Work Text:
"Laser Tag"
Lance was bored. He hadn't thought it was possible to be bored while wearing space laser tag equipment, but he was. It wasn't his fault though. All five Paladins had agreed to play laser tag on the training deck, but Shiro got called away by Allura.
"I'll be right back," Shiro had assured them. That was thirty vargas ago. Well, it felt like that to Lance. Truthfully, it was only fifteen doboshes, but Lance was trying to find something to do when his eyes landed on Keith.
The Red Paladin wasn't wearing the laser tag equipment. He said he would put it on when Shiro got back. It didn't bother Lance that he wasn't wearing it, and he suspected that it felt strange with his Galra features that had finally manifested. Keith was now sporting purple, fluffy ears; a long, thin, purple tail; purple cheek stripes; sharp fangs; and patches of purple fur on his arms, legs, and on the front and back of his torso.
Lance cocked his head. He had always said the Galra were giant space cats, and he had always had cats growing up. Cats were always easy to entertain for the McClain children. All it took was a laser pointer. Lance looked at the toy laser gun still in his holster, back at Keith, and then back at his gun. A grin appeared on his face as he drew his weapon. This thing was basically a large laser pointer, and he was wondering if Galra had cat instincts. He took careful aim near Keith's feet and pulled the trigger.
%%%
Shiro was still wearing his laser tag equipment when he met Allura and Coran in the hangar where Keith's pack was disembarking from their pod. They were all curious as to why Shiro was wearing that, but Ulaz was the one who asked, "Shiro, what is the purpose of these guards? They seem quite bulky."
"These aren't actual guards. These are part of a game the rest of the Paladins and I were getting ready to play," Shiro answered as he led everyone back to the training deck.
"Our kit is playing?" Antok inquired.
"Oh yes. I had introduced Keith to laser tag when he was at the Garrison."
"Laser tag?"
Shiro didn't have time to answer Thace's question as the doors to the training deck opening to reveal Keith pouncing on a red dot that disappeared as soon as he had appeared to catch it. It suddenly appeared on his arm and swiftly traveled down his body and across the floor with Keith's eyes following its movement, only for him to turn away when he heard one of his pack mates yowl in concern.
He looked up and saw all four of them looking concerned, though he could tell it was Kolivan who had yowled. The leader of the Blades (and their pack) was quite protective of him, as they all were, but Keith had only heard Kolivan make that noise.
Thace easily located the source of the laser. Surprisingly, the Blue Paladin had a laser gun in his hands and was the one responsible for aiming a laser at their kit. He growled at Lance, who immediately holstered his gun.
Keith walked over to his pack, purring to them. He wanted to soothe them and let them know he had been in no danger. Antok wrapped his tail around Keith's waist and tugged him into the middle of the group. Kolivan nosed his hair while Ulaz was checking for injuries.
"Guys, I'm okay."
"The Blue Paladin was pointing a laser at you!" Antok exclaimed.
"It's not a real laser gun. It's part of a game," Keith tried to reason.
"Then, why aren't you dressed like Shiro?" Ulaz inquired.
Keith blushed slightly. "It feels weird with my fur, but I was just waiting for Shiro to get back."
"You don't have to play if it feels weird, Keith," Shiro stated.
Keith shot him a playful look, complete with a fanged grin. "Are you worried that I'll whoop you, old timer?"
"You couldn't beat me before, and you can't now!"
"Prove it!" Keith quickly nuzzled his four pack members before dashing over to his equipment, putting it on in record time.
"Start laser tag scenario one!" Lance called out.
As the laser tag maze appeared concealing the Paladins from the Galra's and Alteans' sight, they heard Pidge yell, "Every Paladin for themselves!"
Fin