Chapter Text
“Here” Pidge said. Sticks in hand, color coded with unknown tasks. She handed out ‘Master Chef’ to Hunk, claiming that Shiro was a close call. Lance beamed at the title of ‘Storyteller’. Keith shrugged as he was forced to be ‘Camp protector’. Shiro eyed his name on the stick, “Um, what exactly does the ‘Father’ do?”
Pidge sat down, crowning herself as the ‘Location Settler’ who, everyone guessed, did the bare minimum. “You know, keep everyone in line. Make sure Hunk has the things he needs so we have bomb dinners each night. Make sure Lance and Keith aren't found ripping each other apart.”
Hunk agreed. “If anything worry for my health. We'll be out in the woods, it's very easy to hide a body.” Lance exclaimed as he glared holes at Keith who was occupied with the stick between his fingers. “Thanks for the idea.” Keith said flatly, not batting a lash at Lances scandalized face.
“Allura will join us on the third day, Coran and her are still patching up the ship.” Pidge moved to grab her laptop, “We have exactly two days to ready the perfect items into a concoction for a perfect camping trip!” Pidge announced. “Be free my children!”
“Aren't we like, older than you?” Lance sniped.
“Say one more thing and I'll make Coran cook for us.” Pidge threatened.
Shiro was the first to shudder before making a break for the door, the others smartly followed suit.
xx
“The hell do we need pickles for?” Keith eyed the jar and swished the contents around.
“For the perfect hamburger, you heathen.” Lance grabbed for the jar and promptly placed it into the cart. “Hey it's not his fault Lance, Keith's never had a proper outing.” Hunk defended. Lance shot a look at Keith as his eyebrows raised in confusion. Keith seemed pretty fit ,but his skin tone seemed pretty pale so he went along with Hunks statement.
“You know, for an alien super market, these items are pretty close to a humans dietary needs.” Hunk commented, he grabbed for a jar and shook it around before yelping, small eyes floated in the purple liquid. “Never mind.” He gagged.
Lance turned around, crossing off the items that Pidge had sent them. “Last item.” Keith turned a corner to the meat section and groaned. “Guess everyone must be having something come up.” Hunk sighed at the generally empty meat shelves. Lance eyed around for ribs, chops, legs, anything that looked remotely close to meat until he’d seen one last package in the corner of the section. He made a dash for it, confident that he’d grabbed it and tugged it up.
“Excuse me young man.” A grainy, thin voice said. Lance settled his eyes onto an old woman, less than half his height with four arms, grabbing onto the meat. “Oh I'm sorry ma'am, I'll just be on my-” Lance made another tug at the meat, not even a budge. “Ma'am if you could just let go, I have a very important meeting.” he laughed nervously.
Hunk watches on the sidelines nervously, Keith watched in something crossed between boredom and utter amusement. “And I have eleven grandchildren, I guess we are both busy.” She gave a sharp yellow-toothed grin. Lance yanked this time, a face of accomplishment as he snatched it before face planting into the ground. Keith snickered, “Karma!” he yelled out.
Lance was flustered to realize the old woman had tripped him over before he could even take a step. She walked over and yanked the meat back before hobbling away, leaving Lance with a damaged ego and sore cheek.
“She's just lucky it didn't bruise.” Lance whimpered, rubbing at his face. “
So what do we do about meat. I mean we got most of the condiments and vegetables.” Lance said, running his eyes over the list again.
”I don't think anyone wants sad kabobs.”
Keith eyed lance. “Do you not the vegetables on your kabobs or something?”
Lance shook his head, “Hell no, they taste disgusting.”
“No wonder you're so lanky..” Keith murmured under his breath.
Before Lance could get a word in, Hunk estatically said Shiro made the trip to another market for the meat.
“Fathers hard at work.” Keith snickered.
xx
Keith scratched the hell out of his back, catching the attention of a curious Shiro.
“Feeling alright?” he questioned.
“Just a bit under the weather.” Keith said. He’d been bothered by the patch of off skin that crawled near his neck. But he wouldn't say anything, not to worry his team when this was one of their vacations. But he’d grown more wary as his skin began to breakout in purple blots, not to light but dark enough to tell there was discoloration.
“I just need some rest.” Keith shifted over the couch, getting into a comfortable position as he looked over the main room. Sleep finally taking him down into its deep depths as he listened to Shiro talk about the location of their campsite. He’d mentioned raging blue rivers, stretching over the pine forest, the amount of snow and cold mesmerizing as hell. The air was supposedly crisp, the land below you spoke and the animals of the forest sang in a chorus.
Shiro bet that they’d feel better as he explained the terrain to be very similar to earth's.
But he was oh so wrong, Keith sadly realized. The rivers they’d come across could barely sweep a boat away if it tried. Something that closely resembled pine needles and cones were everywhere, sitting on the ground had been one of the most uncomfortable experiences he’d put himself through. He watched in envy as Pidge sat comfortably against a tree with cushions.
Lance swore for the fifth time as a bug came to, according to him, ‘Suck the everlasting youth’ from him. “Something tells me there are going to be exercises involved.” Lance said.
Shiro nodded, tugging up his laces as everyone else groaned in distaste.
“It's a vacation!” Lance screeched and for once Keith agreed.
“Who ever makes it to the top of that hill,” Shiro pointed, “Will be excused of whatever responsibilities they’ll be given later.”
Now they were on track, eyes and ears perking up like a bunch of hounds.
Keith’s back was now hunched at the start line, everyone doing the same with their feet slightly behind and under them.
Hands touching the wet ground, Shiro called off how long they had before sprinting like the damned world was about to end.
Keith took the lead, pumping faster and harder to make it across the trek. Unlike the smooth floors of the castle, the ground had other plans for them. Hunk had already tripped over an overgrown tree stump, Pidge had been whacked in the face with a low hanging branch as she laughed at Hunk.
Lance whooped as he began to catch up with Keith, tripping every now and then. Shiro had long ago past them, throwing back a smile before speeding off, Keith’s gut had told him he was doing this for his own personal entertainment. But it was well worth the price, he’d wanted to enjoy the vacation without having to do anything. Just laze around and eat and listen to the chorus of birds and steady stream of the water off the bank just a few feet from their camp and enjoy a warm s'more.
