Chapter Text
Keith scowled as the two of you searched the debris field for any sign of life. The radar continued to scan the area, but nothing appeared apart from the broken remains of the Galra fleet. Not a blip. Nothing.
He hadn’t wanted to believe it – none of you had – but now he had no choice.
Shiro was gone.
“There’s nothing out here, Coran,” he reported. You squeezed his shoulder sympathetically as he let out a huge sigh.
“I’m sorry, Keith,” the Altean replied sadly
“We’re coming home.”
Keith turned the Red Lion around, heading back to the Castleship. The two of you flew back in silence, sombre at the thought of trying to form Voltron without the Black Paladin.
**************************************
Everyone was gathered in the lounge area, Lance and Hunk still in their Paladin armour after recently arriving back from their misson to Puig.
“They haven’t figured out their flatbread situation yet, but what they do with those centipedes is just out of this world.” As usual, Hunk was focused on the more culinary aspects of the mission. He had expressed the very firm opinion, on more than one occasion, that food was at the heart of all diplomatic matters.
“And they are totally ready to join the fight against the Galra,” Lance informed Allura, remembering the real reason for their visit to Puig.
“Nice!” Pidge smiled.
“We brought back a few of their leaders to join the coalition,” Hunk continued.
“That’s splendid, excellent work!” Allura cried happily.
“You know, I gotta say, this is what it’s all about… freein’ the people, lovin’ the ladies, then bombin’ down the road again looking for adventure, Voltron-style,” Lance grinned as he showed off photos of himself with the adoring Puigian females. Pidge looked decidedly unimpressed. You rolled your eyes at your flirtatious friend.
“Which brings up a little issue,” Hunk mentioned reluctantly. “They all want to see Voltron, only we don’t really have Voltron anymore.”
Keith glared from his position on the couch. “We don’t have Shiro anymore, either. Everyone seems to have forgotten that.”
“We haven’t forgotten, Keith,” you admonished him. Being told off just made him even more sullen.
Allura took a deep breath, seemingly reluctant to speak. “It may be difficult for us all to accept, but it is time to think about finding a new pilot for the Black Lion.”
All of you looked at the princess in surprise, before Keith leapt to his feet angrily. “No! I’m gonna find him! Shiro is the one person who never gave up on me. I won’t give up on him.”
He stalked out of the lounge room, while the rest of the team looked at each other sadly.
You stared after him, trying to think of a way to help him deal with the loss of his mentor, and coming up blank.
**************************************
Allura, Coran and the Paladins all sat around the dining table, together with multiple aliens who had recently agreed to join the alliance against the Galra Empire.
“It is our honour to have you all here together,” Allura said sincerely, looking at everyone in turn. She had donned her traditional Altean gown, rather than the more utilitarian outfit she normally wore, to bring a sense of formality to the meeting.
“I had the biggest bunker back on Puig, but it wasn’t nearly this nice,” replied the Puig representative, looking around the dining hall with wide eyes. You took an immediate dislike to him. It seemed that he was only interested in the possible riches that an alliance with Voltron could bring him, rather than in developing and maintaining peace throughout the universe.
A green alien said, “Well, I spent the last decade sleeping in a spiny thistle thicket. You look wonderful, though, Princess. I’m glad I put on my best tarp.”
Allura smiled at him graciously.
Hunk appeared, an apron over his Paladin armour, carrying a small tray of delectable looking treats. “Welcome, everyone, welcome! I’ve prepared a few Earth canapes for our distinguished guests to enjoy while we talk galactic diplomacy.”
Before the guests could eat, Kolivan stood, causing some of the others to look askance at the large Galra. “The Blade of Marmora has gathered this intelligence.”
He brought up a hologram of the universe. “As you can see, the Galra Empire is still the most massive ruling force the universe has ever seen. The sheer size of it is almost incomprehensible. It seems like it could rule another ten thousand years.”
A small creature stopped mid-bite, shaking in fear at Kolivan’s announcement.
