora was damaged. After all, it was one of the decent gifts he had bought for him after a fist fight that ended both of them half crippled. He would too if the bandanna Reborn gifted him in return got damaged or dirtied.

“Let’s get some more ammos before we get your revenge, hm?” He said after coming up to Reborn, sliding an arm around the waist and nuzzling into the back of his neck.

“You owe me one.”

“What?! Why?!”

“Because of yesterday night.” Reborn pinched the back of his palm when it tried to slip into his pants.

Colonnello yelped but did not try to pull back his hand. “It’s not like you didn’t demand me for more…” He grumbled. Reborn snorted and put his fedora back on.

“Come on, lover boy.”

Colonnello grumbled even louder at that.

.

The first warehouse

Their first stop was the first arsenal warehouse of those petty thieves. It wasn’t where the pacifiers are taken to, they knew where it was, but Reborn was even pettier after that series of chase he had to go through. He decided that they make the road trip worth it and stop at every ground those dogs marked and burn it to the ground.

With a knife he picked up from the back pocket of the meat shield he conveniently killed, he threw it at a baldie, killing him instantly as the knife stabbed right between the eyes and embedded deep in. Reborn then threw the meat shield at the one who was holding a sword instead, letting it get stabbed and disintegrate under the storm flames on the blade.

He leaned back at the swipe, dodging the flames. He managed a minute touch on the swordman’s skin and in that one second, pumped his sun flames into him. The swordman exploded from the inside, innards all extra-large.

“Ew.” Colonnello said emotionlessly as he stepped back before pieces of flesh and blood got to his boots. Falco, on his shoulder, was staring at them with gleaming eyes, to which Colonnello just shrugged and let it feast.

Someone attempted to snipe him from the fourth floor. The attempt was so pathetic that Colonnello carelessly sniped back instead and a body dropped down. Along with the first, he took down seven more, each dropping down with a splat.

When there was no more, he turned around to look at Reborn. The hitman had merrily killed a bloody path deeper into the warehouse. He was holding a bat with lightning flames crackling on it. He swung it at bashed in a head while simultaneously charring it. Colonnello saw Falco perked up at the smell of cooked meat.

Mildly disturbed by his hawk’s taste, Colonnello followed behind Reborn with a hand in his pocket, another holding onto his sniper gun.

“Babe,” He called out and pointed at a door beside him with his gun. “I’m going in here, alright?” Reborn hummed and didn’t even bother stopping his murder spree. Far too used to it, Colonnello split from Reborn’s path and kicked the door in. He whistled instantly the moment he saw what was inside.

A Jeep. Nice.

The warehouse blew up and the two of them drove off with a jeep-full of guns and bullets. And explosives.

.

The Fifth hideout

At this point, the two had killed their way for three days, changed into ten new sets of clothing, and took approximately 300 heads each. Still, they weren’t stopping just yet.

They still haven’t retrieved the pacifiers, but they managed to find a litter of kittens.

Reborn was stomping on a person’s dick when he heard the mewls. He used the heels he was wearing and stabbed into the corpse’s heart and turned to the direction of sound. He then spotted ONE (1) tiny dirty brown kitten that heavily reminded him of Tsuna. Slightly nostalgic, he went over to stare at it as it shakily crawled over.

He crouched and thought to himself, ‘I wonder what’s that brat doing,’ said brat was already a Don of tens of thousands of mafioso. And said brat was still a brat that’s wet behind the ears in Reborn’s eyes. His kid, if he was being sentimental enough. Not that he would tell anyone over his dead body.

He reached over an picked it up.

“No Reborn, wait!”

Colonnello’s warning came on too late.

Ten more popped out from behind the cardboard boxes of gunpowder.

“…”

.

The Last Stop - Enemy HQ; Pacifiers

With one kitten in his pocket, Colonnello surveyed the whole building.

“There’s approximately 4 back doors, 3 side ones, and probably 6 underground tunnels judging from the vents.” He said, the earpiece crackling in his ears. “I’ve inserted the things Verde created and will detonate when you’re ready.”

He leaned back and stretched on the roof he was perched on. Verde’s creation is basically explosives with strong currents running through it. He had ordered them to test it out and give him feedbacks. Basically, making them his free labor. He was lucky Reborn was too much in hunt mode to even bother.

Reborn sneered into the earpiece. “Let loose, puppy.”

Colonnello grumbled at the nickname and clicked the button. Several series of explosion echoed through the remote industry area followed by rumbles of ground collapsing. He heard a door being kicked down and a gatling gun going off.

No doubt, Reborn.

“Don’t forget to leave the big boy alive, baby.” Colonnello looked through his eyepiece and started sniping those in the upper floors near the window, opening a path for Reborn.

It was Reborn’s turn to grumble instead. He had wanted to play with the leader of this thieves. His belly was big enough to be a sumo wrestler, but he was somehow flexible. Reborn wanted to experiment that if he were to pump his sun flames in and expand the organs to a certain degree, would the big bellied men still be flexible? What if he used Colonnello’s flames to slow the bodily activities down and use his sun flames to activate the metabolism, would he grow skinnier?

So many curious thoughts, no chance of carrying them out because Yuni wanted the man alive.

“You’re carrying him into the truck yourself.” Reborn groused.

“Fine, fine.”

Reborn leaned forward and turned around, shoving the handgrip of the gatling gun into the gut of a sneaking rat. The men gagged and Reborn, disgusted, shoved the gun into the open mouth to stop the vomit from flowing out and touching him. “Ew.”

“I can’t believe that you find vomit disgusting when you love dancing across a floor full of human innards.

“There is a difference, puppy.”

“Would you stop calling me a puppy?” Colonnello whined with the sound of wind increasing in volume on his side. Most likely heading down to join him.

“No.” His shoulders were still throbbing from those bites he gnawed, dammit.

Colonnello whined louder. A puppy.

The kitten meowed loudly.

Reborn picked up an axe that was lying around and chopped down onto a person’s head. He pulled out as the corpse crumbled on the ground and threw it, hitting and chopping off another’s hand. The person screamed so loudly that it was grating his ears, so he pulled out a dagger and cut off his tongue. Reborn threw the tongue at Falco’s direction, and kneed stabbed the man on the sternum before pulling the dagger down all the way to the navel.

He abandoned the dagger for a Beretta Cheetah he spotted.

“For Italia,” He mused and shot down a couple of people with it, all headshot.

“Very nationalistic of you.” Colonnello came up from behind him. He jabbed his fingers upward, “The big boy is upstairs. Pacifiers should be there too, so let’s go. Yuni is rushing us already.”

Reborn pouted at the thought of fun ending soon.

They made a bloody path up without much of a trouble and soon came to a heavy door.

“Let’s blast it down.” Said Reborn with a Bazooka.

“No, let’s not blast it down. Who knows if you’d kill the bumbling fool with it.”

Reborn pouted harder.

Colonnello used Verde’s explosive, just a tiny bit, and brought the door down.

“Jump over the… ashes…” Colonello just stared at Reborn with dead eyes when the latter stepped on the ashes with current running through it.

Reborn gave him a raised eyebrow. “What? Never heard of rubber shoes?”

Colonnello quietly asked himself if he had lost his braincells as he stepped over it. Of course, Reborn would choose shoes with rubber based. Why was he so stupid to choose the sneakers when he was at the shoe shop?

“P-p-p-p-please let me go!!” A giant shivering lump squeaked by where it hid in a corner. “I’ll return the pacifiers, I’m sorry! Let me live!”

Reborn went and looked at the pacifiers on the table, picking up the yellow one. Colonnello poked the lump with his shoes and earned himself whimpers and more squeaks.

“It’s fake.” Reborn said and crushed it with one hand. A head popped out of the lump in disbelief. “W-w-what?! Impossible!”

Reborn scoffed, “What’s impossible? It has always have been a fake.” He went over and crouched over the man, smiling like a devil who found cream. “It is used to fish out fools like you who think you can lord over the Arcobaleno.” He patted his cheeks a couple of times.

“Let’s go, Yuni is waiting~” He stood up and sauntered off like it was no longer his business. Colonnello sighed and resigned to his fate of dragging a lump away.

---------------

A/N: Did I rushed through this? Yes I did. I churned this out the same day I word vomited Lightning day's entry. And I only have 3 entries that I've finished. I haven't even start on the rest of the 5 days. I'm dead.

[I apologize for any grammar, spelling, etc. etc. mistakes]

#KHR #Katekyo Hitman Reborn #khrrarepairweek2022 #Reborn #Colonnello #My Writings

[willadisastercry]

Pidge is less okay than everyone thought... and that’s okay

Tw: detailed description of a panic attack, unintentional self harm (not intense or graphic)

Shiro and Lance are the only one’s who seem to be able to help when Pidge has an anxiety attack, they’re also the only people who know she even actively has them. But Pidge has overworked herself all week, not getting enough sleep or even bothering to eat much before today’s mission. So when she faces a hitch in an attempt to acquire possibly crucial intel that could put her family back together, she can’t steal her nerves quick enough before this one comes on and nothing seems to be working to calm her down this time.

“Really good work out there today, guys. Relax and rest a bit before we regroup later to discuss.”

Pidge had barely noticed Shiro was even speaking, too enthralled in the prospect of what could possibly be contained on the drive she’d secured with galra intel from today’s mission.

“Awh, come onnn Shiro. Can’t we just call it a night? I’m so wiped.”

Flight plans, prisoner logs, cargo shipment details, the possibilities were really endless and anything could get her one step closer to finding her father and brother. She couldn’t get complacent now.

“Would you rather wake up early tomorrow morning—“

“NO! No, forget I asked. Ugh,” Lance urged before huffing in frustration as he sprawled himself across the couch in the common room, everyone else already following suit and nearly entirely atop of one another.

They all seemed content to remain like that, but Pidge felt like there were bugs crawling under her skin. She didn’t want to relax, she didn’t know if she could.

Her heart pumped erratically in her chest as she felt more and more useless sitting on a couch relaxing when she could be analyzing the data that just might help her find her family.

“Anyone else have—“

“I’m going to go ‘relax’ in my lab,” Pidge announced resolutely.

“Uh, Pidge, you know the whole point of relaxing is ya know, not doing anything, right?”Hunk asked as Keith shifted to allow him to release her from under the weight of his arm where it fell in their semi dog pile onto the couch.

“I need to start my diagnostics on the encrypted files I retrieved before they corrupt,” Pidge’s words were pointed and direct.

“Lone galra cruisers don’t usually have tech guys, it’ll take some time to relay the news of the attack over to hq and even more time for them to properly investigate and figure out what we got away with... you’ve got plenty of time Pidge—“

“Well, we weren’t exactly stealthy and they could have failsafes already initiated ready to go at any moment! It’s crucial that I review and decrypt as much as I can before all of our work goes to hell—“

“I thought we were sorta clean with it...” Keith muttered deep in thought as he reviewed their performance over in his head.

“Woah, slow down,” Lance interjected everyone, “if you’re still mad at me about not catching that last sentry before you were done cleaning out all of the files from the server then, I get that, but you don’t need to be so—“

“Guys, guys! We’ll discuss it later, for now everyone’s only job is to chill out, and Pidge, you can go work in your lab as long as you promise to come to the meeting later with a cooler head, deal?”

“Yeah, whatever. Deal,” she gruffed before taking off towards Green’s hangar to retrieve the usb from today’s mission.

“Jeez,” Hunk sighed as he fixed his headband back into place from where it had slipped down.

“And I thought I could be hot-headed...” Keith mused almost in awe but also worry because why was Pidge this worked up over some data that may or may not even be helpful?

“I was still down from a blast during hand to hand with the second wave of sentries...” Lance stared at the floor, his face full of hurt as he recalled his moment of error in battle that he was certain causing Pidge’s mood.

“...I didn’t see the last one come up and when I did he’d already blasted the control panel to shit.”

“It’s not your fault Lance, the mission couldn’t have gone smoother. We did what we set out to and that’s all we can focus on for now, let’s just give her some space to cool off and wait for the meeting to dole the rest out.”

The boys agreed and stayed in the common room for several more minutes talking about how weird Pidge was being before finally heading off to get cleaned up.

Pidge wished she could get washed up, but she had so much work left to do. She was typing away furiously as she produced line of code after code, determined to not let up before she was done.

Her legs pumped restlessly against the floor while she worked, her entire body practically vibrating with nervous energy.

She just needed to configure a base for her decryption software according to the firewalls in this particular ship’s files so she could finally let it run and—fuck.

The altean computer screen wavered and then sputtered as it began rebooting.

“Nononono, no, NO! You’ve got to be kidding me...”

She could throw up.

The processor had overheated before she could get the last few lines of code typed to initialize her software which meant when it cooled off she would have to start from the beginning and by then... by then there could be nothing left to decrypt.

Panic swelled in her chest, the heat spreading as quickly as it appeared.

This could have been what leads her to her father, to her brother. And if she failed she could be what breaks her family... for good.

She hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath until the strain in her chest brought her out of her staring competition with the blaring red across the screen in front of her.

Inhaling sharply, she clutched her chest. The initial breath hurt and so she breathed again to see if it would hurt again, and it did.

Shit, why does it hurt? Slower. Breathe slower.

But she couldn’t. She took another. And then another. And then she was breathing so fast none of her heaves seemed to alleviate the tightness that wrapped around her lungs and crawled up into her throat.

“Aha, fuck.”

The panic came on so quickly it almost made her nauseous.

The harder she tried to return her breathing to normal the deeper she seemed to plunge. But she still had work to do. And she had to be cooled off for the meeting or Shiro wouldn’t let her return to her lab.

She needed to, in her own words, calm the fuck down.

She’d done it before, managed to bring herself down from this point. But that was with Lance by her side to gently guide her breathing to something steadier and with Shiro holding her so tightly it was hard to find a good enough reason to remain so tightly wound.

And she was just very rude to both of them so she couldn’t ask for their help after that. Pidge had never done it by herself before, but she would have to at least try to now.

So she closed her eyes and forced herself to take in a large enough breath so she could count her inhale, hold it, and then exhale, but even doing that had hurt and seemed to just make deepen the ache.

“No... why... why isn’t it... working?!”

Her chest felt too heavy to do it, too tight and she couldn’t seem to manage the counts without making it worse. Her lungs would tighten up and ache before she reached the end of the time she was supposed to hold her breath which caused her exhale to be several rapid inhales instead.

Oh god.

She pushed herself away from her desk, in the process pulling the keyboard out as well as knocking over a pile of electronics that fell to the floor with a clank that jarred her now insanely sensitive ears.

There was too much input. Too many things making it impossible to do this on her own.

She scrambled to shut the radio off, but her eyes were blurry with tears and she couldn’t find the correct buttons, increasing the volume and switching it to a station of static instead.

She let out a scream she didn’t know she was holding back as she sank to her knees, clamping hands over her ears to try and block out all the noise that was now overloading her senses.

It was like everything had been dialed to 10.

The whirring of the computer processor as it worked, the cool air being pushed into the room from a vent over her head, the steady beeps and ticks of several different machines and... and the door of the lab opening followed by footsteps.

“Pidge?”

Keith.

“Pidge, hey... what happened?”

His voice was so loud.

“What’s wro—“

“Shh,” she begged, voice barely a whisper over her ragged breathing.

“Okay, okay,” he placated as he closed the distance between them.

“I can be quieter... and maybe if I turn this off, how’s that? Better?”

She nodded, removing her hands from her ears once he’d gotten the radio off. She hadn’t noticed when she’d started shaking but her hands were trembling so badly she had to hold them to keep them remotely still.

“I’m gonna sit with you, is that okay? Alright, do you think you can tell me what’s happening right now?”

She thought about it for a second and concluded that even she didn’t know.

She’d had anxiety attacks before, Shiro had been the first to name it for what it was. They were mostly inattentive ones where she’d dissociate, sometimes she would get worked up and hyperventilate, but it was only ever fleeting, short, over in a couple minutes. And other than that she’d always had some sort of an answer to nearly everything anxiety related. Except now.

Because right now she did not know what was happening, only that even her own heart pumping was so loud it made her want to disappear into a blissful cloud of nothing. She didn’t like not knowing what this was and why she was feeling it, and that realization seemed to break what little progress she had made in containing it.

“Wait no, it’s okay, you’re okay!”

But she wasn’t. She was so far from okay.

“Pidge, you’re safe. You just need to breathe.”

She knew that already and she’s been trying, but the more she tried and failed the more she became aware that there was nothing she could do on her own to stop it.

“This happens to me too sometimes, I know it seems impossible but you can do it. We can do it together, yeah? Okay, I need you to take a really deep breath for me, I’ll go first.”

And he did. He inhaled audibly and urged her to follow. And she tried, but her chest hitched and she choked on the air she tried to bring in.

Keith wanted to soothe her and placed his hand on her arm but she jolted so violently at the touch that he tore his hand away as if he was afraid he’d burned her. She met him with desperate eyes, sincere with frustration and impatience.

“I’m sorry, I don’t think I’m helping much.... do you want me to get someone else? Hunk? Or maybe—“

“Sh-Shiro or Lance, p-please...”

Her hands were in fists on her lap and they were beginning to go numb, a tingle spreading from her wrists up to her shoulders and a similar one moving up her legs. She hated when that happened.

She hated feeling so much emotion when her body felt so stuck, so not there. Because she was there and she was struggling and now was not the time to go ghost on herself.

“I can’t-I can’t stop it, I just want it... to stop.”

“This feeling isn’t permanent, it’s just your body reacting—it’ll stop,” he moved his hand from the floor to her knee and she flinched again but let it remain there.

“I’m going to be right back with someone, is that okay? You’ll be alone for only a minute...”

She nodded through a strangled sob. Her mouth was starting to go dry and so she didn’t feel much like talking anymore.

Keith squeezed her bouncing knee before taking off in a dead sprint. Pidge surrendered to the heaviness of her eyelids and closed them for a moment as she vaguely wondered how he would describe the predicament to their friends and how exactly he’d realized something was awry at all, relishing in the prospect of focusing on something other than her own panic for a moment.

But the relief didn’t last long because when she pried her eyes open to see if someone, anyone was back yet, the world tilted.

She watched in horror as objects seemed to wane out of focus while others seem pulled into hyper detail, the floor stretching out in front of her in an unrelenting wave of movement, the little dots of static that you usually see when you blur your vision or just before you pass out were now moving so quickly she could cry. Correction: she was already crying, but she couldn’t stop full on hysterics now.

She didn’t know when she had scooted herself against the leg of the desk but was thankful for the support, thankful for something to remind her that she was on the ground, in her lab, in... space.

The way her chest contracted as her mind continued to do its own whirring, continued to think about all of the things she couldn’t possibly control but felt compelled to try to caused her a whole new type of distress.

It was too much.

She squirmed as she tried to get away from herself, from this feeling, throwing her head back hard enough to hurt as she wailed, but it didn’t because she couldn’t feel anything. It was like her entire body had shut off an entire sense and the others were thrown completely out of wack because of it.

And she didn’t know why she was crying exactly, there seemed to be too many reasons and not any all at once, but she gathered that it was one of those instances where now that she’d started it was going to be really hard to stop.

Those were really the only circumstances under which she cried, especially now that she was in space with a ship full of teenage-ish males and two very parent-like aliens, after going so long without crying at all only to lose it over absolutely nothing and somehow end up crying about everything.

But this was sort of different. Because she felt so much more wrong than just an overdue cry.

She didn’t have much more time to deliberate this because there were voices pulling her out of her daze. Shiro was knelt in front of her and Keith was back.

“There you are.”

Shiro moved one hand to her shoulder and she shrunk under it, her eyes wild and fearful as she could feel the weight of it, but nothing more.

“Hey, it’s alright. It’s just me,” he said as he moved to sit beside her against the drawers of the desk.

“Keith said you were getting really overwhelmed, so I’m here if you want—oh!” Pidge had rushed forward to bury her head in Shiro’s chest and his arms closed around her securely.

“I’ve got you, i’ve got you...” he gushed as he held her trembling frame, the tears still flowing freely and her chest still struggling under the immense pressure that had built in it.

She tried to ignore how trapped she felt, yearning for the usual ease that his tight embrace brought instead of this suffocating strain. She felt another scream bubble at the back of her throat as she let the weight of his arms take her somewhere almost worse, somewhere she wasn’t just struggling to breathe anymore, but now felt like she had absolutely no air to even try.

“Pidge?! Hey, talk to me, where you at?”

She pulled away from Shiro, his voice piercing her ears like a small explosion. He immediately retracted and searched her face for an explanation but it was just filled with fear as she drew her knees up to her chest, clutched her hands over her ears and tried not to give into the sobs until she had enough air to support such heavy crying.

But it soon became blatantly clear that she couldn’t get enough air in when her face had gone slack and her sobs had all but stopped except for the croak of her tired throat as she desperately tried to pull in air, the strong arms around her releasing completely now, more hands finding her back and tapping her shoulder.

“Pidge, you need to take a breath, the air is there. You’re—damnit it, you’re going to pass out if you don’t try. Is Lance on his way over? Okay, can you go get water and a...”

The rest was lost on her as black continued to impede her vision, Shiro’s usually warm and calming voice now just as sharp as the sting in her lungs and cut with worry. Tears still flowed down her cheeks to meet under her chin and continue down her neck, but they came silently, the hollow rasp from her throat as she struggled through irregular and rapid breaths barely audible anymore. She almost wished that she would just pass out already, let her body’s self preservation instincts break the unbearable cycle of panic it tortured her with.

But Shiro wouldn’t let her, he was just about ready to administer rescue breaths with how pale she had gotten before Lance arrived.

“Shit, Pidge, what the hell? You usually do so well with the breathing excercise I showed you... but it’s okay, this happens.”

Lance settled himself next to Pidge on the other side of Shiro and began to work one of her fists open, her hand was now lax for the most part, so it wasn’t hard and did the same with the other before putting his hand on her back while the other corded through her hair.

“I’m going to stretch your arm out so you can— damnit you’re really tensed up, do you think you can relax your arm a bit?” He questioned tenderly as he began gently easing her arm away from her chest, holding her hand while rubbing at the clenched up muscles as they released their tension.

“Yeah, just like that... you’re doing so good,” he murmured as he took her shaking hand up to his chest and pressed her pliant fingers down. After a minute she looked around lazily, her body still racked with trembling sobs before soft fingers were tipping her chin to meet a warm smile mouthing ‘hey’.

Shiro watched in a mix of awe and confusion as Lance handled Pidge’s crisis, ignoring the hesitation in his eyes because his voice was so steady and his so hands sure that it didn’t matter that he didn’t know in the slightest of what he was doing. He was just being him, this was his nature, to be able to read someone so well and provide them with such tenderness.

“Want to try and listen to how I breathe?”

She parted her lips as if to speak but a particularly pointed sob prevented it, Lance seemed to get the point though and shifted his legs around.

“I’ll let you settle in and you tell me when you’re ready for me to return the hug...”

Lance tugged on her other sleeve and guided into a cautionary embrace, his touch light and his hands remaining on her arms as she found the spot on his chest where she could practically hear his heart moving against his ribs, but... not quite.

Everything sounded muffled now, like she was under water but wasn’t prepared to take a deep enough breath before being shoved beneath the surface.

Except she was comepltely aware that she wasn’t actually under water. Like it was all a cruel joke where she was tortured while she watched everyone else around her breathe easily. Her mind still able to rationalize that even though she felt like she was, she wasn’t actually dying.

But Lance wasn’t flaunting the fact that he could breathe, he was trying to remind her how she could too. He squeezed her arms each time her hands tightened around the material of his sweatshirt, reminding her that she should be thinking about how his chest was working, pushing all the other junk in her mind away for now.

“Feel how my voice carries when I talk... how controlled each breath is... think about what you can feel and hear and touch... they’re things you can perceive... things you can control, don’t focus on what you can’t...”

Okay, he’s right. I can do that. Try to do that.

She shuddered through a round of hitches in her sobbing and pressed her face further into Lance’s chest, not even having the mind to worry about how wet it was getting with her tears.

Think about what you can feel...

She could feel the thumping of his heart even if she wasn’t quite hearing it at that moment, her mind making up the difference and leading her to imagine the sound it must be making each time it does... and how the air being pushed out through his nose must be whistling... and how the constant reverberations must mean he was... humming.

But then it stopped as he took a big breath and let Pidge rise with his chest as it expanded, sure to let it out just as steadily.

Her chest seemed to loosen then, her body rushing to take in as much air as it could before the panic spiked again.

“I’m going to hug back now, you let me know if you—oh, okay, I’m here, Shiro’s here too. You’re okay,” he ran his hands through her hair and pressed her tightly to his chest, his legs coming up to plant his feet firmly on either side of her as he began slowly rocking them back and forth.

It felt nice. He moved them carefully, slow enough that she could have been asleep in his arms and she wouldn’t have been disturbed, but also so securely that her mind couldn��t disappear the presence of his hands bracing her back and circling through her hair.

But the lull didn’t last long.

It wasn’t his fault, this is just how it went. When she got bad like this, the panic came and went in waves. If her body still had nervous energy left, it didn’t matter how much she managed to calm down, she would have to start from square one until there was nothing left in her to continue.

No!

Shiro was just as surprised as Lance when her voice cracked, the soothing sounds she was murmuring to herself as she worked her breaths closer and closer to normal broken by a wail.

Fuck!

Fuck you, fuck this, fuck—everything.

“-dge? Pidge?!”

“We’re still here, you’re still alright.”

“Give me a sec... there ya go, better?”

He’d turned her around so that her back was against his stomach and then held his hand up in front of her to show her before he closed it and lowered it to her chest, she knew what he was going to do and melted into him further as he began to rub gentle but firm circles over her sternum.

“Ahh... ahah, f-fuck,” she sobbed beneath him, she shuddered under the touch, her hands searching for something else, anything else to ground her and stumbling upon Shiro’s on one side and her thigh on the other.

She squeezed tight on both as she fought desperately not to slip again, feeling the way her body wanted to become light again.

Nope, we are just not doing that shit again.

She was so mentally done with this, but her body seemed to be losing energy too. She could feel it tiring, losing the warewithal to continue its draining overreaction. Turns out not having rested at all after their mission just to drop like this was a blessing in way, she was scared of how long she’d have been able to go if she wasn’t already worn out.

She forced her eyes shut and focused on Lance’s fingers, his knuckles pressing hard, but not hard enough to hurt. She’d almost wish he was. The rhythmic motion was heavenly because she couldnt ignore it as he kept the pressure there above her heart.

She gasped when she started coming back to herself, feeling the sudden shift when she seemed to be given the reigns back on her own breathing, sucking in huge gulps when she finally could control it.

“That’s it, you’re doing so good... listen to how I do it.”

Shiro was massaging the residual tremors out of her hand as he held it, the additional release of tension aiding in grounding her further.

She was faintly aware of the lab door opening but was too focused on not losing her pace, her breaths still manual and unsteady but a hell of a lot better than before.

“Oh...” it was Keith, he sounded worried.

She was confused for a moment before a hand was on her thigh.

“Hey,” Lance’s hand was at her wrist now. “Oh Pidge, don’t-don’t do that.”

Keith was trying to lift her fingers up but stopped when he saw that pearls of blood were starting to form beneath them and didn’t want his struggle with her to make it worse.

“Crap.”

“Pidge let—Pidge you gotta let go.”

The hurt in Lance’s voice stung. She wasn’t even aware she’d been doing that, but she couldn’t bring herself to break the iron grip, this peace was so tenuous and she couldn’t afford fucking it up.

When she didn’t respond Lance exchanged a knowing look with Keith who moved his hand under the palm of hers before both boys wrenched her hand up, surpressing how sharply he breathed when he saw the trail of red with sheaths of skin uprooted and purple crescents dotted about.

They sort of just stared, lost for a second, neither of them quite sure how to proceed.

“I got it,” Shiro offered as he took the offending hand from them, Pidge’s gaze still somewhere else.

There was a moment of silence before anyone talked or moved again.

“Pidge, hey. Keith brought water for when you feel up to it.”

Keith was kneeling next to them now, pouring cold water onto a rag and wringing it out before showing it to Lance.

“He’s got something cold to put on your face, maybe over your eyes? They must hurt...”

She blinked absently, silent tears making their way down her cheeks.

“This should help, ready?”

It took a second but she finally nodded and then the rag was descending on her swollen and bloodshot eyes. She jumped at first but he continued and once it was fully laid on it was bliss. The coolness calmed the angry puffiness and the pressure kept new tears from falling.

“I’m... gonna put something on your leg. It might sting, but it’s also cold so it’ll feel nice,” Keith said wiping up the small drops of blood that escaped the scratch wounds before pressing whatever it was down on top for a beat.

They weren’t bleeding much, the skin torn literally just enough to bleed. She also couldn’t really feel it, the area just felt numb and stiff. She hadn’t meant to draw blood, she just needed something that felt real to bring her back.

A spark of shame lit deep in her gut as realization dawned on her, she had hurt herself. Sure it was subconscious, but she still did, literally with Lance and Shiro right there trying to help. But she pushed those thoughts away.

She was far from perfectly fine, still working through the after shocks and residual anxiousness that followed. She sort of felt sick to her stomach and couldn’t stop swaying her leg back and forth as she lay against Lance, his grip as tight as ever, with Shiro still caging her unsteady hands in his.

Keith had gotten a blanket at some point to drape over her and kept removing the rag to re wet it with the cold water that she didn’t quite trust herself to drink yet.

“How ya feeling?” Lance murmured into her hair.

She hummed in response.

“Gonna take that as better, right?”

She nodded and then grimaced when Keith took the rag away once more and opened her eyes only to realize how much pressure had built behind them.

“What’s up?” Shiro asked when he noticed her face twisting up.

“My head hurts.”

“Hm, Coran has some sort of aspirin equivalent somewhere and... you could lie down, try going to sleep until dinner—oh! Hunk is making your favorite, he figured everyone needs a good meal after today.”

“Sounds nice,” she almost slurred, her head snuggling into the crook of Lance’s arm. She still shook as if she were cold, even with the blanket.

The three of them discussed something for several minutes but she tuned the conversation out, too busy relishing in how she could breathe again, only a small part of her worried about relapsing back into hysteria as the waves of panic returned smaller and smaller.

“Pidge? You awake?” Lance asked, trying not to eat her hair.

“Soooo, we were thinking of having dinner in the common room tonight, we think you should eat something before you turn in and we don’t want you to be alone just yet, also so you can be snuggled at all times... what do ya think?”

She smiled and scrunched her nose up with and enthusiastic ‘sure’.

“How bout I give you a lift?” Shiro smirked fondly as he squatted down and motioned for her to hop on his back.

They all had a good laugh at that, Keith and Lance joking about how they’ll never receive the same star treatment.

“I think it’s safe to say the meeting is rescheduled for the morning, sorry Lance!”

“Whateverrrr! The things I do for you, Pidge,” he laughed as they settled in on the couch, Hunk almost suffocating her when he was done serving their meal.

“I’m never letting go, I hope you are aware of that.”

“Not complaining, just... can I have my arm back? Thanks.”

“What was even on the drive—“

“We do not speak of... of that, Princess.”

“Pidge can run her diagnostics again before tomorrow’s meeting and then after that she’s on an electronic hiatus. Also everyone’s going to their rooms at curfew from now on, no exceptions. You people are humans and you need sleep!”

“But Shiro!”

“At curfew? Like at exactly curfew?”

“Yes Keith.”

“Space...“

“Lance. Lance, do not say it.”

“✨Space dad✨ has entered the chat.”

#pidge whump #voltron pidge #pidge gunderson #vld #vld anxiety #vld headcanons #vld fanfic #voltron whump #voltron fic #space dad #i am SORRY i had to #pidge angst #vld lance #soft comfort here #intense emotions #relatable anxiety #panic attack #could be triggering #voltron fandom

[alounuitte]

halfway home

After evading capture by the Garrison's staff, Keith deals with a friend who needs help - and some unwanted guests. (Set during the pilot.)

if you ship shiro with keith (or any of the other paladins) don’t even look at this i’ll block you on sight if you mention or tag this as shipping.

chapter 1/4

Keith pulls back on the throttle sharply and spins to a stop beside the house, dust kicking up into the air as he powers down the engines and the bike settles to the ground. “Oh, gosh,” groans the big guy, whose name Keith still can’t remember; the bike rocks slightly as he sways where he’s perched on the back. “Oh, man, I don’t feel good.”

“Get off my bike if you’re gonna hurl,” Keith tells him with a glance over his shoulder, and jumps to the ground himself, turning quickly to steady Shiro as he slumps forward. “Hey, man, are you with me? Shiro?”

Shiro stirs and mumbles something incomprehensible, his eyes flickering open halfway before closing again. Whatever the Garrison medics gave him must have been pretty strong stuff. Keith sighs and shakes his head, pulling Shiro’s arm around his shoulders to help him down from the bike.

“So, uh, what’s this place?” the scrawny one - Lance - asks, looking up at the house. “Some kinda secret safe house, or what?”

“It’s where I live,” Keith replies, frowning at him. “It’s just my house.”

“Wow,” Lance says. “What a dump.”

Fury prickles hot under his skin, but Keith bites his tongue and tries to ignore the jab. “Come on,” he says, putting an arm around Shiro’s back to support him. Fuck, he can feel his ribs through the thin, ragged shirt he’s wearing. What the hell happened to him? “Let’s get inside, okay?”

He pushes open the door and pulls Shiro over the threshold, moving to kick it closed just as the tiny cadet with the glasses he doesn’t recognize moves to come inside. “Hey, wait,” the kid protests, quickly stepping in to stop him. “What about us?”

“I didn’t mean you,” Keith says, trying to push him back outside with one hand.

“What?” Lance protests, scrambling down from the bike to join his tiny friend. “But we totally helped with your rescue mission!”

“More like got in the way,” Keith snaps. “I came back for Shiro, no one asked you three to get involved—“

“So you’re just gonna strand us out in the desert?” Lance argues, gesturing at the open landscape with one hand. “Where are we gonna go when you live out in the middle of nowhere?”

“Not my problem,” Keith tells him, shrugging. “You’re the ones who decided to hitchhike with me.”

“I’m not leaving til I get to talk to him,” says the one in glasses stubbornly, ducking under Keith’s arm to push his way into the house.

“And we can’t go back to the Garrison,” Lance says, wedging his foot in the door before Keith can slam it shut. “We’re gonna get suspended, or expelled like you—“

“Shut up!” Keith snarls, his free hand curling into a fist at his side.

“Keith?” Shiro asks, his voice thick and slurred as he lifts his head. “Where… what’s…”

“You awake now?” Keith asks, trying to focus on Shiro instead of the others trying to intrude. “Come on, you should sit down.”

“The Garrison,” he mumbles. “They need to - I’ve got to tell them…”

“So, uh,” says the big guy as he appears in the open doorway behind Lance, looking a little unsteady.  “What’s - what happens now? What’s the plan? Do we have a plan?”

“We don’t have a plan,” Keith says, annoyed. “I do, and it doesn’t involve any of you.”

“Well, he’s obviously not thinking clearly,” Lance says, jerking his head at Shiro. “Iverson just tried to lock him up and he wants to go back there!”

“Yeah, no offense, sir,” the big one adds, “but any of us going back to the Garrison right now seems like a bad idea.”

“You don’t… understand,” Shiro manages, trying to push himself upright. “They’re coming, we don’t have much time, I need to get in contact with Flight Command—“

“Sir, I don’t know if the Garrison can be trusted,” the little one says, standing up straighter himself. “They hid the truth about what happened to the Kerberos mission—“

“Stop!” Keith tells him, glowering. “All of you, stop talking—“

He breaks off as Shiro sways and slumps sideways, ducking under his arm again to support him.

“Look,” he says, “if you all want to stay here for the night, fine. But I don’t want you getting in the way, and I don’t want any of you bothering Shiro right now, got it?”

He crosses the room carefully, still supporting most of Shiro’s weight, and helps him to the couch to sit down.

“Hey, man,” he says, perching on the arm of the couch to rest a hand on Shiro’s shoulder. “Can you hear me?”

Shiro stirs a little and groans faintly, trying to lift his head, but if he’s trying to say something he doesn’t manage it. Keith swallows hard.

“He’s gonna need some time to sleep off the sedative they gave him,” he mutters aloud, more for his own benefit than for the bunch of strangers who are now standing in his living room. “Guess asking any questions is gonna have to wait until morning.”

“What about the aliens?” the big guy asks, fidgeting nervously. “You know, the ones he said are coming? Here? To Earth?”

“What did I just say?” Keith asks, annoyed. “I don’t know any more than you do, and Shiro’s still too out of it to tell anyone anything.”

“I mean, yeah, but,” he protests, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “Shouldn’t we, I don’t know, do something? Tell somebody?”

“Who?” asks the little one, adjusting his glasses. “Who is gonna believe us when even the Garrison wouldn’t listen?”

“Okay, okay, just because Iverson wouldn’t listen,” Lance begins.

“I thought you didn’t wanna go back,” the big guy reminds him.