He felt like shit halfway through the run, Lance was a steady while behind him, following were Pidge and Hunk. Looks of determination clear on all of their faces. Lance laughed as he caught up with Keith’s slowed pace, “Not looking so hot Kogane”. Keith knew, his face felt on fire along with the rest of his body. His legs cried for him to stop but his ego and determination were the only things keeping him from dropping out.
“Neither are you McClain.” Keith snapped back, deciding to push forward. As far away as he could and swore that he could feel the sweet relief of bathing in the river. Cold water running past his tense muscles, leaving him refreshed and awake. The opposite of him now, sweat starting to streak down his face as he faced the base of the trek upwards. He could hear Pidge pulling out the competition as the sun began to set, excusing herself by claiming to check around the area of their camp with Rover 2.0.
“Aren’t you afraid you might breakout or something after this?” Keith yelled over to Lance.
“Do you see these pores?” He yelled back, “ Air tight, bitch.” Hunk hollered that he’d run back to campsite to check with Pidge and start dinner.
He rolled his eyes before running off farther, just on top of the small hill sat Shiro overlooking the horizon and waiting. As he took another step before his mind began to swirl, his balance shifted as a sharp pain in his chest ravaged a wave of pain through him soon causing him to doubled over.
Lance came as fast as he could, shaking the shit out of Keith to wake up. “Keith, buddy, pal?”
He roused him back to reality, “Dude are you ok?” Lance tone was concerned and a tad scratchy due to running for so long.
“Just dizzy.” Keith reassured, followed by a rough chuckle as he positioned himself up against a tree
“Dude, don’t laugh you nearly gave me a heart attack.” Lance reached in his jacket for crumpled up nut bar. “Here.” Keith took the snack looking at it skeptically, trying to decipher the alien language on the wrapper. “Take better care of yourself would ya?”
Lance settled down next to him, the sun fell bringing with it blanket of dark blue and light purples that came over the forest. “You’re still a paladin, can’t have you dropping like a fly.” Keith kept quiet. “How about I make a deal with you.” Lance turned to Keith, the moon's light illuminating his dark brown face, speckled with bronze like freckles. Keith almost mentioned them, questioned when had those been there.
“I won’t mention this to the team and you let me win.” As much as Keith didn’t want to confide in the deal, he didn’t feel like making Shiro and the others worry about passing out. They'd likely call off the trip or shove him in a healing pod.
“Deal” Keith whispered. Lance smiled, the small freckles along the passage of his nose glistening. “Good, because I’m going to rub this into your face till Allura comes back.”
“Whoopie.” Keith sarcastically said as Lance helped him up.
“Get it moving Mullet Boy.” Lance snickered.
xx
The night ended with bowls of stew, Keith didn’t let his eyes deceive him as knew his portion was larger when Lance handed it to him. There was no snarky remark that came with it, just genuine care and worry put together made a pretty docile Lance.
The night instead of dull and silent, became vibrant and loud. Small bugs made for most of the sound, the occasional rustle of leaves caught Hunk on his nerves. But it all fell into one orchestrated noise, as the stars above twinkled a cricket would match its beat. The small chatter of birds swinging around the trees was carried on a phantom wind. The moon was the conductor, this planet the instruments among others.
Lance looked over to the red tent not too far from his own.
“Are you sleeping.” Lance said.
“No.” Keith replied. He stared out into the open sky, “The night feels alive.”
“It beats a night in the castle.” Lance murmured. “Anything would beat a night in the castle.”
“You know,” Keith propped himself on his elbow, palm up on his chin. “I've always wanted to do this, but I’d never been had the chance.”
“You never had family outings?” Lance turned toward Keith, the small embers from the dead fire barely illuminating their sleeping bags.
“I never had a permanent family.” Keith said.
Lance froze, “I'm sorry...” Lance whispered sorrowfully.
Keith placed his head down against his pillow, staring between Lance and the stars. “Don't be, they all sucked anyway.”
A light chuckle bubbled from his chest, “One time, I decided to run off because I really hated the family.”
Lance’s ears perked up. “My foster sister gave me hell half the time and if it wasn't her, it was the mother.”
It was too quiet, Lance could hear his breath, uneven and uneasy. “Maybe I was stressed or bored, but I ran off. With nothing but the clothes on my back and the knife my real mother gave me.” Keith stared upwards, he could see his younger self running amongst the stars confused, but determined. He blinked out the memory. “I got caught two weeks later, but I never felt so free.”
Then there was silence, Lance might've asked how he’d survived outdoors for two weeks, but didn't trust his voice to not crack.
The night continued on with its heavenly melody, not paying the slightest attention to the two teenagers lying on the cold ground.
“Swim.” Lance said.
“What?” Keith watched as Lance sprung out of bed, grabbing a towel from his bag and set a course.
“Let’s go and swim.” Lance held out a hand, “Back home I’d run to the water when things felt bad, kept my mind off things.”
Keith took the hand, gripped it, and hauled himself up.
Keith didn’t even know there had been a lake so close, nor when the hell Lance found the damn thing. The water looked black and cold, uninviting and weary looking. “Are you sure this is a good-” Keith flinched back as Lance jumped in without hesitation, emerging to the surface with an idiot grin. “Take off your shirt and get in!”
“I’m keeping it on, ‘s too cold.” Keith said. He sat down along the bank and it was already freezing. He reluctantly stuck his foot into the water, regretting the choice immediately as Lance jerked his leg forward, propelling his whole body into the body of water.
“The hell!” Keith sputtered, pushing back his bangs from his face.
Lance grinned smugly before terror took his face over as Keith swam towards Lance.
“Hey buddy! It was a joke, a joke!” Lance let out an ungodly screech before Keith threw himself onto Lance, dragging him into the freezing water.
After half an hour later of competitive swimming and just drifting around, they swam back to the bank and ever thankful there was no wind. “Why the hell did you kept that shirt on the whole time?” Lance ruffled his hair with the towel he’d bought along. “You hiding something under there Kogane?”