Lance turned to you with a frown. “Not the way I would have started this pep talk, but okay.”
Kolivan continued, unperturbed. “However, we are beginning to see an increase in rebel activity throughout the Empire.”
The holographic map lit up to show various rebel locations scattered throughout the galaxies. The alien representatives stared at it in awe.
Allura stood. “We have a strategy to bring these forces together, free more planets, grow our numbers and accumulate an army that can defeat the Galra in major battles.”
The hologram faded, and she looked at her guests seriously. “But without your help it will be impossible.”
A purple alien spoke with an electronic voice. “The forces will all fight behind Voltron, right?”
The Puig man nodded. “Yes, where is Voltron?”
Allura’s face grew alarmed, before gesturing to each of you in turn. “Th-the people you see before you are the Paladins of Voltron. Together, they pilot the mighty Lions that form the great warrior.”
The Puig man seemed pleased. “Excellent! Can they form Voltron now?”
“Uh, well…” Allura floundered.
Your voice was scathing as you responded to the Puig representative. “Voltron is not a performing monkey that the Paladins can just trot out for your entertainment. Voltron is the Defender of the Universe. We form it only when it is absolutely necessary.”
Allura looked at you gratefully.
The Puig opened his mouth to speak again, but Keith responded angrily. “We can’t form Voltron, okay? We can fly the Lions, but Voltron is not happening.”
The representatives gasped, looking disheartened.
Allura spoke hastily. “What he means is that right now they can’t do it, but - ”
“But nothing,” Keith snarled. “Shiro is gone. He was the Black Lion. And until we find him, there is no Voltron.”
Kolivan stood once more. “The Lions are still a substantial fighting force, and this Castle is also a considerable weapon. The Blade of Marmora can lead you.”
The purple alien spoke in a hostile tone. “My people have been enslaved for centuries by soldiers who look exactly like you.”
“Yes!” cried the Puigian. “Our people have heard the legend of Voltron, how he defeated Zarkon. That is what gave them hope. What are we supposed to tell them now?”
Keith slammed his hand on the table as he stood up. “Tell them to stand up and fight for themselves! Voltron is gone!”
He stormed out of the room, leaving everyone staring after him.
Hunk chuckled weakly. “Pizza roll? Pig in a blanket?”
The Puig man raised a finger. “I’ll have a pizza roll.”
**************************************
You found Keith in his room, his Paladin armour discarded in favour of his civilian clothing. He stretched out on his bed, glaring at the ceiling.
“So, I think that meeting went really well,” you said sarcastically.
Keith snorted. “Those idiots don’t want to do anything to help themselves. They just want to rely on Voltron to save them.”
You sat down on his bed, and he rested his head on your lap. You carded your fingers through his dark hair, and he wrapped his arms around your waist. This position had become a source of comfort for him over the past few weeks, and he had often come to you for reassurance whenever he was feeling vulnerable. It had become a much more common occurrence in the days since Shiro had disappeared.
“Do you want to talk about it?” you asked, knowing full well that he probably wouldn’t.
“I can’t do it, Y/N,” he mumbled into your midriff. “I can’t lead this team.”
“Well, I’m pretty sure you could if you really tried,” you said gently. “But maybe you won’t need to.”
Keith turned his head to look at you sceptically.
“Think about it. There’s no guarantee that the Black Lion will choose you. It might choose one of the others, so you’re really worrying about nothing.”
“But Shiro…”
“What Shiro wanted may not be what the Black Lion wants,” you pointed out. “Who knows? It might choose me.”
Keith rolled his eyes. “Great. So then you get to boss me around even more than you do now.”
You poked him in the ribs. “It could be worse. The Lion could choose Lance.”
Keith shuddered. “No, thank you.”
Your face grew serious. “I know you’re scared, Keith. We all are. The thought of this team without Shiro… it’s a terrible prospect. But we have to face the reality that he is not here. Hopefully it’s only a temporary thing, but we need to face the fact that it might be permanent.”