Lance shakes his head quickly. “Oh, no, no, no, no, I don’t. Even if we wouldn’t get court-martialed, my sister would kill me. I’m just saying--”

“Will all of you be quiet?” Keith shouts at the top of his lungs, and the three cadets all fall silent. “Look, I don’t know what’s going on, or what we should do,” he adds after a moment. “What I do know is that my friend needs time to recover, and my one priority right now is to make sure he’s gonna be okay.”

No one speaks, the three cadets all staring at him wide-eyed, and he’s suddenly far too aware that he looks disheveled and run-down, hardly the picture of some kind of hero even if two of them didn’t know him as that kid who lost his mind last year and got expelled from the academy. Not exactly the kind of guy who inspires trust.

“I’m…” he says, and swallows. “I’m gonna help Shiro lay down. All of you can fight over who gets the couch, or whatever, I don’t care, just - stay down here, okay?”

“Dibs,” Lance says, looking around at the others. The big guy groans.

Keith rolls his eyes, getting to his feet. “Come on, man,” he tells Shiro softly, taking his arm to pull him up. “Let’s get you up to bed.”

Shiro’s still barely conscious, and he has to lean on Keith’s shoulders heavily to stay on his feet, but with Keith’s hand on his back to support and guide him he’s alert enough to walk, at least, and he only stumbles a few times on the stairs. “Keith?” he groans under his breath as they reach the top, his voice still slurred and heavy. “Is… that you?”

“Yeah, it’s me,” Keith says, guiding him into the unused bedroom. “Take it easy, I’ve got you.”  Their footsteps stir up dust from the floor, and he wrinkles his nose, trying not to sneeze.

“Where… are we?” Shiro asks, and coughs weakly.

“My house,” Keith tells him, and swallows. “I mean - my dad’s house, you know, where I…”

“You’ve gotta warn them,” he manages, trying to pull himself upright. “They need to know, Keith, if Iverson won’t listen…”

“I know,” Keith assures him. “I promise, we’ll figure things out in the morning, okay? Right now I think you need to sleep.”

"...Yeah," he agrees slowly, slumping against Keith's shoulder. "Okay."

He all but collapses onto the dusty mattress when Keith goes to help him sit down, and crawls into bed with a groan, struggling clumsily to pull at the covers. Keith tugs the quilt out from under him, swallowing a lump in his throat as he drapes it over Shiro's shoulders. "Night, Shiro," he says quietly.

There's no answer; Shiro's already lapsed back into unconsciousness.

Keith sighs and brushes his hair out of his face, turning away. From the closet he pulls out one of his dad's old t-shirts, examining it in the dim light to determine it's probably around Shiro's size. As quietly as he can, he digs out a pair of jeans and Dad's old vest as well, grimacing at the musty smell of clothes long left untouched. He'll need to wash them first, but Shiro's going to need something other than those rags to wear.

The others in the living room are still awake; he can hear them talking as he creeps back downstairs, but they go quiet before he comes around the corner. At least if they're pretending to sleep they won't try to talk to him, he thinks, and hurries past to the laundry before any of them change their minds about that.

When he’s put the clothes into the wash and started the cycle, he sits down next to the machine and leans back against the cool metal, drawing his knees up to his chest.

In the quiet, with just the rumble of the machine to keep him company, the reality of what’s just happened finally starts to sink in, and he screws his eyes shut as they well up with tears. He’s not going to cry about it, not now, not when he finally knows for sure that Shiro’s okay - and especially not when there are three near-strangers in his living room who could overhear. He takes a deep breath through his teeth to steady himself, lets it out slowly so it rumbles in his chest. He’s not going to cry.

He’d never really thought Shiro was dead. Not when the Garrison reported the loss of the mission, anyways, because the upper brass must have been kidding themselves if they thought passing it off as pilot error would fool anyone. But when weeks passed, and then months, with no renewed contact, no sign of anyone on the crew, no more information on what could have happened - a part of him had started to think he was never going to see him again. And now that he’s back, home —

Keith’s breath catches in his throat and comes out as a choked sob. Shit. He buries his face in his folded arms, tears burning in his eyes. He’s not going to cry, he tells himself, swallowing hard. He’s not.

A tear leaks through his lashes despite his best efforts to fight it back; he feels it hot on his cheek before it runs down into the sleeve of his jacket. He sobs again and presses a hand to his mouth, biting into his skin to smother the sound.

Pull it together, Keith, he tells himself. Shiro needs you. His teeth dig into the heel of his hand until it hurts, until he can feel his pulse in his palm. He takes a deep breath and lets it out before wiping his eyes with the end of his sleeve. He has to be ready to help when Shiro's up - getting him these new clothes is a step, but he'll need to eat, too, and he'll probably still be as confused and frantic as before when he comes around. He's going to need someone around he can count on.

The washer spins to a stop slowly, and he pulls out the change of clothes to throw them in the dryer before he heads upstairs. He can leave them down there for a bit once they're dry if he has to, and he's still much too aware of the three cadets in the living room who he hopes are asleep by now.

At the top of the stairs, he pauses in front of Dad's room, looking around the edge of the door at Shiro where he's sprawled on his back on top of the covers, motionless except for the fair rise and fall of his chest. For a minute he just watches him, tries to keep his own breathing steady despite the tightness in his chest and the lump in his throat. He's not going to cry.

With a sigh he  turns away and slinks into his own room, curling up in bed without pulling the covers up. He's done everything he can before Shiro wakes up, he tells himself. The best thing he can do now is wait.

#belong to the sky verse #we came from the earth (but we belong to the sky) #vld #voltron legendary defender #keith kogane #voltron keith #takashi shirogane #voltron shiro #broganes #vldfic #the others are here too but #fic: halfway home

[goldstonegolem64]

This was a massive pain in the to finish and sorry it took so long to finish this one. But hey better late then Never  there will be an epilogue followed by me moving all the chapters being moved over to my new Ao3 account  but before that I'm going to take a week off of writing . So with out further a due enjoy

Hope returns   Final Chapter Clash of titans By Goldstonegolem64

Allure was sleeping an would be dreaming of Her home. But instead she found herself standing in the cockpit of the blue lion. She wondered why She was here. Maybe Leonidas wanted to talk to her.

“ Alright Leonidas what is it you would like to talk about “ Allura asked but there was no response “  Leonidas ?” Still no answer. But she did hear someone humming coming from the pilots seat . The Voice sounded familiar to her. So she walked closer to pilots seat expecting to see Lance but no She saw herself wearing Paladin Armor with pink as the secondary color. She was taken aback by this. Why was she in the blue lion where was Lance. But then she heard herself Singing

“ Don’t stop me now I'm going haven such a good time. I’m haven a ball” The other Allura sang as she was turning on the blue lion. 

Allure looked out the right eye of the blue lion an saw people wearing what looked like Adams flight suit. She also saw dozens of jetfighter that looked like Adam’ s jet as well. She was confused by what she was seeing. But something About this place felt Familiar . But she couldn't place where she had seen it before. But her thoughts were cut off when Shiro’s voice came over the P.A System 

[ Attention to all Paladins and M.E.F. We will be reach the meet up point in t-minus five minutes be ready for deployment and my we get out of this Alive ] Shiro said Followed by Keith’s voice coming of the blue lion’s comm

{ Alright teen this is it the final fight hopefully Is everybody ready?} He asked 

{ Am a little nervues but that's just me every time we going on a mission so i’m good } Hunk said

{ It would be a bad sign if you weren't worried Bud. Also Red and I are ready to go  } Lance said

{ Me and Green are ready } Pidge chimed in

“ Blue and I are ready “ The other Allura said 

{Good to hear now once we get there will met up with Jay and his team. After that we will be leading the charge .Stay close to each other were still The highest on Haggar’s Hit list } 

{ Got it } They all said 

Allura stood there wondering what was going on. But before she could see what would happen next her alarm went off. She awake back in her room. the lights in the room turned an the Door opened an Coran walked in carrying a tray of food 

“ Good morning Princess I brought you breakfast “ He said with a massive smile on his face as he placed the tray on Allura’s lap 

“ Thank you Coran. What time is it”   She asked as she rubbed Sleep from her eyes

“  It is currently 6:30. will be leave in with in the hour ” Coran said 

“ Good to know “ Allura said still a little confused 

“ Are you alright Allura?”

“ Yeah just a weird dream” 

“ What was It about?” coran  asked 

Allura though back to the dream but she couldn’t remember what it was “ I Can’t remember sadly”  

“ It happens so how are you feeling princess”  

“ I’m fine but just a little nervous.”

“ We all are” Coran said as he put a hand on Allura shoulder. Coran was about say something but held back

Allura noticed this “  Coran what is wrong “

Coran stayed quiet for a few seconds “ You know the among of power need to make the ring work could kill you “

“ I know but that is a chance that I'm willing to take .I know it hurts you to her that but look at it this way. I will dead saving trillions so it will be worth it “

Coran’s smile faded but came back not as bright as before  “ Your father would ‘be so proud of you if he were here” A

“ Thanks for that coran. If I may ask is there anything else I need to know ?”  She asked as she started eating her Breakfast

Coran rubbed his chin and though for a few second thinking about it “ No thing that comes to mind” He replied 

“ Good to know “ Allura replied as the Altean mice walked onto the tray an started eat some of the food on the tray. Allura petted the large yellow an continued to tak to coran

 Thirty minutes later. Allura and Coran walked into the Bridge and Found Most of The paladins minus Adam  and Jay 

‘ Morning everyone Where Is Jay and Adam?” She asked 

“ Jay say good bye to his kids and Adam is staying behind to make sure Izuku as one parent still around just in case we fail the Mission Also Jay said he would meet us in obirt o we don’t have to wait for him “  Shiro replied 

Elsewhere

Jay stood in front of his sons who were half a sleep on the couch each one wrapped in a blanket do to Jay walking them up so he could say his goodbyes and give them a small list of things to do while he was out “ Alright you three . I’m going to be gone for the next two to three hours so I want you three on your best behavior for Ezra and Adam . An when your sisters wake up do your best to play with them and read to them please” Jay said 

“Dad I cant read remember” Fitz said as he was fighting to keep his eyes open

“ Your getting better at” Jay counter  

“ Still “ Fitz replied 

“ Ok Fitz inability to read aside “

“ Hey !!” Fitz said 

“love you bud. Is there anything you guy need to tell me before I head out?” Jay asked as he picked up his helmet off the coffee table.

“ Can you stay here “  Bastion  said softly as he hide his face in his blanket 

 “What was that Bas” Jay Asked 

“ Can you stay Here “ bastion said again as he sunk deeper into the blanket

 Jay walked over to the blanketed Bastion and crocheted down to be on eye level with bastion   “ You know I can’t stay Buddy”

“ I know but still what if you don't come back ?" Bastion aaked

"Then Adam will take you to Marsand you will stay with my dad and my siblings. But me not coming back is highly unlikely so don’t worry” Jay replied as he pulled Bastion into a hug. “ Now I have to go” Jay said as he broke off the hug “Are you going to be alright ?”

“ I’ll be fine and I'm still going worry”

“ Good I would be worry if you weren’t “Jay said as he patted Bastion on the head. He then got up and hugged Fitz. 

“ Stay safe”  Fitz said

 “ I’ll do my best bud” Jay replied He then walked over to the Sleeping Usamu and kissed him on the forehead.” Sleep tight buddy “ 

“Bye Dad have a nice Mission ‘ Usamu said as he opened his eye slightly 

“ I will “ Jay replied as he put his Salvager Helmet on then walked out the Cargo by door and towards the Valkyrie as he walked toward the Valkyrie. He saw Adam with two sentries holding supplies following behind him. In Adam's arms was a Sleep Izuku. The two men didn't stop to talk to each other. But spoke to each other in passing

" make sure you Bring my husband home safely please?" Adam asked

"I'll do my best but no promises "jay replied as he entered the Valkyrie 

Adam smiled a little “try your best I want my Son to have two parents in his life “

“Will try are best Adam don't you worry “ VAl said

“ That’s all I ask” Adam said as he walked into the Prometheus 

“So are we ready to go my Pilot” 

“I'm as ready as I'll very be   “ Jay replied as he sat down and started turning on the engines

“  Alright then let go then” Val saiis as she slowly took to the sky and after slowly going up they  rocketed skywards an after a few minutes of flying upwards. The Valkyrie broke orbit an found itself in the middle of armada of Rebel ships, fighters, smaller olkari Cubes And the Vanguard which spotted them an waved to them before opening a huge wormhole an slowly started letting ships in. the two then looked around trying to find the Castle of lions in the mess of ships an when they finally saw it braking orbit it had the four original Cubes orbiting it. 

“there They are ‘ Val said as  then started moving towards the castle as they did dozens of Fighters started to follow them 

“ I do not like them following us my pilot they might throw the plan if the continue to follow us” Val said as the fighters continued to follow them

“ You worry to much Val they’re just getting a good look at the legendry Valkyries right before it heads off to save the universe.”  Jay said as the fighters started to disperse the closer to the Valkyrie  got to the Castle. “ See Val your worried about nothing “ As the Valkyrie flow past the bridge followed by Allura voice coming over the comms 

[ Are you docking or are you going to follow us through the worm hole?] Allura ask 

Jay was quite for a few second as he turned of the Valkyrie’s Black Box to record everything that was about to go down “ So Val we docking or are we flying through the worm hole  ?” Jay asked his metal friend

“ Wormhole so we can just jump into the fray once were out of the wormhole “ Val replied 

“ Alright then just stay close by. We don’t want to lose you” Allura said as the armada of rebel Ships entered the Vanguard’s Wormhole Followed the cloud of cubes   the planned location After all the ships left. Allura opened up a wormhole an flow into it Followed by the Cubes and the Valkyrie 

As the Group traveled throughout the Wormhole

“ So before we get there Kolivan have we gotten any word from your man on the inside yet ?” Shiro asked 

“ No we tried before leave and we tried to contacted him as we were Leaving Olkarion . But still no answer we believe he has been Captured “   

Everyone felt a chill run down there spine.

“ Do you think Zarkon knowns were coming should we call off the Attack”  Allura asked 

“ No Thace is one of are best we trained he to with stand the greatest of physical and mental Tortures. An I believe that if we pull back are attack know  we might never get a better chance but will need to come up with a plan to turn off Central commands power.” Kolivan said 

“ Jay lets hear your Idea first just to get it out of the way “ Lance said 

{ Ok hear me out} Jay said with a smile on his face 

At the Galra center command

Harley lay in their cell/ room that was given to them by Zarkon for capturing Thace. She lay on her bed looking at the new design for her mech War dog. She didn't  like the new design and as she looked at it the door to the Cell opened and her brother walked int

“ Hello brother how was your two hours of freedom from this room ?” She asked 

“ Yes I did “ Quinn said as he sat on his bed then grabbed the data pad that was on his pillow “ What's this ? “ he Asked as he turned the Data pad on an saw the upgrades done to the halberd. The first being an updated auto pilot. Better armor,  Stronger engines. a Cloaking Device which was surprising but welcome, An new Gauss Rifle along with six chips plus a super sized high powers Plasma pistol made to punch through  heavy armored targets like the Valkyrie’s wings or Voltron’s shield, Then there was his long sword  “ Wow they’re really are gearing us up just to fail. I mean why give me all the gear if were going to lose it once Voltron shows up” Quinn said as he tossed the data pad back on the pillow followed by him scratching the back of his right ear  causing the ear to glow Seeing this Harley scratched the back of her ear causing the same thing to happen but she then returned to looking at the data pad .  this turned on  the psionic implant that the twin had install years before being captured . The implants allowed the twins to talk wordlessly only at close range. It made making  escape plans easier when no one could hear you or even detected then seeing as psionic implants were organic and no cybernetics the glowing ear was just a way for the twin to tell when to use it   

{ So Sister have you finally figure out what the Chip was “ Quinn asked through the psionic implant

{ Yes I have. It’s an override chip it helps Hackers instant control over what they want. I don’  t know what Thace want but I'm guessing it was to disable the stations Defensives for when voltron showed up again } Harley said 

{ Good to know } 

{ So do you still have it ?} She asked 

{ Yes I do.} Quinn opened his mouth an stuck out his tongue an showed off the chip then pulled his tongue back in  {Now what are we going to do with it  }    

{ Don’t know maybe do the same as Thace help Voltron an while everyone is distracted will Kill Zarkon or we leave and go to one of are old friends an asked them for safe haven} harley said as she put the data pad down

{We'll figure that out later right now we need to figure out how we are going to get thace out of prison} Quinn said as he said that the Door to his room to reveal Two guards

“ Lord Zarkon wishes to speak with you two get up ” One of the Guards ordered

The twins looked at each other then got up

“ Where are we going?” Quinn asked 

“ Shut up” The same guard said 

“ Alright alright I was just asking. no need to bite my head off “ Quinn said with a smile on his face. As he an his sister walked out of their Cell/Room an saw two more guards pulling Skyver out of his room  

“Skyver my guy what do you the almighty emperies wants from us this time?” Harley asked 

“ Don’t know maybe he’s sending us to fix Root Rots Fuck up”Skyver said jokingly 

“ God I hope so I want to take another swing at the Valkyrie “ Quinn said 

“ Same here I want pay back “ Harley added 

The three of them continued to talk as they walked to the throne room/ Bridge. The three were lined up in front of Both Zarkon and Haggar

“ Hello you three I have a mission for you to under take “ Zarkon said as he tapped a button on his throne an a screened appeared an showed off a green an blue Planet ‘ This Planet is Called earth, It’s a simple world that house carbon base life living on it called human. They are very interesting race seeing as they were actively give out there location to anyone who would listen an thats how we found this planet in the first place and it’s also the home world of the Paladins of Voltron’ As Zarkon said that several more pictures appeared Show of Lance, Pidge , Keith ,Shiro ,Adam And Hunk with the words missing over the picture of Lance, Pidge ,Keith and Hunk’s pictures and deceased over Shiro’s, Adam’s and Matt’s Picture “ An those are the paladins themselves. Lance McClain, Hunk Garret, Katie and Mathew Holt, Keith Kogane ,Takatsuki Shirogane and Adam Winchester. “   

“ Ok So do we have names to faces and the location of their home world. what is are mission then to conquer this world for you “ Skyver asked  

“ No I want you three to capture the family’s of this four we will use them as a bargaining Chip ”  Zarkon said as he brought up the pictures of Lance, Hunk, Matt Pidge “ After current events I am focused to rethink  my strategy to capturing Voltron and the Valkyrie” 

“ Then why aren’t we kidnapping the Silver Paladin’s Family “ Harley said

“ We have yet to find the home word of the Silver Paladin yet seeing as the drone we sent to was shot Down by an unseen force” zarkon said 

‘ Alright when are we heading out then” Quinn asked 

“ You will be heading out with in the hour” But as he said that Alarms started going of. “ What is going on “

“ Lord Zarkon Something as tripped are scanner “ one of the console workers said 

“ What was it “ Zarkon said 

“ We don’t know something tripped the north east sector.  it was there for just a second then it disappeared an were having trouble location it again” the same worker said 

“  Have ever warship, Fighter War Machen ,and the shipyards on high alert a scrabble the fighters and mechs currently  dock here and in the Carriers. If it’s the Valkyrie then we want to capture both her and her pilot alive same thing goes for the green lion as well. An you three get to you mechs and help in the search. I want them found and their pilot brought to me!!”   Zarkon ordered as he got up from his throne an summoned the black Bayard

Elsewhere

A cloaked Valkyrie slowly moved through the not crowded Void that surrounded Galra Central Command. In the cockpit of the Valkyrie was Jay and  Keith 

“ OK we’ve got them  to scrabble their fighters and mechs that’s a loot of mechs that is a lot of mechs “  Jay said as he piloted the Valkyrie towards a Open Hanger bay that had Mechs coming out of it..  the Valkyrie landed it opened its chest then reached into the chest space and pulled out a large crate sized device and placed it on the floor followed by Jay and Keith Walking out. They both walked over to the device an Jay an turned it on. The device let out a low hum as it came to life. “ Ok Keith I have set this thing to blow in twenty five minute meaning  you have fifteen minutes to get in and out before it before it blow and five minute of wiggle room to work with. so once you find are target contact either me or anyone else  and if shit hits the fan just  head to the nearest come back here I will pick you up. But if you run into trouble or think hit the fan fine another way out  and make sure to tell me what happening so I can active trigger the emp ”He tapped on his wrist computer showing a remote detonator “  even if this thing isn’t at full power it will knock out the power for about half hour maybe less if they can get their secondary power up. But then again I commissioned this think to be able to knock out secondary systems and ever back up systems “ Jay said as he patted the Olkari make  E.M.P Bomb that he had commissioned  During his first trip to Olkari “ Now good lucky and Stay safe “ Jay stuck out his hand 

Keith first set up a timer for how long he had until the bomb went off then he looked to Jay  “ You too  and give them hell ” Keith said as he took Jay’s hand and shook it 

“ Oh we will “ Jay said   as he walked back into the cloaked Valkyrie 

Keith smile a little as he felt the air shift as  the Valkyrie left the Hanger After that he walked toward the door that lead out of the Hanger .Keith turn on his wrist mounted computer and started scanning for luxanite the material that made up all of the Blades knives. He found one trace an started running towards it 

Outside in space a still cloaked slowly moved to one of the Massive octagon   shaped repair station. The Valkyrie moved to the top of it and hover over it by just a few feet above it stood there waiting

“  You ready my pilot?”  Val asked as she Changed the wings from the normal set to the Drill wings and closed them around them an started to spin 

“ Yeah I'm just a little nervous but hey that just part of the Job now lets give them hell”  Jay said as he pushed the engines to there max sending the Valkyrie upwards then Back down onto the Repair bay. the Valkyrie punched through  the Repair bay an caused  a quarter of the repair bay to explode sending massive Chunks of now super heated metal  flying in random direction. Some just moved through space while other slammed into near by warship crippling them of just out right destroyed  them . The Valkyrie continued to do punch through any near by  warship leaving a path of destruction in there wake  

As they did they the Valkyrie notice a small unit of V-types trying to follow them.Some where trying to shoot at them while other were trying to catch up to them and they  wielding either  Swords ,Axes , Hammers  and what looked like a shook baton. Seeing this the Both Val and Jay to make a U-turn and flow right into casing group. But right before the when into the group. The wings opened mid spin and raveled the Valkyrie Scythe in hand they used the momentum from their spinning to become a massive blender as the cut through the first few members of the group. This cause the rest of the group to dispersed but some still got hit by the scythe causing them to lose a leg an arm or a had their weapon destroyed.

The Valkyrie stopped Spinning to prevent Jay passing out from dizziness. As the stood there they looked around and Saw dozens of  V-types robeasts along with hundreds of fighter and a few warships  surrounding them weapon drawn and aimed at them. 

“ Yes it do seem that way my pilot and even if we were to counter this the power absorbed would severely damage my internal systems and you might die from the feed back.”  VAl said as she de-summoned the scythe .As she did that message from the bridge of central command “ We’ve being hailed by the Zarkon himself should I let it through?” Val asked 

“ Let that Ass hat through I want to hear what hehas to sa.” Jay replied followed by the signal coming through.

“ Hello Silver Paladin you were a foul to come here alone. Now give up an hand over the Valkyrie and you and what ever family you have will be Spared . You have a minute to replied .” Zarkon said

“  Ok first off If you ever bring up my family again I will tear you a rip second who said I came alone “ Jay said 

in the Bridge of central command 

“ My Lord we have several  objects moving towards in from the north towards the Valkyrie location “ one of the transmission officers said followed by a screen appearing showing the Green , Blue, Yellow and Black lions along with four huge Cubes that moved along side the lions. followed then by the eight of them opening fire on the fleet that surrounded the Valkyrie 

The sudden Appearance of the Lions and Cube caught the small fleet that surrounding  the Valkyrie off guard. This Gave the Valkyrie enough time to summon up the Twin plasma pistol and took well aimed shots at any V-type robeasts making  sure  that they wouldn’t be bothering the lions

“  Took you guys long enough “ Jay said as he Shot another V-type that was aiming their plasma rilfe at the Blue lion

“ You looked like you were having fun an we didn’t want to stop you” Pidge Said as She destroy a warships 

“Your not wrong ”  Jay replied 

“ Now what is Keith's status and what is the Status on the e.m.p”  Shiro asked 

“ Don’t know about Keith mainly do to the fact that it’s been three minutes since I dropped him off. Also the E.M.P has twenty two minutes until it goes off.” Jay replied 

“ Alright team keep them busy and lets hope those three don’t show up “ Shiro said as he summoned up his Jaw blade an dragged it along the side of  a nearby Carrier 

in the bridge of the Zarkon  watch with fury burning in his eye as watch his entire Armada being complete out done by Nine enemy fighters . He Slammed his fist down on his throne “ How can the universe’s most powerful Armada be turned into nothing more then shooting practice for “ zarkon stopped in his tracks 

Haggar looked at her Husband ‘ My Dear what is wrong?” She asked 

“ Why didn’t they form Voltron when they first showed up . Where is the red lion. Scan The entirety of central command look for the red paladin and look in every hanger bay, Airlock and Trash shot”    Zarkon ordered 

“ Yes sir “ one of the Console worker said an after a few seconds “ Sir we found something in Hanger bay 323.  “ As they said that a screen appeared showing of a lone Black Crete looking object  With a blue light faintly coming from it 

“ What is that ?” Haggar asked 

“ I Don’t know by its giving off a small electro magnetic signal. It might be an E.M.P  " the same console officer said

" So they are planning on cutting off the power then what destroyed this place with us inside but that doesn't answer where the red paladin is." Zarkon stopped middle sentence again "stop looking for the red paladin I know where he's going “ Zarkon said as he started walk toward the Door 

“ Where are you going ‘ Haggar asked confused as to what he husband was doing 

“ I’m going to meet Alfores successor . Now my dear stay here and lead while I'm out ”   Zarkon said as he walked the door

Back with Keith

He was moving through the a vent of the Central command tying to get to Thace’ s location. It had taken longer the expected do to him having to constantly avoid sentry ,Guard drones and Soldier portals along with the fact that he had to avoid using elevators to get to the floor that Thace was on the off chance that someone on the security dealt just happened to see an trapped him in it .Keith looked at his wrist scanned and saw that the location marker he had placed on the luxanite signature was slow getting bigger a s he got closer to what he guess was either Thace or his room where he left his blade . Which if it were Thace's room. Keith wouldn’t have enough time to keep look for him. As he got closer he hear the faint sound someone screaming. Keith picked up the pass and crawled faster through the vent   

As he got closer the screaming got louder he also saw a vent grate  on the floor and a purple Flashing coming from it “ The hell” Keith said to himself as he got closer . An when he got to the Edge of the Vent he looked down and Saw A hooded man sending out lighting through their hand and into an Galra Strapped to A vertically flipped table. Keith watch for a few second then started looking around the room there wasn’ t much in the room beside a Small Deck sat next to the Table bound Galra and on that deck was several from what he guess where surgical tool and also there was A Very familiar looking Blade. An the moment Keith saw that blade he knew he was where he’ s suppose to be. Keith slowly started to get onto his feet it was very cramped has he crouched in the vent followed by him putting his feet onto the vent grate  and kicked out the  open vent cover and jumped down

The druid was caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the red paladin and was going to retaliate only to be punched in the face causing them to stumble backward .As this happened Keith summoned his Bayard and thrust it forward aiming for the druid's shoulder but do to the druid tripping on his robes causing Keith Bayard to stab into the druid’s chest. Keith held his breath as he watched the Druid's body started to violently distort the just disappear in a flash of purple light .

Keith had no clue what just happened. Did he just kill the druid or did they just teleport out after being stabbed in the chest . But he didn’t have  time to think about what just happened. So he quickly turned to face The Table bound and unconscious Galra who he now knew was Thace. He did a quick scan of Thace’s Vital signs with his helmets scanner and found that Thace was satiable but he also found out that Thace had a cracked Jaw ,several cracked ribs and a survey concussion. Keith quickly moved towards the table and started to undo the energy cuffs as he did Thace started to wake come too

Thace opened his eye an he saw a buried figure doing something .he couldn't tell who it was by sight but the scent the figure was giving off was very familiar to him   “ Krolia Is that you why are you here” Thace said weakly he blinked a few times letting  his Vision return an saw the red paladin who had just finished undoing his right hand binding while looking at him 

“ uh sorry I'm not this Krolia”  Keith said as he walked over to the left hand binding 

“ I got this just hand me my blade the watch the door “ Thace said as as he undid the left hand binding

“  Alright” Keith replied as he walked over to the medical table and grabbed Thace's blade He quickly handed it to Thace 

“ So the plan as begin then ?”   Thace asked as he took back his blade and used it to remove the lg binding 

“ Yes it as and we have “ Keith looked at the timer “  Nine minute until the E.M.P goes off an this place turns into the universe biggest coffin for anyone still in here “  Keith said as he summoned up his Bayard are and walked toward the door  opening and quickly cut down the two sentries guarding this room 

“ You have An E.M.P set up Good to know. Now  what’s you plan for extraction the two of us “ Thace asked as he followed Keith out of the room then down the hall wall leading Keith toward a emergency stairwell that's was put in place it there was a fire on any level  

“ Same way I got in.“Keith then tapped on the side of his helmet” This is Red -1 I Have secured the V.I.P requesting EVAC “Keith wait a few seconds then 

“ This is Black -1 reading you loud and clear Red -1 the Extraction point will be the same as drop off point .Copy” Shiro said 

“ Copy that Black one “ Keith replied as he and Thace ran up the stairwell

Out in the battle 

“Keith is heading back to the Extraction point “Shiro said 

“ We Heard I’ll get there once I get this Guy off Hunk “ Lance said as he froze a few fighter And a V-type that was tailing hunk

“ Don’t worry I got it “ Jay said as he had the Valkyrie tear out the core of A V-type follow by him slamming that same core into the Face of another V-type that tried t get the drop on them. After that The Valkyrie started flying back towards the Extraction point. But was stopped when Something Slammed into to them Followed by them being smashed against the Hull of Central command.by a Very Familiar Harlequin\  faced Robeast 

 Hello Jay it’s been a while  Quinn said with a very noticeable joy in his Voice as He grabbed onto the Valkyrie shoulders  dragged the Valkyrie along the Hull

“ Yeah it has been and it Should as been long. Someone get Keith I'll handle this one]”Jay replied as he  closed the Drill wing round the two of them again and started spinning send the two off in a random Direction to continue there fight 

“ I’m on it “ Pidge said 

“ I Don’t think So “ A New voice said over the comms as a Massive hand  made out of destroyed warships parts and damaged V-type came out of no where an grabbed onto the Green lion. Followed by it being thrown. The Green lion flow through space until it smashed into the Bridge of a destroyed Warship stay motionless  

“Pidge You alright?” Lance  asked as he flow the blue lion worried bout her 

“I’m fine “ Pidge replied  as the green lion started  moving again 

“Guys look out !!” Hunk yelled as he Flow the Yellow lion in front of the both of them and took the Full force of two ion Cannon round causing a huge explosion  to engulf the Yellow lion

Both Pidge and lance were in stunned by What the just watched  . But as the explosion cloud dissipated The Yellow lion floated there but now it had heavy armor covering it

‘Hunk You alright” Lance asked 

“ Yeah I'm  good thought I was about to die for a second there” Hunk replied with a smile on his face 

“ Well I wasn’t trying to kill you I was aiming to disable or badly damage . But not kill” Harley said as she pushed a side the pieces of debris to reveal the new design of the war dog or as she now called it the Snap Dragon IT was Shorter then the original and was missing two of it’s arms. An it had a weird Turtle like body it had two shoulder mounted Canon and the head was like the gladiator’ s and the face plate looked like a harlequin mask 

“ You Should have aimed to kill then it would have been easier to handle them while their were in Shaken by the dead of their friend. But with your brother handling the real threat I think to two of us can handle four lions  “ Skyver said as he appeared his robeast looked the same as his first. But now it slowly moved next to the snap dragon the massive hand made of junk dismantled itself and it pieces started circling the Polaris making  a two rings of  debris followed by cage of electricity surround all them stopping the Cubes from 

“ Look Alive team.’ Shiro said as he flow in front of the other three lion [Keith you might have to find another way out of there we’ve run into some trouble ] But there was nothing but static “No” Shiro said softly to himself know that Keith had no idea what was going on out here. Followed by the though of { Oh Shit} as he dodged out the way of a wave of Scrap metal  

Back in the Central command Keith and Thace ran through the Hall toward the extraction point . But as they were getting closer to the Hanger something felt off causing him to stop.

“What’s wrong ?’Thace asked 

“ Something fells wrong “Keith then tried to contacted Shiro Only to get Static. He then tried Pidge only static. Then he tried to Jay

“Hey buddy can't really talk right now in a bit of a fight ] Jay said as he parried a sword swing from the Halberd

"Ok what happened to the others then ?"Keith asked worried

“ They are currently fighting two robeast in massive Electrical cage . So you might have to fined away out if I can AH  “ Jay was cut off  followed by static.

‘ Shit looks like we need to fine Another way out .” Keith said 

“ Well the best plan are only as strong as the paper they are written. Good thing i know where my person vessel is now follow me if were quick Zarkon will never” Thace was cut off when he saw Zarkon stranded at the other end of the Hall

“ Will never know what . That you escaped or that in the Hanger behind you there lays an Weapon that will disable the power to the station. Which would Allow you to do something . I don’ t know what your plans is and I don’t care to find out “ Zarkon said as he turned his Bayard into it’s Blade form and took up a fighting stands  “ Now either surrender now or die a warriors death.”  

Keith and Thace looked at each other .Thace was the first to acted and pulled out his Blade and Awoken it. Keith did the same but summoned his Bayard to his left hand  duel weirding his blades.

“ Oh good were doing this the fun way then “Zarkon Charged forwards towards the two of them 

While that  battle was going on The Valkyrie and the Halberd were also dueling it out. Both had land on what remained of the repair bay as their dueling ground

‘Rude of you to talk to someone else during are duel “Quinn said as he blocked a spear thrust

“It was rude for you to interrupt that call “ Jay replied as they parried at Blade strike Followed by then doing another spear strike 

“Well I don’t want my bosses to hear what I'm about tell you” Quinn said as he let go of his shield and grabbed  onto the spear .’ The Families of Lance McClain, Hunk Garret and Parents of the Holt are in Danger and so is the earth. And Zarkon as built himself what your friend in blue calls a robeast he might be going to it’s right now” Quinn said 

“what did you say “ Jay asked as fear ran up himself 

“your teammates familiar are in trouble and Zarkon as a robeast build to take on both you and Voltron on and he might be coming to join the fight soon”

‘Why should I trust you” Jay asked As he pulled the Spear back and jumped back and took up a defensive 

“ Don’t know if I'm being honest just make your decision quickly because were getting some unwanted attention “ Quinn said as he spun his finger around 

Jay looked around  and Saw dozens  V-types surrounding them again. He quickly turned of the comms  “ Should we trust him “

“ No I believe we shouldn't but lets play along with it just in case “

Jay stayed quiet for a bit then turned on the comms again  “Alright you have my trust for now and if you lie to me I will”

“ You’ll kill me I know. “ Quinn said as he grabbed his Shield and Ready himself for a fight. But before he leaped into battle he hit a button on the control board sending a very important 

“ Well killing you isn't what I was going to say but ok.” Jay switched out the spear the scythe “let’s do this “Jay said a little unsure of this new found Alliances as the two charged forwards into . 

Back with the other paladin 

Pidge was the only one currently not captured and she used the green lion’s cloaking to well hide from the two robeasts who currently had the Yellow and blue lions were trapped in Polaris’s Magnetic pull with Metal clapping their mouth shut and keeping the tails locked in places . While the Black lion was in a Choke hold with a Barrel of a massive plasma Pistol pressed into the top of it head  by the Other robeast . An what was she supposed to do. She was now trapped in a electrical cage alone with two robeasts hunting for her 

“ Here Kitty Kitty Kitty all we want to do is talk to you “ Skyver said as he spun the two lions around him as he moved the debris around trying to uncover the location of the green lion 

“ Yeah we just want to talk Green bean ‘ Harley said with a small amount of twisted glee in her voice. As she held the black lion At gun point while she looked for the Green lion. An as she looked a light appeared on the control panel a signal from her brother

As the two looked for the green lion. Skyver got a private Signal from the bridge of central command . So he turned off his comms with Harley and answered the call  

"This is control.  Quinn as turned on us. Immediate termination of his sister is ordered by Lady Haggar "

"Understo " Skyver was cut off when the Polaris had it’s chest blown out io an ion beam . Skyver was confused for a few second before Harley voice came over the comms 

"Sorry Skyver it’s nothing personal" Harley said as she lowered the smoking plasma pistol and let go of the Black loin and moved the Snapdragon  towards the powerless Polaris and turned it around so Skyver   could see the harlequin mask “But we needed you out of the way”She then turned around thinking that the four lion would be there to continue a fight that doesn't need to continue or maybe they were going to thank you for what she did for them. But no they were busy destroying the Disk that made up the cage. making an opening for themselves and quickly used it to escape.