Lance made to move forward making Keith moved back a step, another move and he evaded the arm that came with it. Then Lance tackled Keith, “You are hiding something!” Lance yelled. Keith pushed and tried to scramble but his overexertion in the water had cost him, Lance was too strong to yank off his chest.
Lance’s breath hitched as his hand hooked down the worn T-shirt to reveal Keith’s neck, the skin showed pale and shiny before his eyes caught the slightest tinge of purple traveling up Keith’s chest, then an explosion of it. Lance realized it had grown onto his back, that it had the same texture as moss with a poisonous look.
“Stop,” Keith stressed, discomfort and panic evident in his voice. He scrambled back against a large rock, regaining his breath, his eyes frantic as if he were a cornered animal.
“Keith, you need-” Lance interjected, trying to ground him.
He flinched away as Lance held his hand out. Something bubbled from his chest as he saw Keith like this, remorse for dragging him out, curiosity because they’d known Keith was Galra but to what extent. “I’m sorry.” Lance rasped.
Keith stayed in the same spot, arms over his knees with his head tucked in. Strands of wet black hair stuck to his neck and arms.
The silence lapped into something uncomfortable, Lance fidgeted with the soil beneath his bare feet every so often.
“Can you-” Keith looked upward, towards an uncomfortable Lance. “Can you just keep it a secret.” He murmured. Lance didn’t look back, “I just need a week to think this out, or how to deal with it.” Keith said.
The sun began its travel back into the purple specked sky, birds began their songs and the water looked teeming with life. Lance pouted as he stared out onto the horizon, he grabbed his towel and slowly walked over to Keith.
“Just a week?”
Keith nodded, “Just a week.”
Lance bent down, sheepishly draping his worn blue towel over Keith’s back, making sure to tug it up where he could see purple skin. “Just a week..” Lance parroted, the words affirmation for himself.
They're eyes interlocked just for a moment before they both got up.
Keith stood up, shaking off the dirt that stuck onto his legs. “We’ll need an excuse.” Lance groaned. “It’s nearly morning and I’m telling you Shiro’s on a run by now.”
“Bonding exercise.” Keith declared.
xx
“Volleyball!” Hunk suggested. Lance seconded the idea, “Back at school I volunteered as manager for the girls team.” He boasted.
“To see them in shorts.” Pidge snorted.
“Listen, they kick ass while looking good, no other sport has this!” Lance yelled defensively.
“I think it’ll be good exercise.” Shiro added.
Keith walked over to his tent, pulling out a pair of sneakers.“Will there ever be anything we could do that's fun and you won’t seem to find the benefits to it?”
“Nope.” Shiro smiled.
“Here,” Pidge turned her laptop as she typed in final coordinates, “I had rover find an area with some sand, it's not far up the lake from here.” They all nodded.
“The teams will be Lance and Hunk versus Shiro and Keith. Me and Rover will moderate.” She prided herself as she lead the team up the worn track, there was a clearing of the trees up ahead and the steady flow of water made for the sound in the space.
“Not bad.” Lance whistled as he strided over the space. “But what about a net?” Hunk worried, he dumped a numerous of bags to the side.
“Before we left Olkarion, Ryner taught me some tricks.” Pidge set down her laptop and placed her palm onto the ground in deep concentration. Almost as if in answer, the ground beneath them began to swell up under their feet.
“Pidge?” Keith yelled nervously. The ground surged up vines that intertwined themselves into something that resembled a net. Pidge fluttered her eyes open before getting a look at her work, triumph plastered on her face. “When,” Lance stomped over. “did you learn to do that!” He nearly blew his top. “Some of us are just born with it.” Pidge sneered, making way to grab her laptop and settle down on the ground.
Both teams made it to their respective sides. Waiting for Hunk to serve the ball they’d bought along, a light hit was all it took to make it over and the game started. Lance silently thanked god for his long arms being able to make it to the ball in time, but wished for Keith to trip up just once.
Now compared to Keith, Shiro was a godsend. A lovable father figure who resembled the softness and comfort of a sunday meal, not that Lance was saying he’d eat him. Keith was hot headed for the most of the time, his eyes were always focused and he seemed so drained of fun or amusement. But as the ball was set to Keith and he slammed it into the ground triumphantly, the fun Keith that had been pushed back in his head resurfaced for little more than a second.
Lance felt something flutter in his chest each time Keith made a toothy grin or an airy chuckle. As much as he drew his attention to it, he refused to be beat. He hated taking the brunt of Shiro’s serves but could easily set up the ball for Hunk to send over or slam. While he’d admit to tolerating Keith’s hits, Shiro played tactically. He looked another way before sending the ball in a complete other direction. Often making Lance bump into Hunk before he could make it over to stop the flying ball. Shiro and Keith played like the world was on the line.
But Hunk and Lance played like a well oiled-machine; fast footwork, speedy eyes and pretty much on-the-dot coordination made up for what they lacked, power.
“10-8.” Pidge announced.
Hunk looked over, “Remember that move Feylin did that won nationals?”
Lance sighed. “She had amazing thighs.”
Hunk sprawled over to the side, saving the ball and sending it over to Lance. “Not the point!”
Lance set the ball up, “I know what you mean big guy!” Hunk grinned before getting up, a fire lighting in his eyes as he ran over to where the ball was.
Keith had already hunched down in the far back, expecting a hit so hard that his wrists might need ice or medical attention. Shiro stood to the other side, close to the net and ready to block it.
“In your face!” Lance cried and a series of events occurred. The ball, which Keith hadn’t expected, didn’t slam into the ground, rather it just fell. Hunk hadn’t carried the ball over the net, but a simple tap to it got it over, in bounds and counted for a historic point. Hunk and Lance whooped as Pidge laughed hysterically at a disgruntled Shiro and oddly confused Keith.
“Isn’t that illegal?” Keith asked.
“Your face is illegal!” Lance rebutted, still celebrating with Hunk.
Pidge made sure to record the next hour of their game, she’d nearly live streamed to Allura when Shiro threw his shirt away. In the end, Shiro and Keith accepted bitter defeat, 20-18. Shiro kept his eye on Keith, ready to hold him back incase he planned on mauling Lance.
Hunk was a sweetheart about winning, but Lance was nothing short of the definition of gloating. Keith might've put him in his place had he not been deathly afraid of Lance spilling his secret.