Keith sighed heavily. “I just… I can’t… he can’t be gone forever, he just can’t.”
“I really hope he’s not. But if he is, then we need to deal with it. We need a Paladin for the Black Lion, because without one we can’t form Voltron. We all have to do what we can to make it work.” You caressed his face gently, staring into his eyes. “So you need to put on your big boy pants, and do what needs to be done. Shiro believed in you, and I do, too.”
Another sigh. “I just don’t know if I can do it.”
“Of course you can. Because you’ll have me to help you.” You stood up, holding out your hand. “So come on, Flyboy. Let’s go see which one of us is going to be the boss from now on.”
Hesitantly, Keith placed his hand in yours, and allowed you to lead him to the hangar where the Black Lion lay, awaiting its new Paladin.
**************************************
Keith stood in front of the Black Lion as it lay sprawled motionless on its side. You stood next to him, his hand in yours, fingers interlaced. You could feel the pain and sorrow coursing through him, and it broke your heart.
“Keith, we will get through this, okay? I’m here for you,” you told him.
He squeezed your hand gratefully, eyes still on the Black Lion.
The others came into the hangar and stood behind the two of you. You turned to look over your shoulder, and Lance stepped forward. “Hey man… listen. We all miss Shiro. I remember what a thrill it was just to meet him for the first time when the two of us carried him out of that Garrison hospital.”
“I grew up with my dad and Matt telling me stories about him,” Pidge added. “He was a legend at our house.”
“The guy taught me everything I know about being a pilot!” Hunk enthused. “Which isn’t much. But that’s more on me.”
“I’ve known Shiro since I was six years old,” you added. “He always encouraged me to do what was right for me, even if it wasn’t what everyone else thought I should do. I loved him for that.”
Lance searched Keith’s eyes with his own. “You’re not the only one hurting, man. We’re all right there with you. But you know that he would be the first one to tell us that we have to move on.”
Keith gazed at him, his expression steely.
Allura stepped forward. “Keith, I know exactly how you feel. But our mission is bigger than any one individual, even those who are completely irreplaceable.”
He turned his icy gaze upon the princess, before sighing heavily. “I know you’re right.” He stood straighter, his expression one of determination. “It’s time to figure out how to reform Voltron.”
**************************************
In the Castle’s lounge, the team sat together, trying to figure out how to reform the Defender of the Universe. Keith stood apart from the rest of you, sulking as he leant against the wall, his expression dark.
“I wish Shiro were here to tell us how to go on without him,” Lance said wistfully.
“Allura, when we came here, you told me I would fly the Green Lion, and I thought there was no way,” Pidge told the princess. “But then I found it, and I flew it. And then Hunk flew the Yellow Lion, and he’s not even a pilot. In fact, you told everyone who would pilot which Lion.”
Hunk nodded vigorously. “Yeah, how did you do that? Did we ever find out how you did that? Can you do that now?”
Allura shook her head. “Sadly, no. When you arrived at the Castle, I immediately recognised the special qualities in each of you. But I don’t know how to search the entire universe for a new Paladin.”
Coran looked to where Keith was standing. “Keith, you piloted the Black Lion when you had to save Shiro. Perhaps you’re the one.”
Lance snorted. “Keith would be the worst leader of Voltron.”
You felt your hackles rise at Lance’s instant dismissal of Keith. For all that you loved your best friend, his constant rivalry with the Red Paladin was driving you insane. You knew Keith could be a great leader if he truly wanted to be. Before you could say anything, though, Pidge piped up.
“Yeah, we all have our thing. Keith’s the loner. I’m the brain. Hunk’s the nice one. Y/N’s the sensible one. Allura’s the decision maker. Coran’s the wise old guy, and Lance is the goofball.”
Lance nodded his agreement. “Mm-hmm. Yeah, exactly. Totally right… Wait a minute.” He looked scandalised as he realised what Pidge had said about him. “I’m not a goofball! I’m like the cool, ninja sharpshooter.”