" how rude no thank ungrateful Paladins" "Hey bro Skyver is out of commission and the Paladins are free. But i wasn’t able to tell them about Zarkon's plan."

" Leave warning the Paladin of the possible Attack on their home world to Jay. For now will help the Paladins until we fine a good time for the two of us to escape so cause as much havoc as possible "Quinn said 

"On it " Harley said as she flow out of the opening the paladins made in the cage leaving a powerless Polari to float there . But unaware to her or to anyone there the remaining Disks stopped making the cage and slowly started to surround the powerless Polaris and started moving him back into the central command 

"Ok Shiro what was that ?" Hunk asked as he slammed the heavily armored Yellow lion into A V-type  that was Charging  towards them. The force of the impact caused the V-tpyes chest to cave in and crushed its core .

“ Don’t know . Jay Status  up date “

‘ I’m good made an uneasy Alliance with Quinn “ Jay replied as he slashed through a Fighter 

“ Why he tried to kill you he help whip out a rebel out post and near got us both killed “. Pidge said anger in her voice as she started attaching  a Warship 

”Lance McClain, Keith Kogane , Katie Holt ,Takashi Shirogane ,Hunk Garret , Mathew Holt  and the Planet named Earth. Zarkon was planning on Sending Skyver Harley and Quinn go to Earth to abduct your families and were looking my home world as well”

All four of them were quiet for a few seconds

“How do you know that they’re not lying to you ?” Shiro asked 

“ I don’t but I I'm willing to take the chance and if it turns out he is lying then i’ll just take him out. Now how Did you guys get out of that fight with the two robeasts “Jay asked

“ The Other Robeast Shoot The Polaris in the back and we left not wanting to be in a enclosed area with a robeast like and I’m now guessing that is someone Quinn knows?” Shiro asked 

” His sister “ Quinn chimed in

“ Hello” Harley Add as she rocket passed the Black lion and slammed into a Warships bridge caving it in 

Shiro thought it over as he destroyed a warship with his Jaw Blade. “Alright will work with them for now but if they turn out to betray us “

”It’s on me I know” Jay said as he switched out the Scythe for two new weapon that he commissioned one was a long barreled forearmed mounted ion cannon that rest on their left arm and on the right was what looked like a bigger version of an Olkier Blaster it engulfed the entire right hand Val Then started to unleash a hail of plasma bolts and ion rounds against the armada of Warships fights and what remained of the V-type.

“ Yes it will be now Keith status update” Shiro got nothing but silence back “Keith respawned “ Still silence  “Allure do you have a bet om Keith current location.?”      Shiro asked 

“yes we do he is currently at the extraction point.” Allura state

“That’ s weird I thought he was going to look for another way out something is wrong  “JAy say 

“Pidge”

“Way head of you” Pidge said Cutting Shiro off leaving the rest of them to handle the rest of the warships.

Moments earlier 

Zarkon Stood  in the Elevator heading towards the Hanger where the E.M,P Bomb/ As he stood there he thought back to his younger days when he and the other paladins would train with each other in the Castle of lions It brought a smile to his face as he reminisced about his past. Then he remembered his finally battle with Alfor it hurt him to fight his old friend.But it had to be done Alfor had betrayed him by Not helping fine a cure for Honerva and destroying Drasal. But a small part of himself  wish he could go back to the old days when everything was simpler with no empire no universal wars against him. But it was to later for that. The Elevator stopped and the Door opened.

He walked out of the Elevator and started walking toward the Hanger as he did he wonder which one of the humans was the pilot of the red lion he could Scratch off Shiro do to fighting him in the Astral plane for control of the Black lion and he could also scratch off  Mr.Garret seeing as he was of a more rotund figure and Mathew holt seeing as he was a problem for a few mouths before . Voltron Showed up.  That left Lance McClain Katie Holt And Keith Kogane. he would enjoy finding out he then turned the corner and so Both Thace and  the red paladin standing in front of the hanger bay  door. He just stood there and waited for them to notice him . He hear them talk then Thace turned and Saw him and stopped mid sentence  

“will Never know what that you escaped or that in the hanger behind you there lays a weapon that will disabled the power to the station. which will allow you to do something. I don’t know what your planning and I don’t care to find out “  H said as he turned his Bayard into it’s blade form and took up a fighting stance “Now either surrounded or die a warriors death 

Both Thace and the red Paladin Drew their weapon and readied themselves for a fight.

“ Oh good were doing this the fun away” He said to himself as he charged forwards and Swung at the red Paladin who quickly blocked the strike the blade locked and Zarkon leaned in so he could be face to Face with the red Paladin “  I have to ask  what is your name boy ”They asked as they used their free hand to grab thace’s strike 

Keith struggled to keep Zarkon's blade from slow digging into his armor. “  Why should I tell you” 

“ Because when you and your team  fall here today I want to remember you all "Zarkon said as he pulled Thace forward and shoulder checked  him sending thace stumbling back followed by Zarkon kicking Keith into the Hanger door. Then he swing Keith again.

Keith ducked out of the way of the strike and watched as the blade cut through hangar bay door Keith quickly thrust his mother blade forwards stabbing into Zarkon's gut " My name is Keith Kogane I hope you remember it in what little time you have left."

Zarkon growled in pain but smiled as he did it . Seeing as this was the first time in millennia that someone had actually hurt him " Good to know Keith and I will remember you" He said as he grabbed onto the blade that was in his gut and pulled it out and kicked Keith again but this time at full force sending Keith through the lower half of the cut hanger door. Send both the lower half of the door and Keith in to the hanger. Zarkon then quickly turned and swung at Thace. Who quickly blocked the swing

"Oh Thace I had such high hopes for you. Your record was flawless and I was thinking of making you a canadine for my new Paladins once a captured Voltron "Zarkon said as he took another swing at Thace 

Thace quickly blocked the strike But as he felt a pain shoot up his arm followed by being Slide down the Hallway by the force of the strike . Thace was a bit confused by what just happened but he did have time to process what just happened because Zarkon was Charging towards him and unleashed a fury of powerful strikes against him.  Thace was forced to go onto the defensive again just to survive the onslaught of powerful blade strikes  until Zarkon knocked Thace's Blade out of his hands then grabbed Thace by the faces and processed to throw him down the Hallway towards the hanger door. He then thrust his blade forwards and watched as his chain blade launched itself forwards towards Thace as he was hitting the ground. 

 Thace hit the ground hard but he quickly righted himself to  just nearly avoid being impaled by Zarkon's Bayard. He quickly summoned back his blade well he avoid being cut to ribbons by Zarkon simple moved his hand back an forth rapidly. Causing his blade to  whip around violently his blade craved up the hall. Thace continued to dodge the fury of the attack and moved quickly towards the Open hanger bay door. He ducked into the Hanger and activated the  secondary Blast door and locked it. Hopefully buying Him and Keith enough time to catch their breath he then to see Keith Struggle to get back up. He quickly moved towards him and started to help him up.

“ You alright Keith?” Thace asked 

“ Yeah I'm fine my armor took most of the damage. But It didn’t stop me from getting a few cracked ribs.”  Keith replied as his Bayard and his mothers  blade returned to their original forms “ Still not the worst pain I've been in “

“ What was the worsts ?” Thace asked as he helped Keith walk toward the object in the center of the room it was a lager Red And green  rectangular Device that was giving of low humming sound that was slowing getting louder.

“ My Jaw was dislocated by my teammates eldest Son  .”

“ How did they Manage that ?” Thace asked as the sound of a blade punching through metal could be heard 

“ Long story but my friends kid got a lucky shot in when his dad asked me to train him.” Keith said as he started walking on his own

“ Which friend is this if I may ask”

“ I’ll tell you when were not being attacked by the Emperor of are entire race” Keith said as he reawakened his mothers blade and put back his Bayard “ What’s are plan of Attack here?”  He asked as Zarkon’s blade punched throw the blast door and started to carve away into the room.

“  Can you contact your team and see if can pick us up because I believe that we don’t want Zarkon to destroy this thing here “ Thace asked as he pointed towards the E.M.P 

“ I tried that after I was kicked through the door. But my Helmets comms are rebooting. But my Tracker is on telling everyone where I am  Allura and the others where I am. So it’s only a matter of time until  someone get us Also yeah him destroy this would completely sideline the plan a second time ”  Keith said as he readied himself for a fight as the Blade into the at was carving through the door stopped disappeared followed by a huge chunk of the door was set flying forwards. The hunk of metal hit the ground causing  loud crashing sound to echo throughout the hanger .

“Sorry to keep you waiting “  Zarkon said as he walked through the hole he made . He turned his head to see his both of his foe standing in front the E.M.P Device . “  That looks important .” He said as he thrust his blade forwards it extended itself rapidly towards the two foe.

Thace was the first to act an knocked the tip of the Blade away from the E.M.P . Then Keith Ran .

This cause Zarkon to recall his blade and started blocking the strike of the red Paladin. Zarkon  Parrying each of the red paladin attack with ease .But as he did he saw potential  in him“  You lack form and Focus boy “ He said as he blocked another strike “ Who trained you one of those Gladiator on in the Castle of lions training deck.”

“  Self taught “ Keith said as he Swung again but this time Zarkon Caught the Blade mid swing Causing Keith to panic a little

Zarkon smile” With proper training you could be a master swords just like my son but sadly that I cant let you become that master   “ He then raised his blade and was about to bring it down. When Thace's Blade blocked the Strike Followed by Keith puling his Blade back cutting deep  into the palm of Zarkon hand Then followed by Keith thrust  his blade forwards aiming for Zarkon Chest 

His Blade Punched through the Breast Plate of Zarkon Armor. Then the secondary layer,then the third ,then the Fourth Layers of protection until it finally hit Skin. Keith continued to push the blade deep into Zarkon's Body Cutting through Skin ,Muscle bone and then through a lung

Zarkon Eye widened as something he hadn’t  felt in millennia flowed through his body. It was Pain true pain and it was a wonderful feeling it made him fell alive again. But it was short lived As Keith pulled his blade out causing Zarkon to fall to his knees   he used his blade to hold himself up While he used his hand that had a deep cut in it. to cover the gaping hole in his chest . An from that wound leaked his Blood which was a dark purple . The blood hit the floor making a small splashing sound 

 Thace  held their nose the  moment he smelt the terrible odor coming off of the blood it smelt rotting flesh .”  What have you done to yourself ?” Thace asked

But before he could get his Answer a scream echo through out the halls followed by a bright purple Light appeared next to Zarkon followed by two Bolts of purple  lighting slammed into the two of them electrifying both of  them then lifted them both into the air  “ I’ll Kill you both for what you’ve done to my love” A female voice yelled as they throw both Thace and Keith away from Zarkon. 

Both men hit the ground and quickly righted themselves and looked towards who ever throw them and Saw a women in dark purple robe with yellow lining it. Standing next two Zarkon her hands were cover by a pitch black energy 

“Who is that” Keith asked he dodged an om coming energy bolt the women shot at him,

“ That is Haggar head of Zarkon Science division and Zarkon's Wife  “ Thace replied as he also dodged a bolt of energy .

“ Great is their son going to show up next” Keith asked as he dodged another bolt 

“ Unlikely he was exiled centuries ago “ Thace said as he throw his blade at the stationary Magic user . 

Haggar quickly through up a Dome  to protect her and her husband. An as the Dome Went up the blade hit it and was sent spinning into the air.Thace quick grabbed it out of the air and as he did dozens of sentries ran in weapons raised 

“ Oh great more problems to take care of  “ Keith said 

Inside of the dome 

Haggar was busy catching her breath seeing as  she did just teleport   through six hundred level of metal floor just to save her husband from himself. She then turned around to look at him kneeing on the ground blood dripping from his chest wound

“   You fool you over confident, Prideful arrogant Fool”     She said as she slammed him across the faces a few times before she started healing him

“ Thank you my love “ Zarkon said as the hole in his chest slowly started to close up followed by him vomiting up blood   

Haggar sneered as she saw how much blood was on the floor now “ You true have became complacent if one of those two were able to do that to you”  She said trying to sound Annoyed but her worry peeked through 

“ Sorry if I worried you my love “ Zarkon said as he got back onto his feet 

“ Don’t apologize just let me finish before you started moving again” Haggar said 

outside of the dome Both Keith and Thace had finished  cutting down the last of the sentries that had arrived.

“  More are coming .”Thace yelled as more Sentries and now soldiers were running towards them 

“ Great “ Keith said he moved towards Thace  By as he said that he hear the sound of metal claws hitting the floor followed a sudden Shadow Appeared over top of him. Keith looked up to see the Green lion a few feet away . Then he watch as the green lion fired a Gaia beam towards the door way causing Roots and Vines to erupt from the metal walls and floors blocking of the door . [ Alright you two get in ] Pidge said as she lowered the green lions head to pick up the two 

Thace and Keith looked at each other and started running towards the green lion and as they did the dome opened up and Zarkon's Bayard shot out aiming for Keith . An Keith didn’t have time to react to it .But Thace did and he pushed Keith out f the way and the result of that action had most of his arm .leaving only half of his upper arm to remain Thace hit the ground hard as the blade retracted and return to is owner 

“ Thace”  Keith yelled as he was about  turned ran to Thace's side and helped him up 

“ No just go finish the this mission leave me ”  Thace Said as he held  the bleeding stump of his arm powerless to stop Keith from helping him up and started moving towards the green lion open mouth 

“ Not with out you “ Kieth said as the two of them continued towards their evac.

But as they did The dome opened again an Zarkon Shot out and made his way towards the two slow moving targets . But as he did a Smaller Version of the Gaia beam slammed into the floor in front of him causing roots and Vines to wrap themselves  around him  and tried to pull him down to the Floor. Seeing this Haggar was going to try and stop them but had to quickly through up another dome as the green lions tail quickly pointed itself at her and fired at her  

This Gave Thace and Keith Enough time into the Green lion “ Where on board pidge “ Keith said 

{ Alright } Pidge replied as she stopped firing the tail Gun  she then turned on the green lions cloak and started to heading towards The Castle of Loins.{ Jay were clear Blow it }

“Alright” Jay replied as he tapped on he wrist mounted computer

Back inside of the Hanger Zarkon broke free of the Vine and root that entangled them. He turned to See his wife frantically typing on the device he guess she was trying to stop it from detonating   

“ No No No” Hagar said as she  stop trying and slammed her fists on the E.M.P . She then tried use her magic to disabled the device but stopped when the E.M.P bomb spoke 

[ Remote detonation trigger ] The E.M.P started to glow brightly  an rumble loudly followed by electricity  started arcing of off the bomb   [10,9,8,7]

Haggar quickly teleport towards Zarkon grabbed his  right arm and teleport-ed them to a nearby Lad. Leaving the Bomb behind [  4,3,2,1] Then the bomb active and set out a wave of energy that passed through walls , Floors and ceiling. The wave Shut down every device, Sentry and armor system of ever soldier that the wave passed until it had completely shut down the whole station.

From the Outside the Paladins and Harley and Quinn watched as the light on the outside started turning off  until the lights were all out and the station started to slowly flow in a aimless direction

“ E.M.P Detonated Is the Vip and Keith secured ?”  Jay asked hoping for the best.

“ Yeah they’re secured “ Pidge said as the door to the cockpit opened “ And their hear now do you what to talk to OH MY GOD” Pidge screamed as she turned her head to see a blood covered Keith helping a bleeding armless Thace into cockpit. 

“ What happened it Keith Alright “ Shiro asked

“ Yeah I'm fine just covered in blood” Keith said as he placed Thace the bed that all the lions had at the back of their head for when they were on missions with out the castle of  lions being around.

“ What covered in blood are you alright how bad are you injured  !?” Lance asked worry very 

“  I’m  fine it’s not my blood” Keith replied as he started looking for something”

 ‘ That doesn't make it better. What happened ?” 

“ Zarkon cut my arm off” Thace said as he was trying not to get to much blood on the bed and was slowly starting to pass out from the blood lose 

”  Pidge where do you keep the med kit ?” Keith asked  

“ Here “ Pidge said as she reached under the control console and then tossed it towards Keith . Then return to flying towards the castle 

“ Thank you and thank you for the concern lance   “ Keith said with a small smile on his face  as he opened it and tried to remember  what to grab 

“ If you want to stop the bleed of a recently detached limb you the disinfection spray followed by the Clotting foam” Jay said as he point blanked a Warship with a his Ion canon

‘  Thank you doc” Keith said as he followed jay instruction 

“ Not  doctor yet ‘ Jay replied 

“Keith  finished applying the Clotting foam to Thace’s stump “ Alright were done here. How you doing Thace ?” Keith asked 

Thace opened his eyes a little The looked at the stump that was once his arm “  I’ve been tortured , Lost my arm and lose a good amount of blood but besides that. I am fine or what could be considered fine’ Thace said 

“ Well we can fix you missing arm problem. My Pal Jay can make you a new one once we finish the mission. So don’t worry about that “ 

“I won’t now if you don’t mind I'm going to rest for a bit before we land “ Thace said as he closed his eyes to rest 

“ Alright then “ Keith said he put away the med kit supplies and walked up to pidge to see several screens the team fighting the Armada of warships then he noticed two robeasts fighting along side of the other” Hey Pidge why are those robeasts  helping .?” Keith asked as put the med kit back 

“  Turns out that the twins were planning betraying  Zarkon and their using are attack to follow through with their own plan. “

‘ And we just believed that ?” 

“ well they also told us that Zarkon was planning on holding Lance‘s Hunk’s and my own families hostage. So we would just surrender and Zarkon also as a robeast of his own and was planning on using it against us “ Pidge said as she landed the Green lion in it's hanger 

“ And again we are trusting them ‘ 

“ Yes we are for the time being now lets get Thace here some help and you get in back in your lion”  Pidge said as she land inside of the cloaked  

In the bridge of the Castle

 “The green lion is on board Coran said 

“ Good Coran tell the others to be ready to go “ 

“ On it “ Coran said 

“ Alright Allura you can do this “ Allura whimpered to herself as she placed her hands on the control pillars. As she did this she looked down on Galra Central command “ As Lance would say It’ s show time” she said as DE-cloaked 

Back inside of Galra central Commands Bridge

Zarkon walked into the Bridge and saw that the room was covered in the red glow of the emergence lights, along with the Alarms blaring.

“   What do we have “ The emperor asked as he sat down on his thrown. 

“ Were running on are final back up system my lord all we have short range scanner, Short range comms are still up , Life support in barely running and the artificial gravity only work at half power  “ one of the Console officers said 

“ Status on casualties ?” 

“ We're still calculating.”

“ And what of are attackers?” 

“ They are still Fighting sir “ 

“ Alright before we lose power did you locate the Castle of lions.”

“ No My lord”

“ Alri” 

Zarkon was cut of as the entire Station that was sort tilled from the power lose suddenly right itself followed by a bright blue light Appeared 

“ What was and is that ?” Zarkon asked as he go up from his feet throne and walked toward to one of the console and looked at the screen of it and saw a mass ring that floated above them and in the center of that ring was the Castle of lion. He felt his heart stop for a split second . “ Tell everyone to fire on the ring  before it’s full actives “

But it was to later as a massive wormhole opened up and started to quickly suck in the station .

Out in space 

The team watched as the wormhole opened. An start pulling in command station.

“ Holy Quiznak what is that?” Harley asked as she stopped fighting to look at the six mile wide hole in the fabric of reality and watched as the Valkyrie,her brother and the cube entered into the wormhole 

 “ That’s are exit now get a move on or get felt behind “ Lance said as he rocket the blue lion towards the wormhole followed by Yellow lion and Black lion

Harley shrugged to herself and followed the loins into the wormhole and as she went in she found herself somewhere new. She guessed she was near or inside of a nebula of some sort do to the red tint to the space around them  . She also saw spread out this open area of space was thousands of Ships of various sizes, Modes and types along with hundreds of smaller version oof those for cubes that were along with Paladins  .An all of which were slowly converging on her at first she though they were coming towards her and she was about to start opening fire on them but then The Halberd flow in front of her come 

“ Don’t shot “Quinn said 

“ Sorry reflect” She said as she lowered her weapons and remembered that the Command center was right behind her  

“ It’s alright now follow me the other are waiting for us He said as started moving towards the Castle of lions  

“ Not yet” Harley said as she flow the war dog V2 upwards towards the command station main bridge as she ascended she watched as everyone in the bridge started to scramble out of the bridge. leaving only Zarkon standing their alone in the bridge. A smile creeped on to her face as she leveled her shoulder ion canon and point blanked the fired both of then the two beams completely annihilating the Bridge and hopefully killing The emperor.

But before the smoke cleared Zarkon Charged forwards shield first and shield bashed the head of the Wardog v2 sending it backwards he then switch it back to its blade form and used it to get back to the now destroyed bridge

“ Son of a bitch “ Harley yelled as she righted her mech and was about to retaliate but Couldn’t find the emperor” Where did he go” She yelled as she slammed he fist into the control panel Followed by her unloading her ion canons  on the powerless station causing  explosion to erupted across the surface of the station. Which was followed by Everyone Warship and fighters started to unleash a volley of Plasma rounds , Ion beams , Missiles and M.A.C rounds. All of which slammed into Command Station 

“ Looks like shits popping of without  us  ” Jay said as he watched the explosions go off

“  Then Why don’t go and help then. “  Pidge said as she and the rest of the group waited for Keith

“ What am I going to do none of my weapon wont cut deep enough to do the damage we want “

“ You have a bow that can punch through anything “ Lance said

Jay was Quiet 

“ You forgot again didn’t you “ Shiro add 

Jay stayed silent while he  summoned his Bayard to his hand  then place it into the key slot and summoned the bow and  started to charge it up and aimed it towards the life supports power source” Hey Buddy you in the red lion yet “ Jay said as he unleashed the Arrow. The Arrow punched through the station hull completely destroying the power sources

“ I’m here” Keith said as the red lion flow out of the castle and joined up with the others 

“ Alright team form Voltron “Shiro said 

Jay and Val watched as the team formed Voltron 

“never get tried of seeing  that “ Jay said as the team fnished forming Voltron.

“  Alright team lets finish this “ Shiro said as Voltron Flow past the Valkyrie as it Shot of Another Arrow  

In Central Commanded 

Zarkon ran through the hall of the station as it shook from everything hitting it.. Then the Station shook volatilely as something hit the station followed by a ear shattering explosion causing Zarkon into a near by wall

[ Life support as been disabled. ] The P.A System

“ Dammit it all’” Zarkon said as he got back on his feet and continued to run 

Then Another Station shaking explosion happened 

[ propulsion syst] The P.A was cut off as a third explosion went of   

Zarkon picked up the pace and keep on running until he made to his Wife’s lab where she made her monsters, The door opened when he was close enough He walked into the control room and  Haggar readying  his mech titan 

“Is it full charged ?” He asked as he walked pass her and quickly started to replace his damaged armor 

“ Yes it is “ She replied as she turned to face her husband “ I would try to stop you from doing this seeing as it will be you vs any army of rebel but then Again. we would not have been able to conquer most of the know universe if you were so stubborn. “   She said as she walked up to him and helped him get his new armor which looked the same to his old one “ This armor will allow you to quickly connected the Titans neural link and it will also lessen the pain you take when They land a hit on you  “ 

“ That is good to hear it’s going to be useful in the coming battle only .” He said as he flexed his arm “ Now before I go I have one request of you”

“An what is that my love ?”

“ Go down to the quintessence extractor and if things get to dicey for me I want you to drain  Voltron or the Valkyrie.”

“ Alright just promises you’ll come back to me“ Haggar said with worry very visible in her voices 

Zarkon removed her grabbed her chin and kissed her forehead “I will try my love I will try” He said before leaving the control room and walked down into the hanger. As he did he looked towards the titan . It looked like him But it had massive dragon like wings on it’s back” Now let’s deal with these problems of Are's ” 

Back in space 

The fleet continued to unload on the powerless station While this happened  the Valkyrie, Halberd, Voltron and snapdragon   watched the fleet’s onslaught. 

“ You know I though this was going to be Harder “ Jay said as the Valkyrie fired off another bow  sat on top of a one of the original cubes 

“ Don’t jinx it “ Lance said 

“  I almost died  An thace lost an arm “ Keith said kind of annoyed 

“ Sorry just speaking out loud. Speaking of thace. Beau how is are new guest doing.”    Jay asked 

“ He is stable but do to the extent of his injures it will take about a month for him to fully recover “ Beau said 

“Good to know. Allura how are you doing?’ Shiro asked 

“ I’m fine a bit  tried but fine. Now if I may ask why have you stopped attacking the station?”  Allura asked a little confused

“ While my reason for stopping is because well I fell kind of bad for the people ion there because well there people doing their job it’s not a good job but they were just doing it  for their people after what Your father did to them Also I didn't want to be caught in the cross fire ’“ Jay said as he leaned back in the pilots chair  

Allura winced a little remember that this was in part her fathers fault  “ And the rest of you ?” She asked  

“ Cross fire “  the Hunk, Keith, Pidge and the twins  said in unison 

“ and the fact that it shows the universe at large that this new found coalition can hold it’s own against the empire. ”   Shiro said

Allura though it over and agree” That makes sense” 

Then a voice came over the comms “ This is orange one reporting something is coming out of a hanger from the underbelly of the station . Oh god it Agh” Orange one was cut off and a purple beam was seen coming out from under belly of the station just like they said followed by a purple blur coming out from there as well. It moved quickly and several small scaled explosions going of as the blur moved towards them 

“oh Shit “  Jay was the first to react as the Valkyrie  got off the cube they were sitting on and rocketed forwards towards the blur as they moved they summoned the Scythe to them and was about to swing at it. But before he could the Blur slammed into them. Followed by them being grabbed by the face and being dragged long by this  new foe. 

Jay and Vall had no clue what just happened and could real thing about as the felt themselves no longer moving towards the others but somewhere else. They tried to swing again to cut the hand that was obscuring their sight only to be smashed in to something followed by a short burst of electricity  Disabling their systems. 

“ What the Quzinak is with everyone and fucking electricity”  Jay  yelled  as the lights turned back on but before he could do anything a bright purple light appeared from the hand hold their head “ oh Quiz “

The others had watched their friend disappeared then watched  as a nearby dreadnaught  moved a little from the force of something impacting it followed by it exploding into a ball of fire and metal. 

“Jay report “  Shiro asked but got nothing in return 

“ Don’t waste your time he won’t answer” Zarkon said over the comms. As the smoke suddenly and quickly dispersed and showed the stunned Paladins his robeast The titan and in front of him was a motionless Valkyrie “ I  though he’d be strong enough to survive   “  Zarkon said as he grabbed onto one of the Valkyrie’s wings and brought it closer to him and looked it in the face “ For all the men you killed all the ships and mechs destroyed. All the money you cost the empire.  An all it took was one Shot to termite you “    Zarkon said as he tosses the powerless Valkyrie to the side 

Voltron charged forwards swing their blade wildly as anger took control of all. An it was understandable they had just watched two of their friends who had been there since the beginning had just been killed in front of them and simple tossed a side like they was nothing.

Zarkon was on the defensive as he used his heavily armored wrist gauntlets to Block the furious blows of the now anger Voltron. HE knocked a side another blade swing and landed a powerful right hook to Voltron’s head sending it backwards. But as voltron flow back Dozens Plasma  bolts from fighter and nearby Rebel warships opened fire .Zarkon closed his wings around him knowing that even with all the Plamsa proof metals and alloys that made up the Titans armor it would weaken under this much fire power. So he summoned his Bayard to his  hand an slammed it into the Key-slot  and Activated the wrist mounted Chain blade. He quickly parted his wings Swung his blade as he spun the upper half of the titan in a full Three-Sixty. He spun around rapidly as his blade sliced through Fighters an damaging the nearby warships. Then he stopped spinning and righted himself and was about to look back towards Voltron only to have Halberd kick into his chest at full force pushing him back

He righted himself again but then came the War Zone it’s Massive metal fists They smashed against the titan’s head repeatedly. Each hit pushed the titan back bit by bit . Zarkon tried to swing his blade at the War dog  but the Halberd stopped the blade mid swing . Giving The snapdragon an opening to grab onto The Titan’s other hand and began to spin rapidly and after a few seconds of spinning they throw The titan back towards central command

The Titan stopped itself right before it could hit the hull of The command station. But before he could do anything the Halberd charged forwards Shield first and slammed into them and slammed them into the Command center. The Halberd then attempted Stabbed their blade into the Side of the Titan. But his blade shattered on contact with the heavy armor. 

“ Shit” Quinn said as he Flow the Halberd back but the Titan grabbed onto the Halberd's leg. Then Slammed it against The Hull of central Command. Followed by them being thrown away.  But once the Halberd was far enough away a Volley of Missiles plasma Rounds, and a few ion beams Zarkon brought the Titian’s Wings up to block the onslaught again. The wing were useful in blocking the shots but it left him stationary. But after a few seconds of being fired upon Then the firing stop so He quickly parted his wings and saw that Voltron charging towards him blade first.

Zarkon acted quickly and grabbed the blade before it could make contacted  with his chest.

This brought both of them to a stand still With voltron pushing their engines to the max while Zarkon used all of the Titan’s strength to avoid being stabbed in the chest again. 

“ So much Anger towards me over the death of your friend there “ Zarkon said trying to egg the Paladins on” Who was he to you all . A rival ,friend, Brother, A lover or maybe even a father he was Altean After all their D.N.A never shows their real age  “ Zarkon said with a smile on his face 

“ He was a good man And that’s all you need to know “ Keith said with a growl to his voice 

“ Good such a relative term . Now how many of people as this good man of your killed today. How many have all of you killed. How many men and women die today just so you could get at me ?”   Zarkon asked as he suddenly twisted his hand and sent Voltron’s blade plunging their blade into the Station. Followed by him grabbing Voltron by the face quickly turned around and slammed Voltron into Central command, fired up the titan’ s engines and began dragging then along the side of Station.” How many people have you widowed how many child have you orphaned.“ Zarkon Yelled as The titan and Voltron reached the top of Central command the moment The Station was no longer in the way The titan spin itself still holding onto Voltron and throw them quickly followed by Zarkon point both of the Titan’s hands towards his foe and fired off two high powered Plasma round at Voltron.

But before the two round hit their targets A cube took absorbed the two shots then fired them back on him. So he brought the right wing to block the two shots the two Rounds explode on contact with his wings sending him backwards a bit he moved the wing back and as he did as swarm of smaller versions of those cubes appeared and started to surround him 

“ The hell is with these cubes” He yelled as he active the other wrist Blade and started cutting into the cubes. But that only made it worse as every time he cut it just made more. When he realized this He stopped and the cubes started converging on him. It was like something out of a Horror move as the Swarm of Cubes started to merge together with the Titan in the center of it 

Everyone watched as the Titan frantically tried to rip itself free of the Cubes.But the just kept coming until it slow engulfed  The Titan trapping it in side of a Much Larger then the Original one.

”Is it over ?” Lance asked

But his answers was quickly revealed as crakes started to appear in the Cube that leaked out a dark purple energy. The crakes in the cube started to get bigger and bigger as more of that purple energy leaked through the cube then it exploded . Sending huge chunks of the now shattered cubes flying in random directions and the force of the explosion sent All three of mech backwards  

Voltron quickly right themselves only to have the titan slam into them .

“I’m ending this now !!” Zarkon yelled as he pushed voltron down back towards where they originally came from and into range of the Quintessence extractor. But as he pushed Voltron down A Bolt of energy slammed against the Side of the Titan causing them to let go of Voltron 

See that freed the quickly got away from the Titan and Re-summoned their blade and top up a defensive stance. As they did The Warzone and The Halberd Came down and readied themselves to continue the fight . Then a voice come over the comms

“ Next time you leave someone for dead make sure they're actually dead “ Jay said as the de-Summoned the Bow and Summoned up a Pair of Yellow and white Gauntlet that when they knocked their  its knuckles together caused electricity  to arc between the two of them

Zarkon look from Voltron to The Valyrie then The Halberd then towards the Warzone . Zarkon active his personal comms “ Is everything Ready My Dear?”  He asked 

“ Everything is ready my Love “ Haggar replied 

“ Good once you see either Voltron or the Valkyrie fire on them” He said as he suddenly had the Titan  dive bomb downward. This caused the four mech to follow him. 

“ There is no way your getting away from us “ Val said as she fired up her engines and rocket towards The Titan. They quickly caught up to the Titan and slammed into to the and tried to grab onto the Titan’s Head .But the Titan pushed back and shoulder c the Valkyrie checked  away and quickly fired off a plasma round  that hit the Valkyrie head on and stopped them  only for a few seconds .

So Zarkon pushed the Engines to their limits and made a good distanced between himself and His foes but Voltron Was quickly closing that gap and that's what he wanted as he quickly stopped the engines . .This Caught the Paladins for Guard As they Slammed into the back of the Titan and then was quickly grabbed onto and then thrown down wards by the Titan sending them into the firing Range of the Extractor .

An if on Quo the moment Voltron was in Range Haggar and the two Druids with her fired off a bolt of dark purple energy towards Voltron. The Bolt slammed into Voltron and Drained completely it of it’s energy. Causing voltron split apart 

“ Yes” Zarkon yelled with a smile on his face only to be tackled By The Halberd and Snapdragon

“ Noo” Allura said as she felt the pain the lions felt But she would not let history repeat itself “  Coran Get us in closer” She ordered 

“Yes Princes “ Coran said as he moved the CAstle of lion forwards and Readied the Partical Canon 

As this was Happening The twins tried to  pummel the Titan. But both were suddenly and Violently pushed away by a burst of energy. Both quickly righted themselves and readied themselves to fight the emperor. As they did they both saw that the Titan had a strange dark purple aura surrounding it. But The aura quickly faded away but as it did for a quickly second both swore they saw a small  figure sitting on the shoulder. Then it quickly disappeared. Then Zarkon spoke .

“ I’m going to fi”But Zarkon was cut of by the Valkyrie kicking the Titan right in the head sending flying to the right 

“I’ll will you apart and burn what’s left of you!!” Jay Yelled As he rocket the Valkyrie forwards and started whaling on the Titan. “ You hypocritical piece of Shit. How many innocent people has you mercilessly murder just because they said no to being under your rule. “  Jay barked as he Hit the titan again this time at full force and once the fist made contact  it caused a massive flash of light followed by the Titan be pushed back by massive bolt of lighting. which Pushed the Titan Into one of those tower like structure contented to the main station then explode one the titan stopped moving 

“You like this I call them Odin’s Fury got them off of your Planet Pal. They work like this the more I hit you the more the Kinect energy builds up in then and I can unleashed the energy from one of then  in one of two ways a powerful punch that can rock your world like it did just now or it can do this   “ Jay said as he summoned up their Spear “Now have a taste  of your own medicine.”  Jay said as he throw the Now electrically  charged Spear at the Titan .

Zarkon Quickly Brought up the titans right arm to block the spear only to have it punch through the heavily armor plated wrist Gauntlet  causing pain to shot through his own wrist. Followed by A Massive electrical  surge through out the Titan’s Systems. Leaving it some what disabled .Zarkon Then Watched As the Valkyrie Summoned up their scythe And charged forwards 

“ Reboot All systems now” Zarkon Yelled as  he brought up the Same arm watched as the Valkyrie’s scythe cut deeper into his arm “AAAHH” Zarkon yelled out in pain  as the power came back on. Once back on he proceeded to grab onto the Valkyrie’s wing pulled them in an head butt them and followed it up by using his remaining hand to fire off a point blank plasma round sending them back .Only for a Gauss round to slam into them followed by two more. Then a came  two ion beams but He Quickly countered them .

Jay,Val,Quinn and Harley watched as the two beams were absorbed by The titans wings followed by Bright purple Marks appearing a cross the Titans body Then the wings unfurled  

“ Oh this is going to be fun  “ Zarkon said as the Titan Charged forwards at a unforeseen speed

Back with the lions 

Shiro Awoke and started trying to active the black lion only to find that the power was out “Can anyone hear me Keith, Pidge, Lance, Hunk”   No response” Matt , Allura” No response again “ Leonidas  you still with me “

“ Yes Shiro I am weaken but still and I won’t be leaving anytime soon “ Leonidas said as power started to slowly return

“ And the other ?” Shiro ask

“They are fine contact with them will be reestablished Now “

 “ Paladins are you all right Please responded”   Allura said 

“I’m fine” Hunk replied 

“ I’m still standing “Pidge replied

“I’m not doing so hot but I am still able to fight” lance replied 

“ I’m doing peachy “ Keith said 

“ Good to hear . Now are you able to control your lions ?” 

