Work Text:
"Not Abandoned"
Keith looked around wildly. He couldn't see anything. "Hello? Shiro? Hunk? Pidge? Allura? Coran? Lance? Can anyone hear me?"
His words were swallowed by the darkness that surrounded him. Where were the others? Did they leave him like so many others had before? Wasn't he part of the team? Did he not belong anymore because he looked more Galra than before?
He shook his head. No, he had been reassured of his place by none other than Allura herself. The princess had pulled him in close to her and stroked his hair as she told him that he was the Paladin of not only the Red Lion but the Black Lion as well and was more than deserving of his place on the team. After those kind words, he had no reason to doubt his place. If he did, then the resulting group hug took care of those. So, if they hadn't left him, where were they?
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The entire team of six Paladins had camped out in the nest they kept in the lounge and were in various stages of sleep, when they heard the distinct whimper of a Galran kit in distress. All five of them were instantly wide awake and crowded around Keith, waiting for Shiro to wake him up.
Shiro gently shook Keith's shoulder. "Keith. Come on, wake up, bud."
Keith's eyes flew open, and he was panting slightly, his fangs easily seen. After a couple of doboshes, he raised his head and looked at the assembled Paladins. "Guys? You're here?"
"Yeah. We're here. Why wouldn't we be?" Shiro asked, reaching out and stroking his cheek stripes.
Keith nuzzled Shiro's hands as he relayed his nightmare. "I was alone, and it was pitch black all around. I couldn't see anything, and no one was replying to my calls."
Allura scooted closer and stroked his hair. "You don't have to worry about us never being there for you. You are one of us. That will never change."
"You are our Red Paladin," Shiro said.
"And our Black Paladin," Lance added.
Keith snuggled against Shiro and purred. His tail was wrapped around Lance, and Allura was still stroking his hair. Keith was leaning against Hunk, while Pidge was leaning against his left side. In the middle of this group made Keith feel safe and secure, not only as a Paladin but as a member of the family.
Fin