Keith scoffed, but you heard the affection in it. “Are you joking?”
Lance leapt to his feet in outrage. “I’m being completely serious when I say I do not want you to lead me anywhere!”
“I don’t want to be the leader! That’s just what Shiro wanted!” Keith yelled, before realising his mistake. He looked away, embarrassed, as the others stared at him.
“What are you talking about?” Hunk asked.
“Nothing,” Keith mumbled.
Pidge stared at Keith. “Shiro wanted you to be his successor, didn’t he?”
Keith didn’t respond, continuing to look away.
“Well, I never heard Shiro say that, and how convenient that you’re bringing it up now, when Shiro’s gone,” Lance growled.
“It’s true, Lance!” you snapped. “Shiro told Keith he wanted him to take over as the leader if anything happened to him.”
“Well, of course you’re going to take his side,” Lance sneered. “You and Mullet just can’t wait to do everything together, can you? Are you going to start finishing each other’s sentences next?”
You glared back at him balefully. “I heard Shiro say it when we were stranded on that desert planet. Are you going to call me a liar as well?”
Keith pushed himself away from the wall and glared at Lance, his hands clenched into fists. “You want the job so badly? You can have it!”
“Now, now, hang on,” Hunk said. “I’ve called the head from the very beginning.”
“What about me?” Pidge cried as she jumped to her feet. “I’m the one who picked up on the radio waves that led us to Voltron in the first place!”
“Hold your gazurgas, everyone! It’s not our decision to make.” Everyone looked at Coran. “We must allow the Lion to decide.”
“Coran is right,” Allura agreed. “We must all present ourselves to the Black Lion, to see who will bear this glorious burden.”
“What? You, Princess?” Coran gaped at her.
“My father created Voltron. How can I allow others to risk their lives in battle, and not be prepared to do so myself? I must try.”
**************************************
All of you stood in front of the still motionless Black Lion, dressed in your Paladin armour.
“So, who goes first?” Hunk asked tentatively.
“Should we draw straws?” Pidge suggested.
“I’ve got it!” Coran snapped his fingers. “I’m thinking of a number between one and fifty. Allura, you go first, then Pidge, and then the others.”
“Wait, don’t we get to guess the number?” Lance cried indignantly.
“But I already know the number,” Coran told him condescendingly.
Lance blew out a breath. “Allura, just go.”
Each Paladin took their turn, looking downcast when they were unsuccessful. Lance appeared to take the rejection especially hard.
“It’s useless! The Black Lion hates all of us,” he sulked.
When it was your turn, you sat in the pilot’s seat. Taking a deep breath, you opened your mind to the Black Lion, trying to feel its presence.
“I know that Shiro said he wanted Keith to lead, and if you choose him, I will totally respect that decision. But please,” you begged, hoping the Lion would listen to your pleas. “Please believe me when I say that if you choose Keith, it will break his heart. He doesn’t feel ready for this responsibility. I care enough… I love him enough to take this burden for him if I have to. So please, please, find a way to choose me instead. Let Keith stay with Red.”
You felt that the Black Lion understood your concerns, and yet it remained unmoved. You were not meant to be its Paladin. Sighing, you pushed yourself out of the pilot’s seat and went to join the others.
Keith noticed your defeated expression as you descended from the cockpit, and he felt his stomach drop. Black hadn’t chosen you, despite what he knew would have been your best effort to convince it otherwise.
Allura looked at him. “Keith, the Black Lion hasn’t responded to any of us. You have to try.”
With a heavy heart, he took himself into the cockpit. Sitting down, he looked over the controls, his eyes trying to picture what his mentor had seen in him. Taking a deep breath, he gripped the controls. “I know you wanted this for me, Shiro, but I’m not you. I can’t lead them like you.”
To his horror, the console lit up, and Black’s systems came online.
“Please, no…” he begged, despair filling him.
The Black Lion stood up with a roar. It had chosen its new Paladin.
Keith looked more upset than you ever seen him as he descended from his new Lion. Lance looked almost as despondent.