“ No what ever hit  me has drain a lot of my power and would have killed the Paladin if not for my intervention. It will take time for me to regain a decent amount of power. So someone will need to cover use 

 “Jay and the twins are .In coming” Allura yelled as The Valkyrie slammed into the Yellow lion which sent both of them flying. Followed by War zone smashing another structure leaving a huge dent in it

The Valkyrie righted itself “Hey Guys when are you getting back into the fight shit just hit the fan real hard. Zarkon  can counter shit so we need to end this fast before” Jay was cut off when The Halberd Now missing both it’s legs , half of it’s face plate and a Caved in chest slammed into them

“You alight”Harley asked as she got the Snap dragon  ready for another round with the Titan. She retracted the shoulder mounted ion Canons and replace them with twin Rail guns she then Fired them both then charged forward

”i’m fine just going to sit this one out That last Punch damaged the Halberd’s power core repair system are going to time to. “

“ Alright and you guys?”Jay asked as he placed the Halberd near the Lions Before flying back towards the fight 

“ Still working on getting the power back on so hold out until then” Shiro said as he watched a blur of motion moved passed him and smashed into the same structure. An that blur was the Titan Holding onto Valkyrie that was now being slammed into the Metal Hull of the Station repeatedly before.  rapidly turned around and used the Valkyrie as a shield to block a Rail gun Shot.  from The Snapdragon then whipped his blade forwards and stabbing into the Snap Dragons  Chest and Used the Blade to send as massive Electrical surge through the blade and disabled them then Throw the Valkyries away  .

“ Now with them out of the way time to end “ Zarkon was cut off by a plasma bolt exploded against in the Titan’s face 

“ I’m not dead yet “ Quinn said as he held up a plasma pistol

The Titan raised it’ s right and fired off a Plasma beam that punched through the Halberds chest causing it to explode 

“ Hopeful your are now“Zarkon said as the smoke cleared from the Titan’s Head showing no visible damage to it. ‘ Now if there are no” He was cut of again as a particle beam slammed n to him and started pushing him back. As he was being pushed back he brought up his undamaged arm and used it to block  the beam .This allow him to steady the Titan and saw where the beam was coming and saw the Castle of lions. So he adjusted the Titan’s hand which caused the Beam to reflect of the hand an had it shoot out in to space destroying a unlucky fighter and cut into the underbelly  A rebel war ship severally damaging it. He then  Quickly moved his hand and started redirecting the beam. Baldy damaging Warships an destroying any fighter that was caught in the beams path. Then it cut through a part of the his own Station then head on hit The castle of lions. Causing severely explosions to erupted across the Castle hull and sending The Castle tumbling backwards

All five of the Paladins hear Allura scream through their lion and  watched in horror as the Ship they called home violently tumble through space .

“ Allura !” Keith and Shiro Yelled 

“Coran “ Lance yelled 

“Ryner “Pidge yelled 

“Shay”Hunk yelled 

All five felt their anger flair up and  caused their lions to jump start and Before Shiro could tell the other to form Voltron Lance, Pidge ,Hunk and Keith flow off  

“  GUYS WAIT “Shiro yelled but it was to late as the other started attacking Zarkon head. “ Great “ Shiro turned to look at the Castle of lion as it stopped itself Seeing this  Shiro rocket towards the fight an as he did Matt voice came over the comms

“ Sorry were late”  Matt said as he hundreds of Fighters swarmed the Titan .Shiro smiled as he summoned up the Black lions Jaw blade 

In the bridge of the Castle of lions 

Allura picked herself of the floor With help from Kolivan 

“Are you all Princess “Kolivan asked as he help her on her feet

“ I’m fine Coran damage report “ 

“ Were have several breaches but we’ll  seal them  as fast as we fine them Beau   is keeping us undated ”    Coran said 

“Alright Shay, Rax How are you and how is the Crystal doing?” She asked 

“ We’re Fine and the Crystal is doing  good as well “ Shay said 

“ Yeah were good some of the new crew are a little hurt do to the sudden Jolt Worse thing we got down here a broke hand and a split lip will keep you up dated if we find anything  .”Rax added

“  Ok go to hear “ Allura placed a hand to her forehead and felt something wet. She removed her hand and Saw that there was blood on her hand “   Ok that’s just great can somebody get me a Bandage please  “ She said as she walked over to  an empty seat As blood slowly trickled down her forehead 

Coran quickly  grabbed on a medical kit and Ran over to Allura and started to bandage up the small head wound

“   Are you Alright Allura “ Coran asked worry very much visible in his voice 

“ I’m Fine Coran What off the Paladins “ She asked 

“ They are doing Fine there already back in the battle An it looks like The Valkyrie and are new Allie are get back up had have returned to the battle “   La-Sai said 

“ Good now once “ Allura was cut off when a massive Blinding light appeared from where the Others were fighting Followed by a loud exploding sound and a wave of force hit the castle of lion shaking it a little “ What just happened ?” She asked worried about the others 

Moments earlier 

The Titan was on the defensive as it fought of Another swarm of enemies. He tried to swung the right wrist blade but was stopped when a green beam hit them and caused roots and vines to erupted and jammed the blade in place. He quickly grabbed onto the vines and ripped them off but it was quickly replace with ice by the blue lion. He broke free and tried  to fire on the blue lion only to have a plasma missile to explode against  the titan’s chest causing his shoot to go wide. his anger was starting to boil up. But  before he could do anything in retaliate  several Plasma bolts exploded against the Titan’s back .Which caused him to turn around

“ Stab!!!” Jay yelled as he Thrust the Valkyrie’s spear forwards and Stabbed into The Titan’s Right eye. This caused A blood vassal  in Zarkon’ s eye burst  to causing him to go blind in that eye. This was caused  by the neural link he and the Titan had He  screamed out in pain as he back handed the Valkyrie away. The spear still embedded in the Titan's eye. Then the Snapdragon  slammed into it and pulled it into a crushing hug 

“ . This is for my brother mother and Father. Everybody get clear “ Harley said as She Activated  the Snapdragon’s self-destruct which caused a her mech to start glowing faintly  “ somebody  catch me “ She Said she ejected the control pod she was in and sent it shooting out of the back of the  Snapdragon’s head 

“Alright “ Jay said as the Valkyrie followed and grabbed onto the control pod and sped off at top speed away from the blast zone along with everyone else

Haggar watched what was going on and teleported herself out of their knowing what saw going to happen.

The Titan struggled to brake free of the SnapDragon’s iron  Grip but the Titan’s right arm was pined to it’s side. it used it free hand to try to cut of the  off  the War zones left arm . “ I Refuse to die like this . I Am the Man who conquered the knew universe the immortal emperor and I wont die he”  He was cut off when the Snap dragon’s Exploded.

The light emitted from the explosion was blinding and after a few minutes of not being able to see the light dimed to reveal a massive smoke cloud 

“ Did you get him?” Jay asked as several rebel warships and two of the Queen slayer ship the Master of none and the Hail Mary moved in 

“ don’t know but you should get me some where safe just in case I didn’t “Harley replied 

“ Alright and sorry about your brother I real know him all to well .But If you ever what to” 

“ I’ll talk to someone who knows me . Not someone I was hired to kill thank you for your concern but it not needed “ Harley said cutting jay off 

“ Ok sorry “ Jay replied little offended

“  Uhh sorry to interrupted you little chat but I'm not dead”  Quinn said from 

“oh that's good to know “ Jay said happy to hear that his new friend? was alive “ 

“ Damn I thought I was finally alone for once “ Harley said jokingly as she whipped away a tear from his eye “ Now where are you “

“ Just aimlessly floating away I'm starting to get dizzy here so place hurry up and follow my signal please”

“ On it “ Val said as she diverted the flight path towards the tumbling head of the Halberd

The castle of lions moved in near the small fleet of rebel Warships 

“ Is everyone alright “ Allura asked 

“ Yeah were fine but dose anyone have eyes on Zarkon I want confirm that the blast killed him”  Shiro said as he and the other lions were about to form Voltron but were stopped as a bolt of Plasma flow out of the smoke an slammed into the Black lion pushing it away.

After that the Rebel ships started firing into the dust Cloud. as this happened Another Plasma Beam  shot out of  the cloud and Through the bridge the out the back of a rebel ship this caused a chain reaction that had the entire warship to explode. Then another beam shot out destroying another rebel warship. Then something shot out of the smoke cloud and smashed into a dreadnaught then severally bolts shot out from the inside of the warship then the Dreadnaught  exploded. An just like how he entered the fight in the beginning. The Titan floated out of the ruble of the destroyed warship.

But this time it was severely damaged it’s right arm was missing the wings were destroyed it’s lower jaw was missing , Most of the armor was broken and cracked. An their was a purple aura surrounding it “ IHa HA HAhahahahahaha it as been far to long since I've had a fight this fun. but Sadly I most end this fight

The Hail Mary pointed it’s mac canon towards the Titan and Fired it but The Titan back handed the Massive round away. Sending the round  flying into another Rebel ship Damaging it 

“Oh your next “Zarkon said as he raised his remaining arm aimed towards the hail Mary and was about to fire it only for an Ice beam freezing over the hand. He looked up and saw the blue lion floating there “  Lance McClain I assume’ He said as he melted the Ice off his hand.Lance knew that Zarkon new his name but it still caught him off guard “ I Know The original pilot of the blue lion. Blaytz was a very close friend. I hope your a worthy successor to legacy”    Zarkon said as he suddenly rushed forwards and slammed into the blue lion sending flying back 

Zarkon looked around to see the other three lions flying towards him and started firing on him. Which he quickly dodged each shot and punched the red lion away . Then he fired a shot at the yellow lion as it charged towards him the shot explode on contact with the yellow lion slowing it . But the yellow  lion  still hit him send the titan flying back and int the side of a rebel sip which quikly grabbed onto and ripped off a chuck of the hull. An throw It at the yellow lion . The hunk of metal smashed against the yellow lion’s head stopping it mid charge allowing Zarkon charge forwards and grabbed them and throw them at the blue lion that was coming back into the battles 

After that The Titan started looking around for the black lion know if he could take them out this battle would be over quickly but as he looked a green beam slammed into the Titan’s left side causing roots to erupted and wrapped around the remaining arm pinning it to it side 

“ Ok guys we have an opening use it wise ”Pidge was cut of when the Titan charged it and head butted the green lion in the chest. Sending it back  Then ripped their hand  free of the roots.

Then the titan activated their Chain blade  it whipped forwards towards the green lion wrapping it around the green lions lower half and processed to spin around and smashed then against a nearby warship then recalled the blade and returned to looking for black lion and saw it flying towards him jaw blade in it maw 

“ Found you “ Zarkon said to himself as he charged towards the black lion. only to be shot in the side by a Particle  beam fired by the Caste of lions. Pushing him back towards the station but he quickly flipped the Titan out of the way of the beam and charged up his plasma Cannon  nd fired a full powered beam at the castle .Only to have the Valkyrie stepped in and countered the shot absorbing in then parted their wings and looked straight towards them. Zarkon noticed that those gauntlets called the Odin's Fury  were still equipped  “ Oh Quiznack”  Zarkon said to himself as the Valkyrie instantly closed the gape between the two of them and Punched the Titan  Square in the face  .

“How the hell are you even Alive after that and what is with this weird purple Gas, Mist an illusion of some sort  ?” Jay ask as he kept on whaling on the Titan. Then they pulled back their right hand was about unleash all the kinetic energy that was built up in it .The titan grabbed onto the fist causing a massive shook wave to erupt between the two of them. they Then tried to use the free hand to do the same .

But then the Titan started spinning around and processed to throw them in a random direction. Then the Aura that surrounded the Titan moved to the left arm and fired the same kind of bolt that hit voltron early at the Valkyrie. It hit the Valkyrie head on . Both Jay and Val screamed in pain  as they felt their life force being pulled out of them. but as quickly as it started it quickly stopped  

 Jay Quickly throw of his helmet  and turned away from the control panel and quickly throw up what he ate for dinner the night before

“ Oh god that was the worst pain I’ve ever felt” Jay said as he whipped the spite and vomit from his mouth . 

“ I agree on that one my pilot”  Val said 

Jay sat up ad looked at who saved him and Val and saw the back lion fighting the Titan alone then was punched in head sending it away  “ Oh shit we have to help them” Jay said as he grabbed onto the control sticks and moved them forwards to no avail “ Were out power aren't we ?”Jay ask 

“ Yes we are it will talk a few minutes to help Shiro” Jay said as he slammed his metal hand against the control panel. 

“ Don’t worry the other are here to help “Val said as the other lions and the swarm of fighters flow passed them and started firing on the Titan

“Thanks for keeping him busy no leave the rest to us” lance said as he fired of the blue lions mouth beam and hit the titan square in the face

Shiro righted the black lion am was about to charge  back into combat 

“ Shiro stop before you do something stupid “ Leonidas said 

“ I can’t the others need me “ Shiro said as he tried to move the black lion forwards but it wouldn’t work. " Leo!” His anger starting to get the better of him

“  You need to calm down and focused.”

“ why should I people are dying I cant just float here an  watching as my team in being  tossed around” 

“ I know that but throwing yourself at the enemy will not give you the result you seek” 

“ An what will” Shiro said as he slammed his hands down on the control panel

“First of ow that hurt somewhat second remember what I showed you the day we truly met ?” 

“ Yes” Shiro relived what was about to happen “Were going to do that weird teleport thing with the Angel wings.?”  Shiro asked still not entirely understanding what he had seen that day

“ It’s call Phase shifting  an it will allows you to Fly through solid objects and grab sorted  items”

“ Like the Black Bayard “

“ Your Bayard yes now focus Clear your mind and focus on your target then acted “Leonidas said as he returned control of the  black lion back to Shiro

“ Ok Focus.”  Shiro said to himself as he focused his mind ,steadied his breathing and  felt his bond with the black lion strength followed by the sound of the black lion roaring to life. Then the wings on the Black lion glowed brightly and changed into Angel like wings. Then Shiro Charged forwards straight towards the Titan

Zarkon throw the red lion way and tried to slash at blue lion only for a volley of missiles exploded against the Titans chest sending them back a bit. He quickly righted himself and swung his blade cutting through a Few fighters that got to close. As swung the blade around trying to hit the lions but from the corner of his  eyes he saw a bright blue light  appeared . He quickly turned to see what it was and saw  the Black lion with angel like  Wings full speared out Flying towards him

“  No “ Zarkon Yelled s he push as the Yellow lion and charged straight towards the black lion . He whipped his blade forwards aiming for the head of the black lion but his blade passed through the black lion followed by black lion flying through the Titan’s head and for just a second . Zarkon saw the Black paladin he looked into the Paladins face and saw nothing but death starring back at him. After they passed through him he noticed that the black Bayard was no longer set in the Key hole. Then he realized that for the first time in ten thousand years his death was possible  

The Black lion had stopped phase shifting once it was far enough away from the Titan . Shiro looked at the Bayard in his hand it had a Jagged look to it and in stead of being the usual white like the others were was a dark purple for the base color with black covering top the bottom of it . After a few second of  holding it the Bayard returned to it original colors and form .He smiled seeing this “ Alright Paladins Form Voltron “ Shiro yelled 

Zarkon turned the Titan around and watched as the loins started to converge on each other about to form Voltron again An he could not let that happen . He point the Titans remaining arm and Aimed it towards the Black lion he pour all of the power he had drained from the Valkyrie into this shot it was strong enough severally damage the black lion. Maybe even kill it’s paladin if their bond is strong enough. But before he could fire it A massive explosion erupted against the back of the Titan. He  turned around And saw the Valkyrie Pointing it’s Bow at him . 

“ Got yea Bitch “ Jay said as Val waved To The Titan

Zarkon's eye widen as he Quickly turned around only to have Voltron’s Blade stab into the Titan Abdomen Destroying Already badly damaged internal systems. This caused Him to collapsed to the floor in the worst pain he had felt in years  . This was it. It all ends here his empire, His rule his life it all was going to end here .He was going die in a massive metal coffin  alone   “No I refuse “ Zarkon Yelled  as he  used the titan remaining hand and grabbed onto Voltron's head and poured everyone last bit of power that The titan had an send thousands of  Volts of electricity into the head of Voltron “  It I'm going down I'm taking one of you with me ‘he Yelled 

Shiro Yelled in pain as the electricity coursed through is body . His metal hand had been taking the brunt of the Assault but he felt the hand start to shut down along with any Cybernetic that were  in his body. As this was happening the Control console opened an revealed a key slot an he knew what he had to do. So he summoned up the Black Bayard  Turned his cries of pain into a battle cry as he slammed the Black Bayard into the slot  turned It. This caused Voltron's Blade that was still embedded in the Titan to ignite in a blaze of beautiful red flame. Then the Blade cleaved it’s way out of the Side of the titan an caused a massive blinding explosion that engulfed both

After a few second of shielding their eyes Allura saw the after math of the explosion . The titan was in pieces and Voltron was separated back into the lions and floating 

“ Is everyone ok ?” She asked worried about everyone but that worry was quickly demised when the Yellow, Green , Red and blue lions started to move but then she noticed that the black lion wasn’t moving “ Shiro Are you alright  ?” No response “ Can anyone get in contact  Shiro he’s not responded to me “ 

“ I can’t get in contact“ Jay said 

“ Same here he might  have passed off after Zarkon last attack “ Keith said worried about his brother 

“ Alright Paladins pull back were pulling out “ Allura said as she watched the  Valkyrie grabbed onto Black lion an stated to fly back towards the Castle followed by the other lions an a few rebel fighters “Alright Coran contact Admiral Asmo It’s time to fall back The mission as been completed it time to “ But she was cut off when a Single unknown ship appeared close to where The Titan’s remains were. It was Quickly surrounded by fighters and Rebel Battle ships 

The Ship was a smoother up dated version of A Galra warship. I was also Twice the Size of the Castle of lions which was surprising seeing as castle was the biggest Ship the Aldean's ever built. The ship floated their for a few seconds before opening fire on the ships that surrounded them quickly destroying them . It stopped Firing once the Ships surround it  were destroyed it then slowly started to turn itself towards the Castle of lions. An fired it’s main Cannon at the Castle 

“Shields up” Allura Yelled 

“ We have no time brace for impact” Coran said 

Everyone on the Bridge braced for impact . But before them beam could hit  A bright green barrier appeared in front of the Castle of Lions taking the shot for them 

“ Sorry for the last minute save i kind spaced out waiting for you guys . “Vanguard said as they opened hundreds of wormholes 9in front of the Rebel   Also We need to start leaving now i’ve detected a huge number of Galra warships coming towards us” Van said as a few hundred Galra ships exited Warp speed followed by thousands and thousands  more then they started firing on the now  Rebel ships   

“ Admiral It’s time to leave “ Allura said as she Opened up A Wormhole  in front of the Castle and moved the castle into it 

“ Way a head of you princess” Asmo replied as the fleet of rebel ships started to retreating into the Wormholes the Vanguard. Some where damage as they left others were destroyed or disabled them before they could leave.

On the bridge of the Unknown Galra Ship 

Lotor watched as the worm hole that appeared in front of the Castle of lions  Disappeared to reveal that the Castle of lions was gone.

“Run away little Paladins will me again soon enough “Lotor said with a smile on his face 

In one of the Hangers

“ Come on Come on “ Rolo  said as he, Pidge Matt, Hunk Keith ,Jay, Ace and Lance were trying to pry open the Black lions door. The door had been sealed tightly do to the black lion not having any power it was also trying hard to keep itself to to a safe system that made it when a lion was out of power while in space that it would remain closed until power came back or when the black lion it was on a planet or artificial atmosphere  that the plot could breath. But something was wrong and the door wouldn’t open 

“ Jay are you really pulled at full power here ?” Matt asked as he struggled to help pry on the door 

“ Dude I’m the strongest guy here and I’m struggle to get this open” Jay replied as the door opened a bit more 

“ Don’t start arguing now we’ve almost got it open enough for one of us to slip in” Rolo said As the doors fought back undid a bit of the progress the group had made . ”Dammit ‘

“ Thanks for jinxing it “Pidge said 

As the group struggled to get the door opened Allura ran into the black lions neck compartment an saw what was going on “ What happened “

“Doors stuck we need help” Jay said knowing that if Allura helped this would go a lot easier. “Also what happened to your head Boss?” Jay asked as he noticed the bandage around Allura’s head

“ I Hit my head after Zarkon had hit us Now make room “ Allura said as she rolled up the Sleeves of here dress  and Grabbed onto the door and helped them pull it open. With her help they were able to get the Door open just enough to  allow Keith, Lance, Pidge  and Matt to get in while Allura ,Jay ,Rolo Hunk and Ace to keep the door in place.

Keith was the first one to get to Shiro and Saw him passed out in the Chair. Keith froze up for a few seconds then he noticed that Shiro chest was moving 

“Oh Thank god” Keith said As he started to pull Shiro out of the Pilots seat “ Somebody help me Please”

“ On It” Lance replied as he took Shiro’s other Arm

“ I got his legs” Matt replied 

The three carried the unconscious shiro out of the Cockpit with Pidge following behind them holding onto the Black Bayard. The moment the five were out of the cock pit Allura and the other let got of the door causing it to slam shut .With a loud bang

The loud Noise caused Shiro to suddenly jolt awake and almost kicked Matt in the face 

“ Watch it “Matt snapped as he let go of Shiro legs

“ Sorry “Shiro said weakly

“ it’s alright man” Matt replied a little mad at himself for snapping at his friend

“Ok now i have to ask did we win?” Shiro asked

“ Yeah we won  “Lance replied 

“Yeah the Empire is finished against thanks to You “Allura said 

“ Good to hear now if you all don’t mind I’m going to rest for a bit “ Shiro said as he passed out.. 

In Galra central Command.

Haggar stood over a metal Coffin with dozens of wires and tubes that had a purple liquid flowing through them. The Coffin house the comatose body of a barely A lived Zarkon .As she starred at the Coffin she heard foot steps walking towards them. She looked up to see Son walking towards her 

“Hello Mother it’s good to see you again” Lotor said 

“Hello My Son it has been along time now lets get to work we have much to to “ Haggar said    

To Be Finished in The Epilogue  

#voltron #adashi #takashi shirogane #vld coran #vld shay #vld adam #plance #klance #kidge #keith kogane #pidge gunderson #lance mcclain #hunay #hunk garrett #Allura #coran #lotura #rolo #lotor #NYMA #RAX #cannon divergence

[speeding-fox]

Acceptance (Bakugaiden fic)

Parenting a child on your own has been the toughest challenge Midori has ever took on, but he has to do it, this is his child, this is his responsibility, and if he has to do it alone and be the only one involved, then so be it, no matter how tiring it can be. He hasn't really spoke to his husband since their fight regarding their child. After processing for sometime (around a month), Midori came to terms that he was a dad now, and was ready to accept the baby as his own, however, his husband Mizuiro refused to accept the baby was his despite the tests stating otherwise. They argued, it got bad, and it ended with Mizuiro stating 'he will absolutely not take care of a mistake Shiro and Kiiro made' before Midori stormed out on him. 

Midori hasn't spoken to him since then. Whenever he tried to reach out, Midori will either leave him on read, or have someone else speak on his behalf, while Midori disliked leaving him hanging, and as much as he loved his husband, the sarge didn't want to talk to him until the childish scion gets his act together and step up to the plate.

Midori bounces the fussy infant on his lap in a vain effort to calm them down. Tiiru has been crying all morning, and no matter how many times Midori fed them, burped them, and changed their diapers, they wouldn't let up, he was exhausted, and he looked the part too, he hasn't gotten much sleep ever since he took on his parent role, guess that was one of the perks of being a dad. "C'mon, I fed you, burped you, and even changed you many times now. Why will you not stop crying..?"

The doorbell rang. A guest? He wasn't told there were going to be vistors. Good thing he wasn't the only one living in the base to answer the doors. "I'll get it!" Shiro shouts from the hallway. Whoever could that visitor be? As far as he knew, nobody was expecting guests, so Midori could only wonder who it could be, until Shiro came to the living room. "Midoribon, someone wants to see you."

Huh? Someone wishes to see him? Who could that be? He turned to glance at the doorway, and his tired eyes widen when he sees who it is: Mizuiro... Why is he here..? What's the reason..? 

"Hey, hun." Mizuiro greets sheepishly. Midori slightly scowls at him, turns away, and holds the infant close to his chest, Tiiru, however, stops crying upon seeing the new guest, and gazes at them with wonder.

Seeing his husband giving him the cold shoulder saddened Mizuiro, but he understood why he was acting that way. He ushers Shiro away so he and Midori could talk one-on-one. He then walks over to the couch, and seats himself to the spot nearest to the sarge, Tiiru's eyes followed him the whole time he does so.

It was awkwardly quiet for a bit, Mizuiro tried to come up with the right words to say to his husband. When he saw how unkempt he looked, he remarked: "My goodness Midoribon, you've seen better days."

"Gee, thanks." The sarge responded sarcastically whilst still looking away.

The scion held a hand over his mouth (where it would be anyway) and quietly cursed to himself. He didn't mean for that comment to be the ice-breaker. The tired sarge turned to him. "Are you here just to tell me how bad I look?" He asks with attitude.

Mizuiro didn't like his husband's attitude, and would say as much, but given how exhausted he appeared, he isn't surprised that Midori would be cranky. He sighs. "No, that's not why I'm here."

"Then why are you here?" Midori inquires. "It can't be just because you missed me."

The scion looks aside, thinking about how to properly word what he needs to say, he was going to begin with how much he missed his husband, but after that comment, he couldn't. He sighs again. "While that is true, that's not the only reason I'm here, it's regarding the child." He paused. "I've... took a lot of time to think this over-"

"About another month..." Midori interrupted snidely.

"Shush. I don't have time for your rude behavior, Midoribon." Mizuiro responded harshly, then his eyes slightly widen, before his expression softens. "Oh dear... I apologize, I didn't mean-"

Midori stopped him and professed. "No, I should be the one apologizing. Please, continue with whatever you need to say."

"Right..." The light-blue biidaman shifted his gaze to the floor. "I took more time to think over this whole "suddenly having a child" situation, and I realized some things." He shifts his gaze to Midori. "I realized I acted very childishly. As you already know, I have never cared for a baby before, and had fear, as this is such a life-changing thing that happened so suddenly, I didn't know how to take it." He looks aside, guilt written on his face. "Despite this reason, it does not excuse how I behaved, what I said, and how I initially wanted nothing to do with the child just because of how they were brought into our universe..." Pause. "I don't want to lose you for not accepting our child, so I'm... willing to try to be involved in our little one's life, with you."

Hearing that filled Midori with so much warmth and joy that his eyes begin to well up with tears, it could his tiredness making him more emotional, but he didn't care in that moment, he was just so happy that his husband finally came around, he wasn't the only one to notice his tears forming. "Honey, are you okay?" Mizuiro asks.

"I-I'm fine. I'm just... s-so..." Midori unleashes the waterworks, his tears coming out of his eyes as if they were water-spouts, and sobs. "HAPPYYYYY-YYY-YYYYY!"

Mizuiro chuckles. "I'll go get you a couple tissues." He gets up, goes and grabs about three tissues, then sits back down and hands them to his emotional husband. "Here."

Midori manages to stop sobbing, but he was now all sniffles, and accepts the tissues with his free arm. "*sniffle* Thank you." He takes one, and uses it to wipe off the tears. "Sorry about that." He chuckled. "I think the lack of sleep made me more emotional."

Mizuiro let out a chuckle as well. "I figured as much. There's a baby here, yet you're the one crying like one." He teased. 

"Hey!" Midori shouts playfully.

The scion lets out a laugh, before staring down at the tiny baby, whom seems like they haven't taken their attention off of him the whole time he's here. "What is the little one's name again?"

"Tiirubon." Answered Midori.

"Tiirubon..." Mizuiro repeated. "What a nice name. How suiting."

"Glad you think so, because Shirobon and Kiirobon kept calling him Shirobon Jr. and Kiirobon Jr.." Stated Midori.

Mizuiro snorts. "They can't be serious! Tiirubon barely has white and yellow on him!"

Midori laughed. "I know!"

They both begin laughing, their merriment soon died down when Tiiru began cooing, and their cooing was directed at Mizuiro. Midori smiled at the child and chuckled a little. "Heh, the little guy has been curious about you ever since you came in." 

"I can tell. He hasn't taken his gaze off me once." Mizuiro says.

"He even stopped fussing once you arrived." Midori turned to his husband. "Why don't you hold him?"

Mizuiro's eyes widen. "H-Hold him? I-I really mustn't. What if he doesn't like me?"

"Mizu, he's clearly fascinated by you. He wants to get to know you, and that first step is you holding him." Insisted Midori

"Bu-But what if I drop him..?" Mizuiro stammered.

"We're on a couch, Mizuiro, even if you do accidentally drop him, he will not get hurt." Midori carefully holds out the infant to Mizuiro. "Please, Mizuiro, reassure me that you've really accepted Tiirubon as your kid."

Mizuiro stares at Midori, then at the baby in his arms, and he slowly and hesitantly holds his arms out. "O-Okay." He flinches once the child was gently placed into his arms, and starts shaking. Oh gosh, he's really doing this, despite Midori's reassurance, he still feared he'll somehow mess this up and hurt the baby.

He stops trembling when he felt Midori's hand on his outter-most arm, and gazes up at him. "You need help holding him correctly? Here, let me show you how." His husband helped him carefully positions his arms so the baby can be comfortable. "And you prop his head up like this so the little one's nice and cozy, and there you go! You're holding him!"

"Ah..." Mizuiro's eyes shimmered as he stared at the infant in his arms. He's doing it, he's really doing it, and Tiiru hasn't began crying, this was already turning out well. Having a closer look at the small child, he took note of their features, they looked like the perfect mix of both their parents, but their eyes... they were a lighter blue than Midori's, they reminded Mizuiro of his mother-in-law's, they were so pretty.

"Are you going to keep staring?" Chuckled Midori. "Introduce yourself to him, Mizu."

His husband speaking up snapped him to attention, and he glanced up at him for a second, then back at the baby. "Oh, ah, right, uhh..." He pauses for moment before introducing himself to the infant, which he thought was silly, considering that Tiirubon is much too young to understand him, but if it would make his husband happy... "Hello, uh, Tiirubon, I'm Mizuirobon, I'm your-, erm, other father-, er, dad. It's nice to meet you."

The baby stares up at him silently, they tilt their head a bit to the side, then smile and let out a little coo. "Aww, he does like you, Mizu!" Cajoled Midori. The sarge then notices something in Mizuiro's eyes. "Mi amor, are you crying?"

"Ah!" Mizuiro quickly wipes the tears away. "No! I'm just... tired is all!"

"Heh, YOU'RE tired? Have you forgotten how I look? Maybe you need a tissue." Joked Midori as he held out an unused tissue, before he laughs, and Mizuiro begins to laugh shortly after.

The next few years for the pair was an adventure to say the least. Parenting was a handful, but they worked through the difficulties that was parenthood together (when the servants were mostly busy). For every milestone Tiiru reached, Midori and Mizuiro were glad to be there when they happen, and they were especially glad to have eachother there to see their child grow-up.

#Fox's Writings #One Shot Story #Bomberman #Bakugaiden #Midoribon #Mizuirobon #Money is Power (Mizuiro/Midori) #Bakugaiden Next Gen. #Tiirubon

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Once Bitten, Twice Stupid prt.5

Lance dragged his carcass to his bed way too late in the night that it had to be nearly sunrise. Blue annoyed she had to share “her” bed with such a pathetic excuse of a human, further annoyed as Lance wrapped his arms around her. Letting Pidge have sugar had been a terrible mistake for everyone involved. She’d talked through every second of every video, rewinding and pausing frequently to review anything that caught her eyes. Hunk screaming at both jump scares had been captured in the videos, Pidge thinking she was onto some kind of wailing banshee, until Lance had to point out it was Hunk. His poor bestie doing his best to melt into the blue couch cushions as his face burned. Shiro let Pidge talk as much as she liked, Keith sat there and glared when he finally came out the shower to join them. The idiot hadn’t even dried his hair off, throwing himself down next to brother where he shot Lance a look of what seemed to be pure disgust. The dude was a little ball of anger muffin, actually, Pidge was the anger muffin of the group, meaning Keith had to be... the anger loaf? The vampire was like 90% sure that wasn’t a thing, but with Keith being taller and more grizzled than his twig arse, Lance couldn’t do the brain to work out what he was, other than annoying. God, he was going to be dead in the morning.

The storm howled all night long, the latch on Lance’s window deciding to break, Blue sent flying under the bed after jumping squarely on Lance’s face, claws out as she did. A quick glance to his alarm clock confirmed the power had already gone out, meaning no lights, meaning not much point trying to fix the damn window until the sun came up. Except a normal damn person wouldn’t be sleeping away in rapidly cooling room. They’d be scared and all that... Pidge had said karma was coming their way, yet she’d failed to mention it was bad karma.

Pulling on his robe, Lance left Blue under the bed to make her own way out. A scared Blue meant the claws were out. That was a job for a Lance who didn’t feel every bit dead as he’d been for the last 3 plus decades. Heading down the hall, he let himself into the room Hunk and Pidge were sharing. The lamp between the beds off, Pidge snoring away on her side, the side effect of having no power. She must have left her phone bank at home, or she’d probably still be working on her theories from the hospital. In his bed, Hunk was clutching his phone in his sleep. He’d left his fucking glasses in his room, and now it felt like too much effort to go back. Lance didn’t particularly want to crawl into bed with Hunk, but what did normal people do? Would Shiro and Keith think him weird? Fuck... he couldn’t sleep next to either of his friends. He didn’t want to do anything that wouldn’t be considered normal... a normal person... would sleep on the couch. He couldn’t very well magic himself up into a bat and sleep in the attic for the night. Ugh. He was over this. Thoroughly over this.

*

The couch was cold and uncomfortable. There was a spot on the ceiling above it that’d started mocking him something after his third roll over as he tried to go the fuck to sleep. One spot led to two, then three... mocking his entire existence with their round unwanted circleness. The ceiling could probably use a fresh recoat. If he was going to redo the ceiling, he might as well update the rug under the coffee table... and then there was the latch to fix, how many other latched needed fixing... maybe he could put some fresh roses in the garden, the candy striped ones his Mami loved were already backed by white sprawling roses... he had abracadabras in for his papi... aaaaaand now his brain wouldn’t shut up. Maybe it was true about old people and their love for gardening. He really should spend the day tidying everything back up... He had the land and space, but everything other than the roses seemed to be neglected... maybe he could plant out his death soil? Put a nice little fountain there? Some violas and petunias? So much for sleeping. Pidge was going to love this.

Lance gave it what must have been an hour, by his time, after the first rays of sun started to dye the sky in light. The weather drizzly, overcast, and cold. A bit like his mood. Annoyed to find the coffee machine relied on power, now on top of his craptastic night, he was going to have to deal with a caffeine deprived Pidge in the morning. Sure, he was already going about boiling water in a metal kettle on the gas stove top, but Pidge insisted she needed two large coffees each morning before she was ready to face the world. He’d only invested in a coffee maker for the sake of her and Hunk. He’d missed the boat on the human race’s race towards coffee addiction.

Cracking a dozen eggs, Lance hoped he’d was making enough as he whipped up potato fritters and bacon... Then decided he wasn’t being a good enough host, adding fried tomatoes, fried eggs, a bowl of baked beans from a can he didn’t know he had, the finally fried bread thanks to the fact his damn toaster was electric too and he supposed people would want bread. There went his food for the week. Leaving the oven door down, Lance turned the oven on, sliding the plates and bowls in to keep them warm. Now he just needed his visitors to wake the fuck up and get the fuck out...

Lured by the scent of breakfast, Blue came running in ahead of Shiro. Making straight for the kitchen counter, Blue let out a demanding squeaked meow, yes, he knew, she wanted her morning wet food

“Good morning, my love. Breakfast will be ready in a tick”

“Thanks, darling?”

Obviously Shiro knew he was talking to Blue. Seriously, couldn’t a man talk to his damn cat without being attacked?

“Shiro, you’re not fucking funny”

Keith shuffled around the doorway, Lance feeling it’s should be criminal for house guests not to loudly declared where they were and which rooms they were entering, because damn, with his shirt hiked up that strip of smooth taunt belly between the hem and his jeans just wasn’t fair

“You tell me that every day”

“Because all you do is get older and less fucking funny. Where’s the coffee?”

“The power’s off, you’ll have to make do without. Sorry, Lance, he’s barely human until he has his coffee”

Be nice. Be nice. Be nice. Big fake smile, he wasn’t as dead as he was body was, all smiles

“That’s alright, Shiro. Pidge is the same. If she doesn’t have her two coffees she’s purely demonic. She’s been known to bite, scratch and kick. I used the kettle on the stove, not exactly cafe quality but as my mother would say, “if it’s good enough for your grandmother, it’s good enough for you””

“I’m pretty impressed, not many people would think about boiling water on the stove top”

“My family used to go camping quite a bit when I was a kid. As long as you’ve got a gas stove, you’re pretty much prepared for times the power goes out. Do you two want to eat first, or shall I go get Hunk and Pidge?”

“Oh... we don’t want to intrude...”