They all walked back, Hunk telling stories of their old high school and the volley matches while somehow mixing in how terrible the lunch was. Pidge made quick work with the video she’d recorded, instantly uploading it to the castle system and within four minutes received several blessings from Allura.
They’d soon lapsed into small talk about their homes, Hunk spoke of how his father gave him his love for cooking and became the unofficial chef for the family, his dishes often rivaling his aunts at holidays.
“Back home, around the end of Highschool,” Shiro started, his face illuminated in the fire.
“ My friends had convinced me to get a tattoo.” Keith spat his food out, coughing violently before heaving in deep breaths.
Lance nearly choked on his drink while Hunk sat a little too still. “Where?” Pidge asked. “Matt had told me about it, but I never believed him.”
“When!” Lance blurted out. Shiro shrugged, “Either the spring or summer time, we’d had a bit to drink and-”
“You drank?” Keith said in complete disbelief.
He gave a innocent smile, “So bad thinking hit us when we’d passed the parlor, I don’t know why they’d let us in.”
“Does Allura know about this?” Hunk meant to ground himself with the question, trying not to tip over the logs they’d used as chairs. “I figured she wouldn’t mind, she has marks that resemble tattoos.”
“How would you know?” Pidge peered. Shiro sat rigid, realizing the information he’d accidently dispatched.
“Alright, lights out!” Shiro dumped his drink into the fire, making quick work towards his tent.
“Shiro! You’d better explain this in the morning.” Lance barked.
Everyone made their ways towards their respective places, the zipping of tents and sleeping bags indicated the nearing of night. Lance settled down before a million thoughts zipped past his mind, home. The now dying embers reminded him of his mother’s eyes, a brilliant bronze that almost looked alive with fire when she talked. The birds that made their way to the towering trees reminded him of the fast wit of his father, always joking and smiling and down for a hug no matter the time.
The water nearing their camp didn’t help much, the sound reverberated through his head getting louder and louder till he could hear seagulls accompanying the swish of the water, the smell of the ocean, the sizzling of fish, the snap of crab shells. Then a trail of laughter and the sound of sand being smashed into hit his senses like a wave.
As a small stream of tears fell down his hot face, he wished upon the glowing stars above them that they’d travel to earth soon. Those memories that kept him from snapping, were now winding back a rubber band of emotions. “Hey.” Keith’s soft voice was carried on a breeze, catching the attention of Lance. “You’re crying.” He confirmed, as if he’d suspected.
“I just..” Lance sobbed. “This place reminds me of home, but it isn’t.” He croaked. “I just want to go home.” He angrily pushed his tears aside, staining the cuffs of his jacket. “Zarkon is still out there, stopping me from seeing them.” He choked. “I'm forgetting what they look like Keith. I can't remember.”
Keith unzipped himself out the bed roll, patting his way over to Lance’s tent. “Tell me about it.” Keith huffed as he dropped himself next to Lance. “About.. your home.” He looked at him tentatively.
Lance sniffled, looking up at Keith through irritated eyes, he’d seen Keith offer a simpering smile. “Yeah.” he rubbed at his cheek. “I am story-teller, after all. Can’t let my biggest fan down.”
Keith snorted before listening in.
He kept quite as Lance went into intricate detail of his old home. Of the old chipped and faded paintings that hung from the wooden walls. The couches covered in a plastic wrap to keep people from staining it. The smell of cinnamon as you entered, and if it wasn’t that it was often the smell of dinner wafting through the house. They were close to the clear water, yet it was always hot enough to melt you down into the pavement.
He ranted of the thousands of trips he’d taken, from Disney world to six flags. From mountain climbing, apple picking, stargazing. His family took what ever experience they could for their kids.
Keith marveled at the stories of how he’d used to help around the house that’d usually been in chaos. Cleaning up after messy baby cousins and offering help to the oldest ones. Nearly gawking at the scars that Lance pointed towards, explaining that he’d often get lulled into the beautiful water before getting knocked into an unforgiving wave. Or the times he’d fallen off his bike or roller skates.
They’d talked while the air turned cold and the wind howled, but the warmth of a second body kept them comfortable.
xx
Keith woke up to light snoring and the frost of his breath. A warm weight pressed against his chest and the tingling sensation of hair brushed up against his face.
He cracked his eyes open to find Lance’s head inches away from his own, his arm somehow cascading over his Lance’s torso. “Shit.” Keith hissed, he slowly took his arm off before inching away. He began to recall the events from last night, falling asleep as Lance talked about how he got lost at market.
But a rustle too loud to be from an animal came a bit far off the campsite, before thought his instinct took over. Scrambling to grab for the knife he’d strapped to his side, he peered out the tent, casting a glance to the bushes.
“Lance?” Keith whispered, his eyes glued onto the brush not far from them. “Lance wake up.” He stressed.
Lance just gave a slur of words before turning to the other side of his bed. So Keith threw his canteen at a low part of his back, a small yelp emitting from Lance.
“Dude what the-” Lance snapped, turning over to Keith ready to throw his own. “There’s something in the bush.” Keith hissed, pointing rapidly the greenery. Lance grimaced, groggily getting up and peeking out his tent.
“Did you fall asleep in here?”
Keith nodded, pushing back the thought of Lance’s steady breaths in the small tent. Tried not to recall the small murmurs he’d smiled at as Lance was in a state of being half-awake. “I’m going to go check it out.”
He tip-toed out the tent slowly, drawing his dagger close to his face.
Lance dragged himself out, “Maybe it was a deer.” He yawned, keeping a tight grip on his bayard.
“I highly doubt that-” Keith hissed before the rustling became active. Pure adrenaline ran through his body as he saw a figure emerge from hiding, he drew back, pushing Lance with him.
The figure had been masked, the cover over its face made of tinted glass giving forth no way of identifying them.
“Galra” Keith said in a guttural tone, vile lining the words as he charged forward.
“Keith wait-”
Keith struck left as the intruder blocked with a staff, he dove and made to strike under them only to be struck back. He rolled into the dirt before regaining his footing, the intruder made a defensive stance with their staff in hand, readying for another attack.