Allura smiled softly at him. “I’m proud of you. I wish you were getting the job under better circumstances, but congratulations.”
“Congratulations, Keith,” Pidge echoed.
“Yeah, ditto,” Hunk said.
Keith looked anything but pleased at their congratulations. “No. I don’t accept this.”
The team gasped. Allura said, “You must! The Black Lion has chosen you.”
“I can’t replace Shiro!” he objected. “You guys are right. I’m the loner. I’m not the leader Shiro thought I was.”
Lance placed a hand on Keith’s shoulder, causing a soft gasp to escape him. “Keith, no-one can replace Shiro. But the Black Lion wouldn’t choose anybody it didn’t think was worthy to lead Voltron. I respect its choice, and you should too.”
Keith sighed again, then glanced back over his shoulder. “But who’s going to fly the Red Lion?”
Everyone stared at you when Lance spoke again. “Y/N, of course.”
**************************************
You had stood in front of Red, who refused to grant you entry. Despite your tears and pleading and foot stamping, Red remained stubbornly unmoved, just as the Black Lion had. Typical. Trust your Lion not to want you when it couldn’t have you in partnership with Keith. Stubborn cat.
“Well, it looks like I’m no longer a Paladin,” you humphed as you flopped on the couch. “Red won’t let me in.”
Keith felt a stab of guilt, even as he tried to comfort you. Surely it was his fault that your bond with Red was broken.
Allura had also tried to get Red to respond to her, but it remained silent. She returned sadly to the lounge room, as upset as you were that Red hadn’t opened up to either of you.
“I’m sorry, Princess. I know how much you wanted to pilot the Red Lion,” Coran said softly.
Allura’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m fine. Let’s move on. We must find a new Paladin. Again.”
“A new Paladin? I mean, where would we even start looking?” Pidge asked.
“I vote we get some alien diversity on the team, and I know some cool mermaids who could be good at it,” grinned Lance.
Hunk rolled his eyes. “You just want to see them again.”
“Yeah, exactly!”
“How about those Blade guys?” Hunk suggested.
“Or the Olkari!” Pidge said brightly.
The team jumped as the vid-screen lit up. The face of the Puig leader appeared on the screen. “Voltron! We need your help! The Galrans have returned! Once you left, we were defenceless! My people are trying to hold out, but the Galra are too powerful.”
Allura stood. “The Lions are on their way. Hold your ground and protect your people until we arrive. Voltron stands with you.”
“Thank you, Princess,” said the Puig, before ending the transmission.
As the Paladins headed towards the hangars, Allura stopped Keith. “Keith, the Black Lion has chosen you. You can do this.”
He nodded briefly in acknowledgement, before heading down to the hangar to take up his new role.
Allura turned to you as you stood awkwardly, wondering what to do now that you were apparently no longer needed. “Y/N, why don’t you try and get the Red Lion to respond to you again? Now that Voltron is required, perhaps she’ll let you in.”
You shrugged. “It’s worth a shot.”
**************************************
Keith led Pidge and Hunk out of the hangars and towards Puig. “All right, guys. We’re not about to let the Galra take back this planet. Follow me.”
“Where are Lance and Y/N?” cried Pidge.
Keith’s voice rang out from Blue’s hangar. “Lance, Y/N, where are you?”
Lance stood staring at the Blue Lion, sitting implacably behind its force field. “Argh! My Lion’s not responding to me!”
“Sorry, Keith. Red is still refusing to let me in.” He could hear the aggravation in your voice.
“Well, figure it out and catch up with us as soon as you can,” Keith directed, somewhat impatiently.
Suddenly, an enormous Galra ship appeared out of hyperspace. A voice boomed out across the depths of space.
[Attention, Paladins of Voltron. This is Prince Lotor, son of Zarkon, Emperor-Protem of the Galra Empire. Surrender now, or you will be destroyed.]
“We’ve been set up!” Pidge cried as the Galra fighter jets attacked.