“You’re not. Everything’s already done, we’ll eat then I’ll run you into town. Sorry the power went out, your probably dying to know how your car’s going. Hunk’s dad always wakes up at the crack of dawn, so by the time we’re done, he should have some kind of update for you”

“I’m that case, sure. Thanks so much for all of this. I know you weren’t terribly keen on us crashing for the night”

“Well, you didn’t murder me in my sleep, and as far as I can see you haven’t killed Pidge and Hunk, so you pass with flying colours. I’ll be right back”

Lance fled as politely as he could, hitting his shoulder on the doorframe as he did. God, could he be more embarrassing? Who makes another murder joke when the time’s passed and it was now like he was flogging a dead horse. Pidge was right, he was lame as fuck... old age finally setting in... next thing came death... ugh, he really needed to stop with the mental joking. Insanity was a very real risk that came with living for too long. If he kept talking to himself like a crazy person, he was going to have to throw himself at the mercy of Coran with the hopes of a quick death. And fuck, he’d forgotten Blue’s food again...

Pidge didn’t want to wake up, a fist coming flying as Lance shook her shoulder. Hunk had spent the whole night with his hand on his phone, but was accepting of it being time to wake up. Pidge was not

“Fuck off... I’m sleeping”

“I have coffee”

“Gimme the coffee, then fuck off”

Lance snorted, too tired for anything other than a quick huff out his nose

“You have to come to the kitchen for coffee. We have to drop Shiro and Keith off in town, remember?”

“Let’em walk”

“After everything you put me through, you don’t get to go back to sleep”

“My house, my rules, fucker”

“That’s Mister Fucker, especially seeing you’re in my guest bedroom. Hunk, help me out here?”

“Nope. You poked the Gremlin. Do I smell food?”

“I cooked. I channeled my inner Hunk and made us all breakfast. Eggs, bacon, full nine yards, and coffee”

Climbing out of bed, Hunk wrapped his arms around him

“Best friend ever. Dude, you’re like frozen”

“The latch broke on my window last night, tried crashing out on the couch but you know what it’s like when your brain won’t shut up”

Hunk groaned at him

“You should have come crawled into bed here, man”

“I thought about it, but that seemed like effort. Didn’t wanna wake you up”

“You’re frozen. Go take a hot shower, I’ll make sure we save you breakfast”

“No, I’ll take a shower once we’ve dropped Shiro and Keith back in town. I’m dreading the state of my room, have to get my glasses out, but I’m scared it’s going to be a total mess”

“That’s rough, man. Still, you probably should get out of your pyjamas before giving us a ride home”

“I’ll have you know there’s no shame in wearing pyjamas shopping. I think they’re quite manly”

“Lance, bud, light of life and best bud a man could ask for, you can’t wear your pyjamas”

Lance had no issue with wearing his pyjamas in public. Somewhere along the line he was pretty sure there was a good six month period in his life where he’d worn nothing but his pyjamas. He loved the deep blue satin with gold trim and a little lion up on his breast pocket. Plus he had the matching robe and slippers. He loved them so much he had three more pairs in blue, one in red which looked horrible against his skin tone, and another set in black on the off chance something happened to the other four pairs.

“But they’re comfy”

“And you have to pretend to be an adult”

Lance blew a raspberry, pushing Hunk away

“Adulting is overrated. Back in my day you weren’t an adult unless you had two cars under your name”

“Dude, you have a car and a mortgage. What else would you call that?”

“An oversized kid with a commitment issue?”

Hunk face palmed, taking a long breath, he released it slowly

“Please, for me, will you at least change into something warmer?”

Dammit. Hunk knew he was weak to his bestie asking for a favour

“Fine. But know I do so under protest”

“Noted. Are Keith and Shiro already awake?”

“Yep, already in the kitchen”

Hunk scrambled to straighten up his bed, for no obvious reason Lance could hear how fast Hunk’s heart was racing. What did he have to be so worried about?

“Dude! Why didn’t you tell me? They better not have eaten everything”

Food? He’d cooked enough food to cook a small army

“I’d be surprised if they had”

“I don’t know, man. Oh my god, what if they have allergies?”

“Then I’ll have two dead bodies and all my karma would have gone up in flames. Relax, there’s a spread, I’m sure they’ll find something edible down there”

“I better go make sure...”

“Hunk, you’re making me sad. I promise I haven’t intentionally poisoned anyone in the last fifty years”

“There’s always that chance... So many people have allergies these days”

“And so many people now understand allergies better. Come on, man. They’re adults. Probably have two cars each and everything. Have some faith, man”

Lance’s words meant nothing, Hunk was off worrying himself sick over two grown men. He wouldn’t be Hunk if he wasn’t, but he didn’t have to attempt to take care of everyone they met... no matter how much of a teddy bear, people pleasing, free lover, he was.

*

Lance’s room had been torn apart by the storm. His window now broken, to match the broken latch. His bed was soaked, his floor was soaked, a stray branch had found its way onto his bed, and his damn glasses were cracked. The worst part was his blue slippers getting damp as he cross his room, stepping from “dry patch” to “dry patch”. More like “less wet patch” to “less wet patch”. Fucking storms, and fucking karma. He’d tried to be nice... he’d faked it as nicely as he could, that had to earn him brownie points. Now he’d be scrubbing the floors with vinegar to kill anything even remotely mould like that had the idea it was going set up residency in his house. They never warned you of the less fun things that came with being a homeowner. Had he know how much things would cost, he would have been campaigning for his mother start saving while he was still just an egg. Bring rural, someone had to come up from Platt. There was travel time, replacement time, having a stranger in his house, then there was the cleanup from their dirty boots.

Changing reluctantly into casual jeans, Lance piled on his thickest of jackets, with a scarf and beanie. Hunk had been suspicious of how cold he’d been, and with the weather still dreary, he needed to look the part, including forcing his feet into boots he hadn’t worn for at least two years. He hoped he’d looked okay, seeing he didn’t have an intact mirror to check. Lance also double checking he didn’t have any underwear hanging out his jeans, because he’d done that before today. Going to fuel up, he’d gone to double check his pockets for his wallet only to find a pair of black boxer briefs hanging from the back of his jeans. Thankfully no one had noticed as quickly stuffed them in his jacket pocket, before avoiding any and all eye contact when he’d gone in to pay. He most certainly wasn’t worried about his appearance due to the two handsome strangers in his kitchen... Nope. Not at all.

Heading down, Lance tripped on the stairs, then bumped into the banister. Every morning his eyes seemed to need an adjustment period thanks to his damn cracked glasses. They were only a cheap pair, but that wasn’t the point, it was something else he needed to replace on top of everything else going on. Back in the day he’d made some very dubious choices over his frames, thanks to the hipster rival he was now having the chance to rock the same shades as a much cooler person in a less judgmental time. Making his way down to the kitchen, Lance could hear Pidge prattling on about the paranormal, Hunk must have poured into a chair then poured coffee down her throat to keep her calm. She was honestly as bad as a starving vampire, Lance wouldn’t say he famished, but he would say his daily routine was out of whack. He would have been into his first blood pack by now, yet thanks to his guests and the lack of power the fridge needed to remain cold since he didn’t have a backup power system for the fridge alone.

Feigning casualness, Lance wandered into his kitchen, happy to see everyone except Keith was either. If Keith didn’t want to eat, then he could go goddamn hungry for all Lance cared

“Whoa, man. What’s with the glasses?”

Trust Hunk to notice right off the bat

“You know how I told you the latch snapped in the storm, the whole window ended up shattering. Room’s a mess, and I need to call a glassier out from Platt”

Trudging to his seat, he couldn’t take it thanks to Sir Mopesalot, his routine thrown off yet again as he was to sit between Pidge and Keith

“That’s rough man, covered by insurance?”

“Yeah, but I’d rather get a private quote too. If it’s less than $500 then it’s easier not to pay the excess”

“Ah, good thinking. What do you want for breakfast?”

There wasn’t that much left. Evidently he’d miscalculated everyone’s hunger levels

“I’ll finish off the potato fritters. Everyone okay with that?”

No one said no, so Lance helped himself to the last two. He was an excellent cook, if he did say so himself.

“So, Shiro. What’ll you do when your car’s fixed?

Shiro washed down the last of his fried egg with a large gulp of coffee, before leaning his elbows on the table as he nursed the mug with both hands

“Head back up to Platt. This was only going to be a day trip”

“Yeah, I suppose that’s true. Lance is always telling me I ask too many questions”

Lance brought his hand up, ruffling Pidge’s hair

“That’s because you do. I’m sure Shiro is anxious enough over his car as it is”

“He was talking just fine until you showed up. Plus, you forgot to feed Blue. My poor baby was screaming her head off for her food”

“Ah, fuuu-... Thanks, Pidge. I remembered before, but forgot again”

“I did it for Blue, not for you”

“I know. Her and her toe beans appreciate it”

“Glad to know someone appreciates me”

Lance gave a shake of his head

“I always appreciate you, and you know it. Like I appreciate the way you’re going to rinse the dishes for me after you’ve had your second cup of coffee. You’re still in your “Gremlin Mode””

“If you’d just brought the coffee up, I wouldn’t have to be”

“And if you just went to bed at a normal hour, like a normal person, you wouldn’t be so sleepy and cranky. Maybe I should call your mum so she can put you down for a nap when you get home”

“And maybe I should hack back into your home security and set your speakers to play “Psycho” every time you get in the shower”

“You couldn’t pick something I could sing to, could you?”

Pidge kicked the back of his foot under the table, she was on fire this morning

“Watch it. I’m not above motivation speeches for when you’re on the toilet”

“I’m down for that”

“You’re so goddamn weird”

Shiro started laughing, his right hand coming off his coffee cup as he shook it to say “ignore him”. Taking a moment to compose himself, he smiled over the rim of the cup

“You three really get along well, don’t you?”

“Yep. No offence man, I don’t know your friends or anything, but I feel like I’ve got the two best friends in the world”

Lance felt a surge of pride over his friends. Had Shiro dared to challenge him, he’d be having some serious daydreams over what he could do to the man and where to dump the body when he was done. Not that he ever would, and not that he really let himself think that way too often. He was just way too overprotective of the ones he loved

“It’s nice. To have friends as close as family, I mean. Do you have family in the area?”

“He has a grandmother in Pla-“

Lance elbowed Pidge, the question directed at him given Shiro was looking at him

“Yeah. My grandmother lives in Platt. You know what that’s like, she always has all the goss about what’s up. I had wanted her to come live with me so I could take care of her, but she wouldn’t hear of it. Apparently I need to get out and live my own life, but that’s hard when most people suck”

Shiro nodded

“What would she say if she knew you picked up two strangers in the middle of a stormy night?”

“She’d say I did the right thing. She’s been my number one supporter through everything. I could be murdered and she’d still want to hound my ghost over if it was a good host or not. “Lance, did you remember to feed them”. ��Lance, I hope you didn’t have your feet on the coffee table in front of them”. “Lance, did you use the good silverware and china?”. Lance, I hope you showed them where everything was”. We’ve got like this massive family, so things were always chaotic. Church every Sunday, family dinners, that kind of thing”

Lance was being nice, but blurting out his life was taking it to the next level. Shiro continued to nod and smile politely as Lance spoke

“Do you still attend church?”

“Sometimes, but I always make sure to go for Easter and Christmas. I light a candle every year for my pop who died. I believe in god, but I also believe in evolution. Maybe because I spent so many days at Sunday school, it’s rubbed off on me”

“That’s sounds nice”

Lance hummed

“Yeah. I like to take my grandmother too. Most of the family is catholic. The way I look at it, as long as your not a dick to me, I won’t be a dick to you, nothing else matters. People can believe in who or whatever they like, and that’s their own business”

“Lance, shut up. You’re doing the too many words”

Lance agreed with Pidge, from life he knew sometimes people talked far too much when they were nervous. Shiro left him nervous, but as not nervous as his little brother. Keith hadn’t eaten a thing, even the mug of coffee in his hands had hardly been touched. But he hadn’t really been babbling, had he? He had a tendency to do that when he was sleepy, so always tried to keep a set schedule and sleep routine

“And you’re doing the “not enough coffee in your caffeine system”, Pidgeon”

“I hate you, you know that?”

“Yep, as much as I hate you”

“Fuck... You don’t hate me”

“I love you, which means you love me”

Pidge mumbled about being tricked, flipping him off as she rose her coffee cup to her lips.

Shiro smiled at their antics, Lance wishing he didn’t look like such a loser with cracked glasses

“Well it’s lucky for us that you did. Breakfast was delicious”

“I’m glad you liked it. I can’t cook like Hunk, but my grandmother would have killed me if I didn’t pick up a thing or two cooking with her”

“You can let her know you did her proud. Is she...”

Is she what? Ooooh...

“Oh, she still alive. Yep, she’s in Platt and try to visit her when I can. Garrisons like the perfect distance away. I don’t have to live in the city, but I can visit when I want. I’m talking way too much. I must be boring you by now. We can head our when your done, and Keith’s finished with his coffee”

“Oh, um, yeah. Right. Keith, you better drink up”

After all the worry over the car, how could Shiro possibly forget? Oh god... what if he was one of those annoying types that were seriously bad at taking a hint? Sure, he’d let them stay one night, but that wasn’t happening again. This was his house and the sooner they left the better it was for everyone. Keith cast Shiro a sullen look as he finally sipped at his coffee, Pidge was bad in the morning, but Keith took it to a whole other nonfunctional level. Lance was definitely not going to miss him leaving in the slightest. Seriously, he’d cooked his arse off and the arsehole hadn’t eaten a single thing, even treating the coffee as if it were poisoned. What a douche.

#once bitten twice stupid #klance #mpreg #vampire Lance #ashratherose #vldau

[thathopelessromantic]

Crossing Lines

Fandom: Voltron: Legendary Defender Rating: Mature (implied sexual content + mild language) Pairing: Lance/Keith Note: The comeback no one expected with a series I thought was finished in 2018 and a fic I started in 2019 finally finished lol

There’s a nagging worry in the back of his head that this is not normal friends-with-benefits behavior, but it is easily drowned out by Lance’s sleepy smile when he shifts again to face Keith. He hides another wide yawn in his shoulder.

“Those kids wore you out, clearly.” Keith observes, trying to fight back his own yawn.

Lance smiles fondly. “It was fun to see them, to go back and be with everyone for a while. But I’m really glad you were here when I got home.”

AO3: (X) Part 1 of the series: (X)

Keith looks away from his computer as his phone buzzes against his leg. Pidge sits across the room at her desk, muttering to herself as she readjusts the device’s calibration – again. Their project was supposed to be at least 80 percent theoretical, but Keith knew the moment he was paired with Pidge that option was thrown out the window.

He flips his phone over just as it vibrates again. There’s a text from Shiro, asking him for the third time about a shirt Shiro insists Keith stole and Keith insists Shiro just lost, and a snapchat from Lance. Dismissing the text notification, he opens snapchat.

Most of the picture is just of a bright blue sky above him, but Lance’s face peeks out from the bottom, at an extremely unflattering angle. The selfie is taken at chest level while Lance looks down at the camera. His hair is pushed under a backwards baseball cap with frayed stitching along the edge and there is, what appears to be, a sparkly butterfly sticker on his cheek. Above his head it reads:

don’t blow up my apartment while im gone, mullet. i live there.

Shaking his head, he taps away the message. Pidge still appears absorbed in her tinkering and doesn’t notice as he takes a blurry picture of her.

we’re not that irresponsible

It only takes a few seconds for Lance to reply, no longer bothering with pictures and just texting back.

HA! but seriously, hunk’s been sending me worried messages all weekend

…Hunk had seemed particularly anxious the last time Keith emerged from Pidge’s room for a drink.

hm…like an hour ago pidge thought she had gotten the laser to work for real and did seem a little maniacal…

Lance replies with a supremely unimpressed expression, made, of course, all the more effective by the butterfly sticker. Keith snorts, but also half-heartedly wonders how easily he could get away with saving a screenshot of the selfie. He just saved one last night, of Lance cuddling with his parent’s dog ruined only slightly by the caption insinuating the dog had better breath than Keith, but he brushed it off with a lie about trying to lock his phone and taking the screenshot accidentally. He’s not sure if Lance believed him then, but he definitely wouldn’t believe it two times in a row.

Pidge loudly clears her throat across the room. Startled, Keith dismisses the message, and nearly drops his phone in the process. When he looks up, Pidge is looking at him over the rim of her glasses, with one brow raised.

“…Yes?”

“How’s that report coming, Keith?”

He glances back at his computer, at the three and a half pages he had finished of their ten-page report. “Fine.”

“Hm.” Pidge looks away, jotting down some other measurements on a pad besides her. “And how’s your boyfriend?”

“He’s not my-” Keith starts before he gives up with a heavy sigh. It’s a waste of breath with her. “Lance thinks we’re going to blow up the apartment. Well I guess actually Hunk does, and he turned to Lance for help.”

Pidge rolls her eyes, muttering something under her breath about worry-warts and ridiculous roommates. Keith smiles at the, somehow, simultaneously exasperated but fond tone she uses and turns back to his computer, tucking his phone under his leg again. But it takes a while to focus on anything other than blue eyes and familiar, silly banter.

It’s nearly three and a half hours later, though it hardly feels like it, when Hunk knocks at the door, tempting them out of the room and their work-stupors with the promise of pizza, the heady aroma already spilling out from the kitchen. They settle in the living room, Pidge and Hunk on the couch with Keith on the floor in front of them, legs stretched out under the coffee table. Pidge is still complaining around mouthfuls of burning cheese that they were almost done, if Hunk had just waited a little while longer, but Hunk turns on the sci-fi series they’ve been watching together and within ten minutes into the episode her complaints have turned into an analysis of how the character’s spacesuits work.

Keith relaxes against the couch as their familiar chatter falls around him. He’s a little lost in what is happening in the show, they’re further than he’s been able to get on his own, but it’s nice to share it with them anyways, especially with the way Hunk laughs triumphantly when he guesses the ridiculous plot twist twenty minutes early and Pidge keeps comparing the characters to people they know with frightening accuracy.

It only takes them an episode and a half to completely demolish the pizza, but when the third one starts up in the queue, no one bothers to reach for the remote. Full of good food and only half-paying attention to the show, Keith can feel himself being lulled to sleep right there on the living room floor. He fights against the urge as much as he can, but the last thing he remembers is the upbeat opening starting for the next episode, and then suddenly the episode is ending as he jerks awake, knocking his knee on the underside of the table, hard.

After his unfortunate waking, he extracts himself from under the table, gathering up dirty plates, despite Hunk’s protest, and taking them into the kitchen – the moving helps wake him up, even if his knee still hurts like a bitch. The stove clock reads 7:03. He slips through the living room as another episode is starting and goes to their bathroom.

As he’s washing his hands, his phone buzzes with another text. He opens the text as he exits the room. It’s a picture from Adam, Shiro’s fiancé, of Shiro sitting on the floor of what Keith is pretty sure is their laundry room, head buried in his hands. There’s a very dusty pile of something next to him.

The text says: we found his shirt.

Keith leaves the text conversation, trying not to laugh. Considering all the trouble Shiro gave him, Keith feels like he should be at least mildly annoyed by this instead of amused.

He turns the doorknob to the room in front of him and swings it open before he even realizes what he’s doing. He freezes, looking in at Lance’s dark, empty room. Distracted, he had apparently been moving through the apartment on autopilot – straight to Lance’s room. Feeling like he’s breaking some kind of unspoken rule, he takes a few steps in. Lance’s bed is still a mess of blankets and pillows, and there’s piles of books and discarded shoes covering his floor. He’s only been gone a few days, but his absence feels so prominent, especially like this, Keith can’t help but feel like something is wrong.

He’s texting Lance before he can think better of it.

when are you coming back again?

Lance’s response is almost instantaneous.

why? missing me that much already, mullet?

Yes, Keith’s head or heart, or maybe both, shout.

no just wondering how much longer we get to enjoy this peace and quiet he says instead.

whatever, asshole …….tomorrow night

Keith silently but firmly tells himself to stop being so damn happy about this news as he slips his phone back into his pocket. He takes one last look at Lance’s room before stepping back out into the hall and pulling the door closed behind him.

He just barely manages to fight the telling smile off his face before he gets back to the living room.

 Keith crashes at their apartment for the night, on the couch. Hunk and Pidge both try to convince him that he could take Lance’s bed and Lance wouldn’t care, but Keith is fairly certain he wouldn’t get much sleep if he was in Lance’s room – even if he would be alone – and insists the couch is fine. He wakes up once around 5 or 6 in the morning as Hunk is getting ready for his opening shift at a local diner but otherwise sleeps well until about 10:30. He wanders into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee before going to roust Pidge. He doesn’t mind mornings much, but he learned very soon into their friendship that Pidge is very firmly a “night owl,” and has no interest in trying to deny her nature. She’s lying upside down on her bed when he gets to her room, and somehow managed to kick all of her blankets off of the bed, except one, which looks dangerously close to suffocating her.

He stands in the doorway for a moment, just staring at her. “How do you even manage this?”

“Mmphf.” Sleeping Pidge replies, very firmly.

“Right.” Keith pauses. “I’ll come back when the coffee’s done, actually.”

With a little extra time, Keith hops in the shower. As soon as he opens the bottle of shampoo, he recognizes the familiar, fresh scent as Lance’s soap. He’s a little surprised Lance left his favorite soap behind, even if he was just going to his family home for a few days. He also isn’t sure what to do, looking around the shower space for other soap. There’s plenty, and surely none of them would care either way if he used a little soap but…

Is he totally over thinking this? Absolutely.

Does that realization help him make a decision about which soap to use? Absolutely not.

What feels like ages, but is hopefully only a few minutes, passes before he finally convinces himself to stop being ridiculous and just use the damn shampoo. He just grabbed Lance’s first, it was a coincidence and if Pidge noticed later…well, she would just have to accept that.

…Right.

He washes up quickly after wasting who knows how long second-guessing his soap choices and leaves the bathroom to the smell of coffee slowly starting to fill the apartment.

He has to break the nonexistent, unspoken rule his brain has built up in his mind a second time, and trespasses across Lance’s room to find some spare clothes he’s left behind for overnight stays. He pulls on some clean boxers and his jeans from yesterday, but after he’s pulled the worn Altea University shirt over his head, he realizes its Lance shirt, not his. There’s a small hole starting in the bottom hem and the white letters are fading and cracked from excessive wear. It was folded in his drawers, so Keith is like…ninety percent certain it’s clean, but it still smells like Lance’s cologne. Or maybe it’s his lotion or laundry soap or bodywash, but between whatever lingering scent Lance has left on his clothes and the smell of his shampoo still obvious in Keith’s damp hair, he suddenly feels overwhelmed.

He hates how much he hates that Lance is gone.

It’s just a couple of days. Why is he such a disaster? They’re friends. When was the last time he missed Hunk or Pidge this much when they were gone? Even with their friends with benefits arrangement, what made Lance that special to him?

Actually, that was a can of worms he wasn’t really prepared to open just yet.

Keith makes a hasty retreat – a calm, completely normal walk out of one room to another if anyone asks – back to the kitchen for coffee. He pours a generous amount for both Pidge and himself, before he returns to Pidge’s room to finally wake her. He’s not exactly eager to spend another full day working on this project, but he wants to get it done, and he officially really needs the distraction.

It takes another hour, even with the promise of coffee, to pull Pidge out of bed, and she insists on showering “to feel like a real person” before they can get back to work on their project.

Keith has gotten as far as turning his laptop back on and opening their report, rereading the last few paragraphs to remember where he left off, when Pidge returns to her room in some leggings and a baggy t-shirt Keith is pretty sure belongs to either Lance or Matt.

“How about food first?” she suggests.

It’s not exactly the distraction he was looking for, but he shuts his laptop anyways, pushing it off his lap before she even finishes her sentence.

 Sal’s is a small 24-hour diner just outside of Altea's central campus that makes it a popular place for both students and professors. Sunday morning, it is practically bursting at the seams, but it’s got good food for reasonable prices and Hunk, Lance, and Pidge had become regulars even before Hunk got a job in the kitchen. Within a few months of becoming friends, Keith had been invited along enough times that the waitstaff began to recognize him too.

Their wait for a table is reasonable, all things considered, and then Keith and Pidge have only been at the table for maybe three minutes before their waitress, Flora, drops drinks off at the table with a promise to be back for their orders in just a minute. Her long, red pony tail swings wildly behind her as she flits around the small space.

They hadn’t ordered anything, but Flora had been there for a long time and was used to their group stopping in, especially on weekend mornings when Hunk was working. But sitting on the table in front of them is two coffee mugs, and a tall glass of apple juice.

Keith and Pidge both stare at it for a moment, before looking to each other. Keith has a feeling the juice is making him feel a whole lot more…things than it is Pidge.

“I guess she just assumed?” Pidge finally says after a moment and goes back to the menu, as if she hadn’t memorized it within the first three months of their visits.

Keith pulls out his phone and takes a picture of the juice, sending it to Lance with a text:

from flora

Lance’s response comes in a few minutes later, interspersed with at least a dozen crying emojis.

i cant believe u traitors went to sal’s w/o me. tell flora i love her and one of u better drink that. we don’t let apple juice go to waste in this house

i am not telling her that. but i will drink the juice for u

Flora comes back to the table before Lance’s next reply comes in. “Just your usual’s today?”

Pidge hums and haws over the decision a few times, like she does every time they come, before agreeing to her usual order. Though she asks for fresh fruit as well today, just to mix it up.

He can feel his phone buzz against his leg almost the entire time Pidge is ordering. And again a few more times as he confirms that he would like his usual order as well. “But, Lance isn’t with us today so…nothing for him.” Keith adds awkwardly at the end.

Flora blinks at him a few times, surprised, before she snaps her fingers as if suddenly remembering something. “Right. I remember Hunk mentioning one of his roommates was out of town for a few days. Sorry guys, I’m just so used to your trio, or just you and him,” she says to Keith, thankfully not seeing the way Pidge wiggles her eyebrows and makes kissy-faces at him for the aside. “I’ll take that juice back for you.”

“Oh no, that’s fine.” Keith says, moving the glass closer to him. “It’s already poured, we’ll drink it.”

Flora arches a brow, but doesn’t argue with him. She promises their food will be out shortly and leaves the table.

“I can’t believe Lance didn’t request you deliver any messages to her for him, or insist we eat his chocolate chip pancakes in his honor too.” Pidge says once she’s gone.

Keith pulls out his phone, flipping it around to show Pidge the twelve messages he got while they were ordering. “Oh, I’m sure he did somewhere in there.”

 It’s hard to get back to work on a full stomach, but they power through it. Their shared determination to not have to worry about the project after today deters the usual urge to distract each other. Still, progress is slow, and they’re still working when Hunk comes home from work and peeks in to check on them. They pass on lunch when Hunk asks after his shower, and give non-committal answers to his questions about dinner plans.

Keith is entirely unaware of time and date and hell maybe even location by the time he drags himself through the conclusion but he is bordering on ecstatic when he finally saves the document for the last time and looks up from the computer only for Pidge to look up from her own work and meet his eye a few seconds later.

“Done?”

He nods, and she gives an excited “whoop!” stumbling off her desk chair to throw herself on the bed besides him. “So I just need to add in my input and double-check the details match up, right?”

He nods again, and she immediately scrolls to the top of the document to start reading. “Oh!” she jumps up again, grabbing her laptop from the desk and the notebook she was working in besides it. “Do you want to double check the equations and make sure the experiment outline matches the order you have everything in the paper?”

He is relatively confident in Pidge’s work, but he agrees, nonetheless, and the two settle against each other in the twin bed to finish their work.

 Keith isn’t sure when he dozes off, he doesn’t even really remember falling asleep, but when he wakes up, it’s dark in Pidge’s room. Both of their computers are on her desk and he’s alone in her bed. He sits up, half-heartedly feeling around the blankets for his phone to check the time.

“C’mon Mullet, you really had to move right then?”

Keith about jumps out of his skin at the unexpected voice, though he’d vehemently deny it if asked. Lance is sitting backwards in Pidge’s desk chair, pushed close to the door. He lowers his phone, smirking at Keith’s startled expression.

“I guess the deer-in-the-headlights look is fun too, but I was really going to enjoy lording the drooling-all-over-Pidge’s-sheets picture over you.” Lance teases.

Keith’s heart brain is doing some kind of stupid, fluttery thing over the boy across the room that he is pointedly ignoring.

“Shut up.” Keith mutters, even as he hastily wipes at his mouth. There’s nothing there. Asshole. He pushes himself off the bed. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Lance presses a hand to his chest in fake offense. “Really? You sleep through my grand return and when you finally bother to wake up, that’s how you greet me?”

Keith crosses the room, folding his arms over his chest and summoning the most unimpressed expression he can muster. “You know what I meant.”

Lance doesn’t seem deterred by the new height difference between them, or Keith’s attitude, crossing his arms over the back of the chair and batting his eyelashes up at him cheekily. He’s wearing the same baseball hat from the picture he sent Keith yesterday, but he’s got it on in the right direction this time, making him look minorly less like a douchebag. The baggy zip-up, which may very well be Hunk’s, over a t-shirt with the sleeves cut off, and sweatpants isn’t really helping though.

“When did you get back?” Keith askes instead of commenting on his poor outfit choices.

Lance shrugs. “A little after five. Pidge said you started to doze off around four.” He adds before Keith can ask. “Hunk made stir fry for dinner.”

Taking that to mean Lance was actually sent here to wake him up for dinner, rather than simply coming to terrorize him because he was bored, Keith steps around him to leave. A moment later Lance stumbles off the chair after him, complaining all the way.

“Hey,” Lance calls after him.

Keith is already rolling his eyes as he turns around, assuming Lance has a few more jabs he wants to get out before they get to the kitchen, so he is wholly unprepared for Lance to hook a finger in the collar of his shirt and pull him close.

“Is this my shirt?”

It takes all of his self-control not to fly away from Lance’s hold, though the heat rising rapidly to his cheeks is probably giving away his embarrassment all the same. “Maybe? I just grabbed something from your drawers after my shower this morning.”

Lance has a look in his eyes that Keith recognizes as usually meaning something dangerous is in store for him. He leans in closer, stopping just before the bill of his hat brushes the top of Keith’s head. “Did you use my shampoo too?”

“I think you’re a little too obsessed with your things for someone wearing someone else’s hoodie.”

“Well I think you missed me while I was gone.”

Keith isn’t entirely sure who moves first, but one second they’re staring each other down daring the other to give in and the next he’s shoved Lance’s baseball cap off his head, burying his fingers in Lance’s messy hair while Lance’s hands have dropped to his waist, pulling him close with a bruising grip. Their kiss is uncoordinated and messy. Keith is ninety percent certain he was not the only one missing someone a stupid amount this weekend. His back hits the wall, and he faintly registers Pidge yelling something about her room from the other side of the apartment.

Lance rucks up his shirt, warm hands brushing over his sides, and Keith is dangerously close to wrapping his legs around his hips and saying fuck dinner.

They finally break apart for air and Lance laughs against his throat, the sensation sending shivers down his back. “I knew you missed me.”

“And what?” Keith asks breathlessly. “You were ambivalent about it all? I don’t think so. Not kissing like that.”

Lance pulls back to look at him with a surprisingly soft look. “I just wanted to hear you admit it,” he teases.

Normally, Keith would have a comeback for that, probably, but now he’s distracted as he runs his fingers through Lance’s bangs. “You have blue hair.”

Just the tips of his hair that are dyed, actually, not his whole head, he’s still surprised by the change. It seems a little silly, but it still looks good on him.

Lance, not one to be deterred by much, winks at him, striking a pose. “Hot, right? Rachel did it.”

“Yeah, it looks good.”

That does give Lance pause and he blinks at Keith and his easy admission a few times. “Er, well…we should probably go eat now. If just to reassure Pidge we aren’t defiling her room.”

 Dinner is great, as usual when Hunk cooks, and they sit in the living room with another show on in the background, but they fill most of the time talking about Lance’s trip and gossip in their department that Keith is somehow always unaware of.

It is well after eleven before conversation begins to fade and they start to disperse around the apartment. Keith is, maybe a little, embarrassed about it, but he doesn’t bother to hide his intentions to stay with Lance rather than going back to his own apartment now that the project is done. For once, Pidge and Hunk leave them be with minimal suggestive looks.

Considering the brief tryst in the hallway earlier, Keith isn’t entirely sure what to expect when they finally retire to Lance’s room, but Lance doesn’t seem to be in a particular rush to do anything. Keith shimmies out of his jeans and drops into bed while Lance puts on some kind of moisturizer. He strips down to his boxers after and Keith can see new, blue markings up and down his arms before Lance turns the light off. Predictably, a moment later there’s a crash and Lance swears. Keith leans over to turn on the lamp next to the bed. Lance is leaning against the footboard, rubbing his shin.

“What did you knock over this time?”

Lance sticks out his tongue. “Don’t worry about it. Move over.” He says. He doesn’t wait before he climbs over the end of the bed and flops down, half on top of Keith.

“I would have moved if you let me,” Keith says into his shoulder.

Lance hums in consideration before he shifts on the mattress. Keith lets him maneuver him around the bed, mostly curious as to what he’s doing, until they end up on their sides, legs tangled together and arms around each other. Lance’s head is pressed against his chest, and his hands are, conveniently, on his ass.

“Lance-”

“Shh,” Lance interrupts immediately. “I had to go a whole weekend without even being able to see this ass, give me a moment to enjoy it.”

Keith laughs despite himself, rolling his eyes. “You are ridiculous.”

Lance wiggles against him, sighing contently. “You like it.”

“Whatever.”

Absentmindedly, Keith runs a hand against Lance’s back, trailing nonsense patterns against his warm skin. Eventually, he looks down, just to make sure Lance hasn’t actually fallen asleep like that, and sees the blue drawings on his arm again.

“What is all over you?”

Lance lets go of him to roll onto his back and show off his arms. “After Rachel dyed my hair, Nadia and Sylvio wanted to match, but Lisa, their mom, wasn’t really thrilled with the idea, so we found these tattoo markers at the dollar store and they were washable, so we went kind of crazy.” Lance shifts so his side is up where the black outline of a shark tattooed into his waist is now black and blue. “They also colored in my tattoo.”

“Did you draw these?”

“Haha,” Lance elbows him in the side half-heartedly. “I drew the rocket ship on my wrist, and the constellations on my shoulder, if they’re still there, are from Veronica, but everything else is from Nadia and Sylvio. Oh, and Luis,” Lance points to a…something near his elbow.

“A flower?” Keith guesses.

Lance snorts. “A lion, according to him.”

“Not the most artistically inclined I’m assuming?”

Lance shakes his head. “Not at all. Nadia’s pretty good though,” he turns over his arm to show off a dog on his forearm. “That’s pretty damn good for a seven-year-old drawing on a moving canvas with dollar-store markers.”

They just spent the last few hours talking about this weekend with Hunk and Pidge in the living room, but Keith can’t help but ask more questions about his family and what they did over the weekend. He brushes Lance’s hair out of his face, and Lance settles deeper into his arms, waving his hands in the air as he talks about the piñata he had to fill for the party by himself, that was bigger than the birthday boy, and the balloon mishaps that had his mother ready to call the whole thing off more than once.

There’s a nagging worry in the back of his head that this is not normal friends-with-benefits behavior, but it is easily drowned out by Lance’s sleepy smile when he shifts again to face Keith.

“Did you guys have fun this weekend?”

Keith shrugs one shoulder. “As much fun as you can have the weekend before a Kolivan deadline.”

Lance grimaces sympathetically. “You finished everything though, right?”

“I think so. We were just checking each other’s work before I fell asleep. If there was more to do, I doubt Pidge would have let me sleep for long.”

Lance hides a wide yawn in his shoulder. “That’s good,” he tries to say, only to break off half-way through into another yawn.

“Those kids wore you out, clearly.” Keith observes, trying to fight back his own yawn.

Lance smiles fondly. “It was fun to see them, to go back and be with everyone for a while. But I’m really glad you were here when I got home.”

The admittance is so quiet in the still room, and almost immediately drowned out by the way Keith’s pulse races, blood roaring in his ears.

Lance had closed his eyes, but he opens them again and looks up at him curiously. Keith knows he has to be able to hear the erratic beating of his heart. He wonders if Lance is even remotely aware of how many lines they’ve crossed in the period of their relationship, if he thinks at all about how little like fuck-buddies they behave when they spend nights wrapped in each other’s arms saying soft things and doing nothing else and if it affects him at all or if this is just how he is casually intimate with everyone. And he wonders why he hates that idea so much.

“Can I kiss you?” Keith asks. It’s usually Lance’s question, but for once, Keith can’t help but ask, ignoring, for now, how overwhelmed he is.

Surprisingly, Lance is quiet, and just nods his agreement, watching Keith with wide eyes.

The kiss now is nothing like the ones they shared before dinner, slow and gentle where the others were rushed and near-frantic. Keith wraps both arms around Lance’s waist, and Lance cradles his face with one hand, threading his other hand through Keith’s hair.