Lance had been on them quicker, activating his bayard he shot at their feet, distracting them from Keith as he charged into him. They’d both caught each others groove’s, Keith ducked, striked, retreated then it was Lance’s attack. Lance shot at their weak spots, leaving them open for Keith to have easier access to.
The clang of metal and bullets fell into a sound that reminded them of the sounds of the forest, of nature flowing together into one orchestrated mess. Strike, shoot, strike, shoot. This fight was the conductor, they were the instruments. But as soon as they’d missed their beat, the intruder took the opportunity to knock Keith’s weapon into the dirt, knocking him across the ground.
“Keith!” Lance yelled. He charged forward, putting full blast into his bayard. The intruder deflected each bullet as if they’d been slicing through butter, a beautiful blur of their weapon countering Lance’s bullets until he was sent sprawling into the ground.
“Pathetic.” A rigid female voice broke the silence. The intruder removed their helmet, white hair cascaded past their unyielding face. “Absolutely pathetic. You know Keith, Lance had done better than you as much as it pains me to say it.”
“Princess?” Keith groaned, dusting himself of dirt.
“Allura!” Lance rejoiced, he ran and crashed into her. “When did you guys come? Shiro said you wouldn’t be here till nightfall.” He waved gleefully at Coran as he sported cargo shorts and a green button up shirt.
“We finished up early.” She said, finally smiling.
“So you attacked us?” Keith grumbled.
Allura furrowed her brows,“Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you’re exempt from training.” she sniped.
Keith turned away, running his hands through his hair. He quickly wrapped up his knife before going back into his tent in silence.
Lance detached himself from Allura, “I think you should give him a bit of a break.”
Allura rose her brows in question and disbelief. “When has Keith ever taken a break?”
She grounded her staff into the ground.
“Exactly. Keith’s never relaxed.” Lance stressed. “I’d like for everyone to enjoy themselves without any semblance of stress.”
Allura’s face hadn’t changed, but the sharpness in her eyes eased as she looked over to Keith’s tent. “I suppose, I could lay down a bit.” She sighed, offering Lance a smile. Not a moment later Pidge came walking back with Shiro, scanner in hand.
“And where have you two been.” Allura smiled, striding over to Shiro before giving a bone-crushing hug. “Pidge said she wanted to check more of landscape, I tagged along.” He laughed before hugging back with almost the same strength.
“Wheres Hunk?” Coran questioned, looking around inquisitively. Almost like having been resurrected, Hunk shot out his tent at the mention of his name.
“What’d I miss.” He rubbed his eyes while exiting a yawn.
xx
Keith hadn't left the group's reunion out of anger, but in a terrified daze. Allura had taken him off his guard sure, but the thing or stuff crawling up his chest felt worse. He ran a finger through it, thin, purple hairs sprouted from the spots that’d been there longer.
Kolivan, after multiple tests, decided there wasn't enough Galra in his system to make him seem like one. Yet here he was, his nails growing sharper, the whites of his eyes turning a tinge yellowish, the canines of his teeth too large for a humans.
“Keith?” Pidge called. “We’re about to eat, get your ass out here.”
He quickly zipped up his tent from the inside, “Not hungry, I’ll get some later.” Keith flinched as the spots kept growing, now down the middle of his chest. “Bullcrap, you ate my share half the last time.”
Keith shut his eyes, “Pidge, I'm just not feeling good. Lay off for a bit?” And with that she hadn't pressed it, maybe because she hadn't cared or heard that tiredness that laced his tone. Outside he heard everyone conversate as his head pounded, heard the scrapings against their plates as his chest tightened. Heard their laughter as the skin on his back felt foreign.
Their footsteps soon faded as they finished their meals and conversed.
When he was sure they were completely gone, he made slow work with zipping the tent down. He grabbed a towel, his knife and his anxiety and started to make his way to the lake.
“Keith?”
He turned his head in surprise to find Lance is swim trunks, “What happened?” Lance basically sprinted over to him, putting Keith’s chin in his hands as he looked down to his neck. “Keith, you need to do something.” Lance kept his chin there, his blue eyes almost piercing as he stared at Keith.
“I can’t do anything.” Keith shot back, pushing back Lance’s hand. He stomped off to the pond. “I know you said a week,” Lance followed after him. “But its noticable.”
They trudged up the slick path before the sound of water came closer, “Allura might notice, what’ll you do then?”
Keith completely ignored Lance, near the bank of the water he discarded his shirt, showing the spread of the purple skin reaching his mid back. He froze as Keith dove into the water, not a moment later Lance jumped in himself. He watched Keith stubbornly hold his breath underwater, anger in his eyes as he crossed his chest. Lance noted at the skin near his neck, taking over part of his chest.
Lance swam deeper to grab at Keith, but could only grab at his foot. It was enough as Lance dragged Keith up upside down. As they broke for the surface Keith began to thrash around like wild trout. “Will you leave me alone for once!” Keith bellowed, his screams coming off loudly against the water.
“You’re always in people’s business and talking and loud.” He spewed those words as if they were fire in his mouth, as if there were a pit bubbling in his chest and he couldn’t control it any longer. Lance still swam there, his nails digging into Keith’s forearm as he yelled. “You're always flirting and clumsy, it's tiring!”
“You talk like you’re some bigshot you know?” Lance laughed painfully, “You’re Shiro’s favorite.” Lance pushed his finger into Keith’s chest. “You’re the lone wolf and no one judges you for it but I do.”
Keith made no change in his expression. “Remember when you decided to take on a fleet on your own before the rest of us could even make it.” Lance’s face contorted in anger and pain.
“Didn’t you think we were worried,” Lance retracted his hand from Keith’s arm. “That I was worried!” He bellowed, his face turning blush.
Keith slammed his hands into the water, could feel heat rolling off them. “You talk about your family so much.” Keith shoved Lance back. “Just head off to Earth and find them!” He heaved in a breath before regretting the words he’d shouted. Lance’s eyes stung, those jewel blue eyes threatened to overflow with tears. “At least I have one to return to.” he choked out.
Suddenly the water felt cold, the morning sun having almost little to no effect. Lance trudged out the water, grabbed his faded blue towel and matching sandals and left without a word.