“Evasive manoeuvres!” Keith shouted. “Everyone watch your backs!”
“Coran, we have to get there immediately!” Allura told her advisor. “Lance, Y/N we need you! The Lions are being attacked!”
“I’m trying!” Lance cried.
“Yeah, Red is still completely unresponsive,” you advised, your tone aggrieved.
“I’m going to see what’s keeping them,” Allura said, heading towards the hangars.
**************************************
You huffed in annoyance as Red continued to ignore your presence. Suddenly, you heard footsteps approaching the hangar.
“Sorry, Allura. Red is still refusing to let me in. It definitely looks like our bond is broken,” you muttered apologetically.
Red roared from behind the force field, and you turned. It was Lance, not the princess, who approached the hangar.
“So, apparently Red is my colour now,” he said, scratching the back of his neck. He felt awkward after your argument over the new leadership role. Lance had never fought with you before, and he didn’t like the feeling.
“Oh. Well, I’d better let you go then.” You turned to leave the hangar. “Good luck out there.”
Lance walked towards the Lion, but Red still didn’t open up. “Oh, come on! Not this again!”
With a frown, you looked back at him. “What’s going on?”
“Blue wouldn’t let me in earlier, and now the Red Lion won’t let me in either, but I know I felt it calling to me.” Lance thunked his head against the force field, which refused to budge. “Maybe I’m not meant to be a Paladin anymore.”
“Well, apparently I’m not either, so I really don’t know what we’re going to do if we can’t form Voltron anymore.” You went and stood next to your friend, keeping some distance between you.
Lance looked at you miserably. “Y/N, I… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you before.”
You waved a hand dismissively. “We were all upset about Shiro. It’s fine.”
He shook his head. “It’s not just that. Ever since we rescued Shiro, and found out that you and Keith… were… well… you know. You’re my best friend, and I thought that I’d have you forever, and now you’re spending most of your time with Keith and I feel like I’m losing you.”
“You’re not losing me, silly boy. I’m always going to be your friend,” you said softly.
“But it’s not the same,” he whined. “And then, when Keith told us that Shiro had already picked him to take over as leader, and you sided with him… it just felt like once again Keith was getting everything he wants, and I’m left with nothing.”
“Lance,” you said seriously. “I can assure you that Keith did not want to be the one to bond with the Black Lion. If there was any way he could have ensured that you – or anyone else – would be chosen to lead the team, he would have moved Heaven and Earth to make it happen.”
Lance quirked an eyebrow at you, clearly disbelieving what he was hearing.
Placing a hand on his shoulder, you spoke again. “It meant a lot to him that you accepted the Black Lion’s decision. I honestly think that he wouldn’t have made peace with it if you hadn’t supported him.”
“Really?” Lance sounded surprised.
“Yes. Despite the words that come out of his mouth, Keith actually values your opinion. I don’t think anybody else could have got through to him.”
“Huh.”
“And I just wanted to say ‘thank you’,” you told him. At his dumbfounded gaze, you continued. “I know how much it hurt that Keith got chosen to lead the team instead of you, but you sucked it up and accepted it and gave him your support. I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder of you than I was in that moment.”
“Thanks, cutie.” Lance smiled, and you pulled him in for a hug, which he eagerly returned. It felt almost like old times.
The two of you jumped back when the force field suddenly dropped. You glared at the Red Lion. “Are you serious right now?”
Lance turned his puzzled gaze upon you. “What are you talking about?”
With a huff, you stalked up the ramp that was now lowered. “Apparently, Red has decided that two Paladins are better than one.”
Lance grinned. “Hey! So I get to fly with you after all!”
You grinned back. “Let’s get out there, Pretty Boy. Our new leader needs our help.”
**************************************
Keith gasped as the Black Lion was hit by the Galra ship’s ion cannon. “I’m okay, but we can’t fight this guy alone.”
He turned as he noticed something heading towards them. Lance’s voice sounded… from the Red Lion. “You won’t have to!”