“Good night,” Keith whispers against his lips as they break apart feeling like he’s doing something unbelievably stupid even as the words come.

Lance presses one more quick, closed-mouth kiss against his lips. “Good night.”

Keith flips off the bedside table lamp, dousing them in darkness.

He isn’t sure how long they lay in the dark before Lance finally relaxes and falls asleep, but it feels like at least another hour before Keith admits to himself, he can’t sleep yet and carefully extracts himself from the bed. Lance makes a quiet noise of displeasure in his sleep, but easily stretches out, taking up the empty space and doesn’t wake up.

Keith goes out into the hallway, thinking he’ll just go to the living room and calm down but a light shines through the crack of Pidge’s closed door and he finds himself drawn there instead. He knocks once and Pidge opens the door immediately, looking around the hall almost alarmed.

“Keith? What’s wrong? It’s almost four in the morn-”

“Pidge, I think I love him.” Keith interrupts. “I think I’m in love.”

#vld #voltron #klance #fic #au #fwb #vld lance #vld keith #rita writes #fic: get some #lance mcclain #keith kogane #6.13.20

[giranswife]

Busy Holiday

Summary: It’s that time of year again, and Ashley is helping Marielle and the others get ready for another week of holiday fun. This is causing her schedule to be a little full, which means her and Shiroe haven’t been exactly able to enjoy the holidays together as they should.

W: self-insert x canon, fluff

(( I know I haven’t posted in a while, but I wrote this last night and it was super cute. writing these holiday fics is helping me get kinda back into the writing groove, but also helping me feel better bc I’m kinda not rly feeling good physically right now. But here’s a fic with my husband who I miss terribly. I might make a part two to this for the feast! because I miss my lh family so much ))

The holidays are probably my favorite time of year. Especially coming right off of fall which is my favorite season, my mood just grows and grows as the months pass. And with my favorite holiday here, you could say happiness was it it’s highest. Even today with only a couple more days away, I was running around and trying to get everything situated given Marielle was putting together another festival. Being her sister meant I had a lot of grunt work.

Eventually I ended up feeling pretty tired, having ran around all morning taken care of errands for Henrietta on top of everything Marielle needed me to do. Not to mention the kids in both guilds wanted me to help them decorate for both guild halls, and I had to pick one to do today and then one to do tomorrow morning. Log Horizon won today, mainly because this is my guild now and because once I arrived here tonight I wasn’t getting back out.

The idea of settling down with friends and doing something fun like decorating just seemed like the relaxation I needed. Not to mention Minori seemed excited since I’d been pretty busy and hadn’t gotten a chance to really be around much. Last night while I was helping clean up after dinner, she was rattling off to me about how funny it was seeing me so busy.

“Usually it’s Master Shiroe who’s never around. Has he started rubbing off on you or something?” She asked with a little giggle at the end.

I rolled my eyes a little and bumped my hip into hers playfully.

“Yeah, yeah. Very funny. But you’re not wrong. I don’t think we’ve really seen much of each other lately. Marielle has us both really busy.”

I started drying off a couple dishes, remembering the past couple nights that we’ve tried to see each other and it just fell short. The only moment that I had for a break was to eat a quick lunch and that was conveniently the same time he was leaving for a round table meeting. I smiled remembering the small kiss that he gave me on the forehead, quickly apologizing and promising to see me afterwards.

But at that point I had to rush back to Crescent Moon to discuss feast plans with Henrietta. That involved list making and recipe exchanges, running back and forth making sure both chefs at both guilds were on the same pages. Which meant by the time I got back, I had to eat my dinner alone in the kitchen with Serera to keep me company.

Which I had no complaints about. She is an absolute angel, and we got to talking about all the different things she wanted to help me do this year. Taking as much load off my back that she could do, mainly wanting to be in the kitchen with Nyanta as much as possible. Which I had already planned for, but just hearing her go on and on was a real treat.

She and Minori are the biggest reasons why I realized I desperately wanted children of my own. They were both older, of course, but they still gave me that sense of mothering just by how I naturally am with them. Well, with Minori I’m more of a sister to, but there’s still moments where the inner future mom in me comes out. It’s just a hope that I have that one day I can have that opportunity.

Serera, though, I would adopt her if I could. She’s just this ball of energy and an angel that I adore more than words. I definitely love her just like she was one of my own, and I definitely consider her to be family probably more than anyone. I would die for her a thousand fucking times, and before I left for the night I squeezed my arms around her and told her to never change. Stay as innocent like this for as long as she freaking can.

By the time I got to bed, Shiroe was still working, and I didn’t have the energy to bring him to bed. The only time we got to see each other was in the morning before we both ran off to finish what we had to do that day. It’s amazing that the two of us are hard working, but it definitely reminds me why it would be better if just one of us was.

We’d never get to see each other if that were the case. I knew that it was likely just the business of the season and everything going on, but I knew that the two of us were upset about it. After all, this was supposed to be a time for us to be together. It was our first holiday celebrating prior to our engagement, and we should be spending more time together. Being able to enjoy it is the whole point, and so far that hasn’t really been the case.

But I was also enjoying being able to help ease Marielle’s stress, and help both guilds have a fun time that I had completely forgotten about my own wishes. And Shiroe’s, for that matter. Because he mattered too, and I didn’t want him to forget about that. Or feel like I was forgetting about him.

Which is why I had hoped that the two of us could eventually do something together, once we found the time.

I was in the kitchen after a long day, talking with Nyanta as Serera assisted him with some baked goods for the feast tomorrow night. Henrietta wanted to put together a little something between just the two guilds to get together and have a little fun. It’s been a while since we’ve done something like that, and she promised that she had everything else taken care of so I could sleep in tomorrow. I was definitely looking forward to that, having felt just how tired I was the second I walked in and smelled the delicious aromas.

“Oh that smells amazing,” I mumbled, feeling my mouth water.

“Hey Ashley! Finished everything?”

Serera was checking on something in the oven, putting down her mitts and running over to give me a hug. I smiled, patting her back and giving a small nod of response.

“Thankfully. Everything is pretty much done, which means I can relax until tomorrow evening.”

“They finally gave you a break, hmm?”

I nodded, letting out a little sigh of relief.

“I love them both, but they have had me running around like freaking crazy. I swear my feet are starting to swell. Can’t remember when the last time was that I even sat down.”

“Want me to get you a stool to sit on?”

“That’s fine, Serera, baby. I’m about to go help finish up with the decorations in a few minutes. Anybody know where Shiroe is?”

“Last I heard of him he was still cooped up with more paperwork. No surprise there,” Naotsugu’s voice chimed in as he sauntered in.

He reached to grab one of the pastries on the counter, just as Serera swatted it from his hands. My eyes widened, and I watched him glance after her as she shoved the plate away from him as quickly as possible. It took everything out of me not to burst out laughing, but I was mainly afraid that once I started I wouldn’t stop. Given that I was so completely exhausted.

“Those are for tomorrow!”

“Okay, okay! Geez!”

“Aren’t you supposed to be with Sayeko anyway?” I asked with a lift of my brows.

But the look that he gave me in response was equally as questionable.

“Should I kinda say the same to you? When’s the last time you guys have even seen each other since Marielle started ordering you around.”

“First off, I voluntarily am doing this. Second off--”

I started to say something sarcastic, but I quickly realized I really didn’t have a leg to stand on. He was kind of right, and normally I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction but tonight I wasn’t really in the mood. With a deep sigh, my shoulders slumped forward and I pressed my hand against my forehead.

“To be honest… we’ve barely said a word to each other these past couple of days. We’re both just so busy, and it sucks.”

“Just tell Marielle that you need a break. Sure she’ll understand. She’s your sister for god’s sake.”

“Yeah… You’re right. I’m just really guilty.”

“I mean, this is kinda Shiroe’s thing. Just makes it worse when you’re always constantly working too.”

I nodded, knowing that he was actually speaking a lot of truth. Something that Naotsugu tends to do at times. But I wasn't about to tease him for it, again. Not really being in the mood and mainly wanting to keep things on good terms. After all, I was in the holiday mood which meant not a lot of attitude coming out of me.

He told me a bit about his plans with Sayeko as the two of us walked back into the main hall where the rest of the kids already were having tea that Nyanta had prepared earlier. It seemed they were all waiting for me pretty patiently, which I thought was incredibly sweet and adorable. I couldn’t wait to relax and finally get off my feet.

“There she is!”

“We were afraid that you passed out on us.”

Letting out a laugh, I ruffled most of their heads and leaned back on the back of the couch to watch Isuzu strum a bit. She wasn’t playing very loudly, and it was clear that she was just trying to pass the time. But I always loved listening to her regardless. Listening a little longer might have lulled me to sleep had I not been standing up.

“You sure you’re feeling okay, Ashley?” Tohya asked me with a concerned look on his face.

I nodded, letting out a small yawn as my tails ruffled.

“Yeah, Tohya, I’m fine. A little tired, but I’ll be okay.”

I smiled to try to help them relax, but it didn’t seem to help much. It must have been clear on my face just how tired I was. But I wasn’t going to let them push me out of the room whenever I had made the decision to do this. Plus, I really wanted to be here! No amount of tired could stop me, but I did spend a couple seconds looking around the room.

“If you’re looking for Master Shiroe, he’s still busy,” Minori responded, setting down a box of decorations that she started rummaging through.

“Oh… right…”

Naotsugu noticed the disappointment on my face, nudging me forward a bit with a smile.

With a soft sigh, I nodded in silent understanding and softly gave my cheeks a slap to wake myself up. “Alright, well, let’s go ahead and get started before I actually fall asleep on y’all,” I said with a laugh.

Everyone was curious about how I was able to do all of this, seeing as I never really seemed to work this hard before. It was pretty easy to explain, considering this was one of my favorite holiday’s and I honestly felt like Shiroe might be influencing me a bit. Whether that was good or bad, I wasn’t really all that sure.

It wasn’t that long into the conversation that I heard everyone speak up and greet him. I couldn’t have turned around fast enough, extremely happy to see his face after the rather long day that I had. It was kinda hard to hide too from the way my tails swayed, having all of them out just because they mainly looked cute in the outfit I had on. And Shiroe had made me feel less embarrassed about having all nine of my tails.

“Hey love,” I said with the biggest smile I’ve had all day.

He smiled tiredly, but it was obvious that he was happy to see me too.

He looked adorable too and definitely not like he had been working all day. Wearing his nice sweater and was in the middle of putting on his coat whenever I had turned around. Almost like he was about to go somewhere, and that kind of had me a little disappointed. Where could he be going this late at night? Unless he had some last minute meeting that I forgot about.

“Hey Ashley-”

“You look… nice.”

I still kept smiling, but there was a hint of confusion in my voice. A reaction that he didn’t seem to see coming, and it was quite clear on his face. It was definitely obvious that there was something I was missing here. Even everyone else around us seemed to notice it, the collection of voices slowly falling until there was mild silence.

“Everything… okay?” I asked, getting a little nervous.

“Yeah, uhm… you forgot didn’t you?”

Tilting my head curious, I looked at him with my thoughts cycling through, trying to understand what he meant. Shiroe and I really hadn’t got much chance to talk over the past couple of days, so I couldn’t exactly pinpoint when we had time to make plans. It wasn’t until I remembered yesterday whenever I had stopped to see him before the meeting.

I remembered when he kissed my forehead and went towards the door, he promised me that tomorrow night he would take me out to make up for this. It was very quick, and I did hear him and register it, but I must have just forgotten in between every task I had to do. The second that I realized it, I knew that I had messed up.

“Oh god, I did! I’m so sorry baby!”

Naotsugu made a low ‘ooo’ sound and slowly backed away, which definitely didn’t help the situation. I rolled my eyes so hard that they could have flew out of my head, and I turned my attention back to Shiroe. It looked like he was trying really hard not to let me see how disappointed he was, which honestly I didn’t blame him. I felt extremely shitty in that moment.

“It’s okay, Sweetheart. I know you’ve been busy. We both have.”

“Yeah, but… You obviously went through the trouble to get dressed up, and I… I forgot.”

“It’s okay, really. I mean it.”

He took my hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. Trying to reassure me knowing that I was stressed out, but it still made me feel bad. Especially since I really wanted to spend time with him, but I knew that I also made a promise to the kids as well.

My heart sank, and I didn’t know what to do. And Shiroe was too sweet to make it a thing, which I was partially grateful for given that the kids were around. All I could do was stand there and squeezed his hand, taking in how amazing it felt in my own. I’ve missed his touch that I had started to crave it, even though it really hasn’t been that long. My body just needed it so badly.

He kissed my forehead, giving me a soft smile.

“I’ll go make some fresh tea,” He said, walking off towards the kitchen.

Pursing my lips together, I watched him walk away with my eyes stinging. This was the first time I actually felt like I disappointed him like this. It wasn’t a good feeling, and I understood exactly how he felt whenever he was really busy and forgot something that we had planned.

I turned around towards the others, feeling my ears dropping a little. There was a decision that I had to make here. Knowing that either way I was going to disappoint people, and that’s not something that I really like to do. It was clear on my face that I felt terrible, and before I even opened my mouth Minori spoke up.

“Say no more! You guys go!”

“Huh?”

“Yeah! We can take care of the rest.”

“You two deserve a break, after all.”

A soft smile spread onto my face, and I saw Naotsugu give me a little nod. He patted Tohya on the shoulder, holding a thumbs up. “Don’t worry, I’ll hold the fort here until Sayeko gets here,” He said.

I breathed a sigh of relief, feeling my heart calming down a little. It made me feel good knowing that they were all so sweet and understanding. They really were all amazing, and I felt a little better about the whole thing. And it also meant that I could see Shiroe, who I desperately needed to give my time and attention.

“Thank you guys. I love you so much. I’ll see y’all tomorrow at the party, okay?”

They waved me off, turning their attention back to their own conversation and clearly not at all bothered with me dipping out.

I trotted into the kitchen, seeing Shiroe idly chatting with Nyanta. He barely noticed me walk in, and I took the opportunity to wrap my arms around his middle from behind and squeeze him tight. He jumped a little in surprise, glancing over to see my smile.

“I’m really sorry,” I said softly, kissing his shoulder, “But you’re important to me. And you should feel important to me.”

“I know, Sweetheart. But I really don’t mind-”

“Stop, it’s okay to be upset! I know that you’re upset, but I’m gonna make it up to you. So whatever you want to do tonight, I’m there.”

“What about the others?”

“Naotsugu’s got it covered, and they’re actually very cool and understanding.”

I giggled a little, feeling his shoulders starting to relax. There was even a bigger smile on his face that appeared which made my heart skip a beat. He turned around and wrapped his arms around me, pressing a kiss to my cheek. There was a loud giggle that escaped my lips, and my cheeks brightened.

“That sounds amazing,” He said, touching his nose to mine and leaving me breathless.

This. This is what I had been missing. The second that he put his arms around me, I felt entirely at home. I was relaxed and I was comfortable. Nothing else mattered in this world but being with him. Feeling his arms around me and breathing in his scent. He really was my safe place and my comfort space.

Nyanta cleared his throat, and it was at that moment we realized we weren’t alone. Shiroe slowly pulled away, chuckling nervously and pulling at his collar.

“Uh… I’ll leave the tea out for the others.”

He nodded, and there was clearly a smirk that both of us completely ignored.

Shiroe took my hand, lacing his fingers with my own and the two of us talked about what we were going to do that night. Turns out Shiroe had a couple things planned, mainly just to walk around town since it was actually really pretty out and I hadn’t gotten to just enjoy it. Honestly, anything with him sounded like a wonderful idea.

It was pretty chilly, and every time I spoke I could see the cloud of my breath. But honestly, I loved this weather a lot. I’ve always enjoyed the cold more, being someone who feels more relaxed whenever it’s cold out. But with all of the lights it seemed to feel a bit warmer whenever we were passing by a few shops were still open.

“So do you have much to do tomorrow?” Shiroe asked.

I shook my head, leaning against his shoulder.

“Thankfully. Henrietta knew that I needed a break, so she told me that I am completely free to sleep in and enjoy the dinner tomorrow.”

“That’s great.”

Nodding in response, I breathed in his scent and squeezed his hand rather tight.

“What about you?”

“I finished up a lot today, so it seems like I’m going to be free too.”

“Really?”

He nodded, shifting hair from my face and watching my smile form. It meant the world to me to know that tomorrow we’d be with each other all day. This was the first time in a while that this has happened, and I knew that he had made sure of that. It was just the one thing that I needed to fully relax and enjoy the day.

We passed by someone that we knew selling some hot beverages, and we stopped by to grab some. Shiroe chatted a little bit with them while I just stared at his face, seeing the way that he smiled and looked like he was genuinely enjoying himself. Maybe it was just an excuse to look at his cute face, either way I was completely lost.

When he turned back around, I still wasn’t looking away and the pink on his cheeks was definitely not just from the cold. I let out a giggle, taking a sip of my drink and giving his hand a tug. We continued walking just to talk, stopping at one shop just to see a gift that I could possibly grab for Akatsuki. She was the only person I hadn’t gotten anything for yet, mainly because I couldn’t find anything that she doesn’t already have.

“Is there anything that you want?” I asked, “Not that I haven’t got the perfect gift I’m just asking.”

Shiroe chuckled, stopping near a tree and watching me take a small sip of my drink.

“I’m looking right at it.”

My lips curled into a smile, and I gave him a rather teasing look.

“You already have me, besides that’s not really an option.”

“Why not?” He asked, wrapping his arms around my middle and pulling me closer, “All I want is just to be with you.”

A giggle escaped my lips, and it was loud enough for me to shove my face back into the cup in front of me. I knew that people were probably staring, but at this point I wasn’t even paying much attention. Not to mention most people know us anyway and wouldn’t really pay us any mind at all.

Shiroe was definitely a lot bolder now than he used to me. I would never have imagined him holding me like this. PDA was not really his thing before, and it still isn’t entirely, but he’ll hold my hand and hug me a bit no problem. He is still the flustered man I fell in love with, but he’s getting a lot bolder. Which I’m not going to complain about.

“Baaaby-”

“It’s true. I miss you,” He said, “We’ve both been working a lot, and I think that we need to give ourselves a bit of a break.”

“I agree… I miss you too. I guess I got a little wrapped up in helping Marielle that I forgot that we deserve to have fun too.”

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, smiling warmly in such a way that made my heart feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Shiroe gave me a soft kiss on the lips, before taking my hand and pulling me back towards the guild hall. The two of us were feeling pretty tired and just wanted to go back and climb into bed. Since we had tomorrow off, I’m sure that we planned to rest and relax. The idea sounded like the perfect way to end this hectic week.

“Hey, wait-” I spoke up, seeing him lift his brows.

There was a small silence between us before I grinned.

“Did you just actually say that we need to take a break? As in you need to take a break?”

He let out a loud sigh, rolling his eyes and trying to get me to keep walking. But I wasn’t having it. I kept teasing him and teasing him over and over again. Just because I knew that he was going to have that exact reaction.

I was sure that was the most that I’ve laughed in days, and part of it had to be because I was extremely tired. There was no way that anyone was getting me out of that bed tomorrow until at least two in the afternoon.

#self insert #self ship #ship: shirey #self insert x canon #fluff #my writing #fic #fanfic

[comicgeekscomicgeek]

Their Hero Academia – Chapter 52: Aftermath Part 2

Presenting the next raw and unedited chapter of my on-going, next-gen, My Hero Academia fic, Their Hero Academia!

Portions of this installment were written by @msalliepants (the portions featuring Shinji Yoarashi, David Togata, and Shiro Monoma).

Earlier chapters can be found here

As he expected to, Kota found Aizawa in his classroom.  Perhaps it was strange that he still thought of his father-in-law as “Aizawa” and not “Shota” or “Dad”, but if he was pushed to admit it, he still found the man absolutely, pants-wettingly terrifying.  When he talked to him, which was frequently, as they were coworkers, he usually defaulted to “Sir.”

He’d never been entirely sure how much Aizawa actually liked him, despite the fact that he’d been married to his daughter for over ten years.  Of course, considering the first time he’d picked Eri up for a date, he’d been so terrified of Aizawa and his “intimidating dad” routine he’d panicked and punched him in the balls.  That kind of set the tone for their relationship, even if Emi had found it absolutely hilarious.

Kota opened the door to Aizawa’s classroom, where the man was sitting in the dark, staring directly ahead, his sleeping bag laying discarded in one corner of the room.  Aizawa was so still that if he didn’t know better, Kota would have sworn he was dead. He didn’t bother to turn on the lights.

“We’ve been busy on the phones,” he said.  Aizawa didn’t respond or even look his direction.  But he knew the man well enough to know he was always listening, even when he appeared to be ignoring you.  “Checking in with the Agencies.”

He continued.  “I’ve talked to Eri.  She’s fine.  There was a Nomu in one of the areas she had to travel through to get to the hospital, but Can’t Stop Twinkling was there fighting it and Ojiro got her through without it even knowing she was there.”

That, at least, got his attention.   “She took one of my students with her?”

“Ojiro volunteered,” Kota said.  “No combat. Just additional stealth.”

Aizawa frowned.  “I thought she had more sense than that.”

“Desperate times,” he replied.  He wasn’t particularly happy with it himself, but he hadn’t been happy about his wife going out into that insanity to begin with.  But Kota had known Eri long enough to know there was no arguing with her when she’d made up her mind.  It didn’t do any good in the long run and he always ended up sleeping on the couch for at least a week.

There was a long moment of silence, then Aizawa spoke again.  “My children trusted me with theirs, and I let them go out into this insanity.  Nemuri even joked that their Internships couldn’t possibly have been as bad as that of the Problem Child and his friends.  I guess the joke’s on us.”

“Deku and everyone,” Kota said, “they know the kinds of things that can happen in this life. This isn’t your fault.”   That didn’t get him a response.

Aizawa was still staring at him, so he continued.  “The kids are all alive.”  He didn’t use the word “fine,” because almost all of them had been caught up in the Nomu insanity.  “Fine” wasn’t a word you used after something like that.  Kota understood.  He and Eri both had their share of nightmares from their own traumatic childhood experiences.

Kota went on.  “Midoriya, Todoroki, Haimawari, Aoyama, Shoji, Ojiro, both Iidas, Sero, Sato, and Kocho are all uninjured, though some of them saw varying degrees of action.  Tokoyami was hurt earlier in the week and wasn’t anywhere near any of the action and Koda was too far out with Froppy and the Oki Mariner to be involved.”

That was the good news. The rest, well, it got increasingly worse.

“Mineta received a few minor scrapes from falling rubble, but is otherwise okay.  Kaminari is being treated for Quirk Exhaustion after overloading her brain powering a weapon Creati made.”

That got another glare. He suspected Yaoyorozu would be getting an earful.

“Kirishima-Bakugo is being treated for exhaustion as well.  She was directly involved in fighting one of the Nomu protecting Uravity, and then had a poor reaction to seeing her father injured.”

The intensity of Aizawa’s stare increased and Kota actually found himself taking a step back.  He wasn’t a stupid man and what Kota was leaving blank was blindingly obvious.  Aizawa actually got up out of his chair, moving closer to him.  “You’re hedging around something.  What are you hiding?  Get to it.”

“Shota Shinso was there when Ground Zero fought the Nomu.  He saw everything.  He was nearly catatonic by the time Deku got them to the hospital.  They’ve admitted him for observation.”

Aizawa stared at him, a twitch forming in his left eye, his mouth set in a hard line.  “Get out of my way,” he snapped, already shoving past Kota and out into the hallway.

Kota just stared at the empty room for a moment.  “…That actually went better than I thought it would.”

***

Haru Shima had had a busy morning.  When word of the Nomu attacks had gone out, he’d gone straight to the hospital where he worked.  They didn’t live far from it and his Quirk was more than adequate protection against anything that might have been out there.  They’d have plenty of incoming, he knew, and would need all hands on deck, especially if any Heroes were injured.  His husband had already left for the day and would be in the thick of it. Their son had been out there too, working with Cellophane.

He’d forced himself not to think about them, but left strict instructions that, unless he was in the middle of surgery, he was to be contacted if either of them were brought in. And then Izuku had brought Katsuki in, torn to pieces and losing blood fast…

He’d done what he could. Haru was an excellent surgeon, but there were limits, and the damage had been severe.  Not a clean cut, but a mutilation, with damage to the surrounding bone, muscle, and nerves.  That Katsuki hadn’t died was a minor miracle.

He’d been lucky.   Yuga had sustained only minor injuries and would be released today.  Takiyo was fine.  Hanta had bought him time to escape to the relative safety of the Agency.  His son wasn’t exactly happy about having been forced out of the fight, but Haru had detected the fear in his voice when he’d finally been able to speak to him.  

And, of course, he’d had a million texts from Haruko.  Haruko was like him, the only other one in the group of Class A and their spouses who wasn’t at least tangentially involved in Hero work.  Mei was… a delightful, if eccentric woman, but she was closer to it than either of them.   He only tended to see Heroes when they were injured.  So he and Haruko often chatted and talked, often with Monoma’s wife as well, who was also a civilian.

But finally, it all seemed to have abated and he could go home.   At soon as he picked up his husband, anyway.   He pushed open the door to Yuga’s room.  And he stared.  He closed his eyes and counted to ten.  Unfortunately, the sight that greeted him was still the same.

“Yuga,” he said, peering between his fingers, “why do you have a paper bag on your head?”

“I am hideous now, Haru,” Yuga said.  His accent was thicker, the way it always was when he was trying to solicit more sympathy out him.  He placed one hand on the bag; it crinkled under his fingers.  “I must hide my face away from prying eyes, lest my unsightly visage insight the people to riot.”

Visions of Yuga in an opera cloak and a half-mask, badly trying to playing a pipe organ he’d somehow managed to get into their apartment while fog machines spewed their fog, danced in Haru’s mind.  This was going to be the first grey hair all over again.

“Yuga,” he said, “you’re fine.  You got your nose broken.  It was a clean break, it got set in time, and you won’t even have any scars.”

“Non, non, I am hideous, cut down in my prime, Haru.  I can only pray you will not leave me for someone you can bear to look at…”

The things he put up with for the man he loved…

***

Haruto Sero was aware that, even in the world of Quriks, he and his family were an odd looking brood. While his older brother, Takuma, resembled their mother, minus the horns, he mostly looked like their dad, only with horns.  His younger brothers, Yamoto and Ren, were no different.  Yamoto mostly looked like Tamuka, and Ren mostly looked like their dad, except for being blue.  Their little sister, Moji, looked like dark-haired version of Mom.  So the number of eyes that were briefly on them when they entered the cafeteria wasn’t surprising.  But like they always did, the gazes fell just as quickly.

Who knew what the twins would look like?  Mom hadn’t done herself any good getting all stressed and worried about Dad earlier, but both she and the babies were fine now.

Dad was in a… not great way. He’d taken a nasty blow to the head from the Nomu, saved from bigger injuries only by his helmet.  If he hadn’t had that, he’d probably have suffered brain damage.  And he’d probably have been dead if Shoto hadn’t shown up.

While Mom stayed with him, she’d charged Takuma with getting the rest of them something to eat from the cafeteria.  He’d looked less than happy to have his thirteen, eleven, nine, and two year old siblings with him.   Considering he’d once tried to sell Moji to Uncle Rikido, this wasn’t exactly a surprise.

Takuma gestured in the general direction of some tables.  “Yamoto, Ren, take Moji and get us a table.  Me and Haruto will get food.”  He wasn’t looking up from his phone, where he was texting furiously.  Maybe his boyfriend?  Or maybe Kenta and Kimiko?   Haruto didn’t know.

As Takuma went to get real food, he told Haruto to get some drinks.  So he stood in front of the drink case, trying to decide what he should get.  Mom honestly didn’t give a crap about what she ate, always indulging them in their wishes for pop and candy.  It may have explained the number of cavities he’d had over the years.

His eyes widened as a bottle of water floated its way out of the case.  He followed it to where a green-haired girl about his age was standing, phone in her other hand.  Of course she’d be here.  Her mom had gotten hurt too.  And her dad had rescued Ground Zero.  So yeah, no surprise.  Of course. He needed to say something. Something smooth?  No, not the time for that.  Just keep it normal.  Don’t let on that she’s the girl he really liked.

“Hana?” he asked, his voice cracking.  Dammit, puberty!  Why can’t you be cool?

Hana Midoriya looks up from her phone at that.  “Oh, Haruto. Hey.”  She pockets the phone and catches the Quirk-drawn water bottle in her hand.  “How’s your dad?”

“He’s gonna be fine,” he said.  “Took a nasty blow to the head, but he’s fine.  How’s your mom?”

“Same,” Hana replied. “Dad sent us down here to get food. Put King Dork in charge.”  She pointed over to a table—where Yamoto and the others were too—where her older brother, Toshi, and younger sister, Mako were sitting.   Mako gave them a friendly wave, then went back to cooing over Moji.

“Hey, little bro,” Takuma said, coming up behind him, carrying a heavily laden tray, “you getting drinks or not?”    His dark-eyes fell on Hana and recognition dawned on his face.   “Oh, talking to your crush?  Guess those can wait then.”  He chuckled and walked off.

Haruto felt his face go flush with embarrassment.  He was absolutely going to kill his brother!

***

Tsukushi Monoma has long adjusted to being the wife of a Hero. And really, she's more than happy to be supportive of everything that Neito has done in his career. Especially when he was first starting out and struggling. She's made her own Phantom Thief clothes for her and both of their children. She is her husband's biggest cheerleader, and she couldn't be prouder of him and all of his accomplishments.

But there are some days where she wishes that Neito had maybe pursued another career. Today is one of those days.

She had been making lunch for her youngest child, Takeru. They had been chatting to Tsukushi about the new book they were reading, and Tsukushi has been actively engaging in the conversation with them. Takeru was more reserved than Shiro, but they always talked to Tsukushi about the books they were reading.

The television was on in the background. She hadn't really been paying attention, until she noticed that Takeru was looking at the screen, a horrified look on their face.

Concern flashed across Tsukushi's face. "What's the matter, sweetheart?!

Takeru did speak. They just pointed at the screen. Tsukushi turned to face the television.

She wished she didn't.

"Reports of Nomu attacks are coming in from across Tokyo. Heroes are rushing to the scene, including Deku, Red Riot and Real Steel, Phantom Thief, Ground Zero, Shoto, and Lemillion."

Tsukushi's face paled. She'd heard enough about Nomus from Neito to know that they were absolutely horrifying and near impossible to fight. And her husband was out there, fighting them.

Wait...one of the heroes that the reporter had mentioned had been Red Riot. Shiro! Her son was out there, too, fighting these creatures! Of course, Eijiro lived across the street, and was a good friend, and she knew that Shiro was in good hands with Tetsutesu, but she couldn't help but feel worried about her son.

Tsukushi didn't even notice that she shattered the glass in her hand.

"Mom?" Takeru's voice brought her back down to earth. "Are you okay"

Shattered glass was on the floor. Luckily, she hadn't cut her hand up badly, which was good. Just a couple of cuts, and it didn't seem that there were any pieces of glass in her skin. So she wouldn't have to go to the emergency room.

She managed to give them a small smile. "I'm fine, sweetie. I'm just..."

"I'm scared too, Mom."

She wrapped her youngest in a hug. "I can shut it off, if you want."

Takeru shook their head. "No, we can keep it on. I...I want to make sure that Dad and Shiro are safe."

Tsukushi nodded. "Okay."

***

Tsukushi was driving to the hospital, trying to keep her hands steady at the wheel. She'd gotten the call from Kana, Neito was in the hospital. He was going to be fine, but he had at least two broken ribs, and a hairline fracture in his arm. She'd also been informed that Shiro had been admitted too, but he appeared to be fine.

Takeru had a constant pillar of support. They were wise beyond their six years, and Tsukushi was glad that they were with her through everything. She could tell that her youngest was scared, too, but trying to keep a tough face for her.

She pulled into the hospital parking lot. "You ready?"

In a rare show of psychical contact, Takeru extended their hand to her. "Ready."

Hand in hand, she walked hand in hand into the hospital with her youngest.

***

"Oh thank /goodness/ you're safe!" Tsukushi wrapped Shiro in the tightest hug, kissing his cheek.

"Mom!" Shiro blushed. "I'm fine!"

Tsukushi brushed a stray strand of hand out of her son's forehead. "I know, I was just very worried."

Shiro flushed a little. "I'm sorry, Mom."

"Sweetheart, you have nothing to apologize for. You know I couldn't be prouder or more supportive of you wanting to be a hero. Worrying about you is just something I'll always do, whether you're fifteen or fifty." She kissed the top of his head.

Shiro looked down. "I was so scared, Mom."

Tsukushi gave her son an understanding smile. "I know, sweetheart. And that's okay. Everyone gets scared sometimes."

Shiro nodded. Tsukushi squeezed his hand. "Now let's go check on your father, okay?"

***

"Neito!" It took everything Tsukushi had to not run and embrace her husband. She'd seen him beaten up before, but nothing like this.

Neito offered her and the kids a small smile. "Ah, there's my wonderful family."

Tsukushi gave him a smile. "Your wonderful family is just glad to see you safe."

"Oh?" He smiled at her playfully. "Did I worry you?"

She laughed. "Yes, you did, and you are never allowed to do that again."

Neito smiled at her. "I'll try my best."

Tsukushi smiled. Her family, while a little beaten up, was safe. And that was all she could ask for.

***

Shinji was standing outside of Katsumi's hospital room, anxiously fidgeting with his fingers. He didn't regret leaving Shiketsu the sudden way that he did, but from how Red Riot had explained it to him, he still had to call his parents. That was what made him nervous. His father, the number eight hero, Gale Force, had to be on the hero, as Shinji knew that his dad would have jumped into action the second the attack happened. Which likely meant that his mother, the number fourteen hero, Hurricane, had been with him.

Shinji didn't know which one was scarier. His dad was a pretty happy, loud, outgoing, cheerful guy for the most part, and his mother, while more reserved, was usually fairly calm and easygoing. However, seeing them angry was something he wasn't looking forward to.

Shinji sighed, just as Red Riot stepped out of the room after talking to Katsumi. The hero gave him a smile, and patted him on the shoulder.

"I don't know if I told you this, but what you did was pretty manly."

Shinji perked up, smiling widely at him "It was?"

Red Riot slapped him on the back. "Hell yeah! Rushing off to make sure your friends were okay is really manly! However, you don't have a hero license, so you were risking a lot. But you saved my little girl! I talked to your parents, and made clear to tell them that, so hopefully, they go easy on you."

Shinji laughed. "Yeah... hopefully."

Red Riot gave him a hug. "I gotta go check on my husband, but feel free to hang here until your parents get here, okay?"

Shinji nodded, not really having any words for once in his life. "Yeah, okay."

***

Shinji managed to track down Izzy, Mika, and Shota while he waited for his parents. Izzy, while exhausted, was fine. Mika had gotten a couple of bruises, but said that he could give her a full body inspection if he wanted to. Unfortunately, her parents arrived and kicked him out before he could. As for Shota, well, Shinji couldn't remember ever seeing his little friend so upset. Shinji hated that there didn't seem to be anything he could do to keep him from blaming himself for what happened to Ground Zero.

Shinji was making his way to check on Katsumi again when he felt a gust of wind, and found himself being locked into a hug, and picked off up the ground.

"I AM SO ANGRY AND PROUD OF YOU!" Dad's voice bellowed in his ears, setting him down.

Shinji took a moment to catch his breath, looking at his father, who appeared to be smiling...while also fighting an eye twitch.

"Hey, Dad," Shinji said sheepishly. "I know that probably wasn't the smartest idea, but I was so worried about my girlfriend and my friends and I-"

His father laughed, whacking him on the back. "I SHOULD BE FLYING IN RAGE AT YOU FOR DOING SOMETHING SO RECKLESS BUT YOU SAVED KATSUMI! I AM FILLED WITH FATHERLY PRIDE!"

Shinji beamed. Dad was proud of him. That meant he wasn't going to get in trouble, right?

He spoke too soon.

"SHINJI YOARASHI!"

An angry female voice came from the hallway, and peaking around Dad, Shinji could see his mother, Sakura, walking towards them. Though she was significantly shorter than the both of them, the look in her eyes was one of pure rage.

Oh, she was /pissed/.

Dad laughed putting an arm around Mom's shoulder. "Now, Sakura, I was just telling Shinji how proud we are of him, and how we're not angry."

Mom gave Dad a /look/. "Oh, we're mad."

"Okay, we're mad...but he's not in trouble!"

Mom narrowed her eyes. "Oh, he's in trouble." She turned her gaze to Shinji. "You. Are. GROUNDED."

Shinji looked at his feet, feeling like he was suddenly five years old. "Yes, Mom."

Dad laughed. "But honey, he saved Katsumi, and we should be proud!"

Mom's face softened a little bit. "Of course I'm proud. Shinji, what you did was very brave However, what you did was also reckless and stupid. You're just a student, and you don't have a hero license yet. You could've been arrested. You could've gotten yourself and Katsumi seriously hurt or killed. These kinds of actions have to consequences, so for you're grounded for two months."