Keith watched him walk off, deciding whether or not to run after him, to apologize. He floated on his backside as the sun bore its light onto him, deciding to stay.
He’d spent the rest of the day trying his best not to return to the camp, instead occupying his time with tracking down the native species of animals instead of already feeling the guilt he’d be pelted with. But no amount of watching a squadron of small mice like animals scurry off could lighten his mood. The six legged wolves with bloody red eyes didn’t make his heart waver as he glanced at them from a distance. The dusk that engulfed the forest in a flurry of wisteria and tangerines didn’t make him gape in awe. He felt the exact same as when he left the lake, shitty.
The walk back was full of doubt, and he stood for several moments debating if he could stick it out in the forest. But the sky threatened the earth with cold brushes, trees groaning as a freezing gale flew past
Sticky with sweat and dirt, he came back, shirt on and towel tightly wrapped near his neck. He’d found everyone near a fire eating happily, Allura talking about any sudden movements from Zarkon.
Hunk occupied himself with rover 2.0, fixing its interior while Pidge uploaded a new system onto it. “Was your swim good?” Pidge asked, not bothering to throw over a glance.
Everyone’s head turned to him, expect Lance. Keith tried to hide any discomfort as he sat down next to Hunk. “It was pretty relaxing.” He grumbled. He dared another look at Lance who had been looking at him, whose head quickly whipped the other way as if something caught his attention.
“Sorry we couldn’t join you.” Allura added.
“Pidge had told us you weren’t feeling up to anything.” Shiro said. “So we thought we’d leave you.”
Keith nodded in thanks.
“I'm turning in early.” Lance said, placing an empty cup where he sat. Pidge stared at Lance until he walked off.
“Night buddy,” Hunk said, putting rover on the ground before it began to hover. “I'm gonna go in too, that walk has me beat.” He waved off as he dove into his tent. “You need some rest too, number five.” Coran snatched the laptop off Pidges lap.
“I'm not tired!” she snapped. Coran kept composure, twisting his moustache. “You've made a grave enemy, Coran.” She squinted her eyes as she pointed two of her fingers at herself then Coran in a threatening manner.
Coran waited till she was in her tent, “If I go missing, she's your first suspect.” He whispered to Allura, getting a giggle out of her.
The corners of Keiths mouth tugged, but diminished quickly. Shiro gave a quick glance to Keith, he was asking if anything had happened. Keith blinked back nervously, not sure. Shiro threw a quick nod over to Lance’s tent and the slow turn of Keith's head was enough information.
“Allura, you said there should be a meteor shower tomorrow night?” Shiro asked. She nodded, “There's only one every three years, so we got lucky.”
Keith’s eyes shone, he looked at Shiro expectedly. He gave back a thankful nod back.
Keith smiled at Shiro before diving into his tent, he’d have to wait, but the idea boiled in his mind like Hunk’s famous stew.
xx
“Wake up grease head.” Something metal knocked into Lance's head. Pidge let herself into his tent with a grin, “You awake yet sleeping beauty?”
Lance got up before giving a hateful glare, “It's still the crack of dawn, why are you up?” Lance tossed off his sleeping bonnet, tossing his hair around.
“Because I recently found out some new plant species here and I plan to study it.” She exited with Rover.
Lance groaned and threw on his jacket, slipped on a pair of dusty sneakers and followed his less then little sister. “How did you even get your computer back?”
They turned up a hill, passing a grove of trees that flowed into the forest. “I heard Coran snatched it from you.”
Pidge grimaced, “Hunk had an extra and I got bored.” She waved Lance over to a bush flourishing with green berries. “My sleep schedule's pretty inconsistent. I sometimes wake up earlier then Shiro.” She snorted, placing the computer down onto the earth. She grabbed a handful of the berries and placed them into a metal cannister she had strapped to her side.
“Are those even safe to eat?” Lance almost felt the urge to swat the suspicious fruit from Pidge's palms.
“We'll find out when we get back,” She snapped the canister back into her belt. “For now I want to see what else this planet offers.”
Lance nodded in understandment, sitting back as he watched Pidge do her thing. Stop, collect, stop, collect, stop.
“I saw you two yelling.” Pidge opened another canister, dropping oddly shaped leaves inside. Lance stopped dead in his tracks, his brows furrowed. “I actually was using rover to check for new terrain to walk around.” She talked so nonchalantly while Lance contemplated on dashing out on her.
“Keith looked.. Different. Then you were both yelling into each other's faces.” Pidge looked up to Lance with steady eyes.
“That wasn't the first time you'd been at the lake, was it.” Pidge’s voice lowered. Lance checked his surroundings, “I was helping him.” he defended.
“That isn't helping Lance.” Pidge stressed.
“Keith is literally changing and it could have long term effects. Good and bad, have you stopped to think about that?” Pidge hastily attached her last cannister onto her belt. “He might hurt others, he could hurt you and most important of all he could hurt himself.” Pidge pinched the bridge of her nose. Lance tried to say something back, something witty that could dismantle her statement but couldn’t.
“After tonight I’m telling Allura and Kolivan.” Pidge began to walk back the same way they came. “As soon as we climb onto the castle.”
“You know that’s not fair to Keith.” Lance shot. “You know he said a week.”
“And if he lied?” Pidge whipped around. “We can’t risk that Lance.”
“Then fight me.” Lance shrugged off his jacket, grabbing the bayard he’d attached to his belt.
“This is waste of time.” Pidge groaned, clenching her own bayard and throwing off her own jacket.
Lance shot first, Pidge deflecting it before charging forward, determination growing in her eyes. Her bayard whipped forward, snapping and slicing at his torso. Lance blocked the attacks before his weapon morphed into two handguns, Pidge took cover behind a tree as he shot rapidly.
He made his way over, making sure the ground beneath him gave no semblance to Pidge as to where we was. He quickly turned to find the space empty, confusion wrecked his thoughts before he had time to react.
Soon Pidge was flying out a tree, her whip already yards ahead of her and caught around Lance’s arm. She rolled onto the ground and yanked hard, driving Lance into the mud. “Give up?”