“Hope you saved some for us!” you added as Red swooped in, firing its tail cannon at the warship.
“All right, let’s see if we can turn our attention on that ship,” Keith said, the relief in his voice evident now that Red had joined the fight. The Lions all fired at the Galra ship in an attempt to divert it from the Castle.
Lance whooped with delight. “Woohoo! Boy, this Lion can move!”
His delight soon turned to panic as he noticed he was heading towards the Galra ship much faster than anticipated. He narrowly avoided crashing into the ship before correcting Red and heading away.
“Hey! Be careful with Red!” Keith barked.
“Oh, fly your own Lion, Keith!” Lance retorted, before crashing into one of the Galra jets. “I meant to do that!”
“Wow! We are kind of a mess!” Pidge said in disgust. “We need to get organised. Keith, what should we do?”
“I don’t know! We need to form Voltron, but we’re short a Lion.”
“Not anymore,” you heard Allura call out.
All of you stared as the Blue Lion flew towards you.
“Awesome!” Hunk cried.
Before Keith could get everyone to form Voltron, the Galra fleet retreated. It wasn’t the least bit suspicious.
“We did it!” Lance said.
“It was a little touch and go there, but yeah, we made it,” Hunk added.
“Allura, you and the Blue Lion?” Pidge squealed. “How cool is that?”
“Yes, it was a bit of a surprise, but a happy one,” the princess replied.
Your voice was filled with worry. “Now we know that Zarkon has a son.”
“This is… deeply disturbing,” Allura said.
“We need to find out more,” Keith muttered as the team headed back to the Castle.
**************************************
You and Keith sat in your room, arms about each other as you tried to come to terms with the new arrangements within the team.
“So, you and Lance are together in Red, huh?” he asked softly. Along with his usual jealousy of your friendship, though, you also felt amusement seeping through the life-bond.
With a snort, you replied, “Yeah. Apparently that sneaky feline doesn’t trust either of us on our own.”
Keith squeezed your shoulder. “You know it’s not a reflection on you, right?”
“Sure,” you retorted. “Because I’m such a great pilot that I apparently need supervision.”
“I don’t think that’s the reason. I think it’s because Red knows that you prefer to work as someone’s partner. You wouldn’t be happy on your own.”
Damn him for knowing you so well. Stupid flippity-haired emo.
“Hey, that’s no way to think about your team leader,” Keith teased, hearing your thoughts. “I should write you up for insubordination.”
“Can you even spell ‘insubordination’?”
“Nope.” He huffed. “I suppose if Red had to bond with another Paladin besides you or me, it could have picked someone worse than Lance. I think he’s actually a pretty good choice.”
Keith sounded like he was in pain when he admitted that.
“Awwww, you do like him. I knew it!”
Keith pressed a kiss to the top of your head. “Y/N, I’m glad you’re still with Red. Even though you’re still paired up, rather than on your own, I’m really glad that you’re still a Paladin. This team wouldn’t be the same without you.”
“Thanks, Keith.”
He stood up suddenly, tugging you to your feet. “Come on.”
You narrowed your eyes at him suspiciously. “What are you up to?”
“Nothing. Why would I be up to anything?” The innocent gaze didn’t fool you. “Okay, fine. I need to check something out, and I want you to come with me so you can give me some advice.”
“You did something stupid, didn’t you?”
He looked at you seriously. “Prince Lotor left too suddenly. It doesn’t make any sense. I need to figure out what he’s up to. So are you coming or not?”
You rubbed your face with your hand. “I’m probably going to regret this, but yes. I will come with you, if only so that I can prevent you from doing anything too idiotic.”
Keith practically dragged you to the hangar.
**************************************
“Princess, the Black Lion is leaving the Castle!” Coran yelled.
“Keith, where are you going?” Allura cried in alarm.
“I put a tracker on Lotor’s ship,” he replied. “Tell everyone to get their Lions. We’re going after him. You wanted me to lead Voltron… this is how I lead.”