Shinji gasped. "Two months?!"

"Do you want your original punishment? Because it was going to be a year on my way over here."

"Two months is fine."

Mom smiled, wrapping him in a hug. "I thought so. Now, I'll let you say goodbye to your friends, but after that, we're leaving. Okay?"

Shinji nodded. He could take being grounded. In the end, he knew he did the right thing helping his friends when they needed him.

***

David Togata doesn't get worried easily. His parents often said that out of his siblings, he was the most rational. He's seen his father and his Uncle Izuku get injured a fair amount of times, and they always made it looked like it wasn't something to really worry about. No matter how bad things got, you just carried on with a smile.

David wasn't smiling right now. He had been in the workshop with Ms. Hatsume as part of his support internship when the news about the Nomu attacks came in. Right away, the pair had turned on the television, where shots of Dad and Uncle Izuku fighting them came in. Dad looked like his hand had been broken, and Uncle Izuku looked more stressed out that he'd even seem him.

Actually, David had never seen either one of them looked stress.

Shots panned in and out of different heroes around the city fighting the Nomus. His oldest brother, Tamaki, fighting the Nomus with The Voice and Glamour, his body cackling with green energy. His sister, Nejire, with the Laughing Man, downtown.

Ms. Hatsume stared at the screen, her face pale. "My babies..."

That was right. Both of her children, the twins, were out doing their internships, as well. So was her husband.

David reach forward and grabbed her hand. They were going to have a rough couple of hours.

***

David arrived at the hospital with Ms. Hatsume. They gotten reports that her husband had been admitted, along with David's father and siblings. None of them had any major injuries, but still, the worry was present. When they got in the lobby, Ms. Hatsume gave him a quick hug and wished him luck, before rushing off to find his family.

David found his family in a hospital room where his sister was being treated. His father had his broken hand wrapped up. Tamaki had a few scratches, but that quirk of his made him really sturdy. Nejire was in the bed, her ankle elevated and in a cast, and a bandage around her head. His mother sat next her on the bed, stroking her hair.

Dad beamed at him. "David!" He sprung up from his seat and wrapped him in a hug. "It looks like the whole family is here now!"

David smiled, returning the hug. "I came with Ms. Hatsume." He looked over at Nejire. "What happened to your ankle?"

Nejire giggled. "It's nothing! It's just a little broken. And I might have gotten a teeny tiny concussion."

Tamaki smirked at him. "Nejire's on painkillers. She's super loopy right now."

"I am not!" Nejire pouted at him.

David rolled his eyes. His siblings were ridiculous sometimes. "Glad no one got super injured."

Mom smiled. "That's the best we can hope for. Everyone's a little singed up, but we'll be okay.'

Nejire giggled again. "Well, I better heal up soon, because I cannot take Hayai on the date with my ankle like this."

At the word "date", Dad's eyes lit up. "Ooooooh, you got a date!?"

David laughed. Dad was constantly trying to set all three of them up with someone.

Nejire started going on about a girl in her class she'd asked out. Tamaki and Mom laughed, teasing Dad about being too involved in his kids' love life.

David smiled, finding a chair and relaxing into it. Yeah, his family could be a little much sometimes, but he wouldn't trade them for anything, and he was glad they were safe.

***

Izuku was tired, bone wearily tired.  Not from the physical exertion of the morning—the power of One for All made sure of that.  He was connected to it on a level not even All Might had ever achieved and had had ample opportunity to build its power over the years.  Certainly, his joints ached.  They always did.  And his right arm always hurt, no matter what else he did.  Even with his mastery of his inherited Quirk, the old damage he’d done to his body could not be undone.  But he had learned to live with that pain, to smile and to embrace all the good that was in his life.

That was not why he was tired.

No, he was tired in ways that went way beyond the physical.  

Ochaco was resting peacefully in the hospital bed.  They’d allowed her to be up to check on Katsumi, but insisted she get more rest. She’d taken a nasty blow to the head, but was expected to make a full recovery and be back in action in maybe a couple weeks.  He’d sent Toshi, Hana, and Mako down to the cafeteria to get something to eat, leaving him alone to sit by her bedside, alone with his thoughts.

He wore scrubs, offered by the hospital, since his costume had been covered in blood.  Someone from his agency had collected it for cleaning. Either that or he’d handed it off to someone who was now selling it on MeBay.  Things had been a bit of a blur after he’d arrived.

It looked like there were going to be a lot of people home in their neighborhood, at least for a time.   Denki, Ochaco, Neito, and, of course, Kacchan…  And more across the city.  So many of his friends had been hurt.

There were burdens that came with being the Number One (and occasionally Number Two, when Mirio had a particularly impressive run of things) Hero.  And there were burdens that came with being the Symbol of Hope.   Not the Symbol of Peace, like Dad had been, but the Symbol of Hope.  Of inspiring others to believe, not in him, but that evil could be beaten and that good men and women could stand up, that everyone had the potential within them to make the world a better place, in some way.  It demanded much of his time, exposed his family to significant scrutiny.

Before he had finished his third year of U.A., he and his friends had broken the back of the League of Villains and put an end to the legacy of All for One forever.  The same year he had lost his father in a plane crash. It had been a hell of a year.  But it had also rocketed him towards the top on a meteoric trajectory that he still couldn’t believe, even decades later.

They’d built a better world. One where the threat of Villains was not so constant.  They’d settled down, raised families, and looked to the future of a new generation of Heroes.

In an instant, when the Nomu had appeared, the fears of childhood had returned.  They had suspected that someone was making a play for power.  The Quirk Virus, the theft of the Nomu corpse, the breaking of Plague out of prison (Had he so badly misjudged the man?  An escape made no sense at all…), it all added up to something far more sinister and larger than any of them had grappled with in years.  

And then the messages and reports had started pouring in.  From various Agency dispatches, from news drones, even from men and women on the street.  It hadn’t just been the one.  It had been so many more.  The Heroes of Tokyo and surrounding wards had come together to fight the Nomu, but they had paid a terrible price for it.    So many of his friends were injured.  Even Ochaco…   And Kacchan…

Despite what he had told himself as a child and a teenager, he and Kacchan had not always been friends. It had taken him a long time to realize the way he’d been treated had been far from okay.  But the two of them had made true amends and become real friends. He’d even been Kacchan’s best man at his wedding.

So many of their children had seen action during the morning’s events.  They’d been extraordinarily lucky that none of them had been seriously injured.  Not like their own Internships.  But almost all of them had been far too close to the action for his comfort.  Toshi claimed he was fine, but Izuku suspected he was putting on a brave face. And Haimawari and Kocho didn’t even have the kind of context Toshi did.  He hoped they weren’t scared off.  There was so much potential in both of them.

He, his friends, and the other Heroes who had taken their children on as Interns were handing them back to U.A. a broken group.  But he knew Aizawa and the staff would do what they could for them.  His alma mater took the mental health of its students very seriously now.  As parents, they would do their part too.  They had lived through experiences just as terrifying.  Maybe their words of wisdom would be enough.

The news was saying that he had saved the city this morning.  And maybe he had.  But he hadn’t been there for his friend when it had mattered most.  Hadn’t been there for a lot of his friends when they’d been hurt.  For his wife.  What was the point of having all this power, of being a Hero, if he couldn’t help those closest to him when it really mattered?

They would all tell him that he couldn’t, shouldn’t be everywhere.  That was the kind of thinking that had lead society to depend upon Dad more than it should have and had made it vulnerable when he’d no longer been capable of being that pillar.  And yes, it was likely his actions had kept Kacchan from dying in the streets.  That probably would have broken poor Shota even more than he already was.

What kind of Hero, what kind of Symbol was he, if an evil great enough to do all this still existed?

It didn’t mean he didn’t feel like a failure all the same.

Like…

It made him feel like…

Like a useless deku.

#my hero academia #their hero academia #fan fic #fan fiction #my writing #izuku midoriya #kota izumi #shouta aizawa

[amicuscordis]

At Least You Don’t Want To Kill Me

Read it on ao3!

Fighting the elusive Green is a pain in the ass, but at least Lance gets to crash with his awesome roommate Pidge afterwards. After a nasty battle with the Blue Paladin, Pidge faces the idea that maybe there is no one who cares if she makes it home at the end of the night.

Rated T for some violence and swearing

Tags: Alternate Universe, that one au where one's a hero and one's a 'villain' but as civilians they're oblivious roommates, Injury, Blood, but not much

Check out the amazing art for this fic by the talented Shii here!

Thanks to Oxto for betaing for me, and @planceminibang​ for letting me participate! This first part focuses on Lance’s side of the story. Pidge’s will be coming soon.

At Least You Don’t Want To Kill Me, Chapter 1

Before the car had completely stopped, Lance was stumbling out of it, teetering on cigarette butts and plastic bottles that lined the drains. Shiro reached from the backseat and out the passenger door, catching Lance’s arm before he could completely fall. “You good, Lance?”

Lance yanked his arm away from Shiro, nearly falling over again in the process, and slammed the door shut. Hunk, watching from behind the wheel, was already rolling down the window. “I’m offended, honestly,” Lance announced, gesticulating with his longs arms as he paced in a small circle. “He’s never tased me hard enough to knock me out before. Whatever happened to that good ol’ nemesis bond?”

“It means he felt threatened,” Shiro said, pulling his arm back into the car. He was not supposed to even be in the car, much less the city, but when Hunk had set out to take Lance home, Shiro had reasoned that in a vehicle in the dark, who could identify the missing Kerberos pilot? “You and Keith will get him next time.”

Or the kid would just find a new way to outthink them again. Lance shoved his hands into his pockets, shrugged. Shiro and Hunk shared a look. For a terrifying three seconds, Lance thought Hunk might be about to try to argue to come inside with him, as if Lance’s getting pissed off at an alien-aided villain was reason to mark him an invalid. That spoiled the spirit of hanging out, though, and made the usually social Lance just want to be alone.

Well, not entirely alone, but she was a special case.

Whatever concerns Hunk had, he decided to let it go. Stuck to the car, Shiro had no choice but to follow. Hunk hunched over so he could give Lance a solid look out the window. “Call me before executing any stupid ideas, okay?”

“Sure, whatever.”

Hunk kept his stare on Lance, as if to reaffirm that he meant it, then rolled up the window and pulled away from the curb. Lance waited until they turned out of the parking lot onto the main road, taking the time to kick one of the plastic bottles at his feet. It ricocheted off the curb into his shin. He flipped it off.

No lights came through the window of the second-floor apartment. He fumbled with the keys, brain not entirely computing which way to put it into the lock. Damn headache. He rubbed at his forehead as at last the lock turned, the door opened, and he could limp inside. “Pidge, I’m home!”

Not that he expected a response, considering the off lights, but it still squeezed at his chest. He had to come home licking his wounds and his roommate was not even there to make fun of him and then bandage him up.

He trudged into the bathroom, wincing at the fluorescent lights when he flipped the switch. “Stupid Green, stupid Keith. . .”

Keeping jacket and shirt intact, he shirked his shoes and jeans and beheld himself in the mirror. Right below his boxers was the bandage, a white square to cover the cut and surrounding burn left behind by Green. Shiro had not been wrong about Green feeling threatened. For weeks, Lance had been the only one sent to capture him, but with that obvious failure, and Green progressively gathering more and more information on the Kerberos mission and who knew what else with each venture into the Garrison, Allura had finally sent Keith to join him. The tag teaming had almost worked: Lance had got a nice shot in the shoulder of Green’s armor, and then Keith had got him with the hilt of his sword, right at the rib cage on his left side. So damn close, if Green hadn’t managed to tase Keith, and then tase Lance while he freaked out over Keith going down. “Stupid, stupid. . .”

He wanted to take the bandage off. Mostly to see the burn and shallow cut for himself, since Coran had patched him up still unconscious. There was also maybe a small part that wanted Pidge to help him bandage it up again when she got home. But who could guess when that would be? He was too tired to do it again himself. Tired and headachey and maybe a little sulky. He kicked his jeans into the corner of the bathroom, slapped the light switch down, and trudged out into the kitchen.

In the fridge, he dug around for some leftovers that were semi-edible. He couldn’t remember whose turn it was to buy groceries and whose it was to clean old food out of the fridge but they both had been slacking. Maybe he would ask Pidge if they should just do it all together tomorrow, because gods that sounded better than going back to the hidden Castle of Lions to hear Allura go on about how Green must be gathering intel for the Galra, because the technology Green used was far too advanced for Earth, what was the point of any of their defensive prep if the Galra already knew how to wipe out the Garrison when they would first invade, you must do better to stop him, Lance! At least now Keith would get to look as sour as Lance always felt.

Leftover alfredo it was. Except he was too damn tired to warm it—the microwave clock warned it was past two in the morning, and being knocked out didn’t count as sleep—so he took a fork and fell onto the couch to eat it cold.

“Oh, fuck, fuck, mistake—” Lance wiped his tongue on his sleeve as he tossed the alfredo onto the coffee table and took the remote instead. Who really needed food, anyway? When he turned on the TV, it was set for the next episode of Legendary Defender from where he and Pidge had left off the night before. He clicked around for something light—Garfle Warfle Snick, why not—and as it started to play, blindly reached around the couch until he found a throw blanket and pulled it up around his shoulders, the tip of it brushing his nose. It smelled just a little more like Pidge than the rest of the apartment did. He looked to the door.

By the end of the episode, she still had not come in. Another episode, still no Pidge. Which was fine. Her whereabouts at late hours were far from the only secret about her. He had quite a few questions—Where do you actually work? Who’s the Matt you looked startled you mentioned that one time? Do we have to go to our rooms tonight or can we camp on the couch together?—but they operated under a no questions policy. He didn’t ask about her private life, he didn’t have to tell about how he’s actually working with two aliens from some planet called Altea to prepare Earth’s defenses for an invasion that’s due in some eight months.

The blanket still around his shoulders, he stumbled to his room, patting at his pockets for his phone. It had been at twelve percent when he armored up to take on Green. He had not touched it once since then but he would not be surprised if it were already dead.

When he plugged it into the charger next to his bed, he found staring at him a clock reading 3:24—and several notifications from Pidge.

[1:36] Missed Call

[1:41] Can you come get me?

[1:53] Lance please respond

“Shit!” He pressed the call, set the phone to his ear, and pulled the charger’s cord to its limit as he stretched for pants and another pair of shoes. She answered on the third ring. “Shit, Pidge, are you injured?” She had always had her own scrapes when she came home at night, but again, don’t ask, don’t tell, don’t mention that you kind of adore getting to help her bandage up, but god if she was really hurt this time—

“I’m at the parking garage on Olkarion Avenue.”

Lance held the phone between his ear and shoulder to tie his sneakers. Two blocks from the apartment. She didn’t have a vehicle, always using public transportation, that Lance knew of. What the hell was she doing there? Was she mugged? Don’t ask, don’t tell. “I’m coming. My phone’s at—” He freed a hand to look at it. “—two percent. It died and I just got it to a charger, I’m so sorry. I have to leave it, be watching for me, okay?”

“Okay.”

He couldn’t hang up. Fortunately, she did, and then with only his keys he ran out the door and down the stairs. His thigh began to burn all over again, irritated at the movement, but still he sprinted all the way to Olkarion Avenue. When he slowed to look for her, the world was spinning, and he had to hold onto the ticket dispenser for the garage to keep from toppling. He would have missed her, tucked away in the shadows between the cement wall and a trashcan just beyond the exit, if she had not called his name.

When her hand dipped into the light to grab at the rim of the trashcan, he saw the muscles in her arm strain as she failed to pull herself up. In another moment, he was at her side, dipping his shoulder under hers to pull her up. But as their sides pressed into each other, she yelped and lurched away from him, slamming her right shoulder into the wall of the garage. Her shout echoed in the vast parking lot as she grabbed at the shoulder, curling back into herself on the ground.

Helpless, Lance spared a glance around the garage, to assure no one was around, then knelt in front of her. “How can I help? What’s wrong with your shoulder?”

She was back in the shadows, but he could still see, could still feel, her grimace. “I may have had to pop it back into place.”

“What—” Don’t ask, don’t tell. “—the hell. Do you need a doctor?”

“No,” she stated, too firmly. “Let’s just go home.”

Pidge still could not stand on her own, but holding her up without some pressure on one of the pained areas was near impossible. It was concentrated in two places: her right shoulder, and her left side around her ribcage. Her legs were sore but fine, so after he pulled her to her feet she could walk with just holding on to him for support, seething at any disturbance to the wounds. As they stepped into the light, Lance saw her green shirt sticking to the hurt on her side by spots of blood.

The stairs were the hardest; she was rasping curses by the time they made it to their door. Pidge was the one who shut and locked it behind them, an action Lance had forgotten in lieu of trying to get her to the bathroom. He felt his mouth going dry. Sure, it was only two blocks to walk, but she could have called an Uber or something, but she had stayed hidden from public transportation, and now she was locking the door, as if someone was following her, and—

With him spaced, she tried to walk to the bathroom alone, though winced and nearly fell. Lance caught her arm, let her hold onto him as they crossed the apartment. He seated her on the covered toilet, then pulled out the first-aid kit. His face burned as he remembered wanting her to come home and patch him up earlier, like blood and bandages were just a mode of his one-sided flirtation.

By the time he set the kit on the corner of the counter, she had pulled her shirt up to show the wound on her side. The bruise covered a large circle, from the bottom of her ribcage up to her sports bra. The cut itself was small, and not nearly so bad as the blood on her shirt had made it seem. Not deep, just a shallow scrape that ripped off some of the skin.

Lance was no expert in injuries. A few months ago, he had been even worse. But three months of being a paladin, he had learned what an impact against armor looked like. He swallowed thickly. “Okay. Okay. Does it hurt to breathe?”

“Kind of.”

Her shaky breaths that she did not let get too deep meant that it was probably more than kind of. She was gripping the toilet paper roll, distorting it in her hand like a stress ball.

Lance looked across her ribs, where he was becoming more and more confident something had smashed against a chest plate. And he hated that he might know what it was and loved that he was not allowed to ask. “Doesn’t look broken or warped. May I?”

When she nodded, he ghosted his fingers across ridged skin. She held her breath the entire time, grimacing only when his fingers trailed over the sticky cut. “Doesn’t feel broken either. Not that I’m an expert, it just, seems like a normal ribcage. Probably just bruised. I can’t wrap it, but we’ll get it cleaned up, okay?”

She squeezed the toilet paper tighter, but nodded. “Yeah, sure, fine.”

Though Pidge grimaced as the antiseptic dotted over the cut, she didn’t make a sound. Sure, she had much worse pains to focus on, but in her silent pain Lance only saw Green’s body stopped mid-motion by Lance’s shot, jerking and collapsing silently as if already blacked out from shock or pain, and Keith hadn’t even smashed their rib cage with his sword yet. As he pressed the bandage over the cut, lightly pressing the sticky part down on her bruises, his eyes went to her shoulder, to the edge of purple skin sticking out under her collar.

It wasn’t me. It wasn’t me.

Of course it wasn’t. The injury to her side could easily be explained by running into a lamppost or something, same with her shoulder. Pidge maybe had issues with authority, and dabbled in conspiracy theories, but same for everyone else their age. She was a genius, but he had absolutely no reason to believe she would want to work with the Galra or break into the Garrison.

He had no reason to believe she wouldn’t want to do those things either. It struck him with nausea that he didn’t really know his roommate at all.

He put the bandage and antiseptic back in the kit, put his hand on the top, about to close it, but waited. “O-Okay.” He winced at his own stutter. “Can I look at your shoulder too?”

She was already pulling her shirt back down. “Skin didn’t break.”

“You dislocated it, Pidge.”

“I didn’t do anything.” A near confirmation that she earned this in a fight. God he wished she hadn’t said that. “I’ll lift my arms, you pull it off.”

He said he wanted to see her shoulder, but he didn’t actually want to, and hesitated to grab the hem of the tee when she lifted her arms. Her right arm could not get as high as the left. In her pain, she gave him a tense look to hurry the fuck up. He did, taking the hem, lifting her shirt but hesitating when the first of the bruise came into sight on her collar. His stomach flipped. He pulled it the rest of the way before Pidge could complain.

No puncture, just a round splotch of purple and blue and yellow on her shoulder and collar, all emanating from the precise spot he had been aiming.

“Christ, Pidge,” he breathed. “I’ll... I’ll get you one, a shirt, get you a shirt, without blood on it.”

He had not even examined it, a fact that made Pidge squint at him. “Okay… Can you get one that buttons in the front? I don’t want to try lifting my arms again, that hurt like hell.”

“Sure.” His voice sounded distant even to him. He swallowed down bile as he drifted from the bathroom, across the hall into his own room. He dropped the shirt on the floor. Folded himself at the foot of his bed. The world was wrong, like reality had shifted over three feet and nothing he touched was right anymore and his roommate wasn’t his roommate.

Not an hour ago he had been on the verge of passing out from exhaustion, but now the adrenaline had him shaking in a nervous high that he wasn’t sure he could ever come down from. Still twisted on the floor, he stretched his gangly arm to the bedside table. He managed to curl one finger around the cord and pulled the charging phone into his hand. Open the contacts. Find Keith. His finger hovered above the symbol of the little green phone.

Time was as unreal as the apartment they shared. He could never tell how much had passed when he heard her voice. “Lance? You okay?”

He locked the phone on Keith’s contact, yanked it off the charger, and shoved it into his pocket as he stood. “Yeah, one sec.” He stopped in the door of his room, remembered his mission, and returned to his closet. He grabbed the first buttoned shirt he could find, a blue and black plaid thing that was pretending to be flannel. By the time he made it back to the bathroom, the world had stabilized, and yet all had an almost fuzzy, numb aspect to it, and Pidge seemed too far away for him to actually give her the shirt as he passed it into her hand.

Wary of her shoulder, she put her arms in the sleeve, and then with only one hand buttoned the shirt. The process would be slow just from buttons’ known stubbornness versus one unaccustomed human hand, but crawled as she kept looking up to where he occupied the doorway, her expression growing in suspicion with each glance. “You’re acting weird.”

“I’m no medic,” he said, the diversion smooth across unfeeling lips. “You’re probably going to lose an arm or something.”

“It hurt so bad at first I thought it got blown off.” She grinned, mischievous, as if her sincere statement were something hilarious. Lance didn’t laugh. “If it falls off, I can just make a prosthetic.” When even that failed to get a reaction, her lips twisted, sour at the defeat, and she kept her eyes down to finish buttoning the shirt. “Anyway, want to watch Legendary Defender?”

He offered her a hand and she took it. Once she was situated on the couch he fixed ice packs for her ribs and shoulders. Legendary Defender played. He missed all of it. Pidge took over an hour to nod off, kept awake by sharp pain whenever she began to breathe too deeply. The sky was already colored by the time he was sure she was asleep, her head tilted back into the couch cushions and mouth hung open. He whispered her name. With no response, he stood, walked into the kitchen, and propped himself on the counter. Keith’s contact was still up when he pulled out his phone.

“Hello?” The great Red Paladin’s voice was groggy and more than a little irritated. Normally, Lance expected, Keith would be up with the sun, but he was probably trying to sleep off the attack from the night before. Lance wasn’t sure if he should feel guilty or not about waking him.

“Hey, it’s… it’s about Green.”

Something crackled on the other side, sheets shifting as Keith sat up and the sleep left his voice. “You have a lead?”

“I just wanted to say… I’m sorry for letting them get away.”

A pause, then Keith sighed, dispelling any heightened emotion he had in that breath to address Lance with a still voice. “It’s not your fault. The guy’s good at what he does. I’m honestly impressed you’ve been able to face him alone this far. We’ll get him next time.”

“Yeah.”

Keith hung up. Lance set the phone on the counter and watched the felon on the couch breathe as the first blue light fell across her face.

#voltron #plance #plance mini bang #pidgance #flirtyrobot #vrepit nah #ami posts #ami writes

[headspacedad]

Across Time and Space

Writer Nonnie dropped another story in my inbox to share!  This time a cross-over with Young Justice Outsiders!  An interesting answer to ‘what happened to Shiro at the end of Season Three