Without warning, Lance grabbed the whip and flung it sideways and let go, taking Pidge with it. Before she could slam into a tree she shot it upwards once again, flying off into the dense forest. Lance aimed upwards, blasting holes into the greenery at anything that moved.
“You’re panicking.” Pidge’s voiced echoed. Lance whipped around, “If I’m panicking then you’re in a terrible state.” Lance grinned. Out the corner of his eye a bright green shone, Lance shot at the incoming whip as it reeled back. Then again, he dove and jumped back as it stabbed into the ground from each miss. The attacks came faster, the whip whistling through the air.
“Yield.” Pidge said. But as whip crashed down into the dirt, Lance made the stupid decision of grabbing it by the wire before being shot upwards, right where Pidge hid. “Ah fuck.” Pidge hissed. Lance grabbed her by the leg before falling downwards, where they’d crashed dangerously close to a ledge. Pidge was the first to scramble upwards into a defensive stance.
Lance wasn’t having any of that. He charged forward to throw a kick for it to collide with Pidge’s forearm. She’d sent a sweeping leg underneath Lance, trying to throw him off balance. He dodged feints, drawing back at times to draw in air and retaliate. He dove as Pidge threw another kick, quickly grabbing for her leg and throwing her off balance. She cursed, her hands getting scrapped in the process of evading Lances hits. “Do you really think Keith will benefit from being alone in this?” Pidge yelled. She covered her face with her forearm as Lance slammed into her. “I trust him.” Lance defended.
Pidge rolled her eyes, she went in to back Lance against a tree. “Keith doesn't trust others Lance, he does things based off what he believes is right or necessary.”
Lance grimaced as Pidge slapped his face, “The hell!”
“Keith has been alone since he was a child. He's been clutching onto that dagger like his damn life came from it.” Pidge pointed downwards to the camp.
“If you gave a flying fuck Lance,” Pidge stomped over to retrieve her belongings. ”You’d do something to help him.”
Lance watched Pidge walk off in frozen rage, trying to regain his breath as he collapsed down onto the ground, listening to it laugh at his misery. The forest took a breath as the sun broke past the horizon, the leaves rustling and plants swinging through the air.
He’d never been so sick of looking at something beautiful before.
xx
“Where’s Lance?” Shiro turned his attention to Pidge, exhaustion clear in her face.
“He wanted to walk a bit more.” Pidge looked over at Keith, her eyes somewhat apologetic as she walked off. His eyes snagged on the bruise on the back of her hand. “Pidge,” Keith shot up. “Show me what you bought back.”
Pidge looked down, “I mean it’ll be boring-”
Keith walked forward, “Please.” His voice was stern, but his eyes begged .
She sighed before waving Keith to enter, they knew Pidge’s tent was larger but the amount of items she could keep crammed in there was a mystery to him. In the corner there were tiny test tubes, a live flame not far from it with a bottle hanging onto of it. Several discarded plates of food and writing supplies.
“What is all this?” Keith tip-toed around discarded notebooks and mugs. “Hunk asked me to find out what here was edible.” She sat down, buttoning down her jacket. “So I’ve been working on this for the past few days.” Pidge threw her jacket into a stack of textbooks, Keith’s eyes widened at the bruises and cuts that scattered against Pidge’s arms.
“Where is he.” Keith nearly growled. Pidge reached for a first-aid kit, “Geez, I'm fine too you know.” She hissed as she wiped off dirt and spots of blood with a gauze, “But he’s fine.”
Keith began to twiddle his fingers around, “But are you?” His eyes turned up towards Pidge. “You've been acting weird.” She began to wrap up her wounds. “You haven’t been out since Allura came, she thinks it's her fault.” Keith cringed at that. “And you of all people didn’t want to eat.” She tied up the bandage up before shoving it into the case. “Do you need to tell us anything?” Pidge went for her belt full of different herbs, placing them onto a small, low table. Keith reached for his neck, scratching at it nervously while looking down.
“No.” He said. Pidge nodded, not pressing the matter as she dropped the different fruits into a beaker. Keith watched as she boiled, steamed, froze and wrote down lines and lines of data. Soon the sound of pencil upon paper made him drift to sleep.
“.. sure he wakes up.” A strong female voice whispered followed by zipping up the tent door. Keith groaned before getting up, using the heel of his hand to rub out the sleep from his eyes. “About time.” Pidge said before slamming a notebook close. “You snore loud, I almost threw one of these at your head.”
Keith pulled his hair back, “Thanks.” He grumbled. “What time is it?”
Pidge pointed over to the laptop next to her, “Go help Hunk. He’s been slaving over those pots for the past hour.”
Keith knew he overstayed his welcome, so he listened. As he left he heard loud, obnoxious laughter. “No, no. Do you remember that stupid joke spongebob made.”
Hunk held a pan in his hand while flipping some type of vegetation. “Hey, you know what's better than twenty-four?”
Lance held in his laughter, clutching a bowl of a purple paste. “Twenty-five.”
They both burst out in laughter, Lance nearly falling out of his seat.
Keith felt extremely out of place as he walked over like some awkward preteen, he started to check out the trail behind him and wondered if it would just be better to wonder for a couple of hours.
“Keith!” Hunk called out. “Did Pidge kick you out?” He grabbed for a knife and some bowl of fruits. “I need you to cut these up for me.”
Keith strided over, keeping a distance from Lance and his icy glares. “No problem.” He handled the knife in his hands, the feeling foreign and for once he wasn’t sure about holding a knife at all.
He bought the fruit to his palm, keeping the knife to the stem of the plant trying to slice through it.
Lance huffed, “That’s not how you do it.” He placed his bowl down and sat next to Keith, snatching the knife and fruit from his hands. He expertly held the knife within his hand, pressing his thumb down with the knife into the fruit. Slicing the top off in a clean slice, “Like that.”
Keith nodded, held the fruit to the knife and mimicked the action Lance demonstrated. Lance bought his mix over and kept his seat to Keith.
Every now and then Keith looked over to see him laughing at Hunk’s jokes or talking about the garrison. His eyes lingering on the bandages and bruises on Lance’s arms and legs.
He felt content watching Hunk pile food onto food, the scents floating through the air. Felt relieved to see Pidge come out her tent and give her share of help. Allura and Shiro came later, baskets in hand with thick covers and blankets. “It’s been awhile since I’ve been on a picnic.” Pidge confessed. Shiro nodded, “Matt used to tell me you’d go kite flying.”
Pidge smiled, “Yeah.” She hauled up a basket. “Alright.” Allura carried her own basket and bag, “I think we're prepared.”
“Can I catch up you guys a minute or two. I need to finish up something.” Lance placed his basket near the campfire. “Don't take long, I think the picnic might be too quiet.” Pidge said.
Keith began to walk off before being tugged back. “Come here.” Lance whispered. He lead Keith over to his tent, tugging him inside. “Take off your shirt.” Lance ordered, grabbing a small bag.
Keith froze, “What?”
“It's not like that, just let me see your neck.”
“That doesn't make it better.” Keith shrugged off his jacket, tossing his shirt off.
He watched as Lance took a large brush and dipped it in some kind of brown liquid. His face too hard to glean off of. “It's too dark..” Lance bit his nails. He went fishing through his bag till he found a white pencil. He broke off the tip of it, mixing it with the brown liquid till it lightened. “This should work.”
He bought the brush over to Keith's face, slightly dabbing the product over the purple skin. “Tickles.” Keith chuckled. Lance looked up from Keith's chest, “Well,” he went for more product. “It won't last forever, just long enough.”
Lance felt like throwing himself off something very high as he moved onto Keith's chest. The faded scars of previous battles peppered his skin, some deep while others not as serious.
“How'd you get this one.” Lance questioned as he ran the brush over it, he let his shoulders relax. Keith felt for it, right below his collarbone. “Gladiator.” He winced at the memory. Lance rose an eyebrow
“I couldn't sleep so I went on a higher level to try and tire myself out faster.” Lance covered it with foundation. “Worst thinking I've ever done.”
Lance nodded. “And this one?” Lance pointed to it.
Keith placed his hand over it, “First time we tried merging into voltron.” Lance smirked. He moved Keith’s head to the side, getting into the crevices of his neck and shoulder. Could smell sweat and the heat rolling off his body, “You smell terrible.” He turned Keith slightly to the left, reapplied product and started from the neck down. “I didn’t have time to clean up, I was sparing with Shiro a while back.”
Lance’s eyes traveled back up, his eyes demanding to check lower before getting latched on a Keith’s shoulder. Soon Lance’s hand was on the scar before he could register thought. “What happened.”
Lance retracted his hand from Keith’s left shoulder, nearly grimacing at the gash that was embedded in his skin.
Keith slightly flinched from the touch, his back muscles contorting. “Blade of Mamora.” He said softly as he turned around.
Lance bought his eyes back up to the purple blotches, covering them. “I knew we should've gone in earlier.” He cursed. But no one had felt the same anxiety. Sure, Allura had almost barged in with the castle. But it wasn’t fast enough as Lance felt useless and helpless.
“I'm just happy it healed.” Keith shrugged.
Keith turned forward as he finished his back, facing Lance as he held his hands out. “Do you think you could fix these too?” Lance looked down to see long, jagged nails. “Well then Wolverine.”
Lance fished around his small bag, pulling out a clipper and file. Keith sat still as Lance took the clippers to his nails, snipping them before filing them down. “Wait, I can do better.” Lance held each individual finger in his palm as he buffed them out with what Keith mistook as a sponge.
As he finished his last finger, Lance twisted off the top to a bottle of clear nail polish. Keith stared at Lance’s steady hands as they applied each coat smoothy, “My aunt,” Lance said as he moved to another finger. “She owned a nail shop, I used to help out there on my winter breaks.”
“I didn’t ask.” Keith said. Lance glanced at Keith for a second, attending to his hand again. “Yeah,” He blew on the nails, urging them to dry faster. “but you wanted to know.”
Lance pulled a mirror to Keith, and he had outdone himself. But Keith wasn't about to inflate his ego. He felt the area where the purple skin had been, it felt dry and smooth yet it looked like real skin. “Nice.”
“It's my best work if I do say so myself.” Lance put the bag away, making his way outside. “It's waterproof too.” Lance picked up the basket he left idle. Keith hauled another blanket. “Why would you wear makeup in the water?” They began to walk down the trails.
“There are limits meant to be passed Keith. One day, you'll understand.” Lance ran down farther, leaving Keith in the dust.
The sound of music and laughter became louder as they came closer. Pidge ran over and told Keith to join her team. A volleyball rested between Allura’s hip and arm, a smug look plastered on her face as Shiro stood next to her with the same confidence. “We need to destroy them.” Pidge hissed as she dragged Keith over.
Lance situated himself down on the blankets, reaching for a plate of food Hunk had offered before sitting next to him. Lance watched as Allura hit the ball with enough energy to make Keith stumble back, the ball a bit too short for Pidge to run over to. Rover called a point for Shiro and Allura as they cheered. Allura served again, deciding to take mercy, Keith easily sent the ball over to Pidge who set it up to the other side of the next.
Keith backed up before running over to the next and hitting the ball over, Shiro sprawled down to send the ball over to Allura and cursed as it went a bit farther then he had intended. “Language!” Pidge cried out.
Hunk laughed a bit as Shiro apologized, “How many days do you think we’ll get like these?” He said, turning his attention to Lance. Lance watched Keith cheer with Pidge as they scored another point over them, happiness and excitement laced in their emotions.
“Maybe in a year.” Lance took a bite out of his fruit. “Maybe more. Allura might never let us back here for all we know.”
Hunk made a confused face, “Allura isn’t that mean Lance, I think she’d get it if we needed a break.”
Lance sighed. “I know, I know.”
Lance discarded the pit of the fruit into a plastic bag. “Do you think we’ll ever make it to Earth.” Lance asked.
Hunk nodded, “Absolutely.” He nodded over to the court where Pidge and Allura were close to heading into battle as to who got the last point.
“It’s not like it won’t take a long time, because it will.” Hunk explained. “But we’ve been training and working and getting through so many new experiences that we must be able to.”
He smiled to Lance, “Make sense?”
Hunk really was a god-send, almost anything he said could make you feel pretty solid about everything.
“Yeah. Thanks bud.” He whispered.