______________________________________

((Remember the whole “Shiro uses the Astral Plane as a sort of telephone when he gets teleported to another universe for crossover reasons” thing? Here’s an example of that! It takes place a little after the season 3 Young Justice: Outsiders finale, though I tried not to put any actual spoilers for the sake of anyone who watches the show and hasn’t seen that part. Without any further ado, enjoy!))

~~~

Shiro didn’t know where he was. There was only a large dark form looming overhead, with streaks of pale light peeking in. There was wind, cool and gentle. Something soft but firm under him, grass? And ground? Then a light. Another figure, humanoid-or multiple?-appearing from the light, and then nothing.

Floating.

Gentle.

Calm.

Purple, starry, infinity.

“Welcome to the facility!” A voice, female, woke him up with a start.

Still dazed, confused, and then surprised, Shiro rolled off the couch with a scream.

“Oh! I am sorry!” The woman, seemingly of Middle Eastern descent and wearing a hijab, quickly apologized. “I did not mean to startle you.”

“Ugh,” Shiro groaned as he got up. “No, it’s fine.” He held his head, feeling sweat in his hair along with a massive headache. “I needed the wake up call.”

Looking around, he saw some sort of living room. On another couch was a kid, about thirteen or so if he had to guess, blonde, and seemed to have been focused on the phone in their hand just before Shiro woke up.

“Hi.” Shiro greeted the kid.

The kid looked at the woman and then back at Shiro. “Hello.” The kid greeted back with an Eastern European accent.

Standing up, Shiro saw there was another level to the building, lined with doors, possibly some bedrooms, if these two were here together. One door opened and a young man, no older than Lance and Hunk, with multiple cybernetics attached to his body appeared.

“Looks like Sleeping Beauty’s awake.” He smiled at Shiro.

Shiro gulped, feeling a buzz in his ears. “Morning.”

“It’s noon.” The kid said again, looking back at the phone.

Introductions were made and that’s when things got weird. Somehow, no one had heard of the Galaxy Garrison. Similarly, they were surprised he didn’t know anything about their group, the Outsiders, and the entire concept of metahumans in general.

Violet, the young woman in the hijab, demonstrated some of her powers. She began to glow a whole rainbow of colors, one after the other, floating in the air and producing a shield much like Shiro’s with her red light.

Vic, the young man with the cybernetics, had super strength and lifted a couch with one hand.

“Mother of god!” The kid, Tara, exclaimed. “Can you not do that?” She glared at Vic.

“Sorry Tara,” Vic gently put the couch down, a sympathetic expression on his face.

Violet looked at Tara with a similar expression. “She has been through much lately,” she explained to Shiro. “Please do not take her hostile behavior personally.”

Tara growled at that.

“I understand,” Shiro looked at his prosthetic hand, seeing a rather familiar expression on Tara that he’d seen on Keith many times before.

Vic explained that everyone else were out for one reason or another, and it took some convincing that yes, the green one that can change into animals was a popular celebrity dating a queen who he was totally out with right now.

They gave Shiro a tour of the facility, explaining who’s room was which, then giving a quick explanation of who was who. Eventually it began to make sense, to some degree. If Allura could blend in with Galra by just growing a few feet and turning herself purple then sure, he’d believe that there was a bunch of kids with superpowers all living under one roof.

“So, what are your abilities?” Vic asked nonchalantly.

“Abilities?” Shiro asked back, looking at his prosthetic hand again. “I have a robot hand.” He activated it then turned it back off. “It get hot. Good for welding a door holding back a swarm of killer robots.”

Vic and Violet shared a look.

“Well that’s a start. Anything else?” Vic was trying to be encouraging and it showed.

“Jetpack, communicator, shield, helmet that closes up if I need to be in space,” Shiro counted on his fingers. “A giant magical robot Lion that can combine with other giant magical robot lions to form one giant sword wielding robot.” Shiro looked out the large window. “Though obviously it would appear they did not follow me here.”

Another look, this time wide eyed.

“Well if you see them again, let us know.” Vic suggested, clearly not sure if Shiro was making up that last part or not.

“Don’t patronize me.” Shiro huffed and sat back down on the couch. He was trying to process all the new information he was given, alongside trying to make sense of where he had just been sent to. He took a deep breath and tried to focus on the Black Lion.

“Should we-?” Vic began to whisper.

“No, I think he’s doing something.” Violet interrupted to answer. “I can sense there is something-” she paused. “Broken.”

Shiro winced at that. He focused again, feeling the Black Lion’s distant purr giving him a response.

Safe.

Floating.

A low hum.

Safe.

He opened his eyes and instead of the facility’s living room, he saw the purple infinity again. Here, surprisingly, he also saw Ryou, looking frustrated before noticing Shiro.

“Taka?” Ryou raised an eyebrow.

“Ryou?” Shiro also raised an eyebrow.

They stared at each other, a small smile creeping onto their faces. Another low hum.

Safe.

“See you when you get back?” Ryou, with watery eyes, asked.

Shiro let out a relieved sigh. “Just don’t break anything.”

“New Guy looks like he’s doing okay.” An outside voice pulled Shiro back to reality.

Shiro opened his eyes, seeing the facility again, this time with the addition of a blonde woman with a tight ponytail.

“Hi I’m-” Shiro began to introduce himself.

“A Paladin of Voltron, not from this realm of existence, greatest pilot ever.” The woman interrupted him. “Doctor Fate gave you a magical once over when he found you. He explained everything.”

Shiro blinked in surprise. “Do I have to pay for that?”

The woman laughed a little. “No. He said your astral plane travel skills need work though.” She extended her hand. “Artemis.”

“Shiro.” He returned the handshake.

“You know that would have been nice to know before we thought he was crazy.” Vic shot a small glare at Artemis.

“We needed some time to figure out what to do with him.” Artemis seemed apologetic in her answer. “It came down to his choice of course, whether he wants to be a public hero or not.”

“The whole universe isn’t public enough?” Shiro asked.

“Your universe.” Artemis clarified. “This one’s a bit different, if you hadn’t noticed.”

“Don’t remind me,” Shiro felt a pinch in his head again.

“Mother of god!” Tara growled again, loudly, still focused on her phone. She was standing and pacing angrily. “What is he thinking!?”

The day went on, and Shiro was given time to think about Artemis’ hero proposal.

Well, he should have been thinking about it, if he wasn’t focusing on other things.

Floating.

Calm.

Safe.

#submission queue #submission #shirotember #vld #voltron #shiro #takashi shirogane #not mine #writer nonnie writes #okay to reblog #young justice #cross-over

[gotmeringinghellsbells]

Next Day Giggles

Fandom: Voltron Legendary Defender

Characters: Adam, Curtis, and Takashi Shirogane

Warning: Contains mention of mature themes

A/N: The idea for the Shirogane fur babies names came from @kwaiipootato, as did the idea for the title. 

Description: After a night of yelling, Curtis tries to cheer Adam up from his fight with Shiro. 

_ 

He wasn’t even involved but…. Curtis couldn’t help but to keep his distance from his husbands. An upcoming mission, one both Shiro and Curtis had to go on, sparked a nasty conversation the night; One that left Curtis unjoined in bed…. Reliving parts of his past. 

People fought, it was normal, but childhood trauma had caused an impact on how the young man reacted to it. When voices, hands, or any objects around him and the person fighting the boy would cease up and go quiet as he watched the other in fear.

 Hearing it was just about the same. He felt like a child every time, had been belittled and called one too for his reactions. It wasn’t his fault, but…. This isn’t a story for now. For now, he just wanted to put his family, the only one he considered to be family, back together. He held himself slightly as he walked down the stairs, hungry munchkins following ad passing him by as they wanted to be fead. Before that, Spice needed to be let out.

Entering the kitchen to get to the back door, Curtis nearly jumped at the sight of Adam. He looked like hell. Dark, baggy, and blood shot eyes. His hair looked a bit greasy, skin paler, and he seemed to be drifting off into someplace else. “Morning,” Curtis hummed as he passed by the older. He wasn’t met with a reply. Looking over his shoulder, he turned the knob to let the dog out as Coffee hopped onto the counter. 

“Adam.” The professor blinked a bit before looking up. “Oh, morning.” The functioning eye glanced over to see a familiar kitty staring at him. Smiling faintly, he scratched behind her ears. “You didn’t come to bed last night,” Curtis stated hesitantly. He was working on the cat food as he tried to communicate. 

Taking a spoon, he put half of the wet food onto a small cat plate before passing it to Adam. The shorter placed his mug of coffee down before taking his daughter's food and giving it to her. “I know you both have to go,” was the only response Curtis got from his husband. Unsatisfied with this, the taller looked over the older. “Yes, we do. But even Iverson said you could come with us and still receive the same amount of pay. Your classes could be covered.”

He kept his voice low as to not stir anything. “He said the same thing last night,” Adam exhaled while bringing his mug to his lips again; Staring into space. “Oak isn’t that interesting Adam. Why don’t you want to do it? Someone can’t teach your students like you can? 

“That’s true but,” Curtis paused. What to say: “Remember what happened last time?”, “You never know what could happen.”, “It would be nice to have you on board again. Last time things went a lot smoother with your two’s team work.” 

They all sounded bad. It seemed that Adam was just upset over past choices, mistakes. He loved space, so did Shiro, but it was such a sour and painful topic now. Curtis was surprised they hadn’t quit and moved away from the Garrison. They lived in the same town as it, just further away from the actual town. Theri closest neighbor was about twenty minutes away by foot so it wasn’t too far but still. 

“It’s not oak Curtis, it’s mahogany,” Adam corrected. “Also, I know others can teach these kids, I’m not that crazy. I just…. I don’t want him going back out there.” Trying not to take offense to the lack of his own name being mentioned, Curtis let Spice back in before giving her a third of her own wet food can. 

“You couldn’t stop him the first time. It’s his dream to be out there, or it used to. He went forward with his dream and now is part of something even bigger than the Garrison. We can’t stop him from going.“It’s like negotiating with other countries now. Well, I don’t need to explain that to you but I’m just saying,” the male paused his rambling when a hand lightly rubbed his arm.

 Adam snorted a bit, he was really tried. He seemed slightly loopy from his reaction. “Curtis, breathe.” Crap, right. The taller took a breath before letting it out. “I’m saying he doesn’t have a choice. Allura is trying to run a planet, otherwise she’d probably be out there. But seeing as her people are trying to revolt against her husband, her hands are tied. 

“The coalition needs to be reminded of Voltron. It’s just a few shows and some care supply runs and any distress calls we get while we’re out there.” Curtis paused to look into Adam’s eyes. The scarred one seemed dull as normal, the life within was un known, but the other looked at him with a pleading no. “We don’t know how long we’re going to be out there…. That’s why we want you to come. We don’t want you to be alone. Well…. You and Coffee alone.” 

Like hell Curtis was leaving his baby Spicy-kins on Earth while he was in space! The eye feel back to the mahogany table before the other started to rub his wedding band. He wasn’t about to pull the same stuff from when it was just him and Shiro with Kerberos was he? 

The anxious hand was taken by another anxious one as Curtis offered a small smile. His thumb brushed along the scarred knuckles softly and lovingly. “We’re not throwing anything away. Our home will still be here when we get back. 

But we just don’t know when that will be and you know that. Your not putting your life on pause for us, or well… maybe you are. It’s your choice if you want to go.” He gently let the hand go before heading up stairs. 

He and Adam had the day off and the youngest figured Shiro was either in a meeting or had stormed off the night before or this morning. Climbing back into the white sheets, the male snuggled down for a nap. His mind had kept him up the night before and frankly…. He didn’t sleep much either. 

But, lips on his cheek and a gentle touch on his arm kept him from fully doing so. “I’m…. sorry,” Adam sighed softly. “Your right. It is putting my career on pause but looking at what happened last time, I think I’d rather be in space with you two.” Loving, sun kissed hands combed through chocolatey brown locks. 

“Hey, don’t apologize to me, but I’m glad you’ve calmed down. I know your upset and tense and you have all the right to be. But in the end it’s not in your control or power. Don’t worry about it too much.” Besides, Adam had the jobs of cocaption, and an assistant for Colleen Holt; But it wasn’t the same as his actual, paying job. 

The look of guilt on Adam’s face was rather devastating. He was normally always so well composed and just over all a mother like person. But this conversation seemed to have just broke him like that. Setting his husband’s coffee down, Curtis pulled the shorter onto him before rolling them over so he was laying on top of the other. 

Gentle kisses were scattered about, trying to take away the guilt that was eating at the man. “I love you,” he hummed softly. “I love you so much.” It wasn’t working too much as Adam still felt tears threatening to leave his eye. “I love you too,” the professor said weakly as he sat up more just to hug Curtis. Shiro had stormed out after being couch bound last night, after the two took a painful trip down memory lane. 

Curtis said nothing as he leaned forward so that Adam’s back was on the mattress. He didn’t know how long had gone by that they were in this position. Adam pinned between Curtis and the mattress, legs straightened and pinned between the younger’s open ones, arms wrapping around each other as chests touched. Lips found Adam’s face, neck, ears, anything they could as the other tried to soothe his love. 

It felt like hours before the small pity party ended. Then Adam became self conscious of acting like a child and started to try and squirm away. “Thanks,” he mumbled as he tried to compose himself once more. But his glasses were removed and placed on the same nightstand that held their morning beverages. 

“Kind of…. Need those,” the professor protested softly before leaning to grab them. He let out an unhuman noise before freezing, daring to glance up at Curtis. Oh no. “Your always so serious and hard on yourself. Maybe you need to relax, huh?” Adam didn’t need his glasses to see the smirk growing on the younger’s face, nor the clawed hands coming in to strike at him again. 

Curtis was easy to take down in a tickle fight as he was a living tickle spot, but maybe Adam had been a bit too slow to stop him and fight back. His reflexes kicked in as he threw himself back into the pillows and started laughing hysterically. 

“Nhahahahaha! Sthahahop, Curtis sthahahop!” Long limbs twisted and turned in an attempt to escape. Kicking out, alternating attempts to grab, cover, and distract, all from some skilled fingers working on his stomach. 

“You know, I heard some royalty used to actually have sessions like this before greeting their husbands. If I recall correctly it was to put them in a good mood? It’s been a while since I saw the post but who knows if it was real.” Of course, Curtis would just talk so casually about this topic while freaking destroying the other. 

It was like when Adam and Shiro were starting to get intimate. Curtis never really had much interest in intercourse so he’d either watch a movie and the other two would start or he’d be down stairs. But he was so casual. He would just start talking to them about theories, head cannons, writing qualities, etc., as if the two weren’t beside him. 

Adam fucking loved him. “Ah shahahahit! C-Curtis sthahahaop it!” Some hiccupy snorts left the older’s mouth as finger climbed up his ribs, vibrating each one softly. A spazzing torso started to twist and turn more, desperate to escape. Never once though had Adam tried to fight back this time, maybe it was helpful?

He did want Adam to be in a better mood, especially for when Shiro got home, but that didn’t really have to do with his motives. He wanted him to relax and just feel happy. The professor was always serious and stressed. Shiro would tell him about how Adam used to be and frankly he wanted to meet that Adam. But the only time he ever could was when they were having like a tickle fight or something silly. 

“C-Curtis,” the professor shrieked as he tried to use the mattress to hide his ears. It wasn’t working as his hands weren’t helping to protect them. They were trying to shove at the other’s face, hide his own face, or cover his mouth as he bucked and jerked about. It was a rotation of sorts but this was rather fun. 

“Nhahahaot thahahahere! Okay, okay!” His voice sounded a little off which caused the younger to quickly let up. Knuckles gently traced up and down the flushed cheek as the poor, older man tried to catch his breath. “You alright?” Curtis couldn’t hold back the shit eating grin, even after he’d given Adam his glasses back. Okay, put them on the man’s face again. 

He was met with a glare before a roll of the eyes from a soft kiss on the cheek. Such sweetness, Adam wasn’t even going to reward him with the warning of an oncoming danger behind him. Okay, that wasn’t true. He waited a moment before nodding up with a tired smirk. He would be avenged! “Hm?”Curtis glanced up at the last second and uh oh. 

A scarem let out before shrieks and cackles of laughter. Curtis thrashed about harder than Adam and the sides that weren’t attacked weren’t even a bad spot. Shiro snorted a bit, looking equally if not more shitty than Adam had before. The professor sat up, still trying to compose himself before he was greeted by his fluffy kitty. Smiling, he pulled her into a hug and leaned against the pillows. Let his man children fight their own battle. 

The worst came soon as Shiro seemed to not fully be feeling playful. He gave a faint smile before letting i fall as he trapped ankles under his arm. “No, no, no, no! S-Shiro!” Curtis was honestly too cute for this world. The shortest male chuckled before looking over his shoulder. “Say my name and I might stop.” What?! No fair! 

“Shiro!” This had Curtis feeling a bit upset as well now. Married for five years and he still couldn’t pronounce “Takashi”. “That’s a little much,” Adam hummed as he set his precious baby aside. “Maybe you should be a bit nicer to him, huh?” Shiro squeaked before leaning down. He kept his arm around Curtis’s ankles as his blue tooth hand found Adam’s side. 

It was more or less a three way tickle fight until the three were in a large cuddle pile on the messed up bed. Pants and left over giggles escaped all before Curtis snuggled more into Adam’s chest. Shiro, who was on the brunette’s shoulder, opened his eyes a bit before smiling. Adam repeated the action before they leaned down to share a few sweet kisses. 

Shiro wanted to keep going as he just needed reassurance after their fight, but he was too tired. He plopped his head back onto Adam before being met with a slight pout. “Sorry, sorry. Come here.” He went to pull Curtis forward but the other moved back. “No, no. It’s too late now,” the youngest teased. 

“Shut up and take your kiss,” Adam groaned before giggling from two hands vibrating on his stomach. Here they went again.

#2019 #shuram #shirogane family #adam wright #adam shirogane #Curtis shirogane #takashi shirogane #shiro #vld adam #vld curtis #vld shiro #tickles #tickling #ticklish #tickle fight #cheer up tickles #fanfiction #fanfic #vld #voltron legendary defender

[spacedorksandlions]

Mistletoe Memories

This is my @kidgesecretsanta gift for @floppyboats ! 

I went with the prompt, of “maybe Shiro and Matt secretly shipping them together...?” and I hope I did it justice. It sort of took on a world of its own. I hope you enjoy, and have/had a Merry Kidgemas!!

Cross-posted on AO3

Two figures sit on the porch of the Holt family’s house as snow continues to drift downward from the sky. They’re bundled up—winter jackets and pom-pom-topped hats to block out the occasional blustery wind. The steam from their hot cocoa gets wicked away by the frigid air as the smaller one leans against the other.

“You know what they’re doing, right?” Pidge asks, taking a sip of her cocoa. The fleeting warmth that floods her body is wonderful in the wintertime cold.

The taller one laughs, pulling her closer. “You mean the fact that Shiro and Matt have managed to somehow sneak mistletoe into almost every single doorway?”

Pidge hums in response. “I swear, Keith, if they’ve labeled this ‘Project Kidge’ or something…”

He snorts, pulling her close and resting his chin on her shoulder. “You’re still sure that they don’t actually know we’re a couple?”

“Positive. One hundred percent.”

“Your mom and dad?”

She shrugs. “Dad’s known we’re a couple since he glanced at my phone two years ago.” At Keith’s look of surprise, she adds, “I put a heart next to your name in my phone once we started dating. He noticed. No doubt he’s mentioned it to Mom.”

“So, it’s just Shiro and Matt still trying to get us together?”

“Yup.”

“How long are we going to torture them?”

She grins, and her smile’s somewhere between malicious and playful. “Until we get caught under the mistletoe?”

A gust of wind spirals around them, sending crystalline snowflakes spiraling around them. The colorful Christmas lights on the Holt household catch in the diamond dust, illuminating the sky with dots of green and red. They both shiver as they finish up their cocoa, now barely lukewarm from the winter chill.

“Come on,” Keith says, extending a hand. “Let’s go inside.”

*

The Holt household has been the center of the holidays for over two decades, and even the decorations bring an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. The tree still has ornaments that were made during their elementary years, and remnants of old gifts have transitioned their way into festive ornamentation.

Keith and Pidge spend the better part of the evening deftly dodging ever-moving mistletoe, courtesy of Matt and Shiro. It’s almost laughable, if it weren’t for the fact that it causes them to be ever so vigilant.

It isn’t that they don’t want to be caught underneath the mistletoe. No, far from that. Pidge would actually enjoy a traditional kiss underneath mistletoe for once in their three years of a relationship.

Pidge smiles as she watches him play catch with Baebae, using a squeaky snowball toy to send the now-aging dog running up and down the hall like a puppy. Matt and Shiro have joined in, kneeling on the floor so that they can pick up Baebae and ruffle the dog’s fur. The Christmastime cold has finally seeped from her bones, a result of the thick green blanket and fireplace. Her laughter at everyone’s endearing antics has he laughter echoing through the household, and the smiles she earns from her parents have her beaming back just as broadly.

Eventually, she and Keith find themselves sitting together on the couch, limbs intertwined beneath her blanket. The conversation has turned to updates on everyone’s lives: Matt has begun work on a top-secret project involving an advanced artificial intelligence, Shiro has become one of the most esteemed flight school teachers in the world, and her parents are finishing up their final years before reaching retirement.

“So, what about you and Katie?” her dad asks Keith.

“Katie’s doing a bunch of freelance stuff—coding webpages and working on projects,” he replies. “I’m working with an aeronautics program. I started about a month ago.”

“Advantage to working for the same company,” Pidge adds, smiling, “I finally have someone who can understand what I’m talking about and tolerate my work hours.”

“You mean working until who-knows-when in the morning because you don’t know the meaning of taking a break?” The exasperation in his voice is also affectionate and teasing; they’ve been attached at the hip for years, so this is just natural progression.

Matt just rolls his eyes. “You’re like a married couple. Minus the gross PDA.”

Pidge arches an eyebrow at her brother, who stubbornly refuses to make eye contact after his comment.

Noting the change in the room, Colleen Holt calls for dinner to be served, and beckons everyone in to the dining room.

*

It’s late at night by the time the day’s exhaustion begins to catch up to everyone. Pidge is half-asleep, curled up in a blanket and tucked warmly beneath Keith’s arm. Shiro and Matt have begun to pack away their respective presents, grabbing their blankets and shuffling away to the upstairs rooms. Just like when they were children, there’s extra space in their bedrooms so Shiro’s crashing on an air mattress in Matt’s room, and Keith has been given some space in Pidge’s room. Pidge’s parents have ventured to their bedroom after cleaning the last bits of shredded wrapping paper and ribbon from the room.

They’re the last two lingering in the room, as the once-blazing fire has fizzled to a combination of ash and crackling embers. The lights have since been shut off, and the only source of illumination comes from the half-dead fire and the lights from the tree. Keith shakes her shoulder, pulling her from a half-asleep daze.

“C’mon, Pidge, we’re going to bed.”

She wraps an arm around his waist, “I don’t want to go to sleep.”

“It’s not like we’re kids, waiting for Santa.” He presses a kiss to her forehead.

“Remember the year we stayed up all night? That was before you moved to your mom’s house. Didn’t we go through almost a hundred—”

“I still can’t look at candy canes,” Keith says with a scowl. “Even two decades later. The sheer amount of mint is evil.”

Pidge chuckles. “We crashed so hard after that sugar rush.”

“Despite the fact that it ruined candy canes for the rest of my life, it’s still one of my favorite holiday memories.”

Pidge laughs, finally standing up. She tugs on Keith’s hand, slowly leading them towards her bedroom. She pauses at the bottom of the stairs, grinning up at him.

“What, Pidge? Why are you smiling like that?”

She points up at the mistletoe above their heads.

“Oh.”

Pidge stands on her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around his neck, as Keith leans down to press a kiss to her lips.

“Merry Christmas, Keith.”

“Merry Christmas, Pidge.”

“You know what?” Pidge says, “I think this is my favorite memory.”

 There’s a low whistle from the top of the stairs. “Sure took you two long enough!”

“Shut up, Matt, I’m allowed to kiss my boyfriend!”

The look on her brother’s face is priceless.

There’s the sound of something crashing to the ground as Shiro shouts, “Wait, your boyfriend?”

#kidge #kidgesecretsanta #my writing #mine #mistletoe prompt #kidgemas

[maandags]

Purple Ties (Shiro x reader)

Requests: hai can i have an  imagine with shiro x reader with a fake relationship trope? thank u ^^ ---- wb shiro and female reader with like a bunch of tropes? like, childhood best friends, locked in a closet, sharing a bed, fake relationship, things like that? Feel free to take away or add tropes if you have an idea just anything really tropey would be g 👌

Hey! Since these requests were very similar, I thought I’d combine them! I hope you enjoy!

~Water

Word count: 2.3 K

Genre: fluff

Notes: masterlist - cheeky Shiro is a Good Shiro

---

You blinked, not entirely trusting yourself to speak at the moment. You stared at Shiro, who leant against your doorframe, his arms crossed. “Well?” he prompted. “What do you say?”

You swallowed back a burst of white-hot panic, trying to keep your breathing steady.

“Let me‒let me think about it, all right?” you said, mimicking Shiro and folding your arms over your chest. Shiro pouted.

“C’mon, Y/N, it’s just for a couple days! Besides, Mum and Dad adore you. Literally nothing could go wrong.”

You were not so sure of that.

Here you were, just a couple of minutes ago, minding your own business, when Shiro knocked on your door and announced that you had to play his partner for a week. In three days, he was supposed to be at a family dinner with his parents, and he was supposed to bring a date. He’d decided that you were just the person to ask.

Which got you a bit conflicted. You had been actively trying to ignore any eventual feelings you might have developed for Shiro over time, stuffing them away in the deepest parts of your soul and not acknowledging their presence. It was easier that way. It was easier to pretend that you wanted to be nothing but friends, like you had been for the past twelve years, than to try to deal with feelings that could possibly rip all of that apart, should they not be reciprocated.

You hadn’t told anyone. It wasn’t worth the risk of losing twelve years’ worth of friendship. You loved Shiro more than anyone, and you would take the safety of your friendship over all else, even if that meant one-sided pining for the rest of your life.

But pretending to be in a relationship with him‒just so that he could prove a point to his parents‒could throw your whole head upside down. Your head was spinning, your mind a hurricane of thoughts. You didn’t know what to do.

Shiro had been very clear: it would be pretending, and nothing but pretending. No more, no less. You had to admit that even though you knew that he didn’t like you that way, the words still stung a bit.

But as you looked back up at Shiro’s face, his hopeful expression, you sighed in resignation and cursed your apparent inability to say no to him. “Fine. I’ll do it.” Shiro’s face lit up and he opened his mouth, but you held up a hand to silence him. “On one condition.” Shiro raised an eyebrow, caution creeping into his expression. You grinned. “I get to pick your outfit.”

--

You straightened Shiro’s tie, its purple standing out starkly against the black shirt he wore. You fiddled with the buttons on his blazer, furrowing your brows in concentration and nervousness. Your fingers were trembling.

It was stupid; you had been at Shiro’s for dinner just about five thousand times, especially as you grew older.  You were very good friends with the entirety of the Shirogane family: after all, you had known them since you were six years old. You couldn't remember a time when they weren't a huge part of your life.

So why were you nervous, almost scared, now? You knew, even though you weren't ready to admit it to yourself, that the nerves probably didn't have a lot to do with the Shirogane family dinner, but more with the one Shirogane that was standing beside you at that moment. You shook your head as if the gesture could possibly rid you of any nerves coursing through your veins.

"Are you done?" You jumped. You hadn't realised that your hands hadn't left Shiro's blazer, and were now resting against his chest. You quickly drew them back, feeling your cheeks go red with embarrassment. As you stepped back, you turned your face away and smoothed down your own clothes, even though they were already impeccable.

“Yeah. It’s‒it’s good.”

You spun on your heels and started towards the front door, letting Shiro jog to catch up with you. “Are you nervous?” he asked, bumping his shoulder to yours. He’d stuffed his hands in his pockets, and his shoulders were a little tense; you couldn’t help but wonder if he was feeling nervous too.

“No,” you lied. Your voice came out a little higher than usual and you were sure that Shiro would notice that you weren’t telling the truth. If he did, he didn’t mention it. Instead, he grabbed your hand, startling you.

“What? We gotta make it look at least a bit real,” he said, averting his eyes and pursing his lips. You hummed, not trusting your voice to stay steady. You hoped, in the very back of your mind, that your hand wasn’t too clammy in his.

As the two of you approached the door, Shiro's grip around your fingers tightened.

You shot him a sideways glance. “Hey. It'll be fine. It's just pretending, right? It's not like it means anything.” The words stung in your throat, but you forced them out anyway.

Shiro cleared his throat. “Yeah. Of course,” he said softly. Avoiding each other's gaze, Shiro rang the doorbell. The meal was about as awkward as you expected. Which was to say, not very awkward at all, as long as you avoided questions about you and Shiro's ‘relationship’. You chatted away with Shiro's parents, trying to seem as relaxed as possible.

The evening trickled by, and if you didn't think about the circumstances you could almost imagine that it was a normal night, just you and Shiro's family having dinner and talking. Nothing special about that. You thanked them for the delicious meal and sat back in your chair.

“Takashi, Y/N, I know you have probably dreaded this moment, but we're gonna have to get to it sooner or later.” Mr Shirogane said, leaning forward and resting his chin on his hands. Your blood turned to ice. Here you'll have it, you thought, and braced yourself for “the Dad talk”.

“Dad-” Shiro started, his face bright red, but Mr Shirogane shot him a raised eyebrow and he swallowed back whatever it was that he was going to say.

“You'll sleep in Takashi's old room. I'm trusting you to not do anything…” he suppressed a smile. “... inappropriate.”

You were positive you were about the shade of an overripe tomato by now and you resisted the urge to hide your face in your hands. A glance to your right told you that Shiro probably felt the same way; he flushed a deep crimson from his ears to the base of his neck. “Thanks, Dad. We'll keep it in mind.” Mr Shirogane pretended not to notice the death glare his son sent his way.

Then, thankfully, Mrs Shirogane changed the subject by cheerfully announcing that there was cake to be had, and on the way to the kitchen she pinched Shiro in the cheek and cast you a knowing smirk.

“So, I can sleep on the couch if you want. I can go into the guest room or something?” Shiro awkwardly stood in the doorway to his room, dressed in a t-shirt and sweats, shifting his weight from one leg to another. You were sat on the edge of his bed, inside the room you had spent so many hours as a child, and later, as a teenager with your best friend, combing knots out of your damp hair with your fingers.

You bit your lip. What you were about to suggest was dangerous‒especially now, when you couldn't very well keep your emotions in check. But you also didn't want to think about what would happen if Shiro's parents walked in on him sleeping on the couch. You sighed. “Don't be ridiculous. We'll share the bed. Done it plenty of times as kids, why should it be different now? Besides, as you said, we gotta make it look real.”

Shiro cocked his head, hesitation clear on his features. You rolled your eyes now, slightly annoyed at his reluctance to just sleep beside you. “C'mon. I won't eat you.”

Finally he gave in, sighing as he slipped beneath the covers next to you.

Even with Shiro's back turned to yours, you couldn't help the slight acceleration in your heartbeat. That was when you knew you were a goner. You shifted onto your back and stared at the ceiling, wondering how you would ever get to sleep.

You woke up to Shiro spooning you. His arm was slung over your chest, pulling you closer to him. His face was nuzzled into the back of your neck. You felt his warm breath wash over your skin. You counted to ten, needing the time to steady your breathing and clear your thoughts. When Shiro sighed in his sleep and tightened his grip on you, you stiffened and sucked in a sharp breath.

You squeezed your eyes shut, forcing your heartbeat to steady. Careful not to disturb Shiro, you slipped out of his embrace and immediately regretted it: the morning chill sent shivers down your spine. It was early: outside, the sun had barely started to rise and the house was still silent. Shiro's parents must still have been asleep. You took a deep breath and headed for the bathroom. You needed to clear your head.

Gripping the edge of the sink, you looked at yourself in the mirror. Your eyes had a slightly panicked glint to them, your hair was dishevelled. You splashed some water in your face. The cold temperature brought you somewhat back to reality. You looked back to your reflection again. You recalled the feeling of Shiro's body pressed against yours. Then you regretted it, feeling your face go red and your heart speed up. You sat down on the edge of the bathtub and lowered your head into your hands. "This can't go on," you muttered to yourself, your voice muffled by your fingers.

"What can't?" You jerked your head up and immediately made eye contact with Shiro, standing in the doorway and leaning against the frame. His hair was as dishevelled as yours. He squinted slightly, not fully awake yet. You cursed internally. Great. Amazing timing, Shiro.

"Nothing. Don't worry about it," you said, standing up, mustering a smile and smoothing down your clothes. But you knew that lying to Shiro wasn't a good idea: he'd see right through you. You were right.

Shiro frowned, stepping forward. "No, I'm serious. It's six a.m, Y/N. What is it?"

You wanted to sob. Seeing him with such a caring expression on his face only intensified your desire to kiss him right then and there. His eyes held a warmth you would never get tired of. But he saw you as a friend. Nothing more, nothing less.

And yet you'd just shared a bed with him.

"Look‒I don't think this is a good idea, all right? I don't‒I can't‒" You cut yourself off, uttering a frustrated grunt and waving your arms around, trying to grasp for words you couldn't find.

Shiro raised his hands, taking another hesitating step towards you. "What do you mean? You can tell me."

You breathed a bitter laugh. You can tell me. You knew, because you always told each other everything. Everything, except the one massive secret you'd kept from him for over six months. But you were tired of hiding your feelings, and maybe the eerie silence that still filled the house had you sitting on edge as well. "I don't want to go on and pretend that all I want to be is friends!" you whispered furiously, careful not to wake Shiro's parents.

Shiro sucked in a breath. Here you'll have it, you thought. I fucked up. You tried to hide your flinch, a whole new kind of silence falling upon you like a thick blanket. Forcing back tears, you tried to push past Shiro, but he grabbed your wrist and gently said, "Wait."

You waited, because how could you not? Shiro deserved an explanation.

"For how long?"

You didn't ask what he meant. With an awkward shrug, you mumbled, "Couple months? Half a year? Don't know. Didn't‒I didn't count." You refused to meet his eyes until he breathed a laugh.

"So you mean I could have asked you out months ago and you would have said yes?"

You almost choked on air and you felt your cheeks heat up once more. You turned to face him. If you'd had the balls to ask me, you thought wryly, but only responded with a quiet, "I guess so."

"So," Shiro chuckled, a baffled smile curling his lips, "you mean I could have done this months ago?"

Before you could ask what he meant, he leant forward and pressed his lips to yours. You froze, surprised by how perfect his lips fit on yours, how nice it felt to have his hand cup your cheek and tilt your face that little bit upwards. Then you melted into his touch, arching your back and pressing your body flush to his. Your hands came up to rest on his chest, and then tentatively one hand crawled up his neck and you buried your fingers in his already dishevelled hair.

The kiss was surprisingly gentle. Still, your chest seemed to be on fire, the feelings you had ignored for months now crashing into you. Shiro finally pulled away, just enough for both of you to catch your breath, but stayed close enough for you to feel his breath on your cheek and you gently laid your forehead against his. A laugh bubbled past your lips. Shiro raised an eyebrow at you, a grin of his own pulling at the corners of his mouth.

"It's nothing. I just‒I love you. Very much."

Shiro softly pecked your mouth, smiling against your lips. "I love you too."

#voltron #voltron legendary defender #vld #voltron fic #vld fic #voltron fanfic #vld fanfic #voltron shiro #vld shiro #votlron shiro x reader #vld shiro x reader #voltron takashi shirogane #vld takashi shirogane #voltron takashi shirogane x reader #vld takashi shirogane x reader #takashi shirogane x reader #shirox reader

[my-one-love-is-music]

Be My Player 2? Ch. 38

Also on AO3!

~~~~~~~~

Keith yawned and ran a hand through his hair, trying to wake himself up after the long day of classes he was back to. He was already missing the mornings he got to spend sleeping in over spring break and knew that the next week was going to be hell as he fought to get back on schedule.

He tugged uncomfortably at the collar of his jacket as he pulled open the backdoor of the restaurant. The weather was warm enough that wearing his usual jacket was becoming stuffy. It was almost time to put it away for the year.

“Hey! Look who’s back!”

Keith smiled and waved at the cooks as he passed.

“How was your vacation?” Lee called after him.

“Great! I wish I was still on break,” he said over his shoulder.

Lee’s booming laughter followed him down the hall. “None of us would work if we didn’t have to, kid!”

Keith shook his head and huffed. He paused at the time clock and punched his number into the system, waiting for it to beep before he made his way out into the dining room.

Happy chatter surrounded him as he crossed to the bar, the sounds of the patrons muffling the music that played over the speakers. He spotted George behind the counter, mixing drinks with a grin on his face. He spun and twirled, looking completely at ease despite the list of tickets Keith saw in front of him.

“Have no fear, the cavalry’s here,” Keith called as he swung around the back of the bar and slipped his jacket off. He tossed it into the bin underneath the bar and immediately rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, ready to dig into the pile of orders and help things along for them both.

“Hey! Welcome back, man,” George said, pausing just long enough to throw an arm around his shoulders in a quick side-hug. “You’ve got to tell me all about your vacation.”

Keith swiped the next ticket as George set his drink on an available tray. He scanned the scratched writing and nodded, turning to grab a glass and the three bottles he was going to need.

“I don’t really know what to say. It was kind of amazing.”

“Kind of?” George prompted.

Keith bit his lip, trying to hide his grin. “Okay, it was more than just kind of amazing. It was fantastic.”

George chuckled, intercepting his hand as they both took another ticket. “Sooooo things with the boyfriend are good?”

“More than good. Way more than good.”

George paused his stirring and raised an eyebrow. “Way more than good?” he asked. “Wow. He didn’t propose to you, did he?”

Keith chuckled and shook his head. He grabbed two beers and popped the caps, setting them next to the martini George just finished.

“Not at all. But…”

“But?”

“But I might’ve said yes if he had,” he murmured.

“What?!”

Keith blinked as George scrambled to get a better handle on his shaker, almost dropping it and spilling the drink all over their feet.

George carefully set the shaker on the counter and gripped the edge, taking a steadying breath. He raised his gaze and met Keith’s eyes.

“Did you seriously just admit to me that you would marry Shiro if he asked you to?” George said carefully.

Keith felt his face heat up and crossed his arms. He cleared his throat and shifted from foot to foot. “I guess I did.”

George’s disbelief faded and he grinned, chuckles slowly working their way up his throat until he was clutching his stomach and nearly doubled over laughing.

“Oh my god, that’s incredible,” he said, wiping away a nonexistent tear. He fought to catch his breath, keeping one hand on the counter next to him. “But seriously man, I’m really happy for you. You deserve to have someone like Shiro in your life. Especially when the two of you are so happy together.”

Keith smiled, shoulders relaxing where they’d hunched in the face of George’s laughter. “Thanks. I’ve kind of…never mind, it’s stupid.”

“No, come on. You can tell me, man. I swear it’ll stay between us,” he said, grabbing the shaker and finally shaking it above his shoulder.

“Well, I…I’ve been thinking about doing job applications for companies down in Florida. I figured that if I can get a job down there, I can move south and be closer to Shiro.”

George raised an eyebrow. “You’ve only been thinking about it?” he asked.

Keith huffed. “Okay, so maybe I haven’t just been thinking about it. I’ve been doing some applications. Pidge and Hunk have actually been helping me out.”

George nodded and pulled the top off the shaker. He poured the drink in the waiting glass and set it on one of the trays with the ticket.

“I’m happy for you, man. I’m really happy for you.”

“Thanks,” Keith whispered, swiping one of the last tickets from the pile.

“And I know you’re going to make it. I know you can get a job down there and be close to your boyfriend.”

Keith bit his lip and ducked his head, grabbing two beers from the fridge under the counter. He was glad to have so many supportive people in his life, but he didn’t want their encouragement to get the better of him to the point where he got his hopes up too much.

It was possible, but there was no guarantee he’d be able to make the move. He just had to remember that.

~~

Keith glared at his computer screen as he paced back and forth behind his kitchen chair. One half of the screen had half of a research paper he was putting together and the other half had a job application sitting open.

He had deadlines and as much as he hated to admit it, the end of his senior year was hurtling towards him. There was a lot to do and he there was never enough time to finish it all. Not after he was faced with two rejection emails for job applications that day alone, one coming five minutes after he’d submitted his info for review.

His phone vibrated on the table and he glanced at it, seeing Shiro’s name flashing on the screen. He smiled, reaching for it to answer the call.

“Hey,” he murmured, some of his stress already falling away at knowing his boyfriend was on the other end of the call.

“Hey baby,” Shiro said. “I miss you.”

Keith chuckled, laughter soft. He glanced at his computer before moving around the side of his couch to plop down onto the cushions.

“I miss you, too.” He stretched out his legs, propping his feet on the coffee table. “How are classes going?”

Shiro groaned and Keith could almost picture him rolling over to bury his face in his pillow. “Classes suck. I’m tired of doing homework and papers. I’m ready for it to be over.”

“Me too. And don’t even get me started on job applications on top of those,” he huffed.

“Yeah, those are…still a thing.”

“Takashi Shirogane,” Keith swore, leaning forward. “Have you been ignoring job applications?”

Shiro chuckled. “Not ignoring them per say…they’re just really fucking exhausting and I only have so much energy in the day to do homework. Job applications are a whole other monster.”

“Oh believe me, I know,” Keith muttered, thinking about the rejections he’d gotten earlier that day.

“How have they been going for you?”

Keith sighed, his good mood taking a dip. “I got two rejection letters already.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, babe,” Shiro said, sounding just as disappointed as he did. “Was it anything promising?”

Keith’s stomach sank further. The locations of both companies were within a few minutes of Shiro’s house. “Sort of? I think the opportunities would’ve been great. As great as they could be with a first job out of college.”

“I’m sorry. I’m sure they would’ve been good fits for you. I know you’ll be able to find something even better that’ll make you happy.”

Keith bit his lip, thinking about the job application he had sitting open on his computer. “I hope so,” he whispered.

They were both silent for a moment, enjoying the few moments they had together despite the distance between them. Keith closed his eyes, brows furrowing. If he concentrated hard enough, it was almost like he was back on the couch or laying in bed with Shiro, head pillowed on his chest while they cuddled and talked. Maybe a movie was playing in the background they weren’t really paying attention to, sharing kisses in the soft space between them.

“Keith?” Shiro asked.

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

Keith grinned, biting his lip to try and contain the giddy butterflies that swarmed in his stomach every time he heard those words.

“I love you, too.”

~~

Keith scrubbed at his eyes, trying to focus on the clock in the corner of his computer screen. It was after midnight and even though he’d got another quarter of his paper done and submitted a handful of applications, he still couldn’t let himself rest. Not when he only had so much time to try and get a job near Shiro before the school year ended.

He yawned, eyes threatening to fall shut with his need to sleep and get rest before he’d have to get up the next morning and do another whirlwind of classes, homework, bartending, and job applications.

“One more application,” he muttered, fighting to focus on the words his sluggish fingers typed in what he swore were shrinking boxes. “Just one more and then I’ll go to bed.”

He blinked again, taking longer to force them back open to focus on the words in front of him. He was so tired, but he just had to get this done. A few more minutes and then he’d be able to sleep.

~~

Keith groaned when his alarm went off next to his ear. He smacked his hand on the table, fighting to silence the incessant ringing pulling him from the sweet rest he’d gotten during the night.

He forced his eyes open, feeling like a zombie. He blinked at his fridge, trying to figure out why it was in his bedroom.

Keith sighed and forced himself to sit up. He swiped his phone from the table and shut off his alarm. He glanced at the battery and sighed at seeing it under twenty percent. He’d need to get to class early and grab a seat by one of the outlets to charge his phone.

He rolled his shoulders, feeling his neck and back twinge from the awkward sleeping position all night. It was going to take more than one night in his bed to help repair the damage he’d done the night before. It would make standing on his feet at work absolute hell when he went in for his shift.

Keith pressed the spacebar of his computer and waited as it booted up. It was sluggish to start and he sighed when he was met with his still incomplete application he’d been forcing himself to finish. If he was lucky, he could grab a couple minutes between classes to finish it up and submit before moving on to everything else.

He closed the top of his computer and slipped it into his backpack. He grabbed the books for his classes that were in a pile on the kitchen table. He pushed himself from the chair and winced when his back cracked in two different places.

Keith groaned and stretched his arms over his head before shuffling down the hall to his bedroom. He yanked his shirt over his head and shoved his day-old jeans down around his legs, kicking them off to join the edge of his pile of laundry. He tossed his shirt on top and grabbed a new pair of boxers and jeans.

He dressed quickly and grabbed the first shirt in his drawer, pulling it over his head as he walked down the hall and turned into the bathroom. He stared at his reflection, taking in the bags under his eyes and the dullness of his gaze.

He turned on the tap as cold as it would go and cupped his hands under the running water, washing it over his face to help wake himself up. He shivered at the biting temperature and grabbed a towel to wipe off the excess water.

Keith grabbed a thin hair-tie from the sink drawer and pulled his hair back, tying it up in a messy ponytail.

He yawned and scrubbed at his eyes as he padded back to the kitchen. He grabbed a granola bar from the cabinet and tossed it into his backpack with the rest of his things. He grabbed his backpack and shoved his phone in his pocket, barely remembering to snag his charger from the couch.

He shoved his feet into his boots and grabbed his keys, sluggishly locking his apartment behind him. He shuffled down the hall, gripping the straps of his backpack tightly in his hands. It was going to be a long day and he couldn’t wait until he could go back to bed and forget about everything he had to do.

~~

Keith blinked when he heard his phone chime next to him. He pulled himself from his paper and the extra thoughts continually circling around job applications and grabbed his phone where it rested on the arm of his chair.

He’d found a secluded nook in his building, ready to settle down and do some work between classes. An empty coffee cup sat next to his foot, the caffeine kicking in after he’d downed his third refill.

Keith smiled when he saw Shiro’s name on the screen and quickly opened their chat.

Shiro: hey baby. How are things going today?

Keith settled back into his chair, his shoulders relaxing as some of the stress left him thanks to Shiro’s never-ending calming presence.

Keith: Not gonna lie, I’m exhausted. I ended up falling asleep at my kitchen table last night in the middle of doing a job application.

Shiro: ☹ Don’t work yourself so hard. You’ve already got all of your papers and reports for your classes.

Keith sighed, his eyes falling shut for a minute. His fingers hovered over the keys on his phone. He wanted to tell him. He wanted to spill everything that he couldn’t rest and he had to do as many applications as possible because it meant there was a tiny, miniscule possibility that they could be together again in a couple months and he was desperate to take advantage of that chance.

He bit his lip and forced himself to skirt around his thoughts, only giving Shiro the necessary information.

Keith: I know, but I can’t stop. I really want to have a good job lined up once school wraps up. As much as I love bartending and working with George, I don’t want to be doing that forever. I didn’t go to school for a degree just so I could mix drinks for the next year.

Shiro: I know, baby, but taking care of yourself right now is important, too. Promise me that you won’t lose too much sleep trying to get applications in?

Keith: Fineeeee. I promise. I’ll only lose the socially acceptable amount of sleep so I can get job applications in.

Shiro: ☹

Keith smiled, feeling some of the ache from the past few days disappear. It was by no means better since they were still a thousand miles apart. But it was better. Knowing Shiro missed him and was there for him…it was better.

Keith: Don’t pout too long or your face will get stuck like that.

Shiro: Call me when you get home and I won’t have a reason to pout.

Keith: Deal. But I’ll need proof that you’re not pouting.

Shiro: Don’t worry. I think you’ll be able to tell. Considering I’m always smiling when I talk to you.

Keith felt a burst of butterflies in his chest. He was never going to get used to Shiro. And he never wanted to. Shiro was a gift in his life and he was determined to cherish him forever.

Keith: You were just pouting a minute ago.

Shiro: Technicalities!

He huffed a laugh, voice quiet in the nook he was settled in.

Keith: Fine, fine. We can talk about this later. As much as I love talking to you, I need to get a few more things done before my afternoon classes start.

Shiro: Oh yeah. It’s Tuesday, isn’t it? And you have to work tonight?

Keith: Unfortunately I do.

Shiro: Sorry.

Keith: That’s just how it is. I’ll call you when I get home from work.

Shiro: Sounds good. Later, baby. Love you.

Keith: Love you, too.

Keith stared at his screen for a moment, looking at the matching love yous. He sighed and was about to lock his phone when it chimed with a new email. He glanced at his computer screen which still showed the paper he was working on.

He quickly changed apps, knowing it wouldn’t take long for him to check his email before getting back to work.

Keith opened his email and frowned when the first email came from a sender he didn’t recognize. He clicked on it and scrolled down to the body, eyes widening. He read through it once, and then a second and third time to make sure he wasn’t hallucinating.

 Dear Mr. Kogane,

Thank you for reaching out to us with regards to our open research assistant positions. Your academic background is quite impressive and we’d like to have the opportunity to discuss this position with you in more detail and possibly set up a Skype interview with you.

Please respond with your availability if you’re still interested in this position and-

 Keith swallowed, trying to keep his heartrate down. His fingers shook as he tried to calm himself down enough to write a reply. This was too much. All of the planning and job applications and wishing wasn’t enough to prepare him for the possibility of landing an interview for a company in Florida.

He slammed the lid of his computer and threw it into his backpack. He pushed himself out of his chair and barely remembered to unplug his phone from the wall before he was skidding around the corner and sprinting down the hall.

Pidge and Hunk would be getting out of class in the next few minutes. He had to tell them about this.

If you enjoy my work, please reblog or consider buying me a ko-fi!

#sheith #molim writes #fic: player 2 #fic update